That is how it is done.

Saturday night in the Spa City.

It is our second to last game of championship weekend here at Hot Springs.

It should be a great one.

Mama in Salem with a38 girls title.

Thanks so much for joining this evening.

Here in Arkansas, PBS sports Kyle Albom and longtime coach Steve QUATTLEBAUM testing how many letters we can get, all the lower thirds down there with all all those names in our last name.

They're my friend.

But hey, this should be a great one.

I'm looking forward to this one.

I think it's going to be one of the best games of the week.

You know, you've had to wait all week to get here and then, you know, it's time to get it going and we're your dive into this matchup in a second is already been a great day for sure.

Let's talk about what we saw earlier in the two eight games and we had Conway Christian in Mount Vernon in Nolan's Josie Williams, but Connie Gibson here for Conway Christian.

It was Mt.

Vernon in NOLA ending on a ten zero run for the Lady Warhawks to win 5545.

Jessie McCarty there with the big game and then in the boys game Marshall and Big Lynch Payton to Priest and Brant tipped in Bigelow with a big fourth quarter seven or eventually there for Bigelow and Bigelow goes on to get the win 59 to 45.

Congratulations Dan we will break down what should be a great game coming up between Lamar and Salem when we come back.

I think is important for Arkansas PBS to have sports because it provides sports on a greater platform to the entire community and it also gives people in various other communities an opportunity to see other schools and other athletes and have a greater appreciation for not just their own community, but the sports that are available across the state of Arkansas.

There's so many lessons that sports provides, and it's one of the reasons why it's so important to the next generation of athletes coming up.

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David, despite reasons to make it hard.

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Oh my campers gives me blueberry to count down the phone starts in three.

Now hold onto your hats, friends blueberries clubhouse coming back this summer she twilight's last maybe whose first sin rise stuns until one another's fun I think you'd call them totally lost Lucille, get this to me.

And the kids are the moms.

Busted.

Then get used to the little money that goes flying.

Mothers see this?

Oh, say, does this.

Does they move their head anyway?

The man, the music and goes, oh, oh, oh, oh.

Beautiful rendition there and away we go on a Saturday night at Bianco's.

He's here in hot spring.

Let's take a look at how these two teams got here.

And we begin with the Salem Greyhounds, 29 and 414 two no in the 238 win over Helena Foulkes and Glen Rose in order to make it here to the arena.

How about for Lamar?

29 and 413 and one wins over Melbourne McGee and a big win over Gordon and they lost two in this championship game a year ago.

It has been a year full of tragedy for Lamar Warriors.

You see before the game the team wearing warm up shirts with the number 15.

That is for Ashlynn Barnes, who started the game this season, played sparingly but was a part of the future.

She passed away in a car crash and her poster is in the team room shooting tops.

Have her number on them.

A lot of toughness.

This team is displayed after the tragedy and certainly nothing is too big for them as they keep her memory.

The very forefront of what they do is you see the number 15 tops in those candy strait uniforms before the game.

They certainly are playing for her.

Lamar is also without to add to that, their leading scorer, Corey Sanders, who was injured just a few weeks ago in the regional tourney at Episcopal against Episcopal, I should say.

They lose their leading scorer coach and that means they're going to lean on Karly Williams Yes, Carly's one.

They're going to in the state tournament.

They've done it in the last three games.

He's a left hander, works really hard on the inside, and they've done a good job of getting the ball to the end for Salem, their offense starts with Molly Sellers.

Yeah, really good player inside.

Outside.

She's going to take a lot of their shots.

Good outside Shooter has as deep range.

She's 19.5 points per game.

Their disabled team that just moved up from 282388 played in the championship game in 2021.

Coach, you've been in this position before.

You've won four of these things.

What are you feeling right now?

And I'm excited.

I'm excited about the game.

I know these kids are excited.

Hey, this is a game between two teams that are the last time they played in this game Lost, and that's a big motivating factor.

So both are really highly motivated.

They're both very, very well coached, great defensive team, but they both get a score.

I'm kind of looking for kind of a low scoring game really, but because they're both so good defensively, you faced Lamar twice.

Granted, they were a bit of a different team with Corey Sanders in their lineup.

Yeah, they really are.

It's amazing the run that they've done.

I've called them kind of a team of destiny, just really gutsy performances.

That was two state championship defending state champions and Melbourne and and Birdman if they think to get here.

I mean it's been a difficult path and somehow they've navigated and nothing's come easy for this team.

You can see how much it means to them to be here and certainly trying to end their season on a high note.

And it has been an emotional season for Lamar, something they do not hide whatsoever and coach Brandon Suderman is 17 season.

He's honest.

He said, look, it's been a blur trying to find our identity and trying to work through Carly.

It's basically her on offense and everybody else on defense.

Yeah, the they've the players that they put in there.

Davidson Girl has done a really good job.

She's a post player, runs forward really well and she had a big game against us one time.

She's she's filled in capable of smartly Sellers Mattie Keane Olivia Dawkins extremely Hall and Chelsea Hamilton in the starting lineup for the greyhounds And here we go tipping a great Saturday night crowd for this three eight championship game at Bank K Arena.

Lamar will win the opening tip and a chance to start here on the right foot and they work it inside and early foul is going to be called if they go to who else there but Carli Lloyd to her first play.

It's going to get her to the free throw line in free throws first and she plays big listed at 59a senior.

But coach says she's she's playing like a player that wants to keep playing as a senior, which she started for three years.

She's really good players.

They put us out this bunches sophomore year, put us out from regionals.

They were a big part of it.

Something you don't forget.

Yeah, No, it's one and the other end.

Salem, with its first chance here, a great crowd from both sides on the drive.

Hamilton gets it to go to go to the line.

He's good.

Nice drive.

Got to take charge.

Lamar likes to take charge.

Didn't quite get there on that one.

Take another look here.

And she floats.

He didn't get there.

Josh Bateman, in his third season with Salem, called Kelsey Hamilton the best shooter he's seen in 15 years of coaching.

Little it I've watched as she excellent through Shay Taylor brings it up Taylor a little bit of room drives in the lane and gets the layup to fall Nice move nicely She stepped into the point guard role during the tournament.

A team that's really had to adjust kick out corner three point attempts is good Matty key Hamilton did a good job setting that one up penetrated and kicked it up a corner.

He 26 points in the semis passing underneath and a foul is going to be called there that's going to go against key.

Are you surprised to see Salem here the first season in three?

You don't know.

Not really.

Hey, they've been playing with Melbourne up there in Melbourne, but as good as they get, I've been really impressed.

We played them one time last year and and now about real surprise.

They're talented but easy in the paint.

Salem forcing the turnover Molly Sellars driving and draws contact Molly Sellers one of those everything players leads this team in points rebounds assists steals and guards the opposing team's best player.

Yes and she's being guarded by the opposing team's best player on most nights.

I would think, too, that she is tonight.

Carly's Garden is solid.

Williams.

He's had a few of those kind of players after a few unfortunate knocks down eight three Greyhounds lead, Taylor gives it off back to towel Bailey Cowan a give and go to pull up by Cochran's dear I suppose she does that she's a good driver as well as three point shooter.

Morgan Cochrane a good shooter.

Salah's on the other end.

The layups, they're.

What do you say about a low scoring game?

Wow, that's a good start here.

Yeah, I know He sounds is impressive.

He is awkward for three lines it up and buries it Morgan Cochrane that shot disappeared a little bit at times this season, but she has found her stroke again at the right time.

Hamilton steps away, gives it off to Humphries.

Back to Hamilton?

Yeah and it travel two great shooting teams.

Yeah, both are really good And Lamar loves to shoot three.

They shot 30 against this one then I'm not sure We've had a game where the two teams halfway into the quarter, if combined, do not miss a shot.

You were watching warm ups closely.

Do you sense any nerves from these teams?

Not really, no, not really.

That helps a lot of these kids have been there for the Lamar senior played last year.

Yeah into the corner team Hamilton kicks it out this is Duncan's missed it everything but rebound underneath for Salem kick out Hamilton another three point attempt First misses of the game underneath another chance Zeller's the put back fighting for her own rebound And this is headed Lamar's way You will get sellers there tough call to scrap to the technical boards and she does everything as she's been called to deliver over you.

Yeah, Coach is a junior coach.

Josh Bateman said the first thing you did when he took over four years ago was move her up as a point guard and whistle.

There that's going to be on Dawkins and move saw Sellers play in ninth grade moved her up immediately so I don't blame me good move Williams to give it go over underneath Gordon look on the lions not there and it falls out of bounds Saw Madison Davidson right under the basket Tough luck she'll get it next ten two point game early this one here the three eight championship Hamilton Anderson swings it around Akeem back to Dawkins off to sellers on the drive who else a couple steps not there Lamar good aggressive rebound their mark on zone own him a little bit he doesn't play a lot of zone here Powell gives it off the spin Williams loses it stretch and take it away by Hamilton good look ahead up to sellers drives by traffic dumps it off good look underneath but that one's not.

There are two teams with some misses underneath it.

A foul is going to be called and that is going to go on.

Carley Williams So both teams, top scorers with an early foul here at the first break of the action, we're watching the Centennial Bank State basketball Championships on Arkansas, PBS Sports Centennial Bank is committed to you.

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After Good start here.

Two teams with some hot shooting Salem over their last four from the field and coming off a tough call, their coach on Karli Williams underneath the basket and that will send Matty Keane to the line Yeah she's in there scrapping for a rebound that a lot of ball that's got a lot of hand number one of those players for Salem that started a semifinal game a year ago.

It's a Salem team that certainly has had their own fair share of adversity.

Last year they get to the semifinals.

That was a year they lost three of their top seven players due to an ACL injury.

Felt like they could have won it all last year.

Certainly feel great about getting there this year.

Yeah.

Yeah, that's tough work.

Good look underneath.

Williams lays it in the war back in the zone.

It's a little surprising to Hamilton down low.

Sellars dribbles by traffic and scores know stands out to me These are two good passing teams so yeah very fundamentally sound well coached Cochran gives this one off to Taylor closely guarded by Hamilton, off to Karli Williams.

They're going to try to run the offense through her without their top scorer who they lost in regional play against Episcopal side.

The three is good.

Bailey Cowles.

Great pass by Taylor.

He set it up there.

She hit big shots in the semifinals last against Burton and less off of Miss Morgan Parker on the rebound, Hamilton comes away with her second steal of the game.

She'll pause.

They'll set up their offense.

Kean's going to shoot around the rim and out of luck, it looks Taylor at the other end here, heaves it off to Cochran, picks up her dribble back to Carley Williams at the top of the key shake.

Taylor on the drive, trying to work off a screen.

The kick to the corner.

Powell gives it back.

Now Carley Williams in the corner, ten to shoot, Carley Williams in trouble.

Lucky to get it back, they put up a shot with three.

It's off the iron and Salem rolls this away.

Russell floating in transition here Molly Sellers the junior good dish underneath to Kelsey Humphries She's really good going to her left side several moves off of the left.

Good passers say Coach Josh Bateman calls Humphries the glue that holds them together.

Williams in the extended free throw line can't get that one.

SELLARS Moving quickly the other way.

First time these two teams have met this year, we've had a lot of match ups, it feels like in Hot Springs, where the two teams know each other so well.

These two teams may be feeling themselves out early Sellers pull up jumper off the iron, gets their own rebound, forces it back up and she's got it Wow when she's so yeah she sure is up to eight And as time winds down here in the first quarter, fast moving first quarter foul is going to be called there.

The wave off the shot, Lauren, a lot of dribble drive action such as ball screens.

Try to get the lane, kick it out.

The experience stands out, doesn't it, inside of you.

He found it underneath a quick three point attempts.

Good Shake Taylor, a senior knocks it down 10 seconds now left in the corner.

Sellers will play for the final shot on the drive.

Pull up jumper.

No good rebound underneath by Lamarr That will do it Great ball score at that quarter Flies by to this one 1816 greyhounds after one.

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Where we go in the second quarter here, an action already underway tipped out of bounds.

It's been a fun first quarter here in Hot Springs for this three day championship.

Salem Top 1816 shooting, 43% normally would be great.

Lamar six of ten from the field, 60% margin back.

Man Now it's tough going Hamilton from the free throw line off the front of the iron and rebound by Taylor for a pass across to Cochran up top Cal is swinging around Carley Williams trying to get it inside a foul is going to be called it's going to go against green Lee Hall, a senior from Salem.

This is so this is this is different looks for a bit are you place he played Lamar twice this year is this a different look for them.

Yeah well they're just a they're really a different team without that little point guard that they've adjusted so well.

It's unbelievable.

Davidson picks up a dribble, gives it off Cochran off the front of the eye and long rebound corralled in by Salem, Montana.

Franks has it Salas pushes ahead to Franklin then a turnover rushing the other way.

Carley Williams So is that a good move?

Yeah look sellers go by center and a timeout.

Salem 1818.

What do you see in here Coach Obviously a great game.

You got a smile on your face.

I'm loving this great game they're playing so poised and relaxed and they have both of them are so well coached and it's a great game to watch.

Sellers with eight to lead Salem Williams and Taylor and Cochran all have five from Lamar.

And so we mentioned they're trying to make up for losing their leading scorer in regional play Corey Sanders.

And try to play through Carley Williams.

But so far quite a bit of balanced effort.

Yeah, well, they've got good balance.

I mean, all year they've had, you know, all the kids can score, but they've really relied on the point guard just to handle the ball and stuff, which is one of the best shooters, too.

So.

So Taylor's really picked it up.

Bailey Kyle, 21, she's played well last week, so Sellers to Franklin inside sellers here the kick out Franklin on the drive pull up shotgun or kick out another three point attempt around the rim and out rebound Salem a foot but it was down look good sellers to the corner Here's Hamilton leaping off the front of the iron so the two teams cooling down just a bit after equally hot starts to this one, Williams buries it other threes Look maybe she should shoot more.

That was a good one.

Barely even touch the net.

They went right through Hamilton in the corner all the way across here.

Humphries As some size 510 good look underneath and Montana Frank the sophomore lays it in It's good move with a little footwork in there had to go around the defender Oh so nicely played there Salem coach Josh Bateman called Montana breaks the most improved players, especially since eighth grade.

Here she is with a role on a team in the finals.

They'd be looking at a kick ball here.

Is that possible?

Afterthought?

But that was a good move by her and stepped around.

Defender Good awareness shot clock we play on Carroll inbounds to Taylor shot clock at 70 underneath to Williams in trouble out of bounds It's headed Salem's way kind of behind the backboard and on the baseline have a lot to do with Hamilton a lot of fantastic shooters in this game She's right up there with them.

Hamilton who gives it off to Sellers, both of them in that category, not this time.

Rebound.

WILLIAMS She's rushing the other way.

Davidson made a good play.

Got a handle it Oh, take it away by Hamilton Off she goes.

One on one gets fouled on her way up.

It could be the sixth free throw attempt already for Salem.

Here's another look at it They still anticipated stepped up there late hard drive basket route foul Salem six for six in the free throw line Mama has been there once they're one of two knocks it down to remain perfect Hamilton was six Zeller's with eight Williams with eight for Lamar Campbell for three off the mark rebounded by Williams.

They kick it out here on the drive Davidson back out to Cochran here throws up a wild shot almost got it fights for her own rebound head headed the greyhounds way the defense by the great house the warriors don't back to the matchup zone Well they're switching back and forth aren't they Will Hamilton gives it off to Franks back to Hamilton three point attempt around the rim Carli Williams already with her fourth rebound of the game gets a screen on the drive and a whistle I think that call him out there.

I think I think you're right.

We'll be back.

But first, let's check in back in Arkansas PBS studios to see what they have on tap for us at halftime, selling.

Hi, I'm Steve Sullivan.

And I'm Ed Leon.

Coming up at halftime, the better half of Razorback coach Eric Musselman, his wife Danielle, and the inspiring work she's doing.

Plus, how we keep Arkansas informed and engaged in public affairs.

And we'll see you at halftime.

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Good Saturday night crowd here.

Bank Ozark Arena child Echo Barmaid Steve QUATTLEBAUM, long time CAC coach for State Championships for you Yeah.

Place you're very comfortable being Yeah yeah I'd rather be playing but this is all right.

A few coaches have said that but fun to have the expertise of coaches who know these classifications so well and you're certainly one of them.

But yeah, all the coaches have said that.

Hey, if I can't be on one of those two benches.

Exactly.

This is the third best place to sleep.

The house?

Yeah.

24, 21, two, 2 minutes scoring drought for the Warriors.

Three point attempt from sellers, not their team fighting for the rebound.

Two, three to get her over the back Yup good block out by Williams She's good rebounder now at last fouled the other end before the break by the way was on Hamilton That's one put it in one on one to move this three we've talked about Brandon Suderman all these years of Lamar 17 total there in place Karl Ramsey really to the program Lamar they've had two coaches in like 40 plus years.

I heard that last week.

That's crazy.

Karl was there forever.

We were in saying conference with him and Karl was there.

We had some good battles.

He's a heck of a coach.

Rare nowadays to see a you know that much stability.

Exactly yeah and Brandon was assistant and stepped right in there.

Yeah you're right up with them and Mustang mountain yeah Hamilton gives it off right Thinking about it.

Yeah.

They're giving her that shot Sellers drives baseline takes it back out to the corner eight to shoot Hamilton shakes off traffic now they've got to shoot from there around and out Almost got it Greenlee Hall had a pretty good look at it.

Yeah she passed it up three times, but all of came back.

She had no choice yet.

Yeah.

On the drive and turnover underneath Sellers heading the other way.

Get off to Hamilton same spot not there Rebound Williams and this will be a joint possession and it's staying with the Warriors Hamilton struggling a little bit for three point right now but she's close every time she's got to keep shooting William Salem one for their last seven over their last five warriors on a three minute scoring drought Salem on a two minute scoring drought after that hot shooting to begin this one, the elevated top of the key.

That one's not there and over the back ball at the other end, it's going to be on Madison Davidson, the sophomore.

And you knew these teams would kind of come back down to earth after that hot start that quarter.

The first quarter was something else eight, five, six, five and six is fourth game to Dawkins, back to Hamilton.

They like the ball in her hands.

Ball gives it off to sellers averaging nearly 20 points a game sellers to the corner and that three point attempts good it breaks this long scoring drought Mattie Keane finally knocking one down.

Yeah that'll give her some confidence.

That was a good one.

They needed it coming off a 26 point game in the semifinals against Glen Rose Taylor to Williams into the corner.

Davidson Good defense here from.

Lamar Oh, they're all over the place.

They kicked out Cochran from the free throw line out to Williams five to shoot a good look for a three here off the mark Williams the rebound and she gives it off to Sellers her scoring counterpart in the other team salaries on the drive taking it coast to coast off the side of the backboard though a fight for the rebound Look at the hustle play and the greyhounds smartly slow this one down.

Sellers might have got away with the foul right?

There would have been a big team to haul back to sellers under a minute left here in the half to the corner.

That's another one Mattie Keane back to back.

Suddenly a 3 to 23 Salem lead, copper spinning, driving wild shot that doesn't fall a put back not there either boy Lamar can not by a bucket shot clock's off here Final 20 seconds of the half because they can play for the final shot if they want to and it appears they will up seven pull up three.

And I think she believed the crowd there and a heave to end the half not there.

It's a60 run over the final 94 seconds of that second quarter for Salem to take a 3223 lead.

Meanwhile, the Warriors go into the half over their last six one for their last eight, nearly a four minute scoring drought hot start to this one, two teams settling in and a seven point slim lead at halftime.

You are watching the Centennial Bank State basketball Championships on Arkansas PBS Sports broadcast of this championship game is made possible by the electric cooperatives of Arkansas.

Over 2500 team members across 17 local electric distribution co-ops, powering homes, farms and industries somewhere across Arkansas.

We are the electric cooperatives of Arkansas Power and people.

Local broadcast of Arkansas.

PBS programing is made possible in part by community bakery, scratch, made breads, pastries, cakes, treats and locally roasted coffees served daily at two locations in Little Rock, 1200 Main and 270 Shackleford.

Hands up.

Hands up.

Hands up.

Hands up.

Hands up.

Hands up.

And then see a bounce.

Bounce down, Bounce.

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We are the electric cooperatives of Arkansas Power and people.

Hey, everybody, we're back for another halftime.

But don't go anywhere because we have plenty on tap for you.

Let's start with Danielle Musselman, a former sports anchor, family general manager and wife of Razorback men's head basketball coach Eric.

She is bringing her passion for sports for a team that needs it now more than ever, raising funds for cancer research.

I grew up moving all around.

I was actually born in Saint Louis, but I lived in, gosh, four or five states.

I finally ended up going to high school outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

So when people ask where I'm from, I say Atlanta.

But really, I mean, I was living all over the United States before then.

I always remember being a sports fan.

My dad was a huge sports fan, and he took me to baseball games and basketball games from the time when I was little, I actually started out thinking that I wanted to go to film school, and I remember clearly freshman year I took a film class and I hated it.

So immediately I knew that that's not what I wanted to do.

And finally I settled in on sportscasting.

And the funny thing about that is looking back, I always was a broadcaster, You know, I used to do plays.

I was always the kid that wanted to read the radio announcements.

That is where my true life, passion and talent always was.

But it just took a little bit longer for me to kind of put it all together and realize, Hey, you want to be a sports anchor?

There were people that I looked up to like Robin Roberts and Pam Oliver that were there, but it wasn't like I turned on the TV every day and saw people that look like me.

So whenever I met Coach Musselman, I just remember talking to him and thinking, how funny and how nice he was.

I didn't think he was interested in me at all.

And then at the end of the conversation, he asked me for my phone number.

So I was like, Oh, okay, there's something here.

He started talking about marriage like six months later.

It was it was awesome.

A year later, we were married whenever we were at the University of Nevada, we kind of knew we were not going to leave unless it was something that really felt right.

And whenever Arkansas came along, that was something that really felt right.

Let's go.

Oh, sports broadcasting was absolutely my passion.

I worked so hard on it for, gosh, I don't know, 15 years.

But then whenever I stepped away, I was a little scared because I didn't know what my next passion was going to be.

And it definitely took time.

I didn't wake up the next morning and say, you know, now I'm going to fundraise.

It took time.

As we prepare to come together to raise funds for pediatric cancer research and lodging.

I just want to take a minute to thank a group of people that have made this evening possible and everything that it is.

So thank you so much to our suits and sneakers 2022 Committee.

So now the philanthropy is something that I'm I'm so proud of.

I've lived in, I don't even know 13 or 14 different states.

We have had so many jobs between us.

And so I just think who I am right now is a busy mom and wife.

And, you know, ten years from now, it's going to be something completely different.

And that's okay.

It's always great to see journeys like this.

Danielle Musselman is truly an inspirational person.

Now it's time to honor some of the students who made the grades to become an Arkansas PBS student.

All star is the girls one, a three and five classifications.

We're kicking it off with Emma Gold from the Sacred Heart.

Lady Knights and the Plains to attend Arkansas State for Political Science and Business Economics.

She enjoys playing sports and clogging.

Next up is Sidney Knight with the Baptist Prep Eagles.

Sidney has a 4.0 GPA and will attend Ouachita Baptist University to study chemistry.

Finally, we have Diana coming out representing the Parkview Patriots.

Deanna has a 4.2 GPA and plans to study physical therapy and exercise science in college.

She enjoys spending time with her family.

To see all the Arkansas PBS student all stars visit the Arkansas PBS YouTube channel or scan the QR code.

Congratulations and keep up the good work.

Now let's get over to Ed Leon.

He's going to fill you in on Arkansas.

PBS is working hard to keep you informed.

Ed?

Thanks, Sally.

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He can't read it.

Hard to believe we have reached game 11 of 12 over championship weekend.

It's been a fun three days here in the Spa City and a lot of fans making their way down.

Great showing from Lamar and Salem.

Great showing on the court.

It was a really fun first quarter.

The two teams kind of cooled off in the second.

Kyle Declan one time.

Casey, Coach, Steve QUATTLEBAUM with you.

What stands out to you here in the stats?

Rebounding is pretty, but that might be a key that they both got on the boards pretty well.

It's interesting, You know, Sellers as a team has 11 good sellers, three for 11 for Salem.

On the other end, it's Williams leading the way with ten for Lamar.

Yeah.

Keena I thought was the big key in the first half.

She hit the two threes there, but they were struggling a little bit, stopped the drought as well right there.

And she had a big back to back threes there.

Yes she did.

When it was close, I kind of got a little room on them and you know, sellers, both teams feels like it missed sort of some some easier buckets underneath.

They started so hot and then the two teams kind of adjusting to one another.

That's Humphries there she Taylor with the three in the celebration as well Carley Williams a Lamar team trying to play through hers they figure it out just a little bit.

As we've mentioned, they lost their leading scorer, Corey Sanders, and it's a Lamar team as well, playing in honor of a former teammate, Ashlyn Barnes, who passed away in a car crash in January.

And the team makes that very public.

They have her picture in the team room and shooting tops have her number.

And make no mistake, they're playing for her tonight.

We've been in this situation plenty of times, Coach, six trips, I believe, two state championship games.

What is that halftime like?

Well, we own Lamar side.

We're going to try and pick up our defense a little bit less.

I thought they had 12 points in the paint.

Lamar has six so got a lot of that was sellers Sellers yeah early getting in the lane haven't been as much as likely went to zone I guess but I still just got to keep doing what they're doing last quarter.

Well, nice job of finding some shots.

Here's one of them Dawkins off the front of the iron long rebound track down by Salem Another crack at it here.

It's good to try to get in there if she wanted to.

She gives it off this time.

Marley Sellers averaging 20 a game on the drive and they're going to call foul.

They're tough.

Look she had a lot of ball I thought but that's on Morgan Cockrell Yeah Sellers kicks it out.

Hamilton swings it around.

Kean to the corner.

She made a couple at the other end in the first half from that very spot.

HAMILTON Bounce pass inside.

Jean looking for Hamilton on the break, tipped around right against that line And this will be Warriors Ball.

Okay.

That's what they need to stop.

Let me get down here.

Get a basket.

Long 50 seconds of defense there.

Yeah.

Lamar plays good defense.

Davidson gives it off to Williams, the kick to the corner towel on the drive at the other end.

Davidson off her fingertips.

Turnovers.

You can't have those need to get shots every time Davidson is stepped up Kind of the inside presence for them when they lost.

Corey Sanders has played well for been two dockings here.

Hamilton up top wide open three point attempts good matic he has another one for four three pointer Wow she is four for five from beyond the arc.

Suddenly a ten point lead for Salem, a fight on the ground warriors lucky to get it back and a timeout it's going to be called they're probably a smart one there for coach Brandon Suderman.

Yeah they're getting a little getting away from him.

They can't let him get too far away from them.

They've got to keep it within under ten.

You know, they're not going to be a great comeback team from from more than double digits.

So got to got to get after good time out, although he'll probably be a little upset with himself that it looked like they were going to get a basket right there of the past.

Yeah, but we talked about what they're not going to quit, that they're going to keep going.

We talked about what Lamar might say at halftime.

What about what about for Salem here?

When you're playing so well, just keep it up.

You know, just you've done what we've told you to do the first half.

And as long as you're doing the game plan and what we need to do is stay with it.

And really, Hamilton had contributed a lot offensive play and I'm sure she's going to pick up here in the second half.

And one thing I haven't mentioned, Josh Bateman told us and we talked to him this week, he said our goal is to get three stops in a row, seven times a game.

They've probably done that a couple of times already, maybe more.

Lamar had that long scoring drought in the second quarter.

Can she get another one?

Not this time.

That would have been petty.

It sure would have.

Are you giving her the green light, though?

And she's feeling it like that.

Powell Heaves it off.

DAVIDSON With the size, the give and go underneath, this will stay with the Warriors good defensive play by Hall came off.

Her man got over and got a hand on it.

But Davidson listed at 510, certainly the biggest player for this team.

She draws the foul sight of fans didn't like that The was that on King it was so that's her third but it could be big she said all those threes the steal here by Hamilton in trouble at the other end a foul is going to be called and she will go to the line.

Nice little hesitation move.

Drew drew the defense to that strong move that's on Shea Taylor.

Yeah, that's a that's a big loss for them for out after 16 with three fouls.

A good spot for him.

Hamilton picked up where he so if you're playing this year she's hit all those big threes but you're fortunate you got a 12 point lead so can you keep her on the bench a little bit I guess you have to watch.

Yeah.

Long as you have have a decent lead, I think you leave room and he's got good players.

Bring in four towels, try to throw it down low, throws it away.

That is the ninth turnover on Lamar.

Yeah.

Five five came in for Humphries He scored a basket to Young which you mean good player Sellars kicks it out to hall swings it around to Dawkins back to Hamilton there is Humphries to the corner Dawkins and a foul is going to be called there and see they get eight Taylor I think yeah they're physical with a Taylor five six and she's been on the five seven.

Hamilton Looks like Hamilton's a lot taller than just one inch.

Yeah takes up her dribble double team gives it off Dawkins How about that A good pass good catch and finish.

Lydia Dawkins, a junior.

Moore leads the basket right here.

Sure do.

Down 14.

All of a sudden.

Oh, to the corner, Cochran pulls back from beyond the arc.

That one's not there.

And over the back's going to be caught and hope out of bounds.

Though he got to look like he did okay.

Well, in frustration for Lamar.

Yeah, they're getting a little frustrated And I say let's put in we've gotten after him a little bit on defense, make him a little tougher to get open.

Looks 14 point lead here for Salem Hamilton to hall Humphries heaves it off to sellers sellers kicks it out Dawkins back up top hall on the drive Hamilton dribbles through traffic throws it up.

Everything is falling right now for the greyhounds That was a good move right there.

Great body bounce, change directions twice Powell gives it off baseline need a bucket here and Lamar will take going to the line down 3923 to the Warriors have a run in them try to stop the bleeding.

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It is 821 to 7.

Salem run a glorious pop into the music but not happy to learn that Salem suddenly taking a 3923 lead in the second half, they're shooting 60%.

And that is a much needed bucket there by Emma Bailey.

First points of the quarter.

It's nine of nine to start the second half, 21 seven going back to the last quarter, 15 points.

Greyhounds lead sellers to the corner.

Dawkins missed everything there bottled up and down.

Loose ball out of bounds and this will stay with Salem.

Love the hustle euro there on the floor after losing a lot of those 5050 balls have not gone The warriors way.

No, they haven't.

Franklin inbound seller's closely guarded.

He's been quiet lately.

That's where he's at the line at the end of the line here.

Sellers has not scored yet in the second half.

Yeah, I think she's been garden Carley Williams since she's concentrating on that and Carly's.

They can't get her the ball right there.

There's only got seven shots.

She's getting some interest 23 points in the semi's 19 in the quarter finals.

Coach Josh Bateman called her a hidden gem.

Yeah, I agree.

Very good player.

Yeah, she's matched up because she had good player at both ends.

They gave it go here on the drive to kick out to Bailey.

Emma Bailey I should clarify this and Emma Bayley And Bayley.

Cardwell This is Cochrane.

Off the fingertips of Bayley and a whistle and a foul there on Dawkins.

Dawkins.

She's hustling.

She gets after all those Winslow picked up cheap and there the Davidson back in this.

Well, Moore had some success using Davidson kind of using that size a little bit.

Yeah they did.

She's missed a couple of close ones.

Taylor trying to get it inside instead stripped away by Hamilton, trying to run it, gone the other way, fouled and she gets it to go Chelsea Hamilton going to the line the seniors been superb Yeah that gets her fifth steal She's got layups after three of them I think she's a good defender too.

The season hadn't really shot the ball well tonight.

Well, no, she can shoot.

Yeah.

Five for 11.

Yeah.

They got four for ten from the field.

Five steals.

Mama needs a bucket.

Badly whistle there.

They'll take these opportunities.

Yeah.

They're getting a little frustrated, rushing through things and trying to, you know, we all want to win so bad.

They're all.

It's almost like they're trying too hard.

In the blink of an eye turned into a 20 point game.

Carley Williams, 11 points.

She's three for six from the field.

Davidson The put back, tried to get another one so close couple of times.

She had good rebound passes.

Just hadn't finished it.

And now if you're Salem oh look at it Josh Bateman saying hurry up.

I was just going to say time sort of your best friend or Zeller's spinning kicks it out.

Hamilton up top, Humphrey's back to Hamilton.

Oh, and turnover screen just got Humphries on screen They got Humphries in the screen is exactly right.

That'll give Salem a lot of credit for defense It just really shut Lamar down to get that 19 points off turnovers wild shot thrown up not there Davidson trying to fight for it.

She gets it she kicks it out Another chance here for Lamar they need this one and Salem has it Molly Sellars ahead.

Hamilton Still a fly in the pressure here turnover underneath and that's going to go Salem Yep this will stay with Salem here so time out Salem has come 4425 Salem lead just feels like it's happened in the blink of an eye.

Two points this half in the third quarter here for ball Salem has just come out and defensively take them on taking them out of everything they're trying to do and they're good.

And I think Lamar has gotten a little frustrated and a lot of rushing shots and not being as patient as they probably should be.

Coach Will trying to settle them down a little bit over there now, there's nothing to quit that bunch, though, I can tell you that.

Yeah.

14 two they've outscored them here in the third quarter.

Now a Greyhounds team that certainly after some redemption they made the finals here they were in two eight then in 2021 they lose to Melbourne sit two way underneath and stay with the greyhounds here.

That was a really good Melbourne team.

They've been they both moved up to the three.

We'll get it up top to Humphries now.

Sellers Ooh Deep three.

She's got it.

Everything is working for the Greyhounds tonight.

That's a great shot.

That was deep.

I saw a couple of those in a previous game on the drive around the rim WHISTLE is going to be called here and Lamar will certainly take these opportunities, stop the clock.

Since Bailey Cowles on the line, a senior you mentioned, she had some big threes against Birdman, just a oh.

Callie.

Yeah, Yeah, she did.

Yeah, she was one.

You know, we kind of laid off of a little bit, gave her shots, and she always came up with big shots at the lever open.

She hit shots, gets it back to a 20 point game from our team that certainly came into this one, trying to find their offensive identity.

It's amazing.

They got past Birdman, who wanted a year ago beat them in this game a year ago in the semifinals and a whistle underneath that's going to be on Montana Franks, the sophomore.

Amazing to get here for Lamar.

You lose your your leading scorer.

Yeah, it really is.

And coach Superman's done an outstanding job.

I didn't give much chance when I was watching the girl game and little girl went down and you could tell really threw them off offensively and then they back the next game and scored 77 points against Helena and the coach said they had negative thoughts at the half of that game.

I mean, he had to really regroup and then lose a game to Episcopal, then regional play.

Yeah.

They had not lost since.

Yeah, I guess that's right.

We'll try this again.

Clock issues.

Not sure what exactly he's surprised Salem's there keeping that pedal down.

Yeah I expect them to the rest of the way.

Yeah.

Lamar is picking up full court in frustration fouled by Corey Williams.

So put them in the bonus That's three on Williams by the way.

Yeah.

Lamar has got six six free throws I think was half missed They're Salem 12 for 12 before that from the line the key in this game as well Yes Lamar nine for 13.

Try to find some positive momentum into the fourth that's excellent passing that's Lamar at its best this time picked up a little full court now if they get a couple turnovers maybe get back in it so much it's pretty solid on the ball though They sure are shot clock off here Hamilton holds gets the pressure runs with 12 seconds now and a whistle and a foul on Morgan Cochran good free throw shooter and she's been at the line a lot make that seven of eight the charity stripe here Hamilton we haven't even seen King since she went to the bench.

Yeah.

We talked about the luxury of playing with this kind of lead.

She had those big threes.

A large part of the reason why Salem has jumped out to this 18 point lead.

It's that third personal she's been on the bench.

It's drive at the other end.

3 seconds out of bounds.

Mama now have a chance with two on the clock but something probably going up for Davidson.

Maybe throw it down to Taylor.

Offer hands and it's headed Salem's way.

Well, would have been such a great opportunity there for.

Yeah.

Yeah.

The lob there to Yeah what a half for Salem what a third quarter How about the president Sure is 4931 lead going to the fourth in Salem Hang on for a championship You're watching them.

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But if you're just joining us, three days championship game, Salem and Lamar, it was a tight back and forth exciting first quarter.

The two teams kind of catch their breath a bit in the second.

It has been all Salem since the three there from Taylor.

And since then you'll see a lot of a lot of greyhounds here.

I'll present some big pockets and an impressive showing 19 eight Salem run a deep deep three They're by Marly Sellers Lamar trying to hang around at the other end That was good passing there down to Madison Davidson and you can see just what they can do as a balanced team.

You wonder if they have it in on the team trying to find their offensive identity in the championship game after losing their leading scorer.

That's a good start right there underneath the Taylor But take it away and a whistle and a foul there.

Let's see who they got that's on Hamilton.

That's how this is what Lamar needs score.

Yeah we're probably going to get this a little bit of a press here.

He plays a little 2 to 1.

He might pick up lamb Taylor missing the second rebound.

HAMILTON Williams tried to get her hand in there.

Good look all the way up ahead to Dawkins Dawkins Salem, a team playing to last year moved up to three eight this year in the championship game, up 17 in the fourth.

He back in the game for the first time since she left the ball game with really fouls three to shoot Humphries throws it up off the backboard Davidson gives it off to Cochran and Taylor here We'll bring it up for Lamar.

7 minutes left in his three championship game.

Davidson off Taylor got to get some shots up here Williams off the mark Good defense by Salem Nothing coming easy for Lamar in this game especially she was half Hamilton around to Dawkins Hamilton's plate superb 16 points and now Salem certainly happy to play the time game and a whistle boy with nine to shoot That's sellers he's almost automatically at the line she has 13 four for four from the line the sellers are 1318 with 14 and those four big three pointers and Chelsea Hamilton leading the way with 16 Oh and sure did the three do this to realize that happens a lot.

Warriors trying to work downloads off the fingertips saved by Davidson not she stepped on the baseline This team just can't get anything going.

Salem is swarming on defense They're trying to pick up a little pressure here that really I think has been the whole key to the game, has it?

I mean, Salem certainly has looked tremendous on offense and big three pointers, but it's the it's their suffocating defense.

The 32 is good.

Close.

That's exactly what the Warriors needed.

Harley Williams will rush this the other way.

Drive in.

Can't finish put back.

Is there much need for the warriors Davidson got one very good rebound getting put back Humphries driving at the other end What a dump off Couldn't get that to go yeah yeah Timeout called by sales sellers especially looks a little so breather here you're going to get that on defense I mean this is a this is a hardnosed Salem team they pride themselves certainly on their defense and if they hold on to this that's going to be the reason.

Yeah.

No, they win the school's first championship and see Salem's don't talk about their defense, but boy, they have a few players that have done so well in this game.

Look at this.

Hamilton 16, Kene, 14 sellers 13 two combined for 43 more than Lamar's total score.

Yeah that's their three.

And in games like this that's what you want to see.

You're one good count Don't you come out there and play the way they're capable of playing in.

Those three have done that, King said in the third quarter and still with the 14.

Yeah.

Hamilton, by the way, signed with Division two, Delta State, a senior averaging 15 points.

Yeah, it's good progress.

I've got a player at Union University that's in that conference.

Definitely delusional.

I remember Bethany Yeah, she plays at Union.

They play Bill, but the Delta watch a game last year.

Some of the some of the talent you've seen in three eight certainly you've you've coached one of the best players the state's ever seen in Kristin Williams but it just feels like the overall talent you know we played in 384 and five eight.

Yes and I'm I'm not sure three has been the most difficult as far as just balance of teams.

When you get to a state tournament of having a number of good teams, you have to get by to get I don't know.

I've I've been impressed.

We've been together two years down the stretch yet, so hopefully someday in the future here, we'll get back to your last championship.

It was for a yes.

Yes I was thinking it was three eight, but it was moving forward.

Yeah, I'm still for over three 5234 Salem lead then an impressive showing.

I think you and I both thought this would be such a close game.

Yeah, it was one of the best first quarters you'll see all week.

Just about.

Yeah, sure has been off the fingertips.

And that tells the story of the night for the Warriors.

Yeah, those turnovers start the pile up a little bit and gets about 13 of them.

This is Sellars moving quickly double sit down the fan of course Matty Keene's in the right spot at the right time.

Sellers set that up great ball handling down the floor.

She's trouble in the open floor underneath another turnover on Lamar Pull up from the free throw line up there Williams And move this the other way down 5234 Got to get some shots up here for the Warriors to kick out to Cochran from the top of the arc there she is not there to one early and she just hasn't yet one here look Dawkins gives it off to Keene now Humphrey the soft part me sellers to the corner key Hamilton on the drive through traffic kicks it out seven on the shot clock here offensive rebound for Salem continue to win this down He's Hamilton driving around traffic kick to the corner he hit from there multiple times in this game now Sellas driving blocked away by Davidson Davidson gets it back Williams Hali Williams puts it up Boy can't by a bucket put back not there either And the rebound underneath by Molly Sellers joint possession here and it's salable ball but she's still at ball that carve out a time out on the floor here 5234 Salem on the verge of a championship here in Hot Springs for every moment, for every memory from that first car to your first home to your first child and all the highs and lows that tomorrow, my break for everything that matters most to you and your family.

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And we are sending a special thank you to Schlotzsky's Tarpon Hot Springs at 3251 Central Avenue for providing food for our crew, our hardworking crew that I want to thank all them for their long hours over these three days and even longer, if you include the setup here down here at Hot Springs, 5234, Salem Lee trying to close out a state championship, made the finals and 21, if not won a title, this would be win number 30 for Salem.

They were undefeated in the two three balanced scoring.

Great defense and impressive team is sellers strong the whistle it really has been the defense you look at you know Hamilton is not attempt to hear the second trying to look through some of these stats they've just controlled it with their with their defense.

Yeah well I know I know Lamar scored 11 points in past and at least six of them were free throws maybe, but probably than that.

So they just take it, taking it away from.

Yeah.

Everything they wanted to do it kept it always.

And Carter-Williams and Cochran hadn't been able to hit a three and now that 21 seven run over the end of the second and beginning of the third and Lamar just not being able to do anything.

Another sort of example tells the story of their night.

Yeah, the smooth hands.

Nice pass.

Good touch to the basket.

Just a turnover number 15 or 16 up.

It would have been a storybook finish for sure for this Lamar team that, as we've mentioned, not only loses their leading scorer in regional play but playing for Ashton Barnes number 15 who started a game for them and passed away in a car crash in January.

But just to make it here is something that this team will never forget for sure.

And a great job by Brandon Suderman, I think, to steer them through what's been a difficult year.

Oh, yeah, undoubtedly.

And this will show, you know, when you're a high school basketball, you know, you do.

You're not just a coach.

You deal with a lot of stuff and very big players.

And I can see that right there.

Yeah, that's.

But it's been a tough year for a great basketball community over there at that state tournament.

They did a great job putting on that tournament and turned it out for that tournament.

Was packed every night over there.

A great job, a proud community in the river valley, off the mark, put back.

It's their Madison Davidson State with.

They've got hard press.

This team was they are quick you know sellers are just so solid and you this Salem crowd standing up starting to feel it It made the trip down from northeast Arkansas was part of that battle of the series down to the wire.

You're not going to sellers set the buzzer not yeah she got it off.

That's her own rebound And Salem is going to get another offensive possession here.

Those are the crowd from these greyhounds faithful.

That's a huge following there.

It sure is.

A lot of black and gold in the stands here at Hot Springs is nothing like one of the state championships in the community.

That's a great basketball town.

And a foul call here will send Hamilton to the line.

Let me ask you this.

MVP is not easy on such a balanced scoring team for this tournament.

MVP.

He can pick from about three of them.

Sure can.

And you wouldn't be wrong if he pick up.

No, not at all.

I really thought King's best two threes Right.

There were really a turning point in the game of.

Yeah it's back to back threes felt like the game really gifted there and Bailey corrals it off to Davidson They kick it out deep three point attempt and the rebound by Humphries four second difference shot and game clock here Salem in their first season in three and let the clock run out and they will watch the tick down on a state championship Listen to the crowd from the black and gold.

That's a good feeling on that side.

And you get tears in the eyes of kids.

On Lamar on the fourth.

It's tough.

Final seconds tick off.

The celebration begins.

It's a state championship for Salem that their first ever their first ever.

Wow.

That's awesome.

5636.

The greyhounds celebrating Lamar after a difficult year with tears in their eyes.

What a season for both teams it is Salem ultimately winning this one by 20, the greyhounds take home the three eight championship.

That's the celebration begins will step aside.

We'll hear from them when we come back.

You watching the Centennial Bank State basketball championships on Arkansas.

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For students.

It's always more fun than the arts when you're learning.

I mean, just to have expression, to see different forms of entertainment, it always just makes it more fun.

And when I heard that my mother was reporting different sections my teachers were going to see, I was excited for the students and will get to use it in their.

Arkansas PBS is a place where everyone can see themselves, where everyone can find themselves, where everyone can be a part of something bigger themselves.

For more than a three day championship trophy presentation here to Salem, how those happy faces for the greyhounds, they celebrate a state championship here at Bay Cozy K Arena.

And we congratulate head coach Josh Bateman.

That was impressive.

We just kept raving about your defense.

Mean that was the whole key to the game.

We hang your head on defense and you know, we know that 25, 22 and three really good players and you know, I just challenge my girls that, you know, who's going to guard best tonight.

And you know, if you do that, you're going to get rewarded.

And I said, it's not like it's something we've had to turn and do for one game.

We've done it all year long.

We've we've held people to 38 points in the game.

In all, it's 36.

38 is what they got tonight.

So that's what we hoped they would do normally.

Yeah.

What you say at halftime, I was definitely what I would say.

I need to know what you said.

So maybe I could use that.

So that was pretty good.

34 is hard on what I thought we were missing each other.

You know, we're going to be aggressive.

Go shoot it.

But if somebody hit one or two, like, let's them and let's let's get them a shot no matter who it is.

And, you know, all the teams up by have struggled to score.

And heck, we had 30 points in the first half.

I guess I should've been so hard all that time.

I thought we could have had more because we missed each other and it was everybody on the team.

Yeah, but, you know, we were playing well defensively.

I just told them, you know, first hand, I get to talk to them when they're my in these things now, they're going to be away from me.

Can you play that kind of defense without me in your ear calling out what they're doing and all that kind of stuff?

They answered the call for sure.

Coach Regulation.

Steve, thank you.

Go enjoy that celebration.

We'll be taking back from you here to help you MVP.

This game could have gone to a number of players.

It goes to Marly Sellers who will join us in just a second over here.

Mali, come on in here.

Throw this on here and put that over there.

Is that work for you?

Yes.

You see the stats.

And how about Mali sellers being named MVP?

She joins us now on this 5036 win.

Congratulations.

Describe that feeling out there, that that elation, that celebration.

Oh, it was amazing.

And it's something I've obviously never experienced.

And it was what we deserved.

What we as a team have worked for this whole years and years before that, from the end of the second quarter, beginning of the third, when this game changed.

How do you describe that?

Oh, I don't know.

It felt I don't know as a team.

It was just it was incredible.

It was I mean, like I said, what we've what we've worked for as a team.

Yeah, there's that award.

You played off it.

Well, thank you.

Tired?

I got tell graduation.

See my kids.

Enjoy it.

Thank you.

I know that's going be quite the celebration there in the locker room.

We'll let you get to it.

Congratulations.

Take a look at how this game went down.

We mentioned Coach QUATTLEBAUM.

This game changed at the end of the second.

Beginning of the third.

It was a 21 seven run for Salem They never look back.

It's like we talked about the whole time.

It was the defense.

And both those teams could score a lot of points and boy, Salem just locked down on defense.

They took over.

Yeah, pretty impressive.

Here.

We got another great game coming up.

We will wrap up our championship weekend here in the Spa city with a good one.

Birdman and Manila, couple 38, five and 30 and five teams to be a good one coming up next.

Coach, it's been a lot of fun.

Appreciate it.

Thanks for doing this.

Yeah a natural.

Yeah I don't know about that.

Yeah.

You'll be back here sooner rather than later.

I know that, Coach.

Hey, we appreciate you joining on this for our fantastic group C coach Steve QUATTLEBAUM.

Kyle Jacoby, thank you for joining us.

We step aside for now, fill that three eight voice championship in a few minutes.

You are watching the Centennial Bank State basketball Championships on Arkansas PBS sports.