Arkansas high school boys basketball state final live update recap: Little Rock Christian uses fast start to roll over Farmington in 4A title game (3/7/2024)
Little Rock Christian started the game with a 10-0 run and never looked back in a 71-56 win over Farmington in the Class 4A state championship game Thursday night at Bank OZK Arena.
"That start was huge for us," Little Rock Christian sophomore J.J. Andrews told Arkansas PBS. "We knew we needed ot get out in front because they are a very talented team. [Farmington star player Layne Taylor] is a talented player, and we knew he could get hot, so we had to come out with a lot of energy."
The Warriors led 36-22 at halftime and led by as many as 21 in the second half.
However, the Warriors never could blow out Farmington as star guard Layne Taylor exploded for 40 points and got the Cardinals to within 11 in the third quarter.
LRCA led by 50-36 at the end of the third quarter and had a comfortable 17-point lead midway through the fourth quarter.
FHS also got to within 10 late in the game, but LRCA responded with four unanswered points, including a between-the-legs, fast-break dunk by Landren Blocker.
Andrews, who celebrated his 16th birthday Thursday, took MVP honors with 19 points and 8 rebounds.
"I can't even put it into words," Andrews said. "
Blocker, a senior headed to Louisiana Tech, led LRCA with 21 points and 11 rebounds.
Jackson Berry had eight points for Farmington.
"We wanted to take those other kids away," LRCA head coach Kyle Pennington told Arkansas PBS. "I thought we did a really good job of that. They scored 56 points, and. [Taylor] had 40 of them. We didint think those other guys could score enough if we took them away. Layne Taylor is a hekuva basketball player. We've got a heckuva basketball team."
Farmington won its second straight state title Thursday night. (Photo by Tommy Land)
See previous live updates below.
Final: LRCA 71-56
Blocker punctuates the win with a between-the-legs dunk.
4th Qtr: LRCA 65-54, 35.3
Farmington had a chance to cut it to single digits but missed a short shot. Blocker came down on the break and dunked it. FHS can't cut the lead below 11.
4th Qtr: LRCA 61-51, 1:39
Taylor hits a three pointer and then shoots another one and is fouled. He converts on the free throws.
4th Qtr: LRCA 59-43, 3:19
Tristian Watson gets the hoop and the harm but can't make the free throw. The Warriors are trying to close this one out.
4th Qtr: LRCA 57-43, 4:44
Farmington not giving up, either. Taylor with a three from the corner.
4th Qtr: LRCA 56-40, 5:01
The two teams are trading baskets but LRCA not giving in.
End of 3rd: LRCA 50-36
LRCA can't deliver the knockout punch, but the Cardinals can't make a threatening run. To the fourth we go.
3rd Qtr:3rd Qtr: LRCA 50-36, 45
Taylor scores in the paint for his second bucket in a row and the lead is 14.
3rd Qtr: LRCA 50-32, 1:34
Farmington cut the lead to 15 but LRCA pushes it back to closer to 20.
3rd Qtr: LRCA 43-22, 6:00
LRCA scores five quick points and FHS needs a time out. Twenty-one points is the biggest lead of the game.
The second half is undeway.
Halftime: LRCA 36-22
Wesley hits a three to end the Warriors' scoring. Taylor's desperation three as time runs out rims out.
2nd Qtr: LRCA 33-19, 1:22
Layne Taylor converts on his own three-point play.
2nd Qtr: LRCA 33-19, 1:49
Andrews scores in traffic and is fouled. He converts on the three-point play. LRCA has its largest lead of the game.
2nd Qtr: LRCA 28-17, 2:47
Farmington had the lead cut to nine but Andrews responds with a fast-break hoop.
2nd Qtr: LRCA 22-11, 5:47
Taylor scores on an iso play to try to keep Farmington in it.
2nd Qtr: LRCA 22-9, 6:30
Wesley hits another LRCA three but Farmington answers with a put back.
End of 1st: Farmington 19-4
LRCA isn't missing and on the defensive end is swarming Taylor, the University of North Texas signee. He has all four of the Cardinals points.
1st Qtr: LRCA 16-4, 1:00
J.J. Andrews, who turns 16 today, hits his first shot of the game - a three.
1st Qtr: LRCA 10-2, 3:52.
Farmington star Layne Taylor scores to finally get the Cardinals on the board as we have a time out on the floor.
1st Qtr: LRCA 10-0, 4:48
LRCA jumps to an early 10-0 lead as Farmington comes up empty on four possessions. Landren Blocker already has four points and Jameel Wesley's three-pointer caps the runs as Farmington calls a time out.
And ... we are underway.
Good evening. We will be starting our final game of the day shortly.
-Nate Olson | nate@scorebooklive.com | @ndosports
