Arkansas high school girls basketball state tournament: Little Rock Central, Springdale Har-Ber advance in 6A first round

Both teams move on to the quarterfinals Thursday

NORTH LITTLE ROCK — Little Rock Central (16-12) took a 26-21 halftime lead and stretched it into a 45-27 lead after three quarters en route to a 59-42 victory over Bentonville (15-16) in the first round of the Class 6A State Tournament at Charging Wildcat Arena on the campus of North Little Rock High School. 

Central jumped out to a 16-2 start in the third quarter thanks to five points by Taylor Davis and 5 points by Alivia Montgomery and a three-pointer by Ashlyn Kimble.

“We almost put together a clean ballgame, but we’re working on it,” said Central head coach Marlon Williams. “The second quarter was tough. Usually, the third quarter is tough, but we did a good job today. I’m excited we get one more game.”

For the game, Jordan Marshall led Central with 14 points and 9 rebounds, Montgomery had 10 Kiaya Davis had 11 points.

Bentonville, which fell behind 21-12 after the first quarter, closed to 26-21 at halftime, was led by Cambrie Phillips, who had 15 points.

Central meets Fort Smith Northside at 4 p.m Thursday in the quarterfinals.

SPRINGDALE HAR-BER 56, JONESBORO 39

Delany Roller made six three pointers while leading the Lady Wildcats (21-9) with 18 points in a rout of Jonesboro in the first round of the Class 6A state tournament.

Har-Ber led 15-4 after the first quarter and led 24-4 midway through the second quarter. They led 30-15 at halftime and 43-27 after three quarters.

--Jeff Halpern I @SBLIveAR


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Jeff Halpern
JEFF HALPERN

Jeff Halpern has more than 20 years of professional experience in the journalism field, having started with the Guthrie Daily Leader in Oklahoma in 1994. A 1993 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, he’s worked for newspapers in Bentonville, Springdale, Benton, Hot Springs and Little Rock. He has covered high school, college and professional sports and has won seven awards. He’s also worked for The Natural State Sports Network and assisted with Hooten’s Arkansas Football magazine.