I was.

What a turnaround here had his been for bit.

And they finished seventh in the south.

A year ago.

Didn't even make it to the post-season.

That's a loaded five south conference.

Been on top of the conference this year.

Pine Bluff finished third.

They knocked off, like able to get here.

Let's take a look, though, at a little deeper dive.

Been on their bracket, the road to make it to hot springs and it was absolutely tough.

A lot of nail biters.

Let's take a look at that.

Beaten making it all the way to the championship mountain home was first knocked off.

Maumelle as we actually look at Pine Bluff first, they knocked off Lake Hamilton in one of the best games in postseason history in the state of Arkansas, knocking off Coach Pennington and Company.

Well, they've got a good player, Courtney Crutchfield.

He's going to lean on in key and on today.

Yeah.

And look 19 and a half points a game seven and seven points, six rebounds per game.

He's a commitment to the University of Missouri football team all around.

Athlete.

I will say this.

I've been watching Courtney Crutchfield for a while now.

He might be a better basketball player than he is a football player.

The kid is really talented and it's going to be a matchup to see how he faces up against Benton in this one.

Well, as we look at Benton, we kind of jumped the gun on that, the bracket and what it took to get them here.

They had a loaded bracket on their side as well.

They knocked off Monmouth in an overtime thriller there in the quarterfinals, handed Little Rock Park to an 18 point loss.

And then now they'll face the zebras for the third time, very familiar foes trying to make it their first state championship in school history.

Fine.

We'll try to make it 15.

They've won 14 state titles, a loaded Pine Bluff bunch.

Benton Good as well.

We expect a good one.

What are the keys to the game?

Well, and look at Kerryon Burgess.

First off, you see him right there.

The kid is outstanding.

And I will tell you this, J.B., you were talking about a key to the game.

Terry Helm Burgess is the key for Ben.

You get him rolling in this one.

And Terry on Burgess is one of the best players, not only in the state of Arkansas but in the entire country.

24 points a game, ten rebounds a game.

I look at between him and Boateng over at Little Rock Central as probably the two best basketball players in the state of Arkansas this year.

And if they can keep him out of foul trouble, because that's one thing that Pine Bluff is going to do.

They're going to go after him hard, try to get him in foul trouble.

And if he can still foul trouble, boy, Ben's going to be set up nicely.

He's a walking double.

Double.

He talked about his impact auto each team need to do to pick up the win today.

Well, I think really for both teams, I look at Ben first or excuse me, Pine Bluff first.

And really what it comes down to is you got to clamp down on Burgess and you got to win the rebound battle.

If you don't do that, it's all for naught.

He is such a force down low that if if they can't defend the boards, it's going to be a long day for the Pine Bluff Zippers.

As for Ben, I'll tell you one thing.

This is a team that they've got to limit Pine Bluff to second chance points and really not allow for Courtney Crutchfield in this problem zipper team to get off to a hot start.

These two teams have seen each other a couple times.

It was a really close game.

Both times you're not going to see anybody jump out early in this one, but you don't want all roll in and take this one over.

Because I'll tell you this, I've been doing games for 14 years right here and things change when you walk on to the to the arena floor here in Hot Springs, if you I don't care what you've done all year, when you get under the bright lights, you get on TV, there's just a little bit different mojo working for each team, going into to a Saturday, Friday, Saturday and Hot Springs five eight title game on the line, beaten just their second appearance in school history.

They made it back in 2008.

Weren't able to get the job done so you know the jitters play a factor.

Pine Bluff, they were here a year ago.

Certainly that will play to their advantage.

But you kind of throw everything when it comes down to the state final game.

You look at head coach Dexter Hendrix, the head Bitten Panther, Billy Dixon, the head coach for Pine Bluff, the five day coach of the year a year ago.

Loaded lineup spins lineup will go like this.

Caden Higgins Excuse me and Gray Darian Burgess will jump center in Shelby, Jabari Russell, younger brother Braylon Russell and Harrison Prickett.

And then for Pine Bluff, they're going to go with Braylon Hall, Darian Grady, Jamal Hickman, Courtney Crutchfield of course.

And in the final man, boy, this is the atmosphere playing one of the best atmospheres we're going to see outside of that six eight game tonight.

A lot of folks have packed in here to bank cozy arena for this one.

Darian, great man.

Terry Burgess at midcourt to jump center.

And here we go.

The Southern State title game is under way.

JB Brazil alongside R.J. Hall.

Glad you're with us.

As Benton controls the opening tip as they look to set up offense, both teams score at a high clip.

Benton averaging 68 a game, trying to score first game, build a rebound to push out Pine Bluff.

They like to move fast.

They averaged 65 points a game as Crutchfield Schott altered off the sound of Glass.

Benton moving the other way, trying to push the tempo that's Prickett throws it away.

Crutchfield An interception end to end and knocked down a play by Jahvaris Russell.

I tell you what, you know, you talk about how, you know, feelings, you got emotion drawn into this one.

You know, it's a final game, so you're going to see a much faster pace in what you normally see in one of these games.

Darian Great.

In travel with the basketballs, he tried to pound his way in.

You're right, this is going to be a gritty, aggressive game.

Darian Great.

And averaging 11.7 points per contest, but he's also averaging 8.6 rebounds per game.

He's a guy that can do it all close to the glass.

Still scoreless, just 45 seconds gone here in the period.

Number one Panthers trying to make it three straight on the year against Pine Bluff pull up three Harrison Pickett to strong battle for the rebound Addie great putback good that's a great job Skying for the rebound Take a dribble and put it back You're going to see some guys elevate in this one.

This big Panthers team riding a 16 game winning streak.

They went undefeated in conference play.

Their last loss came to Archbishop Wood on December 29th, just after Christmas.

They are playing at a very high level.

Crutchfield trying to answer pull up, jumper, running out offensive board.

He'll put back from Randy Amerson Junior, one of the other starters.

That's a great job right there.

You don't initially get the rebound.

You keep fighting, keep on it.

Get him to stick it right back.

Yeah.

So both teams with an offensive rebound in the put back second chance points we talked about that being the key so far things all square now a drive will jump start too much traffic and Pickett watch with the basketball he shuffled his feet there he was trying to get position down low shuffled his feet and went up with it and good call by the official on the far side.

Now Benton bringing in a little bit of full court man, just trying to bring a little bit of pressure to slow things down for the zebras.

That's Braylon Hall, who runs the point.

A guy averaging 7.7 assists a game.

They run their offense through hall.

There's a drive through stripped by Abby Gray and bit He's got numbers three on one.

Russell tried to lob to Burgess but it's denied Crutchfield On the other end he sticks it and he's going to line That's it I mean great job right there by Crutchfield.

You got to go up and attack the basket and you know, you're going to have rim pressure when you get up there.

And that time just a great follow through to get the bucket to go and get the foul ad.

Gray was the one that initiated contact.

He picked up the personal Crutchfield pit complete the three point play though it is rowdy in the spa city today still early in quarter number one Benton trailing by a bucket as Pine Bluff takes their first lead of the day.

So kick it out corner three Shelby Buckets.

Yeah.

He's going to hit you every time in that corner like that.

And then on and on.

On the rain.

Carry on.

Great.

In beating the Panthers up the A ten to the three point play half a day of back and forth we go.

I mean if you are in the arena right now it is a massive Pine Bluff crowd Massive Ben crowd And the emotions are going crazy on both sides.

Great.

And completes the three point play.

We talked about their young grading averaging 11.7 points a game but he does it all 3.7 assists average per game 2.3 blocks just under two steals a game.

He is a do it all kind of guy.

They're going to need him to do it all today if they're going to be beaten for the first time this year.

Foul on Burgess down low on the entry pass Good defense but a little too much contact as the Panthers will inbounds on the baseline Burgess will be the trigger man very physical early couple of fouls for both sides it'll feed Burgess pull up from the elbow got it to go all square it's seven now Braylon Hall and the offense they try to set something up he's guarded by Jahvaris Russell he pulls up wants an elbow jumper two and he got that one Boy that is a great job your battle and trying to get position.

You lost your position.

You lost your balance there for a minute.

Well, they'll pull up, make the shot, call a five south all conference player a year ago and then on the defensive side of Russell is swatted out of play trying to go with the left hand lay up but there was no home cooking.

Good defense coming on the side.

Jamal Hickman with the rejection.

And I think that he was won a foul call Pick me juice box Burgess That's back to back for Hickman a foul after the block.

We'll see.

That's going to be on the floor And he he blocked.

BURGESS And really it's because Burgess was falling backwards away.

He never went to his highest point.

He was falling backwards and just never was able to find a good position.

Now, a three ball cricket money from the way you're not going to find many open shots like that one in this game.

Hickman And pardon me.

Prickett gives the Panthers a one point advantage in in Russell flashing for the steal, but he got too much arm of Brooklyn Hall.

You like the idea, but boy, how about the kick out the rookie?

Yeah.

I mean, like I said, I bet you we don't see any more opportunities with that.

You're that wide open for a three point shot.

Everything's going to be contested, this one.

And you know, if you can get them, why you get them, go for it.

Both of these teams scoring defense right at 53 points a game.

They are a locked down defenders at this level.

That's why that finding itself was so good and for trying to draw the contact couldn't keep his balance and he turned it over with the travel well, a little out of control.

As he was rolling in there.

He was he went in there violently and just lost control and travel with the basketball, bringing it ahead.

Harrison Prickett, he knocked down that three ball a moment ago that gave the Panthers the lead and now an offensive foul.

That's a moving screen on ad gray player control foul on the turnover gives it back to the zebras 10 to 9 it is back and forth.

Hurley from Hot Springs will step aside.

You're watching this attitude make say basketball championships on Arkansas beauty sports Centennial Bank is committed to you.

Since our founding in 1999, we've become one of the nation's most trusted banks by remembering that you come first, by empowering our communities to reach their highest potential through our dedication to local charities, education and exceptional service.

Because we are proud to call Arkansas home banking with you in mind, the Centennial Bank member FDIC.

When you choose Conway Regional, you're choosing a health care partner rooted in your community with nine primary care locations in five counties.

We believe in building lasting relations that center on trust and personalized care.

But our family care for yours.

Support for Arkansas PBS Sports comes from Windows who invite you to drive their brand new breakfast burrito to get your morning rolling available to all participating U.S., Wendy's, Wendy's.

I'll tell you what, Jamie, that the pace of this game is frantic.

But one thing to note then right now has not shot a three point shot.

Pine Bluff is two of three.

Right now I'm shooting three marks.

Jimmy put that.

Ben is two of three right now.

That's right.

That's what that's the difference in the game.

Both teams have a lot of scoring.

Four players on each side have gotten into the action with scoring.

Neither side has a player that scored more than three points.

Shelby and Prickett, both of the three ball that they have three apiece they're on great and had a three point play.

He's the only player for Pine Bluff with three Everybody else had scored has two points, so very good distributed scoring and one we got a moment We need to take a moment to talk about the late Freddie Reinhart.

Yeah, and legend.

Yeah, well, he would be smiling and love to be a part of this run.

They know he's looking down too, But Freddy would be sitting right front row watching his bed panthers, and he'd be right in the middle of this whole thing.

He was a longtime supporter.

He supported football, basketball, baseball and passed away a few weeks ago.

And yeah, he's he's watching down from above right now.

The heart and soul of this team is there's a nice feed down out below Darian Gruden I mean love the No look pass and the dunk right there and it was just a matter of time Who will get a first dunk bit and trying to respond Pickett steps up and knocks down the Jay Pickett looking good hit a three ball a moment ago and knocked that now with confidence Yeah it just had a little bit of space and back and forth we go on the score one point advantage for Benton after Pine Bluff took the lead on that dunk and now too many steps from Payton begins Turns it over you know at Pine Bluff just slowed down just just a touch to it you know they're playing at such a frantic pace.

If they slowed down to get their feet underneath them, they'd be able to serve the plays a little bit more.

And that's exactly right.

Both teams now with four turnovers apiece, you got to figure that whoever can limit those has a better chance to win this thing.

Outlet two Crutchfield After the Miss Cradle lays it up.

Nice finish.

Well, I tell you what, right before that play, Ben Terry on Burgess laid a block just a screen right there.

Poor kid just ran right into a wall.

Yeah.

That's not not fun.

Burgess is not a small frame either.

a69 junior.

And I'm gonna tell you right now, you run it full speed into that.

It's like hitting one of those barricades outside a bit too hot springs.

Not a good idea.

Burgess Holding offers from many power.

Five schools.

Arkansas.

Oklahoma.

Kansas State.

Oklahoma State.

Ole Miss.

The list goes on and on.

Alabama is on that list.

That guy is a highly touted recruit.

Yeah, pretty much any school in the power five school in the country is warning if it's a name, they want him.

That's exactly right.

He's been held at bay thus far.

Crutchfield is still trying to take it himself to strong but right there for the putback arena.

Emerson Junior Yeah, that's a great job.

You saw Pine Bluff slow it down a little bit.

Crutchfield led the way and was able to get the score.

Panthers trying to respond down by three their largest deficit.

That tells you anything.

This game has been so close.

Russell jump step nicely off the glass.

Got the four roll on the other end.

Crutchfield trying to beat the defense, but Burton still does.

If he had J.

One, Courtney Crutchfield He looked back and he just clapped.

And it was a foul, right?

But he comes in, look at that.

Courtney Crutchfield goes, Wow, where did you come from?

So they're going to get the foul on Burgess Boy, you come here, this'll come out around the stadium.

If Crutchfield can't get it done, the first one to the best he can do is make it a two point lead.

Well, this is a good one.

Early, the crowd getting rowdy.

Crutchfield gets one of two gets that one to fall.

And now the Panthers, a chance to tie or take the lead here with about a minute 50 seconds to play in the first now Burgess speeds to kick it good defense from the zebra's Prickett the hesitation kick out Russell one more now the drive Russell by Shelby often last out of play and the zebras will have it up too.

I'll tell you what, Terry I'm Burgess for being six nine.

He handles the ball really, really well.

I mean can really dribble drive and he's got great handles on the basketball Well you got to like a guy like that.

Got a good basketball IQ as well.

There's a reason everybody's in at the next level that threes off the mark from the corner but a nice offensive rebound the pope couldn't get it to go second try yes from Dario and great My goodness that kid's throwing some effort That's what he was able to he was able to just get a fingertip on that last one for it to go back in there.

And boy, I feel like we played a full game.

We're only 7 minutes into this one as this one goes another bucket on this side.

Burton cutting the deficit to two with under one to play Courtney Crutchfield only got five points on the day Graydon leads all scorers with seven.

He and Prickett both have seven.

Is Burgess flashy play they're going to call foul on pine Bluff so the zebras on the foul after the takeaway and with 46 seconds still a ten second differential between the shot and game clock and the zebras can hold more than likely they'll get the final shot of the quarter.

You just don't want to see the way I don't understand how you're not having to sub people out regularly with as fast as this game's moving back and forth.

I mean, they just made their pump up, just made their first substitution.

Ben has not substituted anybody yet.

And the pace of this game, these guys are incredibly conditioned.

Yeah, that's Austin Denby.

He's the player for Pine Bluff, his team in where there are a lot more conditioned than I am, I'll tell you that.

Nice steal for the Panthers, but trying to push too much.

The Panthers get it back Burgess left hand were tied ties the ball game 1818 so the zebras will hold here for the final shot More than likely they'll kick it corner three no good the Panthers the rebound then they'll get the chance zebras pushed and it might have come back to Costa.

No is that was out of bounds off of paddle night but once again the pace moving so fast.

Players are trying to run before they catch the ball.

They just we talk about football all the time.

You got to catch it first.

And right now you're seeing guys just want to move so fast.

Seven turnover of the game is that three balls off the mark Crutchfield The rebound up put back right before the buzzer sounds and we played one quarter from hot Springs It's a tight one Pine bluff up a bucket You're watching the Centennial Bank State Basketball Championships on Arkansas.

PBS Sports Southern locked so proud sponsor of Arkansas PBS.

It is our mission to tell your story by adding color with our furniture.

And that's my Southern loft is a different kind of furniture store.

For more information, go to my mother in law's com.

Looks like we have some new help in the marketing department.

Action high and zero with everything AT&T, I think you do the work on your wine budget.

How about you do it?

Family and customer.

Friends.

Family.

Our North country is a big DNC.

I very excited that everybody is now in session.

Get your live action photos from the game at my air pbs.org.

Backslash photos, grab free downloads, have prints made.

These are great championship keepsakes.

Well, our jet has gone back and forth really even throughout.

But one thing that's not even is the points in the paint Pine Bluff with net 16 to 6.

That's really the only glaring difference.

Well, you've but you've seen a lot of, you know, breakaways and you've seen a lot of transition baskets for Pine Bluff to where they can get it down and get a layup.

You know, really at the end of the day for Ben, they're really trying to move the ball around and they're settling for jumpers outside the paint.

And that's where all other scoring is coming from so far.

So they're going to try to adjust a little bit, maybe try to score from a lot closer.

First, Pine Bluff will start with the basketball.

Nice drive left side, no good.

The defensive rebound pulled down by bit.

And that shot from Dendy by Pine Bluff.

As Prickett brings it ahead.

It is a fast paced game.

The baseline jumper is rejected into the seats by Randy Emerson Junior Day said Not today.

Well at what you have, Shelby.

Yeah I don't I don't think he was expecting him to get that high whenever he went up to make that side.

Burgess buries it and see that's what makes him one of the top players in the country.

It's not that he can just post up down low and dribble drive.

It's the fact that he can pull up from the outside and also knock down threes.

Well, you know what that's going to do?

If he starts hitting from three, that'll open up the middle.

They're going to have to guard.

That's going to give him some breathing room.

That's something that the zebras do not want to have happen is Burgess to get high pressure applied for?

Ben They'll beat it across corner.

Three zebras wanted an answer but couldn't get it to go and the Panthers to push too hard on Burgess to fake the lay up No and he's fouled on the drive Boy I thought there for a minute he was just going to try to run right into him and over him.

But it's a smart move by Burgess if you watch.

He went around him and tried to try to avoid the contact, which is what picked up, you know, the blocking foul when I think too he had a little bit that that fake that pass that's what kept bringing Hall a little bit off balance so he was still moving as Burgess ran into you're exactly right first free throw score it extends the lead to two for Benton That's a large lead of the day, believe it or not.

Pine Bluff, they've led by as much as four.

That's not very, very big now.

No.

And I don't imagine you're going to see much of a lead for either one of these two teams as this game goes on.

22 to 20.

Is Terry and Burgess trying to complete both free throws?

They'll do just that.

The lead is three now for Benton as they keep the pressure applied, Jamaal Hickman gets it across.

Randy Anderson Lay up.

No working out of any way.

That's a chance.

That is a great job.

That Time by Ian Shelby.

Shelby saw him going out and he just gets his feet planted and just takes the chance.

He knows it's coming, but you don't want to go too soon to make it be a flop.

God said, Let him run you over.

You're moving the ball the other way.

You get the ball back.

So now, Ben, the chance to extend the lead beyond four and something that neither side's been able to do it in a game like this, momentum is huge.

Defensive stops are big after both teams have really turned the ball over quite a bit.

Seven turnovers for Benton, six for Pine Bluff, and there's the eighth is Benton turns it over again.

Crutchfield can't make them pay those He misses the easy two.

Now we've got a whistle to travel.

JB Ben got it.

And he shuffled his feet that time for Ben Tiberius Russell.

When he got the ball, he said, I think Russell has actually believe that was yeah, that was Russell who was able to get it and he just shuffled his feet just a little too much.

So the ninth turnover.

Crutchfield as his defender beat he's fouled from behind by Prickett and he'll get to at the free throw line Boy really been shot themselves in the foot quite a bit here in this sequence.

Yeah And really on the last you know you've been three or four trips down the side big to could have taken control of the ballgame but self-inflicted wounds are the reason why they don't have a bigger lead.

Crutchfield A chance to cut into that deficit knocks down the first Courtney.

Crutchfield Also, you talked about him being a highly recruited football player committed to Missouri.

He was also a first team concussion classic selection this year.

He's a guy on the basketball floor.

And you said that might be better basketball than he at football.

Certainly arguably is just that he's a very talented player, an athlete.

And that's really all you can say.

Yeah.

No, I mean, just I believe he does track and field as well.

I mean, the kid is there's a reason why the Missouri Tigers wanted him.

Well, he's the closest thing to Bassil Shabazz.

And you're going to find a graduate from Pine Bluff.

Years ago, Burgess beats him to the lane and it's good.

That's just impressive right there.

You're getting pushed off into the end of the baseline.

It was still able to make the shot.

Now bringing it out high for the zebras.

Braylon Hall trailing by four Nice give and go haul might have been altered by Burgess on that one and Benton's outrunning Prickett they double it finds Shelby up and under No but he's fouled and he'll go to the line But here right now watching Eli Shelby hurry Elam Shelby It's funny because he's not jumping as big as these guys.

These other guys out here, right?

Just.

It's not happening.

But he's mixing it up and he's like, You know what?

I'm no good at it.

I'm going to get fouled.

I'm going to get my foul and just go back to the line and shoot this thing.

Well, when he shot it, you could tell he was moving that ball because he knew it.

So he knew the trees were about to come over the top of him.

Day one, Ellis and Caleb.

Night.

Check back into the game for Bitton.

Shelby's first free throw was good.

Extends the lead out to five, the largest of the day for Bitton.

Again, we reiterate the second time that the Panthers have made it to the state title game.

They've never wanted Pine Bluff.

They've won 14 state titles, including one a year ago.

They're trying to make it back to back.

They trailed by five with the basketball all with it Hill Handoff and that's Randy Amerson.

JR Now the defense for Bitton swarming still plenty of time though, to set up some offense ball spinning around not a whole lot of breathing room tipped around headed towards Citylights play from what's more that's a great job by Shelby playing defense.

He shuffled his feet, kept his guy in front of him, and it made him make an off balance shot.

And I don't think Shelby's getting enough credit for the defense when he's playing this one.

26 to 21 being on top by five, their largest, the largest for either side.

This game has been back and forth all day.

We anticipated that the turnovers though we've harped on that nine four bit and they started to slow down a little bit, not cough it up as much.

Pine Bluff certainly as they had six just about Mosley in the first quarter.

They've done a good job of protecting the basketball but if you look they got shot as well here in this quarter.

That's why they're trailing.

They were shooting 60% at the end of the first quarter.

It's dipped a little bit.

They're now down to 45% and better still staying around the same clip.

Well, and I think when you look at the turnovers, it's because the frantic play I mean, we started the first quarter where I mean, let's run as fast as we can't from one.

Now we're still running, but it's a little bit more of a controlled run.

The pace is still big, but you're a little bit more under control.

And so we've seen the turnovers come down a little bit here in the second quarter.

Yeah, you're exactly.

You can see the last sequence don't step Burgess blocked by Emerson JR and then a foul but they're going to get the foul is that on the shot from Burgess.

I believe it was well it was yeah it was behind they said that Burgess got a go into the push but yeah you saw right there he got his arm.

We're going to call that foul.

I believe we're going to get that on Darian Graydon.

That's his third foul, by the way.

Boy great.

It's been huge.

Early seven points for the zebras Burgess to the line can't connect on the first one that is a big foul He's going to have to come out of the game That's a good catch there.

Jake Phillips will come in and instead but right now depth could be an issue as great as water leading scorers at 11.7 points a game.

On top of that, he's one of their best defenders and rebounder as well.

Still some pressure applied.

They get it across to Emerson loses the basketball and the Panthers with a steal Burgess ahead Alex kicks it out now to Prickett pull up with a right hand to strong in the rebound for Crutchfield Yeah they went strong with it but for the loss of basketball we got a foul from behind that was probably going to go gets Prickett and has anybody by the way gotten a shot of Crutchfield shoes.

Well those are the most colorful shoes, I think I look at those things.

You can't miss it, man.

They got pink and orange and those got blue in there.

And then you look gray.

He's got the purple.

You didn't have his.

But look at that.

I mean, he got got yellow in there.

You got some purple.

He got some, some pink orange.

I mean he got a little bit of everything working in those shoes.

My goodness.

Shoe game is sure to keep him strong.

Yes.

Crutchfield pulling up to strong on the three and Bertans trying to run two on one Burgess the throw down no in that one just about brought the house down and right now the pine ball fans are giving it to Burgess because he tried to slam one home and throw it over overzealous a little bit.

I mean he just a little too much that would have made it an eight point game and would have dug Pine Bluff a whole they catch a break trying to convert on it.

Baseline floater from AMERSON no good out of bounds off of Burgess so it'll stay with Pine bluff you could feel though the collective when he was going up to just hammer that thing it was going to blow the lid off this place.

That would have been the most emphatic dunk arguably of the state championships, Breeland hauls, trying to set up some offense.

Pine Bluff needs a bucket, trying to set something up.

They'll go to Crutchfield.

Their playmaker picks it off his nearly lost it, bitten off and running Shelby spin move Nice find to feed the finish and that is a great find great corner awareness as he's going up saw an open man was able to dish out to an eight point advantage Pine bluff still plenty of time left but they've got to get a stop and they need a bucket here.

They'll go to Crutchfield going to work against Prickett doesn't like what he saw.

Also give off to the point guard Breeland hole.

He'll drive through Nice kick corner three it is blocked pulls able to get him a second chance Thought he's fouled How about Breeland all state around getting that rebound then he's fouled the defense on to close out two from Benton There was no breathing room Well Shelby's the one I mean he's making up for his lack of offense for his defense.

His defense has been outstanding so far on this one offense for Benton coming line, they lead by eight.

You're watching the Centennial Bend State basketball Championship on Arkansas.

PBS Sports.

It's the most exciting academic competition of the year.

And it is live right here on Arkansas PBS.

It's the Arkansas governor's academic Competition Quiz Bowl 2024 State championship schools from all over the state square off right here in this studio to see who will come out on top.

Don't miss a single question.

Quiz Bowl 2024.

Tune in or stream on the PBS app Saturday, April 27, starting at 9 a.m..

Attention, sports enthusiasts Get ready to be amazed by Summer which sports complex the new state of the art facility in Bryan.

Our facility offers up to four courts spread across two spacious gyms conveniently located off Interstate 30.

And Bryan, whether your team seeking tournament glory or an individual looking to elevate your skills, some of which sports has got you covered, discover more about our cutting edge facility and check availability at summer Woods sportscar next level We all live Next level.

Conway Regional Health System is proud to support Spotlight and celebrate Arkansas student athletes at Arkansas PBS Sports Since 1921, Conway Regional Health System has provided complete health care services to the growing communities of North Central Arkansas.

For more information, visit Conway Regional Border.

Eight point advantage for Benton and their offerings has been good.

But really the defense, Pine Bluff, has not scored in just under 3 minutes.

It's a6a run for them, but they say one point for the entire quarter so far in the second quarter.

And what, you know, we talked about how there was a little bit of flow, a lot of inflicted wounds going on in Pine Bluff right now.

Just just play a little bit faster than that than they need to for the pace of this game and to slow it down mentally.

Is Crutchfield trying to go in amongst the trees battling through?

Can't get it to go and the rebound in Benton the drought continues.

Benton trying to end add insult to injury but Allen she wanted out of bounds by the little guy Jamal Hickman the rejection probably the smallest guy on the floor by literally probably the smallest guy on the floor.

How about this one?

Pick them up and he spiked them all.

Hey, he's five, ten and everybody else is six foot plus.

This guy rolls in here and just throws up the stands Shelby gives to Burgess and the Panthers up by eight, trying to make it double digits on this trip.

Cross over Prickett pull up from the elbow back strong, tipped around in the Pine Bluff zippers.

Pull it down boy I tell you, I've said this time and time again.

They need a bucket.

CRUTCHFIELD Through the lane, in and out.

No good and bit in the rebound.

But Cole could have come up with a charge right there as you get a blocking foul on the other end.

You're right.

Could have been more.

There was a no call.

I was anticipating a whistle.

Shelby on the other end moving quickly he'll get free throws his ball just wasn't quite hit you like the look from Hall but here's where you either got to let him drive by a really contested shot Once again, Shelby finding a way to the free throw line.

His guys he's not making field goals, but he's at the line making free throws, averaging ten points per contest throughout the year is in Shelby.

First one, jump in.

Good couple of substitutions.

Day one, Ellis checking in for Darian Burgess and in Jahvaris Russell's we mentioned the younger brother of third year back Russell, who by the way I heard had a great first day of spring practice.

We're going to get a chance to watch a lot of that.

Yeah, they certainly did.

He looked great.

Free throw from Shelby's up and good connects on both in the lead He's ten the largest of the day for bit in Pine Bluff again got to come up with a good offensive possession That's not it.

The steal.

They find Barton's walk out.

He throws it down here, he looks back at the Pine Bluff crowd and just kind of gave him that side.

And it keeps getting worse for Pine Bluff.

They turn it over.

Phillips Out of control.

Another giveaway.

That's the end of the day for the Beavers.

You know, after that, don't we all?

Everybody that was giving him all kinds of grief after he missed the dunk, he just kind of look back over at him with this kind of the Sardar.

He definitely that was an emphasis.

He made a statement on that dunk.

Now we look to drown on the crossover floating up to score and the foul and they go to the own That's what Burgess can do.

My goodness he's so tough to guard.

He reminds you in some ways of a collision where obviously he's elected a little bit different styles of play.

Burgess has got the three point game, but in terms of guarding him when he drives, he can just delete the same.

So he's a lot quicker than Cowher.

But but size wise and the way that he handles the ball.

Yeah.

No, you're exactly right.

Burgess knocks down the first one and it's so tough to guard as a defender without fouling.

You either got to let him go through it or fouling with it.

3436 to 21, a 13 point lead.

It's a baker's dozen for the Panthers and the Zebras and early this game has been so close.

But here in the quarter the Panthers have outscored Pine Bluff 16 to 1.

That's the difference thus far.

No, I mean look and I keep saying this Pine Bluff, they're making shots and their game is to drive the paint late off the glass or dunk it.

That is their game all day long they've been able to do that because they're moving the ball so fast.

They're just out of rhythm.

They're they're they're losing the handle, the ball.

They're they're not able to to get clean passes to one another.

If they slow it down just a touch, I think they would be okay.

I think you're right.

They usually win the rebound battle or they haven't been doing that.

They've not been in position, quite frankly, a little bit too fast to get the rebounds and then they turn the ball over to here flip.

There's just a lot of things that are uncharacteristic for them.

They've got to get back to playing this time.

And what I will say is that this is a Pine Bluff team that's used to running people out of the house.

Right?

They're very used to running people out of the gym.

You're not going to run faster than Ben.

No, you're not.

That's what's going to make it difficult.

Paul, Try to end the drought.

Couldn't get it to go, but the foul will stay here.

That one's going to be on day one.

Ellis For Benton underneath the basket.

That's the fourth team found.

So though inbounds underneath the baseline, the next down for either side here in the quarter will mean free throws.

Seabiscuit it inbounds begin Look at it.

Set some stuff up They've got a fresh shot clock at 32 they got can't Perkins in open lane kicks it out the corner three to short again rebound pulled down by Junior He's Russell tries to go outlet good defense knocked out of play by Jamal Hickman but it'll stay with Benton it looks like Pine Bluff is going to bring some folks in to find Austin Bender.

He's going to check back in the ball game.

Ben's going to send some folks in as well.

He's getting his first minutes.

It's going to be Harrison.

Well, Harrison Pickett's going to come back in.

He was in a little bit earlier.

That's right.

First minute to believe here in the second quarter.

He played much in the second quarter.

So you're right, 14 point advantage for the Panthers.

And right now it's been the lack of scoring.

The good defense for Benton Russell right hand no zebras the board and they lose out of bounds right to your point trying to move too quickly out and lost the basketball.

I just catch it and run don't run and then touch it I mean and that's exactly what I'm doing right now.

That is the third marked it down.

That's the third time just this quarter that they've tried to try to run before they caught the basketball.

That's 11 turnovers on the afternoon.

Cricket into the game.

Three no offensive rebound from Eddy Gray but it's not going to matter that foul is going to go against the Panthers and that should mean free throws for five laughs.

Yeah and believe they're going to call that foul on Terry on Burgess and for Burgess that's his third personal foul.

Wow So if you're a Zippo fan, you like that?

You want to get him out again?

You know, first he's got to be he's got to play a little bit smarter.

I mean, especially a minute 40 left here in the first half.

You got to you got to go.

And by the way, the new free throw rule as far as your number of fouls, this was something that they never just came up with this year and it was adopted by the trip was so he's not, you know, have a one and one anymore he got two free throws per foul that begins after 5000 reception eight quarters.

I like it.

I think it makes a lot simpler for everybody.

Want to tell you the college game, especially the women they play that way.

It makes it simple.

By the way, find both has not made a field goal here the second quarter.

All three pointers that one falls have come via the free throw steal without an absolute bucket.

They trailed by a dozen, quite frankly they're probably fortunate it's just slow play This part been kind of wide open three and five levels giving it to them they try for the offensive rebounds out of play.

Yeah you could tell they don't want to shoot the ball well they can leave with that three ball and take it all kinds of it right now.

80 Gray was just sitting there going, Is anybody going going to guard me over here?

Too good to be true.

He didn't pull the trigger, so we'll bring it up.

Married 4 minutes.

Jamal Heflin from Pine Bluff, bringing it ahead, all these colors.

We will take a very similar flamboyance to things in the whatever you want to call it.

Benton's in the whites out of control.

Another turnover and then a whistle.

There might be a foul for that one.

It's going to go against the time blocks, though.

So free throws, boy, that one's tough too, because it gives the Panthers with no time coming off the top.

Pick James to add two more and that was Higgins first personal foul.

So you got a minute left in the game now you're shoot with no no Cochran Perkins first free throw rims out He's got seven on the day that was all in the first quarter.

Gasol hasn't played much of the second quarter quite frankly till here recently Taylor night out on the floor for the Panthers as well Shelby Ellis Russell and Ricky puts it back up ahead after the Miss Wow they're up 14th Pine Bluff looking for their first bucket of the quarter.

Crutchfield It's third.

Got it.

The great move just was able to use his body and position himself where he was able to go up and make that shot.

So they slowed things down a little bit that that possession looked a lot more controlled for Pine Bluff.

Now they're going to have stock cricket, the crossover working against him that's bendy tipped around stolen Crutchfield the outlet to Jamal Hickman and he is fouled trailing behind him.

SHELBY with a hard foul.

I think Hickman wanted that throw down, but he's fouled instead.

You know, honestly, I was looking at Hickman and thinking, he's going to beat Shelby to the rim.

Shelby kind of came out of nowhere, and so not today.

That's a few times that we've seen Shelby, his defense on a close, a three ball in the corner, guys, one out of the four.

That's a difference maker in games like this.

Yes, it is.

You're exactly right, Hickman.

A chance here.

He's got two points on the day, cuts the lead to 11.

And, boy, the way this game has gone, Pine Bluff only 11.

If they can get a stop and keep it around 10 to 11 at halftime, you got to feel like that's a win for them.

Yeah, absolutely.

Second one, no good tip drill.

We got a foul and you don't want to do that well.

And that time he just grabbed his arm for Pine Bluff.

That was Courtney Crutchfield and they were going for the rebound.

He grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back and give it back all the time.

That's exactly right.

It comes at a spot for Crutchfield, too.

I mean, you don't want to do something like that after you're already trailing 11.

They're going to talk things over.

Are they reversing the call?

No.

They said there was a foul on Crutchfield.

That's five foul.

Yes.

They reversed it puts was going to the free throw line.

I've never seen it.

I have never seen it.

He literally pointed at Crutchfield before he went to the head coach, Dexter Hendrickson.

Well, he has every right to be mad because he's saying that he he said, what?

My God was the one that got pulled around, I think at the very minimum, you need to know Paul Holbrook, there's a foul right there when he pulled his own back.

Yeah, I don't know with him.

I don't know where Allison's foul came from, but either way, that's one worse double dealing.

No call.

Crutchfield knocks them both down.

It's a nine game.

Huge for the zebras.

And if they can get a stop, it's a best case scenario for them to end the half.

Break it with the basketball.

Shelby thought about the three.

He'll take it around to Caleb Knight tipped around.

Xavier's got a skill there trying to score two and a half corkscrew blows and he's fouled.

Wow.

Yeah.

I mean, you got to make that shot, though.

If you're Crutchfield, you got an opportunity to go.

I know you're getting fouled, but you still got clearance to go up and laid off glass.

Katie Higgins The one that picked the pocket of Caleb Night.

Crutchfield Trying to add to the free throw line.

He get the first with 3.6 seconds to go.

Benton's not going to have much time.

Going to have to be.

Well, here's the other thing, J.B.

Possibly a seven point game looks totally different than what we saw just about 2 minutes ago.

That was a four points.

Yeah.

So now beaten up by seven, up by 11 a moment ago and a travel with 2 seconds to go.

So Pine Bluff, in theory, if they get a three ball here, they could cut it to four before the half.

That would be a72 run in less than 30 seconds.

I mean, you want to talk about just kind of a little bit of a meltdown for Ben right now.

It really it once again, though, it comes back to the pressure of Pine Bluff.

Yeah.

Because their defensive pressure is what's causing this.

But you also got to look at Ben.

They've got Brayden Stamper in who calls that travel.

He had played the whole game until right now.

That's a good catch.

Stamper took too many steps and he tried to get rid of the pine blockers, score the end of the half.

They got to look for more floater for the baseline.

He found it in Pine Bluff, goes on a60 run and a short span of time.

And they've cut this game all the way down to five.

They're going to take a look.

It's a five point game.

I can't believe it.

RJ Yeah, no, I mean, it's it is.

It's wild.

Coach Hendrick is not happy.

And now there's a little bit of a scrum going on.

There's nobody separating these these two teams.

They're walking off and wow, Well, this one is set us up well for the second half.

A fun one.

And Hot Springs, our halftime show coming up from the Spa city.

You're watching the video.

Big state basketball championships on the Arkansas PBS board, 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.

Welcome back.

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

It's 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 Park.

Let's take a look.

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

But that's what my dad got to get.

Consistency, its 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, by the way, in which a substance holds together, or may be who holds it together.

So that Mark Tree High School, there is no doubt whom.

In fact, to suggest 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 tree 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 mortuary been here 33 years.

Honestly I never knew where my tree Arkansas was until someone hired me to come to mortuary.

The kids are great at the community is great.

It just 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, like I've always looked up to her because she want the best for us.

Just going out there and playing with her on honor.

I saw it is some 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 was just intrigued that they are running and jumping and playing ball with ball.

And I love Salander.

So I would just sit 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're going to play basketball.

So just being intrigued.

Ever since Coach Wilbur has a level of intensity that she brings to this GM 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 bigger schools, like Saint Louis, all players.

Just because they're big scores.

It doesn't mean a small town school can't 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 Wilborn, her work ethic, her desire to excel, the way she carries herself.

What really 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, to me, that's that's just the math.

That's just math.

Coach Wilbon, 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 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 PBA student, all star.

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

And three, we have Sam Maddox, 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 Warriors represents the For a Boys.

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

The five girls are well-represented by Lincoln, 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 Bowl 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.

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

We are the electric cooperatives of Arkansas Power and People.

Hey, I'm Rick Steves.

You know, I don't go anywhere without my passport.

And now, thanks to PBS Passport, you can travel with me and watch all ten seasons of Rick Steves, Europe and all my travel specials.

This exclusive streaming service is just for our members.

Not only can you see all my shows, but you can see thousands of hours of your favorite public television shows.

Become a member today and get your passport.

Hands up.

Hands up.

Hands up.

Hands up.

Hands up.

Hands up.

Let me see you then.

See you.

Bounce house.

Down, down.

And welcome back to Bank Ozark Arena for the five day Boise State title game.

I'm JB Brazil alongside RJ Hawkins.

This one was quite different.

It was a 12 point advantage for Ben with 45 seconds to go, but a90 run for the zebras.

Also, four turnovers in 25 seconds helped a lot.

The zebras are right back in this thing.

They trailed by five.

But you look at the stats for quite a bit there.

In the second quarter, the zebras only had one field goal under 2 minutes to play the turnovers, flipped things and they got within five.

Yeah, I mean and if you think about that last 54 seconds or 25 seconds, Terry Burgess was not in the game.

He had three fouls.

And so really Pine Bluff made Graham in 20 seconds without Terry Burgess in the game court scored seven points.

So it tells you exactly how important he is to his team.

Let's take a look at the half time highlight reel that we got a lot of good plays from both sides, including some big dunks.

Yeah, no, you're exactly right.

It all started right there.

Luke Crutchfield coming up and this slamming it home defense played a really, really important go in this one.

But then Darren Green got into the action.

Look at this, the block right there.

Grady's been all over the place for the Terry Burgess came up knocking on three, got an easy layup boxes just went up and over Great in to make that one go Comes back right there with a 80 great play and then here's the big dunk just hammered it home That's what really erupted this crowd with that dunk and then this was that last 25 seconds stretch that we talked about, where they scored seven points over that 25 seconds.

So we're now fit and has a five point lead after halftime, 3732 The Panthers, you talked about the halftime, the keys to the game.

They wanted to limit Pine Bluff, second chance points.

They had done that up until late by Bell with eight second chance points in it for Pine Bluff.

They want to figure out a winner.

There's clamped down on Burgess and when the rebound battle, they started to climb a little closer.

They still trailed threes, though.

Is there anything else you want?

Highlights on both sides?

Well, I mean, I think really and we've said it all game.

Pablo's got to slow the pace just a little bit.

I mean they've got really, really good guard play.

This is going to slow it down and work within themselves.

As for Ben, you got to keep Terrell Burgess out of foul trouble and he's not even he's working on the outside right now.

He feeds it.

Little photo from Russell won't go in the rebound for the zebras for them they're playing with new life right here Nice dish the handoff No the foul on the put up from Pittman He was trying to go up strong for that.

You don't see that again because he did grab his arm.

Okay.

I was wondering just I thought he got ball.

But when he grabbed the inside of that for him to add another get to resign.

So Hickman with three points on the day, misses the first free throw.

Pittman's big at the free throw line.

This will be his fifth and sixth attempts.

He's now three of five chance to cut his lead back down to four.

It's not been that close since early the first night.

Free throws up and good.

3733.

Benton trying to figure out a way you felt like the end of that first half momentum was with Pine They're playing with high energy again Shelby with the corner three no tipped around.

Burgess had it knocked out of play.

it's off.

Kaden Higgins.

It's going to be out of the Panthers respond after giving up really one of the biggest runs you can have in a short amount of time, You got to get a response.

Yeah, I mean, you do, but also don't want to press, right?

I mean, you want to play your game.

And and I think that they realized one of their biggest weapons what they're one of not only offensive weapons, but defensive weapons in the game.

That's exactly right.

You got to keep him in the game out of foul trouble.

Nice entry pass through the zone, but the shot wouldn't go.

It's tipped and stole away by 80.

Great.

He'll feed to Burgess.

They got a fresh shot clock Prickett around to Shelby.

The zone is caused problems.

Here's a steal Breeland, haul in the end lays it in It's a two point lead for and I mean this is where you get a you don't want if you're betting that momentum that they took out of halftime so to really roll in the third quarter and in it has Prickett the answer from three no gray the rebound and that's why I think you're right it slows things down but you do need a bucket just to help yourself settle down a little bit.

And that could be a three either.

Great nice look from the baseline well defended it'll be tip and a play off of Harrison Prickett back to the zebras.

They got a chance to tie this thing up on this trip.

Well, and Pine Bluff has gone to a zone so where you know it's really making Burton you know they're forcing them to figure something in on the outside.

Panthers haven't been able to do it, Kurt Currently a three yard run for the zebras to being in the second half spin move Jerry Green passes out the 37 all Benton Currently if you date back to the first half this is a 14 run for Pine Bluff Shelby's three two on Russell going up Skal no Prickett the rebound put back in the first bucket in a long while and Coach Hendrix wants a timeout.

Is the Panthers back up by two but I think that's probably a smart timeout You get the bucket you got it.

You really got to calm your guys right now because pine Bluff is playing with a lot of confidence coming into this third quarter.

And so you got to get your guys back together and say, hey, look, get back out there.

Go at what we did there in the first half and know they're just not making a lot of smart shots right now.

You slow things down a little bit.

I feel like that's been kind of the key for both teams.

They both can play fast and they play well, playing fast, but it's got to be controlled.

The teams that have played a little bit out of control and too fast, things have gotten out of hand right now.

Benton Some self-inflicted wounds has caused problems trying to slow things down.

They've got 14 turnovers on the day to the Panthers.

Zebras have cut it up 12 times and Pine Bluff allowed the basketball down by two.

Boy, this one has been a thriller.

Benton up by a bucket.

They've led by as much as 12 from here.

As much as 14.

Yeah.

I mean, that that lead had gotten up there.

CRUTCHFIELD Trying to tie fading away won't go pick up 18 by the little man Hickman Again, that guy he does not play small, doesn't know.

But and I think Burgess may have had a hand on that as well.

He may have scored a bucket for Pine Bluff, and Hickman stopped scoring 39 apiece.

The 511 to go in the third.

This one setting up nicely for a thriller.

They feed up top Prickett.

Boyce hits back, go down by three.

That's a nice job Moving the ball around, finding the open man, getting the top, the key to stopping, popping up the rim.

Darian Drayton The easy to the lead's been turned back now to one forbidden and faded around Ginn.

There is Russell trying to set up some offense.

They'll feed to Burgess They're on the low ball corner feet not they're still trying to find some answers against the zone.

Can't do it zebras.

Another Crutchfield trying to go in to end that iffy up and under no good transition D for bit now they got numbers trying to turn it into points.

Shelby took Burgess to storm.

That would have brought the house down.

Now they drive up under alley to Crutchfield in the Blind Loves.

He was up in front.

Do you call it an alley oop when he lay it off the glass way?

Let's put it that way.

In the alley up.

Yeah.

4342.

Ben has struggle against his own four by now.

Yeah.

The zone is shutdown The Benton offense.

That was a good call by the five eight coach to your Billy Dixon it's causing the Panthers probably got it Prickett there on the elbow picks up his dribble trying to feed Burgess Eric pass tipped around pinball stolen away by Hickman He's going to go in there and lays it up in and Zimmer's my three Ben Good call.

Time out.

Listen to this crowd.

Wow.

4542 point balls has it on the coast to coast.

Lay in formation.

Well, and look stop war zones here.

I mean, Ben kind of did this to themselves.

They had a 14 point lead and it looks like we're at the media time.

And I'll tell you more about that in a minute.

They're watching this again, the big state basketball championships in Arkansas, maybe a score.

What does it mean to be great?

It's the rhythm of the heart.

The spirit refusing It is born from the moment of glory.

It's woven into the fabric of progress for the journey, as were champions or more to be courageous is to dance with the storm of adversity.

The fact that I have you, I am so by my side.

This is a blessing.

And without you I am less whole.

I wouldn't be the player that I am today.

This is the PBS app ready for you when you want to watch full episodes of your favorites.

Stream any time anywhere with the free PBS app is now in session.

Here's a run by Pine Bluff.

I mean, and it's nothing flashy.

It's just laying the ball up, walk it back within themselves.

And they have played defense to start the third quarter.

And that's why right now you see Pine Bluff with a 4542 lead after being down by as much as 14 points.

And it's come right back in this thing, you go back to the end of the first half.

Terry Burns is out down, burns with three fouls and it come out.

Pine Bluff within 45 seconds goes on a901 Yeah that cut the lead back down to five a buzzer beater shot from Brian hall Now the Panthers have dug themselves a hole Prickett trying to tie it He has been so good from the wing when he's when he's set up wide open like that he's drilled it every time tonight seems to the Panthers to attack things up By the way he's got 17 points as well.

Burkett playing out of his mind in the game that matters most trying to win the first ever state title for the Panthers.

Jason Higgins feeds it over to Hickman.

Hickman had a good game today for the zebras.

A roll got jump step to the lay.

Nice play from Jamal Hickman.

What a great move you.

Just stop.

Shoot, you know, to a late shutter step.

And then you go, This is a guy that came in averaging 3.2 points per game.

He's got ten.

When the lights get bright, things happen.

Crickets, three off, the zebras trying to run.

They got Higgins their feed degrading and a play off of beaten Pine Bluff will maintain underneath their own basket.

This one has fit the bill and we knew this was going to be a good game.

It certainly lived up to that.

We're glad you're with us.

JB Brazil alongside RJ Hawkins, still feed it.

Courtney Crutchfield Well contested back two contested is picking picks up the foul and that's number three on Harrison Perkins So your two fellows you lean on Perkins and burgers now with £3 apiece and now there's a foul you know and when he when he swatted down got him on that form Crutchfield knocks down the first is a good drive and you're right you saw Prickett swat down once he made contact with the hand you saw it knocked the ball out of Crutchfield fingertips 4945 time off their largest lead of the day they led 18 to 14 back in the first.

They're up by four now and then a reminder they trailed by 40.

Another turnover.

No, they'll get the foul that's on Crutchfield That's three on him.

So you look the two picks for both sides in terms of points per game.

Great And then Crutchfield both with three for Pine Bluff Cricket in Burgess with three personal fouls for Benton boy Both team you got to be careful.

And not only that but you got Shelby from Benton, who's got three fouls.

Whoa.

Burgess Underneath fouled and he'll go to the line And that's what you need to prevent You need him feeding down low.

Let him go up and get fouled.

Terry Burgess That was contested.

That's great.

And is that for this one?

Darian Grady That's huge.

That is a big foul because he has been, he's been a playmaker in this one.

Great.

And so far 11 points.

The game playing with four fouls is still a combined 10 minutes left to decide this thing.

Burgess three point play is good.

They're going to keep grading him.

They know how big an instrumental he is to this offense.

They beat the pressure to the zebras.

Crutchfield through the lane.

Couldn't get it to go.

Hickman nearly had to put back that guys got ups.

Prickett ahead for the Panthers trying to regain the lead.

SHELBY The baseline he feeds to Burgess steps back to pass it in the bag is open.

You're not going to find him much better than that.

Now are the Red Hall feeds behind him.

Do Grady Basket count it.

He is down by 80.

Okay, Well, and here, here's the thing, Jamie.

This is why he's so good for this team.

They're on great gut play with four fouls, working him down low and really making sure that, you know, he's going to go up and be strong to the bucket every time.

That's why you need him in the game.

He's got 13 Make It 14 gives Pine Bluff.

The one point advantage is Jeffery Phillips.

Check back the game They're young great and going to the bench a well-deserved rest and more than anything wants to keep him there because of foul trouble.

Now you've only got a minute and a half left here in the third him sit the rest of this quarter and the I like the course he does what coach Billy Dixon's running with as well Panthers and zebras nearly stolen Burgess able to keep it jump step through contact no rebound A.D gray and he's fouled going up and it'll be free throws for AB gray starting to pile up No I think they're going to say was on the floor he pushed him right before he went back up so I think they're going to take it from the baseline.

So they're going to go and call it on the floor.

That is Will.

He also didn't put up the shot either.

So it'll be a baseline just third team, pound for pound ball, both teams with three apiece here in the corner.

That one nearly too tall for Shelby keeps it alive.

Panthers and zebras.

It's very cliche to say this, but every possession in a game like this is crucial.

And no, absolutely in you know, Ben's got to find a way to break this zone.

Hey, it's not been good for him.

Although this entire second half, they do it right there.

Nice play from the floater zebras.

Quickly, though, with Crutchfield up and in two strong offensive rebounds something they do great on we've got a jump and he's going to go with bond love so the jump ball will keep it with the zebras Every time Ben has scored time level off and running, it's off to the races trying to score for an easy two and they get the offensive rebound to reset.

Crutchfield Out there playing with three.

There's four big Panthers on the with three fouls driving through Shelby got the steal and he's fouled from behind by Brad Hall That's his third as well It's just the fourth team bound for Pine Bluff but the next one would send Barton to the free throw line in the quarter with only 36 seconds.

Look at this play.

That's a great job.

By Shelby just sticking his back hand there, just pumping it away and he's being pulled on his jersey as he's going down Caleb night and the Panthers, they're trying to feed the tot nobody home the miscommunication between a degree and Caleb night that's the 17th turnover of the day for Benton and now we got a technical foul my goodness this could be huge in a game like this we got a technical.

Is that on his mind?

Yeah, it's on Hickman.

Yeah he's got fouls to give, but that doesn't really matter.

What's important is that's a technical foul.

And he gives Burgess and the Panthers free throws of the ball.

I don't know what he did.

All right, You got to make the free throw.

So Burgess cannot connect on the first.

He'll have another Panthers up by one trying to make it two here.

He got that one but ties the ball game target.

So assuming it's been a two point lead now rather than just a one point lead, more importantly, it gives him the ball.

It's going to be pretty low bar to the turnover self-inflicted.

Panthers have a chance to end the quarter with a 2.2 possession lead.

If they'd like to do that.

They got the technical hitman because he threw the ball.

What we were told for the referee, Here we go.

Nearly tipped away and stolen.

Prickett got it on the corner.

Dre shovels to the basketball and that's going to give it back to the zebras.

Let's take a look at this technical that was called on Hitman.

He's got the ball all the way through to the ref and that's where he got tied up.

What do you think about that Jimmy I don't know what you don't know what was said like that, but all you can see is a ball being thrown I don't know.

This one will count if it goes at the buzzer.

It's off the mark for Tatum Higgins.

Three quarters of basketball are in the books.

Burton up by two.

Don't go anywhere.

This one's going to come down to the wire the fourth quarter to decide this one.

You're watching the centennial Bank State Basketball Championships on Arkansas.

PBS Sports Centennial Bank is committed to you.

Since our founding in 1999, we've become one of the nation's most trusted banks by remembering that, you come first by empowering our communities to reach their highest potential through our dedication to local charities, education and exceptional service.

Because we are proud to call Arkansas home banking with you in mind, Centennial Bank Member, FDIC.

Attention, sports enthusiasts.

Get Ready to be amazed by Summer Woods Sports Complex.

The new state of the art facility in Bryan.

Our facility offers up to four courts spread across two spacious gyms conveniently located off Interstate 30.

And Bryan, whether your team seeking tournament glory or an individual looking to elevate your skills some of which sports has got you covered, discover more about our cutting edge facility and check availability at some of which sports dot com is now in session.

Boy and this is a recap of how we got the score and it's just been cherry Burgess And really between him and Crutchfield those two guys have just dominated this ballgame and you see right there Crutchfield is just a great 5452 is our score.

And I tell you all the way, these first three quarters have gone this fourth quarter, you better buckle up because it's the fourth quarter.

It's been a lot of fun.

We certainly anticipate that we knew coming in was going to be good.

If you look at the stat Terry on virtually all scores with 23, Harrison Pickett's got 19 and it drops off at six for Shelby, four for 80.

Great.

Here's Russell with two and then for Pine Bluff, but still 18.

He's got 13 hit going to ten.

Those are the guys that are leading the way They go to Burgess down low heavily contested can't get it to go third chance that one rattles home That's why he's so good his size the way he can block out.

He didn't get one he got to it in the third one and then was able to get the put back for Allen.

Try to set up some offense for the zebras here in the fourth and final quarter.

It is starting to come to life.

It's been around here all day.

But both teams, they know the amplifications of this one begin in Pine Bluff in a battle third meeting between these two teams betting to win both games earlier this year, trying to make it three.

We got a foul on a bump pulls that one looks like Caleb Knight picks up the first let's just his first go do a hip check And when he tried to split the defender Z kind of get little bump.

With his help, Crutchfield gets cut off.

They kick it out.

Pine Bluff not made a three today they're all of eight from beyond the arc and you call it RJ.

They like to score from post running downhill.

Crutchfield Calling for the screen floats it up over the defense.

No.

And Terry Allen Burgess the board brick it to Shelby wants it three can't get it to go but picking the offensive board Bridget kid by Randy Emerson Junior now Pine Bluff Emerson fouled on the drive and that's going to be four on Shelby if that was on him they're going to give it to Elan Shelby that is numbers for three throws for Pine Bluff.

I can't imagine the way this game's going.

RJ Before this was all said and done, somebody is going to foul out.

Well, yeah, I mean, that's I think you're right.

But I think if you're Dexter Hendricks, you may pull Shelby back and say, Look, we really need to give you a break.

You need a bounce out the middle of the crowd, two minute free throws, both of them knocked down by Randy Emerson Jr.

He's six on the day.

And while Shelby is not he's not just a massive scoring threat.

What he is what he is is a defensive threat.

Yeah, that's right.

He's been all over the place they got the touch pass out tonight they double flashing for a steal out of bounds off Kaden Higgins it was stay with Benton's six and a half to play Shelby he thought about the three two so once again for Pine Bluff causing all kinds of problems, Panthers have found a way to stop Knight wanting to three.

He can't get it to go offensive rebound they'll put back rim down but Eddie degrees fouled to it now who's that one going again because oak is going to go against the 11 so Randy Amerson is the one that picks up that belt but boy I look down there as a great sitting right there the boys that was on his because he's playing with four fouls.

Well you know when that foul was caught he ought to erupt automatically, making sure it wasn't on him because he was in the vicinity of free throws for 80 gray.

Very big free throws at this juncture in the game.

Sure.

We'll be saying that quite a few more times as Gray knocks down the first one on the day.

80 Gray.

He's got six points right now, Ben, shooting 69% from free throw land of Pine Bluff at 76.

This is a game that you imagine free throws are going to be important down the stretch.

He found trouble piling up Breeland haul bringing it ahead the five south all conference player He's a really good point guard.

Only a six today but he has certainly dished the ball out to assists in this one up and under Crutchfield know trying to get the second chance batted it's tracked down there in the back court by Higgins Hall trying to convert the baseline drive in the finish Great job going up with two hands to protect the ball now Jahvaris Russell they look to trap here the front court he'll bounce it over to Prickett Panthers on top by two they feed to Burgess tough to finish to the rack with on pain I mean he just win it Well he knows that he's got great gardening and he's going to have a little bit more leeway because Grady's not going to try to block and stuff and get another foul picked up.

That's a great point.

He knew he had the leverage due to foul trouble.

No call and the blow by from Crutchfield and he's fouled going up at this point in the game with everybody being in foul trouble.

You look up and see who's the foul on though.

Give it to 80 gray to Benton.

That's three four.

Pardon me.

That's four for Gray.

My goodness.

He just had two a moment ago.

Yeah.

And now now you're still a minute.

13 from the media Timeout and you're racking up fouls right now on both teams.

Hickman checks back in for the zebras.

Hickman had a good day.

Crutchfield with 19 points, got him a 20 piece.

It cuts the lead to 260 to 58, the lead for Benton out.

There's still 5 minutes of chaos left.

This has been a thriller through through Shelby from the corner.

Threw it away.

It will be a turnover.

Could still be athletic play throws it off the chest of Jim areas Russell and by no means was that intended like he was just trying to save it and yeah Russell is sitting right there and said whoa you expect that to come at me.

Well a good things happen and then four plays like that.

Crutchfield Going after it, you never know what happens.

The turnover that's 20 on the day the rejection from Burkett.

Now the outlet ahead as Russell slows things down to bring it ahead out to Burgess and we got a timeout.

Probably a good call for head coach Dexter Henderson Slow things down talk as well.

And not only that, but you know, you're at the 440 mark.

You take that little breather.

Well everybody kind of exhale a little bit and then you've still got another time coming with the media timeout.

So now just kind to regain a little bit more of the composure and then set something up because right now it's only a two point game with the guys on the floor.

You got Burgess with four, four with four fouls and you've also got 80 great with four fouls.

But then on top of that you got Shelby with three and you got Harrison Pickett with three.

So you want you want to make sure that whatever you set up, you know, you know you're going to run the zone, You're not going to want to press too much and make your charge.

You got to be a little bit more contained if you're Ben And that's a great timeout by Dexter Hendrickson to talk this one over and said from the 153 both sides he knows the fouls are piling up from the offensive standpoint.

You can attack and go downhill because you know, the defense is going to have to play a little bit less aggressive.

Right now.

That has been the case.

Kerryon Burgess having a great day expected for Ben leads all scorers with 27.

Harrison Pickett's got 19, Courtney Crutchfield with 20, John Brady with 14, ten and four.

Jamal Haywood holes got eight, six, four and Emerson Junior and four Benton.

The role players Shelby with six, Gray with six, Russell with two.

I will say this so 35 personal fouls have been called this game.

And you know that I mean, look, when you've got this type of pace, work back and forth and you got to do a lot of running and in transition you're going to pick up fouls not not quite, you know, 35,000.

There's a lot going on, but you just got to be a little bit more controlled about stuff, especially the flight, the game.

Well, and you got to adjust to the way the fouls are being called as well.

Certainly with aggression, you're going to have a lot of them.

The refs have certainly called that adjust to the flow and try to figure out a way to get some offense.

Both teams looking to attack this zone is cause problems for Benton here in this third fourth quarter.

The number a lot better job as the pull up jumper from Prickett is too strong Crutchfield the rebound he looks to push sends it off to Higgins back to Crutchfield for the tie It sure tipped around saved by Diggins and the zebras will reset and look for bringing hall he'll drive through up against Burgess couldn't get it to go that was a tough play against Burgess Then there was nearly thrown away.

They didn't say foul on a foul other end.

Throw it away.

But he might have been foul.

He was at the foul.

Read the basket.

Now who's a pal going to be on?

They're going to say they're going to say that the foul is going to go against Jamal Hickman, and that's going to be his third and that's going to tell you some immediate timeouts.

6058 free throws when we come back.

sorry.

From the small city.

You're watching the Centennial Bay State basketball championship on Arkansas.

PBS Sports for every moment, for every memory, from that first car to your first home to your first child and all the highs and lows that tomorrow my break for everything that matters most to you and your family.

There's someone around the corner dedicated to helping you protect what you love.

Your local Farm Bureau insurance agent.

Farm Bureau Insurance.

Real service.

Real people.

Looks like we have some new help in the marketing department at high end of the area.

With everything you can see, I think you do the work on your wine budget.

How about you do it?

Family and customer.

Friends.

Family.

I know it can be a big DNC.

I exit the Everybody is now in session.

It's time for Arkansas PBS student all star and I got one for you Jamie this is Luke stump from Roseville school.

He's a post player senior 4.4 GPA plans to be a veterinarian in Australia.

We see a lot of these right?

Young people want to go play college basketball do all right.

The first time I've seen plans to be a veterinarian Australia and he is our Arkansas PBS student all star they talk about most interesting for a future plan that we might take the cake I mean hey dream big guy I mean I want that's kind of my dream vacation is to go to Australia right But I never thought of it as like, that's where I want my career to be.

Right?

Right.

Like he's going to take care of the kangaroos and all kinds.

Guy That's right.

6258, Back to action Free throws will promise to you.

And we came back.

Russell connects on the first chance to make it a two possession game but my goodness Will 355 remaining points have come often for both sides and they're back off and running after the mess hall.

Too strong, buddy.

Spell all the defense on Shelby now.

I believe it's going to be 80 gray and that's a 35 on him so 80 grays season has come to an end in ten he's he's done for this 2023 24 season and Gray finishing the year averaging eight points per contest six rebounds.

He finishes today with six points six rebounds a role player who contributed a lot So they're going to bring in Caleb night two to replace him Paul's first free throws up in good there's one player on the floor for Pine Bluff in foul trouble Will I say foul trouble with four fouls?

That's great.

And there's three other players with three fouls.

Burgess on the floor for a bit.

He's got four as well.

61 to 60 Part is a racist.

This is a thriller zone covered for the zebras They're howling they get it to Burgess timeouts goal first.

Yeah Then once again another good timeout by Dexter Hendrix because of the fact that he was trapped, he had nowhere to go.

He's trying to find Burgess on the right side.

Then when he came back, he saw Pine Bluff player playing in his face.

Look, Dexter hitters call a time out.

Get your guys say you still got 23 on the shot clock and this is going to allow you every possession moving forward has to be a meaningful possession and whether it ends with the score, you got to at least go strong with.

You can't have any wasted possessions at this point with it being a one point game.

Wasted possessions is a great way to put back something that both of these teams did a lot of really in the three previous quarters.

They've done a better job this quarter, but that could very well be the difference in a game down the stretch, 61 to 60 between the leads by one reminder, they led by as much as 14 at one point in the game, but at 901 before the half, by time lock with 45 seconds they went on a90 run to cut things down.

I mean, and that's one thing we don't it seems like so long ago that 14 point lead was in was intact and I mean, Pine Bluff just kept chipping kept chipping and they finally got it, got it down to a five point lead.

And I think it was tied up.

And then they had the lead.

I mean, we forget about this palm up to start the second half.

They've led this ball game and they go up and take the lead.

Their last lead was at the 136 mark in the third quarter.

They led 52 to 51.

Better than going out by much in front since it's been very close, 6160 as we resume play Caleb night manning the point for the Panthers he'll look to feed Russell Fox winding down still got time to going to have to go to work Russell feeds Ben Knight they'll get Shelby got to put it up they're not going to get it off that's his shot violation The defense plans they're invisible.

He's got to know where you're in his ward and the time on the clock.

And, you know, we talked about ways to possessions.

That's not what you want out of a time out.

So, Shelby Cedi, instead of pulling the shot to turn over to the 20/20 of the day, is Higgins looking to set up shop feeds to Hall?

He's their point guard.

They like to run offense through zebras looking for the lead.

Their first since the third quarter.

But we'll have to wait as coach Billy Benson wants to timeout.

And I think both coaches know how important each possession is.

That's why they're calling timeouts this juncture is.

absolutely.

And you know, for Billy Dixon, same thing that we just say with Dexter, it's like you want to set something up and have something to throw.

You want to set up a play to to really feed either Courtney Crutchfield or Darrin Graydon, one of those guys, because rather than just running in transition or just kind of going on on the fly now come back and if you score, you take the lead.

It's now going to be a back and forth affair for Pine Bluff to try to get back in and take the lead in this one with 254 to play well.

And because of the fast pace of play, something that has altered in terms of strategy a little bit is the foul trouble.

Teams have to alter their strategy just a little bit because of that.

So let's take a look here at our stat starters for this weekend.

Troy Mitchell and Company, they have done an incredible job.

This is not their first go round, but my goodness, they're one of the best to do it.

And by the way, if you're at home, that link at the very bottom triple j dot stat broadcast.com, if you want to go and watch the stats in real time, Troy's doing it and you can watch him at home as we call the game 250 remaining up at home.

You know, Paul out of bounds, off of Pine Bluff.

And you know, the way those games before you just anticipated a foul being called.

But I will say this great job that time by Shelby because he came in and swiped watch comes in and it was ball like he didn't have hand he came in with ball on top.

He did a good job of getting out of the way because if he's there, it's probably a foul.

Didn't trying to add to the lead?

Prickett floats it up, no tip down and the rebound.

Great.

And how big is he doing.

Yeah I mean he's he's a force once again another guy playing with four fouls Breeland Hall with the basketball he throws it into the arms of out of play a huge turnover for the zebras.

Yeah.

I mean this is you know for Pine Bluff Payton Higgins he was coming in too hot and once again what we saw early in the ballgame got to catch it before you move.

And that is something Pine Bluff has struggled with.

That was a big turnover late in the game.

One point advantage for Benton.

Shelby thought about the three things to Russell his drive was cut off.

Have Hampton sent Cricket elbow corner for a night off fire No and rebound the ball and hall Weber's outlet to Crutchfield for the lead and he spent 4 to 1 and a foul was he was a foul I think they called it on Shelby so that's his fourth foul.

And yeah they're going to get Shelby with the four with his fourth.

What a play from clutch field can you call calling Courtney clutch field yet.

My goodness what a play they have another one free throws give the and 1a2 point advantage for Pine Bluff we talked about these two superstars were battling Pine Bluff Crutchfield got 23 and Burgess got 27 both fans coming to light.

It's Ruckus in Hot Springs, a father's state title on.

The line here, kick the tires up at 63.

Pine Bluff.

Off and running is very good.

All game ball kicks it out.

But he travels.

He travels another big turnover for the Raiders.

And see, this is what we talked about you got there the pace of the game going back and forth those two coaches call those timeouts to slow things down and set things up because these are ways those ways two possessions that we talked about getting too fast for the ball game now a freshman still busy busy David Pittman for the lead he's thinking, you've got to be kidding me.

Wow.

That's Pickett.

I believe that's really going to get it.

Jamal Hickman, the jump start the ball.

Say, how about this field goal from Payton Higgins on Knight?

That's the second time he's picked Knight's pocket and then Hickman the finish 11 one and pick it back.

That's Pickett's fourth foul, by the way.

Wow.

So Pickett in foul trouble as well.

There's three Panthers on the floor with four fouls Pickett, Shelby and Burgess.

This free throws big It's off the mark Burgess the rebound 14 point game Panthers down by a bucket about one minute left Russell here three to stay It's tipped around loose basketball picked up by the Panthers Japanese sabers are gonna beat Crutchfield He's fouled but he couldn't get it to go I don't know how you don't get a foul down here on Shelby he got he got slammed to the floor on the other end the Panthers not happy You also see here Shelby going up he did get body by great move but I mean actually it was a good the way they they went up by him and he hit ball good defense how about Dre knowing he's got four fouls knows he's got to get up and get the block he does Crutchfield a chance to make this a deep possession game with 45 seconds to go These are big first win too strong for Crutchfield This again yeah I mean yeah I think it's a it's a judgment call at that point.

You know, you could call it a foul but he went and hit ball on Thompson.

Crutchfield sacked it, got that one still a one possession game.

If you're beat you don't need a three right here Still play your offense and get a good look Benson 35% right now from three points Knight's got an open lane off the rim.

He threw it away.

Good.

He's got the ball past Pine Bluff.

Look at the bush.

They're going to hit men.

Touch, pass.

Great.

And they'll swing it around.

Someone's got a foul and Russell will follow on the edge and that'll save his ideas at the line.

Bradley Hall with two of the biggest free throws of his life.

Coming up.

But we got a time out first.

Wow.

Give credit to Pine Bluff.

They made plays, but I will say this bit and shot themselves in the foot just a couple of times.

You had to steal against Knight and then there on that possession to throw by night off the rim towns to Pine Bluff.

Yeah and look you got a guy night in the ball game that one in the starting five I mean and no it's no knock on him.

Yeah you're right but you're missing one of your starters late in the ballgame that that would normally be in the ballgame And so you know I'm it is what it is at this point I think that look there's still there's still plenty of time you got 25.4 seconds left Now the shot clock can be turned off if Ben can get a stop or in well, I guess they're going to get a foul then take him to the free throw line.

Here's what you got to do.

You you've got to just hope you're going to miss.

They missed the free throw.

So you go down there, try to tie this thing up.

I mean, that's really what you're looking for at this point.

That's right.

I believe the foul before the timeout was five.

So there will be free throws which is good for bit because no more clock will come off.

And then what you have is the Panthers make Ole Miss.

They've got to have a good offensive possession.

But before that, if you're Pine Bluff and Braylon all you need, you really want both, but you need at least one would make it a two possession game.

So here we go.

Berlin Hall with some big free throws here short on the first Wow ton free throw shooting has not been the strong suit for Pine Bluff in this one, especially here.

The second another for 20 to 30 for the game.

The senior Braylon Hall trying to make it a two possession game.

Got it four point lead for the sabers Bitton got to move quick, but they've got to break the pressure.

They nearly throw it away.

Burgess over to Russell three to storm tipped around pulled down by hall You got a foul Burgess fouls him and that is number five Darian Burgess fouls out an incredible performance from Burgess 27 points for Terry on Burgess played his tail off the junior Well it's an electric afternoon but I mean it's he had 27 points and he everything that he could possibly do in this game the first free throw from Hall is up and good for less pressure when you got a four point lead trying to shoot those free throws, you got a little bit.

The one he made previous was the one where there was the pressure.

He did that.

Now is it a five point lead for Pine Bluff?

They can feel back to back state titles.

Misses that one.

Panthers going to have to move very quick.

You don't have time to get it to your guy.

Burkett I had Shelby, the three two strong Pine Bluff the board, and now we'll do it one off takes the five eight round back to back state teams and it'll come home to Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Well, I tell you what, they they came in, they knew the challenge and knew the challenge.

And and it's hard to beat a team three times and Pine Bluff did it 6863.

We'll have the post game coming up for you in just a moment.

Pine Bluff back to back state champs.

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

PBS Sports, The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas.

Over 2500 team members across 17 local electric distribution, powering homes, farms and industry.

Somewhere across Arkansas.

We are the electric cooperatives of Arkansas Power and People, Centennial Bank committed to you.

Since our founding in 1999, we've become one of the nation's most trusted banks.

By remembering that you come first, by empowering our communities to reach their highest potential through our dedication to local charities, education and exceptional service.

Because we are proud to call Arkansas home banking With you in mind, Centennial Bank member, FDIC For every moment, for every memory from that first car to your first home to your first child, and all the highs and lows that tomorrow for everything that matters most to you and your family, there's someone around the corner dedicated to helping you protect what you love.

Your local Farm Bureau insurance agent, Farm Bureau Insurance, Real service, real people.

You wouldn't drink it, so why breathe it?

Vaping liquids contain chemical oils that can severely damage your lungs.

Don't get lost in the fog.

Learn more about the hazards of vaping at Project Prevent Fraud.

Looks like we have some new help in the marketing department at.

High end of the area with everything you can see.

I think you do the work on your wine budget.

How about you do it?

Family and customer.

Friends.

Family.

I know it can be a big DNC.

I, I can't help but pay attention.

Sports enthusiasts get ready to be amazed by Summer Woods Sports Complex.

The new state of the art facility in Bryan.

Our facility offers up to four courts spread across two spacious gyms conveniently located off Interstate 30.

And Bryan, whether your team seeking tournament glory or an individual looking to elevate your skills, some of which sports has got you covered.

Discover more about our cutting edge facility and check availability at some of which sports dot com.

What does it mean to be great?

It's the rhythm of the heart.

The spirit refusing to surrender.

It isn't born from the moment of glory.

It's woven in the fabric of progress for the journey as we're champions are more to be courageous is to dance with the storm of adversity.

The fact that I have you, I am as held by my side.

This is a blessing.

And without you I am as how I wouldn't be the player that I am.

Today we are launching our 2024 new member challenge and our goal is to gain 2500 new members before June 30th.

If we reach our goal, Arkansas PBS Foundation will receive $45,000 Challenge Fund provided by generous Ambassadors Circle if you're already a donor to Arkansas PBS.

Thank you.

We couldn't do it without you.

If not, now is the perfect time to join and help us meet our 2024 new member Challenge Goals.

Are you nervous?

A little action, right?

Things and darling brightness and joy.

I've got plans.

Everything feels better after a cup of tea.

No talking can be right here in this moment.

As you.

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

This is good news for all of us.

Best episode ever.

Do you want to come to Antiques Roadshow in Bentonville, Arkansas?

Jack, you've made my day.

Holy moly.

Code or visit pbs.org.

Slash road show 2024 to enter for tickets and see complete rules.

DEADLINE is March 18th, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

Winners selected at random must be 18 to apply.

Good luck.

This is the PBS app ready for you.

What you want to watch full episodes of your favorites stream anytime anywhere or with the Free PBS app Arkansas.

PBS offers the inspiration you need to do it yourself with a wide variety of programs.

Satisfy the innovator in you.

From sewing to gardening to home improvement and cooking, we have everything to fulfill your DIY needs.

Tune in every Saturday for your fix of DIY programs only on Arkansas PBS.

We all live next level.

We all live next level.

The commitment it takes to be a winner on the field is the same as the commitments Centennial shows its customers patience, perseverance, commitment and resilience are key ingredients for success, both on and off the field.

Whether you're cheering on your home team or needing encouragement, starting a new business, let Centennial Bake help you make plans for your future.

Centennial For all of life's moments, member FDIC two Big Oak Arena In the wake of the Pine Bluff Zebras back to back state titles.

What a game it was.

We're here with coach Billy Dix and J.B. Brazil alongside our Jayhawk coaches.

You look here, you see you saw the trophy presentation.

It's got to mean a lot for you as you win it back to back.

my God, It means so much.

It really does.

I mean, it's a difficult challenge just to get it the first time.

And for my guys to stay focused and lock who were able to come and go back to back, plan a team that took it to us twice during the regular season.

Yes, it's a great feeling.

I promise you.

It's a great feeling.

Coach, You I go back to the first half right before halftime.

You guys are down like 14 points.

You made four stops and you scored seven points in about 20 seconds.

That gave you a lot of momentum going to the halftime locker room.

We have what's called get a kill.

A kill is three defensive stops consecutively.

So when we had that last time out, that was what we talked about, guys, we knew we had played horrible.

We really had played horrible the whole first half.

I mean, we scored, what, 6 minutes the score at one point.

Yeah.

So when we call that timeout.

We refocused the guys and we changed our defense up a little bit.

Let's get a kill.

Let's get a kill because kills turn over transition.

We had to get out to move the ball.

So yeah, that was a great feeling to turn it around.

I told the guys at halftime for us to be down by five playing the way that we played, We're fine.

Let's go back and let's be Pine Bluff and they responded, and that's exactly what they did.

Coach I want to talk about the adjustments for you guys in the second half, but more importantly defensively, that seemed to be the emphasis while also adjusting to the fouls that were being called.

What was the mindset for you guys?

Well, we had to go to the zone, which was part of our plan all along.

No one expected us to play zone.

We're man to man team.

We got pressure.

You were going to run and jump.

I told the guys all week, I say, Listen, we're going to show the state something different.

We're going to get in the zone.

And I'm not just saying that because that's what we did.

I'm saying that because that was the plan when we were when we narrowed it to five, I said, the guys, listen, we just need to bump up.

Then we reached a point we couldn't.

We got to go to the zone anyway.

And that's what we did.

We went to the we play really three different zones that whole second half in terms of making half of what we need to make happen.

Our defense is what we in championship.

That's what we tell guys.

We get stagnated, don't score the ball some time and that's what happened to us.

But it doesn't matter if you play defense.

Well, Coach, congrats on the win.

Back to back state titles.

Go enjoy the win with your team and community.

Thank you guys so much.

After losing one game, it was We will talk to our player of the game, the MVP, as we look at our stats momentarily, 68 to 63, the final for Pine Bluff.

They've done it in back to back years and they all really a lot of it came down to the play of Courtney Crutchfield, 24, piece on the day.

We're here with Courtney.

Congrats on the win, young man.

With your tail off.

It's got to feel a great feel good going back to back.

I mean, we really did it my sophomore year.

But, you know, I want to I just want to thank God for giving me here, having my team here.

I came ready to compete and we got the job done.

Courtney, you didn't play a whole lot in the first game against Ben.

You didn't play at all in the second game against Ben.

You had something to prove in this one.

Almost like I cannot be beat by the same team three times.

That's a no go.

Like I say, they got a great ball club.

I think.

Awesome guys coming back next year, they'll be fun to watch next year, but this year that gets real quick.

Let me ask you, you know, you're going to Missouri, play football.

This is going to be your last time playing basketball, especially with these guys.

Would that to lace it up one more time, come out here and play high school basketball?

Does that mean a lot?

Because I could have early enrollee, but I chose since I've been with them my whole life, playing travel, middle school bods decided to come back and get the job done with him again.

Well, Courtney, congrats again on the win.

Going joint with your family and friends and teammates after the game it was the five day champions, Pine Bluff.

As we look ahead for what's next, don't go anywhere.

At least for a little bit.

You got about an hour and a half.

That's right.

You can go go get a bite to eat, go to bathroom, and then you come back and see us, you six.

Hey, girl, A final coming up.

Little Rock Central and Conway, the six eight boys to follow that will wrap up the game or excuse me day two of the state finals.

A lot of thought up ahead.

It's the zebras from Pine Bluff.

Consecutive years in a row, two in a row, back to back state titles as they claim.

The victory that's going to do it for us here Makhosi K arena part of our Jayhawk.

A pleasure.

I'm JB Brazil alongside the rest of our our PBS crew saying so long you've been watching the centennial big state basketball championships on Arkansas PBS sports.