3A girls basketball state championship: Lamar wins first championship since 1991

The victory over Dover is Lamar's third state championship in school history

Tommy Land

Patience is not always easy, but it paid off for Lamar.

After runner-up finishes in the 2022 and 2023 3A state championship games, the Warriors are bringing the gold trophy back to Johnson County for the first time since 1991 after defeating previously unbeaten Dover 65-52 on Thursday night at Bank OZK Arena.

Huge nights from seniors Kori Sanders and Emma Bailey carried Lamar (36-2). Sanders, who was named the 3A state tournament's Most Valuable Player, finished with 29 points, six rebounds and four assists while connecting on seven of nine three point attempts, while Bailey scored 21 and pulled down seven rebounds. Long range shots were the difference in the game as Lamar shot 46% to Dover's 16%.

Logan Young was the only double-digit scorer for the Pirates (34-1), finishing with 24 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Kenzie McCrotty just missed a double-double herself, with nine points and 11 rebounds.

Pregame

Dover and Lamar have proven throughout the season they are the favorites in an always-deep Class 3A, but while they have each lived up to the expectations by earning a trip to Hot Springs, only one can remain standing.

Bank OZK in March is very familiar to Lamar (35-2), which is playing in the championship round for the third time in the past four seasons. Lamar lost to Bergman in 2022 and then Salem in 2023 before falling to the Greyhounds again in the quarterfinal round last season.

The Warriors average 59 points per game and are surrendering 37 and are shooting 44% from the field. They are unbeaten against 3A opposition as their two losses have come to 6A quarterfinalist Springdale Har-Ber and Brock (Texas).

Coach Brandon Schluterman's balanced offense might start with senior star Kori Sanders (18 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4 apg, 2.8 spg, 80% FT), but it certainly does not end with the Harding University signee. Classmate Madison Davidson averages just shy of a double-double, 10.8 points and 8.2 rebounds, and fellow seniors Emma Bailey (8.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.7 apg), Kaley Long (6.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2 apg) and Shaylie Mayfield (6.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.9 apg, 2.5 spg) have been key cogs. Sanders has more than 2,000 career points, and Davidson has surpassed 1,000.

Dover (34-0) is one of the state's two remaining undefeated teams — one of those victories being over Class 6A semifinalist Bentonville — and is making its first final appearance since 1999, when the Pirates brought home the championship trophy. Dover has invoked the sportsmanship rule on 28 of its 34 opponents this season.

The "Big 3" of seniors Kadee Keaster and Logan Young and junior Kenzie McCrotty have led the Pirates to averaging an impressive 68 points per contest. Keaster (11 ppg, 5rpg, 9 apg) is signed to play at Henderson State University and is the state's all-time assists leader for both a single season and career. She has 13 double-doubles and a triple-double this season. Young (20 ppg) has signed with Arkansas Tech Univeristy and has accumulated more than 2,150 points and more than 1,010 rebounds in her career. McCrotty (18 ppg) has compiled more than 1,500 career points with one prep season left.

(Updates will appear here after the game starts.)

FINAL: Lamar 65, Dover 52

After runner-up finishes in 2022 and 2023, Lamar earns its first state title since 1991. Sanders led all scorers with 29 points, while Bailey added 21 for the Warriors. Young led Dover with 24 and a game-high 15 rebounds.

Fourth quarter

Lamar 59-47, :44

Dover calls time, but the Warriors have pulled away and are seconds away from winning their first state title in over three decades.

Lamar 50-43, 2:26

Dover is still hanging in as the Pirates are on a 4-0 run following two free throws from Young, then a lay in by Keaster after nabbing a steal.

Lamar 50-37, 3:25

The Warriors are in control at the media timeout. Sanders has been huge for Lamar, but Bailey has as well with 15 points.

Lamar 43-34, 5:51

The Warriors are on a 6-0 run to beging the fourth quarter thanks to a bucket by Emma Bailey. Bailey was fouled on the shot and will attempt the and-one when we return from the timeout, called by Dover.

Third quarter

End of 3rd: Lamar 37-34

With the final seconds of the third ticking down, Sanders releases a three from the top of the key that is no good. The Warriors narrowly lead heading into the final frame.

Lamar 37-31, 3:20

Sanders connects on another three right before a media timeout. That is her sixth made three of the night.

Lamar 34-31, 4:27

Logan Young is fouled on a shot attempt, the basket is good plus the and-one is successful to cuts Lamar's lead to one possession.

Lamar 31-24, 6:06

Shaylie Mayfield adds to Lamar's lead and puts the first points of the third quarter on the board. Timeout is called by Lamar.

Second quarter

Halftime: Lamar 29-24

After two missed free throws by Dover's Kadee Keaster, Lamar goes the length of the court and Macie Davidson lays it in. Looked like she released it after the buzzer sounded, but the bucket counts. Sanders leads all scorers with 16 points, including a perfect 5 of 5 from three-point range, while Keaster and Young lead Dover with nine each.

Lamar 23-20, 3:39

We've reached another media timeout right after Logan Young gets Dover within three on a fast break layup.

Lamar 23-18, 4:30

Sanders hits one of two free throws and is now up to 16 points. Warriors are on an 8-4 run in the quarter.

First quarter

End of 1st: Dover 15-14

Kenzie McCrotty's three-pointer from the left wing cuts the lead to one, then Elle Morrow lays one in right under the basket before the horn to give Dover the lead. It has been a very fast-paced game.

Lamar 11-8, 1:45

It took almost three minutes to get the first points of the game, a short floater by Lamar's Emma Bailey. Warriors star senior Kori Sanders has since connected on three-consecutive three-pointers as Lamar has a three-point advantage at the first media timeout. Sanders' nine points leads all scorers.

We are underway!

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