Trusty, Shirey shine in finals

There’s no bigger stage for high school basketball players in Arkansas to showcase their ability than the state finals in Hot Springs.

That’s where seniors Anna Trusty of Greenwood and Reese Shirey of Farmington earned MVP honors after leading their teams to state championships. Trusty scored 18 points for Greenwood, which captured the Class 5A state championship with a 7751 victory over Vilonia. Shirey scored 15 points for Farmington, which beat Morrilton 5831 for the state championship in Class 4A.

Together, Trusty and Shirey are the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Girls Co-Players of the Week. Layne Taylor of Farmington is the NWADG Boys Player of the Week.

Trusty scored 18 points with 6 rebounds and 3 assists while earning her third state championship ring with the Lady Bulldogs. Trusty and her teammates left no doubt in the Class 5A championship game with a torrid first half where Greenwood built a 44-29 lead after two quarters against Vilonia. Trusty converted a three-point play when Greenwood increased its lead to 61-43 heading into the fourth quarter.

Greenwood has now won four of the past five state titles and eight since 2010.

“It’s been awesome,” Trusty said. “Most people in their high school career don’t even go to one state championship game, and we’ve won three in a row now and it feels great.”

Shirey also knows about winning after leading Farmington to its second consecutive state championship in Class 4A. The senior guard was again in command with 15 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal before leaving the court for the final time as a Lady Cardinal.

“Reese Shirey is one of the greatest competitors, teammates and winners I have had the privilege to coach,” Farmington Coach Brad Johnson said of Shirey, who will continue her basketball career at Northeastern (Okla.) State. “She places more value on winning than she does individual statistics and accolades. Her teammates love her as a person, and they love playing alongside her.”

The Farmington boys couldn’t keep up with Little Rock Christian, which won its second consecutive state championship in Class 4A after defeating the Cardinals 7156 at Bank OZK Arena.

Little Rock Christian stormed to a 21-point lead that was cut to 10 after Taylor made three consecutive free throws after being fouled late in the third quarter. But the Warriors regained control in the fourth quarter to earn their third state championship overall.

Taylor, who has signed with North Texas, finished with 40 points in his final game for the Cardinals. Farmington did not have any other players in double figures against Little Rock Christian.