Arkansas high school girls basketball state tournament final live updates: Greenwood vs. Vilonia (3/8/2024)
HOT SPRINGS – Same opponent, same result for Greenwood, who defeated Vilonia 77-51, the second straight season they conquered the Lady Eagles in the 5A state finals. It was the third consecutive state championship for Greenwood.
The Lady Bulldogs (28-4) went into the locker room at the break with a 15-point lead following a near flawless first half in which they forced 10 turnovers.
Vilonia (26-7) did cut it to a nine-point deficit with just over six minutes remaining in the third quarter before the Lady Bulldogs pulled away for good.
Anna Trusty, who was named the 5A state tournament's Most Valuable Player, finished with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. Vilonia junior guard Sidni Middleton led all scorers in the game with 24 points, while Greenwood senior Brooklyn Woolsey put up 21 for the Lady Bulldogs, who shot 58% from the field, and 47% from three, on the afternoon. Senior Lexy Heston also added 15 points for Vilonia in her final high school game.
See previous live updates below.
Final: Greenwood 77-51
The Lady Bulldogs complete the three-peat.
4th Qtr: Greenwood 68-47, 3:09
Trusty's layup pushes the Lady Bulldogs' lead to a 20-plus point margin.
4th Qtr: Greenwood 63-47, 4:32
The Greenwood faithful are starting to feel it as Vilonia calls time. Lady Eagles are shooting well, currently at 44%, but the Lady Bulldogs have stayed very consistent, hitting 56% and 47% from long range.
End of 3rd: Greenwood 61-43
With the game in control, Greenwood is eight minutes away their third consecutive state championship. Woolsey leads everyone with 21, followed by Kylah Pearcy with 18. Middleton has 20 of Vilonia's 43 points and Heston has 11.
3rd Qtr: Greenwood 54-38, 3:50
Greenwood is pulling away again after Vilonia cut into the deficit following an and-one by Anna Trusty, then a three-pointer by Woolsey, who is now up to 16 points. Media timeout.
3rd Qtr: Greenwood 44-35, 6:36
Briana Burnham hits 1-of-2 free throws following a Vilonia bucket to cut Greenwood's lead to single digits.
3rd Qtr: Greenwood 44-31, 7:06
Thirty second timeout called by Greenwood following a Vilonia turnover.
Halftime: Greenwood 44-29
Not much more you could ask of Greenwood in the first half. They forced 10 turnovers and continue to shoot over 72% from the field. Woolsey has 13 for the Lady Bulldogs, followed by Izzy Smith with 10. Middleton leads all scorers with 14, followed by Lexy Heston with 8.
2nd Qtr: Greenwood 35-24, 3:21
Vilonia is hanging in, but when they make a run Greenwood continues to answer. At the media timeout, the Lady Bulldogs are shooting 71% from the field to Vilonia's 47%.
2nd Qtr: Greenwood 31-20, 5:02
The Greenwood defense has been lockdown and forced six turnovers to Vilonia's one and the Lady Bulldogs have turned that into nine points.
End of 1st: Greenwood 27-15
Lady Bulldogs were red hot in the first, connecting on 11-of-14 shots from the field and a perfect 5-of-5 from long range. Greenwood's Brooklyn Woolsey leads all scorers with 11 points, while Sidni Middleton leads Vilonia, who is hitting 56% to its shots from the field, with 8.
1st Qtr: Greenwood 11-8, 3:36
Vilonia has scored five unanswered points following the quick break as we hit a media timeout.
1st Qtr: Greenwood 11-3, 5:03
The defending state champions start off hot and Vilonia calls a timeout.
We are underway.
(Photos by Tommy Land)
-- Kyle Sutherland | kyle@scorebooklive.com | @k_sutherlandAR
