That is.

It is done.

Saturday night in the spa city.

Oh, look at those thermal waters just down Central Avenue.

What a great time to be at Hot Spring Saint Patrick's Day around the corner and inside Benkovic Arena.

The prime time spotlight for the undisputed top two teams in one day girls this season.

Earl and West side Greers Ferry.

It is great to have you with us, Kyle, Decker, Bob and West for looking forward to this one.

Undoubtably the best two teams at the classifications.

Yeah.

What's that?

Berry been ranked number one in most of the Bulls pretty much the entire season are number two.

And they make it out of bracket play.

Get here to Hot Springs to decide once and for all who the number one team in the state is at one eight girls already been a fun day as we wrap up this final session here of these fun few days in Hot Springs earlier today, how about that pass Roach on the spin there.

North side winning the state championship, the six eight girls state championship.

And then Bryant.

First time in a long time 25 Robinson brats the Bryant Hornets winning earlier today.

We're about to find out who wins the one eight girls championship.

We're back with the tip in two minutes.

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The final session of these three days here in Hot Springs Stretch always seem to fly by.

It's a fun few days.

Should be a fun game tonight it is.

Oh, and West Side Story for the one eight girls championship.

And take a look at how these two teams got here.

And we'll start with the old Lady Bulldogs blowing out in their first game.

Moving on to the quarterfinals 6865 win over Columbia Christian, and then another lopsided win to advance here to the championship.

Safe to say Earl's not your normal number three seed.

No.

This is a team that 29 and seven on the year 12 and own conference.

Big reason why Jefferson gets a two woman team.

I mean, two dynamic duo should call them Journey Jefferson though after 21.5 points, two rebounds, almost ten assists a game.

The daughter of head coach Stephen Jefferson and her cousin Jada Maples.

And we'll talk about a lot here.

The keys to Game West.

The first thing you just learned from your past, they lost to West Side Greers Ferry earlier in the regional finals.

Figure out what you did wrong, and one of the things they did wrong was miss free throws.

Make your free throws tonight.

They were nine of 21 in that loss to West Side.

Let's take a look at how the Eagles got here.

And 43 on the season.

They won their opener lopsided over Bradford 6326.

Another big win over Taylor.

And this was their closest game in one a whole season four point win over Rural Special.

Their leader another coach's daughter West, Kaylee Cornett, did Caitlin Cornett 16 points four rebounds a game.

This is a very solid team.

It's not just her, but she's kind of the straw that will stir this drink.

You look up and down there.

Rosters are getting introduced now a very solid team, one through five and even a couple of nice players coming in off the bench.

Upper Greers Ferry.

They won in the regional championship against the same rule team 5346 and continue to do some of the same things.

Yeah, and that's why I said do what you've been doing you at.

But they haven't lost to a won a school all season long.

And then they got to somehow slow down that dynamic duo of Jada Maples and Jurnee Jefferson.

That's a tough task.

Not many people have.

They average about 45 points.

Goodbye.

No kidding.

Quick, look at the starting lineup here from wind Rock automotive.

It'll be Jada Maples and Jurnee Jefferson, the captain cousins Ariana Perry, Christian Boykin and Madison Dunn.

We get set for tip here quickly for our West Side Addie Overture, Kaylee Cornett, Lady Gentry, Ashland, Cassie and Eden Murphree.

They gave us just enough time to squeeze everything in.

Perfectly done.

As if we've done this a few times over the course of three days.

The way we go here in the one day Championship, West Side and Earl Peters, a West Side team that, as West mentioned, 43 in the year they really played up.

They challenge themselves all season.

First miss there from Jada Maples put back no.

And it'll be the Lady Eagles have come away with it Maddie Overture point guard on this team 511 senior seven points.

Big tall, lanky point guard.

Earl coming out in the zone playing two three right now.

Over to the corner.

Intercepted and taken away Jada Maples the 510 junior.

Maples will bring it up and give it off to her cousin Jurnee Jefferson, daughter of head coach Stephen Jefferson and Earl grad.

Kick out and the floater.

Not there.

Too strong and a good rebound from over to the senior.

Strong with it.

Came down with the people ripping out it.

Trying to take it away from her good hands to take take that ball.

Keep control over turf I think might be the only senior we see play in this game.

Both these teams extremely young.

Three point attempt.

Lady gentry not there.

Offensive rebound putback no foul called despite the contact.

And it will be Madison Dunn comes away with it for Jefferson on the drive.

Pull back for three and a good offensive rebound.

The Lady Eagles using their height.

Size advantage a bigger roster literally in numbers and in size mentioned.

These Lady Eagles challenging themselves wins this year over Harrison and Watson Chapel and Heber Springs lakes are a steal there from Naples.

She'll get fouled on the way up.

Finish that thought real quick.

Wins over Bryant, Cabot and Dumas and impressive list of wins when even their losses they play teams at a North little Rock up Lasky Academy who played for the for a state title for this.

This coaching staff knew what they had and put together a challenging schedule, and it's paid off and prepared them to make this run.

There is head coach Stephen Jefferson for Earl, 1999 year old grad, played for the Bulldogs.

They made it to the semifinals.

I took out a monitor, sure gave something and went flying.

But just about to say that we may be seeing a little bit of nerves in this game.

No one scored yet.

Missed some shots and that pass was air mailed.

Keith Cornett, the West Side Bruce Ferry coach, came over from Concorde 28 years of coaching.

This is his first season with West Side, his first time coaching on the girls side.

And this will head the other way.

I don't have my rock my scoreboard up yet, but I can tell you the shooting percentage is zero for both teams.

Our math is not great layup here and our first bucket of the game.

Ashlyn Cassie the junior Ashley.

Well coach Cornett says she's the MVP.

The animal the motor and some good lineage.

Her aunt's played for SMU and Clemson.

Look inside to Dunn.

Kick out just inside the three point arc.

That is good to the basket.

Here we go.

Carrie the junior who had a big steal.

The quarterfinal first Lafayette to get to overtime and win at the other end.

Now these two teams are getting in a groove.

Now they're getting the feel of it.

Like how Cassie kind of lean forward.

Got that shot off, look like it may be blocked.

And she somehow managed to get that shot up and out of her hand quickly.

Cassie has an offer from Hendrix, as does cornet.

Perry was feeling it.

Over to bring this up.

Playing with a little bit of pace here.

They kick out gentry for three and a tough rebound underneath maples and Maples with some big time offers by the way as she spins underneath.

Can't finish.

Tipped around a loose ball.

Kick out Jefferson.

Two strong lady Eagles with the rebound and this will stay in their direction Jada Maples offers from Clemson but tech a state Louisiana Tech Memphis Tulsa.

13 double doubles and a triple double.

She averages 24 and ten.

When you average a double double, you're going to rack up a bunch of double doubles thousand points on the season.

24.6 the average underneath the in for Addie over to the senior.

I think they've done that a couple times against the two three zone timeout called by Earl coach Stephen Jefferson.

Throw it in the paint.

Everyone goes to her.

She throws it to the baseline.

Cotter easy layup.

Six two West side lead here.

Keith Cornett started to say 28 years of coaching.

And think about the transition.

Do something three decades coaching boys basketball to move over for the first time and coach the girls.

But how neat to coach his daughter that you.

It's got to be a thrill to coach his daughter and the coach the coaching and they going to dip with the philosophy sometimes how you have to deal with the guys in the girls.

But when you're a good coach, you can coach any, any age.

Anybody talk to him on the phone this week, he said.

It's unbelievable to coach his daughter and talk to Stephen Jefferson coaching his daughter, and they both talked about how they sort of had this bond and they have talked even, you know, long before knowing they would face each other.

The problem probably going to be called their makers talk long before knowing they're going to face each other in the Championship.

They've always had that bond of coaching their daughters.

Yes, I did a good job at just setting up the defensive, but you try to split the defense and travel.

It's going to stay.

With the Lady Eagles tipped out.

To and we've got our first break.

So a quick six two West side lead as we just get underway here in the one day championship.

The Centennial Bank state basketball championships in Arkansas PBS sports.

Sports is so important to this state and the fabric of the state.

And I appreciate Arkansas PBS doing all the state title games, and that makes it available for not just the fans in Central Arkansas, South Arkansas, the fans around the entire state.

I can only think of the kids in small towns, and this is the biggest moment, maybe in their sports careers, and they have that keepsake of having that game on TV to have with them the rest of their lives.

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Frosty.

So it's pretty good right about now.

But imagine your throat after all these games needs it.

A little sugar rush wouldn't be bad on the drive.

Rolls around out of bounds just ahead towards oral.

The Lady Bulldogs have started this game one for nine from the field.

That has been a theme throughout these three days.

We have seen some teams struggle to shoot, especially early in games.

West side three of six, but they've been attacking the paint, getting some lay up, some easier shots.

Maples trying to lob it in high low and it's coming.

Offensive charge will get Madison Dunn on that.

Hurdle shot a couple of times to get inside to the paint.

But they do such a good job just walling things off right time.

Great replay there to beat.

Said just standing there put the shoulder down knocked her over.

Overturn moving quickly.

She has done that for much of this game.

Bounce pass underneath blocked Jada maples the excellent defensive play.

Rushing the other end trying to finish leaps.

And she'll draw the foul.

She did what Overton should have done.

No one ever stopped over turf she passes.

She should have just kept going to the basket.

That time no one stopped the basket or the guard again, so she just took it all the way to the basket.

Draws a foul.

Now.

Jada will go to the free throw line.

Of Jada, the junior Jurnee Jefferson, the cousin of sophomore and coach Stephen Jefferson, talked about how Jada sometimes can be a little critical of her younger cousin trying to coach her up, just as her dad could do it.

Tough love.

Got to get it across here in trouble and a timeout called.

And now.

They were in trouble at the smart timeout there from Coach Cornett a surprise I gave him a timeout I thought the ball was loose I think they had possession.

Yeah yeah well they got 28 seconds left on the shot clock.

So they get about three seconds to get it across half court.

It's a team that's won two state championships two and zero on this stage 2018 and 2016, their first trip since that 2018 title for West Side, their first trip since they won it all the way back in 1995.

Neither West Sider Earl has experienced the disappointment of going to a finals and losing.

They've been perfect in their trips deep three point attempts.

Katelyn Cornett had a good look, didn't faze her a bit, but she she just shook it off.

All right, I'll make the next one.

She shoots 47% from the field, as does Ashland Castle.

Dunn will get this off to maples, lowers his shoulder, steps back around and out.

Good rebound.

Great rebound underneath from Eden Murphy who just checked in the sophomore.

And at the other end maples can't hang on to the rebound.

And they're going to wave off the bucket.

Reaching foul before the shot.

It's on maples personal foul.

And so the quick inbounds.

Let's reset.

Pass inside I tell you Earl is a great rebounding team.

Yeah.

West side right now with only one offensive rebound.

It's really I ask Coach Cornett what's gotten you here?

Jefferson can't connect.

He said it's rebounding for them.

That's really been their key all season.

That's carried them here.

Yes.

Rob shooting star for Earl Maples and Jefferson.

The combined over seven for six tries again.

And this time she connects.

There's a reason she shook it off last time playing with that confidence.

It did not faze her that she shot in the air ball in that third.

Three-Point attempt on this side.

No.

From Ariana Perry, the junior.

She can hit those threes.

Gentry.

Plenty of room.

She thought about it.

Good look underneath the layup two strong offensive rebound and they'll kick it back out Eden Murphy doing really well down there.

Now a three point attempt.

Little bit too short from Caitlin Cornett.

Outlet pass ahead Jefferson can't finish.

Boy Earl cannot buy a bucket.

One for 12 from the field.

Deep three.

And rebound maples two and one.

Takes it herself and can't connect.

One for 13.

At the other end gentry can't hit Murphree.

The put back no.

And a rebound underneath layup.

Gotta make your layups.

Both teams to struggling right now.

West side could have a much bigger lead if they just make their layups.

And of course Earl just can't get off the the schneid.

Maples and Jefferson the combined zero for nine make it one for 14 as a team for the Lady Bulldogs.

Oh for ten.

Maybe both these teams need these substitutions here.

Ten.

Teams.

With defensive.

Girls now missed nine straight shots.

And West one for their last 11.

Now, West hasn't scored in three minutes either.

You don't like that combined shooting.

Five seconds.

Pull up jumper.

Got it at the buzzer.

Maybe just what the doctor orders.

Ashland.

Cassie, the junior knocks it down to send us to our first break.

11 four.

West side lead here in this one.

A girls championship on the Centennial Bank.

State basketball championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

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We might be cheating on our Arkansas Governor Springs Ball Association trivia question.

Who holds the state record for most points scored in a career?

Think about it and come back to that.

It has been tough shooting for both these teams combined.

Six of 34 early in particular.

One for the first 15.

Good layup right there 80 over two to get things started early in the second quarter.

And West Side has opened up a nine point lead to new quarter.

They're one for one.

We're just going to erase all that stuff that happened in the first quarter.

That's good three point attempt.

There you go.

Two for two.

Marion Perry the junior we mentioned she can hit those.

That was the same spot she had just missed from.

Overturned picks up her dribble Cassie kicks it out a block.

Maples with the energy out of nowhere.

Gets away.

Naples averaging 24 points.

Points per game ten rebounds, 6.5 assists.

That is doing it all over turf to the corner.

Has no.

And now Maple is going to move quickly at the other end.

She loves to drive this.

And this time she connects and gets it to go.

She is one quarter for Earl and it's down to a four point game.

A little life over there on the bench and here their fans get a little excited after making two in a row overturned from the free throw line.

Maples can't hang on.

Could save a fight for it, but the put back stairs quickly could see this is in the right spot at the right time, as she was her own.

Was just trying to save it in bounds.

Threw it right tour.

Then there was nobody around who laid it in.

Whitney Goodson, a sophomore undersized post, used the way Coach Cornett described her, but still surprising you.

And she's the player that most opponents seem to catch their eye and ask about.

Knocked out of bounds is to stay with West Side.

Good hustle play by Madison Dunn.

If she doesn't reach and get that, it's another layup to loose.

Hustle play on the baseline here.

As Goodson put it in underneath.

And good quick hands there for maples to knock that out.

Really trying to get Cassie inside.

Posting up.

This is Cassie.

Steps just inside the arc and buries it.

I think she likes that shot.

That's two in a row from that same spot.

Back to an eight point lead for West Side Jefferson, who is coming off a 27 point performance in the semifinals.

Gives it off to her cousin maples.

No.

Put back blocked from behind.

Scramble for it.

And loose ball.

Maples tried to get it to go from the ground.

And they're going to call a jump ball here.

It'll stay this direction.

Possession.

Arrow pointing here for Earl.

West side is doubling.

Whether it's Maples or Jefferson.

Every time they catch the ball, somebody else runs at them and tries to force the ball out of their hands.

That leaves everybody else playing three on four.

But coach is rolling the dice that, you know what?

We don't want those two girls to beat us, so we're going to get the ball out of their hands or double team first.

Those two players average a combined 146 points per game.

Almost 25 and 22.

Jefferson hits three of four threes, I should say, against Jasper in the semifinals.

Trying to work it inside here.

Double team.

They kick it out.

It's tipped away.

Lady Eagles are going to come away with this one.

Overturned.

Good.

Look ahead to Cornett inside.

Goodson drives and draws the foul.

Good to take that strong.

That's what you have to play.

You got to play strong in these games.

You know the hands are coming.

They're reaching in trying to get the steal.

Tie you up good.

Can't hesitate.

She got it.

Took a hard dribble to the basket.

Put it up.

Good team to player that shoots 51% from the field.

You can tell why all of her shots coming from the low post.

Just five.

Not by five.

But she finds a way to get the shot off.

Double digit West side lead here early.

We have seen Earl and they get hot.

They can get hot and they can shoot themselves right back in it.

But it has been tough going three for 21 from the field.

Jefferson.

And rebound.

Lady Eagles trying to build on a ten point lead.

Bounce pass in transition.

The layup is good.

Caitlin Cornett the junior Costly Cassie did a great job of bringing the ball down the court.

She felt the pressure coming from behind her.

Found the cutter maples high arching three.

No.

And it falls right in the hands of Cornett.

Good.

Look ahead, Goodson.

No.

Maples.

They need to get her going.

West side doing a much better job rebounding.

Not many offensive rebounds right now for Earl.

A deep three for gentry.

She's hit from there earlier in the game.

Not this time.

Maples one on one falls to the ground.

It's tipped out.

It'll stay with her.

Do you see that?

Heads up.

She goes to the ground.

Nobody was coming.

None of her teammates were nearby, so she just threw it off the leg of the defender.

Look at this.

Looking.

Well, you like to say for Earl, you want to get everybody involved.

But the reality is, as maples rises and fires and will go to the line, plus the foul.

That was Georgia number 23.

You like it?

Maples and Jefferson are their team.

I mean, they got to get these two going.

Maybe that'll be a start.

Ten-point West side lead here under four to play until halftime.

Good.

Look inside.

And Cassie with the finish.

They just set the zone.

So good at it.

Maples two for ten from the field.

Cousins zero for six Jefferson.

Four for 25 as a team.

Now West side on the drive.

Easy layup.

No bounced around.

Always going to come away with it.

Here.

Maples gets it off to Jefferson for three.

Little bit too strong.

Rebound tracked down.

Good balance there.

Nuts.

Couldn't keep her feet down.

That's good.

You travel and Natalie Sanders so breaking the action and a 12 point Westside lead.

You're watching the Centennial Bank state basketball championships on Arkansas PBS sports this month on Arkansas PBS.

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Congratulations to Ella.

It is a 2311 West Side lead here in the one eight girls championship.

Earl four for 27 from the field.

West side numbers have improved as Casey draws the foul.

Up to ten for 29 from the field.

The two teams a combined two for 19 from beyond the arc.

For.

Finishes in just West Side from the free throw line has been perfect.

Sanders no chance.

Maples and Jefferson, the two cousins ended up together.

This is Maple.

Trying to create something.

She'll go to work to the basket.

Too strong to fight for the rebound.

And it's over.

Turf that comes away with it.

Good.

Look ahead.

Gentry on the drive.

Forces it up.

Contact.

And it's to ahead the other way.

Here.

Dunn didn't like that foul.

Yeah.

They're going.

She got knocked to the ground in the car.

Went to pick her up help her up.

And she just looked at it like no you put me down here.

You're not.

Help me up.

The reps overall in these three games West.

You agree pretty much let teams play through contact for the most part.

Yeah.

At some point you got to call a foul.

But there's nickel and diamonds that I can do without an well.

But there's a great example wide open over turf.

She buries the three.

That's a good example Peter.

Call that a foul right there.

The net shot never happens there.

You're taking the baseline out.

And instead it was played on.

She played on.

Found a teammate.

She knocks down the three.

West side suddenly up 17.

High arching three.

Nothing but net.

Maples on the drive pulls up through contact.

No.

Quigley at the other end.

Casey on the drive blocked from behind.

Naples.

Comes away with it.

Gives it off to her cousin Jefferson.

Journey Jefferson, the coach's daughter.

Hard foul from behind by Caitlin Cornett, the other coach's daughter.

That's when you had to call.

That is when you couldn't miss it for West Side on 12, Maddie Smith replaces number 22.

That was the second team or second foul on Cornett.

And that's why she's leaving the game.

Oh they're going to call a foul there on overturn.

Ballard go.

Have you.

Had a overturn.

We mentioned the only senior playing the chance.

We see these two teams match up for a long time.

Considering how young they are and how talented they are.

And kick out maples creates a shot, pulls up, she will draw the foul and she gets it to go.

She has been waiting for that all night team second down and two.

Jim.

She got her for a slam right there on the hands and she was going up.

There all connects for the free throw.

Much needed three point play for Earl.

Looking to finish positive here as we come up on one minute before halftime.

These kind of plays to help turn Jefferson to steal.

Oh can't finish the layup.

Gentry comes away with the rebound.

That sums up the night right there.

Over turf brings it up good.

Look ahead.

Gentry from the corner for three.

No maples.

The rebound finds her way through contact.

She'll move quickly the other way.

Maples 43 seconds.

Hoist it up.

No!

It has been that kind of night for Earl.

And a foul called there.

Let's see if they call this one on lucky Murphree gets two free throws.

Second personal foul.

Maples three for six from the free throw line.

Maples has been trying to at the line create offense doing everything she can.

And she has had some good looks.

Just has not been able to connect.

Jefferson.

Meanwhile her cousin.

Oh for eight from the field.

Oh.

Maples is doing a lot of good things.

It's just the shots not falling.

She's already got nine rebounds, nine defensive rebounds and assists two steals, three blocked shots.

That's a great point.

She's been very active defensively and probably easy to let your frustration carry over on the other end.

And she's been working hard at both ends of the floor.

Yeah that was I would say that's the thing that maples is doing is it's not letting her offense affect the rest of her game.

Whereas Jefferson hasn't scored.

She's zero for eight, but she hasn't done anything else.

She doesn't have any rebounds, she doesn't have any assists, he doesn't have a turnover, which is a good thing.

But she does have one steal shot clock off final 20s here before halftime in this one a girls championship and good hands there Jada maples defensively again one on one opportunity.

Can't finish.

Story of the night for Earl.

And a foul's going to be called there on maples.

That was a.

5.7 left in the second quarter.

She lady Eagles draw up here.

They play for the final shot.

Take it away.

Jefferson heaves it a little bit too strong.

Orioles made some nice defensive plays.

They can't buy a bucket.

West side.

Meantime settled into a groove.

And they have a 12 point lead at halftime in this one a girls championship.

Steve Sullivan and Aminos coming up.

And our Arkansas PBS sports halftime show.

You're watching the Centennial Bank state basketball championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

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Hey, everybody.

Steve Sullivan here live with Christina munoz.

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

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

In the early 1990s, a remarkable chapter in Arkansas basketball history was about to unfold at Arkansas Tech University.

Under the leadership of Coach Jo Foley, the Golden Suns weren't just chasing victories, they were building a program that would inspire generations.

This is the story of Back-To-Back National championships that did more than fill trophy cases.

It created a legacy of excellence that continues to shape Arkansas basketball today.

We had great team chemistry.

He was a great coach and we won back to back national championships.

They were really successful before we got there.

Jimmy I think pretty well started the program.

And Jim Dixon The Color of Toronto, it was a very successful program and I got to take over.

There was an assumption, a false assumption that women couldn't do what the men were doing.

Their first experience of playing full court basketball was when they came to college.

But when Coach Foley came, he really put the misconception aside.

Of this team wanted to do something nobody thought they could do, and nobody expected them to do except themselves when it came to recruiting.

He was very honest, frank about what his expectations were going to be.

You know, everybody wants to win, but not everybody wants to prepare the way that and this team understood the preparation, how hard it was.

He was very detail oriented in his motion offense.

We would repeat the same drills over and over and over.

When you believe in something, you got to really give yourself to learn.

And those kids were just going to get better each day.

As a coach, I had to get better each day.

And it all kind of accumulated at the end.

And they ended up being an unbelievable basketball team.

Things just kind of flowed kind of easily that year, and I kind of sat there after it was over when the final four, so we were about 15 to 16, and I thought this is all there is to it, because I think we just blew everybody up.

They were tenacious and aggressive and and they were mentally challenging to play against.

And by the end of the game, they had won the game not only physically but mentally.

The practices were actually tougher than the games.

That's what separates us from a lot of teams.

Is is the preparation.

We just ran screens, pass cut.

That's just the motion.

Offense.

We had a target on our back.

We were all returning and we knew that.

So it was way more difficult.

He did not call a timeout.

He told us he trusted us.

Hey, you know how to play basketball?

Just go make a play.

We've worked on this.

The defense kind of spread because they knew that he was going all the way.

And all of a sudden he sees the case.

He's got great awareness as he sees where they're all coming together.

They made a great pass and there was nobody guarded.

It was kind of lucky.

It was like it was a tough shot.

And late in the layup, as the shot clock, you know we I was just blessed to be able to make it.

Have been successful.

They were on a finals team last year.

We're all close and know each other really well.

It's just a good bond and I think it helps us during the game.

Sometimes he's very strict sometimes, but like that just makes us better with our team.

Last year we got to a very high position like where nobody else was hammering them to do something.

You got to encourage them to believe in themselves.

Gets her point across.

I like the way she coaches because she knows what's best for us, and I learned why he did what he did.

He pushed us to be the best we could be to get outside of our own comfort zone.

If you set your high expectations, high, you're going to get to get up there pretty good.

Winning is not the ultimate.

It wasn't about the X's and O's.

It was about the people.

You know, we don't just teach in basketball.

We teach a life skills.

I just want them to be good people.

These kids need to know all the time that I love them that I'll do anything for them.

But once we cross those lines, there's going to be a high expectation and a high standard that I'm going to expect them to play and I'm going to be on them.

But when I walk off the court, I'm going to hug them, tell them I love them, and we're going to move on to the next day.

Putting the pieces together each year, trying to figure out the best way for that team to play, the best way to help those kids become a great team.

That's the joy.

Winning's great, but ultimately the relationships you have with these kids when they go off.

I would tell players all the time, do you make me a better coach?

And they look at me and say, why?

And I'd say, because I don't want to let you down.

And you didn't fail them.

And when you had great players that gave you everything, you keep going on.

You got to go.

You got to figure it out.

From those unforgettable championship seasons in 1992 and 93, the Golden Sun's impact resonates far beyond the court.

Through coaches like Karen Pinion, McNabb, the spirit of excellence and determination that Jo Foley instilled lives on in gyms across Arkansas.

Here at Arkansas PBS, we celebrate these champions who showed us that true greatness isn't just about winning titles, but passing the torch to future generations.

Now let's toss it over to Christina.

She's going to introduce you to some very talented athletes.

Christina.

That's right.

Thanks, Steve.

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

Here is the Arkansas PBS student All-Stars, class of 2025.

We start off with the one a girls, that is Ella Holtzman with the Sacred Heart Knights.

Iowa has a 4.0 GPA and plans to go to the University of Arkansas and study biology for one AA boys.

We have Jonah Walker, a senior center from Marked Tree.

Jonah wants to go to college to pursue a career in the medical field.

He likes playing football and hanging out with his brother in his spare time.

Next up we have Hayden Matheny representing two a girls.

She plays for the Lady Greyhounds of Sloan Hendricks High.

Hayden has a 4.0 GPA and wants to attend Arkansas State University to pursue a degree in radiation therapy for the boys.

And today we've got Amari Neal.

Amari has a GPA of 3.6 and wants to be a pediatric dentist, hunting, fishing, and spending time with family as some of the ways he spends his spare time.

The Bergman Lady Panthers Brinley Collins is the three girls Arkansas PBS student all star really wants to further her basketball and academic career.

She has a 4.0 GPA on the boys side and three.

We have Rylan Robbins representing the flippin high school Bobcats.

Rylan wants to pursue college basketball and major in education.

Basketball, fishing, baseball and video games are how he likes to spend his spare time.

Halfway through and on to the four a girls, that's Jordan Youngblood with the Heber Springs Panthers.

Jordan plans to attend ASU Newport to play softball and major in exercise science.

She enjoys anything active and shopping.

Riley Jones with the Eastham Mets represents the four A boys.

Riley has a 3.75 GPA and wants to become a basketball coach.

He likes video games, hanging out with friends, working out and trying new food.

The five A girls are well-represented by J.C. Edrington of the Greene County Tech Golden Eagles.

Jaycee wants to attend Arkansas State and become a physical therapist.

She has a 4.17 GPA and enjoys being with family and friends, and love everything about the lake.

The five boys.

Well, that is Elias Xavion with the Russellville Cyclones.

Elias wants to attend UCA and become a gastroenterologist.

He enjoys hanging out with friends and family and playing basketball.

Rounding out the classifications are your six A student All-Stars for the girls, that is, McKinley Campbell with the Harbor Lady Wildcats.

McKinley is interested in becoming a veterinarian or possibly a psychologist.

She has a 4.1 GPA and likes to cook, shop, and hang out with friends.

And finally, for the six AA boys, we have Kellan Robinson with the Bryant Hornets.

Kellen plans to play basketball at UCLA.

He has a 3.75 GPA and enjoys playing basketball and working out.

Congratulations and keep up the good work.

All right Steve, it is about that time.

All right.

Yes it is.

Christina.

Let's get back to the bank arena for the second half.

That's right here on the home of the high school basketball state finals.

Arkansas PBS.

Since 1937, the electric cooperatives of Arkansas have been providing power to homes, farms, and businesses across our state.

The cooperatives are member of and work together to serve Arkansans.

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Welcome back to Hot Springs.

Half number two of this one.

A girls state championship.

It's a 2816 West side.

Greers ferry lead over overall.

And you look at these numbers Kyle Decker bomb Westmore here.

We will skip over that five for 34 from Earl.

That's been the story of the game.

West side started off west.

A little slow in their own end, but they shot 38% in the second quarter.

Take a commanding 12 point lead.

Yeah, they warmed up a little bit in the second quarter and was able to push that up to a 12 point lead.

Got some highlights there from the first half.

How we got here and then watch Carter.

He's had a very nice game for West Side.

She averages came into this game averaging 13 points.

She's already got ten and seven.

We talked about the double double for her.

She's on her way for yet another double double.

Lady gentry with the big three.

It's been Casey mentioned with 12 points five for 11 from the field.

And West side will begin this third quarter with a 2816 lead over a team that they beat in the regional final about two weeks ago.

West side looking for its first state championship in 30 years.

To get back in this game.

It's got to start on this end of the court, maybe get some steals, some easy buckets.

That will be a start right here.

Let's see if Jefferson can finish.

A fight for the loose ball.

Jefferson.

This time she gets it to go.

Jefferson on the board for the first time from the fear.

Tried to extend the pressure, but they didn't communicate it well.

And that leads to a run out layup.

And maples comes away with the rebound.

Jefferson moving quickly.

She'll get fouled to your point where six turnovers in the first half for West Side zero points off those turnovers for her in the first half there were a couple breakaway just like we saw.

Now she ended up getting the offensive rebound and finally putting it back in.

But there were at least two occasions clear steals go down.

Make your layup.

But think about that Jefferson.

That's four points right there.

It was 12 point game at that.

Yeah that single digits eight point game.

It's anybody's game.

So many times in girls basketball it comes down to free throws and layups and simple things like that can cost you a game.

And right now it's really hurting early.

They miss another free throw.

That was intended to.

Net they're going to say actually charged with the foul.

There.

Up ahead this is Caitlin Cornett coach's daughter laying it in.

She averages 16 a game.

The junior an offer from Hendrix.

She's really improved I think you saw it there on her ball handling this year.

Rough start the first half one for four.

But that will get her going in the second half.

Madison Dunn drawing the charge in charge of the corner.

And on the fast break for second.

And he is going to come away with this.

Burnett gives it off to over to her for moves quickly.

She's going to take it herself.

Drives in.

Can't get it to go.

Rebound Murphy the put back and she draws contact.

Did a good job of spinning.

But the finishing at the basket.

Drawing that contact that was 21.

If you're just joining us these are the two teams that were number one and number two all season in this classification.

Or for getting her first points of the game.

She missed a couple of shots.

Team.

Still she had nine rebounds in the first half five offensive rebounds four defensive rebounds.

Getting it done on the glass.

It always feels good to get on the board.

I think especially for Jefferson, by the way, hitting from the field for the first time.

Not sure what the coach is pointing to.

I went over to talk to the official scorekeeper.

West side apparently had something different on their books than the official score book had.

This is Jefferson steps back and can't connect it.

Good rebound underneath off rebound for Cassidy and draws the foul.

Now this is where it gets dicey I think for Pearl West.

You can't let your frustration show as coach Steven Jefferson is going to call a timeout.

I think you sent us that by the way.

She just got her 10th rebound of the game.

So she averages a double double.

She got her double double with 621 to go here in the third.

Let's go back to our trivia question that we asked you earlier.

The Arkansas Governor's Crystal Ball Association trivia question.

Who holds the state record for most points scored in a career?

Like in garrison, 3736 points 0307.

These have been tough all week.

I will say that's a lot of points is a lot of points.

You got to think that you had a lot of points as as a freshman.

Sophomore just added to it for a four year total to get to 3700 won, an accomplishment.

So if you're Steven Jefferson, the year coach year, you tell your team not to be frustrated, try to hang in this and and you got to hope.

Look, the shots have fallen all year.

At some point, maybe they will tonight.

Hey you just keep attacking, you know, keep keep to it.

Play your game.

It's never too late.

As we saw last night with Benton.

You know, it doesn't look good right now down 14.

But we still got a quarter and six minutes.

22 seconds to go.

So no, this game's not over.

Just keep playing.

If we can't catch fire.

And it's not like they're missing a ton of long shots.

It's short shots that are makeable.

So they're not asking them to do something they haven't been doing all year.

Casey, off to gentry.

Good.

Look inside.

It's caught at corner.

Renner off of a pick green.

Cut right down the basket.

Wide open.

Great play.

Drawn up.

Maples the floater.

No.

And the rebound to Cassie.

Number 11.

She may get 20 tonight.

Hornet picks up her dribble.

Off to Cassie A swing it around to gentry.

Tipped away.

Good defense there from maples with the takeaway trying to convert at the other end.

And she cannot.

Boy how many times can we say it's story of the game for Earl.

They are playing very well defensively as far as forcing turnovers.

Active hands.

They just can't finish at the other end.

Another chance for the Lady Eagles here.

Katie Cornett fighting through close coverage there from Ariana Perry.

And another chance here for Earl maples.

One on one steps away from the defender and scores.

Time out Stephen Jefferson.

Trying to get a little something going.

Basket timeout.

Let's talk to him.

Last time didn't work because West Side drew a pretty nice play.

Ran a great set.

Got an easy layup.

I know he's wanted to set up a little pressure here in the back court trying to pick up another steal and another easy basket.

I think he senses there's real opportunity there to to do that.

Meantime Keith Cornett there we mentioned about three decades of coaching his first though in the girls side he won a boys title when he was with Concord back in 2014.

And his message has got to be just take care of the basketball.

They're up to nine turnovers now and they take care of the basketball.

They're getting good shots, good looks at it.

3420 West side lead here in this one championship game.

Quick inbounds to Cornett and nearly taken away.

Good defense.

And they do.

This is maples again who comes away with it.

No one in front of her.

And she converts it down to a 12 point west side lead.

The pressure is going to work.

They see real opportunity.

This is the riskier run, though quickly.

At the other end, Katelyn Cornett lays it in for the.

Nobody there.

So she just put her head down.

Went all the way to the basket.

Jurnee Jefferson here.

Coach's daughter, one of two sisters.

Her older sister is a cheerleader at Uapb.

Journey was into cheerleading for a long time, coach said before she transitioned to basketball.

They still call the foul two shot foul.

She'll be at the free throw line.

Here.

Thousand point scorer.

She has an offer from a state attorney.

Jefferson Institute, a maples.

Six and nine.

Now from the free throw line.

She's got a double.

Double.

She's got 11 points or 15 points.

11 rebounds.

Maybe those feet away from the pressure once again at the other end caught it unguarded.

Net.

Maples puts her head down on the drive, slices through traffic and scores the two.

Hornets can move quickly.

With cash, will pull back.

The junior gives it off.

Overturned swinging around gentry underneath.

That's a great look.

Back to Ashlyn.

Cassie on the break.

Yeah.

That's what you got do to get to the basket.

They're overplaying now.

Earl was looking to steal just about every past.

They are looking to take it back the other way.

You can get a little backdoor cut.

It's going to be wide open.

Jefferson, on the drive through contact.

She scores!

Just.

Well, clearly Stephen Jefferson sees that's their best chance.

They got to take some risks here defensively.

Underneath Cassie no rebound.

Maples.

She's going to move quickly.

Kick it out to Jefferson for three.

Little bit too strong.

And gentry a big rebound.

It's on the ground.

No foul.

Called.

And look at Earl coming away with it.

And the block underneath from Cassie.

And they're going to call her for the foul 13 point game.

Earl trying to fight their way back in this.

We got a timeout on the floor in the Centennial Bank state basketball championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

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4227 West Side Lead.

All trying to fight their way back in this.

They are shooting a bit better here in the second half, thanks in large part to some breakaway opportunities.

Earl is five for 11 in this third quarter.

Now compared to their stats in the first half as Hornet picks this one up certainly will take that fastbreak opportunity.

The other end here for the Lady Eagles.

They'll pull back overturned and that one's going to fall for Carson Sullivan.

Hustle totty had a clear lane.

I thought she was going to take a dribble make a layup.

She said that I got the six footer no problem.

And give the Lady Eagles credit.

It seems like every time that Earl has had a breakaway opportunity and maybe a chance to try to get a little bit of momentum here, Lady Eagles keep answering at the other end.

They've responded every time.

Yes, you're right.

Earl back up full court pressure this time as cornet brings it up.

Senior over turf.

The tall, lanky point guard gentry had a big three early in this game.

Underneath.

Ashlyn Cossey forces one up and maples the big rebound.

Been extremely active there on that end.

And they're going to wipe away the basket.

Call a foul.

That was larger 20.

The fourth team foul for West Side.

So the next one will result in free throws.

It's Mercury to sophomore.

That one is inside the arc.

No good for the Lady Eagles trying to come away with it.

And a foul is going to be called here.

As Cassie was fighting for she slow to get up.

Meantime Ariana Perry is the one who's going to be charged with the foul.

Get the knee pads on.

She needs elbow pads to that one.

Hurt.

The elbow.

No.

We saw a very physical game that six eight girls championship earlier today.

Cassie on the drive.

Easy.

Lays it in.

4427 West side lead Costa up to 18 points 11 rebounds Jefferson working back and forth.

Pulls picks up her dribble Perry cannot connect.

Rebound.

Gentry fights away the traffic and over turf will bring this one up.

Lady Eagles looking to extend their 4427 lead on the drive.

Cornett block take it away.

Good defensive play there.

Now maples will give it off to Jefferson.

She'll try the three.

And she has had no luck tonight.

Contact there.

They're going to call a blocking foul.

On you.

You did call the whistle on Thomas Jefferson on the three.

That's on Jefferson.

Her first.

Four points in this one for Jefferson.

Oh, for five from beyond the arc.

What's up?

Madison Dunn is okay.

I think she just rolled her ankle last trip down the court.

She's up trying to play defense inside.

Cozy over maples.

No.

Maples lost the rebound.

And the put back is there for Eden Murphy.

Final 15 seconds of what is now a 19 point Westside lead.

Berry in the corner.

Has it taken away by Murphree.

Five seconds.

Lady Eagles trying to heave one up here.

It's gentry.

Oh she got it.

Lady gentry, with what just might be an exclamation point for these lady Eagles.

Look at this from the logo on the court.

She buries it.

How about that celebration?

Headed to the fourth, the Centennial Bank State basketball Championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

This month on Arkansas PBS.

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In case you forgotten, I'm the detective around here, and he needs help to read the victim's lewd novel for clues.

Brother, is this really necessary?

A woman is murdered.

Eight or more blows shattered the skull.

And the weapon used was unusual.

The spider could have been deliberately placed in Constance's shoe.

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DVD copies of the state championship games are available from M&M productions.

More information at MNM productions dot net.

And while we have a second.

How about a shout out here in this final session to our entire Arkansas PBS sports crew?

Long hours for these guys working really hard to bring you the action behind the scenes.

They do a tremendous job every year.

You and I have the easy job West.

They work really hard as Maple gets it to going to go to the line.

Hats off to the entire kids through here in the Saturday night session.

It's a great production.

I have so many friends that comment from out of state who sees us like, wow, this, this is so good for state championship games, great for Arkansas basketball, Arkansas sports.

We're lucky to have.

And it's a fantastic product that that's put on the air.

Our thanks to everybody working so hard to make it happen.

Well this will stay with Earl here.

We're not going to quit.

You can see that from the coach.

Girls coach.

Coach Jefferson ripped off his sweatshirt.

Different that time out.

He did, didn't he?

Yeah, he's he's getting with the girls.

He's like, we want to do that.

But we want to be aggressive.

Don't foul.

Second half a second on Jefferson.

The coaches daughter.

She's probably seen this move once or twice at home at the other end.

That coach's daughter Haley Cornett.

The importance Hornets had a much better second half rough first half but that was a nice layup.

That was a tough finish.

Jefferson bounce pass underneath Perry gets to go along the baseline.

But here in the.

Jefferson trying to play very close.

Take some chances but not foul.

Lady Eagles get it across the timeline.

Cassie backing down her defender.

Can't finish.

Gets her own rebound.

Hoists it up and close contact.

She'll go to the line.

Alex two for two.

Flash and costly.

Coach Keith Gordon described as the MVP and the motor of this team.

I think you can see why an offer from Henderson is interest from both of you.

Marty Henderson replacing him for 21.

Madison up to 19 points now the kind of player you could see having a lot of success in the GAC.

And there's a look at Stephen Jefferson, by the way, with the shirt off.

Pull out all the moves at this point.

5332 lead best in.

Jada Maple has found her groove a little bit at the other end.

Fast break, no rebound.

Not there either from Eden Murphy maples the kick out Jefferson for three.

She's got it.

How badly does he need that one.

Jared quick timeout from Stephen Jefferson.

She missed their first five threes.

Finally gets one to go.

Little many run there for Earl.

Gives them a little life team needed it.

Jefferson needs it.

She's got seven points now.

So you look at Coach Stephen Jefferson.

They're a 99 year old grad who played for the Bulldogs.

Took them to the semifinals, coaching the girls at his alma mater in his third season.

There's no shortage of candy and popcorn going around for the fan.

This is when you feel it on a Saturday night.

At West Side has the right colors, by the way, for Saint Patrick's Day weekend here in Hot Springs.

Shortest parade coming up on Monday.

Fun time to be in the Spa City we saw yesterday with Green County Tech.

A lot of green here out there.

A lot of people walking around Bathhouse Row over the weekend.

Fun place to come for the state championship as West Side trying to close out what would be its first state championship since 1995, a team that we mentioned has impressive wins this year.

They challenged themselves.

They beaten tough teams.

As Perry gets called to the foul.

Harrison Blossom Chapel in Heber Springs at Lakeside, Brian Capers continues.

They played eight a 6359.

No fluke.

I mean this is a good team.

Good look inside Boyce Snow the rebound underneath and Cassie with the finish.

Austin just a machine 22 points 13 rebounds.

Perry for three.

Is number three.

Pressure for Boise 49 seconds.

This is a big night for Earl.

You'll see the boys play Mark Tre after this one.

Coach Jefferson talked about it all.

Eyes in Crittendon County on these early Bulldogs.

Girls and boys on a Saturday night.

Good passing underneath.

And Eden Murphy, the sophomore with the finish.

And good pass toss.

He gets it.

Draws the defender hands it off to Murphy.

They're so good at dissecting a defense joint possession there.

It's going to head West Side's way for Earl right now.

Putting a lot of pressure out top.

If you can just beat that pressure get it down low.

You've got the numbers advantage West side by 20.

Cornett looking for more and she'll lose it out of bounds.

Now if a girl can take 21 Madison Gillen.

Jurnee Jefferson, a sophomore, Jada maples, her cousin, the junior.

Two players who no doubt will be hungry for these oral Lady Bulldogs next season.

She'll step back for a deep three.

West side and they've been I've been impressed with their passing west, but a really good rebounding team too.

And their coach Keith Cornett talked about it.

But that's carried him.

And we've seen that a lot today.

Oh look at some of the impressive numbers that they're putting up.

Call called a walk Cassie is up to 14 rebounds Murphy has 13 rebounds for a team.

They now have 50 rebounds 11 offensive rebounds Murphy leads them with seven offensive rebounds.

Yeah 50 rebounds in the game.

50 to 31 advantage.

Madison Dunn's going to go to the line.

The sophomore.

Good post presence for these are old lady Bulldogs drawing some due to an Nia interest.

One good note about Madison.

Her dad played in the 1994 state championship game for Earl.

Five years before their coach, Stephen Jefferson.

You see that a lot.

I think especially these smaller classifications where you start to get the the parents who played for a championship, who now get to watch their children do the same.

When you get in a place like Earl, where the tradition for basketball is so strong, the town just supports it.

You see how many people are here for for Earl, large contingent.

Basketball means a lot to the town.

And they get the double feature tonight.

5739 West side lead.

Over turf.

Closely guarded.

Give it off to Cassie.

Cassie.

Getting by Naples with momentum.

Good luck.

And the finish there for Whitley Goodson, the sophomore did it again.

Just draws the defense tour.

This is it.

Off to a teammate.

Back to a 20 point West side lead as we come up on the final four minutes of this 1A1A girls championship.

Laney gentry has been fantastic.

She gets the steal there.

After the slow start, who hasn't been good for West Side?

I mean, they've all really played well.

Yeah, first quarter was a little bit of a struggle just shooting 27%.

But since then they've played really well.

Maples to take away the breakaway and finishes at the other end.

Time out to Steven Jefferson for Earl.

So a break in the action.

We'll be back to the final 3.5 minute to this one as West Side tries to close out.

Oh what a championship.

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Back at Bank Oak Arena.

Final 3.5 minutes of what has turned to an impressive showing by the West Side.

Greers Ferry Lady Eagles trying to close out their first state championship since 1995.

Talking about 30 years in between state titles.

But solid big third quarter.

Just really pushed West Side over, outscoring Earl 21 to 11.

That 11 at ten point.

Third quarter explodes and by them just helped push it up to double digits to close to 20 at times.

I guess the biggest lead has been 22.

At the end of the third quarter.

They hit that big shot at the end of the third quarter.

Gentry knock that down.

The pedal to the metal on the drive.

No.

The takeaway by maples and the foul is going to be called on.

Puts it down.

The wings just went flying through the air to get a block shot for that.

Would just take that ball out of the air like it's got to be a block.

So.

Hey, as much as they've struggled on offense, she deserves a lot of credit for the way they play defense.

And she's getting close to a triple double.

I think that's her seventh steal.

Jefferson around and out.

Another rebound for maples.

In and out.

Jump ball and it'll stay with her.

That kind of night right there.

Yes I mean that ball was half way down and just rattled back out.

Jefferson on the inbound.

Her cousin maples.

Pull up jumper.

No.

Another offensive possession here.

Jefferson.

Step back three.

Falling away.

Off balance not there.

And Addie to the rebound gets it away from traffic.

Christian Boykins to be called for the foul there Christian.

Hey think about for West side what it means to finish not just with a championship, but a record of 41 and three.

I know they take pride in not losing a game two and one, a school, playing tougher competition and beating everybody in one, winning.

20 point West side League final two and a half here at Bank Ozark Arena gets Kornet up to 14 points for the money.

And we talked about the good job it.

It's a rough shooting night for Jurnee Jefferson.

She's three of 19 just seven points.

But you've done a good job in defending her.

She came in the game almost averaging ten assists a game.

Now she's got one assist Jefferson draws contact.

So go to the line Henderson hounding her all night long.

Fouled.

Good talks about how young girl is 42 germinating spores and maples and Jefferson.

But same thing for West side over turf.

The only senior Murphree a sophomore.

Goodson a sophomore cornet and cozier juniors.

And gentry is a sophomore.

There's a high likelihood we'll see more out of them now the next couple of years.

Sitting back here next year watching these same two team to Stephen Jefferson is going to call a timeout for the final 218.

We'll step away for just a second and be back with the final two minutes of this one.

A championship on the Centennial Bank State Basketball Championships in Arkansas.

PBS sports.

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

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

I want to stand a huge thank you to Troy Mitchell and his entire team Tyler Freeman, Blake McCarty, Randy Baker, Ernie Hicks, a huge thank you.

I know how much Troy absolutely loves this, but he doesn't need incredible job.

Long time outside Henderson State.

And we can't do this without him.

This his as a professional as a guest in terms of keeping track of stats.

It makes our job so easy.

Like, I can tell you right now that four out of the last five shots Jonesboro has taken, they've made on the other side rolls missed their last four and one and six out of their last seven.

That's all because of Troy and his stats.

It takes a whole village certainly to put these on Cornett to finish.

Maples.

The drive gets her own rebound and gets the put back by Jada.

Under two to play here.

She now echoes you Karina.

She almost has a 2020.

She's got 19 rebounds and 25 points.

Boy to settle in like that after the start to.

Kornet on the drive.

Nifty move.

No Casey trying to track down the rebound.

It's Cornett who comes away with it.

Gives it off to Cassie.

And a timeout is going to be called here by West Side.

And now how about Keith Cornett.

You try to think through the coaches West that have won a state championship no matter the classification with both boys and girls from the list.

Can't be long.

No no no that's cool.

And to get to this this one with his daughter and her, all her friends, they've assembled a heck of a team and made a nice run through a great run through one.

But then just throughout the entire state, playing a tough schedule, you got to think with all the experience coming back next year, you're going to see West Side playing some tough teams in tough tournaments and, you know, get them these young women battle tested for a run, another run in the state tournament.

I think a lot of teams that do not want to schedule the next season knowing the talent.

And you mentioned this, winning a championship with his daughter here, a chance to maybe do it twice in a row.

And she's just a junior falls in her hands here.

Doing a good job of running off some clock.

On the drive.

Good look underneath.

Goodson can't connect.

Maples comes away with the rebound.

Final minute we come up on here.

This one a championship maple from the free throw line.

No.

And it's Addie overture, the lanky point guard with the rebound.

The West Side fans coming to their feet behind the team bench.

And coach say he's emptying his bench.

Yeah.

Time out there from Keith Cornett.

Huge applause from the West Side.

Fans as they polished off this championship.

That a great picture right there.

Dad and daughter hug you know right.

It's over.

I was watching a game too.

You can you can tell how close some teams really are.

Lucky.

See what close you can tell how close some teams really are, the way they interact with each other.

And we're doing dances and everything before the game.

Having a lot of fun.

It's kind.

So emptying his bench.

He's Coach Cornett, Cheyenne Carlton, Lacey Tudor, Andy Smith, Lily Stevens.

We get under 30s here.

Mia Duncan, the other player in there now for the Lady Eagles.

Stripped away Jada maples.

Jada.

Up to 29 points, 20 rebounds for her.

Add to it.

Final 10s now out of bound to sustain the Lady Eagles direction for the final 8.5.

Lady Eagles fans on their feet for these final five seconds, something they have waited three years to see for the first time since 1995.

It's a state championship for West side Greers Ferry.

6349 the final well earned championship for West Side 41 and three on the season.

We'll be back to show you the championship celebration and reveal the MVP of the tournament.

When we come back, we just won a championship in the Centennial Bank State Basketball Championships in Arkansas, PBS sports.

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When the students of the Rock walked along, the mom, you cried with them.

But we had to walk it alone.

It kind of tells a story about how we used to live.

We loved it very much.

Back in Arkansas, on the cotton farm, number one choice for this ballot was Daisy Bates.

It looks like Johnny Cash walks the line.

So congratulations to those two great Arkansans.

We want our memories through our statue to tell the story of Arkansas.

Most of my figures that I create on my own, most of those stories are about destiny.

She was somebody that wouldn't let go until she saw some progress.

These amazing artists who have so much to say and have so much influence all around the world, came from these very humble beginnings.

Everybody here at the Johnny Cash Show that night, he was only singing to them.

Grew up in rural Arkansas.

Blue collar Americana.

That's sort of there.

Just a little kid from wherever.

Thursday, March 20th at 7 p.m..

Right here on Arkansas PBS.

Hey.

Welcome back to Hot Springs.

It's time for the one day championship celebration, and it goes to Westside Greers Ferry.

The lady Eagles champions for the first time since 1995.

Let's take a look at the stats here.

How they did it.

This game did not start pretty for either side, but boy turned into a pretty game for Westside.

Just about everybody contributing.

Yeah West side shoots 41% from the floor.

Didn't take a whole lot of threes.

Three of 1,225% made all of their free throws.

It worked like they were pressured all night long by Earl.

17 turnovers.

And no coach would like to clean that up.

But they attack the paint.

Look at the points in the paint 42 to 24.

And that's one of the big reasons why West Side coming back with a state championship.

We've got coach Keith Cornett coming over this way.

Coach congratulations to you.

Have you throw this on here.

Great job.

That's about as good as it gets boy congratulations.

First of all to weather the storm early.

That was not the prettiest game early, but it turned into a great one for your team.

Yeah.

When you play somebody, you know, we played them a couple of weeks ago, kind of let the cat out of the bag on how we were going to play each other.

So it was pretty ugly early.

Did you change anything up from the first time around?

We did not.

We?

We tinkered a little bit with it, but we didn't change much.

We knew if we could stop them in transition, and just center halfcourt defense up, we would be in good shape, win a championship with your daughter.

We saw the hug there.

That's pretty neat.

Yeah.

Oh, also I also want to say a couple things.

This is from a mom and dad.

Back it up Cresco Arkansas.

Like health has kind of got them a little bit.

But they never miss any games.

And they're at home.

Mom and dad I'll be home soon.

Yeah.

They're looking at you right now.

And they saw that message.

That's pretty cool.

Coach.

Special group Casey was awesome today.

Hitting the glass.

Had another double.

Double?

What did she mean to the team?

All right.

My daughter.

Best friends.

We live about two miles apart.

She stays at my house more than the other.

So I can.

I can treat her whatever I want.

A trainer.

She knows I love her.

And, out here, out there in practice.

And we'll be making cookies at night back at the house.

But the.

She's amazing college best colleges.

I know she's not the best athlete ever, but boy, she's a winner.

Take note, coach.

Congratulations to you.

We appreciate it.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Congratulations.

Job.

She's.

This one's a state champion at both the boys and girls now is coach Keith Cornett.

And we bring over the MVP for this one.

It's Ashlyn Casey finishing with 22 points and 13 rebounds.

Congratulations.

Thank you very much.

I got her for 14 I'm not going to shortchange her 14.

Thank you.

How about that.

I'll take it.

How'd it feel to lift that up?

I felt amazing that bigger trophy felt even better.

All those girls come together.

It was amazing.

When you have the non-conference schedule that y'all had, how did it prepare you for the playoff run?

Oh, well, people talk about our, record all the time, but mistakes from everyone else is we went five P.A.

who was undefeated until this last game.

Bryant.

Nettleton, we respect our schedule to prepare for this moment right now.

Thing is, you two are still.

You're still so young, you can reap right back here a year from now.

That's the plan.

I just want us to win.

Congratulations to you.

Thank you all very much.

Appreciate it.

The MVP Ashlyn Casey, as we take a look at how this one came together.

She was impressive 22 points.

13 rebounds 14 rebounds.

Thank you for the correction there.

And it's a state championship for West Side.

Look at this here.

They settled in and you knew once they did they were able to I think West to kind of dissect that defense that they'd be in business.

No that's what they needed.

You know it was a slow start for both teams.

And I think that's part of the nerves of playing in a state championship game.

But once they did and started making some of the shots, getting some of those rebounds, it was a different team and they just really exploded and took off.

Now you saw that three at the buzzer there from gentry.

One of the highlights of the remember for a long time injury history.

West side the champions all well.

And Mark Tre are coming up next.

And by the way you want to get that championship gear.

I know you do West side.

Here's how you get it.

You go to Arkansas high school sports.com.

They'll have it ready for you.

Everything you need to celebrate the state title.

Oh, and Mark three are on the court warming up for our final game of these three days here in Hot Springs.

Our coverage of that will begin in just a few minutes.

Congratulations to West Side for West Ma and our Arkansas PBS Sports Crew album.

So long for just a little while.