That is how it is done on a Friday night in the Spa city.

A state title is on the line in our state's largest classification.

It's the six AA Girls championship.

It's a great one.

Conway and Little Rock Central.

It is great to have you along with us tonight, Kyle, Doc Elbaum and Bobby Swafford with you.

If you just look at these two records for these two teams, you might think, Boy, Conway's heavily favored here.

They've got that that gaudy record.

But you got to understand the context for these two teams playing.

And it starts, Bobby, back in 2020 202 finals.

That's a Little Rock Central.

The game in the heavy underdog Conway nationally ranked in that game.

Central pulled the upset wins the third straight season they've met in the postseason nine meetings overall since that point.

These two teams know each other.

Should be a really interesting matchup coming up as central team kind of putting everything together.

It's going to be an interesting size matchup as well.

Will delve into a little bit of this as we get going here.

And you see the two teams warming up.

We're about halfway through this, three days of state championships here in Hot Springs.

It's a big day for Little Rock Central.

They will take on the boys will take on Brian.

Following us tonight should be a great crowd on hand here from Central.

And then take a look at the schedule here.

Bobby.

Tomorrow will kick things off with that one eight girls game, Mammoth Springs and Norfolk, and then the Veda and Mark, Terry and Mama Spring in Norfolk, meeting in the state championship game for the third straight year.

They split the previous two meetings that one circled on your calendar.

Those two teams know each other really well.

You talk about a game to circle that to a girls game tomorrow, 6:00, Mt.

Vernon, Enola and Mansfield, about 42 against a 32 and the only two teams in the state that come in undefeated.

Boys or girls.

And they happen to score off in the state championship game.

Mount Vernon, an older defending champion, Mansfield, they know how to win championships.

Four consecutive volleyball titles for that school.

ABC and Marshall, round things out tomorrow night.

We've got a great one on tap tonight.

We can't wait.

It's central on Conway for the Six Day Girls championship.

Coming up next.

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Back at Bank Music Arena.

Away we go for the six eight girls championship.

It's Conaway, and it's Little Rock Central.

It's a good run.

Let's take a look first here at the Lady Cats.

Got here 26 and six on the year.

The one seed out of the central 6531 win over Springdale, 5443 of a the hit their third win, by the way, over the Panthers and the three time six eight central champs facing Little Rock Central.

We will talk about the twin sisters tonight, Cliff Cox and Lex Scott.

Bobby, how about Alexis Cox as she leads Connolly in both scoring and rebounding 19 points per game, seven rebounds per game.

She's already gone over 2000 point mark in her career and just the junior.

She's got a handful of offers already.

She's going to be a college player and she's the straw that stirs the dream for the lady.

Help us cats.

you hear that central crowd coming to their feet right now?

Let's talk about those tigers coached by Marlon Williams.

And for Central, this has been quite the run here in the postseason, a run they've certainly been waiting to make for a long time.

17 point win over Bentonville.

This is the stunner here that we know the coach of the year, Coach Ricky Smith's North side team.

That's a that's a giant killer of a win.

And then a stunner in North Little Rock to beat the charging Wildcats by three to make it here in the state championship game to face Conway And they are like Bobby by Jordan Marshall you know the run that Little Rock central made for the state tournament is their resume second to none talk about beating the number one seed from the west and now north side them in then top four north Little Rock a team had beaten them twice in the regular season.

Jordan Marshall, the Louisiana Tech signee, 17 points, ten rebounds, shoots better than 50% from the field.

But maybe the most important stat of all time, a 4.53. average doesn't on the floor, does it?

In the classroom.

The only Arkansas girl who's a McDonald's all-American nominee, as you mentioned, Bobby, headed to Louisiana Tech.

Well, these two teams have played twice this season.

Conway won them both that first game, 6244 back at the end of January, mid-February.

They play just a three point game.

These two teams know each other very well.

I think that second game might be a bit more indicative of what we're about to see here tonight.

Central team that's finally putting it all together feels like just about every player on the roster is had injuries missed time battled one thing or another and here they are putting it all together peaking at the right time.

That's all that matters as long as you're playing well in March, whether you're playing in high school, college in the pros, this is clutch time and Little Rock Central, as you mentioned, as they rally to beat North Side down early in that contest, they beat a North Little Rock team that beat them twice in the regular season.

Same thing here.

Commonly beat a Little Rock Central twice.

But that confidence they've gotten over the last week and a half will propel them here.

And this could be an interesting contest as they turn the basketball over to start the game.

Well, first thing that stands out is something that's going to be a storyline all game.

Bobby the gigantic size difference and even Conway coach Ashley Hutch Kraft did not shy away from that.

She said We're going to look like midgets out here next to Little Rock Central.

That's a good way to start at Emory.

Bohannon That's a great start.

Good right there at the elbow, knocks down the 15 footer.

And that's what Conway needs to do, speed up the pace and get out in front early.

They're averaging 64 points per game.

So Maya Jordan, Emory, Bill Hannan, Olivia Cox, Alexis Cox, starters for Conway.

Hey, this is Cox Dumps it off and another turnover back to back turnovers for central to begin their Little Rock Central's got to settle the nerves the first ever championship appearance for the lady Tigers for handed the junior gives it off some Maya Jordan deep three Bo Hannan a little bit too strong that time tracked down by central up ahead in transition right at the other end A great job by Olivia McCumber to get behind the defense Central is going to want to try to get out and run push the pace and they do just that got their first points of the game.

Olivia montgomery, a senior floor general for this team, she's one of those tigers that had a knee injury her sophomore season, which missed much of last year.

Finally, healthy and playing storyline to the central team.

This is a central team that has had to overcome so much and coach Marlon Williams has talked about it that injury bug it.

It's hard to be cohesive.

It's hard to find any sort of rhythm for your season, but you think about the mental side too, of having to put it all together.

So Hannan picks up her dribble and gives it up to some Maya Jordan, The junior five seven, pulls up to shoot around it out.

Boy, I was halfway down.

Taylor de Davis clears the board.

She's going to bring it up.

Little Rock Central has all that size.

Will they play a little bit of a position?

Less basketball doesn't matter.

They just try to push the pace, get up and down the floor, let all five handle Davis left side, Montgomery inside Davis with the finish with a defensive rebound on one end reward here on the other with the easy lane as Central's got their first lead Big Davis sleeper on this team at the other end a little bit too strong there from Alexis Cox.

You can hear the central crowd.

They've got the advantage, of course.

They're boy squad playing right after it.

Tiger Faithful showing up at its of the other way.

A little too strong there has to be charge on Jordan Marshall extended that right arm tried to clear a little space for herself Great job by Conway to establish position cut her off on the baseline you can see a little push away.

There might have been a charge on the second player coming over as well.

Nice job by Connolly's defensive rotation.

Yeah you think about this Conway team Bobby the defending state chance they've got three of them in their illustrious recent history under Ashley Hutch Kraft on the drive there that one falls for Alexis Cox great physical move by Cox's right into the chest of the defender and able to take the contact and finish at the rim.

66 was used to playing a more physical brand of basketball than we may be used to seeing across the state.

And he showed up there.

All four teams in the semifinals from the Central Conway team pulled it off.

Last year's championship team lost four starters, all of whom, by the way, went to major college programs.

This is headed Conway's direction.

You think about this team, the identity of this team.

Bobby, There's no we're used to seeing your Jordan Danbury and you're Khloe parties and you're Savannah Scott's.

And there isn't one of those kind of stars for saying this Conway team.

Yeah.

Those.

Those stars are playing for Stanford and Auburn and a handful of other big time colleges.

I think Alexis Cox could be the next one.

No, just a junior.

Bohannan on the drive lays it up, gets it to fall three shots go hand an average of 16 points a game over 100 made three pointers usually does a lot of damage from the outside, but that time gets in amongst the trees and finishes off the window.

She hit about 100 combined threes over her ninth and 10th great season.

So he has really come on.

This season has been a big key contributor on the drive blocking charge there that's going to be charged on Olivia Cox try to sell that one a little too much little bit of a flop.

Try to embellish that he gets called with a blocking call.

Lockyer Davis will go to the line of five nine senior averaging six points a game another one who had a knee injury or sophomore season and then a knee injury last summer she fought hard to return, came back mid-January.

Probably not a coincidence.

Central started to catch a little bit of fire not long after I mentioned how well these two teams know each other.

Nine match ups, including this one over the last three years.

Little Rock Center coach Marlon Williams coached under Ashley Hutch Kraft just a few seasons ago before being named to Head Tiger.

He was in Conway for 18 years.

A bunch of different roles is going to be called There is some Air Jordan was on the drive.

This is Alexis Cox.

So we spotlighted twin sister Olivia Cox, really turned it over some by a Jordan Corral for the lady cats on the drive, tries to jump it off and gets it back.

That's three turnovers so far on Central.

And if you're looking for that one thing you've got to clean up at the first media time out for Central, it's certainly the turnovers, just a66 game so far although Hannah on the drive pull up jumper for the too strong she got fouled on her way up She will shoot a nice quick first step there from Conway gets by the defender to the trill defender trying to make up block the shot had a little too much skin in the central low handed to the foul line and coach Ashley Hutch crafts single handed.

She's really a spark.

They feed off of her energy.

She's dancing during practice, she's having fun.

She really fuels this team or lack thereof.

The team really looks at her personality all those days when maybe you don't have as much energy as other games.

That's what leaders are supposed to do.

Find a way to to get the most out of your teammates, no matter the situation or circumstance.

Basham Campbell's enters the game.

Ty Wilson swings it around to the right side, taking the shot and a foul is going to be called Bear on t. Lester Conaway Certainly trying to keep the basketball out of the hands of Jordan Marshall a little too physical, a little two hands he down low in the pick up a foul away from the ball and hit the media time out our first break in the action eight six Conway early in the six eight championship you're watching the Centennial State basketball championships in Arkansas.

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A few of us from Central.

They've got a long night ahead of a central tiger.

Boys will take on Bryant.

You see a lot of blue certainly in the stands already from those Bryant fans making that trip from not too far away.

Only eight six game here in this six eight championship.

Kyle deck Obama and Bobby Swafford with you and you see central here we've talked a little bit about it but just that major size advantage that they have and actually Hutch Kraft did not shy away from it.

And look, this is going to be a tough matchup for us.

So big against so small.

And it was easy, probably Bobby, for her to hop on all week and say, look how close that second game was between these two teams.

They had just a three point margin.

You mentioned Little Rock Central can run out five players, five foot ten or taller if they want to and a clearly an oversize Conway teams found a way to avoid that all season long and forced and turnovers is a key reason why Lex Cox tried to take this herself forces it up to strong rebound underneath from central Taylor de Davis pulls it down a couple of opportunities that Connolly's had in the lane that haven't gone down he to finish in the paint when they get there and you saw that turnover graphic there from central in the corner pull up Ty Wilson off the rim Conway tracks down the rebound for Niall West brings it up.

The fans wanting to travel there nothing called but a turnover there On Conway moving the other way quickly.

Ty Davis she turns it over at the other end.

But a foul is going to be called a little frantic pace coming out of that media time out.

Both these teams getting up and down, But Little Rock Central got to start protecting the basketball.

They've got six turnovers.

That's led to all eight Conway points for coach Marlon Williams.

Got to clean it up pretty good about the way this first 5 minutes have gone on the drive the pull up jumper there.

And that is headed the other way.

I mean, offensive charts, they're on time.

Wilson The junior great job by Bohannon to get in front established herself and takes the bump Well she hits the floor but creates the turnover.

Wilson with offers from UK state Louisiana-monroe another one.

Tell me if you've heard this story before about Central missed a full year with a knee injury returned against Bryant mid-January.

Lots and lots of injuries for this Little Rock Central squad, but as you mentioned in the open finally starting to put it together at the right time.

Well, that did not look like a good angle.

Going to call simultaneous possession jump ball there.

If you and I were in that position, that's how we'd have knee injuries.

No question.

We don't been that way.

Or the young again.

No, that's the thing.

These are these are young knee injuries but healthy now playing for a state championship.

This would be Central's first travel their turnover to Maia Jordan.

Try a little hop back step that you see so many times in the college and professional game that Thompson whistled for taking too many steps forward about this Conway team.

Yes, they lost four starters off last year's championship team.

But you think about who they went up against in practice, so they may not have as much on court experience per say in this game, but they were here and they were practicing last year against Florida and Savannah Scott and all that talk shot underneath.

Nice job.

Andrea Gaston gets it to go.

Nice job.

I guess.

I'm not sure if that pass was intended for her, but she has the benefit of it at the other end.

Knocked air track down pull up jumper not there.

Another shot at it.

Forced back up blocked another shot knocked it in central comes away with it Troy Marshall they're going to call the foul outstanding interior defense from the lady tigers and they're going to benefit from it as they get another stop inside Connolly's miss four or five point blank shots already here in the first well frustration there from Flex Cox and you can't blame her Campbell pulls up around it out rebound Conway a T a Mya Taylor it's Cox kicks it out to the corner Cox dumps it underneath good look and excellent defense from Gaston's nothing they can do their size advantage to a tee underneath now good passing they force it up over the back and out of bounds.

The size you can see has given so many problems to Conway.

And maybe just in the head mentally.

Could you tell there it looked like a wide open layup or at least an attempt at one.

He throws it clear over the backboard because they know six foot one, six foot is coming their way.

Marlon Williams could get coach at center will tell you how great of a defender O'Meara Gaston is It's not just her six to frame but she can really move around the court, guard the perimeter just as well.

She can guard the low post that one is stolen and take it away by Weston at the other end the block and she will go to the line.

Maybe not the worst foul there for Central.

Nice job of anticipating that pass by Weston Just jumps in the passing lane, picks it off and goes to coast to coast.

Can't get the lay in.

She's got to earn these to the hard way.

So the freshman will go to the line.

She will start earlier this season, broke her wrist this year actually just returned Friday against Springdale.

Go ahead and drop that name down in your notebook as you're going to hear it for the next three years here in Arkansas.

Girls basketball fan.

I'm only a freshman for the Lady Cats Nasty Hutch crap reloads in her 14th season.

Ian Conway to add it around Central's got to come away with this eight eight games we've come up on the one minute mark here in the first kick out Sasser on the drive Montgomery pulls up two strong fight underneath out of bounds and this will head Conway's direction.

That's not the strength of this little Rock Central team.

They shoot just 24% from the three point line on the season.

They're more of a downhill type team.

Try to get to the basket, get offensive rebounds and easy put backs.

Think about the emotions for the central Tiger team that coach Marlon Williams is saying.

That was a big, big deal win against North Little Rock.

He was glad they didn't play until tonight.

Jordan a little bit too short a kick out, another attempt for Conway, too strong fight for the rebound underneath another jump ball.

That's a good effort there.

If Davis and Cox were fighting for bodies all over the court, for both sides here, every possession seems to matter.

The first seven and a half minutes, these two teams duking it out, as you might expect in the third meeting of the season.

Final 30 seconds here, but a second difference between shot and game clock Montgomery, the senior shoots 46 to 40% from the field.

That is.

They give it off Davis back to Montgomery for 3 seconds Centrals got to move long deep threes.

Nobody in the country buries it at the buzzer to end the first.

What a big shot for Little Rock Central to not only give themselves a lead, but get this crowd into it at the end of the first 8 minutes.

Well, and not look like this possession was going to end like that did it good start to this 111 nine central after one you're watching the centennial Bank state basketball championship.

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11 nine Central.

We start the second year in this six eight championship.

Good to have you along with us here on a Friday night.

A hot springs kyle dak obama bobby swafford story so far here Conway just three of 13 from the field little rock central four of seven 57%.

Conway by the way good shooting team for four from beyond the arc on the drive let's talk to got to get her going he has been frustrated and she will be called for the foul there these two teams are going to get chippy over there.

You play each other three times a year for three straight seasons.

You just get tired of seeing that other logo.

Second on Lex Cox is a maya.

Jordan tried to anticipate the pass now Davis bounce pass set top Montgomery on the drive forcing wave off the basket.

They will call that on the floor They're very pro little rock central crowd not a huge fan of that call I think it was a good one.

No that that contact happened before the attempt of the shot even started that big three to end the first.

The way things are going for her, you thought maybe they get that to a dummy trapped underneath kicks it out Ty Davis on the drive off the back rim the putback not there central fighting for the rebound not there again another putback not there.

Again, another rebound.

This time down it goes even sassier the senior for the size comes into play Kyle second and third chance opportunities.

Meantime at the other end Weston running into a wall.

It's a 13 nine central lead and the freshman tonight LSU is going to go back to the line with Conway now three of 14 from the field still over four from beyond the arc You think a team that has won as many championships and played as many title games as Conway, they wouldn't have the nerves.

But you've mentioned it.

It's a very, very young team.

Most of the players on this roster having appeared in those previous championship games, they've got to settle the nerves.

Seems like Little Rock Central has kind of settled into the flow of the game.

Now the lady Cats have the magic.

Yeah, I think Central looks like there are no nerves here whatsoever.

You figure, Hey, it's our first ever trip.

Let's make the most of it.

Now past the emotions of beating North Little Rock in North Little Rock a week ago Stolen and take it away and turned over quickly.

Now this time some air Jordan gets it back behind the back underneath and the shot is not there.

Conaway can't capitalize on the pretty pack that Cox tried to rush that shot.

Just a little bit of a pick the pocket for Weston.

And that was all.

That's college basketball that is what they need.

Timeout Central it's a great job by team West and the freshman realizes the offense is struggling so let's just turn our defense into the offense picks the pocket and midcourt and finishes with the easy play off the window.

You got to thank Bobby if you're Conway coach actually Hutch Kraft this is this is what you got to tell your team.

This is how we're going to win this game right.

You got to try to anticipate the passes.

He got to play quick.

He got to play in transition because you're just not going to be able to score the rather than trying to score underneath.

They don't score like they used to.

64 points a game Centrals only averaging 52 points a game.

So, you know, possessions are going to be at a premium.

It also limited.

And so you've got to jump those passing lanes, maybe take an extra risk or two to create some opportunities to get something going in transition because we've already seen now in the first quarter in change that a central defense gets back in, establish themselves in the lane control, is really struggling with the size.

You saw Marlon Williams there, who we've mentioned 18 years in Conway, coached and worked everything from elementary he to Conway Blue Junior High.

It goes a little bit under Hutch Kraft may still stay on this end of the floor.

He says he learned how to structure practices and he learned a lot from actually, Hutch Kraft's intensity wide open.

Sasser not there batted around tracked down by central Montgomery gives it off the kickout they gave us four three to strong rebound underneath Gasol to strong the fight from Sasser and this is headed Conway's direction and it is not much going down for either side we've talked about Conway's struggles Little Rock Central not exactly shooting to the leather off the basketball right now either.

This can take a quick time out to discuss things.

25% from the field is Conway, with just 38% is Little Rock Central.

You kind of thought this game might be a little bit ugly.

It might be, you know, maybe turnovers, maybe the key play.

You got to be able to withstand any or any run.

And obviously the offenses are struggling.

CONWAY There was one that called the timeout officials tonight, by the way, Jean, average ball and Derek McDonald yesterday.

Hutch Kraft has said this team has been challenging at times but she loves it.

Fun group to coach in a young team.

I think a coach is going to say that about them when you're used to, you know, coaching players here in the SCC and in the PAC 12, I guess that's over the longer thing.

But you know, they are just formally known as the PAC 12 takes a little different kind of coaching style not just so young freshman and sophomore fielding calls from every major school in between games that will knock their 1313 game at Dumars real senior gives it off to Ashland Campbell Campbell closely guarded this is day Davis he shot that three in the last possession Montgomery now inside Sasser and it's going to be target Sasser just lowered the shoulder there that's that's what the officials are looking for.

You like the idea, the aggressiveness of maybe going baseline by Sasser.

But as soon as she dips that shoulder right there, defender takes the hit easy offensive foul call for six fouls on Central's six on Conway so far in this game saw Conway get to the high post on the very first possession of the game.

But Little Rock Central's done a really nice job of preventing that really since that point on the drive Jordan pull up jumper not there put back underneath not there either and pulled down by Jordan Marshall Duke look ahead to Sasser one on one and she is going to be charged on back to back possessions.

Bohannon takes another chance there.

That one may be more of a 5050 call.

McConnell gets the benefit of it and forces another turnover.

So Sasser, with those two fouls, now will have to head to the bench.

12 turnovers now in the first 11 minutes of game time for Little Rock Central, three for Conway.

That's one thing they haven't done.

They just cannot by a bucket, four for 19 in this game, Ainsworth had headed the other way.

And this is where the frustration, I think, for both of these teams.

Kyle, the offense is not working.

Shots aren't falling, so they're trying to maybe be a little too aggressive to get something going, too physical push off there in the off with the foul.

Always had some open looks too on the drive Montgomery off the backboard high off the glass batted around rebound Conway that's a good job there from Luke Cox pull up there and Amarillo is going to go to the line try to get something going towards the basket.

Bowman has been on the floor quite a bit today already in this first half.

So headed back to the foul line.

Try to give the lady Castile's two for two from the stripe already recovered on Conway from the field.

Four for 19 central by the way, five for 16 now.

A bit of a cold spell of their own.

One point lady Kat lead by Wilson.

The junior gives it off Montgomery back to Wilson pulls up he's strong around the rim and ahead This is what Conley's got to do on the drive pretty mu getting to the bucket.

Key West in the freshman western with a Eurostep.

Nice job to use the agility for defender reset this go around her easy lane.

She's played a big role so far for Conway in this first half to the corner.

Jay Davis steps away the defender pull up doubles Yeah great job He used the shot fake watch the defender fly by to step in and knocked down the mid range.

Taylor de Davis, who Marlon Williams says is a sleeper.

She has no offers and he is shocked by that pick.

It is the leader on this central team a year from now.

But look underneath pull up Lex Cox not there Cox Her own rebound swatted away Taylor de Davis alters the first shot and rejects the second one and Conway maybe picks up a frustration foul on the back course and Emeryville handed limping just a little bit so that's west excuse me Key West in there who's limping just a little better.

We'll keep our eye on that.

It is a one point Conway lead as we come down for the final couple minutes here in the second quarter.

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The Our care network of medical clinics and pharmacies helps to keep you in the game playing best our care you can live your story these two teams in the second quarter combined four for 20 from the field one point Conway lead in this six day state championship game Sunday looking to make it back to back state titles Little Rock Central playing for its first it's hard to believe a program like Little Rock Sonny never win a state championship.

Boys have won a bunch.

You're also looking for that first one to have never even been to this stage is even more surprising that night for sure.

For the Little Rock School district to have both central teams playing here, Jordan Marshall kicks it out.

Dave Davis for three following her own shot.

This is tipped around and a foul is going to be called They on Kai Wilson, the junior.

That's going to be the fifth foul on Little Rock Central Bowl teams now in the bonus so we could see especially as how physical these two teams play could be a lot of free throws taken in the final 3 minutes.

Yes.

You like these the aggressiveness, the hustle to go after that loose ball but got to be smart can't foul from 90 feet away from your own basket I'll tell you Bobby to central team such a good job after every shot of getting right to the basket.

You mentioned that free throw rule change this season will remind you through these games here in the state tournament, no more one and one two free throws per foul after five fouls in each quarter, more aligned with women's college basketball and what the NBA does and it really makes the end of the has the end of games a lot cleaner 1715 Conway lead here under three to play before halftime National Campbell gives it off they gave us is not afraid to shoot as we've seen in this game Look at that buzzer beater back to Davis bounce pass along the baseline pull it a three move there Jordan Marshall the senior gets it to go her first shot attempt of the game comes inside two and a half minutes she makes it count Great play at the other end as well Marshall has been a rocky start there that's why he's here Coach Husker after Coach Williams, you've got to talk to your team, be aggressive defensively, but be smart, especially this last two and a half minutes because now we're just going to walk to the other end to shoot more free throws.

We're going with pass now the frustration from from both sides.

And it's it's understandable why when the shots aren't falling and you're shooting 35 or 22% like these two teams are, is clearly going to be a lot of frustration.

Kind of has that feeling that the first team that makes the big run knocks down a couple of shots in a row to have a huge, huge advantage.

I wanted a six day state championship, so central is good.

They've been in the low post, just three for three from the charity stripe tonight, seven for ten in this game 12 turnovers on central a big storyline in this game finding a way to overcome it though Conley hasn't been able to take advantage so you can get a little bit of momentum here going into halftime timeout there from Ashley Hutch, Grant and time running down to get it across the halfcourt line.

Why is timeouts?

Because he's got to value possessions you've seen he's got to really grind it out can't force two too many turnovers cowboys protecting the basketball you mentioned only four turnovers so far in this contest which is warrior against a Little Rock Central is aggressive and as long as they are defensively, the shots are just not falling.

And so you ask the hot scrap there.

You said this team has been motivated by the notion that they are quote unquote, rebuilding.

If you look at these high school sports championships, live and on demand and consider making a gift to Arkansas PBS today.

That's one thing as you have to craft this leaned into something that doesn't happen at Conway 20 on the shot clock coming up with a two minute mark and lethal hand and gives it off to the corner.

Three point attempt is good boy.

He didn't let Scott need that.

what?

Maybe that's the shot that will get Conway going.

Sometimes all you do is need to see one go down and Cox finally knocks down a triple for Conway.

Alexis Cox and Olivia Cox, the twin sisters, both juniors underneath M.D., to be there all day.

Four Central has great vision there from Jordan Marshall looking to see over the top of the Conway defense.

Easy lane underneath the can Conway score in back to back possessions here trapped in the corner close call Hannon dumps it off underneath ponds now it's swatted away and catch lucky to get it back a turnover Olivia montgomery racing the other way Eurostep at the other end to high off the glass and a big rebound there for the lady cats He's Williams and coming into the game Lex Cox drawing contact on her way out Cox is not afraid to go inside turned away on the last possession by Gassman but there they're going to say a little contact happen at the apex of the elevation and she'll go to the foul line.

Hutch Kraft says Alexis Cox, the strongest kid on the floor to finish at the rim big time, is the way she described her 19.2 game score.

But she plays like she's six feet This city, five nine, can't capitalize their one point central lead.

One minute mark here before halftime WS had a great first half, as has De Davis.

Jordan Marshall's been quiet two points in this game, but three for three too strong.

Fighting for the rebound.

Connelly comes away with it wide open down there on Mya Taylor and what a defensive play but what a great job of hustling by Montgomery to not only get a handle on the basketball but deflects it off the Conway player and forces the turnover to get down at the other end.

My goodness so now 25 seconds shot clock and game clock about even underneath Gaston gets her own rebound put back to school thought they might try to hold for the last shot but Gaston got great position by hand and drives at the other end lays it up not there but rebound central They've got 10 seconds to play for the final shot.

De Davis brings it up, gives it off.

Montgomery 3 seconds.

Get to do it again.

Not this time.

She did at the end of the first quarter right before halftime, almost 2324 central lead.

And what has been a slugfest of a first half here in this six eight championship halftime coming up.

Stevenson Christina Mills It's been physical.

It's been fun Central looking for their first state championship.

Conway Looking to go back to back.

Let's see it happens here in the second half.

You're watching the Centennial State Basketball Championships on Arkansas PBS Score The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas.

Over 2500 team members across 17 local electric distribution co-ops powering homes, farms and industries somewhere across Arkansas.

We are the electric cooperatives of Arkansas Power and people.

Hey, everybody.

Steve Sullivan here along with Christina munoz.

It's halftime at Bank Ozark Arena in Hot Springs.

But don't go anywhere because we've got a lot in store for you.

Let's get right to it.

If you're a sports fan in Arkansas, you probably spend time listening to sports radio, whether it's a live broadcast for a big game or catching your favorite show on your commute.

The radio airwaves in Arkansas are still ringing out with play by play action news and some very strong opinions.

Let's take a look.

Some people think it's an easy job.

All you do is talk Well, I challenge you to turn on a recorder and for 4 hours try to be compelling.

Get out there, boys.

Let's get it done.

He was a Here's the sports Razorback always respect you.

You understand the power, the buzz.

And he got cheated.

When.

When?

When I ruined his game, I hit him.

I hit him with a golf ball.

Well, the buzz is 100,000.

What a station that covers about every direction from Little Rock for about an hour and a half to 2 hours, depending on the day.

And we're a sports talk station.

We're more than sports.

We're entertainment.

I would say we are personality driven radio.

We started out actually back in the good old days.

We were the first album west of the Mississippi that actually went to a complete top format.

It's just been a growing thing.

I think it's still evolving all these years later.

Good afternoon.

Welcome to Drive Time Sports here on the Buzz Radio Network.

Social media, Twitter, Instagram playing things to distract you so terrestrial radio even though now we can stream and do all those things now it is a challenge and so you better come up with something very compelling.

It's really about there's a lesson here.

Like the people they hear.

It's not always about the content, it's about the people.

So likability is a really important thing for South Philly.

Okay, ready to collapse in 2 to 3 hours.

So and so we're very, very much personality driven.

That's the thing that we're focused on.

Plus we're hyper, hyper local.

So if it's something that's affecting the local community, specific content about what's happening in central Arkansas, what's happening with the Razorbacks or the Little Rock Trojans or the UK Bears, or what's going on at Arkansas State or maybe the high school scene in Arkansas?

Or the only place you can get that is that time of year for basketball.

You know, David, just in Moore knows this better than anybody.

This is the fun time when you're good enough, when you know you're going to have a shot to make it to the state championship.

You want movement, you want you want engagement.

People become engaged whether they love you or they hate you, they become engaged with what's happening.

So, I mean, I have people that don't like us at all, but they listen every day.

This is a book called About right Now by this guy, and he's got the best guy, cheated, whatever, and he's got the quarterback right now.

Let me ask you, how do you survive quarterback?

And he's got to be the best quarterback next year.

So stick your pipe and smoke it all up.

Yeah.

Is Andy Reid the best coach in the NFL?

Absolutely.

Nice.

Get it fired up and stir the pot.

There are people who the minute they wake up to us that for us in the morning at 6:00 I mean their alarm clock comes on and it goes to our opening music.

You get your car used to listen to it.

You go to work, you're still listening.

And so that's the biggest compliment you can get, is that people want to hear and they've been listening to us for 25 years, but to our audience, to know that we care, that we want to give them as much information, as many stories as possible for credibility standpoint, we need to be there.

Let's talk with our Razorback.

Bob, Robert, good afternoon into where you can walk into any city within 2 hours from here in the Gulf and listen to your show.

So a lot of people listen to us.

They consider our friends and family like they know us and they do.

And you're when you're on the show 4 hours a day, people hear everything.

You know, this is year 20.

We've been doing this and and people have stuck with us.

Some have not, but most of them don't.

We've got new listeners because of Justin and others, and we sometimes forget the power loss.

Quite a few of us had.

No, no, I never think of this as work anymore.

One that's been around for 50 years and the number of athletes, the past that he's crossed, the lives that he's influenced, and I'm blessed to be able to do it on on a monday through Friday basis.

And I know you can say this is a labor of love.

Everybody, thanks for being with us.

The zones up next.

there you go.

Okay.

Well, that clears it up.

The bus certainly has a colorful collection of characters.

There's nothing quite like it in the state.

Okay.

Let's get over to Christina munoz.

She wants to introduce you to some very talented kids, Christina.

Thanks so much, Steve.

Earlier in the season, we reached out to schools all over the states looking for athletes who not only excel on the court, but in the classroom, too.

Here's the Arkansas PBS student All Stars Class of 2024.

We start off with the one eight girls.

That is Savanna Pyle with the Emerson High School Pirates.

Savanna plans to attend college as a general studies major and explore her options for one day boys.

We have KENYON Carter, a junior guard from Marks Tree Canyon, wants to be a coach or make it to the league.

Next up, we have Abby Methven, representing to a girls.

She plays for the Yellow Ville Panthers.

Abby has a 3.8 GPA and wants to go to cosmetology school for the boys and to a we've got paid barber with the Cedar Ridge timber Wolves.

Kade has a GPA of over 4.0 and wants to be an anesthesiologist.

The Lamar High School Warriors Corey Sanders is the three a girls Arkansas PBS student.

All star.

Corey wants to be a math teacher and a coach on the boys side.

And three, we have Sam Maddox representing the Arkansas Christian Mustangs.

Sam wants to pursue college basketball and likes to spend his spare time playing golf halfway through and on to the for a girls.

That's Addison Hudspeth of the Heber Springs Lady Panthers.

Addison wants to play college basketball and go to physical therapy school.

JJ Andrews with the little Rock Christian Warriors represents the four boys.

JJ has a 3.72 GPA and wants to play professional basketball.

The five girls are well represented by Lake in more of the mountain home.

Lady Bombers Laken wants to attend college and play basketball and describes herself as a gym rat.

The five boys, well, that is Luke Stump with the Russellville Cyclones.

Luke wants to be a veterinarian and live in Australia.

Rounding out the classifications.

Are your six a student, all stars for the girls.

That is Delaney Roller with the Harbor Lady Wildcats.

Delaney has signed to play basketball at MSU and will study business.

And finally, for the six boys, we have honor Boateng, representing the Little Rock Central High Tigers, on her plans to attend the University of Missouri and major in engineering.

You know, there's a good chance you'll see some of those same athletes again live right here in this studio when we bring you Quiz Bowl 2020 for this April.

That is definitely something that you will not want to miss.

Well, Steve, it is about that time.

Yep.

Much more coming up in the second half.

That's right.

Right here on the home of the high school basketball state finals.

Arkansas PDF The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas.

Over 2500 team members across 17 local electric distribution co-ops powering homes, farms and industry somewhere across Arkansas.

We are the electric cooperatives of Arkansas.

Power and People.

Hands up.

Hands up.

Hands!

Hands up.

Hands up.

Hands up.

See?

You can see a bounce.

Bounce.

Bounce down.

Gay Arena 23 to 20 Central.

The lead over their central rivals Conway in the six AA state championship game.

Good to have you with us on a Friday night.

The first of back to back games for this central program.

The boys will take on Bryant after us here on Arkansas BBC sports.

It has been a slugfest of a first half for sure between these two teams.

Take a look at what these first half stats have been.

And they are not pretty.

You see the field goals there for both sides.

How about this, Bobby?

15 of 52 combined.

If my math is right, I would guarantee that.

But 15 of 52 combined eight of 32 combined in the second quarter and two of 17 a little smaller number.

I can do some math on that from the three point line.

But the turnovers for Little Rock Central, that's the only reason the Lady Tigers really haven't blown this game open were plus eight in the rebound category but minus seven and turnovers in clean that part of the game up you feel pretty good about your chances and if you're Conway you like your chances do you feel like you're not going to shoot 22% for the entire game?

Eventually the offense is going to get going.

Eventually somebody is going to climb the ladder and take the lid off the basket.

You could see Conway's game plan emerge at certain times in that first half, where they tried to be a little bit quick and central came out.

I thought, Bobby, they look really comfortable in this game considering how emotional that win was for them against North Little Rock.

Now, you're exactly right.

And Coach Williams mentioned that he needed maybe an extra day or two trying to rest and get this get the emotions out of them.

And and they have certainly lived and charged off this fan fan base tonight.

Very, very pro Little Rock Central crowd.

And once they got a lead, especially that three for one of the end of the first quarter that gave them the 11 to 9 advantage, you could sense that Little Rock Central's not afraid of Conway, that they're not worried about losing to them twice already this season.

They feel like they can go out and win this contest.

Taylor Day Davis leading the way for Central with six points.

Olivia montgomery with five on the other side for Conway the freshman.

Tonight, Weston has seven, Emeryville Hannan has five and Alexis Cox has seven.

Few things to watch, though.

Kai Wilson with three personal fouls from Central tonight.

Weston with three personal fouls and Olivia Cox with three personal fouls.

For Conway, That's a big thing for Conway.

Olivia Cox and a couple of those were just sort of those, you know, natural.

Can't blame your frustration kind of fouls.

Yeah, you like the aggressiveness, but you got it.

You've got to temper it.

And now as we start the second half for these three players, as you mentioned, two for comment who were in their very short rotation, not a deep bench that Coach Hopcraft uses this year.

And so two of them are already in foul trouble with three.

So maybe have have to play a little more cautious here as we open up the third stanza.

And here we go, a three point lead for Central.

He kept things off in the second half of this six eight girls championship, six a night Friday night in Hot Springs.

Early turnover make that turnover number 13 already on Central and you can say the same at the other end for Conway Central gets it back Montgomery spinning around she's BLOCK How about the big defensive play underneath there for Conway boy T Weston is all over the place in this game.

The freshman has no nerves and playing with the three fouls that you mentioned.

So she's not shying away defensively.

She's going to stick her nose in there and and make Little Rock Central earn every inch.

They get double the thrust, too, from Hutch Kraft leaving her out there to start the second half.

As we talked about early, she was in the starting lineup for a lot of this season until that wrist injury.

In the second, third conference play, Weston gets it off backhanded the corner back up top Somaya Jordan ten to shoot pull up jumper not there rebound underneath to central If I'm central I try to maybe get Jordan Marshall going She gives it up and at the other end it's Kai Davis who will go to the line.

The senior averages 17 points, ten rebounds but that time with the facilitator recognizes the teammate running down the floor, pushes it up and now got a chance to earn the foul.

But you're right, Marshall averages 17 a game.

Bobby had just two points so far in the first half.

Yeah she's clearly the focal point of the Conway defense and they're doing a nice job slowing her down.

We saw the assist late in that first half and their nice pass up the floor has been great too, in the postseason, 14 points, 14 rebounds against Bentonville, 28 and eight in that big win over Northside 2520 Central lead.

Now Houston dribbling into trouble.

They only turns it over and she goes away and McGovern comes away with it, pushing it up the court The Eurostep.

Jordan Marshall And they're going to call this on Marshall the two strong there.

Good defensive play from Alexis Cox, who is also playing, as we mentioned, with those three fouls.

It's a great job to establish herself defensively and it's a little bit out of control.

And that's the third offensive foul that this Conway defense has drawn does like those kind of things are Who's going to win this game Bohannan chucks it up not there second chance opportunity here for the lady cats shots in the lane it has been so difficult in this game for Conway they get it back a little bit too high looking for Cox along the baseline.

Going to have to slow it down a little bit.

Trying to go too fast, trying to be too fine against this lady Tiger defensive attack and that time just chucks it out of bounds.

And another turnover here for Conway Let's Cox got pretty excited, too.

There have not been too many times in this game where if she had gotten that ball, she had that wide open of a lane to try to get to the hoop.

Good anticipation as we speak, Lex Cox will lay this in at the other end.

That's the best recipe for an off night shooting to total defense in the easy lane.

After the steal between playing with her sister to juice.

See a lot of sisters here in this state tournament and a fall jump ball their possession will stay with central It was love looking through those rosters and you see those names and you go I got a hunch these two are related.

I see a pair of sisters tomorrow in the two girls title game as well.

Foul is going to be on Cox, but that is on Olivia Cox.

That's her fourth.

So a and out that will not there for Marshall to put back from Davis underneath who scored Conway needs to get a substitution in for Olivia Cox Bohannon pull up three not there off the front of the iron so put back to strong and Montgomery comes away with it.

They call the foul They're on Conway that's going to be on Ashland Campbell a second on the go hand it's the first on Bohannon so she doesn't have that issue.

But unlike her teammates, Olivia Cox has to check out for personal fouls.

You got to believe that she's likely going to be sitting out maybe till the midway point of the fourth quarter.

Kimball on the drive gives it off to Montgomery, back to Kimball, Bounce Pass, right side.

Marshall kicks it out.

McGovern's going to try a three.

She's got the shot there.

Conway's come out and run some zone and Daryn, Little Rock Central to beat it from the outside.

And that time she does second three pointer for Olivia montgomery in this game, Conway dribbling down the other end.

And boy, do they need that bucket on the answer.

Yeah Wilson left alone wide open She just checks in Doesn't get to the log a lot of minutes and finishes up in the lane The freshman Brian Wilson with the big bucket there six point central lead and a turnover again on central Buckhannon racing down the other way contact and they're going to call that on Olivia montgomery I like the idea of trying to initiate the contact There it is Bohannon She drives right into the defender pretty nice defensive play from Montgomery, but too much contact and that's going to send Conway back to the foul line.

Gumly and Davis each with eight four central Olivia Cox with 90 Western with seven for Conway but Conway Bobby seven of 13 from the free throw line felt like they were shooting better than that.

Amir Gaston will check in and replace Olivia montgomery.

You can just see the size difference.

So a five point central lead here, Campbell to tie Wilson Marshall he's not got going in this game and she turns it over central struggling with the zone turnovers number 17 on central at the other end a blocking charge you talked about when Little Rock Central pulled the massive upset a couple of years ago in the quarterfinals against Conway.

That was footrace.

And then the very game North Side came out in the zone and really caused Central a ton of problems.

Now, Coach Husker have taken a little game plan, a page out of the playbook from Ricky Smith going in Zone and Central again, having problems with it for the freshman Mariah Wilson has come in and made her presence felt well.

Tonight, Weston was hurt and missed a month with that broken wrist.

Mariah Wilson really stepped up and Weston has come back and played so well since.

The chess game.

And you play so many each other so many times throughout the year, you've got to try something different.

Try to throw a new wrinkle in there.

Of course you're not going to deviate.

Jamir original game playing too much, but if you can throw a wrinkle or to get an extra possession for an extra turnover, get an easy bucket.

I can play always be to your advantage.

Good.

Look underneath Gaston.

Too strong.

And a fight for the rebound that is going to be charged here.

They're going to call that on trial.

Weston that break in the action before they reach the halfway point of the third quarter, a three point game this is the final score was the last time these two teams met the state championship.

You watch the centennial big state basketball championships in Arkansas.

CBS Sports.

What does it mean to be great is the rhythm of the heart, the spirit refusing to surrender.

It is in born from the moment of glory.

It's woven from the fabric of progress for the journey as we're champions are more.

To be courageous is to dance with the storm of adversity.

The fact that I have you in my house by my side, this is a blessing.

And without you I am how I wouldn't be the player that I am today.

Civics education empowers us to be well-informed, active citizens and gives us the opportunity to change the world.

Our educators have created tools for parents and teachers to help guide and engage children through the civics process.

During this election year, discover ways to talk with your child about being a good citizen and how you can explore elections together with resources available at my Arkansas PBS.org.

Civics is now in session.

Arkansas PBS Student All star for this game Delaney Roller from Harbor High to senior guard with a 4.3 GPA, plans to play basketball at Missouri State Southern University and major in business.

Congratulations.

Delaney, Arkansas PBS student, all star of the game and NDSU Lions.

And they when they have a GPA as high as my scoring average in high school, it's never good.

That's a lot more than you.

And I can ask you.

And you're not majoring in business either?

No.

That's why we're behind the microphone and sort of crunching the numbers has had as much as a five point lead here in the second half.

But to Conway's credit, they're hanging in there, keeping a close eye When they get beyond that, back to a five point lead, nearly taking away their Kemba at the other end.

Cox chasing it down.

She can't get there quick enough leaps over that short wall.

We haven't seen the full court pressure much from Little Rock Central and there's contest but that time they speed up Connelly Just enough force the bad pass and you can think of a threat with that kind of length up top that could be a nightmare for a lot of teams.

Conway has won in this game.

One for eight from beyond the arc.

Feels like he hit one more.

It just turns everything, doesn't it?

Gaston gives it off.

Wilson Now Kemba good look underneath.

Good pass Gaston Try to hang on to it but she step on the baseline She did a lot of contact the other night saw officials letting them play which you would love to see in the state championship game these two teams very physical.

This is a slugfest of the game Olivia Cox forces it up.

Can't get it.

Taylor de Davis comes away with the rebound.

Now Campbell Racing left to right, gives it off Montgomery.

Back to Kimble by point centrally to the corner two strong around an out track down by Kimble third look underneath Montgomery This one foul That's a great job by Kimble to recognize the defense out of position and gets the assist seven point central lead their largest.

Every possession is worth so much here.

Jordan on the drive kicks it out.

Bohannon Boy, he's got meaning for Conway.

And we go ahead and knocks it down When the lady gets hit.

Most cannot understand state how important that shot is for Conway.

As you mention, the lead hit ballooned to seven.

The lady cats could not get anything to go.

Bohannon, who's knocked down 103 pointers this year, steps up in a huge moment.

The junior with the big shot for Conway 2 minutes here in the third good defense underneath again can call jump ball and this is headed Conway's direction You like the idea they're going diagonal pass try to use your size if you're a little rock central you got to throw down a little bit higher go up and elevate for the basketball to go over to the much shorter Conway line up just low enough and a great job defensively to rotate back by Wilson and forces the tie up.

How about Mariah Wilson the freshman since she's come in the game we just call her name funny so the Hannan pull up jumper from the elbow he's strong up the back of the iron batted around tracked down Olivia Cox gives it off some air Jordan too strong again and this time Ashland Campbell comes away with it for the Tigers closely guarded they are letting these two teams play Gaston not their put back not their either central trying to use its advantage and it's Conway that comes away with a good look down Olivia Cox and she can't get it to go nothing called their pass through Huck's grasp, pleading her case at the other end they kick out to go Hannah and a turnover quite good defense here from this Conway team they're going to call an offensive charge they're the offense hasn't showed up for Conway as they're still struggling 24% from the field.

But their defense has certainly arrived and gotten off the bus here in Hot Springs to his fourth offensive foul drawn by this lady cat defense.

That's that side of the basketball.

That defense is a reason they're still in this contest.

That's on Campbell to senior.

I love the way Marlon Williams described his senior said if I had to go into a dark alley, I'd take her with me.

Bohannon blocked and Matt is touched on the baseline by Jordan Marshall Well you can start to hear the Connelly crowd get into it a little bit, as were one.

A few more foul calls on this physical play.

Alexis Cox Too strong, 19 points a game.

But stopping for night was game they had about anybody.

It's just been a slugfest of a game defensive battle between two teams that know each other well.

The rivals, Big three down here, Montgomery the third three pointer from the summary and this places wild cow central back in front by seven shot clock is off Samya Jordan so give this one off to 80 and Maya Taylor 15 to play in the third and goes He carried it coming alive Jordan with a couple of little 5 seconds pulls off fouls took the blocks also has it and a deep he to end the third is not there the two teams getting a little bit of a living there for the end of the third quarter it's central in front by seven as we head to the fourth quarter.

The physicality in this one so far and Olivia Cox come up big in the fourth.

Will Central hang on to a seven point lead?

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it's been a slugfest of the game here in the six eight championship back and forth the two teams shooting 941 and 13 of 34 respectively but catching a little bit of fire a couple of big threes there Conaway Alexis Cox really got to get going here in the fourth 83.

Devon Conway needed it both by Emery though handed the junior been very special and answering at the other end Olivia montgomery for the Los Angeles senior fans on hand.

They're going to hang out for a while tonight here at Benkovic Arena.

The boys will take on Bryant following this game and the six eight boys championship.

We get ready for the start of the fourth quarter here at Hot Springs, Kyle Delco Bomb and Bobby Swafford with a seven point central lead.

It's their largest of the night.

Connelly's hanging right with them every step of the way.

He does make it nine.

Ashley Kimball lays it in Kimball a little bit out of control there but uses the window Banks today with the left hand allow the leaves at nine con-way the defending state chances beat their rivals from the central twice this season full of jumper Eastwood much needed there for Conway Simeon Jordan.

Yeah much needed answer there cannot let Little Rock Central push this into double digits you're going to hear the central Crowder and it's with every possession.

Got to find a way to quiet them down every time down the floor.

This arena has really come here for the fourth tie Davis on the drive heaves it up fouled on her way up by a Davis to senior will go to the line This is more what we expected Little Rock Central to look like offensively really trying to attack the basket take advantage of their size, wear them down and talking about Conley's try to get into the lane, try to get to the block and find some easy baskets, multiple knee injuries for her, multiple injuries for this central team that is just put it all together here in the postseason, not for a lack of talent, just a lack of availability over the course of the season.

D three So Hannan missed everything there.

Cox saves it, gets it back in, but Central will have it.

They'll push ahead to the corner wide open.

Davis Not there.

Too strong track down.

Emily Doheny Racing the other way has help.

She'll take it herself and lays it in.

Great job by Bohannan to not be too distracted by the defender trying to swipe at the basketball.

Huge bucket there for Conway I think offensive play here knocked out of bounds is going to stay with central Mali Bobby you can see it on every player space has been such a physical of a game and every time out you're trying to catch your breath a little bit.

Yeah, I think the timeouts remaining, of course the media time, that's going to be huge.

The two teams are leaving it all out there and it's so emotionally draining to play in an atmosphere like this, especially against a team that knows you so well.

Go look underneath fouled on the way up.

Jordan Marshall will go to the line.

Marshall Marshall's been really quiet offensively, hasn't tried to force anything but nice there on the the cut to the basket absorbs the blow not going to be at the foul line We've not gotten the chance because Marshall's been so quiet to tell her story but boy, has she been amazing.

Marshall lost her mom to breast cancer, something she will talk about very openly at the end of her freshman year.

And coach Marlon Williams has said not that she wasn't focused before, but boy, has she been focused since and just taken her game to another level.

So the pink shoes on this central team, 4234 Tiger lead, Little Rock Central looking for its first ever girls state basketball championship.

Conley needs a bucket here on the drive.

Olivia Cox lays it in.

Great job to use a little bit of physicality there by Cox and to finish in the lane the other way to kick out to the corner and De Davis will pull back closely guarded by Lex Cox.

So Conway really turn it up.

The pressure nothing called so the drive and it does not fall the put he's been right when we were talking about she's been pretty quiet tonight a huge offensive rebound and put back from Marshall Lex Cox now along the baseline going against Marshall and she'll do all the foul eight point Central league Conaway has missed six free throws in this game central meantime 11 of 12 this back to a seven point tiger lead for the weight on every possession in this game.

Bobby turnover can't have that if you're Little Rock central and coach Marlon Williams is going to talk about that's an unforced turnover you cannot afford to have here in the fourth nursing a seven lead turnover number 21 in the game by Little Rock Central.

To their credit, they've cut down on them in the second half, but that has been such a big story.

Nine meantime for Conway Conway team looking to go back to back here with a brand new roster, they lost four starters, all of whom went to big colleges.

You're talking about players like Cody Clark, fully Party and Savannah Scott.

They lost 80% of their scoring from a year ago.

This Little Rock Central team that stunned many of these same lady cats back in 2022 in that quarterfinal game that anybody who follows Arkansas basketball will remember.

That was just one of the biggest stunners of a final result in recent memory.

Hey, it wasn't it.

I actually was calling that game during the state tournament with my cohort Blair Cartwright.

And it just felt like that game where the economy was there, right, for the taking the Little Rock Central as young as they were, all these seniors that are on the floor for sophomores in that game.

And they never wavered.

They never stepped back.

And that's where the experience, the familiarity of playing a team three times, the stigma of playing a number one team in the state, a top 20 team in the country, didn't faze him two years ago and playing one of the top teams in the state and a conference champion this year, obviously not facing central tonight.

Conway lost that game 6660.

They have not lost a central since they trailed by seven here with 515 to play.

And how about that Lex Cox that's going to be called on Kimball for fourth and Wilson has four as well and four on Liz for Conway from the corner and not there fight for the rebound underneath and they're going to call that on central that shot didn't go down.

But you cannot leave Emory Bohan in that open if you're a Little Rock Central defense.

You're talking about a player who's got 103 pointers on the season.

Cannot give up an easy shot like that.

Well, Conrad's just had not many of those looks in this game whatsoever.

And this is headed Central's way.

Nothing easy there for Lex Cox under the basket, under five to play here near steel.

Third look underneath the lay in too strong and this will stay with central boy the rebound was there the taking for some air Jordan every possession Kennard is going to be so crucial down the stretch your cal cannot give up second chance opportunities can't make this the silly mistakes the silly turnovers stolen away and out of bounds tonight Weston with three fouls three point attempt a little bit too strong and a rebound by Lex Cox looking to call a foul underneath it's going to be on Emery Bohannan that's two on Bohannon Jordan Marshall good look out to Montgomery her shoulder closely guarded picks up her dribble and a timeout is going to be called by central smart timeout Yeah it really was because that really looked like a discombobulated possession there for Little Rock Central Couldn't get anything going.

A lot of that has to do with the defensive play on the other end for Conway getting central out of the flow, out of the rhythm.

They also when you haven't been in the stage, when you haven't played four state championships, sometimes playing with a lead in the fourth quarter when the crowd's is electric, sometimes that plays against you.

That's a good point because has looked so comfortable throughout this game and we talked about the emotions of beating your Little Rock coach.

Marlon Williams called it a big, big deal win.

He was glad they didn't play until tonight, but they looked quite comfortable.

And you wonder if those thoughts start to hit you right about now.

427 away from your program's ever state championship.

228 on the shot clock for Central.

I think really it's important to get a good, good clean shot here.

Don't have to score.

Can I just get something going offensively, get a little confidence against us.

Conway Defense has turned up the pressure in summary, closely guarded by Bohan in their forehand.

Good hands, dimes on the ball, loose up for grabs taken away by Conway some air Jordan rushing the other way blocked at the other end and this is headed Central's direction Conway crowd does not like that they wanted a foul then they won the possession neither call goes their way Huge break for the lady tigers Another look here nothing called on the contact so central up by seven and this time they will call blocking foul and that is going to go Conway it's going to go against Luke Cox and if it is, that's her fifth, I believe it is.

So Luke Cox the junior fouls out of this one with 402 to play again we've talked about how I guess short is the best word to describe the bench four for Conway so that's a huge, huge break to Little Rock Central as they're going to have to go deep into the bench to the Lane Wildcat Memphis excuse me could be a big night for the Little Rock School District.

Central girls and boys, they're playing four state titles tonight, 4637 Central lead, four minute mark here in the fourth quarter on the drive pull up jumper is blocked for Montgomery with slow down and take your time Montgomery nearly threw it away Nice job by Jordan Marshall to corral it back back to Montgomery the 3420 strike he scored the compliments Matt Gummer he plays with his impressive but can't even hear each other Coward two feet away.

Start up that way.

It's hard to hear here.

This arena has really come alive from this.

The other end track down and a foul push in the back that's going to go against Olivia montgomery.

Yeah, if that tells you about how on the atmosphere here is inside Baker Arena, we are literally feet apart and we can't hear a word each other saying, even with the headset on timeout our last one of the game, it's a 4837 Central lead 319 away from the program's first ever state title.

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On Bobby Swafford with his Final 319 11 point lead for Central in search of their first ever state championship.

Conway needs this forehand in a bit too fight for the rebound from Key West and not there Central will come away with it.

I like the set piece coming off a time out in the end bounce play.

The shot doesn't go down.

Wilson taking it herself now dumps it off under.

He sets it up by 13.

Gaston has played some big minutes but score possession for Conway to pick out a defensive play to knock it out of bounds there by Taylor Davis.

You know that that play doesn't look like a whole lot, but it's really a snapshot of this entire game.

Nothing easy is coming for Conley even passes to the wing and coach Hutch Kraft wants to take the time to talk about just that length and the aggressive of this Little Rock Central defense has affected every facet of the game For Conway, that's been evident since the very opening tip of this one.

I can't coach size, can't coach length, can't teach it either.

The athleticism, certainly.

And how big is Olivia montgomery big in this game?

She's been lights out, going to the rim.

But really that shot right there right before the first quarter, Horn is the one that got her going.

She's knocked down three three pointers and a floater in the lane just moments ago, speaking to existence right there in the highlight package.

And she has been the straw that's there in the drinks tonight for Little Rock Central Jordan Marshall hasn't.

It hasn't been there a bit in the key card, but Montgomery has certainly picked up the slack by George Marshall seven points.

She's only shot four times on the field.

Sometimes the best weapon you can because of the court.

Connolly is certainly focus their game plan to her defensively and she's been okay with it and that's what leaders good leaders are supposed to do.

Does it matter?

She doesn't care about her points.

All it takes, it all she wants to do is find a way to get her team to victory.

And she is 2 minutes and 44 seconds away from doing just that.

Natural hutch grass team down by 13 Central fans may be starting to feel it with 244 to go here.

Do you like to sing Miley Cyrus from 6500 other fans?

You can do it right now.

Inside, Lex Cox fans should draw the foul.

That's to be the 15 foul on Little Rock Central.

So that's coming in Conway and Central and are both now in the bonus for this final 235 here in the fourth you expect to see Conway go full court pressure if the second free throws made here 12 points five for 18 the field for Lex Cup she averages 19.

You know Conway has got another run in a still only 24% from the field you got to believe they're going to have one final punch here in this title match up.

This is headed towards Conway's way.

And that's a good start.

That's a good start to it.

You get the made free throws, you force the turnover.

Can they capitalize?

Gordon gets it off Bo hand and that one was tipped underneath a rolled it out for Conway cannot by a bucket in this game foul is going to be called they're a jump ball Well stay on this end of the floor the arrow pointing all the way of the lady cats for another chance here Conway got another crack at it long heave into some air Jordan who goes up and brings it down Jordan on the drive takes it herself not there tipped around and the kick out Conway has another chance Bohannon too strong and this time pulled down by Taylor Davis.

A good strong rebound there by Davis.

She changed it after she pulled it down.

Makes the defense can't get a hand on it at the other end shot not from Jordan Marshall in central will keep possession here you see how how quick Little Rock Central wants to run They've got a full 35 second shot clock here after the maybe work a little clock work a little time off the fingertips of Gaston Flex Cox getting their hands in there, Central hanging on to it, out of bounds as Jordan Marshall turns it over on the baseline.

Maybe a little too aggressive there.

Kyle you like that?

The fact of going towards the basket.

But the clock's your friend right now got to protect the basketball.

And another untimely turnover for Little Rock Central.

Even though they've got the advantage of the 11 point lead, it's a long way to go But feels like at UConn where you got to score in every possession, you had a few cracks at it, couldn't Capitalize your last trip down the court.

Lex Cox finds a lane he's at up not their story of the game.

For Conway, it's the size the link still giving them problems.

Taylor de Davis kicks it out, Montgomery kicks it all the way across and Kemba will slow this one down.

Yeah Nice job by Kimble there to recognize him.

Slow it down.

That's all that's senior leadership on your point guard comes into play and they're going to call a foul here that is going to be on at Mya Taylor.

Kimball's going to go to the foul line for repair.

Savage of six points, two rebounds.

She's committed to Philander Smith.

Well, she's going to stay in Little Rock to keep her basketball career going.

She's the temperature gauge.

She's the one that Marlon Williams said forms things up on defense.

We have seen that certainly in this game at times.

Mention that great line from him.

She's a little.

But if I had to go in a dark alley, she's the one I'm taking now.

You got to score for Conway.

He got to move quick and crowd.

Yeah, that's where the size came into play.

Wesson was attacking the basket, but giving up six, seven inches there on Marshall.

And we got a timeout as Conway turns it over and they're down by 13 And look at that Aussie Karina coming alive here now the clock is running here up to fix this could be the time out clock.

So if you're a little Rock Center you're thinking maybe Conway starts to go to the foul game.

Who do you want to get the basketball, too?

The answer is pretty easy.

Olivia Montgomery All she's done this season from the foul line 92%.

It's been almost automatic.

Find a way to get the ball to number three let her run the offense She's been so good tonight because you got to believe now in 13 with just a minute 21 left, Powell is going to have to start foul and get the ball back.

She's the senior the floor general knee injury her sophomore year missed much of last year.

Finally, healthy story of the season certainly for Little Rock Central.

They will become so much.

You look here, Conway's had so many opportunities and Luke Scott certainly has tried to make the most of it.

It's been a tough shooting night, but still in 14 points.

Try to keep your team in it, 14.6 rebounds.

But you mentioned the tough shooting night is five of 19 from the field, far from her best game of the season.

Montgomery left all open there down the other way foul almost got it to go but she will go to the line.

It's exactly who you want to have the basketball in her hand image mention the 92% three point percentage.

But if she misses a promise, it's not my fault the announcer curse maybe spoken into existence.

You know one thing Central coach Marvin Williams talked about too.

He said it's been a whirlwind of a year and those losses over the course of the season, eight, ten and 12, they could be disappointing.

But it's a story his players that for you fight through adversity and certainly every single one of these tigers has overcome their own.

And you pull together.

It's a story for life about what you do when you fight through adversity, you come out positive on the other side, nearly taken away, Bohan has got to hoist this one up two strong rebound underneath and this is headed Central's way.

They can feel it they're up 15 with a minute nine to go Jordan Marshall skies for the rebound that's that's important for little Rock Central.

You're allowed you'll let them throw it up for 25 feet.

Just make sure they're one and done though from the field Jordan Marshall that smile on her face as she goes to the line.

And Maya Taylor just picked up her fifth personal foul which she had to go sit for the remainder.

Taylor, a senior, gave a hug to hug, scratch her coach as she walked off.

How about the way Central was pulled away here in the second half?

It never really felt like they went on a big run.

They were just that good defensively.

They were that good defensively.

Conway obviously is struggling from the field, but they're playing like senior style, so they look like they're the team that's more experienced.

They're not being overwhelmed by the moment.

Jordan Off the front of the iron rebounds Central Montgomery will slow down, take her time under a minute to play here in the six eight championship.

Conway seems content with playing this one out and a show from behind by tonight.

Western.

That's what's so fun about tournament play.

Kyle It doesn't matter what your record was coming into it, you're going to be on a 25 game winning streak, or you could have lost five in a row does not matter as long as you're playing well at the right time.

In Little Rock.

Central is playing the best basketball in school history at the right time, and they're about to claim their first ever state title.

They all come together for the Tigers.

It's up 19 now.

Baseline Drive, Shoved, Hammer, blow.

Hannah will go to the line.

It is so hard to believe the Central Girls basketball program has never won a state championship.

Never mind never been in this game.

You think about the history of that school for exorcizing a lot of demons here tonight.

There's no question about it.

Lost to this team twice in the regular season, six times over the last three years.

A Connolly's beaten them.

But all that not going to matter.

Tonight, the city of Little Rock and the Tigers certainly going to be celebrating for a while.

The miss and the rebound to Central 40 seconds to play here.

But an eight second difference between shot and game clock.

Take it away.

Lex Cox gets her hands in the air.

She's playing till the very end.

Shot clock is off.

Cox pulls up, misses it, tracked down Bohannan on the baseline not there the rebound from central Connelly will not foul lets you do a final 15 seconds major smiles for the central team several fans jumping up and down they can start to feel it.

It's the first ever state championship through the Central Tigers girls basketball program.

Central slays the powerhouse that is coming to their first title.

What a scene here inside Bank Arena.

You can't hear the horn go off the Little Rock Central, just overcome with emotion as they finally take the monkey off their back and they're on top of girls basketball in the state of Arkansas.

The smiles.

The celebration is underway at Bank Ozark Arena in what could be the first of two state championships for Central Perk.

At the celebration here, mile by a first for historic Little Rock Central.

5840 to win over Conway.

I'll show you the celebration and have some interviews when we come back.

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Goal.

Are you nervous?

A little accent, right?

Things and darling brightness and joy.

I've got plans.

Everything feels better.

Ask for a cup of tea.

No talking.

I just want to be right here in this moment.

I'm here.

You're going to be a bigger star than ever.

You are feeling it right now.

Makhosi K Arena It is.

This is hard to believe.

First ever state basketball championship for the Little Rock Central Girls program.

We're joined by head coach Marlon Williams, who is just shaking his head as he watches this.

How are you feeling?

I'm trying to figure this out like this is this is a lot.

This is awesome.

You have that big smile on face.

But I imagine what had to be special for you was seeing the way your players really felt it towards the end.

Yeah.

Yeah.

They we all been through a lot together.

I mean, when I got there four ago, this is my fourth year.

I mean, this was the goal.

And for it to come true is this.

This is like this is awesome when you when you play a team so many times, nine times in three years, three times this year, you knew it was going to come down to defense and your size and your length and the athleticism you know, you hold can't wait to shoot in 25% for the game.

What can you say about your girls on that end of the floor, Candy?

I mean, they took pride in what we were doing.

I mean, that's what, you know, we talked about what was going to happen for Foster to win this championship game.

There's going to have to show some grit without the athletic.

We've got to be tough.

And I mean, they had they didn't have anything to do with Xs and OS.

We just had great grit.

And I am so proud of them for doing that.

And just last thing, when you think about what your team has been through, all those all those injuries and losses and adversity to finish like this, all working, all were all working, man.

I mean, everybody just saw the character they put on this floor, so that was all worth it.

And I knew they were going to play their best game today because it's just a culmination of all that stuff.

And just came through and we put it together.

So I'm so proud.

I mean, I can't even process it.

It's great.

Ready?

The locker room is gonna look like regulations, guys, y'all.

Yeah.

Pretty Well done.

The first four head coach, Marlin Williams and the first for the Little Rock Central program.

Boy, boy.

Look at some of these final stats here.

A 58 to 40 win for Little Rock Central.

It was not pretty at times.

And you look at some of these final numbers, three pointers will tell the story, certainly for Conway, 25 turnovers for Central.

Still, they find a way to do it just as they have found a way all season and they put it together when it matters most.

And the MVP in this one is Jordan Marshall and she joins us now.

Congratulations.

Describe that smile when you realize, boy, everything you have been through, you finish with a state championship.

The school first.

Yes, we've been through a lot this season.

We had to endure starting out the season with high and prior, but we kept battling, we kept battling, we kept pushing in our mind.

We always knew what we could get done, but we just had to show it.

We have problems.

We have a lot of problems going through the season and we just kept going at it and going at it, knowing in our mind that nobody can stop us when we want to play basketball.

So that's what we showed out here.

As you can see, the score, we're just physically dominant.

We had the senior leadership, we had experience and I'm just glad to meet my team, but we got to show it today and now we're making history as far as central women basketball team, everyone chuckles.

You guys weren't as effective offensively.

You maybe not didn't have the offensive game that you wanted, but on the other end of the floor, your defense showed up tonight, pulled down the shooting 25% from the game.

What were you doing on that end of the fourth?

I made a life so tough on them.

I mean, being big and strong.

I work on my body all offseason, all during season and I knew what I knew the game plan on scout game.

We played Conway three times.

I play Conway like 11 times in my career.

I know what they're trying to do and.

I just got there before they did and you know, my teammates that stepped up big time on the offensive end and anywhere I went, Conway was kind of there, so I couldn't really get a rhythm like I wanted to.

But I know I had to make it up on defense with the rebounds and the blocks and stops.

And that's what we did.

We got multiple stops in that second half and that's why we are the champions this graduation.

So you can imagine what that locker room looks like.

I I don't I don't even want to go in there.

I don't want to go back to work for a week and keep talking to you.

Congratulations.

Thank you so much, guys.

Regulations.

The MVP, Jordan Marshall and these fans from Central High School could be treated to perhaps back to back state championships as the boys take on Bryant after this one in what's he another good game Bobby Rock Central and Bryant meeting for the third time the Hornets got the two in the regular season but we've already seen twice today what happens in the regular season does not matter in the state championship game.

Central Grant's going to be a good one.

So Little Rock Central slaying the powerhouse that is Conway for the Girls program's first ever state championship.

He think about what that means for that program, for the school, for the city of Little Rock.

Mile.

Mile.

What a historic night already for the Little Rock Central for our fantastic group.

And Bobby Swafford.

I'm Kyle Decker.

Bob, don't go anywhere.

The boys match up in the six eight Central and Bryant is coming up next.

This is the centennial State Basketball Championships on Arkansas.

PBS Sports.