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Caroline James' 3-point play lifts Cedar Creek to Division IV semifinal win over JS Clark: Live score, updates

Second-seeded Cougars rally to advance to the title game with 47-44 win over No. 3 J.S. Clark

Mike Coppage

Cedar Creek is looking to get past J.S. Clark.
Cedar Creek is looking to get past J.S. Clark. / Cedar Creek Lady Cougars Facebook

Day 3 of the Louisiana girls basketball Marsh Madness state tournament begins with a 1 p.m. matchup in Division IV select. No. 3 J.S. Clark (24-5) faces No. 2 Cedar Creek (28-3) for the chance to compete for a state title Saturday at noon.

Stay tuned to High School on SI all week for coverage of the semifinals and finals at University Center in Hammond on the campus of Southeastern Louisiana.

Pregame

J.S. Clark returned every player from last season's state championship team. The Bulldogs, who defeated Oak Hill in the Division V select title game, moved up to Class 1A. Last season's coach, Ross Rix, departed to oversee the boys basketball program at Northside High.

Joseph Levier, a Clark alum and recent college graduate, took over as coach of the Bulldogs, who won playoff games against No. 14 Westminster Christian (68-27) and No. 11 Ascension Catholic (64-36). Junior point guard Taylor Barnaba is a dynamic distributor who leads the Bulldogs in scoring.

The Cougars, who toppled No. 15 St. Frederick (59-24) and No. 7 Hamilton Christian (47-28), are led in scoring by 6-foot-2 junior Avery Ryan. Each squad has two seniors.

Follow this post, refreshing frequently to receive the latest live update, with real-time reporting on scores and key plays.

First quarter

Avery Ryan knocks down a free throw for the first point. Cedar Creek 1, JS Clark 0

Cougars get a bucket on the low block. 3-0. Cedar Creek using a full-court press and looking sharp with its ball movement. JS Clark turns it over (traveling) 5:47, 1st

We're tied, 3-3. Taylor Barnaba with a triple from the top of the key. 4:52, 1st.

Barnaba with five points for the Bulldogs. She goes to the rack, but Avery Ryan answers and halts JS Clark's 5-0 run. Timeout 3:43, 1st. It's 5-5.

Cedar Creek moves ahead, 12-6, on an Avery Ryan jumper. Timeout, JS Clark. 2:27, 1st. Cougars on a 7-0 run. JS Clark has missed its last three shots.

Senior Erianna Ned finishes at the rim. Cedar Creek 12, JS Clark 8. Cougars have turned it over eight times. JS Clark called for an offensive foul. Just over a minute left in the first quarter.

Barnaba stops, pump fakes and gets Ryan in the air, then hit a high-arcing shot and a free throw to reduce the Cedar Creek lead to 1. Cougars answer on the other end and get the last points of the quarter on a short baseline jumper from Martinez. Cedar Creek 17, JS Clark 11 End 1

Second Quarter

Barnaba passes to Ned for a bucket. Cedar Creek with nine turnovers but leads 17-13 early in the second quarter. Four Cougars have scored. Barnaba (nine points) and Ned have all of JS Clark's points....Barnaba draws a charge.

Sophomore Mary Hawkins checks into the game and promptly converts a 3-point play. Clark turns the ball over. Cougars can add to their lead...and they do: Hawkins scores again. 24-15, Cougars...just over five minutes left in the half.

Ryan with the bank in for her eighth point and a Cedar Creek lead. Cougars up by 11 points (26-15, 2nd). Hawkins has really made her presence known coming off the bench.

Riobins scores for JS Clark...Ryan on point again, grabbing a rebound and putting it back into the net. Cedar Creek 29, JS Clark 19 three minutes left in the half.

Edwards steals the ball and goes the distance to cut Cedar Creek's lead to 29-21. 2:20 left in the half.

Martinez (five points) misses two free throws. Lee picks up her second foul. Still 29-21, Cougars.

Albert dishes it to Ned to cut the Cougars' lead to six. Cedar Creek 29, JS Clark 23 (1:10, 2nd)

Timeout in the action. Barnaba gets up slowly after a spill and will take a break. Still 29-23.

Pickney into the game. The senior has been injured and missed time. Albert drains a 3 and scores her fifth straight point. Cedar Creek 29, JS Clark 28 late 2nd.

Halftime stats of girls basketball state semifinal
Halftime stats / Mike Coppage

Third Quarter

Edwards gets a friendly bounce for JS Clark's first lead. It's short-lived, however. Guess who? Ryan answers....Cedar Creek 31, JS Clark 30 early 3rd.

Ryan picks up her second foul. JS Clark regains the lead with two free throws. Bulldogs 32, Cedar Creek 31 5:47, 3rd.

We're tied at 32. 4:50, 3rd Quarter.

Barnaba is one tough player. She has hit the floor a few times hard. She draws another offensive foul. Albert's free throw (eight points) gives JS Clark a 33-32 lead. 3:40, 3rd.

Barnaba finding a rhythm, expands the Clark lead to 35-32. It's an 18-4 run for the Bulldogs.

Hawkins back in the game for the Cougars. Again, she asserts herself by making plays. Cougars score and cut JS Clark's lead to 35-34. 2:00, 3rd.

1:48, 3rd: Lee makes a free throw....and makes another. Cedar Creek 36, JS Clark 35. 1:30, 3rd.

Barnaba draws another charge. JS Clark 38, Cedar Creek 37 end 3.

Fourth Quarter

Cedar Creek 38, JS Clark 37 6:58, 4th. Ryan to Lee....

Lee again with a mid-range jumper off the dribble. Cougars on a 4-0 run. Cedar Creek 40, JS Clark 37....eight lead changes as JS Clark's Robins scores. Cedar Creek 40, JS Clark 39.

Barnaba draws a fourth charge. Cougars' bench and fan base are irate. Cougars up one.

Barnaba really just draw another offensive foul. Ryan knocks her to the deck. Cedar Creek 40, JS Clark 39....wait! Edwards, the freshman, hits the Bulldogs' third 3-pointer of the game....JS Clark 42, Cedar Creek 40 4:22 4th.

Timeout

Martinez and Hawkins narrowly miss great looks at the basket. Cougars haven't scored in three minutes. JS Clark 42, Cedar Creek 40 2:53 4th

Cedar Creek hasn't scored in over four minutes. Barnaba fouls Hawkins, who was shooting a 3. Barnaba has four fouls. Hawkins makes one free throw. Albert pushes JS Clark ahead to 44-41 in transition. 1:41, 4th.

Ryan hustles down the floor and thwarts the Bulldogs from scoring an easy basket. Timeout...JS Clark 44, Cedar Creek 41 1:34, 4th.

JS Clark 44, Cedar Creek 43. Ryan scores for the Cougars. 40.2 seconds left. Fourth team foul on the Cougars.

Timeout

Cougars force a turnover!

Barnaba fouls out for JS Clark. Ryan at the line for two free throws with 27 seconds left. We're tied at 44. Timeout, JS Clark. 22 seconds left

Martinez perfect pass to James....bucket and a foul! Cedar Creek 46, JS Clark 44 1.4 seconds left.

FINAL: Cedar Creek 47, JS Clark 44 (James made a free throw with 1.4 seconds left).

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Mike Coppage
MIKE COPPAGE

Mike Coppage is a Louisiana-based veteran reporter with decades of experience covering recruiting and high school sports for Scout, Rivals, The Acadiana Advocate and The Daily Iberian. He has been freelancing for High School On SI since 2024.

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