That is how it is done.

Welcome In the big Aussie K arena.

I'm much more joined by RJ Hoggard.

I've been waiting for this day for about a week now.

We have 12 state championship games coming your way.

This is just the first one.

Salem and Burgman for the three Girls Title and RJ.

These two teams are familiar with this spotlight.

They've been here.

They've been here a lot.

Well, and you think about this Salem team three of the last four years, they have been in the state championship game.

As you talk about, we always wonder about the bright lights, the big arena when some of these teams come.

Neither one of these teams have to worry about that.

They have almost made this a home away from home for both of them.

Salem won the title last year.

Birdman won the title two years ago.

So the previous two champions meet today for the 2024 championship.

Like I said, just the first of 12 state championship games coming your way over the next three days.

We've got four games today, four games tomorrow and four games on Saturday following the three AA girls game, the three AA Boys game, Birdman.

All of Birdman is here to watch the girls.

Then the boys, they'll take on the CAC Mustangs, both teams, Casey and Birdman, looking for their first state championship.

And then tonight the four a girls Morrilton and Farmington.

Farmington, a huge favorite.

This is almost a David and Goliath.

We'll see if the upset can be pulled off tonight.

And then the boys game Farmington once again against little Rock Christian Academy, the defending state champions.

What a great Thursday.

But it even gets better on Friday.

Yeah, you're exactly right.

You look at the five and six games, you know, in the state tournament weekend, there's three schools that have both the boys and girls here, the five eight girls game.

He's got baloney in Greenwood, which is going to be an outstanding matchup.

That's the noon game for the five eight boys games at 145 between Benton and Pine Bluff.

That's one of the most anticipated games of the entire weekend Here in the nightcap, the six AA girls at 6:00 with the first Little Rock Central game with the girls and Conway and then the six AA boys at 745 Little Rock Central and boy, that that tomorrow lineup is going to be outstanding A lot of rematches tomorrow some of those teams playing for the third time this season and then on Saturday we'll finish it off with the one AA girls at 1130 Mammoth Spring, North Fort one AA Boys at 115.

It's Nevada and Mark three to a Girls 6:00 Saturday night, Mt.

Vernon and Noah and Mansfield though.

So those two teams don't know how to lose.

Then the two AA boys, East Point, Zach County and Marshall, What a great three days we have in store.

The first game is just minutes away.

We're just getting started.

Stick around.

Three eight girls is next.

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All right, We're back at Big Aussie K Arena, Wes Moore, RJ Hawkins, The Salem Girls take on the Birdman Panthers.

Salem Grant greyhounds for the three AA state championship.

Let's see how Birdman got to Hot Springs tonight.

Ladies and gentlemen, Corbin took care of over 5835 in the first round.

Then it was a victory over Mountain View 6454.

And then a good game against Mayflower.

6659 to advance to the state championship game.

And it's of course, their final match up right there.

Player to watch for Birdman what do you think?

Well, I think that really everything for Birdman runs through Ruby Trammel.

She is a heck of a basketball player averaging 14 and a half points per game.

She's a senior guard that has scored over 1700 points in her career.

And she's going to be big for Bachmann tonight.

And take a look at the wrap on her foot.

She broke her foot earlier this season or actually just two games ago, the last game of the regular season, I believe it was.

I was looking at heavily wrapped during warmups.

That didn't seem to bother her at all.

She was running around just fine.

But Coach said there's no way she's going to miss this game.

Take a look at the Salem Greyhound and their path to the state championship game.

She started off in the first round with a big win over Drew Central 73 to 40.

They moved on to defeat Lamar.

That was a good game, right?

There could have been a championship game 52 to 39, a 13 point victory.

Then you look at that semifinal game, a good one against Harding Academy, 50 to 48 for Salem to get to Hot Springs.

Who are we watching for Salem tonight?

Well, for Salem, it's all about Marley Cellar.

She was here last year, was the MVP of the finals this year, averaging 19 and a half points per game.

Five rebounds a game.

She's no stranger to the bright lights here in Hot Springs.

The seniors one to go out with those two state championship side to play at Arkansas Tech women's basketball as well as track and field.

She's a do it all athlete and she's looking to have another big performance here in Hot Springs today.

So this is one of those games of two different styles.

Bergman loves to shoot the three.

In fact, they've got a couple of players with 99 made three pointers this season.

So when Houston Lowry or Jaycee Inlets makes it three, it'll be their 103 pointer of the season.

And I was watching Jaycee.

Let's get the coach's daughter, by the way, shoots threes in warmups.

She made probably about 70% of them in warm ups.

Well, and think about this for Bergman, Not only do you have those two big three point shooters, but as a team, they have made 372 three pointers this year.

I mean, they are they are lethal behind the three point line.

This is a team that's averaging 63.8 points per game.

So really, when you look at keys to the game for both of these two teams, for Salem, you're going to have to slow down, slow down the three point line.

You got to force them inside, try to try to work them back into the paint.

And then really for Bergman, it's all about slowing down Marley Sellers because, you know, she she's so deadly, whether it's outside, inside, getting rebounds.

She got a boxer out and then really don't let her take control The game you started for Birdman Let's go Lowry Travel hole in college starting lineup for sale on Faried a sellers Dawkins key in hole We are all set for the three girls title game you got Birdman in wide they'll be going on your screen from right to left Salem in block going left to right.

The officials are ready.

We're ready.

Here we go.

Birdman controls the team, and right away they go to work.

Driving to the basket.

No good rebound, Salem.

No problems with it.

Look at the tempo.

Push it just off the fingertips.

Great Pass inside.

Just a little too high.

First turnover of the game.

Well, you know, in these type of games, Wes, you're going to start fast.

I mean, we see it every time emotions are high.

You've got a little nerves maybe built up because it's the final game.

So you're going to you're going to push a little bit harder.

And you saw right there just an errant pass, but trying to get back into their set.

Now for the Lady Panthers, Bachmann playing a little bit of his own, daring them to shoot the three outside, take their three, and Billy Collins knocks it down.

Yeah, that's a big shot right there by Brindley Collins averaging seven points a game only a freshman Dawkins with it up top she gives it to sellers.

So if wanted to go to work, she'll pull the trigger on the three.

No good fighting for the rebound inside Salem with it.

Shots blocked out of bounds.

Salem will keep it looks like them they call foul now they looked like she was going to the free throw line for a minute.

But that's a great job that time by Hadley Reed to go big get the rebound and go back up with it.

Get it into sellers.

Sellers drives to the paint.

A little fake shot may have been partially blocked, but Salem comes away with the rebound Good rebound from Kelly all turnover Birdman with it That's hole hole looking inside she's got a player but it misses no good for Collins Collins looking for her second basket of the game Sellers into the corner Well pull it back out in a reset the optics sellers looking to go one on one drives dishes west you're seeing every time sellers gets the ball, you've got two people collapse down low because they don't want her to go down low and try to put up a shot.

Another tough one right there for the difficult shot.

She's looking for a little contact, no whistle, no play.

Here comes Birdman.

Drive to the basket.

Trammell kicks it out three open.

That's now two games for Birdman.

They jump out to a six nothing lead.

Time out, sailor.

You know, Birdman wants to do.

They want to shoot the three and look 372 of them this year were made and if they can get outside you see it right here.

She's wide open.

Nobody's there.

They're really trying to collapse down low, not allowed the penetration, but you got to keep somebody outside because they are so deadly from the outside that you know that's going to be a killer for Salem if they can't defend the three point shot in this game.

What, like that play where you get the ball inside to Trammell?

We all know about Trammell.

They know about Trammell.

All of a sudden she catches it inside.

All eyes are on her.

She just kicks it back out for a wide open three and her teammate knocks it down.

Yeah.

And you know, it's tough.

Usually you have one guy that is your three point guy, maybe two, or they've got three ladies on this team that can just knock it down from anywhere beyond the arc.

Berkman gets the steal here.

They come back the other way and looking to add to their lead open three Choose not to take it but they'll take this one shot up no good short gets her own rebound drives to the basket no foul call they are letting them play Collins looking for the basket Salem with it and get the ball to their score Sellars Sellars gets the screen stops Potts 15 feet just short fighting for own rebound does not get it jump ball Well she did just enough to create that jump ball and they'll retain possession I tell you what West Brindley Collins for Bergman she's got her handful of day because she's the one that is in charge of guarding Molly Sellers in this ball game.

They put the freshman on her and she's done a pretty good job so far in this one.

She's got a screen, looks inside, shot, a short rebound.

BACHMANN Here they come.

They don't have numbers, but they'll kick it out to the corner.

Open three, splash another one for BERGMAN That's.

LOWRY Yeah.

Wow.

I mean, wide open in the corner.

That's going to be money all day for.

LOWRY Push it, push it, kick it out.

Open three shot no good So gets her own rebound.

No good fight for the loose ball is going to have a foul called on Bergman You know we talked about Bergman's offense and averaging almost 64 points a game defensively they're holding teens to 36 and a half points per game.

So they're just not a one trick pony.

Yeah shot up inside foul called one of our first free throws of the game Salem's Kelly Hall will go to the line By the way you were talking we were talking about the two players and Holtz-Eakin Lowry both had 99 made threes coming into this one.

So now Lowry surpassed that.

She's a one on one now on the season and made three pointers calls.

First free throw attempt was no good save I'm still stuck on zero 510 junior Paul misses the second one.

Salem needs a stop here.

They're going to get another three off the front of the rim.

No good good.

Rebound to come Sellars with it.

Sellars looking to attack.

She does all the way to the basket and the foul There's their first points and that's one thing that say are that Bergman doesn't want is to end the transition trying to get your players back to where you've got a one on one match up with Morelli, Sellars said.

You can't force a double team down low and where she's got such a dominant force, whatever, she's driving the basketball.

But she goes up and she gets that foul nine times out of ten and makes the bucket.

But it's such a smart play on her to attack before the defense can get set up free throws Good big and one there for Salem but when she gets the ball in the half court off it's all eyes are on her and Bergman's doing everything they can to double team her to give her a little extra attention.

Well, in the fast break situation, they can't do that.

Pass.

Inside Bergman's center, Savannah Ketchum goes up with a cheese foul to head to the free throw line.

Ketchum is by far the biggest person on the floor.

She's six one in a senior College of Ozarks bound free.

Throw off the back, bounces off.

No good, chef.

It's about nine points and eight rebounds a game this season.

It's like a free throw.

No good save.

Salem looking to go in a little bit of a run.

nice spin.

Move to the basket.

No good greyhounds kick it out.

Open three short ball out of bounds to Bergman.

Nine three.

Bergman over Salem.

We're just getting started here.

In the first quarter of this three eight girls championship game, this is the Centennial Big state basketball championships on Arkansas.

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It's been all about the three so far in this game.

Berkman with three three pointers, two from Kirsten Lowry and one from Bradley Collins.

And then for Salem, it was the old fashioned three the three point play, the made basket in the free throw from Marley Cellar Sellers off to a rough start.

She's one for a Birdman, another three, this one short off the rim Salem with it Sellers looking to push the pace Sellars kicks it to the corner Baseline jumper Good that's another three Salem on a60 run it is 9 to 6 Montana Frank said time boy averages five points a game but needed that bucket right there Bergman Attacks inside good play there they get it inside to catch them Great post position easy layup for her 11 six.

Sellars takes the jumper off the front of the rim gets the shooter's touch Now she's heating up.

You get that first, you get to that first media timeout in the quarter.

And by that time all the nerves are gone and you're kind of get back into your rhythm.

Berggren gets it open three.

They'll take it and hit another one.

LOWRY Lowry is feeling it.

That's her third three of the game.

SELLARS Running the offense, 16 footer off the back of the rim.

She's chasing down her own rebound.

Can't get it.

BERGMAN Pushing open three shot off the rim.

That was LOWRY again.

Yeah.

Any time she touches it, you just kind of hold your breath because you're like, you got a 5050 shot.

It's going in because she's that good behind the arc.

LOWRY On defense, good, good defense There forces the Miss Berglund going to push and attack all the way.

The basket missed the layup.

Great move.

But Holt couldn't finish Sellars with it.

You know, she wants to attack.

What a pass.

Great drop inside Late whistle.

I think there was some contact there.

But once the basket was missed, the foul was called.

I wish we could get a replay of the pass by Molly Sellers.

That was a great pass.

She was going away from the basket, kind of bounced back behind her to get the pass down low and just a great she's just a really good player.

Good basketball awareness where teammates are just dropped it off to Montana Franks.

Franks makes the first free throw a sophomore averaged about five points and five rebounds.

What's that just in between?

Defenders finds her cutter and was able to put it up and get the foul.

That's just great awareness and Franks trying to finish it off gets Salem into double digits and she does four point game.

Bachmann got off to a fast start Salem battling back but brings it up for Bachmann still on the man to man for Salem.

They got a bad screen turnover for Bachmann just like yep they got to call that one on catch them Catch them was moving a little bit on that screen right now let's catch them second foul.

She was the one that was called on the previous foul down low so back to back to back fouls called on Savannah catch and that's one thing for Salem if they can get her into foul trouble she's showing she's really a force in the middle of that floor in the paint.

They get her into foul trouble.

That would be big for Salem.

what a move.

By Zeller.

Sellars tried to draw the foul.

She didn't get the call with it down the middle hole all the way to the basket.

She gets a little ball this time, but attack, attack, attack.

SELLARS Gives it up top of the key.

DAWKINS With it, Dawkins sets the screen, Sellars drives into the paint, kicks it out, open three too hard with the rebound loves to push it She loves it Go all the way the basket She does it again and again.

Hole finishes with the reverse.

In two she went up She went with the right hand, kind of reversed it back.

Great move by her to get to extend that lead hole with a couple of baskets.

Now she's up to four points.

Lowry leads Bachmann with nine.

Sellars, a little jumper, just can't get anything to fall right now.

She's two for 11.

Holtz playing very calm.

She came across halfcourt right in front of us.

Had a little sweat on her.

No, she's just stopped a little bit, wiped her nose off, got to sweat, looked over at the coach, lets her teammates get set.

Well, Bergman's going to hold it.

His shot clock, it's turned off.

And so they're just going to try to get that last shot.

Nice move.

Spin hesitation got fouled.

Will go to the free throw line just a heads up play there from Trammell and she drew the foul on Zeller's travel The five nine senior who as we talked about, has 1700 career points at Bergman free throws.

Good.

You see that right ankle brace on her right foot.

She broke her foot on February 9th for this.

What's today, March seven.

So less than a month ago, Trammell's second free throw rolls off.

4 seconds to go.

Let's see what sellers can get done here.

SELLERS In the top of the key, off the front of the rim.

No good.

Birdman with a nine point lead after one quarter of play.

It is 19 to 10 in this three girls championship game.

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They lead at 19 to 10.

They are seven of 15 from the floor.

Meanwhile, Salem three of 18, that is 16.7%.

BERGMAN Walk working it around again.

Holt drives into the paint, kicks it out.

There's nothing there.

Trammell With it.

Trammell Pivot.

What picked up would work in the NBA?

Maybe not, baby.

No, I don't know.

When I saw it from way over here, that was pretty obvious.

Yeah, but good pivot.

But then she just picked up her foot and jumped off the wrong foot.

Sellars gets the offense going for Salem and look to get it back to Sellars.

So it drives in, turns down the 50 footer.

Good pass inside.

Got it to her teammate shot was blocked another offensive rebound for Salem that's the best thing they've done so far that's their eighth offensive rebound of the game that's keeping them in it 19 to 12.

They've missed a lot of shots, a lot of offensive rebounds out there.

They've gotten a lot of those offensive rebounds.

Hold Splash.

Holt joins the three point party.

She's got seven That's what Holton and really Lowry They're all just when they get being on the arc they're just dialed in right now Bird one looking inside look at that play jumped right in but she stepped out of bounds Just a heads up play from Trammell steals it But when she's trying to run up quarter left foot steps out of bounds right now Wes Bergman is five of nine from the three point line the story of the game, the three point shooting.

We knew that was going to be a big story.

Salem will try a three.

That one is no good from key.

Get it back.

Another offensive rebound.

Drive to the basket.

No good this time.

Bergman gets the rebound.

Look at the push.

Get it?

The whole baseline pulls it out.

Open three husky No good short sellers will push.

Sellers wants to attack sellers all the way.

The basket gets knocked out of her hands.

Bergman comes away with it.

HOLT With it.

HOLT Nobody was Gardner I thought she was going to take it all the way.

LOWRY Into the paint up.

No good defense so far.

This last two runs.

SELLERS from 14 feet no good back of the rim.

BERGER with a go to let's go once over the back it's their ball but it was yelling at the official still working the officials right now save them up to nine offensive rebounds.

And I'll say this, though I mean they are the officials are letting them play, you know, I mean, maybe a little too much at times, but I think I'd rather watch a game where they're getting to play a little bit than just whistle after whistle.

So let's get gets the screen, dumps it out to the side, off the backboard, but no good for Lowry.

Lowry's got three threes that went a little wild.

Sellars gets it back she corrals it plenty of time on the shot clock but that was just a careless turnover.

Here comes Holt Ho Bounce pass Just couldn't find her teammate.

She was looking for trim or for Collins.

It's a good thought.

Just poor execution.

we got a foul Call it.

Okay.

I thought she stepped out of bounds.

Had a little bit of a push.

That's what made her step out of bounds, I guess.

Yeah.

They're calling the foul on Molly Sellers about the second three pointers off the back of the rim Salem with the rebound in the corner sellers up ahead now try a three it went short and right but Sellers chases down the rebound ten offensive rebounds now a foul called it give the ball to Salem baseline Here's some of the Salem fans behind us saying thank you to the refs They've seen enough of the play They want it they won't get some fouls called You know just looking at these stats for Salem right now Marly Sellers five points five rebounds, hauls got two points and eight rebounds Poole Sellers with a nice fake dumps it off inside but the shot was blocked.

Here comes Berkman.

They got numbers too on Well, they had numbers Nice little shuffle pass inside can't convert catch them couldn't finish catch them hustles back and save them.

Gets it back to sellers She'll try the three no good Nice hustle play Violet's gets it to her teammate the Lady Panthers come away with the rebound 4 minutes to go here in the second quarter.

Let's go with it.

She kicks it into the corner to hold.

looking inside.

she just missed it.

Went right through her hands.

It's like win whenever you're in football and you say you started to run before you caught the ball, that's Exactly what happened right there.

She's thinking about two and a layup didn't happen ten point game.

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Create a lot of scoring for a while.

But both teams have hit a little bit of a drought.

No scoring for me.

The team the last 3 minutes turnover has been a big issue and that's another turnover hole Worth it.

She pulls it out.

Didn't like the numbers.

Holt We got another turnover.

BERGMAN With four turnovers in the last three and a half minutes and save them now.

Four turnovers in the last 4 minutes, three and a half in scoring drought right now for Salem, as you said, 3 minutes, 28 seconds.

The defense has picked up a little bit.

Nice little fake move stuck inside, dribbles it out, Sellars gets it back.

Zeller's getting a little frustrated.

She's two of 13.

They're defending her.

Well, that's been the story, really.

The defense from Bergman and defending Sellers.

What do you want from Bergman?

You look over their third leading scorer, Ruby Trammel, 14 and a half points per game.

She hasn't taken the shot.

Yeah, she has got one point.

Went to the free throw line, made one of two.

So their leading scorer has one point, but they're doing just fine without her because the other players have stepped up, made some threes.

The three point shot is off the front of the rim.

No good.

That was right at the end of the play clock.

So she had to pull the trigger.

Good Rebound by Ketcham.

But let's get some into the offense Holt will try three Holt buries the three that's her second three Holt leads the team in scoring She's got now just you know step back you know Holt came in averaging seven points a game She's leading all scorers Salem three bounces around no good Holt with the rebound Holt up to Hello it's good to see drives baseline kicks it back out Holt looks to attack she goes inside little contact no call.

Rebound to Salem Sellers with it Sellers drives to the basket gets the foul in the basket Sellers needed that Salem needed that You see when sellers gets in the open court on the fast break she wants to attack Yeah every time that's her chance to go one on one with somebody and they get in the half court.

It is tough going for Hey coach, let's go right now.

Not happy because he's saying that every time she she drives the bucket, she's lowering that shoulder to kind of throw her body into another player and mean she just being aggressive right now.

You can't fault her for doing what it takes to get to the bucket.

And she she is a tough player to defend, but she's looking for contact.

Yeah, she does a good job of drawing that contact and getting to the free throw line.

She knocks down the free throw.

Sellars Perfect.

From the free throw line.

HOLT Into the corner.

Open three.

No good bird When starting to cool down a little bit from the three point line sellers again attacking, she kicks it out the fake back to sellers she drives and dishes inside Good walk hall with Kelly Hall the junior scores eight point game they get it under double digits Let's go closely Defender Holt drives kicks it out open three no good Salem could not pull in the rebound that was sellers and it goes off of her Bergeron keeps the ball and I'm telling you they're getting good Bergman still getting great looks from the three point line and you know they're just not following that you think if you're Salem, you're going to try to find somebody just to to roam that perimeter and make sure that they're guarding anybody on the outside.

So let's get gets a screen will pick and roll.

Nothing there but she'll drive dish it another drive inside off the front of the rim.

No good burger gets the rebound.

You see what they do.

They like to drive and kick it out.

Drive and kick inside to good Rosa.

Well, catch them with it.

Catch them up to four points.

The last minute of the first half.

Save them trying to get it back to single digits.

Nice little right hand hook shot.

No good.

Catch him with it about the same amount of time on the play clock and the game clock.

So Bergman pulls it out.

They'll try to get the last shot of the half.

They're up ten plus, you know, points in the paint.

This one, Bergman is only had eight points in the paint of their 27 points right when you have six threes that's 18 points right there.

A couple of free throws.

That's it gets them into the offense down inside.

Can't get it to fall.

4 seconds to go in the half Salem has to hurry midcourt he backs up buzzer off the backboard ten point game at the half it's Bergman 27 Salem 17.

This is the Centennial State basketball on Arkansas PBS Sports.

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Hey, everybody.

Steve Sullivan here along with Christina munoz.

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

But don't go anywhere because we've got a lot in store for you.

Let's get right to it.

If you're a sports fan in Arkansas, you probably spend time listening to sports radio, whether it's a live broadcast for a big game or catching your favorite show on your commute.

The radio airwaves in Arkansas are still ringing out with play by Play Action News and some very strong opinions.

Let's take a look.

Some people think it's an easy job.

All you do is talk Well, I challenge you to turn on a recorder and for 4 hours try to be compelling.

Get out there, boys.

Let's get it done.

He was a Here's the sports Razorback always respect you.

You understand the power of the buzzer.

You got cheated when?

When?

When I ruined his ankles, I hit him with.

I hit him with a golf ball.

Well, the buzz is 100,000.

What a station that covers about every direction from Little Rock for about an hour and a half to 2 hours, depending on the day.

And where a sports talk station or more than sports were entertainment.

I would say we are personality driven radio.

We started out actually back in the good old alien days.

We were the first album west of the Mississippi that actually went to a complete top format.

It's just been a growing thing.

I think it's still evolving all these years later.

Good afternoon.

Welcome to Drive Time Sports here on the Buzz Radio Network.

Social media, Twitter, Instagram, playing things to distract you.

So terrestrial radio, even though now we can stream and do all those things, now it is a challenge.

So you better come up with something very compelling.

It's really about there's a lesson here.

Like the people they hear.

It's not always about the content, it's about the people.

So likability is a really important thing for South Philly.

Okay, ready to collapse to 2 to 3 hours.

So and so we're very, very much personality driven.

That's the thing that we're focused on.

Plus we're hyper, hyper local.

So if it's something that's affecting the local community, specific content about what's happening in central Arkansas, what's happening with the Razorbacks or the Little Rock Trojans in the UK Bears, or what's going on at Arkansas State or maybe the high school scene in Arkansas?

Or the only place you can get that is that time of year for basketball.

You know, David, Justin Moore knows this better than anybody.

This is the fun time when you're good enough, when you know you're going to have a shot to make it to the state championship.

You want movement, you want you want engagement.

People become engaged whether they love you or they hate you, they become engaged with what's happening.

So, I mean, I have people that don't like us at all, but they listen every day.

Is a quarterback right now.

Me?

Yes, any guy.

And he's got the best production and whatever and he's got the heads up on cornerback right now.

Let me ask you, how does the box quarterback and he's got to be the best cornerback next year so stick your pipe and smoke it all up.

Yeah.

Is Andy Reid the best coach in the NFL?

Absolutely.

Nice.

Get it fired up and stir the pot.

There are people who the minute they wake up to us that for us in the morning at 6:00 I mean their alarm clock comes on and it goes to our opening music You get your car used to listen to you go to work.

You're still listening in.

So that's the biggest compliment you can get is that people want to hear and they've been listening to us for 25 years, but to our audience, to know that we care, that we want to give them as much information, as many stories as possible for credibility standpoint, we need to be there.

Let's talk with our Razorback.

Bob, Robert, good afternoon, where you can walk into any city within 2 hours from here in to go and listen to your show, though, a lot of people who listen to us, they consider our friends and family like they know us and they do.

When you're when you're on the show 4 hours a day, people hear everything.

You know, this is year 20.

We've been doing this and and people have stuck with us.

Some have not, but most of them don't.

And we've got new listeners because of Justin and others, and we sometimes forget the power lost quite a few of us.

No, no, I never think of this as work anymore.

One that's been around for 50 ears and the number of athletes the past that he's across, the lives that he's influenced, and I'm blessed to be able to do it on the on a monday through Friday basis.

And I know you can say this is a labor of love.

Everybody, thanks for being with us.

The zones up next.

there you go.

Okay.

Well, that clears it up the bus certainly has a colorful collection of characters.

There's nothing quite like it in the state.

Okay.

Let's get over to Christina munoz.

She wants to introduce you to some very talented kids, Christina.

Thanks so much, Steve.

Earlier in the season reached out to schools all over the states looking for athletes who not only excel on the court but in the classroom, too.

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, Kenya, and wants to be a coach or make it to the league.

Next up, we have Abby Methven representing to a girls.

She plays for the Yellow Summit Panthers.

Abby has a 3.8 GPA and wants to go to cosmetology school for the boys into a We've got Cade Barber with the Cedar Ridge Timberwolves.

Cade 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 PBS 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 Warrior is represents the for a boys JJ has a 3.72 GPA and wants to play professional basketball.

The five girls are well-represented by Lake 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, 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 a quiz.

Bowl 2024 this April.

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

Well, Steve, it is about that time.

Yep.

Much more coming up in the second half.

That's right.

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

Arkansas PDF 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.

Hands up.

Hands up.

Hands up.

Hands up.

Hands up.

Hands up.

Let me see it.

And see it.

Bounce.

Bounce.

Bounce down.

All right.

It's halftime.

Of the three eight girls state championship game, Birdman leaves lead Salem, 2717.

Bergman got off to a hot start in the first quarter.

They made four of eight threes and gave them a nice little lead.

Second quarter, kind of slow action team struggling from the field, only 15 points scored in the second quarter.

Bergman had eight, Salem had seven.

Look that field goal percentage, the numbers are kind of low because of that second quarter.

In the second quarter, Salem was three of 14.

Bergman three of 13.

So not a whole lot of shots made.

Look at the turnovers.

Look at the rebounds.

WEST I mean, 28 to 19 in favor of Salem Salem shots Yeah, but had a lot of offensive rebounds that you talked about throughout the game.

It's just some lopsided numbers that you're not used to seeing, like the three point shooting for for.

BERGMAN That's been good, I would imagine you're going to see two teams that they felt each other out there in the first half.

It's going to calm down a little bit more and you're going to see a lot more of Marley Cellars and finding ways to get her open to make shots.

Zeller's was three of 16 in the first half.

She also has two fouls, something to keep an eye on Brendan Collins as three fouls for Burton.

Here's your first half highlights.

You're going to see some threes from Bergman.

Collins gets them started with that three pointer.

She had just that one three and then she got into foul trouble.

Three fouls in the first half, then took over here and hold good three there from Kirsten Lowry.

Lowry had three threes in the first half hole, then decided she wanted to take a couple of threes, worked the ball inside for Salem.

That was Hall.

Ketcham had a nice first half.

There's hope again for three leads.

BERGMAN In scoring in the first half, she has ten points, Lowry has nine.

She had three threes, three of seven from the three point line.

Leading scorer for Salem is Bergman.

Bergman has eight points, but it took her 16 shots to get those eight points.

They got to get her going, find a way to get her going in the second half.

Well, you know, we talked about keys to the game when we started this thing, and Bergman's doing exactly what we said.

Limit Marly Sellers don't allow her to to take over the game.

They double teamed her pretty much consistently there in the first half.

But on the other side, Salem has not done a good job protecting that three point line.

I imagine that was a point of emphasis in the halftime locker room.

Hold on, Sellers.

Sellers, take the jump shot in and out.

BERGMAN With a good job rebounding this time.

That's Trammell with it.

TRAMMELL Not much scoring in the first half.

She's their leading scorer and she only has 1.0 looking inside to catch him, catch him, gets it Nice little left hand there.

You got a quick time out.

Salem's coach Josh Bateman calls the timeout.

He did not like what he saw right there.

That's too easy.

Yeah.

And you look at it, Kelly Hall was matched up against Ketcham, and it's really, you know, that those are the two two biggest girls on the floor to go up against one another.

But Ketcham still has a size advantage over her because, you know, 510 Kelly Hall six one Savannah Ketcham when she can use her body to work it back inside, go up with the left hand.

They've just got to find a way to to put a double team down on on Ketcham so she can't use that size to be an advantage like what Berkman did go inside to start that first possession, catch them going, get her excited, playing a little better defense.

You can always shoot the three, but they're going to attack the middle and that may open it up in on the outside, catch, going to pick up the foul.

That's her third foul.

West Salem did the same thing.

They tried to attack the middle, go inside, go to hall, see the contact there looking for Sela.

She had a player wide open on the wing, loses the ball, gets a foul call though sellers will go the free throw wide sellers is always in attack mode offensively and defensively.

I mean she's you can always find her around the ball that's that's when you know you've got a heck of a player and Arkansas Tech is getting a heck of an athlete Sellers three for three the free throw line she's up to nine points.

Give it ten.

It's a ten point game.

Hold dribbling at the top of the key puts.

Let's get 1 to 2 on this side of the court and they get it in this side of the court getting an inside back to back possession for Ketcham.

And you saw Franks come down and help with the double team.

But boy, catch him was so good, she just split that one up with it deep three no good off the back of the rim and catch him with the big rebound.

Bergman doing a better job this half on the glass attack kick Vince got up thought he was going to shoot that catch.

I thought that ball was going to go out of bounds as she clapped.

Shoes matter.

it's still here.

whole throw it in for Bergman.

Bergman up 12 looking to increase their lead.

They won the state championship in 2022.

They're looking for another one, really.

Only Ruby Tramel played on that 2022 team.

Brooks of these girls weren't really a part of that team.

Let's go with the three off the front of the yard rebound.

I go wave it off on the floor, bird little peep it.

They were holding on that when they were blocking out.

BERGMAN They're going to call that on Kelly Hall.

That'll be her second personal foul.

The game Trammell with it walked again but they don't BERGMAN fans don't like it but she did the same thing in the first half.

She pivots and then picks up that foot and jumps off the other foot.

She may have been able to get away with it during the regular season, some of the games, but she wasn't.

She was fouled after she traveled.

I mean, but the travel came first.

Sellers taxed the middle can't get it to fall.

Look catch them with the rebound she brings it in catch comes up to seven rebounds looking for inside They had it for a second but the defense was so good on little go outside she could work it inside to her to catch them.

Came in, ran right to her spot, turned around look for the ball, wanted it but good defensive pressure on the wing.

Drive to the paint drive kick.

What's she going to do with it?

She once again did the same thing.

That's the third time Coach is mad, but she's got to maybe want the foul on the floor.

Hey, he better watch it.

Yeah, he's he's chirping as these officials.

I mean, they're getting the call right Double team know where to go with the fight through double finds a teammate open three no good back of the rim good strong rebound that'll get the Bergman fans up on their feet.

Trammell pulls down the rebound and sellers foul odor and then sellers just kind of looked down at her.

Yeah she kind of violently picked up her foot.

Yeah.

Microchipping is going on right now Holt with it gets it to Trammell Travel drives it to the paint.

Trammell double teamed outside open three.

Holt Got it here and Holt with her third three of the game.

She's a perfect three for three.

Holt on Defense Forces The long three no good Burger rebound bourbon a little bit of a run here.

They're up 15 Salem needs a stop Holt with it gets a screen looks inside to catch them catch them corrals it up foul on the floor to catch them doing a great job of getting very good post position.

She's posting up really low inside that block and when she catches it there, there's not much they can do except for foul.

Well, and Kelly Hall's trying to go around to get to get any type of position, but she shoots so strong down there that hall just can't do anything there.

When she tries to go around her, she uses her size height just to pin her defender and has a great look husky with it.

Gets it over to let's go to open three.

Collins buries it lead grows to 18 sellers gives it up they'll try a deep three off the back of the rim sellers with the rebound sellers will try the three no good good box out by Holt she draws the foul Well it was a lot smaller but she did a great job of blocking out and straight up gets the rebound Berkman draws the foul They have the ball.

They have to leave.

They're in control.

Berkman, up 18, leaves.

This is the centennial big state basketball championship from Arkansas.

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Berkman in control right now, 3719 here in the quarter.

It's been a good third quarter for Berkman.

They've outscored Salem tended to looking to add to their lead to a let's go illegal screen turnover for Berkman called that on Collins that's her third personal foul now that's her fourth excuse me fourth personal foul She has come out of the game Husky comes back into the game for her That's Bergman's third team foul Salem has 14 fouls.

Next foul for Salem could send Berkman to the free throw line Sellers walk in she kicks it out.

Had an open look, turned it down Franks being heavily defended Huskies all over her Let's go on defense Bergman playing very good defense and that's been a big part of the game.

What a fine, great moment for Sellers.

No good, though.

Bergman comes away with the rebound.

That's Trammell pushing it.

Lowry pulls it out, looking inside to a cutting.

Holt Holt throws it up and in, Boy, she's so good.

I mean, we talk so much about how much Molly Sellers attacks.

But so far in this game, Taryn Holt has attacked attack, attack.

And she's been successful almost every time.

She's only missed twice today.

Better feel good when she's putting up a shot right now.

Deep three off the back of the rim.

Salem chases it down Reed with it, but she turns it over.

Husky with it.

Husky all the way.

Husky gets the layup, but there was a little bit of travel there.

She shuffled her feet, but the officials didn't see it.

She got the two points and Bergman's got a big lead.

4119 with a minute, 57 to play here in the third quarter.

West.

It has been all Bergmann here in the third quarter.

This one so far statistically, Salem only shooting 15%.

Bergman shooting 46% from the three point line.

Salem is one of 15.

Bergman is eight of 17.

And really not a lot of foul shots in this one.

But and you know, we talk so much about that tone rebounding earlier.

WEST that is really kind of that's where Bergman has really shown the most emphasis in the second half.

They're only down by three on the on the rebounding category.

Yeah.

I think Salem has offensive rebound here in the second half and in the first half they had 11.

When you look at the totals, it just were fresh.

So two offensive rebounds for Salem in the second half.

I'm sure that was a point of emphasis for Bergman and coach Go halftime Guy had to do a better job on the rebounding and they have they've responded and their lead is increased Salem with the little ball on the floor no shot that's the fourth foul for Bergman So their next foul will send Bergman or Salem to the free throw line.

Dawkins To throw it in for Salem.

He gets it into the corner to Sellars.

Sellars trying to get the ball back.

She's working the middle, working inside.

He'll try to throw it short.

Loose ball goes to Salem.

Salem almost throws it away.

They corral it, Sellars has it.

Sellars drives off the front of the rim.

Sellers just can't get it to go.

And that's going to be a foul on Sellars.

That'll be her fourth personal foul to that's going to send Bergman to the free throw line at the other end that's going to get travel to the free throw line.

And Trammel only wants point They came at the free throw line, of course, but that was their leading scorer coming into the game.

They've done a great job on her, but it's her teammates that have stepped up today.

Holt With 15, Lowry with nine.

And Winslow got the new free throw rule in high school sports this year.

She knocks down that one.

There's no more one and one two free throws per foul begins after five fouls and it resets each quarter.

So that's the new National Federation rule that was implemented just this year with the triple line.

Travel goes to the line and knocks down both free throws.

She has three points now.

Salem in trouble.

They got to get some points and in a hurry.

We're just dogging Keller.

Sellars finds an open teammate, can't get it to fall, and Bergman once again comes away with the rebound.

Lowry gives it up to Holt.

Now they're going to start taking their time.

There's no need to be in a hurry when you're up 24 points.

Still 10 seconds on the play clock.

Now they'll go to work.

Look inside off some hands.

Control Yep.

It's going to be Salem's Ball.

Good.

Look, probably just need a little air under that ball to pull direct pass catch which comes back into the game.

Savannah catch them.

SAT for a little bit in foul trouble the last 30 seconds to go in the third quarter Sellars being just defended tightly by a hold kick in the corner drive baseline shot is blocked by Patterson that's him with a big smile on her face.

5 seconds deep three Holt with the rebound and misses the shot One of the few times she miss it may have been her easiest shot of the day and she could get it to fall.

But Bergman has a big lead as they go the fourth quarter.

Bergman, 43, Salem, 19.

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Discover more about our cutting edge facility and check availability at some of sports dot com is now in session support for Arkansas PBS sports comes from Wendy's who invites you to drive their new breakfast burrito to get your morning rolling available at participating U.S. Wendy's start in the fourth quarter Bergman in control and they're going to start working some clock I imagine taking their time from the run a little three man we've out top with it.

Trammell Trammell drives in.

That's our first basket of the game.

Yeah, she's been very quiet.

She's let her teammates just do you.

They've been they've been pulling all the workload.

She's like, I don't have to do a whole lot.

But it's only her second shot from the floor.

Yeah, five points for their leading scorer but Holt with 15 catch them with a Salem gets the open three but that's been in the story of the game they're now one of 17 from the three point overall they're six of 45 that is 13%.

Well it's hard to win when you shoot poorly and it's been a tough shooting night for Salem.

Well, and here's the thing.

The the three point game is not Salem's game.

And their their game is the dribble drive working into Keller's hands.

That's a deep three.

And that is really their their game plan.

And so now that they're trying to play catch up, they're settling for threes and that's just not what they're used to.

There's another three that one bounces around no good catch them, goes up high, gets the rebound, catch them now with nine rebounds she's getting close to a double double eight points, nine rebounds.

Let's go with it drives looks the kick kind of shuffled her feet a little bit came to a jump stop but her feet move Get her for a traveling turn over for Bachmann state.

Well making a couple of substitutions.

Who sellers will bring the ball up ten points for Sellars but three of 23, she hasn't made a three yet.

She's over six from the three point line.

Sellars from 15 foot gets that one to fall.

You can tell she can shoot it.

Yeah, just fall in tonight.

Well, she's forced a lot because she has been the she felt like she had to put the game on her back when they started to get down and you saw her for some shots and things just weren't going as easy for that one.

Rims out for travel in and out.

Sellars Looking inside just over her teammates hands, the turnover for Salem Strong just couldn't get there for you hear a loud ovation as Terron hole exits the game 15 points six of nine from the floor, three of three from the three point line.

See Salem doing some three quarter court pressing, trying to do something, trying to change the game a little bit.

Bergmann runs down the loose ball Trammell goes baseline, kicks it to a teammate what a pass catcher finishes she's got ten everything's rolling right now for Berglund and they move the ball so effectively Salem hits the three, finally gets one to fall.

That's keen with it.

It's just their second three of the game.

Franks hit one earlier in the game, just two of 19.

That was an open three No good fight for the rebound.

Bergman comes away with a Bergman inside to catch them double teamed and she puts it in That's a double double for Erb She still needs one rebound.

I thought she got her 10th rebound Salem with the open three.

Now they're hitting it back to back threes for Salem Too little too late there.

No give up here in a state championship game you to keep fighting try it again from that corner Still can't get it to go but they've worked it over to Hillenburg a couple of times before the loose ball.

He's going to have a jump ball where they call.

Yeah, they call the jump ball and it's going to go with Salem, catch them, brings it I'm sorry.

Sellars brings it up, finds a teammate wide open underneath, but no good one.

Kind of the story of the day just can't get the shot to fall.

Drive inside foul is called Olsen Lowry to the free throw line Lowry hit some quick threes to open the game Kind of got Bergman going You know sometimes it's just making some early shots The team loosens up, see the ball go through the net a couple of times and everyone just relaxes.

And you saw.

Bergman Relax.

Bergman I think we got to get more credit for their defense.

What done today in forcing, say, them, nine of 51 from the floor, three of 20 now from the three point line, but they've held Salem to just 27 points for the year.

Bergman's defense has only given up 36 and a half points per game.

So they're, you know, right around that average, right?

Maybe below the average.

Yeah.

And I'll say this, where they really picked up their defensive performance in the second quarter.

I mean, if you think it was back kind of back and forth there in the first quarter, but they really tightened up their midway through the second and they've not let up since this has been a a team that has really done a good job on the defensive side of the basketball.

Hey, it's up for our Arkansas PBS student, all star, and it's Corey Sanders from Lamar High School.

She's a point guard, only a junior with a 4.2 GPA.

She plans to go to college for athletics and continue to be a math teacher and a coach.

And Corey Sanders is our Arkansas PBS student star.

Talk about ratcheting up their defense.

They gave up seven points in the second quarter, two points, and that's they outscored 16 to 2 in the third quarter.

Salem has scored more here in 4 minutes, eight points than they did in the second quarter of the third quarter, thanks to a couple of threes.

Lowry finishes it off drive to the basket stop shot back of the rim no good Salem battles for the rebound got a foul called on the floor for the first team foul second team foul for Salem and that'll be our media timeout Berman 50 Salem 27.

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Ofcom Birdman trying to finish things off here in the 38 girls state championship game.

They lead Salem by 23 points, 335 to play.

I'm much more joined by R.J. Hawke.

And we see some nice substitution, some celebration for Bergman as they realize another state championship that's headed their way.

And, you know, you had to take down the defending champ to win this one.

And look, Bergman is no stranger to championships, but got him.

Feel good to have that trophy back home.

Bergman tries a three no good Salem with the rebound worked the ball around drive to the basket cut off spins in for strong Strong makes her second attempt of the game.

She wanted to turn down the three hill and Burks not been shy about shooting that three when she came in.

She's tried four of them.

Yeah.

Five.

Bam!

There she goes.

She finally knew she was the a shooter because she kept shooting for the shooters.

Do they just keep shooting?

Yeah.

Pat Bradley told me that a long time ago right here on these broadcasts.

The shooters just got to shoot.

Well, she's 20% now.

Paige Ellenberg, a seniors.

She'll never forget that.

Look at her.

The reaction is even better.

Running down the court.

She put her hands up, looked over, not read her lips.

Finally, she's gonna let somebody else get into the act.

No good.

Fight for the rebound jump ball.

It's going to go to Salem.

Yeah, HILLENBURG could have taken another one there, but she gave it up to one of her teammates.

None of her teammates.

Middleton Lawrence Wilburn.

They hadn't taken the shot yet, so she was wanting to get somebody else into the action.

So Salem has done the same things mass substitution, a lot of their backups in giving these girls a chance to play in the state championship game that's in there.

So I'll throw it back out.

Top 12 on the shot clock.

Well, shoot it from the baseline.

No good.

And if you're if you're Bergman I don't know if they know Slow down I think they go all gas no break all the time Drive in turnover save them has it coming the other way.

Strong strong Takes it all the way to the basket and she gets her second basket of the game.

She's got you got got 35 seconds on the play clock.

You just heard that thing, you know, working inside outside.

But they're going to work some of the players into the game.

It's like Kinsley, Sey is going to come in as well as Paige Smith, both freshmen.

It's going to be a thrill for them.

But they didn't wake up this morning thinking they were going to get into the state championship game.

I mean, how great is it, though, like being able for coach?

It's good to get some of these freshmen into it into a state championship game.

And, you know, really build that program.

The other three that made it, Katie Wilburn, she gave a little fist bump, Katie, a53 junior Berkman fans clapping.

They've got one.

They want a second one.

Their boys playing.

Next take on K.C.

after this game you got three more substitutions.

Coach Bo Smith who is the Bergman Boys coach.

He serves as an assistant on this this women's team.

He's been sitting on the bench the entire time.

And he's actually going down the line giving all the girls a high five, and he'll be coaching his boys the next game.

He said, Well, it's just on the bench with him.

I think he actually does no time to celebrate.

no bags.

Get a move to the next one.

Last 40 seconds of this game.

Save them drives in shot block from behind Salem will keep possession of it.

One more substitution.

Get more and more young lady into the game.

High fives.

She comes off Salem with the three no good Birdman with the rebound blast.

25 seconds.

The shot clock is off.

They can dribble out, baby.

One of the few times in Bergman basketball that they just just dribble Don't take a shot but Katie Wilber just going to dribble out there above the key puts a smile on her face.

The Bergman starters on the bench, the Bergman fans, their feet.

A state championship for the Bergman Girls, their first in two years, 2022 and now 2024.

Congratulations to the Lady Panthers.

They win it 56 to 33.

Bergman beat Salem earlier this year.

The score 5638.

They score 56 again, but do an even better job on defense they celebrate a state championship.

We'll be back and hear from the winning coach, the MVP and much more.

This is a centennial State basketball championships on Arkansas PBS Sports from The Birdman Girls win the three eight Girls State Championship.

5633 Your final score, James.

So let's go there.

Head coach joins us now.

Coach, congratulations.

Appreciate it.

How are you feeling?

Feel good.

Relieved that it's over.

I get all that tension before you're happy when you're done.

You know, offense is great.

I know you guys and your girls can shoot the three, but I was impressed with the defense.

You held Salem to 33 points.

That was our goal going into it.

I told them we're not even controlling our offense.

Our offense typically takes care of itself.

Someone's going to step up.

We have so many scores, but most people think we're up in you pressing team.

But our goal is don't get scored on half court defense.

And we made a goal to keep them under 40 this game and we were told we can keep them under 45.

We should win and coach you.

The officials let them play a little bit in this one.

And I saw there was a couple times you were asking for an over the back.

But the pace of play, it seemed like it helped you guys because they were a little bit more out of control and it helped your defensive side of things.

Yeah, but we love that type of pace that it was going in.

They adjust our especially my ball handlers adjust really good to different style pace but defense he let us get set up really good and when we got to play our half court defense get set and make them make a bad choice, it really it fueled our offense at times too.

Coach, congratulations.

I appreciate it, guys.

Good luck in the next game.

Thank you.

That's one down for Burgman.

They've got another one to go with the boys.

Here's a look at some of the statistics for you in this three eight girls state championship game.

Yeah, 37% from the field, 21 to 50 for Bergman, 12 of 58 for 13% for Salem three pointer.

So that's where Bergman shined.

They were 50%, 10 to 27 excuse me, they were ten of 27 from three point line.

Salem was three of 23.

And we've got MVP now as Ruby Trammell joins us.

And Ruby, you know, when we talk about MVP, it's not just for a state championship game, it's for the entire tournament.

Will, quieter a night for you tonight because your teammates were just balling out all night.

Yeah, I'm so proud of all of them.

They all did what they had to do and we all just knew our roles.

And it's not all about scoring everything.

My teammates did what they had to do when the score wasn't there.

We knew we had the breakdown on defense and we were all just ready for it.

In our notes, we had you both for it on February 9th.

Yes.

How's your foot?

It's a little sore right now, but I'm just going to.

You just have to do what you have to do.

I just have to fight through the pain and do what was best for my team.

And I'm now I just get the rest.

It didn't bother you during the game, could you?

Yeah, it does, But I'm just like, my coach has made it where we're like mentally tough so nothing can bother us.

Whenever on the floor I scrap it really tight.

Does it hurt right now?

Yeah.

Like a title.

Nothing hurts.

Hey, real quick, you know, being a senior and and going out on top like this, you had experience in the title game before going into this game.

Were you kind of preparing other some of the other girls on what it was going to be like?

Yeah, I gave everybody a big, big pep talk in our hotel.

And then whenever we got back to the and I told them, Just play like we have all year because we've been preparing by going to big tournaments and playing in big facilities to get used to it.

And I told them it's just like that's what play like it's any other game.

What are you going to do now?

I'm going to play, I want to talk about this and then I'm going to go party like right now.

What is what are you about to do, Pour water on my coach?

Well, go do that.

Congratulations on the state title.

You play to win Ruby travel.

Joining us, the MVP, the state tournament, one down for Birdman.

Now the boys are on the court.

They're getting ready to play the CAC Mustangs.

Let's take look at some of the highlights from this three eight girls game.

Birdman got off to a good start and it was because of the three pointer.

They were knocking those threes down and it wasn't so much as Ruby Trammell.

But Kristen Lowry got into the act early and then taken hold.

I'll tell you what, they got a great game from Holt, six of nine from the floor, three for three from the three point line.

She led the team in scoring with 15 points.

Salem They had trouble shooting the ball today and her shooting percentage at 12 of 58.

That's 21% from the floor, ten three pointers, just three of 23.

Birdman knocked down ten threes today.

They were ten of 27 from the three point line, and not to mention catch them.

I thought she had a fantastic game four for Birdman.

She almost finished with a double double 12 points, nine rebounds and not to mention she played with three and four fouls throughout the second half of this ballgame.

So really, you could have had another MVP.

It could have been catch them.