Same madness happens in March, and that's not just reserves for the basketball floor race.

No way Hot Springs is the scene as we welcome you inside bank.

Ozk arena Bobby Swofford here to get you set for the two way Girls State championship game before we get to to courtside, let's find out what's happening earlier today as the 1A state championships were decided.

We start with the girls as Norfolk was taken on Mammoth Spring and this one back and forth from the start as the Lady Bears and Lady Panthers.

Duped it out.

Traded buckets for 3/4 but in the fourth corner it was North Fork who went on a huge 14 to four run that helped separate themselves from Mammoth Spring as Norfolk captured their first ever state championship.

Kylie Ullman was the difference that she knocked down 53 pointers, finished six of 11 from the field, a game high 22 points and she takes home the game's Most Valuable Player.

As Norfolk picks up the five point victory and the guys game well there was plenty of drama to be had as county line took on Bradley.

The Indians were looking for their first state championship.

First time they've been to Hot Springs since 1971 and it came down to the wire county line lettuce for the duration.

But the three point shot helped the Bears get back into the contest and with five seconds left, Tyrese Harris of freshman for the Bradley Bears knocked down a 3 county line had a final chance at its with their three fell well short and the Bradley Bears posted a 4441 victory to earn the state title.

Colby West picked up the game's Most Valuable Player.

He went six of 10 from the field, finished with 14 points in the 65.

Senior got himself a title for the Bradley Bears, so we're going to get you courtside in just a moment.

As the two A state championships are coming up, stick around as you're watching the Centennial Bank State Basketball Championships right here on Arkansas PBS.

This month in passport on the PBS video app.

Fasten your seat belt descended from mystery.

I didn't know what we were.

We're going to find out vintage Hot Springs.

Oh man.

Dutch Schultz starts making an unbelievable amount of money, and that money is said to be buried in upstate New York.

These and other shows from Arkansas PBS are available with passport on the PBS video app.

You know, I think sports are really big to a lot of people, and because it's an important part of our fabric and our community and the one good thing about what I've seen is its high quality production.

You know, you think of a small communities all over Arkansas.

It's a big deal that they can turn on the TV or DVR or whatever and they're going to get the quality product.

And so I think it just expands the the focus of what PBS is doing.

You know Arkansas PBS is doing a great job and and I think it's part of education.

Thanks George, appreciate it.

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Welcome in the Bank Ozk arena.

We got that two way Girls State championship game getting ready to tip off Bigelow Melbourne.

Hello everybody, I'm Westford.

Glad you were with us.

Joined by Michael Westbrook courtside to watch this 2A girls game and Michael this is David and Goliath.

I'll go ahead and say it because Coach Luke Kornet from Bigelow told me that and that's the way they're looking at it.

There David going up against Goliath Melbourne perfect this season unbeatable.

So far absolutely 34 and O for Melbourne and they are led by Kinley Mccarn.

Her younger sisters on the team as well, but she averages 21 1/2 points a game, shoots nearly 90% at the free throw line.

She's going to bring down 678 rebounds a game as well.

Kenley McLaren makes this team go for Melbourne Year after year they reload.

They are a dominant team and on the other side Aubrey Evans.

He's a 20 point scorer as well West, so we've got some 2 high powered offenses and some star power out there with the two stars of each of these teams.

Coach Cordet was hoping his taller squad could give Melbourne some problems.

Give him some issues and he said that's been the key for them.

They've just had their two big post players come on at the end and they've been getting a lot of attention and that's opened up some outside shots for their shooters and their shooters have been making baskets and that's how they got to this state finals.

Here we go.

Tipoff is set Melbourne well they had it for a second briefly, but Bigelow wins the tip.

Don't have the first possession.

I wanna see some very tenacious defense out of Melbourne already seeing it right there.

They're picking up full court or half court man to man, but they're all over bigger and there's the first turnover of the game that's that's tough.

Tenacious pressure on defense Myra Willingham could not hold on to it.

You're right, a lot of good defense from Melbourne.

You have to be able to be good on offense and defense to have an undefeated record at this point.

If people want to talk about Melbourne's office but Coach Cornette, he just kept going on and on about their defense and how good it is.

Just get more turned down and open three, and there's Bigelow.

They're getting in on it on the defensive side.

Piccolo fans behind us thought that was should have been their ball, but they're not our officials tonight.

Referee Robert Stewart got Keith Wells and Joe Sloan also working the game.

Yeah.

Bigelow and man to man defense.

And a little breakdown in the defense and left the three point shooter wide open.

But it was the offensive rebound that gave Bigelow some proverbs.

And Kaylie love.

I got to talk to coach Teague about her.

He said she didn't play a lot last year.

All of a sudden this year she has really blossomed into a really really good player.

Second leading scorer on the team.

Bigelow just having a difficult time getting into their offense, point guards getting hounded and nice screen there.

So get to the basket.

No good.

First shot of the game is no good for Bigelow.

Key is for Willingham to be able to get to the rim cause some havoc quarter.

Three rattles out but Melbourne there for the offensive rebound.

Kimberly McCarron hustle play.

Guard with it up top.

She'll take it 3.

Off the back of the rear, once again, Bigelow cannot get the offense or the defensive rebound Melbourne still at work, don't drive in.

Take another three little log, another offensive rebound for Melbourne, this time cutting to the basket.

Flying in is kindling.

Mccarn all over the court.

The Bearcats were swarming to the basketball for the offensive rebounds.

You can be successful when you get 4 looks at the rim on each possession.

Do that through the younger dawg.

You can't allow you get that first shot, you're happy.

They finally missed a shot.

You got to get the rebound to finish off.

That possession might not have a good shooting percentage, but still got 2 by the time it was all said and done.

Possession will look really good for Melbourne because he scored every time getting their own revenge.

They work it down low, get a good look at the basket.

They get the offensive rebound so Bigelow gets on the board because of Allison Weaver hitting the glass.

Car drives and kicks it back out.

That opens up mccarn Caitlin Mccarn.

Yeah, Tom Bigelow gets the rebound.

The younger sister, averaging 7 points a game.

They know where the three point line is at, don't they?

We're gonna see a lot of three points from the Bearcats.

Lady Bearcats already taking five.

Bigelow going inside great pass.

That is a it's a wonderful assist and that's the two players you gotta watch were Bigelow and they hooked up Jenna Starks and Myra Willingham.

Great passing.

Albert working it around the perimeter.

Karn with it.

Mom didn't want it.

Good, more dribbles around.

Those are the way Bigelow gets it.

Allison Weaver listed at 5/10 seems to be a little bit taller out there.

Her hands up in the air.

She can get her hand on the basketball.

Starts with it.

She was looking inside.

Get it inside.

Great job of working it inside out.

Open three, no good.

This has been a good start for both teams to find the open player when they get double teams.

Both teams have done a good job at that, but Evans did a great job of catching the entry pass but then just keeping her wits about her and finding the open player, there's an open player in the corner.

She doesn't want the shot drive and kick.

Bigelow fans on their feet, they're happy about this defense.

Working inside.

Nice post move good defense from Bigelow.

If Jenna starts keeping her hands straight up.

Starts with it outside.

Starkes kind of forces it.

Yep, those are the way dangerous past there.

Sparks at Evans.

They want to get that ball down low that time in trying to little too hard.

We're at the first media timeout all tide.

44.

Bangalow Melbourne.

You're watching the Centennial Bank State championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

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Well, Melbourne jumped out with the games first four points and Piccolo fights back.

We're all tie four fourth after the first media timeout.

Melbourne with the ball.

Give get it inside.

I thought they had a chance to find Kaylee love.

Do it three right there for Melbourne.

That's their first three of the game.

Well, so many possessions going inside to the younger sister Caitlin Mccorn, and then Ken Lima Corn had enough separation.

Took the three, knocked it down.

See Melbourne.

Just how much they're pounding Bigelow's point guard?

Finally breaks through over pursuing and she's able to get past the defender, get to the basket.

So now Bigelow will get to the free throw line.

Myra Willingham has a chance to get on the scoreboard.

I will.

Actually 2.

See the replay able to take her defender on the drive splits past two defenders to at least get a chance at the rim.

Ashley Kimble was called for the foul.

Comes Kinley mccarn.

With it those are the head fake.

The three gets the defender between.

Look at those leaks coming to play for Aubrey Evans just takes it away with the block.

One of the things coach Cornette said they're late gives teams problem offensively and defensively I can.

Yeah, I can see that now.

Play a pastor.

Great defensive pressure.

I'm tired, we got a screen and then when the screen came they double team during lost the ball.

Jump Ball Melbourne ball.

Just watching them out there will wear you down.

They're all over the place on defense and really they could have done a good job on defense as well.

So far Caitlin McClaren back into the game.

Carne mccarn.

She almost shot it.

She almost pulled the trigger.

She was open.

I think if he had a shot clock they'd take shots a little faster.

It's a good good defensive rebound that time for Bigelow Melbourne dominated the glass to start this game, but Bigelow has done a better job of getting the defensive rebound.

It's Emma Wilson that just checked in.

Having a hard time getting it inside.

Finally they do get the shot is blocked.

Biglobe will keep it.

They'll throw it in from underneath the basket.

I'll tell you what's this offense to be on the wing and to throw across the paint.

They're doing that a lot.

That's a dangerous pass to make, but they do it pretty well.

It's a dangerous pass right there that was stolen, mccard.

With it, faked it like she's gonna pull up stops at 15 feet, rattles out.

Well, with the defensive rebound and that's what they gotta get, they gotta fight for those boards.

Emma Wilson got that one.

More.

I'm sorry, no ruling amp is bringing it down in another turnover.

The card hard in the basket all the way shot no good.

Bigelow, with the rebound, doing a much better job.

Jenna starts with it.

Double gums gonna have to get it.

And not find the loose ball.

Here comes with Carne cornershot open.

Toxic down.

Ashton Kimball great job on defense by Mccarn to keep her dribble alive near halfcourt through all the traffic and to set up that offensive play.

Exactly what coach Kimble was worried about.

That defensive pressure in an open look at it banks it in.

I wrote Willingham.

Beat the double team pulls up from 15.

Knocks it down.

Possession of the first quarter here from Melbourne.

Start with it.

She's got an eye on the clock 10 seconds ago.

She wants to scream.

She gets it lets it fly bang.

Lakorn with the way to end the first quarter.

Over 13 Bigelow 7 you're watching this Centennial Bank State championships on Arkansas PBS Sports.

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He's Michael Westbrook.

I'm Westmore 2A State championship game between Bigelow and Melbourne, Melbourne with the first quarter League Melbourne defense.

Been pretty much the difference in this game in the first half.

Six turnovers for Bigelow in that first quarter.

Just see how tenacious that defense is.

An open look.

15 footer.

George.

Lead the hit that you're gonna have a chance.

You get an open look like that you gotta knock it down Jenna starts does.

Melbourne three of nine now from the three point line.

Here comes the defender.

I mean as soon as they catch it, they are there in their face.

It's just some great defense from Caitlin Mccard.

Willingham has her work cut out for just to get the ball across across half court each time tell us like she gets rid of it.

She can take a breath.

Right back door cut.

Sometimes you get that defense so much in your face or trying to intercept passes.

You just do a little back cut and that's exactly what Bigelow was able to do.

A really great finish from Emma Wilson.

Big two points there for Bigelow and now a steal back the other way.

On the floor.

Had some numbers.

If she had looked up, but it's tough to do that.

You're not used to always coming up with a steal like that and trying to do something in transition.

You just see the speed of Melbourne.

Also, you get to steal and you think I'm going back the other way.

They beat you down the court and take it away from you.

Give up on me.

Wilson has it look fake.

She's going to the basket better.

Stop her, they do.

Looking for open teammate Evans Evans will go all the way.

The basket can't give it to fall.

Albert up for looking for more.

Visit a placard fakes of three to spin.

Inside out.

No good, the card there with the rebound gonna call it jump ball.

Yep, tide up for just a second but still it's going to be an extra possession here for the Lady Bearcats because of an offensive rebound.

Remember they had a possession in the first quarter 4 looks at the rim before they scored.

They're flying to the basketball on offense.

Guards want to get it inside.

She almost got a 5 second call but they get it in just in time and just in time to bail him out as Abby Lawrence.

Shut up.

Lead up to four Savin.

Now after the third scoreboards a little late.

We're looking inside just a bad pass, just an errant pass.

I like the idea of trying to get it into Jenna Starks, but.

It's good to connect.

I'll tell you Bigelow, really working the ball in the paint again.

The contrast of the two teams here, Bigelow's going to the paint every time in Melbourne is taking a ton of three pointers.

Not to say they won't work it inside, but again, they're all about the long ball in this first half.

Starks and Evans have that size advantage and they want to get it into him, but the defenders, the guards are so tenacious that it's hard for them to even get the ball inside.

No problem from Melbourne to get the ball inside, that's Hayley Skidmore.

I guess they heard me, they said, well, now we'll take it inside.

What a pass.

What a finish.

They were four of 11 from the three point line.

That's a walk.

The Melbourne fans wanted to travel the first time her foot moved and then she moved again.

And she hesitated there, and just probably, you know, not used to carrying the ball up across half court.

Post player.

Tough situation for.

Mcculler down in the corner there not working inside.

Good spin move takes double team.

Car pulls it out, looks over at the coach.

Taking all the way the basket didn't get found.

Well, you gotta go get hurt.

23 degree deadlines for the first person to die on.

Melbourne coach.

Making me laugh cooks Teague over there.

It's a good shot and a good move even still wanting more out of it.

He didn't like some of the screens or the lack of screens that she got from her teammates coming into the game on a 65 game winning streak and I said coach what kind of pressure is that?

He said, well, you know, believe it or not, the last three or four games there hasn't been any pressure.

Now do you believe that in the playoffs here?

He said early in the year?

Yes, he said.

Now we're just playing basketball.

It gets it across.

Every time a player has the ball, Melbourne defender is all over them.

It comes back side from steel.

Hello Carla hi, it's hard to even get the ball inside, but they finally do.

That's what Bigelow has to do.

Just keep working it get it inside the Starks.

Evans use that height advantage and they've got to be that quick too because Melbourne is going to swarm them as soon as they catch the basketball.

Go inside out.

They will move more patient last couple of trips.

Screen that time and she's gonna let it fly.

Once again, Bearcats get that loose ball.

They throw it away.

A few turnovers for Melbourne, just their third turnover.

The game.

So far so good for them.

They lead at 2213.

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Next level.

We don't let next level.

West more Michael Westbrook.

With you, you'll want to stick around for the halftime show.

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Rap squad make room for Pie Arkansas dairy bars the glow all that stick around for the halftime show Piccolo with the ball they're down by 9.

Try to get it inbounds.

They don't, it's gonna get another turnover, another steal from Melbourne.

That's been the story so far.

You take a look at the turnovers for Bigelow, they got 9 turnovers.

Make it 10 after that 17 steals for Melbourne and the big step for you.

Points off turnovers.

Melbourne has 14 Bigelow nothing.

Wow.

Karn Jump shot gets the shooters roll.

Unless you're mentioning the defense Melbourne averaging 59 points a game, they're only giving up 31 points a game.

Winning games by an average of 28 points.

Finally gets it across half court to the Starks.

Doubletime balls loose on the ground.

Starks has it gets tide up.

Here comes Melbourne with it.

Another steel they don't have numbers but my cards there for three and killing mccarn lighting it up.

She's already got 15 points.

She has 15 of this 27 incredible she's beating Bigelow.

Try your phone home.

Another turnover for Bigelow.

What Car may be outscoring over the defense is beating Bigelow.

Right now it is.

You know what I talked to coach Cordet right before the game and that that was the number one thing he was worried about and.

Can't be that to myself.

I'm thinking yeah well it is.

It is that good.

It is we're seeing it right here in person, up close.

Offensively, they're patient, passing it around corner three no good, Bigelow gobbles up the rebound.

Give it up to Emma Wilson.

She's not the tallest player, but she's found a way to get some rebounds.

Gotta make your way up Scott to make those layups.

It was Aubrey Evans and she was mad at herself.

She knows she has to make that mcards going to the basket and she lets it fly and hits the touch off the glass timeout Bigelow.

Trouble down 16 with two minutes to go and a half 158 to be exact, mccard is a player they need that time out when she can get the rebound and take it coast to coast.

Nobody stepped up to stop her and now she's up to 17 points on 611 shooting three of five from long range and she's two of two at the free throw line.

The card is 510.

She looks she plays taller.

I'll say that she plays a looks a little taller.

I like her gape.

This Bigelow team lost to Melbourne in the two, a Central region championship game 44 to 21.

So obviously it's two teams that are familiar with each other and Bigelow knew what they were up against, having lost to him by 23 points just about a week ago.

I thought that the 44 points they held Melbourne 2 might have been the lowest, a fewest points.

They scored all season.

He said defensively we were OK, it was just offensively.

We couldn't get into our offense and you're seeing it here.

Once again.

They do have 13 points, but it could look at coach core debt on the bench.

It seems like Melbourne kind of content to not score 60 or 70 even though they're on pace to have that performance because they've been very patient.

The passes inside a lot of times players would turn and try to score.

They're waiting, they're waiting.

They're trying to find an open shot.

They've been very patient on offense to get to their 29.

They have right now Evans getting the cross.

She's being hounded by two players.

I'm gonna call a foul.

The second foul for Melbourne and I'll tell you what's in a game like this that is as kroshus as it is on defense.

They only have 3 combined fouls.

That's pretty remarkable.

Wilson turns gets double teamed.

Right here.

Again side with a good look at it, but no good.

Another jump ball.

Bigloo get another shot at it.

They've gotten it inside a couple Times Now to Starks and the Evans, but they haven't been able to convert.

Wilson, with a little runner floater, no good.

Carne dishes it off open three.

No good big low gets that rebound.

Willingham splits the defenders.

Goes all the way to the basket and gets it to go.

Put your second basket of the game strong move if you're going to split two defenders work that hard.

You might as well take it yourself all the way to the rim and show them you can play.

The car gets the screen.

Open look the top good Melvin starting to heat up.

That's the other mccarn, Caitlin Mccard.

You don't get too many looks that wide open and she called pool collectively knocked it down.

Evans double team loses the ball.

To turn over back court.

34 Albert, making us some changes.

Kaylie log back into the game.

See Laney Cornelius.

She's coming back into the game.

Kaylie is the one I was referencing a minute ago.

She's really patient when she gets the basketball around the paint area and close to the ram.

Of course now here holding for the final shot of the third.

Up 17 they can make it 20 with a 319 with the two.

Big load just sitting back.

They need to get a stop here.

Coaches talking to him about the screen.

Sure enough, they get the screen.

Use the screen, the card, 3 seconds underhand, flip no good.

Bigelow with the rebound.

Time will expire, but Melbourne leading at 3215.

We'll look at some of the first half stats when we come back.

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Do a girl state championship game, Melbourne Leeds Bigelow, 32 to 15.

It's been all Melbourne.

They got off to a quick start.

I will say Bigelow scored four quick points and tie it up 4 four, but since then it's been all Melbourne to make it a 17 point lead already looking at the stats.

Pretty impressive.

6 of 16 for Melbourne.

Bigelow has yet to make a three.

They've only taken 1.

They're emphasis is to get the ball inside.

Yep, absolutely, and in 16 minutes of play Kenley Mccarn has 17 points on 6 of 12 shooting.

Very impressive.

First half for Kenley McCarthy.

Well mccarn we knew was one to watch.

She was averaging 21 points.

She's an 88% free throw shooter.

She can knock down the 344% from the three point line and she's showing that in this game she's making her three.

She's making her shots inside.

The ark.

Very impressive.

That's the one thing you could say.

They're only 19 to four run right now, Bigelow, just continuing to turn it over and remember for Bigelow Aubrey Evans was our player to watch.

She also averages 20 points a game, but she's oh of four from the floor.

She played all 16 minutes in the first half and has not scored so.

Bigelow will have to get her going if they're going to make some sort of second half run against Melbourne.

Alright, we'll be back in a few minutes for second half action stick around.

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Here we are again.

It's our halftime show.

Our third game of the day.

I'm Ed Leon and I'm Julie Thomas.

Stay where you are because we've got some really neat stuff in store for you before we get back to the action Julie.

I've lived in a lot of places over the years but I gotta say Arkansas really shines in addition to the obvious beauty of the natural state, the character of the people and what they create is just.

Really special and we get to highlight that here on Arkansas.

PBS, Yes we do.

From the unique foodie culture here to the vibrant and inspirational music scene, we work hard to tell the Arkansas stories no one else is telling.

Here's an inspiring one from the Arkansas Delta about a group of high school students who sought to heal themselves and find equality in their community through their music.

Here's a look at our Emmy Award winning documentary rap squad.

We're in the delta, and the delta is a very unique and different kind of area.

Sometimes in order to understand the delta, you have to be from the delta just to kind of understand the culture and the people only excitement that you can get is mischief and stuff like that.

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Collected the public school system for over 30 years and now it's coming back to haunt us both for us and the kids bought the philosophy that art can create change that art can allow it.

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Don't nobody want to see us shine but back we gonna shine regardless.

Such a great story.

And in addition to an Emmy rap squad, also earned a national Public Media Award.

Great recognition for a wonderful Arkansas story.

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Joined by Michael Westbrook.

And it's been a first half dominated.

By Melbourne there's your first half stats in this.

I mean this case stats don't lie.

43% shooting for Melbourne 12 field goals, but it's been the three pointer half of their made baskets 3 pointers, 6 of 16 from long range, and surprisingly Bigelow is Outrebounding Melbourne.

I would not have predicted that with the way Melbourne has pounded the offensive glass, but they've gotten the rebounds when they've needed to for some second chance opportunities.

They played a really good half.

Good defense forcing a lot of turnovers.

Look at the disparity there.

That's the number 13 turnovers for Bigelow, only three for Melbourne.

Now the points off turnovers.

Even worse for Bigelow.

It's 19 nothing.

It's hard to win ball games that way.

This is 17 point game.

There's the big difference right there.

The pressure on Bigelow out front's been just difficult for them to deal with.

They've tried different players bringing the ball up the court and they've they've had some success.

I would say with Willingham, she's been able to breakthrough and get a couple of layups, but honestly they just haven't been able to get into their offense and they want to because they haven't advantage there with the size of their post players, but they just can't get the ball working.

Download to their post players.

It puts so much pressure on you when you're having to take eight 910 seconds to get the ball.

Just a half quart that really wears on, you will see a Bigelow has some fresh legs coming out of the halftime locker room.

They're going to need it in the second half.

Bigelow is going to his own defense here.

The car breaks it inside out wide open.

3 rattles out, bounces around and Piccolo finally gets the rebound, and that's a that's a good decision there.

While they have made six threes, they've missed 6, so set up in that zone, maybe see how they're going to shoot early on in the 3rd and see if you can get a couple of quick possessions after their misses.

The goal is to get it inside, and 23 and 13 problems been they hadn't been able to get the ball even to the wings.

Wilson with a rebound smallest players on the court.

She was fighting.

She's done that so far four times.

That was her 5th rebound, her first offensive rebound.

Drop Weaver.

Melbourne works at inside the McCormick Colonel, taking a little 12 footer.

It's just so smooth if you just do it again.

She's been doing that the entire game.

She is just a junior but she can go.

You can just tell she's very athletic, great, has great touch.

She can handle the basketball 510 and she's going to be playing somewhere in college.

Yeah absolutely.

And her mom was a college athlete, played basketball at Arkansas, Monticello.

Her dad was the quarterback there so they've got they've got some college athletes and their family and.

And the older sister and younger sister I expect to see both of them playing in college someday.

You'll see Caitlin here in just a second.

You see the a lot of chidley working inside his stolen another steal from Melbourne so that last possession they cut mccorn inside.

That's what you have to do against the zone.

He's outside, lets it fly.

123 simple as that.

She's got 2222 of their 37.

She has 22 Bigelow's 15.

It's really hard to stop that when she's scoring in the way.

It's hard to talk about Piccolo with their defense, but card and company to steal after steal after steal.

I'm gonna look it up now.

They're 15 turnovers for Bigelow.

They don't allow much time for a color commentator.

Do they with the way they get the basketball back so quickly.

The current caught that she look.

I thought she was going to pull the trigger.

They are patient though.

Yeah, they they turn down threes, they do.

That goes back to what we were saying.

Does he?

Good hustle Bigelow comes up with the loose ball though it comes with Willingham, she gives it up.

Wilson with it.

Whether big little player on the ground, they're gonna let him play on.

Taylor thought we had another steal, but.

That's one of those the biggest little fans were saying.

Finally finally, we get a call with the Melbourne fans like what she do.

She was just stealing the ball.

She was taking it away.

So a total of 3 fouls in the first half.

There were very few whistles.

It was a quick 16 minutes of basketball.

There you go guard with the steel fake like she's going to take a three and find her teammate inside for the basket and the foul then mccard and assist what a heads up.

Play that time and now Hayley Skidmore will go to the free throw line.

I think that play right there shows her basketball IQ.

Like you said, it looked like she was going to take the three hesitated just long enough, understanding that her she'd have a teammate somewhere there was one right at the rim for her.

Having a hard time just getting the ball inbounds.

Dude.

It starts open on the wing.

They get it to her.

Now she's looking inside.

She wants to get it to Evans if possible.

Evans posting up.

Flip over.

Wilson rolls to the basket, kicks it outside open three good.

Exactly what Bigelow needed.

Allison Weaver knocks it down.

Yeah, they definitely needed some points.

Their first points of the second half.

Melbourne was on an 80 run.

Almost got the steal.

Dallas, GA number to me I was.

We recalled for the foul.

I will throw it in underneath the goal.

You know, before I've increased their lead to 22, eight, three here in the third quarter.

Great inbounds, play against mccard and open look.

She's been so impressive when she misses now and thinking what's wrong?

Those seem automatic.

She's, you know, from the 12:15 foot.

Great, she's been almost automatic.

Wilson gets back here to finish.

She pulls up off the glass shooters touch and gets it to go.

She gets her second basket of the game.

Just get 6 rebounds, 4 points.

The card forces it but gets the foul kind of a push in the back.

She'll go to the free throw line.

Yeah, really quick shot.

Fading away from the basket.

Under 44, Mccarn is an 88% free throw shooter.

No sugar, no announcers jinx right there and I said look down at my notes a little more often.

I was talking about her playing in college.

Well, she's already committed to UC Martin, so she is going to play some big time college basketball after this year.

And that one ramps out, then go gets down the floor for the rebound, make it come out of there with it.

Numbers Wilson splits too.

Open player the baseline jumper no good.

Love it.

No, but somehow came away with it.

I thought Bigelow got the offensive rebound.

Caitlin Mccarn just ripped it from her grasp.

Take it away from her for yet another, steal it with the corner open 3 little long mccarn tips it out of bounds.

Couldn't quite bring it in.

Greetings to our media time out Melbourne Leeds at 4120.

They're up 21.

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41 to 20.

Melbourne.

With the lead they've outscored, Bigelow and all three quarters.

13-7 in the 1st 19.

Eight in the second quarter.

Here in the third nine to five advantage.

Bigelow has the ball.

It's impressive as McCarron has been offensively, I think the Melbourne defense has been even more impressive.

That created a lot of turnovers, gotten a lot of steals done.

Bigelow does a great job of beating the press and try to set up the offense.

No, Wilson is going to fire him and open look.

Finally I'm going to take it Melbourne with the rebound.

They're looking to run card with it.

In the corner out top open, look for three splash Albert draining him.

Now.

Abby Lawrence gets into the ACT, a sophomore, and that's what happens when you have a team that's looking for their 4th consecutive state championship.

These younger players proving their worth out there on the floor as well and they just keep rebuilding and rebuilding it.

Everybody gets playing time and they just keep dominating.

Wilson working to get it across half court.

She does good, tightly defended.

It's just been all night.

Almost loses it.

She gets it back, dishes it off and low 18 footer open won't go.

Bigelow, great job good hustle, get to their saves it to her teammate.

There you go.

Aubrey Abbott.

She gets on the scoreboard she struggled tonight.

Haven't gotten the basket until right there and I have to say it's a hard spot to be in.

If you're Bigelow 23 and five, that's a really really good year.

And you're coming into a game and what's been called the David and Goliath?

I mean, they're really good basketball team.

Melbourne for another three and got it.

They're rolling right now.

Happy Lawrence is feeling it.

You know this is Coach Cornett's first year at Bigelow first year, and he's in the state championship game.

He came from rural special.

Tom will now.

The expectations are pretty high shots blocked by mccard Jeff Gifford.

The coach last year.

He's now the principal of the school.

Give makarna little bit of a break.

Two minutes and two seconds left in the quarter.

Lady, take a look, get to do that.

Evens her shots no good.

You wonder how many points mccorn could average this year.

I imagine she sits a lot in the fourth quarter.

What do you want?

A half points per game?

She's already got that average.

Melbourne hitting the glass.

Bigelow comes out with it.

Weaver.

We will get to it again, Wilson.

Then second violation.

It's the first time we've seen that from Melbourne.

We've seen plenty of steals.

We've seen them create turnovers, but that's the 1st 10 second violation.

It was only a matter of time, really.

Now we're getting some substitutes in here.

The end of the third quarter.

Almost turned it over or get back out top.

Skidmore has it should get it over to Morgan Morgan.

Three is no good.

Strong rebound from Jenna Starks.

Look Willingham gets it up big time screen.

It happened right in front.

I wish you had a good luck too.

I thought it was just a solid screen.

I mean it was violent and but I thought she was just standing there and and sometimes when a player and we're gonna get a good look at it.

Well, that's all about that call.

I mean, she's just standing there.

It was violent hit.

She went to the ground, but I mean, she, it's just a hard screen.

That's her teammates fault for not saying something she should have given her a heads up.

Here comes the screen exactly right, but she hit the court right in front of us and it was a loud thud.

And that's your reaction.

I'm sure for the official that that was an illegal screen mccarn back in the game wasn't out long.

Maybe a make up call right there.

But she was fouled.

But no calling all the way the basket gives it up at the end.

To Wilson.

She can't get it to fall.

Evans got the rebound and she's about to travel, so she had to give it up.

We have a timeout here with 27 seconds left.

Just another dominant quarter from Melbourne 15 to 7 they've outscored, Bigelow.

The leading scorer for Bigelow starts with six Willingham and Weaver both have five and Wilson 4 so nobody in double digits yet honestly.

The only player in double digits, it's mccarn with 23.

Melbourne doesn't have anybody else in double digits either.

As Bigelow played anybody off the bench, 24 minutes for all five starters.

Is that accurate?

It is.

That's accurate.

No ones come in yet.

Wow, well that's another challenge that they have for him because those players are starting to get worn down as well.

Tell you what they are.

Well, look at this.

Some of the fans right now, but I saw some smiles from the Bigelow huddle right there that they were talking about something.

And you know, they're they're down big, they're down 25 and they're still.

You know that you got to.

You got to have fun.

This is a moment you'll always have.

You got to cherish it, and it's not any fun to lose their championship game.

But at least I saw a couple of smiles over there.

You know, Bigelow was supposed to have even more fans here tonight.

They had a couple of buses for the students.

They had to cancel the buses because of the snow.

Wow.

And coach was hopeful that they would be able to get here.

On their own, but like I said I, I'm afraid that's gonna hurt our tenants, but I tell you what for two way game.

It's a nice a two way game with it's snowing outside.

Some good attendance.

Yes it is.

Evans runs into some traffic there and I drove through the snow coming down here.

I thought they might wait for the final shot, but they thought they saw something in transition there and even the the Bigelow student section you know they were cheering too.

And it's you're in Hot Springs State championship game like you said, gotta have some fun with it right before the buzzer.

No good C Bigelow can get off a shot.

They get 6 seconds if they hurry, no no, that they had that much time and they're not gonna go.

They do get it off.

I wanna hit the front of the rim look good for a second.

I was afraid that Weaver wasn't going to get it off in time, but she does, but it's no good and big low trails by 25 as we head to the fourth quarter, you're watching the Centennial Bank State championships on Arkansas BBS Sports.

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8 minutes ago in this two way Girls Championship game between Bigelow and Melbourne, Melbourne to 7 minutes 50 seconds away from celebrating yet another title and extending their winning streak another game.

Impressive coming in looking for their 4th consecutive title.

I was talking to their radio announcer who was there in his 7th year.

Blake Smith and I said are you all set up before the game?

He said I know where my spot is the last four years.

2 Melbourne with another steel.

The card with it gets a lot of attention and she dishes it off to the corner.

No good Wilson with another rebound.

Listen gives it up to Willingham.

She gets it across half court, she finds Weaver.

Wilson take a three and hit it.

In a Wilson.

You're you're working here to make this manageable, put together a few good passes, hit a couple of shots, try to get it a little bit closer and just protect the basketball in this fourth quarter with Bigelow needs to do well mccorn answers, you got a three?

I got a free.

Increases the lead.

Makes it back to 25.

Trying to get it across half court.

Finally, do Weaver with it.

She looks inside, finds a cutter and shots no good.

Evans was trying to get a shot off, but it's just kind of too far underneath the basket and Melbourne just keeps burying them from 1 mccarn to another.

That's Caitlin with the three.

How many times have they practice that in the driveway?

Too many to count.

Wilson across half court.

It's in the corner to Weaver.

We have Wilson is gonna take it.

They're gonna look inside that's just a difficult pass.

Weaver gets it off the rib.

5:45 to go.

128 point lead.

I think the basket here.

It's a 30 point lead.

In the fourth quarter we get a running clock and you've seen that once already in the tournament.

You're wondering it had been quite a while.

We might see it twice in the first two days.

We're trying to figure out the last time we saw in the boys game and it's been a long time we've seen it.

Yeah couple of girls games over the years, but for boys game it's been awhile sportsmanship.

Rohleder up by 30 in the 4th.

The clock runs except for at the media timeout.

The card tripped up.

No, it wasn't mccornick scuse me Kaylee love.

She gets tripped up.

It was bigelows 15 Valve so no free throws yet.

Something great to play from a car that was well designed and very well executed.

They do it again.

Kind of missed her.

Lord, that couldn't get the rebound.

That was a good job from Weaver Weaver blocking out kept mccard off the glass.

Willie Kent with him winning Willingham all the way the basket and she's fouled.

#14KT love Love was called for the foul.

It was working her jaw she got hit she got hit across the cheek.

She shakes it off and growls at home.

Would be 6 point for Willingham.

She's now two for three from the free throw line.

Locks and bolt down to hard earned 2 when you get knocked across the face.

I think she will move her jaw there a little bit.

Probably sore from that one.

11/3 pointers for Melbourne that's been the difference here today.

I know it's been a lot about the defense, but talking offense.

11/3 pointers at 33 of their 53 points card goes baseline.

She's looking for a teammate gets deflected good hands at time from Evans.

Rolling Ham goes down the ground.

Gonna get a foul called on Melbourne Ologist Melbourne player was out of bounds when she touched the ball so that's a turnover for Melbourne.

One of the few turnovers.

Yep, just a fourth turnover for Melbourne.

They have just done a great job taking care of the ball, shooting the ball, stealing the ball.

I guess there's a reason why they're going for the fourth straight state championship.

Here they are again coming up with another take away with card.

It's up to the other mccard now they're gonna run a little weave.

Pull up trying to knock down the three mcards there for the offensive rebound.

Those are back out.

Talked to a teammate.

No one was there, but they'll chase it down.

I'll tell you West without a shot clock.

It's basically a running clock anyways right now, even though they're not at that 30 points.

We've seen very few fouls in this game, and there haven't been a lot of just bad passes.

There's just been steals for the turnovers and then there you go again and adds to our totals.

The car now with 29.

Six of nine from the three point line.

That's a pretty good average.

66%.

How often do you see a team who's made 20 field goals?

12 of them are three pointers.

The majority of their shots coming from behind the art.

You told me she was committed to go where UT Martin?

Well, she just got 30.

That's 31 and coaches made the signal.

We may be getting ready to empty the bench here with three minutes and 24 seconds to go.

Yep, sure enough here they come.

Next time I'll be a media timeout and they'll pull their seniors and start celebrating.

Good God.

To the basket they find Evans that time.

My #20 habits now has four points.

The coach is going to go in and call it time out.

He wants to get him out of the game.

He wants to get his reserves a chance to get in.

The game will take the break with him.

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5829 R score.

Melbourne Well after the third quarter end to the 4th of a team leads by 30 points or more.

The clock runs unless there's a timeout or an injury, and we're one point away from that.

Right now West with 305 to play well, Bigelow has the ball.

I thought they were they did.

They took out some of their starters that night.

All of their starters because McCarron is still in the game mccarns going to the basket, she dumps it off.

They're gonna run their offense a little bit.

I'm OK with that.

She's a senior.

She scored 31 points.

I think you leave her out there as the veteran leader that she's been.

It looks like two more Subs set to check in so she got one or two more possessions.

Probably about to come out that way.

She can kind of get a standing ovation from her home crowd.

I would imagine Weaver misses the three, but.

Melbourne is there for the rebound.

Working around the outside, here's a 3 point shot of tip.

It is good.

I got that from Ashley Kimball and their radio announcer telling Me 2 seniors on this team, Cornelius and Mccarn.

So you know, now here's the chance mccarn, with basically an intentional foul to stop the clock and you see the hugs now.

She's going to go over and high five or coaches.

It's a big hug.

Great career comes to an end and that's Cornelius.

The other senior as well.

So he gets the two seniors out of the game.

So they don't know what it's like to lose the state championship or not.

To win a state championship.

They're four for four now, right?

As a senior class.

That's right, that's really incredible.

In fact, the seniors this will be 112 wins.

5 losses.

The question needs to be asked what happened in those five games.

I actually thought about going to look up the games they lost, but at couple couple of them were out of state.

So yeah, I don't know exactly how many were in state, but I know for sure a couple of them were out of State Games.

Maybe I can remember to ask Coach Teague here in a few minutes.

5 losses and four years for these seniors.

Bigelow at the line.

Shooting two persons.

No good for Jenna Starks.

Look at the replay Starks just fouled on the shot attempt.

She makes her second free throw starts 3 for four from the field, gives her seven points she's tired from with Wilson and Willingham as the high point total for Bigelow.

All three have 7.

Final minute of the game Bigelow Little, 15 foot jump on that was pure.

Morgan knocks it down.

Remember, we said they were scoring 59 a game giving up 31.

Met the average and they're going to better their average on defense and be able to run out the clock here.

Last 20 seconds.

So this is win number.

How many in a row 6666 wins in a row that is hard to put in perspective.

What's easy to put in perspective is four straight state championships.

If you can, go ahead and put it in the books, Melbourne gets it done this time 63 to 30.

Make it four in a row.

Smiles and tears on the Melbourne sideline.

What a career for Kinley Mccarn.

Big hugs right there?

Coaches even teared up.

Can't wait to get Coach team going here in a few minutes.

We'll take a break more celebration.

We'll hear from coach Teague and I'm guessing Kimberly Mccarn will be the tournament MVP.

Stick around, you're watching the Centennial Bank State championships on Arkansas.

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Welcome back to Bakosi K Arena and there you see, coach Erik Teague.

He's done it again, Melbourne's done it again.

They win 63 to 30 over Bigelow.

Everybody can speak, Bigelow knew.

Coming into this game, it was going to be a tough task, a very tough task.

The coach even said look, this is David versus Goliath.

He was very proud of his girls and the fact that they made it to the state championship game.

It was the first time Bigelow had been to the final since 1975.

They lost that game so they have still not won A state championship, but he was very proud of this team and you can see of course it's tough to lose and there's some tears over there with Bigelow, but they're very proud of what they did.

Some nice.

Miles right there as they accept the trophy and there's been a very good year for Bigelow Sports.

You know, their football team was very good.

They it was a little controversial loss they had late in the playoffs, but they had a wonderful team the last two years, and now the basketball.

The girls basketball team a great run for Bigelow and I know the town is very proud of them.

And now over to Melbourne as they get the trophy and hoist it high in the air.

31 points for Kinley mccarn.

11 of 20 from the floor.

Six of nine from 3 point range.

Three of four from the free throw line.

More points than minutes played.

Played 29 minutes scores.

31 points at three assists, 3 blocks and two steals to go with four rebounds.

Yeah couple of those assists were nice.

I mean, I, I think back to the one where she pulled up on the fast break to shoot at three, and I was thinking my mind, wow, that's that's that's aggressive.

But she drew the defender out, just dumped it inside to a wide open teammate.

Well, there she is.

She's been announced since the state tournament MVP.

She's getting the trophy now and soon she'll be headed over our way and be joining us here courtside.

I'll tell you, Abby Lawrence hit all three three pointers that she took.

She's the second leading scorer with nine points.

Caitlin McClaren had eight and five for Skidmore, 2 from Morgan, but really those Lawrence Threes.

13 total 3 pointers made by Melbourne Water performance, 21 turnovers for Bigelow and you take a look at the steel column 13 steals for Melbourne.

Caitlin Mccarn led the way with four steals and also we had a Skidmore and love with some steals.

Lucy Mccarn coming over well coach is going to come over to us.

First, we're going to bring Eric Teague in here and let him join his coach.

Congratulations, this doesn't get old.

I know, right?

No, it doesn't, but it's been exhausting this year.

I'll tell you pressure.

How much pressure to do it again again again and then again?

You know we didn't have the pressure on us at the first of the year.

This year the expectations, as far as everybody else was not very high for us, you know.

We'd like five of our top six players, but once we started winning, then that pressure started getting there that undefeated season.

When you get to 25 and older so the kids started getting a little pressure, but they held together real well.

Was that even harder?

The winning streak is that pressure even tougher?

Not can hear you.

The winning streak itself.

The number of wins in a row is that even a bigger thing on their mind?

We didn't really think about it a lot.

You know people would mention it, but our kids didn't worry about that and neither did.

I mean that's not important right now.

Board is what these kids have done this year.

Coach 31 points from Kinley Mccarn talk about your MVP and then the rest of your team as well.

Well, she's been amazing all year long.

When we need points for trouble scoring, she's there.

I mean she's gonna pick up some tough buckets, but her other girls.

This is probably the best defensive team I've ever coached.

And I mean they love playing defense and that's what they've done.

And it's they're unselfish.

And if one guy is not having a good good night, you know the other guy picks it up.

And they're not, you know, jealous of each other.

I spoke with Coach Cornett before the game and he said that's what he was most worried about.

Was your defense and he was trying to explain it to me and I was like I can't wait to see this and it was.

It was this impressive as he said.

It's it's tenacious, I mean they they had a hard time just bringing the ball up the court because your girl speed and defensive tenacity we get after it.

I mean, we'd like to stay in front of somebody.

Want to pressure and make them put the ball on the ground and then we know how to switch real well.

I mean if they throw a screen at us, we're switching and we know how our rotations.

So you know we just do a great job communicating coach, thank you.

Congratulations, congratulations Coach, we're going to bring in the tournament MVP now give.

Just a second for Kenley Mccarn to get in.

Here are those tears.

Are you happiness?

What what is?

What is that?

I don't really know how I feel right now.

It's pretty sad that it was my last game, but I mean I've known since my 9th grade year that this is where we were expected to be so it's kind of a big relief that we've accomplished it.

So you've not lost four state championships.

The seniors you and Cornelius 112 wins in your career and amazing accomplishment.

What does it say about the mentality of winning for Melbourne?

We clearly don't like to lose.

We're going to play our guts out and do everything we absolutely can.

We try to not take anybody for granted and if we play as hard as we can, everything usually works out.

You only had five losses in four years.

Do you remember those five?

Do you know who it came?

Yes, I do.

Early last year, 'cause our only losses to pair Golder, we would've got undefeated, which I think that was our biggest accomplishment this year 'cause no one's ever done that in Melbourne.

So we got it undefeated.

That's kind of our own accomplishment and now the pressure is on your sister to keep it going.

Yeah, you gotta keep her, you know, put a little pressure on her, give her a hard time now I'll do good.

I know they will.

How's it feel you got a minute now to think about it.

It feels good really good congratulations thank you, congratulate this fun watching you play.

Melbourne gets it done 6330 your final score one down one more to go.

We've got another 2A championship getting ready to start up in a few minutes.

Magnet Cove will take on Lavaca.

We'll talk about that when we come back.

Stick around.

This is the Centennial Bank State championships on Arkansas PBS Sports.