Who Shined in the 5A Championship Game?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preview</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Farmington Lady Cardinals and the Greene County Tech Lady Golden Eagles faced off in the 5A title game at Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs. Both teams were powerhouses in their respective conferences, but Farmington was coming off back-to-back title runs in the 4A classification and they easily torched their 5A West opponents in their first season in the new classification.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Farmington may have been considered a heavy favorite to win, but GCT was expected to make it difficult for the Lady Cardinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Recap</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Farmington jumped ahead early in the opening period thanks to their accurate 3-point shooting. The Golden Eagles responded and trailed 12-11 going into the second. GCT remained within striking distance heading into the half thanks to a big triple by Weslyn Burnside, but the score still favored the Cardinals as they went into the locker room leading by 4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third quarter became a back-and-forth tussle between the two teams as Farmington opened the half on a 9-2 run. The Golden Eagles responded with an 11-2 run and they were as close as 36-34 in that quarter. Suddenly, Farmington went on a 5-0 run to end the quarter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The beginning of the fourth quarter was another period where Greene County Tech got close, getting within 3 at one point. But like it had been all game, GCT could not gain the lead and Farmington went on another run to seal the deal.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In their first year in the 5A classification, Farmington defeated Greene County Tech for their third consecutive state championship. The Lady Cardinal senior class walks away with an incredible 105-3 record in their careers in the red and white.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Performances from Farmington Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1090920"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eddd31ac546"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you are familiar with this Lady Cardinal team, you are not surprised that freshman phenom [player_tooltip player_id='1090920' first='Easton' last='McCollough'] was crowned the MVP of the championship game. She played all but 12 seconds in the game and left Hot Springs with her first varsity title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCollough led all scorers with 24 points and added 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks. The star shot 4/9 from the 3-point line, making it rain almost every quarter. With her quick release and ability to shoot off the dribble and the catch, there is not much the defense can do to stop her. She also forced her way to the free throw line, going 4/7 at the stripe.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1090920' first='Easton' last='McCollough'] supplied more evidence as to why she is one of the best players in the state and one of the better players in the nation's 2028 class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["465497"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eddd31ac5ce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='465497' first='Marin' last='Adams'] has led the way at the point guard position for Farmington for now its third-straight title. She made a major impact on both sides of the floor in that game and she will be taking her talents to Pittsburg State in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adams put up 14 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals against GCT. Offensively, Adams was consistent. She shot 6/12 from the field, scoring at will inside the arch. She did hit 1 triple as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adams uses her length to her advantage on the defensive end. With her wingspan, she can cut off ball-handlers and poke the ball free. She did that multiple times as well as intercepting passes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='465497' first='Marin' last='Adams'] leaves a big role for Farmington to fill, especially considering she cemented herself as one of the better two-way point guards in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kaycee-mccumber/">[player_tooltip player_id='465590' first='Kaycee' last='McCumber']</a>- McCumber made a solid impact in the title game. She put up 7 points and 4 rebounds. On the offensive end, McCumber was aggressive around the basket, drawing contact and heading to the free throw line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Performances from Greene County Tech Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1186507"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eddd31ac63f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">GCT's&nbsp;superstar junior is in her first season in Paragould, and she can chalk it up as a successful first season, taking her team to the 5A title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though the Golden Eagles came up short, Johnson starred for her squad. She led all players with 12 rebounds, with 6 coming on the offensive end. She also added 15 points and 3 steals to her total. The junior shot 5/12 from the field and went to the free throw line 5 times. Most of her scoring came in the paint where she played bully ball against the taller Farmington defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson's effort around the basket was infectious, as GCT outrebounded Farmington on the offensive glass. Her activity level on the defensive end was also noteworthy as she poked passes away and played solid on-ball defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1186507' first='E'Marriha' last='Johnson'] took the 5A East by storm this past season and I am so glad she is back for one more season with Greene County Tech.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Weslyn Burnside","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12124","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Greene County Tech","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eddd31ac6f8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson was the Golden Eagle who averaged double-digit points per game during the regular season, but Weslyn Burnside helped her out on the scoring front in the championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burnside only averaged 9.1 points per game during the regular season, but she scored 15 against Farmington. She shot 50% from the field and made 2 3-pointers. Burnside was hitting from outside early, which helped open up driving lanes. She exploited them a few times, not missing a shot inside the arch during the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Though the effort was not quite enough, Weslyn Burnside showed up in a big way for her team in the 5A title game. She is one of several seniors on this team who will be hard to replace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/myiah-butler/">[player_tooltip player_id='876049' first='Myiah' last='Butler']</a>- GCT's defensive anchor had a solid defensive performance. She grabbed 7 rebounds and blocked 2 shots. The senior boxed out well and imposed her will in the painted area. She also made good plays with the ball, dishing out 2 assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Review and What's Next</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game and this season show the rest of the state what Farmington is all about. Despite being in just their first season in the 5A classification, the Cardinals devastated their opponents, and I doubt they will stop that trend next year. With [player_tooltip player_id='1090920' first='Easton' last='McCollough'] on their roster, no team is safe. I would expect Josie Dillard to take over next season to run the point and another junior, Reese Thornton, will have a larger role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greene County Tech is also losing a lot of seniors, but they have several experienced players who will be back next year. [player_tooltip player_id='1186507' first='E'Marriha' last='Johnson'] will continue to be the go-to player, but GCT's assist leader, Sophia Gonzalez, should be back. Sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='1253985' first='Addie' last='Ryan'] will see a larger role next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both Farmington and Greene County Tech will remain favorites to go back to the 5A championship game next season and I imagine they will reload that roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->