Hot Springs, AR – JonesboroRightNow.com – The Manila Lady Lions turned a halftime deficit into a historic finish Friday afternoon.
Behind a strong defensive effort and a dominant presence in the paint, Manila rallied in the second half to defeat McGehee 49-42 and claim the Class 3A girls basketball state championship before a crowd of 3,522 at Bank OZK Arena.
The victory marks the first girls basketball state championship in school history for Manila, which capped the season with a 31-6 record.
McGehee led 25-22 at halftime, but Manila seized control in the third quarter. The Lady Lions shot 5-of-11 from the floor in the period and made both of their free throws to erase the deficit and take a 35-34 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
From there, Manila’s defense and inside scoring proved decisive.
The Lady Lions finished the game shooting 18-of-50 from the field (36%) and 10-of-15 from the free-throw line. Manila dominated key categories, including a 26-12 advantage in points in the paint, a 34-30 rebounding edge, and an 18-3 margin in fast-break points.
Championship MVP Lucy Farmer led the Lady Lions with 14 points, matching teammate Hadlie Goodson, who also scored 14. Madysen Deeds added 10 points in the title-game victory.
McGehee finished the season 31-6. Whitney Smith led the Lady Owls with 12 points and four assists, while Makaelah Green and Mariah Blackmon each scored 10.
Manila, the third seed from 3A Region 2, put together an impressive postseason run under head coach Chad LaRose, defeating Drew Central, Dover, Greenland and McGehee on the way to the championship.
With the win in Hot Springs, the Lady Lions delivered a historic moment for their program and their community — bringing the first girls basketball state title back to Mississippi County.