That is how it is done.

Welcome back to cozy k arena.

We are getting set for the six day boys state championship game between Springdale and Jonesboro.

Everybody, i'm Wes moore, joined by Brian golf, the head coach of the Central tigers.

Coach, thank you for being here with us.

I know you'd rather be coaching in this game, but it's great to have your knowledge because you know a lot about both of these teams.

We've played them both, so I do know a lot about them.

And yeah, this is probably the second best seat in the house.

It is a good seat.

That's a good view.

And we're we're going to have a lot of good athletes on this call today.

Jonesboro out west, coached by West Swift, very athletic.

And when I think Jonesboro, I think a defense.

Yeah, that's the first word comes to mind.

They're going to hang their hat.

Their identity is going to be on their defense.

They're they're just they're probably the best in the state on that end of the floor.

Let's take a look at a couple of key players in this game, players to watch.

We'll start with Springdale.

For some, it's a little bit of a surprise that they're here.

I don't think they were the pick for a lot of people to be in this game.

But Springdale, maybe a younger team, but very talented team.

Here's a guy to keep an eye on.

Number 30, Isaiah Sealy, what do you what do you think about him?

Sealy is a 66. guard, very smooth with the ball in his hands And he's a great athlete, but he's he's he's got great moves getting to the rim.

It's really hard to keep him from getting in the paint.

He's averaging 15 points, six rebounds and two assists.

But in the state tournament, he stepped up his game a little bit more, having to 19 points per game in the tournament now for Jonesboro.

So a player to watch for them be on Buford West and number three he is a senior averaging 15 points, two assists, two rebounds this season.

What do you think of D-R?

He's been all everything for them.

He's Mr.

Clutch.

Every time they've been in a close game, he's the one that steps up and makes the big shot at the end.

He did it in the semifinals against Cabot last week, and a heck of a player.

You see him in the pre game warm ups.

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

First of all, it's a long trip for both of these teams from Jonesboro and from Springdale.

We'll start with Springdale.

They knocked off Conway in the first round, then in the second round.

Do you want to skip over that one?

We can talk about it 60 to 55 over Little Rock Central.

And then they beat Bentonville West, 58 to 46 in the semi final for Jonesboro.

They had a buy in the first round.

In the second round, they knocked off Bentonville 6128.

Very convincing win.

And then, as you said, coach, very close game against Carrick 4238 that sets up our matchup right here in the finals, Jonesboro versus Springdale.

Your thoughts on the Springdale Central game on the Springdale Central game?

Well, they came out with a lot of confidence and hit a lot of shots in the first quarter.

They got us down 12 or 13 points and you know, we tried to battle back the whole game, but they were just a little bit too far ahead and we couldn't get it all the way back.

Ty, At any point you mentioned Sealy Booker.

I see you like a two headed monster.

Yeah.

Springdale, Portland.

Morgan Muldrow is a heck of a player to me.

Mulgrew has 19 points on the season, four rebounds, two assists.

He's averaging 22 points.

He's he's explosive.

He had 36 and a game back in December.

He's capable of putting up points in bunches.

So look at the Jonesboro starters right there as they call out some of their players.

That's a good look at the various Montgomery, the senior for Jonesboro.

You have just eight points and seven rebounds.

And we've got another great crowd here at Bank of Vic Arena.

Yesterday we had 20,000 people for the four different games here at the Arena at Hot Springs.

That's officially a sellout for the last game of the day.

So this is going to be a good crowd is still filling in a little bit right now.

And you got to remember, it is a Friday afternoon.

It doesn't have that feel inside the arena.

I feel like it is prime time.

It is a night game.

But I looked at my phone and my Oh, it's going up.

Yeah, right now it doesn't feel like 145 on afternoon clock right now.

No, that doesn't seem right.

So little size for Jonesboro.

What do you think of these two teams?

This one have a definite sides of energy over the other sides is pretty similar, maybe overall a little bit to Springdale just for their length.

I mean, their guards are six three and six six.

You know, every kid on that Springdale team looks the part.

They come in, They they're obviously big and strong that they can get after it in the weight room.

And they play very physical.

But Jonesboro is not going to be out physical by anybody.

Every kid out there is a great athlete.

To Tevin Tate Jumping center for Springdale, he looks like a football player.

He's got a great football player, right?

He's got to be I'm not sure.

But big, strong kid moves his feet really well.

So Curl has the ball now.

Jonesboro has been here.

They've done that so much, Coach, not a surprise.

Not uncommon for them to be playing in the state championship game for Springdale.

It's it's been a while for just the first shots from beyond Buford was a big three for him.

But you think that plays a role in the game when you've been here and it's almost like it's expected in Jonesboro to be playing for a title?

Yeah, you always, as a coach, worry early in the game on.

My guys are going to be nervous and how are they going to react to this.

But every one of these kids played in the game last year from Jonesboro, so they're probably comfortable early, but I don't expect the Springdale guys to be scared of anything.

Tevin Tate with the offensive rebound you saw with his talk about the size, he got away with a little bit of a push off of the offensive rebound player that was able to bring in the rebound.

They just reached that big frame of his to muscle it out.

He's going to the free throw line and trying to get the first points of the game for Springdale by setting scope from the big guy.

Yeah, he can make free throws.

Both of these teams are going to be really aggressive on the offensive glass.

Look for Tate and look for number 11 side baits here on Springdale to hit the offensive glass really hard.

Second free throw is off the mark.

A little short on it.

Jones for his second possession of the game Jonesboro up 3 to 1 early of a6a big boys title game Montgomery works it around to Wesson he has the first basket of the game for Jonesboro Wesson cuts through slashing them, warning it, Tilmon loses it, Bates comes away with it.

Mulgrew now brings it up.

Mulgrew wants the screen, will pick and roll.

Tate working hard inside Harrell's, doing everything he can to stay with Tate.

Both teams, his pace.

It look like they're just waiting for the defense to make a mistake.

Very patient Springdale working it about five on the play clock.

There's a turnover.

Try to force it in a little bit to take their Harrell is able to pressure him a little bit knock the ball off of take rolls out of bounds.

It's going to be really tough to get the ball inside the paint against Jonesboro and that's what they they hang their head on is keeping you on the perimeter the whole time.

You see Montgomery Harrell with it right there, a little x motion.

Again, they're going to look for four number three to make a play at some point.

10 seconds on the play clock.

Nice little bounce pass or pick and roll finds the cutting to various Montgomery Montgomery gets on the scoreboard Jonesboro up by two on Montgomery does a great job of just playing his role.

He's a rebounder defender but when you give him the ball and a good opportunity, he's great to finish it around the rim to trying to post their guards.

They do that a lot.

So their high the Jones post guards aren't small.

No, they're not at all in their physical travel a little ball but they're going to call the travelers that's good for Jonesboro if they're going to let them be physical.

Yeah, that's going to help them a lot.

If you can put your hands on them a little bit, put your body on them, then they're going to take full advantage of that.

C.J Larry brings it across.

It's Harrell up top Tillman Tillman will take that three Harrell's crashing the board Isaac Harrell is trying to get in there but knocks it out of bounds so Springdale still looking for their first basket of the game They got two free throws five run first quarter of this six day Boise State championship game that they want to post up 35 right here, try to go over the top And he goes, take working hard to go get Jones wills to various Montgomery on the foul ball foul he's the one Tate was came across the lane he was working hard had heroin on his hip he was wanting it the player he didn't get it Yeah the pressure on the guard working that hard to get that position in the guard that never looked at you.

But you're right.

They had so much pressure on the guard.

He was just trying to keep control of the basketball.

They make it really hard to run what you want to run because your guards are having to work so hard just to maintain control of the ball.

Cleveland stops and he hits that 17 footer.

So Springville on the board, you hear their fans, it gets them excited five, 32. game Jonesboro with the ball less looking inside Harrell with it outside C.J Larry gets the screen he drives baseline he finds a little cutter that's Tillman nothing there shot a little foul it's him don't go to the free throw line when we come back fast first 4 minutes it's Jonesboro five Springdale three six, five three.

A two point lead for Jonesboro.

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2530 Jonesboro.

Leading early in the six day boys game.

Wes Moore, Brian Ross with you.

Coach, thank you for joining me in this game.

Glad to be here.

Jonesboro with the line trying to add to their lead.

First free throw is off the back of the rim.

James Blair in the game.

He was the first substitute for Jonesboro.

He goes to the free throw right away.

Blair Second free throws.

Good but what a two from the line Little pressure from Jonesboro.

Dale works it across the half court that Sealy gives up to take this inside the takes Tate trying to take it up strong he gets it off it's a foul I think he got him for travel there you're right no foul there just a travel go lost the ball Yeah he just fumbled it.

He's got some arms in there and you know hard to say if they hit the ball, hit the arm, but he lost it.

Tough call for him as he made the shot Jonesboro up and under blocked trapped it but gets the glass goaltending that's one of those where he hit the rim or the backboard low so low here's a good look at it it's but the ball still going up but it's it has hit the backboard so technically I guess that's the right call Once it hits the backboard it's a goal ten silly block four or five shots in our game and he's really good coming over and helps out defender They're really looking at Tate hard early this game Tate going our way through Harrell was trying to draw the charge a little bit of a I don't want to call it a flop but I guess that's the best word for it.

And he's going to be aggressive trying to take charges the whole game.

Oh, they didn't buy that.

Would they buy what he was selling?

So Tate gets on the board.

That's Tate with the steal.

Good defense for Tate transition.

He's really good.

Harrell's link deflected that shot a little bit.

But there's Tate inside.

Comes to the board.

No, that's not Tate.

That's Bates.

And that's what Bates does right there.

He's a dirty work guy.

He's very physical.

He's going to hit the glass on every single shot the entire game.

Bates gets the basket and the foul.

He'll go to the free throw line.

Bates had a nice article in the paper this morning about him, which is good to see one of these guys who doesn't score all the points and get all the credit all the time, see him get a little media recognition there.

The Bates average is only six points, but the average is six rebounds.

Early leads the team he and ceiling six rebounds a game Tate five rebounds a game He gets the old fashioned in one and real tied Springville with a nice little run to tie this up game and trap.

They're going to do this to mix up the rhythm of your offense.

Sometimes got a turnover the travel on Jonesboro Yeah if they want to speed up the tempo they'll throw that little halfcourt trap out there.

If they think you're too comfortable, they're going to do it to get you out of rhythm.

2 minutes to go in this first quarter, Springdale trying to take the lead.

It would be their first lead of the game inside to take no shot wave off.

That basket foul occurred before the basket found his.

He'll be the fourth foul on Jonesboro.

So ball will be thrown underneath the basket.

Jonesboro is going to make a little bit of a substitution here.

Harrell is going out.

He'll play nine guys in the first half.

He's trying to get everybody rest and make sure nobody gets in too much foul trouble.

And then he'll tighten up that rotation in the second half.

A lot of contact.

You see Jonesboro just really kind of ratchet up their intensity score fadeaway jumper.

No good great job by Jonesboro blocking out but it's once again coach he called it bait bites his way in there and gets the rebound and put puts it back into to Springdale takes their first lead of the game so far everything's come inside for them except one shot I think Joe responds What a shot by Wesson.

He started the score for Jonesboro.

They needed a basket to stop that run, and they get it quickly down the court.

Springdale.

This time, Jonesboro gets the rebound back in the offense.

Any time they need one, it's going to go to Buford three on Buford Wesson.

Off to a good start.

Springdale comes away with the steal Bulldogs on the run.

Jonesboro hands knock it away.

No number for Jonesboro so they could pull it out.

35 seconds to go in the first quarter, all tied at ten.

Then a couple of streets.

Jonesboro started on a good run.

Springdale response.

Yeah, both teams have settled in now.

We should see a good game from this point forward.

10 seconds on the shot clock beyond Buford Wesson, five on the shot clock.

Whoa.

How deep was that?

He was at least 25 feet.

You know, it makes a lot easier when you got a guy that can go get a bucket like that.

Springdale, try to respond.

Halfcourt.

He was no good.

So Jonesboro 1310.

It starts with Deon.

It ends with the Deon Hook in shot for him.

We're just getting started.

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What would you think of joining us for the Six Day Boys State championship game?

Jonesboro leads at 13 to 10, thanks to Deion Buford.

He is three for three eight points.

May both of his threes.

One of them should have been for coach.

So the they ought to get four for that deep of a shot is not surprising he's he's come up big in the biggest of games all year he had 31 in our first match up and see Jonesboro start the second quarter in a23 zone here just trying to mix it up on him.

Anything surprise you in the first quarter?

No, not really.

I mean, Springdale tried to pound the ball inside.

That's where they had all their success.

So, you know, if they get Sealy and Mulder going here, they're really going to have something points in the paint.

It's always a great statistic.

Well, here's another one attempt in the paint.

No good dunks.

Well, just a rebound.

But you think of Tate, he had points in the paint side.

Bates had a couple off with the rebound put back so a lot of Springdale points coming points in the paint Yeah it's a good sign for them that they're in the game and they're their best.

Two guys haven't really got going yet because that's what's carried them in the last several games.

Those rolls, three point attempt from the outside is good.

Kylie Kelly knocks that one down Jonesboro with back to back threes No sudden move It's a six point lead staying in the zone here Let's Jonesboro do a lot of that a zone when I think of them I think more man to man.

Now they've been I think 93% man on the year very little zone but they did get some fouls in that first quarter.

Maybe he's trying to avoid foul trouble here.

Jonesboro pulls down the rebound.

Mulgrew unable to connect That's Jonesboro driving in no foul call There was contact Deon Buford Wesson was wanting some contact and a foul call but he didn't get it.

Jonesboro coming in with a mass substitution.

Bring Isaac in.

Three in, three out, four in, four out.

Yeah, that may become a story as the second quarter goes on.

He's already played nine, maybe ten.

And Springdale just got their sixth guy in the game recently.

Jonesboro up six.

It's a60 run right now for Jonesboro with back to back threes one at the end of the quarter, one to start the second quarter.

Harrell drives in contact.

He's slammed to the ground he's got a little bit of pain landed on that left side hard Harrell had his man beat goes up helps out comes over Well that was over 80 spell of the NBA no foul layups here His threat of that three point shot is going to make them come out a little head fake.

He can get to the rim on Isaac Harrell averaged 11 points this season He's a senior six rebounds a game going to Elon University.

Yeah he's been really good for two years for it's a great inside out score 8 to 10 Jonesboro now with an eight point lead pressure the ball all the way to half court causes the turnover Oh bless the morning that would stepped out of bounds right at half court They do a really good job of helping to the ball where you can't get all the way to the rim but they're not going to leave the near shooter.

So there's no outlet pass for you to throw to when you get down there.

Jonesboro goes back to man to man.

Tate They wanted to push off, didn't get it Nice spinning move.

Can't convert now because he got a good look there little frustration foul there for possibly drove in spins got open played it off the glass good touch just couldn't get it couldn't get it to go the various Montgomery is there for the rebound and Jonesboro has a chance to add to their lead.

They are up eight with about 5 minutes to go with the second quarter Harrell gets in the middle good pass to a cutter loose ball it is a trouble yeah good call coach that's the size of Tate takes it low down there that passes he's got enough size There's a lot of guys good height here but he's got a little bit more width on him.

I think that's making a difference so far.

Jonesboro one 2 to 3 quarter court.

Just hoping that Springdale makes a mistake, eats some time off the shot clock.

Also, when they do that, don't throw gets the three wide open.

They give up the wide open three to Springdale.

Let's take this to four right down the court.

They score Tillman with it.

Tillman also soaring through the air.

Of all the great athletes in this game, he might be the most explosive He he's great in transition Tate fighting for that rebound he gets it there are two Jonesboro defenders in front of him and somehow he fights through them and gets the offensive rebound.

Tate has it down the low block, Let him go to work spinning fake.

He gets fouled.

Tate will go back to the free throw line It takes having a major impact here in the first half.

This last three for Springdale was huge just in the corner and that's what he does.

He's he's a great three point shooter somewhere around 38 39% on the season.

He hit four straight against Conway in the first round game.

That really kind of blew that game open in the second half.

Well, that's been kind of the story.

And I know that was your question mark for Springdale was you know, they've got their two scorers, Mulgrew and Sealy.

Can they get a third person to score for them?

So far they've had a third and a fourth fill up, so they're in good shape right now.

They just need to get some stops.

Jonesboro up by five right now.

Let's Harrell with the arrow wants to shoot that off long and right.

All right we're going to take immediate timeout It's Jonesboro 20 Springdale 15.

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What's more, Brian Ross rookie coach.

Good news for Jonesboro.

They're playing good defense on Mulgrew Sealy.

They're two top guys.

They've only got two points.

But Jones Rolls leads only five.

So what's that say about this kind of the games?

Well, I think that's probably good news for Springdale so far.

I mean, if those two guys have combined for two points and you're still in it at this point, that's a great sign.

And if they ever get going now, you're really in good shape.

Jonesboro, of course, is focusing on those two guys.

So but the other guys are stepping up.

Yeah, Tate's been impressive with corner three rattles in and out, Jones four on the run.

But Springdale is back on defense.

They're going to attack They got a corner three.

Kind of fumbled the pass no shot Tillman is trying to go to work kicks it back outside James player number 24 into the game That's Tillman with it Harrell thought about the long three he just missed a long three now he has to take the shot clock winding down.

Great job of tape blocking out Springdale loses it out of bounds.

That was Mulgrew.

Mulgrew loses it out of bounds.

Got his teammates talking to him, trying to calm him down, looked like he had something going and they just closed the gap so quickly with about three help defenders like Zyon Sanders, they came over trying to calm down, get him to relax a little bit, see the frustration on Mulgrew.

Yeah, that's a senior.

They're trying to calm down a sophomore.

Great pass with great drive.

Philip Tillman drives it in and leaves it off for James Blazer.

Player finishes the layup.

That's why they created the assist right there.

That's the prime example.

He did all the work.

Yeah.

Draw the hell credit for something there and Tate you know that was on our scouting report.

He's going to come try to block every shot you've got to be able to make that pass to have success.

And Tillman did it right there.

Tate with a great look inside.

But once again, it just not falling right now for Seely.

He misses the chippy.

Very uncharacteristic for him.

I didn't see this one of those last week.

Joe's a little strong right handed runner.

Mulgrew comes down with it.

Mulgrew wants to go to work.

He drives in a little floater right side.

Now he gets something to go get it, steal Mulgrew back up with it, puts it back in.

Mulgrew has something to say to look like the Jonesboro fans or Jonesboro cheerleaders laughing.

He might have thought he got fouled on that one.

Maybe was talking to the official that I'm standing in front of this a look back at him pretty good.

I don't know what he said, but he's a tough shot taker and he's a tough shot maker.

He's he's really special talent.

How about that shot taken shot maker from beyond Buford Wesson?

They needed that after a little quick minute for a run for Springdale.

Mulgrew's pointing.

Tate, give me a screen right here.

I'm standing right here now.

Buford, Four for five now.

And all four of his makes have come first play of the game and then the other three.

All answer to run Nice play like the size and strength of Tate.

Too much for Jonesboro three point game bit of fun game back and forth Jonesboro trying to get the last shot 10 seconds to go in the first half will head fake get it to Harrell down low fumbles the ball Springdale comes away with it a whistle got a foul call on Harrell Harrell got it knocked away a foul called It's the 6000 Jones also no free throws but they had a substitution in for Harrell that's his second foul on Harrell Jonesboro or Springdale will have 4.7 seconds He's got enough speed to get all the way down there It's a good screen from take shot at the buzzer though good comes up a little short Looks like he wanted a foul called he wanted a little help.

Nothing there.

So Jonesboro will take a three point lead into the half 4421.

This has been a good first half.

Can't wait for the second half.

You don't want to miss it either.

Stick around.

You got a half cut halftime show with Steve Sullivan and Ed Lee on second half.

Action coming up in a bit, You're watching the Centennial State Basketball Championships on Arkansas PBS Sports.

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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 The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas over 2500 team members across 17 local electric distribution co-ops, powering homes, farms and industry.

Somewhere across Arkansas.

We are the electric cooperatives of Arkansas Power and people.

Hey, everybody.

It's halftime once again at Bank Ozark Arena.

But stay right here because we have plenty to show you, jumping right into it.

Most towns have their sports legends and legendary stories.

Magnolia's Darian Ford was definitely added to their legend list over the last four years.

Let's take a look at a little known fact about his championship performance in the state finals last year.

You may be surprised to learn that in addition to being an all star basketball player, Darian Ford earned a 4.0 as well as All-region quiet stats during his senior year at Magnolia High School, Darian brings new meaning to the term student athlete.

He's also an open book.

But what would you like to know?

Well, you know my days, if you don't work, you know, So everything I do, I try to work hard and be the best I can be.

And he's a pro and what he does every single day, the way he lives, the way he acts, never lays.

He doesn't make mistakes like mental mistakes.

Just to see him commit to quiet in the same way that he commits to a guy that was saying when he commits to basketball the same way he commits to academics and stays community, he is made whole region every single year that he's auditioned.

Just phenomenal kid.

And so I got an opportunity to see him be on basketball strength that I have academic math not good on very good numbers The quadratic formula they got moving into.

I started off doing multiplication numbers from my grandma's house and it's just something that I fell in love with.

I just love numbers.

Ever since then, undefeated in his senior year at Magnolia High School, Ford came down with the flu and 102 degree fever during the championship game.

You know, the fever was given the he then the chills.

I think he was real sleepy.

They won't do anything but lay in the bed.

Darian Steele led all scorers with 29 points and capped off an undefeated season for the Panthers.

Most things I thought about with my teammates, it just helping them and them helping me and put me in the right position and I'm putting them in the right position to win state championship.

I think it was fourth grade.

I started to excel in basketball after we won a national championship.

It just took off.

From there.

You could see the hard work paid off.

He's won the MVP three times.

All offense and defense he's got Gatorade Player of the Year twice in his trophy case.

It's a lot of MVP he's in now.

In November 2021, Darian signed his letter of intent to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks at the University of Arkansas.

There can be little doubt that Ford is truly a special athlete of dedication, poise and faith that one day might carry him to his dream, one win national championship, one win national championship.

And I just want to better myself, just be able to now in a situation.

Darian is currently a freshman with the Arkansas Razorbacks.

I'm sure we'll be seeing more from him.

Now let's take a look at some of those students who made the cut for the Arkansas PBS student all star team.

Here's the boys.

Two way foray in six eight classifications.

We're starting off with Justin Branan from the Bay Yellowjackets just in hopes to play basketball on a collegiate level as well as be an entrepreneur, he enjoys fishing and hunting in his free time.

Next up is Landon Blocker with the Little Rock Christian Warriors.

Landry wants to one day pursue college basketball.

In the meantime, hanging out with friends or listening to music are a few of his favorite pastimes.

Finally, we have a norvo attack representing the Little Rock Central High Tigers in our plans to attend college for mechanical engineering or pharmaceutical sciences and one day play in the NBA.

He enjoys playing various instruments, including the saxophone, guitar and piano.

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Congratulations and keep up the good work.

Now let's get over to Ed Leon and hear about some more Arkansas stories.

Ed?

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All right, Sully, I think that's it for us.

Yes.

But there's a lot more basketball coming up.

Yes, sir.

Let's get you back to Bangkok.

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Okay.

Arena Halftime of the boys six day State Championship game.

See Jonesboro Lead Springdale 2421 West More Brian Ross with you thank you for joining us coach are you surprised with this a little bit in the first half?

I'm not surprised that it's close, but I am surprised considering that Seely and Mulgrew haven't really scored a ton of points.

What's it looks like they've combined for six points.

So Springdale is role players really stepped up huge to keep this thing close in the first half.

Look at the shooting percentage for Jonesboro.

They made 64% of their shots, yet they only have a three point lead.

So if I'm Springdale, I'm feeling good.

My two stars have two points.

I'm trailing by three.

And Jones well, shooting the ball really well.

Yeah, if they can get their two guys going and Jonesboro all comes back to their average, then you're in good shape.

I tell you.

Look at the bottom two lines of those stats.

That's the most telling stat of the first half.

To me, Springdale has four offensive rebounds, Jones Roll doesn't have any offensive rebounds and this led to eight second chance points for Springdale.

They have four offensive rebounds.

That math tells the coach they've converted all four times.

They scored every time they got one.

And I mean that's all that's great.

And you're seeing some of the highlights right now.

That's those offensive rebounds.

Yeah, those guys have just willed their way too, to keep themselves in this ball game even with their first shots haven't been falling.

And where would Jonesborough be without that man we just saw celebrating?

Deon Buford He's got ten points, but he's been big in all their biggest games all year and I don't expect any drop off from him in the second half.

If it's close late, he's going to make a big shot on the pregame show.

We told you the guys to watch for Springdale were number three.

Cortland Muldrow and number 30.

Isaiah Sealy.

We weren't messing with you.

They are the guys, their guys.

But it's been Cy Bates and Tevin Tate for Spring two that's leading them in scoring Tate with seven, Bates with five.

That's what exactly what you were just saying.

It's been their role players stepping up and normally coach you think about role players.

Role players do good at home.

You know, when they go on the road, sometimes those role players disappear.

This is a this is a neutral site game, but it's a big stage.

And yet these role players are huge for Springdale.

Got to be impressed with what Tate and Bates have gone.

Yeah.

And you know, you're looking at two guys that are seniors and they've been through all the battles and they were ready for this when their time came.

And they've played well in the first half of the state title game.

Mulgrew With a hand in his face, no good credit.

Buford With some really good defense.

Jones role, trying to push the pace a little bit.

We didn't see a lot of the various Montgomery in the first half.

He had two fouls and he sat back.

He only played 5 minutes in the first half.

What does he mean to the team?

Oh, he's going to be a big piece in the second half.

I guarantee you.

He's going to come up with a couple of offensive rebounds that they need.

You saw right there is driving game.

Even though he stepped out of bounds, he can he can drive right or left to go finish off the glass three point game Springdale never led in this game epic it was a Buford very beginning Look there once again that's Bates side Bates inside he got his points off of offensive rebounds that time.

A nice little post move.

Had great position.

A three versus three right there.

Springdale is going to do everything they can to make three, give it up on those ball screens, go back inside to Montgomery.

He uses this quickness to get around Tate.

Tate may be bigger, but Montgomery is a little quicker, gets around him and gets the layup.

Lead grows to three shot no good Jonesboro with it on the run all the way to the basket flips it up can't convert Tilmon just couldn't get that one to fall See just a little bit off tonight.

Those two shots in a row, they've been in and out.

You notice Jonesboro hitting the glass, doing a better job of keeping Tate keeping Bates off of the offensive glass.

That was a huge problem for Jones.

Four on the first half.

Don't go being patient.

Patient Western Drive picks nobody there a save it to Harrell Harrell with 3 seconds on the shot clock fires it up no good two points apiece in the third quarter for Jonesboro you're expecting Harrell to hit a couple of those here in the second half.

Strong move to convert.

We've seen that from both teams start the second half a little out of control that time for Tillman Springdale as two stars have come out and gotten four quick shots off, none of that fallen yet.

But if they do start going, they're going to be in a good spot field Jonesboro comes into the game with a 29 and three record.

They lost to North Little Rock twice this season.

And the third game was against Beaumont United for the only time Jonesboro has lost since Christmas was North Little Rock Take a little out of position.

Tillman up ahead lobs knocked away for Jonesboro Good hustle to get back by Jonesboro Jonesboro flying around right now defensively making things difficult Get a timeout for Springdale No it's a foul 320 blues whistle he's pointing down but thought he missed the coach right next to him and called the timeout.

Well that's what I thought he was calling too but Coach Price will take the foul call and receive foul on the ground Tate wanting it last couple of possessions looking inside again like they did in the first half.

Tate was looking inside.

It was a good look, good thought nothing there.

Tell you what, Tillman had enough of the lay up.

So listen, I'm going to throw this one down.

It's impressive.

He's only about six feet tall, but he can really fly.

I did not know.

He had that here.

It's definitely got that.

I've seen it quite a few tough guards once again.

How many times we've seen that inside base.

That's the third offensive rebound that he has put back.

Yeah.

That's his third and fifth of six for the team.

A nice little jump shot That from C.J.

Larry a timeout from Coach Swift.

Yeah he's going to want to talk about this rebounding situation.

They can't keep giving those up We'll take a timeout with them.

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Brian Ross with your six eight Boys State championship game Jonesboro with a small lead, 30 to 25 over Springdale for Springdale.

The story's been Tevin take take inside been a he's been a presence for them He's out of the game right now seven points he's got three rebounds and then Bates Bates has eight nine points and six rebounds.

Jonesboro is still shooting the ball extremely well, 60% from the field, but yet leaves five.

You know, if they keep up that 60%, they're probably going to stay on top.

But you have to think that evens out at some point.

Still, he's probably not going to go one for nine the rest of the way either.

All drew working will jump shot no good.

It's going to stay with Jonesboro.

What?

Jonesboro has been doing a good job of Mulgrew making life difficult.

He hasn't gotten a lot of clean looks.

He's two for seven from the field, Miss both of his stories.

They can do that.

They're really good at just making your best players have an off night.

They consistently do that because of the pressure they put on and the help they bring.

Sealy, their other top scorer, he's one for nine Sealy with the shot make it one for ten.

So Sealy and Mulgrew are combined three of 18.

Tilmon again Tilmon going to the rack providing a boost for Jonesboro.

That's about his fourth or fifth time to get out in transition.

This half Springdale is going to have to get back.

Here he is again.

TILMON You know what he wants to do with it.

Coach Swift signaling in the play little brush.

They want to drive it to the right.

Didn't get a good screen.

Mulgrew with it.

He wants to attack.

He wants a three not there.

Good strong rebound for Harrell he went up got that one around the rim I think Coatsworth probably mentioned the rebounding at that last time out.

He was pretty aggressive going after that one but Tate's not in the game right now.

Makes it a little easier when you're not trying to box out a guy that's probably about 240 wide open three for Jonesboro, a little short, good block out of Springdale but they can't get the rebound.

Harrell a wide open three he misses again Heads up tap by Seely right there it was he felt the guy coming underneath it so he just tipped it over to his teammate.

Seen him do that before.

He's pretty smart, silly and boldly trying to get it going.

They are combined three for 20 from the field, but yet they trail just by seven.

Take got his hands on another one, but he couldn't bring this one in.

Mass substitution for both teams, Jonesboro will bring in three Tate back in for Springdale last 38 seconds in the third quarter.

Jonesboro pulling away a little bit about scored Springdale 8 to 4 in the third quarter.

Springdale needs to get the ball back inside the way they were in the first half, taking a lot of tough mid range shots, but a second 2 seconds difference in the play clock.

At the shot clock, they're just trying to burn it down for a last shot.

I think 10 seconds on the shot clock, down to five.

We'll take the three No good rebound Mulgrew with it 2 seconds step to it.

That's not going to make Coach Smith happy.

He's got his arms folded over there.

Last thing in the world that you wanted.

He really wanted him shoot that ball at the buzzer.

So by the time you get the rebound, there's less than 2 seconds left in the quarter, but they shot it with 6 seconds left.

And now Springdale has got a chance to make three free throws going in the fourth quarter to go to put some more time on the play clock, what they're doing over at half court, talking with the clock operator.

It will be 1.2 seconds on the clock.

They've got 12 right now.

They've got to fix that, make it 1.2, stepping to the free throw line and the ball.

Drew, he has not shot a free throw.

In fact, Springdale is only shot five free throws.

Jonesboro has only shot four.

So not many free throws in this game.

Let them play.

Honestly, it's been a pretty clean game from an officiating standpoint.

Not a lot.

That was the foul.

This half we went the entire quarter without a foul call.

Well, as a fan, that's what you want to see.

You don't want to come out here and see a free throw contest.

So that's a good look at that replay just just reached in this probably I'm sure coach swiftly those who shouldn't have reached in like that, that was going to be a difficult shot as it was.

You know Mulder will go to the free throw line for they have three shots.

They are down by seven.

So another look for a different angle.

Definitely fouled him, Got him.

They've probably been showing their kids film all week of him making those types of shots.

So it's hard for the kid not to not to try to stop it and reach in.

I seem to remember my research of him hitting a shot at the buzzer in one of the games during the state tournament.

Yeah, he's he's hit a few I think they hit three buzzer beaters against us maybe at the end of the quarter.

And same thing against West.

I mean, they were playing with a lot of confidence last week and obviously that's carried over into today.

Well, it's deflating for one team, but then it just picks the other team up.

You know, when it when Springville does it, I'm sure the whole bench, the entire team, it's just a pick me up.

Is this the same is this the same going to the free throw line?

If you can get in here and get two or three points, yeah, it's going to be huge because now, you know, you take that thing from seven down to four or five and it's a whole different message inside that huddle.

When you're within two possessions, Mulder averaged 19 points on the season.

He's been averaging 22 in the state tournament.

Yet today after that second free throw was good at just six points.

Well, some of these shots they've taken in the third quarter, they're tough shots, but they're shots that those two kids have made all year.

And they start falling.

They're going to be able to score whenever they want to because you can't keep them from getting everything.

A third free throw attempt for Mulgrew is good, so he goes three for three, Cortland Mulgrew, one second left Buford at the buzzer, throws it up off the backboard.

No good.

We will go to the fourth quarter with Jonesboro leading by 430 to 28.

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Welcome back to the six day state championship game.

If you're just joining us, Jonesboro jumped out to an early lead.

That's Kelly with a three string.

But Springdale came back.

They've led one time in this game.

Mainly, it's been Jonesboro.

And behind that man right there, Deon Buford.

He leads Jonesboro with ten points.

He's made two threes, both of the three seasons, attempted bowl drew and sealing the two leading scores for Springdale have not been able to get on track in this game.

They've combined for just nine points.

They came into this game combined averaging 34 points a game.

But yet Springdale trails by just two.

Springdale hit three free throws right there at the end of the third quarter to make it a four point game.

That was a big momentum change right there.

That was big for Springdale.

That was huge.

You know, just a little lack of discipline by the defender there opened up the door for him.

You know, one thing, Buford did not get a shot off in that third quarter.

He got a blocking foul called on Harrell.

That was Sealy driving to the basket.

He'll go to the free throw line.

Sealy has not been to the free throw line in this game.

Harrell picks up his third foul of the game series, leads around 80% on the season.

Free throws are huge and close games and that's four straight free throws for Springdale.

Can't convert them.

The second one remains a three point game.

Tillman with it for Jonesboro.

Tillman was huge in the third quarter.

So I don't work at the Herald, but they turned it over.

Mulgrew with the steal he drives down, can't finish.

The third is his teammate that goes flying in and finishes it, sealing with the offensive rebound.

Another offensive rebound for Springdale.

That's what that right there was what Springdale does transition take a shot and crash to glass second chance points 12 now for Springdale none for Jonesboro coach you take away that I mean it's a different game.

Totally different game.

I mean Jonesboro girls first shot defense has been incredible, as it always is.

But you have a second chance if Springdale wins this, that's that's going to be the story for sure.

But don't.

Springdale scored 31 points, 12 double second chance points.

Yeah.

It's it's it's really amazing that how difficult Jonesboro can make it for you on the on the first first shot during the basketball conversation on social media with Arkansas PBS sports you said hashtag Arkansas PBS sports.

You know one thing to watch Mulgrew and Sealy have both gotten some free throws and then they're a put back layup.

Maybe that's what helps them find their shooting touch from the outside.

Now they got some easy ones to get them going.

We saw that in the game last night.

One of the star players struggling a little bit went to the free throw line, made a couple of free throws, and then the next thing you know, knocked down a three just to see that ball go through the net.

That feeling, that risk popping and that ball going through the that just gives the shooter confidence to step out and make a shot.

That's what we tell our guys.

If you're struggling, go get you an easy one at the rim or get some free throws.

And that just restores that confidence.

One point game Jonesboro with the lead and the ball little contact there but they've been letting them play all day before gets loose for a three just short look good from here Springdale gets the rebound thought Harrell was going to get that off and the rebound but you just couldn't bring it in Yeah he was fighting hard had his fingertips on it Mulgrew to the basket he gets it to go Springdale takes the lead.

It's been a while since they had to leave, but they've got it here in the fourth quarter.

Now you see the intensity pick up there, all communication coming down the floor.

Student sections get crazy over here.

Who's going to step up for Jonesboro?

Harrell With it.

Harrell drives in to the basket left handed layup Good Jonesboro retakes the lead Harrell's first made field goal tonight Sealy Buford on him looked like he might have gotten away with a little bit of a walk.

Mulgrew wants it now 12 on the shot clock gets a screen from Tate doesn't use it.

Double team baseline jumper off the side of the backboard It's Jones Ball's ball Mulder looking around he wanted a foul called physical defense They had to double teamed over there in the corner.

Very tough shot.

Springdale coaches up standing pleading with their team get a stop Jonesboro trying to increase their lead drive to the basket reverse layup is good for Montgomery Montgomery in foul trouble in the first half didn't play much.

He's got two baskets in the second half long.

Three good Springdale response ties it up back and forth.

We go 30 to 36.

We got a fun 5 minutes coming up here.

Jonesboro, This is out wide open due or not this time Harrell fighting for it.

He taps it back in timeout Harrell fighting for it.

We saw him fighting for an offensive rebound the second to go coach admitted he just couldn't quite get it but the effort was there that time.

The effort paid off back to back big buckets for Harrell no one blocked it off screen.

He was up high around the key and he came flying in.

No one ever put a body on him.

He's tall enough where he can go up, just tip it like he did.

Yeah.

Six, seven, six, eight.

He's playing out on the perimeter, so sometimes you're not going to get blocked out as well when you're hanging around the three point line.

So good job by him of crashing.

That was Jonesboro second offensive rebound of the entire game just their second offensive rebound but that's their first points off of an offensive rebound.

Couldn't have come at a better time doing 5 minutes left.

Every single point is going to matter here down the stretch.

I'm sure Coach Brice is wanting him to get a little bit quality shots than they got last time down right here.

Now, I know in the semifinal game, Jonesboro had to battle back.

They were in a very tight, close game.

What's with Cabot to here?

What about Springville?

Were they in some tight, you know, pressured one possession type games in the fourth quarter?

They were they were not in a one possession game.

You know, when we played them, it was mostly a 5 to 6 point lead and they would stretch it back out to eight or nine against the West.

They hit seven threes in the first quarter.

And just just were up 17 bit.

The West did battle back.

But no, the final 4 minutes was not a not a two or three point game that I remember.

Is that a big advantage for Jonesboro?

It could be.

I mean, you got Coach Swift over here, probably the best coach in the state right now.

And he's got all the big game experience here.

He knows what to do and he's got an experience team that's been in this situation before.

Coach Price did not like what he saw there.

There was a lot of confusion.

Players talking and pointing about where they needed to be and where to go.

So he just called a timeout basically net.

At this point, every possession is huge.

Yeah, you can't just let it slide.

If you see your guys confused, you've got to get them organized.

You're down to.

If you don't score here, then Jonesboro gets another one, you're down two possessions and you may never get this chance to tie the again.

So you want to take advantage.

Why you got the ball?

Springdale 25 and eight on the year.

This is a team that's gotten better as the year went along and then obviously peaking at the right time of the year.

That's whatever teams trying to do is exactly what they've done.

They've won six out of their last seven.

And yeah, I mean, last week it was three straight games of them just playing really, really good basketball and that's why they're here and see what they can do here to finish off ball Drew with it got tied up to give him a screen he wants it don't go with zone work it down in the corner They get a shot short Harrell there for the rebound.

TILMON with it on the wing Tilmon to Harrell Harold drive again to the basket loses it Stay with Jonesboro how about that move there from west with after the Springdale timeout he goes to the zone Yeah that was smart I mean they were confused on the play so coach price calls time out probably redraws the same thing and then now it doesn't work because you have a zone don't roll looking for Harold wasn't there they want the lob Springdale did a good job of defending it TILMON Looking over coats.

SMITH He pulls it out four to go.

TILMON All the way.

Well, 15 footer off the front.

Harrell gets the rebound.

Hails come up big here in the last couple on the offensive glass.

That's a senior who's not want to lose this game.

Still plenty of time on the shot clock.

20 seconds getting the offensive set ready.

Montgomery Tillman down low but there Buford drives in floater no good Mulgrew with it Mulgrew wants to go to the basket on an offensive foul called on Mulgrew let's use that off hand to push off foul call Jones Moral ball when we come back, Jonesboro leads it by two 3836 You're watching the Centennial State Championship games on Arkansas PBS Sports 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 might bring for everything that matters most to you and your family.

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We all that next level.

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Here's a look at the offense.

A foul on Mulgrew as we go in to break the other offense.

The left arm just pushed it off there on Montgomery.

Not a lot there, but it created the space to get the shot.

Yeah, I mean, he definitely stuck his left arm out there a little bit.

Might have been some contact before he did that.

But it's a tough call for Springdale, right now.

Coming up on 3 minutes to play.

What's Springdale doing here?

They they've got zone.

Looks like they want to trap trying to create a turnover here.

Maybe they can get something in transition.

Still one that Buford well Eurostep reverse layup is good if you're going to trap you cannot leave Buford open on the backside.

It's got to be somebody else Tate with it for Springdale up high.

It gives a good screen.

I say a good screen.

It was illegal screen.

That's why it was good.

Two straight offensive fouls called on Springdale back to back possessions.

Yeah, that's not what you need right now.

If you're the Bulldogs Coach Price was looking at the closest official to him.

He said that may have been illegal screen but you missed They were grabbing our jersey hold the jersey he was holding his shirt stretching it out, pulling it, demonstrating what was happening to his players.

It's always tough when you feel like a whole games go in a certain way and then one of those calls happens with under 3 minutes to go Jonesboro with the ball up by four 215 to go you four dribbling around gets it to Harold Harrell back to his way in pivots shot in the lane no good big league sound good strong rebound by Sealy Sealy kicks it out in the corner corner three short but guess who was there but that time he could get inside base We've seen Bates with the offensive rebound time and time again tonight he was in position position to get it, but could not corral this rebound.

Here's a look at it.

Look at Bates underneath.

All right.

Glanced off the side.

They're kind of caught him off guard.

Yeah, he Was in position battling.

That's all he can score.

Sometimes those balls don't bounce exactly where you think they're going to.

He thought it was going to be another ball, and he was right there to get it, catch it, go back up with.

It just barely cast aside.

They've got to have a stop here.

TILMON So strong with the ball.

He's tough.

Then, of course, when you got them here for the lesson, coach just pointed to his elbow.

Now he wants to Tyrell's out of bounds.

Minute 25, Jonesboro up for the 7 seconds left on the shot clock.

What was he said when he pointed to his elbow?

What is that?

You know what that play is what he was wanting to do.

I don't have that one.

You don't have that line, right?

I think he just subbed Harold back in, though, for this offensive possession that 7 seconds here.

What do you think they're going to try to get the ball to Buford real quick?

Just he's got to go create something off the dribble.

They may go ball screen or they may just put them all low and let him create the way they did at the end of the GAVITT game.

He can get a shot off, though.

Is he their best shot creator?

He's going to be the best creator and he can make tough shots.

He can make those mid-range, you know, leaders and floaters and and he's got a good enough handle to squeeze through tight spaces when he needs to know.

If you spring, though, do you come out do something like West swift and the last time he switched his defense went to a zone and kind of caught him off guard.

Is this something I'm doing?

Anything I'm doing anything possible to make sure number three doesn't get to create If they throw it to him on top, we're going to run to at him real fast, but we're not going to leave.

Harrell Then you then you're going to open yourself up for offensive rebounding possibilities, though, especially with Montgomery over there.

You know, Harrell is going to keep pressing hard to get if you don't play it straight up here with Tilmon.

He's going to have to hurry.

5 seconds.

He's going to the basket looks corner three for Buford.

Good at the buzzer.

Coast wasn't drawn up.

Yeah, it was.

I mean, he he ran a little hammer set there.

Drive to the baseline, kick it to the opposite corner.

What an answer.

From one, three to the other.

Three back to back three, three on Buford Wesson.

Cortland Mulgrew.

Just like that.

Greendale gets it to a four point game under a minute to go Jonesboro with the ball.

They lead by four.

They want to burn as much clock as possible before they have to shoot.

The hands there.

Got a little handsy.

That's only the third 13th foul on Springdale.

Not a lot of fouls called this half.

That's just the third team foul on Springdale Jonesboro with three team fouls If they going to be aggressive, if they want to get to the bonus, they're going to have to foul times real quick.

But like you said, they can go for steals and not worry about fouling, but that resets the play clock so they could burn off pretty much the rest of the game if they wanted to.

So they are forced now to foul.

You really don't want to send Buford to the line.

I know he was ten for ten against us in the first game.

You got to make else catch the ball.

When they do get in the bonus fourth team foul you might make someone else catch the ball, see if they'll turn it over before you fall in.

But if they get it to in that easy five feet foul, he's quick.

I mean, I don't know how you keep them from catching it.

They had two guys on in there and he's still spraying wide open.

He did it again, Coach.

Somehow he keeps getting open.

That's six, but do it one more time.

Well, now is really the time.

You do not want him to catch up.

Yeah, you got to make someone else gets it.

He's going to go two for two.

There's no doubt anybody else, they might go two for two, but they might.

Miss Tillman gets it.

Fans behind us, the Jonesboro fans, they want the intentional call.

Since he grabbed the back of the Jersey till the body wants to see him call an intentional foul.

At this point, the game not now.

No.

It wasn't any excessive physicality on that foul.

He just grabbed his jersey.

Tillman has not been to the free throw line today.

First free throw.

Good It's close.

That's what wins games.

What wins championships.

And they don't have a bad free throw shooter out there.

All these guys can't make them.

You're just trying to pick anyone besides Buford, because I think that gives you your best chances right now.

Coach Smith called that timeout.

It's a 32nd timeout.

Jonesboro is up by five.

Tillman can make it 634 point 8 seconds left Springdale just need a quick two or you want a three here if you can get it extremely quick too, you'll take it.

But they've got guys that can create their own shot.

They can do it from three.

So you probably going to take your chances with that because either you're going to even if you're hitting threes, you're probably going to have to score three times.

Jonesboro is not going to score zero points here unless you get a steal.

I'm guessing Jonesboro, they put in their defensive lineup.

They're going to go with their little three quarter court presser just to slow them up coming up the floor.

I wouldn't be surprised if Mulgrew or Sealy just dribbles right through it.

They don't care if there's a trap.

They're just going to go right through the middle of them and try to get down there and get a shot off in a hurry.

Anyway.

Yeah, he's got everybody off the line except for the shooter.

They're going to set up their 1 to 2.

Some smiles from the Jonesboro players there.

They're starting to feel it maybe a little early, but they're feeling definitely not over yet of spot Tillman misses Springdale needed that two one to almost have a steal or pump fake three rattles out good rebound rebound the various Montgomery that was a huge rebound yeah I mean you had four Springdale players down there and he's the only Jonesboro guy in the vicinity but he came up with it and that's what he does for their team.

The owner said.

Portland Mall Drew three was a lot better than I thought when he double it, kind of clutched it and shot it.

I thought it was going to be way off and that thing rattled out.

He's the type of guy he can make tough shots and one in the three rattles out, this one rattles in Montgomery, makes it a six point game that one fall seven point game.

So now it's a three possession game.

Mulgrew dribbles through stops, gives it up.

Wow.

Thanks.

It is.

That's a two.

Just a two timeout 4641.

Still got a little bit of life in that Springdale team They're going to have to have a steal to make it happen at this point down 513 seconds probably not going to be able to send Jonesboro to the line two different times and have them come away with zero points.

So you need a steal on the bounce pass here.

It's just really with Buford Quickness, he's going to get open and you know that they're going to they're going to have a good decision maker throwing the ball inbounds.

Get it to him and Tilmon also, I mean, those are two guys that can handle the ball quick enough to get open.

That's all you're looking to do, Get it in soon.

As they get it in, you would think Springdale is going to foul.

You don't even really necessarily need to even pass the ball right here.

Just get it in and then hold on to it because they're going to reach in, start slap and trying to foul you.

You're going to you're just going to try to make them throw some crazy pass the top and it becomes a jump ball situation and you got a chance to come up with it.

Whoosh, Jonesboro looking to go back to back, but in a different classification.

Last year it was a58 champ beating Merion 5528, a much different ballgame.

One of the biggest blowouts I've seen down here in a while.

Tilmon gets it quickly and he's he'll go back to the free throw line.

Yeah, I think they've won the last two and five aces would be three in a row for these guys.

What we saw in football, some teams moving up in class and still able to win a state championship.

And now we're going to see basketball with Jonesboro moving from five, eight up to six.

You know, back in the day when we would have the Tournament of champions and the winners would play, it always created the debate of just how good Jonesboro was.

Could they compete at the highest level?

I know there was that argument even last year with Jonesboro in North Little Rock, who was the best team in the state, Jonesboro, five, eight, North Little Rock and six, all they played in November and Jonesboro beat them with a half court in Jonesboro, where it's tough to win.

Sometimes in Jonesboro.

Out here, it can be it can be very tough.

Well, Coach Swift, I think this is championship number eight for him and six one at Jonesboro.

He's obviously got a great culture and and done a great job.

These kids show up every year expecting to win.

So hats off to them for the job they did this year last seconds heave no good rebound underneath Jeffrey Todd No no timeout clock runs out That's it Jonesboro wins the six AA boys State title 4843.

No, we're going to do it again.

We are going to do it again.

Gave it the timeout.

They are, I guess, going to go back to the clock, maybe look at it, see if there's any time where it was.

Just give don't go to celebrate how many times you get to celebrate a state championship twice.

I've never had that opportunity.

Lucky just to do it once.

The student section is not going to wait though they're celebrating already.

Yeah, they just clarify to force it.

They did give them the 32nd timeout.

They put one second back on the clock.

4843 Jonesboro leads by five.

Here's a look at the last bucket offensive underneath it puts it right back up with about one one second left.

They get the timeout, but now it doesn't matter.

They throw it in the Buford Wesson and they can celebrate a second time.

As Jonesboro Clippers wins their six eight title.

The final score, 4843.

When we come back, we'll hear from the tournament MVP.

We'll hear from Coach West Swift.

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Where Jonesboro claims the championship, this time in six AA.

They're celebrating in northeast Arkansas once again, the final score, 4843 over Springdale.

We are joined by West Swift, the winning head coach.

Do it again, Coach.

How's it feel this time?

It feels really good.

You know, every year you kind of do it with a different if you get a chance to do it, you know, more than once.

You do it with a different group and everybody's got, you know, roles change.

Bron sitting here, he understands the deal.

And so it all feels fresh because it is a new team.

You know, there's no defending champions because we had like five or six who graduated last year and they're not here right now.

But this group of juniors, last year's group of juniors had to come in and play a totally different role and have just gotten better throughout the year.

How big of an emphasis was the rebounding, the effort on the glass at halftime and even called an early timeout after an offensive rebound?

Coach was speculated that maybe that was the message was once again got to hit the glass.

Well, there was no way we were going to win a one on one rebounding battle with 35.

And so we would we would seem to have three people around the rim and I had two people up here watching and there was just no way we were going to have to rebound collectively.

And we just yeah, that was good call by Coach Rouse because we were reminding them of that.

But one of the key moments in the game is a three point game late.

You called there was only 7 seconds left on the play clock and we watched Tilmon drive in right here he goes.

Baseline whips it to the corner to be on Buford.

He knocks down the three.

Well, Pittsfield has the first option to play a mid-range game over here, but we're trying to screen the back side over there with twos to screen it, you know, And they are drifting down there to the corner.

Phil made the right play, man.

What a play by him.

Did you draw it up that way?

I mean, it's designed for that, but I mean, it's a one on one play.

We were late in the shot clock.

We knew it.

And so we put it in.

Feels hands to go play one on one over here.

But we do screen the back side, hit the three opens up.

It was open and he nailed it and he mailed it.

Maybe.

Yeah, he's done that quite a bit this year.

Big Play big game.

Congratulations.

Thanks.

With great job, coach.

Thanks Brian that's your winning head coach West with now joining us is going to be the tournament MVP Deon Buford we were just talking about Deon and the big three he hit at the end of the game.

He had 15 points for the game, six of ten from the field, three five from the three point line.

And I got to think that one of the biggest play, maybe the biggest play was the corner three you hit.

Coming out of the timeout, there was the play clock shot.

Clock was running down.

It was a three point game.

Springdale made it a heck of a game.

That was I don't want to say was the dagger that won it for you, but it made it a six point game.

How big in your mind was that play?

Oh, that was a big shot.

The play was for me and Coach trusted me to take that side and I took it and made it.

How does it feel to win this one as a senior for you?

You've been here before, but now this is your senior class winning it.

Oh, this is a great feeling.

Now I'm just so excited.

Oh, I'm really lost words like not ready to three times.

And a lot of people felt like you guys were ranked number one in the state a lot of the year.

And then spring was kind of a surprise that they were here and many people thought, y'all, we're going to win it.

Did that put any extra pressure on you to be playing a Springdale team?

That was kind of a surprise.

Oh, no, sir.

We knew there was a pretty good team.

We played them in team camp and it was it was a close game to team camp.

So we knew we knew what we were getting into, coming into the game, adding another ring.

That's a good feeling, I'm guessing.

How are you going to celebrate?

Oh, Oh, no.

We go celebrate, have some way US.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

And what a great game.

Thank you.

Thank the on view for joining us, the tournament MVP.

Here's a look at some of the stats from today's game.

Look at the percentage, the shooting percentage for Jonesboro coach, 50% from the field.

That wins a lot of games that don't win most games, especially when you play defense the way they do you know, they did they did come down a little bit from where there were 63 or 64 at halftime, but they kept they kept it on Springdale.

Springdale ends at 36%.

And I thought it was interesting when Coach came over here, Coach Swift, you handed him the box score and he the first thing he looked at was rebound rebounds and he looked, okay.

We had 26, they had 23.

And he nodded his head like, okay, okay, I'm happy with that.

Well, he he probably knew at halftime they were they were getting outrebounded.

So that was an emphasis.

And to say that they came out the second half and won that battle, that that helped close that game off.

You know, the really big one late with Montgomery there and in the middle of four Springdale players kind of entered the game.

Taking a look at some of the highlights inside were Springdale did a lot of their damage in the first half and in the second half there's our tournament MVP.

Deon Buford hit some big threes.

That was one in the first half and then he had one big one in the second half.

As Jonesboro comes away with the six state title knocking off Springdale, Section one is in the books.

But when we come back tonight, it's the one we got, the one a Girls Mammoth Spring, Norfolk, that will start at 6:00.

And then after that game, we have these six a boys here, a pink ozzy Arena.

You'll want to stick around and come back to Arkansas PBS sports to see some one action tonight Mark free county line the Indians can't call a mark kick on.

We won't know which ones have played since they're both the Indians.

So worth going by the school name tonight, Coach.

Thank you.

It was a pleasure.

And we'd love to have you back next year.

But then again, we'd love to be watching you next.

You enjoyed being here, but hopefully I'm sitting in one of those chairs next year.

Brian Ross I'm Wes Moore.

Thank you for watching.

And we will see you tonight for the One Day Boys and One Day Girls finals right here on Arkansas.

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