Hot Springs – Brekayla Davis’ driving lay-up with two seconds left lifted Mayflower to the 3A State title over Centerpoint 29-27 in a low scoring affair that saw the lead change hands three times over the last four minutes in a contest that featured very little offense.
Mayflower (26-5) trailed for much of the game after only scoring two points for the first 12 minutes of the game but managed to claw their way back to take their first lead on a free throw by Kierra Fulton 21-20 with seven minutes to play in regulation.
“I knew it was going to be a defensive game because Centerpoint is phenomenal.” second year Mayflower head coach Koty Storms said. “And I didn’t know 29 points would win (the game) but our girls kept battling.. It’s just surreal.”
The Lady Knights (23-6) built a 16-8 advantage on a free throw by senior post Emily Balliette with 7 minutes and 20 seconds in the third quarter.
From there, the Mayflower offense found their way and began to get into a groove.
A 3-pointer and a couple of free throws by senior guard Jenna McMillan along with a lay-up by Karley Brown dug the Lady Eagles out of an eight-point hole and they wrested control of the game as Centerpoint cooled off from the field and went 6-of-15 in the final period.
Five missed free throws also proved to the undoing of the Lady Knights down the stretch.
Mayflower Senior Guard Jenna McMillan poses with her Class 3A MVP Award (Photo by Tracy Stephen)
“I’m so proud of my girls because they are a scrappy little bunch.” Centerpoint head coach John Bright said. “We didn’t know if we were going to have a season, but we got through it and started playing really well here towards the end. These were two really good defensive teams and that’s how it played out. We just came up a little short.”
McMillen, who was named the game’s MVP, scored nine points and limited Centerpoint leading scorer Marlee Bright to three points in the final quarter.
Bright finished with a game high 11 points for Centerpoint.
Davis had 10 for Mayflower and senior Kamiah Turner added seven points and five rebounds.
Faulkner County Focus Sports 
You must be logged in to post a comment.