And we are about to bring you the tip off here.

March three, Nevada, for all of the marbles in the what, eight boys final.

The two girls and boys later today called knuckleball.

I'm Justin Acree, thrilled to be back with you for another championship match up here.

And the Blue Jays will send out Kayvon Coleman for six to junior jump center gets lit areas around the six three junior leading scorer for the Mercury Indians and it will be Mark Trae controlling the chip and going right to work Ball knocked out of bounds and it will go to the the Blue Jays right out of the gate so this opportunity on the opening tip will tell a bit more about these teams coming up but it has been a hard fought battle.

They do have one common opponent in the postseason.

We could touch on Kyle and I don't know what he's going to do comparative scores and it gets a little dangerous at times, but certainly Mark Trae gets Bradley winning by 25.

David, Nevada squeaking out of the regional final, a two point win over Bradley.

So if you want to look at that as some kind of advantage, you definitely have to tip your cap to Mark.

Trae But championship games, we've seen some strange things already this year.

You never know what you might get, but certainly we expect a hard fought battle here today.

And Mark, probably the biggest win in the postseason, knocking off Brinkley in the semifinals starters, by the way, from Mark Tre.

Isaiah Malone they're five nine junior Darius Brown is the 20 point scorer for the Indians.

He's a junior as well.

KENYON Carter, a59 junior, Landon Lewis, six foot junior, and big Jonah Walker at six six.

And Justin, that's one of the things to watch.

You can't miss him out there.

Big number 15 for Mark Tre in blue.

And you just wonder the Blue Jays, such a guard oriented team, what's the game plan against him now?

We will see how they handle it.

Going to vet Nevada, really playing with house money to some degree.

How about you, Mario Bell?

I mean, a first year head coach to get his team here to the final call.

Pennington did the same with Christian last year.

Right.

And got the repeat this year.

Ball knocked out of bounds.

It'll stay with the Indians they see Brook and Harris the active hands on defense both these defensive possessions Harris one of their starters for the Blue Jays, 17 points a game for him.

Leading scorers Kayvon Coleman 20 points a game ball inbound.

It.

We're going to get a foul a ball and it's a jump ball so it'll go to Nevada.

Blue Jays will inbound it under the Indians basket.

That's a good way to start.

Yep, the way it did.

Those guards surrounded Walker there Harris with it drops it off to Coleman crossing over into the paint He goes scoop shot short and the Indians want to run and a good break there by the Indians finish it off Landon Lewis the junior good feed butler Darius Brown running the break also that's a big moment for this team Hit that go ahead three with a minute left in the semifinals Good player to watch how you look for Brown to score but that time distributing for the finish and opening points of this championship game to mark Tre pull up from the elbow some contact and who ball but a bucket for bricked in Harris the six one senior drilling it from the elbow and we are tied at two apiece man to man defense here for the Blue Jays and a deep three back of the ire for brown no good and the Veda wanting to run the other way.

stop and kick on the baseline Harris to the corner for a knuckleball three pointer.

Brogan Rhodes can't find the range but a save by the Blue Jays keeping it alive second position in Harris right on time to make it 4 to 2.

I love the way these Nevada guards track down rebounds They're so active, they're so energetic, the way they play.

They're so athletic.

That's how you can kind of make up for size.

You make up for it numbers, hustle, athleticism, but guard oriented Blue Jays team, they're so bricked in Harris County.

Wingfield and Kayvon Coleman make up three of the four guys in the schools, four by one and four by two relay.

We talked about the matchup inside with the big guys, Cartier Adair, the six foot senior, drawn this time, and there's a three pointer for Marte.

Tre and the Indians go back up five two for that three pointer to let Darius Brown you're not gonna hold him down very long played in the final last year had 11 points three rebounds and obviously would like to have had 14 points would have made the difference in a very close as you mentioned in the early part of this one controversial finish, Miss from the win.

But the Blue Jays stealing another possession again, this time Brown ripping it away for the Indians and into the frontcourt They go up to Louis in the corner, looks inside, drops it inside to Brown.

He got bumped as he tried to bring it out to the perimeter.

That'll be a foul against KP.

On Coleman Coleman six two, their leading scorer the Blue Jays at 20 points.

He's also the leading rebounder at eight again couple of assists couple of steals per game very active player and you saw it there a little overactive drawing the foul almost averages a triple double 20 points eight rebounds.

He's been on fire too in the state tournament, 18 in the quarterfinals, 15 in the semis.

How about 11 points in the fourth quarter?

Great.

Inbound on the baseline for the Indians.

But they blow the lay up and going the other way is Harris gets it up to Coleman for the bucket and Nevada goes back in front.

So we got a back and forth early stage in this one.

Are there guards quick or what?

It's definitely the former, not the latter, unless there's something that's faster than quick they might be or what?

Three pointer for LA.

There he is.

Brown No hesitation there.

His second three, he has six.

His team leads by two.

Well, Darius Brown, his nickname is Stretch.

He plays taller and he's listed at six three.

He can really shoot.

I like watching that post match up.

We talked about it with a air inside and the big man for March three, Jonas Walker.

Whenever we look inside much, it's mostly been a gorilla guard oriented effort so far.

Even on the offensive rebounds they try to feed inside.

They're tipped away.

Indians want to run.

Brown will take it all the way himself goes up got a block no good but a foul and that will be the third already on the Blue Jays count.

Well, these are two teams that definitely love running not afraid to run in transition.

Hustle plays on either end and should be in for a good one here.

The one a championship.

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But our family care for yours frantic start to this one eight boys final March three Nevada and a battle so far back and forth It's been.

We've had four lead changes already and one time it's 8 to 6 currently mark three leading the way and three fouls already on Nevada.

So as the Indians step to the line, Lou, there is Brown fouled on the act.

It won't be long here if this continues before the Indians are shooting free throws in the bonus 34 and three on the season undefeated in conference play for the Indians again trying to get over the hump after falling just short in the title game last year.

Free throw rattles and goes through a three point lead now for the Indians.

Barbara Wilburn Covington, a legend at a state, played professional ball to their 24th year.

They went undefeated in conference play last year.

This team hangs its hat on the defensive end, holding opponents to under 40 a game and four Nevada 30 and seven under Jabril Bell in his first year 14 and one in conference out of the one eight.

What a job Barbara Gilbert has done fifth trip to the finals.

A champion back in one.

She actually lives in Mississippi next two short drive across a couple of states.

Is that is that a think it is is there any drive across two states that.

Sure.

Nevada another opportunity there did get a shot up that time but recovered the fumble shot clock winding down Bluejays have to force one up at the buzzer and do but a bad miss there by Rose as he hit it throw it up there in desperation to the corner three off the side of the backboard but an offensive rebound back up with it No.

And down on the floor goes Kenyan.

Carter had a couple of cracks at it.

Couldn't get it to go on the other end, though, Damian Coleman knows what to do with it and wastes no time in pulling up for the midrange jumper to cut the lead to two with 240 to play here in the first period.

And he has six.

How about this defense to Veda relentless a steal and they'll head into the frontcourt lazy pass though stolen away by brown that was a slow lazy pass by Rhodes and also telegraphed for good measure Good job by Mark Tre forcing the turnover drive inside by Carter.

He'll go up off the glass and good that time does find the range after a couple of misses on the previous possession just over 2 minutes to play and Marc Tre up by two this pacers frenetic so far in this game you just wonder as it goes on which team it kind of favors.

You know the thing I like about it though Kyle so far it's been an up tempo game.

We've seen really hustle plays and defenses collapse and there's a foul first one, second one excuse me called a tre, but it's not sloppy.

That's right.

And the teams are playing under control.

Really.

I like that they can play at that pace and still seem to have a good handle on low turnover game for sure.

A couple of teams are just great ball handlers.

Either side up to the free throw line, goes Wingfield Johnson Wingfield sophomore 511.

Here's a look at the head coach for Mark Tre there.

We're talking about Barbara Wilburn and Covington again, been there a long time, 24 years.

She's seen it all.

And you don't know, Betty, I was talking to Bobby Swafford from the triple play last night.

There are very few, if any, other women leading boys programs around the state.

Well, she's done an incredible job.

22 game win streak for this team this year, 63 and seven over the last few seasons.

It's a group that's played a lot of basketball together and its juniors up and down the roster.

And you can see the same for both sides by the way deep three from the right wing good again Brown with his third three.

my goodness.

And you just had an empty chip at the free throw line for Nevada and you come back and hit a three.

That's a backbreaker.

And the Indians have opened up their largest lead at five points and 11 of the 13, all of their leading scorer lit areas.

BROWN You know, he's sick about losing by just a couple of points last year.

He is trying to make up for it now.

We mentioned the top of the broadcast.

Barbara Walgren keeps denying that that's really been their motivation this year.

There's a pick going the other way.

It's Lane and Lewis and gets it pick six for the junior averages five steals a game chalk that one up and the lead now up to seven He's got four You have to think what may be the difference in this game These two teams are so good at passing so good at handling the ball are going to be a couple mistakes on either side at crucial moments.

We've seen a couple of them.

Not very many fall against Mark Tre and said they were trying to feed the big man.

Finally 30.

Hey there.

That is a cool name, rolls off the tongue, gets fouled on the entry pass three pointer no good for Coleman from the corner and here comes Brown The other way stops on the left wing, gives it up.

You know he wants it back.

He's got that athletic tape down the right arm.

Kyle.

Then the wristband or make it in I guess it's an elbow band in that case or bicep and whatever he's doing.

That right arm looks perfectly fine as he's drilled a few threes already misses on that attempt and a battle for it underneath.

They're going to call it travel and it'll stay with the Indians.

But really again, max effort by both teams and we've really seen that look everybody's play for a championship here at Hot Springs this weekend If you're not going to go max out now, when are you 18.9 seconds left, Mark three by nine when the chance to add to it here inside Lewis Easy bucket good feed patient pump fake scoring two leads ballooned to 11 Nevada needs an answer here the hole for one 7 seconds now five Coleman lost it Here goes Lewis Ball poked away and out of bounds and that'll be the final play the first period.

Mark Tre making a statement in the first quarter.

They lead it by 1119 eight after one here.

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Three of those makes for the man standing directly in front of me.

But Darius Brown making up for lost time after last season, helping lead his team back here.

He's got a tattoo on his left calf and right calf that says most and hated that.

That'll drive you.

That'll drive your team to reset.

Your team feeds off your coach.

I guess that in this case they feed off of Brown's calves.

A big stat so far, Justin but Nevada five turnovers And how about Mark Tre eight points off those turnovers.

Mark Terry trying to add to it.

Drive inside that time.

Lewis can't get it to go cleared out of there by the big man for Nevada.

They want a run and they get a transition opportunity but a missed one at that But it's tipped out by the Indians it'll stay here with the Blue Jays.

So baseline inbound for the Blue Jays it'll be Brooklyn Harris not going to clean up some moisture over here I assume there was a bird that flew over and I missed it.

HARRIS Four assists per game.

He's got over a thousand career points.

The senior trying to go out the right way.

You mentioned it, though, these teams are loaded with underclassmen who are big contributors for this team, including the leading scorer for each team.

Ball knocked away inside more great defense by Mark Tre and Kyle.

When I look at it and you think less than 40 points a game, how do you get there?

We get there by only giving up eight in the first quarter.

It's a good start.

Yeah.

It just feels like to your point, Justin, we're going to see these two teams battling some very meaningful games next season as well.

Yeah, I mean, it's it's wild it you know, Coach Bell has only been there less than a year and able to get his team to the finals.

Remarkable pay of a year ago right wing and a drive inside the floater up and down everything going the way of the Indians.

Kenny Carter, the junior.

There's another rose underclassman bucket inside he's got four to lead is wow 13 already.

It doesn't feel like it, does it?

It's just they've been that good I think, defensively as well That'll help deep three for Harris they needed that the worst way about four feet behind the three point line cuts the lead down to ten he's got five in the game and Mark Tre we'll try to get back to business there's a thousand point score for Nevada controls the tempo for this team big shot there and they needed it most haven't looked to the big man Joe to walk on to see him go to work in the post.

He's got it in the short corner on the right side of feed it inside Lewis pump fake go up.

No, everybody bouncing around for it and it is run down by Harris who just hit that three moments ago and think about Walker Justin there's a reason that's going to go against Landon Lewis broken tibia cracked ankle during football season.

He had a slow recovery.

This is only his ninth game back clearly feeling pretty good.

He had 17 in the semifinals, but we haven't seen him get real comfortable in this game yet.

I'd like to see him on a football field.

No doubt.

It's a big man, I don't think.

But he plays several team, by the way.

KENYON Carter was their quarterback.

You see it a lot at this level.

Yeah.

Guys who play multiple sports, you really get your full team until November, maybe even December.

That's a strong move inside by Kerryon Coleman going up among the trees and scoring and Josh Randall Junior for the Indians into the game now for the first time for Mark Tre the Mark Tre happy to work around the perimeter here crisp passing deep three right wing and that one for brown will not go battle for the rebound and race again for Harris.

He'll come out of there with it.

Brown has the green light just about anywhere and there is a three it could have been two and one for bricked in Harris he's trying to shoot his way back into it and they've got that lead down to five eight points now for number two eight home run for the Blue Jays over the last minute and a half.

And that was a huge answer.

They need in the worst way.

Carter trying to answer it does from the left wing way too over there.

That's easy money for Carter who has seven quarterback knocking it down.

They're sticking the same.

He's too tight.

Just about everybody could shoot.

I think that's what makes this such a fun game.

24 to 16.

Almost halfway through the second period, there's a drive inside and Coleman can't get the roll bill.

Nearly chase it down, but Brown instead comes away with it.

Crosscourt to jicama and Williams Get it up top.

Brown is handling it and a hustle for it.

Brown saves it.

Carter thought about it, lost the handle and they're going to go to the big man good feed inside shot up off the glass No the miss by ran inside and Harris doing a little bit of everything now because he's just not falling right now from three Those are two calls a number again instead of the corner for a three airball two open for AT&T.

Winkfield Brown behind the back lost the handle trying to get deal with it nearly got the ball picked from behind couldn't get the bucket and the other way layup no boy you talking about a misses inside point blank range for Wingfield it's happened multiple times for the Blue Jays it's costing them pull up right wing No ball it down there hustling for his eight air saves it in no foul call ball goes out of bounds and it'll go back to Mark Green boy and easily could have been a trip but no call so the Indians will retain the possession after this video Timeout 2416.

So missed opportunities around the rim from Nevada but they're hanging in there in this one eight points final you watching the centennial back state basketball championships in Arkansas PBS sports it's the most exciting academic competition of the year and it is live right here on Arkansas PBS.

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My son in law, Scott Mark three cooling off here in the second period, 29% for the floor.

Two of seven so far.

Nevada is stepping it up.

Three of seven.

43% have also made two of their three threes.

And you know who has done it?

It's bricked it.

Harris, their leading scorer, he had missed three of three from the floor.

Both of his three pointers have gone down.

He has eight points and four rebounds, but three turnovers, seven total now for the Blue Jays.

Need to clean that up.

Maximize possessions.

So try to get back in this game down eight.

To their credit though, they've cut down on those turnovers over the last few minutes.

I think they had five for the four or five at the end of the first.

Brown getting a brief respite, I assume four mark, three ball knocked away But back to Carter good pace of possession here six on the shot clock.

Somebody's got to go and that somebody will be Cameron Marshall missed it Battle for the rebound inside too good job by Kobe Huey the sophomore coming down Dallas averages four game baseline drive ball knocked away by the Indians but it will stay with the Blue Jays.

We keep talking about just how quick these two teams are up and down the floor.

But a credit to each of these teams defensively, you're seeing active hands.

They're aggressive on those entry lanes.

Just in my Rick was the one handling it was knocked out five nine sophomore that work off the screen to the right wing open look but good cover up by the Indians Then he turns it over inside.

Everything happening very quickly when you get into the painted area, lots of hands very active and you better mind your P's and Q's.

Are the turnovers awaiting feed inside?

Not a great pass, but handled.

No.

Kick it back out to Carter.

Extra pass to the right wing for three.

That's well short on the miss by Lewis.

Been effective around the basket couldn't get that one to go Not a great pass there from Walker but he does have a great I get a blocking charge there boy how the arm extension there check that replay looked to me like that was a close one.

That's a tough call.

Let's see if he extends the arm here.

It's not a great angle, but you can't really see it from there.

But I thought from over on this angle, you could see it pretty clearly.

Anyway, the Nevada gets the break, they drop it into Myrick, turn around, jump on the baseline.

No.

And a battle for the rebound fumbled out of bounds by Walker Ball kicked on the inbound that time to 13 left.

Indians have really been in control throughout so far 24 to 16.

It's hard to say.

Walker wasn't a great pass in the last possession, but one thing we're noticing about him, Justin, he's got a great eye when he's in the low post.

I mean, he really notices what's around him and I think he uses space really well.

Largest lead for March 313.

It's down to eight.

The inbound to tall looking for Huey.

And they'll go back to the Indians.

Carter driving by Myrick all the way up and good quarters Quick nine for him.

2 minutes to play the lead back to ten.

if you're not quick, this is not the game to play in.

I'm in the right spot.

You and me both, Brother got a near tie up at midcourt, but instead they say it's a foul go gets Lewis trying to get it away from Harris who was not giving it up.

Harris, a senior.

Not sure his plan is next year.

Nice player.

Very smooth with it.

Good stroke as we've seen a couple of made threes out there, directed traffic and a sideline inbound in front of the scores table for Huie.

Move him down towards the Mark tree bench drops it into Harris There he is again telling his guys to cut through Move it everybody around 17 a game for Harris Coleman with 20 now that's a tough turnaround for Harris wanted it all himself Can't get it Lewis into the frontcourt and he'll back it up Bluejays in a zone defense and the zone buster for three It's Cameron Marshall that'll do it even back to 13.

Even with their size, that's how is going to win this.

They've got to shoot lights out.

That's what they were doing early in this game and that's how they're going to be able to extend this lead up to 13 now or if they just keep defending like crazy, that'll be good enough.

Lewis nearly whistled for the reach in there.

HARRIS Another tough pull up jumper.

He's taking a couple of really difficult shots, in my opinion.

Yeah, the turnaround moments ago.

And then that one, well guarded as he steps into the defender, couldn't get either one of them to go down and maybe try to take a little bit too much on his own shoulders right now as opposed to maybe give it up, get it back.

He also has those two big threes that cut the lead down to six.

So he's got the green light.

I think you let him keep shooting because he's certainly capable of doing it.

Came Williams, the junior.

I don't know if he's got the green light all the time, but he certainly did from that one and knocked it down.

Shot clock's off.

That's the first bucket of the game for Williams and the lead is now 15.

I'm stunned by just how good it seems like every single one of these Indians are from the mid range.

It's a dying art, but they are certainly well versed at it.

Tough shot up, but again, difficult shots for eight air that time impatient, I would say offensively for the Blue Jays 8 seconds Carter three off left and a battle for the rebound shot as the buzzer is about to sound and big time follow up for Williams on the offensive rebound Big mistake by Navy they not only don't hold for one but they force of a tough shot in the process and it gives Marc Trey an opportunity to go to the other end and score it.

The lead is 17 at half Mark Trae in control after two periods.

They're doing it outside.

They're doing it inside.

It's on.

Mark Trae, you're watching this.

It's in your bag.

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Welcome back.

The Arkansas PBS studios in Conway, Steve Sullivan here along with Christina munoz.

It's halftime again at Bank Ozark Arena in Hot Springs.

But stay where you are.

We've got some good stuff coming up, including a look at the Arkansas PBS Student All-Star team for 2024.

But first, there's a basketball team up in northeast Arkansas with a coaching situation that's just a bit different.

We spent some time with coach Barbara Wilburn of Mark three.

Let's take a look.

If you're going to be in here, you're going to play basketball.

That's not my football, but that's what my dad got to get.

Consistency.

It's definition conformity in the application of something typically that in which is necessary for the sake of logic, accuracy or fairness.

But there is another definition for consistency.

The way in which a substance holds together or may be who holds it together.

So that Mark Tre High school.

There is no doubt who in fact does just that.

There's a big deal being made about female coaches or female officials doing men's games and people talk about how trendsetting that is, but that's been happening in a more tre since the late nineties when they made her head coach of a boys program.

I am Barbara Webber and coveted I am the head basketball coach for junior and senior high boys basketball here more Tre been here 33 years.

Honestly I never knew where more tre Arkansas was until someone hired me to come to Marjorie.

The kids are great at the community is great.

It is just a great small town.

So I actually met Coach Wilburn when I was in junior high and I was actually out here on this court shooting and she walked up and she started giving me some pointers.

And it was from that moment that, like, I've always looked up to her because she want the best for us to going out there and playing with her on our saw.

It is motivates us even more outside of the school walls.

She's a huge figure in our community.

Everybody knows Coach Wilbon.

Everybody's heard the stories, whether they're true or not.

My very first experience with basketball, I can remember and I think I was in a third grade, third or fourth grade, and I'm just intrigued that they are running and jumping and playing ball with and I love Salander, so I'm just sitting there and all of a sudden I could hear like somebody coming up the steps.

The coach says, If you're going to be in here, you got to play basketball.

So I just been intrigued ever since Coach Wilbur has a level of intensity that she brings to this game and to this community and a level of expectation.

The beautiful thing about that is that our kids like, they embrace that intensity.

She taught me how to play in like middle school.

Like the same time we all players discuss their big scores.

It doesn't mean that small town school can come through.

In my philosophy, I think it's just simple is simple is be and you know, you got to play defense to win and just have respect.

And that intensity has has served some of those young men well.

There's tons of things that they've taken away from Barbara Wilburn, her work ethic, her desire to excel, the way she carries herself.

What really kinda tugs at my heart is when we go places and people walk up and say, You got the most respectable kids I've ever seen on a on a basketball court.

I mean, that to me, that's that's just the math.

That's just math.

Coach Wilburn, by all accounts, is running a great program there.

And now Christina munoz is here to introduce us to some very talented kids, both on and off the court.

Christina That's right.

Thanks, Steve.

Earlier in the season, we reached out to coaches all over the state looking for athletes who excel on the court and in the classroom.

Here's the Arkansas PBS student all Stars class of 2024.

We start off with the one eight girls.

That is Savanna Pyle with the Emerson High school pirates.

Savannah plans to attend college as a general studies major and explore her options for one day boys.

We have KENYON Carter, a junior guard from Marks Tree.

KENYON wants to be a coach or make it to the league.

Next up, we have Abbie Melvin representing to a girls.

She plays for the Yellow Ville Summit Panthers.

Abbie has a 3.8 GPA and wants to go to cosmetology school for the boys and to a we've got paid barber with the Cedar Ridge Timberwolves.

Kade has a GPA of over 4.0 and wants to be an anesthesiologist.

The Lamar High School Warriors Corey Sanders is the three a girls Arkansas PBA student all star.

Corey wants to be a math teacher and a coach on the boys side.

And three, we have Sam Maddox representing the central Arkansas Christian Mustangs.

Sam wants to pursue college basketball and likes to spend his spare time playing golf halfway through and on to the for a Girls That's Addison Hudspeth of the Heber Springs Lady Panthers.

Addison wants to play college basketball and go to physical therapy school.

JJ Andrews with the Little Rock Christian represents the four boys.

JJ has a 3.72 GPA and wants to play professional basketball.

The five girls are well-represented by in more of the mountain home.

Lady Bombers Laken wants to attend college and play basketball and describes herself as a gym rat.

The five boys, well, that is Luke Stump with the Russellville Cyclones.

Luke wants to be a veterinarian and live in Australia.

Rounding out the classifications.

Are your six.

A student, all stars for the girls.

That is Delaney Roller with the Harbor Lady Wildcats.

Delaney has signed to play basketball at MSU and will study business and finally, for the six day Boys, we have honor Boateng, representing the Little Rock Central High Tigers, on her plans to attend the University of Missouri and major in engineering.

You know, there's a good chance you'll see some of those same athletes again live right here in this studio when we bring you Quiz Ball 2024 this April.

That is definitely something that you will not want to miss.

Well, see, it is about that time.

Yeah.

Much more coming up in the second half.

That's right.

Right here on the home of the high school basketball state finals.

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Hands up.

Hands up.

Hands up.

Hands up.

Hands up.

Hands up.

Let me see you then.

See you.

Bounce, bounce, Bounce down.

Welcome back.

Couple minutes left here in the halftime break as Mark three in control, 33 to 62.

The halftime break.

Koudelka bomb just today.

Great.

Take a look at the first half numbers and how we got here at.

The Indians shooting it at a high clip got off to such a great start the first quarter 19 to 8.

They jumped out and shooting at this point for Mark Terry at 50% red hot, same percentage from the three point line as well, having missed the free throw and they've only turned over four times while forcing nine.

Yeah, 50% field goals always going to jump out.

But I think the bigger stat there are the nine turnovers by Nevada.

This is this is a mark three defense that has been so so good Nothing is coming easy and I think you're also seeing some frustration from Nevada as well.

You are seeing them try to play a little bit too much one on one, try to take things themselves and, you know, to their credit, they fought back.

They cut it back within six.

But this Mark Terry offense looks like Bilal Darius Brown just cannot miss He has 11 in the first half, about three for five from beyond the arc big three right there and Nevada on the other end the credit they cut it close but but just nothing coming easy for these Blue Jays their top two scorers Coleman and Harris had their moments but they definitely need to assert themselves a little bit more.

Here's a three from Harris.

He's got a great looking stroke.

Try to force a couple of shots on the two point area and I thought they'd a really difficult one themselves.

But again you start feeling that pressure as the lead grows and you feel the need to get a basket and forcing maybe a couple of shots.

I thought late in the first half and that final possession really kind of a microcosm of their problems.

They took a tough shot.

They took it too early and it allowed Mark three to go down, not only get a shot up, but miss it, get an offensive rebound, a stick back to get it to 3316 at the break.

Yeah, it was it was one of those sort of ends to the half square.

It never really felt like Mark Tre went on a big run because it wasn't one of those offensive keep you can't miss everything you throw up kind of runs it was there defense on the other end.

Well we kind of half joked about it at halftime.

I mean this is a mark Tre team that is incredible defensively.

Yeah and if at this pace they literally would not have to score again and they could win the game.

I mean, they have been so good.

They've given up 16 points in two quarters.

And at that rate we're looking at 32 at the final.

Now, I'm not saying they're going to give up 16 points in the second half, but again, it's really nothing out of the ordinary.

That's what Mark Tre does.

They make it hard on you to score that man to man defense.

So I think here in the second half, that's got to be the game.

If you're the Blue Jays, you've got to hit those, those short quick buckets there.

that was a great effort, I thought by Rhodes to save it in off of Mark Tre.

But the officials saw otherwise.

No, they turned it back.

Okay, we'll be blue Jay Ball.

That's what I thought it was.

And yes, you're right.

Too many opportunities at the rim.

Three, four.

At least you're talking about six, eight points easy, which certainly would change things.

And now they do flip it back and give it to Mark Tre.

I thought for sure that went out off to one of the Indians legs, but the official had a great look at it and there's a near steal at midcourt.

Good hustle there by Harris Louis double team to give it away And now Mark Drew will go back to work on offense and gets what the Blue Jays have to do.

You're going to have to gamble.

You're going to have to strike and try to get some transition buckets to get back in this game.

But you got to finish on those buckets so that has not been easy.

BROWN To the high post, we haven't heard from Walker he will scooped up it in well he made that look easy for a guy that did not really look for his own shot in the first half at all.

That's his first basket of the game.

And that's what I thought would be sort of the whole key to the game for Mark.

Tre is seeing how well he can play in the low post.

You just wonder how a guard oriented team like the Blue Jays would match up against that.

But he was not the offensive factor in the first half.

That being said, he was a huge defensive back there.

You see it right there.

Yeah.

Harris Feet inside.

Hey, they're going up with it.

And again, neither big man a factor really in the first half and here we see go back to back just got the first points of the game for Walker and now eight air to get his first points of the game at the free throw line and a tough shot good play on the back there they call the foul but I think it speaks to the pace that we saw in the first half.

This these two teams were so back and forth so quick.

I don't see that changing here.

But if you're the Blue Jays, I don't know if it's possible, but you almost need to speed this up even more now.

You've got to get these transition buckets.

Well, and again, you've also got to finish when you get there, you do all the hard work and then don't take advantage.

Risking my son two times back in his younger days when he was in grade school, he would do his homework and then forget to give it to the teacher.

I'm like, Yeah, he did the work.

Finish it, let's go give it up.

He got to do the little things.

Sure beats you.

And I didn't do the homework in the first place.

You go exactly how 35 to 16 after the free throw trip.

And again, more missed opportunities there.

Right.

Got to take advantage at the line.

Got to take advantage when you get it inside.

You know, I talked to Pat Bradley, the former Razorback and layups and free throws.

That's what it's about in a lot of cases when it comes to basketball, there's a missed opportunity inside.

Ball back to the Blue Jays and that's one area where innovators is not taking advantage right now over four at the free throw line and, you know, innumerable layups.

Mr.. Close to the basket.

And that was one where the officials said play on and it's going to be that kind of game.

I mean, think about the first half, Justin.

These two teams a combined two for four from the free throw line.

Another would be a two trips to the free throw line in the first half.

Fun to watch, but you're not going to get very many chances there if you're innovative.

Well, it's incredible the way the intense defense is played on both ends.

And, you know, we're not getting a lot of fouls.

Yes.

So, yeah, esthetic standpoint, that's a good thing.

That's exactly right.

No complaints from you.

And I makes it fun to watch the way these two teams are playing and you let them keep playing.

In that case, as opposed to trying to slow it down and make it what could be a very choppy game.

Again, the Blue Jays have a couple of legitimate offensive stars.

Can they make a big push?

Can they get hot and they don't run in the first half?

They're going to need a couple of those maybe to get where they want to be.

And of course, that's been the story of their postseason.

They have trailed in the fourth of every single state tournament game, not by this much good feed inside Hader Wide open heads up.

Look there for Brogan Rhodes, the junior feeding the senior for the score and the first points of the game for eight who just missed those free throws moments ago.

547 to go.

And Nevada still nearly doubled up by March four even after that basket.

And not to mention finishing around the bucket.

That's what they've struggled to do.

Brown on the right wing feeds it to the short corner.

Back up top.

Carter Now to Brown, right wing, three short and an offensive rebound.

WILLIAMS Over to Carter and he will reset it up to Brown Archie patient and again no need to rush you've got the lead drive inside while tough shot inside Williams offensive rebound knocked away or it's a great play there from air he was all over Walker from behind 3 minutes into the second half 35 to 18 Mark Trae in control talk to coach Wilburn Covington last year and she said hey we played 99% man to man we like to make you uncomfortable.

Well mission accomplished so far and last year they struggled at the free throw line in that final two.

There's a nice drive inside by Brown five of 13 in losing a championship game by two.

So we'll see if free throws are any part of the story.

Right now, it's just way too much.

Mark three Defense.

I found an interesting quote from her as well I wanted to read when we get a break here, but certainly she felt like they had a good shot to get back here.

Good pass.

There's a bucket inside and one.

Yeah, the defender got there way late and a good look and a good finish.

Seen some nice things from Harris foul go against Williams who slid underneath That's his first foul the first excuse me second team foul on the Indians here in the second half 428 to go and this debate is going to get back into it need to take advantage of these haven't made a free throw yet over four.

Yeah it's got to be Harris it's got to be Wingfield it's got to be Coleman and that one perfect Mario Bell, head coach for Nevada, the former Razorback football and basketball player.

And it's amazing to me the more I talk to guys who play as a foul inside on Nevada, guys who play college football, who their first love is basketball, you know, Matt Jones, a guy that comes to mind, a superstar on the football field, but a darn good basketball player, too.

And he like basketball more.

But for a guy with back and forth, which you just don't see a lot of guys certainly go to a major college program hoping they'll be able to do that.

And time and time again, it's just not easy to do.

Big smile there for Walker, who makes the free throw.

He's got three points now on the second half.

That's nice.

Touch the big man.

Six, six.

Seems bigger than that, doesn't he?

That's a that's a big man.

Now the hair adds probably what, three, four inches all about that.

But he's a good looking athlete for sure.

I'd love to see him again.

As I said on the on the football field, I wonder what he plays halfway through this third quarter.

Nevada patient on this possession very slow knuckleball three no by Rhodes that coming out of there with his corner up to Brown he will attack shot up yes but an offensive foul so no on the bucket getting there just in time the Blue Jays deny the Indians at the rim They're 3921 and that is all roads.

This the three draws the charge and he loves it.

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So like Mark Treat fans may want to come back and watch this game over and over again, much rather watch this than their ending a year ago.

Losing on that buzzer beater certainly motivated them to get back here and taking advantage of this time lesson learn.

We were talking about the championship pedigree for the Indians earlier state titles in 88 and 2001 lost a couple of them as well in 17 and 18 to Earl and Mark Treat, trying to add some hardware to the trophy case for the win today.

And they keep this defense up.

They're going to do just that five points is all they've allowed after the half after giving up 16 in the first two periods.

Here's a three from the right wing wide open and at will, big three for Kobe, Huey.

They're going to need that many, lot more of them to get back into the game.

They were trying to get it down low to a dare, and there's just no easy way to get it to the low post.

I think they're going to have to beat doing work on the perimeter that's been there, really their best offense so far.

And Hughie, his first points of the game coming up big time back within 15 Brown can he answer no but an offensive rebound getting to Williams Brown try to drop it inside Isaiah Malone he couldn't handle it but runs it down and now Williams for a three from the left wing in and out another offensive rebound and they're going to call it jump ball you betcha Melo tied up as he tried to go up so it'll stay though with the Indians but if you're the Blue Jays you cannot keep giving up extra chances And that's I was pretty good.

I mean you had everybody boxed out except for one.

You got to find everybody.

And this was not a size factor there.

That's a hustle factor on all those second chance opportunities.

Somebody missed one too little Blake threw brown airball So Nevada survives 1 to 3 attempts in transition, three pointer Airball No.

And again, like we said, maybe the boomers are your friend here.

That time Coleman just left it short for an airball with 232 to go and a 15 point game.

That could have been pretty big though, to get it back with a dozen.

They've got Coleman Mercury has one of seven.

So that's helping Nevada out for sure.

But the problem is the Blue Jays have scored eight points in each of the three quarters so far.

They're going to need a whole lot more.

Right now, they're back on defense.

Kayla Bos in the game for the first time, four today.

There's a turnover.

Here comes Coleman Euro step up no good and this time jump in.

No problem there for Hewitt Pogo stick going right back up and scoring it and almost looked like worst case scenario there because that is exactly how we said they're going to get back in this game.

You got to take some chances.

You got to play in transition like that missed opportunity there.

Walker all alone under the basket, goes right through his hands.

So that's what he plays the football would appear not wide receiver Miss Chance there that would have been an easy layup or dunk under two to go 3926 13 points Is the margin a stop at a feed shot up block by Walker He couldn't finish it at one end but he stops the Blue Jays at point blank range on the other.

I think he's got the tight end look to him.

Would you go with that?

Maybe I'm thinking defensive end that could work too.

Yeah, he's he definitely would be a load in the red zone for sure.

He lofted one up to him and there's a mistake throwing it into the bench.

She came and Williams Berkrey just a little bit off offensively right now and one way to fix that is getting the Darius Brown back on the floor.

It's exactly what barber Wilburn Covington will do.

When you look at how these turnovers have evened out now nine a piece deep three too strong and a strong rebound by Cam Marshall to the Indians get back on track here offensively pick his quarter so far for the Nevada Blue Jays ten points mark three patient here feet inside shot off the glass is good nice job over the left shoulder for Walker and a good feed inside by Brown Really push back to 15 and just nobody defensively who could match up with him That's what we thought we'd see at the beginning of this game.

There's a block.

Good call.

I think he was asserting himself.

I like what he's doing.

I'm taking it inside, drawing the foul, the fourth team foul on March three.

So Nevada, next time they draw one, we'll put them on the free throw line.

If they can do it here in the next 40 seconds, they get it back after nearly throwing it away.

Does it drive inside shot up?

No.

And there's the foul.

They're going to call an offensive foul.

Walker stepping in and taking it from Wheatfield.

He's made some great defensive plays the last couple of possessions.

But this he was parked well before once he knew he wasn't going anywhere.

Statuesque.

4126, 33 to go shot clock differential about 6 seconds Williams inside Walker scoring.

He is now inserting himself at both ends best he has played all year the final two games of the season when they need him most eight points for him, 15 on the shot clock.

Nevada where they hold four one.

They went quick in the first end of the first half.

We'll see what they do here.

Here's a pull up for three no good long rebound and the Blue Jays get it back to the easy one inside Coleman heads up play nobody else to locate the ball he does and then he relocates it into the basket.

He's in double figures now with ten Coleman leading the way along with Richard Harris.

But Nevada still trails by 15 after three.

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We look at the way Mark Tre has played off of Darius Brown has been so good and evaded trying to hang in there.

They've had a couple runs in him but nothing coming easy download the post and just no answer right now for Mr. Geno Walker and we got the answer Justin linebacker would you want to face him on the football field and no he's coming right at you now more than once total Walker can't imagine him in pads chasing down running backs and receivers and quarterbacks, hair flowing majestically out of the back of the helmet.

He's impressive athlete to assert it's good to see here in the second half You know you go back to his first half stats there really weren't any to speak of he has been a big time performer here in the second half.

No points at the break and he has got himself eight here in the second.

Indians want a run.

Carter draws the block and he will have two free throws come and get awesome bye week.

So we couldn't get there in time.

So 16 seconds in first foul.

The fourth is against Nevada.

And it's interesting you know the calling college games all year you see almost no charges.

And with the new rule, the way it's adjudicated, there's almost no value in it.

It's so and almost impossible to draw one anymore.

And it's funny, at the high school level, you still see it all the time.

I'm getting numbers from coaches and it's like this guy averages two or three blocks taking a hit.

Charge is taking a game.

I mean, you just don't see that at the college level anymore.

This opportunity for Mark Tre, you love the way that these coaches sort of lean into that stack, too.

I mean, you and I talking to coaches all week and preparing for these games, there's the three, four.

Harris We talked about it.

They're going to get back into it.

The perimeter, maybe the key trying to attack the rim is not been their friend.

Even when they've got an opportunity.

For the most part, they've not been able to convert.

He's a thousand point scorer.

He's one of the three guys who's got to do it here.

They have one last run in a crown season possession to the corner for three airball.

Stick back for Williams as good heads up play there Got it to go You got to defend two on the other end You can't let any open opportunities like that happen as a near turnover will it be Yes going the other way for Mark Tre careless passing by Nevada down 14.

You can't have it.

Seven on one to go.

We've got a little deeper than I wanted to before.

We mentioned our officiating crew doing a good job today.

This is a tough game to officiate.

I would say Corey Ashworth, Floyd Shivers and Jaron Harris are three out there today doing fine work in a very fast paced game.

Lot of quick athletes doing quick athlete things and turning it right back over to the Indians.

And then we get a recent from behind by Marshall so a 647 to go Hey Nevada's in striking distance all of a sudden you know the way they shoot the three ball, they're kind of always there and you got to get a few of these to fall in a row.

That's what they've struggled to do.

They've had moments.

They've had really big shots, but they've not been able to put any sort of significant run together.

There's another sloppy pass Brown into the frontcourt, another missed opportunity for Nevada.

Carter will drive it into the paint No look pass bucket and one great finish inside and that's where Lewis is the most dangerous around the rim at six feet tall knows what to do in the reach it on Harris so an opportunity for a three point play here and a great response by Mark Terry after the Nevada push to get it back to 16 now 17 strength on strength there Landon Lewis he's had some big moments here in the postseason, but go ahead, three with a minute left in the semifinal game.

Big shot there to extend the lead.

17 Clint Hill gets a screen, will drive to the baseline hanging and shooting but nope and he came up a little gimpy there looked like for a moment he's all right get to it.

The free throw line by Wingfield just an over seven from the field in this game.

Second team found the Indians 4831 For the moment.

And that is a young man who knows how to do it at the free throw line.

Wingfield scores it second free throw, no good, but an offensive rebound inside.

Nice job by eight air Coleman Eurostep bucket.

Yes.

So much for my theory about living on the perimeter that when they finish at the rim back within 14 does it now for number 12 fade inside shot up got Huey in the air and paid for it and we talk a lot about offensive players don't go up unless you know what you're going to do with it sometimes a defense probably a good philosophy as well.

Here he was just hanging around trying to swipe at it, missed it.

I, I don't know if you necessarily mind doing that, though.

You just you can't give up any bucket.

I mean, at this point in the game, you got to take some changes if you end up hacking him and you set him to the line, so be it.

But you can't give up any easy buckets at this point.

Down 15 Williams with the free throw good 4934 mark three fans in that NBA court down in the end zone second free throw good on their feet sensing a championship potentially coming home with it and they good good crowd on here we had some crazy crowds yesterday for the five and six a boys game specifically.

And how about the Little Rock Central Girls congrats them first title.

Yeah you you mentioned it that they've only been playing since the seventies which is a great call and yet still when you consider all the success for the boys program it's still so hard to believe they hadn't even been to this stage.

What a night, though, for the Little Rock School district last night.

And you mention it, Justin, Just a fun time to be in Hot Springs right now.

Drove into the City Day and you drive down Central Avenue and the fountains already turn green.

Fun Time to be down here.

I'm ready.

And a lot of times we coincide with, you know, teams around the St Patrick's holiday.

So we get you know, you've only got so much time.

There's stuff to do.

Everything brown He can do everything, including drill another three his fourth make from long range He's been patient.

He got off to a great start and he's kind of waited his turn They gone inside of the big man we're going to get a timeout down here for Nevada Demario Bell out to greet his guys to try to encourage them but they are looking at long odds 90 now it's the largest lead tied now for Mark Tre this one that was a back breaker with 514 to play.

You hate it.

You hate to use that term so quick, but gosh, that lead is so big.

It just feels like it in the way Mark three continues to defend.

I am so impressed, though, with Ladera is Brown.

You talk about a guy who just has to look in the feel of it such a bright, bright future at the next level.

So far in the playoffs, when you go back and look at it, go 37, 42, 38, 38, 44, 44 In the semifinal, the Brinkley that was the closest game.

They had a two point game.

So kudos to Brinkley.

But 22 straight wins and those totals are a team that hangs its hat on defense.

Barber Wilburn Covington's not having it any other way, and she's got to be proud of the effort here today.

They are certainly on track to hold Nevada down under 44, and it just feels like it almost makes it a possibility.

But it's just such a big ask to try to get they have to get another 19 to lock this thing in.

Even so, it's just an impressive effort in the fall.

It's a big ask when the shots aren't falling and nothing's coming easy in the low post and you're just sort of out of questions about what to do.

Yeah, I would say that Nevada has not played poorly.

They just have not converted when they've gotten opportunities.

Yeah, but they're not.

They're been very few of those very easy opportunities to capitalize on them.

That's a group about to move to 64 and seven over the last three years.

Ridiculous and a scary thing.

Five starters, all juniors and shot up and inside there's a good drive.

Take it to the rack and good quick move there.

Okay.

But let's say Jamal Bell's team to who, as we've mentioned, has done an incredible job in his first season cardiac.

There is one senior, but the rest of the guys, junior sophomores, Ulbrich and Harris, the senior as well.

Hey there with the rebound there, by the way, that was Wakefield's first field goal moments ago.

He's going back to work kick out.

There's that interesting looking shot from the right wing and again no good from long range for Rhodes.

But Rose again after missing the three earlier recover took a chance this time runs down and blocks a shot No quitting this guy and a lot of guys will hang their head after the missing shot on the offensive end.

Not him.

He knows the hustle back on defense deep three high asking no ball too strong for Coleman Clear out of there by Brown I think we've seen a lot of guys on the Blue Jays roster do that but they may miss a shot on one end.

Hustle back with a great defensive play.

That's a credit to coaching too, to instill that sort of thinking in your players.

Yeah, I don't think that's a natural reaction for most players.

That has got to be instilled in them and I guarantee he is not accept any less.

Brown Making it look easy all the way through the lane, laying it up.

And he's got 18.

His team is cruising 5536 free throw line jumper.

That's good and easy shot for Coleman and Coleman.

Now get it going a little bit.

He's got 14 still shooting 50% in this game.

Mark Terry, it's hard to be the team doing that three pointers today.

Mark three six of 14, Nevada, four of 16 and also good free throw shooting by mark three seven of nine.

It was a struggle last year we talked about it that state final loss five of 13 from the line well they have made up for today not the free throws have been a huge part of it.

3 seconds two on the shot clock scoop by Coleman offensive foul and who else It's Rhode stepping in again and desperation as the shot clock ran down.

They had to get it They don't.

We're going to take a break.

Our final minutes.

I'm out of this one.

Marjorie is rolling right now in this.

What a boys finals.

55 to 30 8 to 42 is all the remains.

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I exit the night is now in session.

Arkansas PBS student all star for this one is Mark Tres KENYON Carter Guard junior with a 3.4 GPA plans to become a coach or play professional basketball.

Certainly looking good in this game.

He's been a big part of it.

Four for eight from the field, nine points, five rebounds, fourth quarter shooting, 57% for Nevada, maybe too little, too late.

A deep three from the left wing there.

Short hustle for the long rebound.

It goes to the Blue Jays knifing inside for Wingfield and he's starting to find the range a bit here late He's got five points lead down to 15 pressure in the back four for Nevada.

It was an incredible shot.

Justin going against Jonah Walker as well.

Shot up in the lane.

Nope.

Cleared away by Coleman.

Bring it up.

Got to go quickly.

If you're Nevada, you need some quick shots and some makes from long range.

There's one.

How about that shot from Brick Harris splashing at home as a good looking shooter right there And Jabril Bell quickly calls timeout 17 right on his average for bricked in Harris and again he's one of those guys who will be moving on that's a young man looks like he can help someone his team at the next level.

Yeah no doubt you could shoot like that.

You can play just about anywhere that's as smooth a stroke as you'll see right on his.

He said to his average, really a guy who who controls the tempo for this team.

They feed off of him.

They feed off his energy.

Thousand point scorer.

They're going to need a lot more of that here Down the stretch, though, you hate to say too little, too late, but it feels like a few of these Blue Jays have started to find their stroke here in just the final few minutes of the game.

You'd to see these two teams just keep going at it.

It's such a fun game to watch, great pace and you know, who knows if if the Blue Jays can shoot just a little bit better in another matchup, this might be a totally different script.

But listen, you mentioned it.

Cameron Barnes was the only senior playing over there from March three.

I mean, look, it all is just so bad news for day Mark.

He's really good.

Worst news.

All these dudes are coming back next year.

You get your hands full, folks.

Good luck.

And on the flip side again, hey, there's graduating and losing Harris, who has really been a key bright spot offensively for this team.

A lot of youngsters returning next season as well.

We haven't seen Winfield at his best today, but he is such a great player.

Coleman Fantastic.

JR Brown to Carter across the timeline Mark Curry attacking and a layup that was a beautiful fast break out of the timeout Walker scoring it on the other end He has double figures now ten points for him 5743 So Mark Curry hangs on here.

I think he could pick a couple guys who could be the MVP in this one.

Yeah, I think I think Brown is in good shape for it.

Another fast break, another easy basket.

There's the lone senior Marshall scoring it for Marc Tre.

Either of those two guys here, you're not necessarily wrong.

He's been such a factor.

WALKER And as this game has gone along, I mean, it just feels like he's really settled in at both ends.

Coleman Is the Blue Jays take it inside.

It drew a blocking foul, but I think they're going to call it on the floor, not in the act.

That's the third on Marshall 120 to go mark three but to take it the championship trophy home the baseline inbound for the Blue Jays Harris good pass inside but got away from Carter comes up with it and they want to run Williams the other way Bucket good my goodness Mark Tre has been in full on attack for a lot of teams to pull it out, try to run the clock.

In these situations, the Indians are trying to add to their total.

There's a block by Marshall coming up the other way Carter try to feed it over to Williams but it's knocked away all these Indians.

No one speed.

Justin And they're going to play that way down to the very end, no matter what the score is.

They take the How about coach Barbara Auburn?

But she won a championship with the same program back in one.

look at that.

A dunk inside and that is the icing on the cake for the Darrius Brown 24.

The 20 points scored here for three no and the rebound for Marshall 45 seconds to go how many coaches so 23 years at the same program in between championships incredible Yes absolutely And it's been a long time coming and probably thought they were going to get it last year but couldn't do it.

33 seconds left.

There's the inbound play, Kaboom.

The flush for brown and now subs coming in.

Look at her reaction.

And that's big time.

Here's a shot from above.

That's that's a big, tough finish right coach and down to the last minute here.

Yeah.

This is just an impressive, impressive group and the way they've stuck together since last year's frustrating ending.

Come back and do this.

And in such convincing fashion, it was almost as if they knew we were not going to let it get down to the final minute.

Once again.

Yeah, this is going to be celebration mode now.

But again, may see these two again.

Certainly the both be a factor next year as a reach foul for Harris.

And you know, we saw this in the last game, too, you know kind of going down to the wire.

And I just wonder what the the mindset is of teams that want it foul down 20 with 20 seconds left but again play D sure but to intentionally foul to just give up free throws I'm not sure unless just want to drink in that championship experience a little bit longer Carter with the most free throw no matter here comes UPS Mark Tre Well send in handful Jalen do free D.J.

Stacey C.J plays in the game and what an exciting moment to appear on a championship floor.

J.B. on triple as well and a free throw by Carter is good he's getting out can go and celebrate with coach big hug and in for him will be D'Angelo Brown There's a reaction how awesome is that that's got to be so cathartic after what they went through last year.

Yes, a big emotional moment with the QB and the coach over their three point miss.

Here comes Mark Tre and maybe one of these young guys will get on the board at the end.

Floater off the glass.

No offensive rebounds.

Stick back.

Yes, what a fun moment for Mark Tre.

2 seconds.

One second and that'll do it.

It's Indians are want winning boys champions 66 to 43 year finals.

We'll be back with a visit with the winning head coach and our MVP here.

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Are you nervous?

A little accent, right?

Things and darling brightness and joy.

I've got plans.

Everything feels better after a cup of tea.

No talking.

I just want to be right here in this moment with you.

You're going to be a bigger star than ever.

This is good news for all of us.

Best episode ever.

those championship moments here at Hot Springs.

Bark Tree, a near miss last year, a championship back to East Arkansas.

After this performance, head coach Barbara Wilber joining us to coach, congratulations.

I'm going to read this quote.

I was teasing it to Kyle earlier.

This is after last year's game.

I'm proud of this team.

This is almost like being in college where your first semester you were at first it was a freshman your second semester.

They don't call you that anymore.

I know.

We'll be back.

You know, they call you now.

Champion.

Congratulations.

Thank you so much.

Appreciate it.

These kids played hard all year long, and I think this was a motivation for them after last year the way we lost it.

But Hey, they played hard to help you hang your hat on the defensive end.

And my goodness, dominant today on the defensive end.

Thank you.

If you come to any of our practices, you'll see we probably do 98% defensive drills.

So, yeah, that's our philosophy defense.

And then you shoot better than 50%.

You're going to win a lot of games, too.

That Was an impressive offensive showing as well.

We did pretty good, I thought.

Yeah, we an understatement.

We did.

I did think we ran on offense much, but we did we did well.

How impressive is Brown leader Chris Brown?

He's never seen a shot he didn't like.

I can tell you that He did.

Well, he he knew what we had to do to this game.

I came in, make some big shots for us.

I'm just I'm just proud of them.

Just proud of them.

Coach, I saw.

Is there a special moment with Carter when he came out to So we were told he's the quarterback on the on the football team.

Kind of a quarterback for your basketball team as well.

Obviously a very special individual.

He is I can get on him in here, hang it for a second and go right back at it.

He orchestrates everything that we do, everything goes through.

Can coach really take a quick look here?

And it was kind of the play of the game here.

We'll call it the icing on the cake.

And there you are after Darius threw it down.

Great inbound design, by the way.

That work every time.

That's some joy right there.

This hundred and 65 days of.

Yes, sir.

Exactly.

You're waiting for that reaction for sure.

Yes, sir.

You know, Coach, I don't try to do this to every coach.

And especially if you've got nine, ten seniors, I wouldn't ask.

But more.

Look at this roster.

The majority of this bunch coming back next year.

You got to be thinking about it already.

I'm trying not to think about it right now.

Just enjoy it.

Just enjoy it right now and we'll go back to work.

But yeah, you built a heck of a roster.

I mean, these these guys are going to have a real good shot of winning to be right there next year.

We hope so.

That's the point.

Coach, congratulations.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right.

This way.

You go through some of the numbers here, not wait on our MVP to get over here, 6643, the final and I just pointed out to 53%.

You hold the team under 40 and have a great look at it.

Good shooting by bar three today to solid from outside six of 14 and the free throw shooting that was their bugaboo last year.

73% didn't shoot a lot of them today, but plenty good enough.

Eight of 11 at the free throw line and turnovers ended up pretty even.

And it was Mark Terry handling their business.

On the rebounds 325 and Darius Brown our MVP over here And you know what areas that I know coach was kind of tongue in cheek on this You said he never saw a shot you didn't like.

But I will say this.

I thought after you got off to a great start for your team, you really were pretty deferential.

Let your teammates sort of have their moment offensively.

Then you came back and did some great things at the end.

Nice dunk, by the way.

At the end there.

How did you feel like you played and your and the offense especially operated today?

I feel like we played.

We could do better on offense.

I mean, we did better, but I feel like I did decent overall play on offense, but I feel like I could have did better.

Like coach said, I know started.

I don't like if I feel like I can make it, I'm going take it shot 53% and we could still do better offense to say that I'm sure you guys did pretty well just as well defensively.

That was such an impressive defensive showing described just the mentality of this team on that end of the floor.

We're a defensive minded.

We put defense first.

I mean, like in practice, the coach push defense.

That's our strong suit scoring the ball.

We put that second, but we got to keep our opponents scoring the ball leaders.

If I could shoot it like that or duck it like that, I would never see a shot I didn't like either.

I will say that, you know, we talked Coach is kind of touched on it for a ball, but tell me what it was like this last year you guys missed by that much.

Didn't have a great day at the free throw line today, by the way.

Sugar free throws.

Great.

What was it like this last year waiting on your opportunity again?

I mean, you know, last year we kind of gave it away.

We went out of town.

We were at double digits.

Right?

We came back.

We gave them a little room to breathe.

But I was just telling them over there, when you put your foot on somebody's neck, supposed to go ahead and kill them as suffocating.

This year we came out and we did that.

We didn't give them any more breathing room we had on it.

It's like at home, there's no doubt.

Well, listen, enjoy your ride back.

It could be a good, good trip back to East Arkansas its take a trophy back in my foot.

A little money on that.

We might see you back here next year.

Yes, sir.

That's a goal, no doubt.

All right.

Well, listen, congratulations.

Thank you.

That's an MVP.

Darius Brown, great play today.

And that is going to do it for this game.

We're going to look ahead to the night session.

And boy, we've got a couple of really good ones coming up here.

Still looking for that elusive competitive girls final.

They've all been pretty significant, significant victories.

But I don't know, a couple undefeated teams might just do the trick.

How about Mansfield in Mount Vernon in NOLA in the early game with the girls at six, followed by the 745 final between the Marshall Bobcats and the East Points?

Counter Warriors go back and look at how we got here for this final today.

And man, what an impressive effort.

You saw some of the highlights from our MVP.

How about the rest of this bunch?

And really, there were some great moments on the other side as well.

Without a doubt, Kyle.

You know, and to Nevada's credit, this was so frenetic.

Early this first quarter was about as as you'll ever see, the sport of basketball played just back and forth.

And the defense was the difference.

Mark Tre was just that much better on that end of the floor.

Nothing came for Nevada from quarters two through four, and then you shoot lights out and you got a guy like this.

Well, Darrius Brown, well-spoken guy and boy, can he shoot it.

His coach said he can.

He's not afraid to shoot it from anywhere on the floor.

He can dunk it like that as well.

How great is that?

And this is this is the last thing every year, I think, redemption story for Mark.

True.

All right.

That's going to do it for us.

We'll be back again tonight here on Arkansas PBS for the two way finals.

Girls and boys in that order.

You've been watching the Centennial Big state basketball Championships on Arkansas, PBS Sports.