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Live Updates From Day 1 of the Louisiana (LHSAA) Girls Basketball State Tournament

High School on SI will provide scoring updates, commentary, stats and more from Marsh Madness.
Mike Coppage|
Tora Savoy of Midland
Tora Savoy of Midland | Chris Quebedeaux

High School on SI will be at the University Center in Hammond bringing live updates from four semifinal games from Day 1 of the Louisiana girls basketball state tournament also known as "Marsh Madness."

Related: Louisiana High School Girls Basketball Playoff Bracketology

These are the Monday semifinal games we'll be covering:

1:00 p.m. Division IV nonselect No. 2 Merryville (25-8) vs. No. 3 Arcadia (24-6)

2:45 p.m. Class C No. 2 Calvin (28-2) vs. No. 3 Pleasant Hill (27-9)

4:30 p.m. Class C No. 1 Simpson (38-4) vs. No. 4 Evans (28-7)

6:15 p.m. Division IV nonselect No. 1 Midland (27-7) vs. No. 5 East Feliciana (19-10)

Related: Louisiana High School Girls Basketball Rankings Feb. 23

Updates will appear here shortly before tipoff of the first game. Please refresh page frequently. Previews of each game will be posted throughout the day.

Game 1: Merryville vs. Arcadia

Pregame: Merryville, which was ousted in the quarterfinals last year by Midland, starts three eighth-graders, one junior and one senior, Miranda Williams (13 ppg, seven rebounds). Junior Avery Cournoyer leads the team with a 23 ppg average. The Panthers only have one senior, two juniors and one freshman. The rest of the roster includes six eighth-graders and a seventh grader. The eighth-grade starters are Adalyn Fontenot (9 ppg, 7 rpg), Raelynn Williams (8 ppg, 8 rpg) and Karis Fortenberry (7 ppg, 4 rpg).

Arcadia has two seniors, one of which starts (Ryhanna Abney). There are two junior starters - DeAsia Alexander (16 ppg, 8 rpg) and Arianna Williams (10 ppg) - who are joined by sophomore Janiyah Mays and seventh grader J'Mayah Flowers

First Quarter

-Arcadia early 5-4 lead. Midland's three eighth graders have great size. Merryville leading scorer Avery Cournoyer gets a bucket and a foul but misses the free throw. 6-5 Merryville 5:05 1st

-Cournoyer (six points) goes coast-to-coast for a 9-7 lead. Rhyanna Abney (four points) answers for Arcadia. Fortenberry, one of the eighth-graders for Merryville scores. 11-9 Merryville 1:51 1st

-DeAsia Alexander picks up her second foul. Merryville up 13-11 with less than a minute to go in the first quarter. Cournoyer with eight points.

-Abney (eight points) hits from the perimeter to tie it at 13-13 after one quarter.

Second Quarter

-Williams, the senior, gives Merryville a 17-13 lead by posting up in the paint. Flowers, a seventh grader, responds with a 3 for Arcadia 17-16 Merryville 5:41 2nd. Only one turnover for Arcadia in the first quarter. Merryville didn't attempt a 3. Williams again. Merryville 19-16 5:25 2nd.

-Now Cournoyer and Alexander both have two fouls. Merryville 23-16 2:39 and counting. Cournoyer stays in the game.

-Alexander gets her first bucket of the game. Her first points of the game as well. Merryville 23, Arcadia 20 1:05 2nd.

Halftime: Merryville, 26, Arcadia 20

Third Quarter

-Merryville 6-0 run to start the second half. Cournoyer with 12 points. Merryville 32-20 6:25 3rd.

-Cournoyer from downtown. Merryville opens up 15-point lead. Merryville 35, Arcadia 22 5:02 3rd. She has 15 points.

-Cournoyer again, slash to the basket. Merryville 37, Arcadia 22. Offensive foul on Abney. Merryville gets the ball again, threatening to bust it open. Miranda Williams put-back 39-22 Merryville 3:21 3rd.

-Arcadia 5-0 run forces Merryville timeout. Merryville 39, Arcadia 27 2:52 3rd. Cournoyer 17 points. Alexander has four points for the Hornets.

-Arianna Williams 3-pointer for Arcadia. Merryville 39-30 2:20 3rd. 8-0 run for the Hornets.

-Williams again for Arcadia. Merryville 39-32 1:16 3rd.

-Again? Williams again. Merryville 39-35 end 3. Williams 12 points for Arcadia.

Fourth Quarter

-Merryville 41, Arcadia 35. Alexander misses two free throws. Williams scores again for Arcadia. 41-37 Merryville timeout. Arcadia coach is animated. She wanted a travel. 6:20 left.

-Alexander (2 of 12 FG) makes one of two free throws. She has five points. Cournoyer has 19. Merryville 43, Arcadia 38 5:53 left.

-Arcadia ties up a loose ball and gets possession. Merryville lead down to four. Merryville 43, Arcadia 39. Arianna Williams misses two free throws 3:48 left. Cournoyer makes two free throws on the other end. She has 21 points. Merryville 45, Arcadia 39 3:44

-Cournoyer makes two free throws and assists on a bucket to Fontenot. Williams and Alexander each score for Arcadia. Merryville 49, Arcadia 46 1:50. Williams 18 points, Alexander up to nine points. Timeout.

-Arianna Williams scored and draws a foul on Fortenberry. Can tie it and does with a free throw. Merryville 49, Arcadia 49 1:22 4th. Fortenberry scores and Abney responds. Miranda Williams hits a close shot and draws a foul on Alexander. Merryville 54, Arcadia 51 53.7 seconds left.

-Arianna Williams makes one free throw. Merryville 54, Arcadia 52 :33

-Timeout, Merryville. Panthers lead 54-52 17.5 remaining.

-Eighth grader Raelynn Williams makes one free throw with 13.2 seconds left. Timeout. Merryville 55, Arcadia 52.

-Arcadia is unable to get off a 3-point attempt before time expires. Final Merryville 55, Arcadia 52.

Game 2: Calvin vs. Pleasant Hill

Calvin has only one senior in Madelyn Keys (7 ppg). Juniors Alexa Powell and A'Miya Marshall average 15 and 13 ppg. Sophomore point Ja'Leigha Hobdy averages 16 ppg. The Cougars have five freshmen on the roster (two starters).

Pleasant Hill starts three seniors, a junior and an eighth-grader (Somayiah Holmes). Sha'Diamond Frazier and Ahyuana Harris average 12 and 11 ppg. The Eagles have one sophomore, two juniors, two freshmen, three eighth graders and a seventh grader on the roster.

-Calvin 14, Pleasant Hill 13 End 1.

Second Quarter

-Sha'Diamond Frazier has 10 points for Pleasant Hill, which leads 17-14 at 5:51 to go in the 2nd quarter.

-Harris hits a bucket and is fouled by Collins (third personal) Pleasant Hill 21, Calvin 14 3:45 2nd

5-0 run by Calvin. Pleasant Hill's Kamaria Holmes misses two free throws, and Madelyn Keys makes the run 7-0 for the Cougars. 21-21 2:12 2nd

-Pleasant Hill's S Holmes picks up third foul. 22-22 1:28 left in the half.

-Frazier gets a shot off the glass just before the buzzer to give Pleasant Hill a 24-22 lead at the half. The senior, who is averaging a team-high 12 ppg, already has14. Halftime Pleasant Hill 24, Calvin 22

Third Quarter

-Fourth foul on Somayiah Holmes. Pleasant Hill 26, Calvin 25 5:45 3rd.

-Sha'Diamond Frazier strong in traffic. Pleasant Hill 28-25. She has 16 points. 4:51 3rd.

-Marshall and Powell each have three fouls for Calvin. PHHS 29-25 1:53 3rd. Frazier has 17 points. Marshall has 11 for Calvin.

Fourth Quarter

-Internet service has slowed to a crawl here. Pleasant Hill 33, Calvin 26 6:43 4th. Kenzie Mims came off the bench to hit two back-to-back shots for PHHS.

-Neither team has made a 3-pointer, as LBR Basketball just pointed out to me. PHHS 0 for 13, Calvin 0 for 4. Mims scored again. PHHS 35, Calvin 28 5:31 4th.

-Kamaria Holmes out front on a fast break for PHHS. 4:09 left, Pleasant Hill 37, Calvin 28 Timeout.

-Kamaria Holmes and Frazier (19 points) get fast break baskets. Pleasant Hill 43, Calvin 30 3:04

-Pleasant Hill 45-38 15.8 seconds left.

Pleasant Hill 46, Calvin 39 Final

Game 3: Simpson vs. Evans

Simpson is trying to repeat as state champs with a team that graduated no one from last year. The Broncos have two formidable post players in Bella Hunnicutt and Hallie Rollins, who are each averaging double figures. Olivia Edwards' 18 ppg leads the way. Dakota Miller and Ashyn Allain - a deadly 3-point shooter - are also scoring in double digits.

Evans has four players averaging double figures, led by senior guard Reese Jeane with 15 points. Senior Alexis Jeter is scoring 13 ppg. Brylie Jeter and Emeri Strother are each averaging 10 ppg.

-Simpson won two regular season matchups 67-45 and 73-57.

First Quarter

Broncos lead 18-5. Olivia Edwards already with 11 points. Brylie Jeter knocks down a shot and draws a foul for Evans. 33.9 seconds left in the first quarter. Makes the free throw. 18-8 Simpson, End 1.

Second Quarter

-Simpson 29, Evans 18 2:20 2nd

-Simpson 30, Evans 21 halftime.

-Olivia Edwards 14 points for the Broncos. Dakota Miller with seven. Brylie Jeter, who averages 10 points per game, has 13 for Evans.

Third Quarter

-Simpson 34, Evans 21 6:16 3rd Quarter. Allain, 3-pointer! 36-21, Hunnicutt adds her sixth point.

-Edwards showing toughness in the blocks with an offensive rebound. She draws a foul. 5:00 3rd Simpson 36, Evans 21

-Simpson 38, Evans 23 16 points for Olivia Edwards. 4:24 3rd.

-Edwards again. Evans gets a bucket from Autumn Jeane. Simpson scores again from 3-point land. Simpson 43, Evans 25 53.8 3rd.

-Dakota Miller (nine points) drives to the rack strong at the buzzer. End 3 Simpson 45, Evans 26

Fourth Quarter

-Dakota Miller taking over for Simpson. She steals the ball near midcourt and makes a great pass to Hunnicutt, then gets it right back and scores through contact. And Miller scores again - 13 points. Simpson 51, Evans 29 6:25 4th.

-Miller is unguardable. 15 points for the senior. Simpson 53, Evans 30 5:21 4th.

-23 points for Olivia Edwards after a 3-point play. Simpson 58, Evans 32 4:17 4th.

-Hunnicutt (10 points) joins Miller and Edwards in double figures. Simpson 60, Evans 33 3:30 4th.

Simpson 64, Evans 47 Final

Game 4: Midland vs. East Feliciana

This is a David vs. Goliath matchup when you consider how good Midland has been against an unforgiving schedule. The Rebels, who graduated only one player from last year's semifinal team that lost to No. 1 Lakeview, are led by the scoring trio of Tora Savoy, Camri Primeaux and Molli Thibodeaux.

East Feliciana survived overtime vs. No. 13 Logansport to reach the semifinals. Junior point guard Kariah Dunn averages 17 points per game. Sophomore center Kemani Coleman scores 12 ppg with nine rpg and six assists. Senior shooting guard Joshaylah Selders is scoring 10 ppg.

First Quarter

-Camri Primeaux draws a foul on a drive into the lane. Makes one free throw. Midland 1-0 7:26 1st

-Tora Savoy finishes strong at the rim. Midland 3-0 6:50 1st.

-Rebels dominating the offensive glass. East Feliciana got two free throws from a player who is not listed in the pogram. I'll figure it out when we get quarterly scoring sheets. Kemani Coleman beats Midland in transition. Rebels 5, EFHS 4 5:40 1st. Ahmiree Smith 3-pointer for Midland. Rebels 8, EFHS 4 5:25 1st.

-Smith nice touch off the glass. Tigers keep answering. Thibodeaux free throw puts Midland ahead 13-10 3:15 1st.

-Makhila McZeal 3-pointer. Midland 17, EHS 12 2:20 1st. Ahmiree Smith averages seven points. She has five already.

-Great quarter for Smith. She adds a free throw. Midland 18, EFHS 13. East Feliciana's leading scorer isn't listed in the program. We'll hopefull get that when they bring the official stat sheets. She has seven points. Midland 18, EFHS 15 End 1.

Second Quarter

-Savoy picks up her second foul. Midland 18, EFHS 16 7:38 2nd.

-Midland 20, EFHS 16. Thibodeaux (five points) tough drive to the goal. Timeout EFHS 6:06 2nd.

-Thibodeaux 3 puts Midland ahead 23-16. The sophomore has eight points. Kariah Dunn is the leading scorer for EFHS with seven points. 4:38 2nd. Primeaux bucket makes it 25-16.

-M. McZeal picks up her third foul. Aniyah McZeal will check in. Still Midland 25-16 3:29 2nd.

-Tigers battling. Midland 25, EFHS 19 2:08 2nd.

-Savoy second chance bucket. Midland 27, EFHS 19 1:20 2nd. Thibodeaux quickly adds a lay-up, her 10th point. Midland 29-19 :52.

-Savoy turnaround jumper puts Midland ahead 31-19, and the Rebels draw an offensive foul. Third foul on Reina Orellana. Thibodeaux jumper extends the lead to 33-19.

Midland 33, East Feliciana 19 Halftime

Third Quarter

-Good ball movement results in a swing pass to Primeaux for a 3. Midland 36, EFHS 19 7:10 3rd.

-Third foul on Savoy. Coleman, who has three fouls herself, makes a free throw. Thibodeaux scores down low and draws a foul. Aces the free throw. She has 15 points. Midland 40, EFHS 22 5:10 3rd.

-Fourth foul on Coleman. Primeaux can put the Rebels up by 20. First, we'll have a timeout. Midland 40-22 4:32 3rd.

-Primeaux made one free throw and is now back at the line to shoot two more. Drains one and has eight points. Savoy has nine. Midland 42, EFHS 22 3:59 3rd.

-Midland 73, East Feliciana 43 Final (technical difficulties - Internet)

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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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