That is that is the.

The arena is filling up.

It's the final game of day two of championship action from Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Maumelle taking on Benton in the five AA state champions Championships.

I'm RJ Hart along with Jamie Brazil and Jamie.

You and I did this game last year and Ben was in it against Pine Bluff.

Came up on the short in it.

They're back this year and this is going to be a great atmosphere for high school basketball.

It absolutely has been.

They felt like they let it slip away last year.

Right.

That's going to be on their mind.

Maumelle got knocked out by Benton last year in the tournament.

So they've got revenge on their mind.

This should set up nicely for a great matchup.

And you you think about the remaining schedule for the rest of these championships I mean you've got Benton Maumelle tonight.

Then tomorrow at noon you've got Fayetteville and Northside in the girls action, which ought to be a great game.

And then the other part of Saline County is coming up here in the six eight boys game, the eastern side of Swing County, that is Bryant and Springdale, which ought to be a war.

And then tomorrow night it's the 6:00 game.

That's going to be a great game between West Side and Earl.

And then Saturday night, the final game of Championship weekend, Mark Tree takes on Earl and one.

And so hey, we got a lot of basketball action coming to you right here on Arkansas PBS.

The crowd starting to come in.

We're going to get to it right after this.

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You had a pretty hard life.

He was an excellent example of the tenacity of Arkansas.

The nine children are with you in little Rock.

The most significant email here.

Just a little kid from wherever the throng came through my window.

I did feel it was worth it.

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The crowd is filling in for the five boys state championship game.

Let's get right to it and check out the five eight boys bracket.

And in all for Maumelle, it started with Russellville.

They won that one easily, 9667.

They took on Hot Springs 8675.

Catholic was the final opponent before coming to Hot Springs.

They won easily 6944.

And they're playing the Panthers and JB.

They've got a great forward.

And Jace Tillman, he has been on fire averaging 20 points in the tournament behind by the way he's a guy that can get a bucket.

He's been leading his team.

But one team stands in his way and that's been tonight.

Keys to the game for Maumelle in this one.

He's going to be staying out of foul trouble.

You know Burgess is going to be a big factor in the paint.

Got to stay out of foul trouble and got to protect the basketball.

Benton's going to play a lot of pressure.

Let's check out the road for the Benton Panthers on how they got here.

And for Benton to start with.

West Memphis won that game 78 to 50, then took on little Rock.

Christian was pretty close game in that one one that one 9582.

Then it was Marion won 7159 to get here to Hot Springs.

And I tell you what J.B. did, they've got a lot of great players.

But really you look at Terron Burgess, the six nine forward that has several major D-1 offers, averaging 20 points a game.

He's a mismatch because he can shoot and he's a three level score.

Great defender I think he's underrated in that category.

He's a great teammate.

It's going to be him tonight amongst others.

But Burgess is the one to watch.

Well keys to the game for the Panthers.

They're going to play fast dictate the tempo.

Take over control with that defensive pressure.

And then on the big side get those rebounds.

That's going be the key.

Let's go ahead and look at the starting lineups first for Maumelle you've got Derrick Lewis Cedric Jones Malik McGuire, Mark Allen Rochelle and Jace Tillman.

As for the Benton Panthers, you got Jabari Russell Elam, Shelby Anthony Spratt, Taryon Burgess and Harrison Pickett.

And that is going to be your starting five for the Benton Panthers.

Benton comes in 29 and three on the season.

Maumelle 27 and six.

Maumelle out of the five central Benton out of the five South jumping center for the Benton Panthers is going to be six nine forward Darian Burgess.

He'll be matched up against the center Malik McGuire.

And it's going to be controlled by Maumelle to start this five day state championship game.

Boy, this is a record crowd.

A lot of people in this building tonight in this state championship, the most of the whole weekend is going to be a lot of fun.

Derrick Lewis with the basketball as he'll give quickly to Jace Tillman.

They're going to slow things down early in this one.

Is McGuire going to try to go up with it.

Misses the shot Benton comes down with it and they'll work quickly in the frontcourt.

That was good defense from Burgess right there.

Altered it.

Got that partial block his defensive presence I'm telling you it's big Russell with the basketball.

Goes left side.

They'll find Pickett.

He'll work the right side.

The paint goes off the glass gets the first points of the ballgame.

They go to the Benton Panthers.

Hey.

Got an opening.

Saw a slight opening.

Took it.

His older cousins Daryl Macon.

He's worked with him in the off season.

He said coach talked about how he's been able to work out at a high level.

Like a professional.

It's paying off.

So for Maumelle, handling the basketball is Derrick Lewis.

Lewis will go down low.

Five McGuire back to Lewis thought about a three.

Kicked it back out right side.

Now here's a three by Jones.

So knocking down the first three.

And Maumelle takes their first lead in the ballgame.

Wells off the dribble two.

Those are tough.

And he's got ice in his veins.

Big shot.

He's not nervous one bit with the basketball for the Panthers.

Jabari Russell on the wing Russell dribble drive kicks it back out is to Burgess for three.

Little too hard coming down with it for Mel was Jones quick pass down court to McGuire.

Tillman's going to kick it out.

Over to Jones at the jump circle.

Just underway here in a five state championship game.

Now Jones lost the handle of it.

Briefly kicked it over to Rochelle.

And Rochelle's going to pick and get the foul.

And he'll get to the free throw line I like that dish in set.

Mark Caitlin Rochelle a really good position there.

And then the ball fake that's where he got pushed.

Side gets the foul I saw a quick look of Michael shook there from Malik.

Just an all around great guy.

Great basketball coach.

And what he's done to get Maumelle to this state champion chip game.

Free throw is up and good by Rochelle Rochelle's a 72% free throw shooter averaging 15 points a game.

Stands at six five.

Coach shook talked about him.

He said Rochelle is one of those guys that the opponent, opposing coaches always call after a game and say they love playing against him, because he just kind of lets his his athleticism and work show instead of his mouth.

So now here's Benton Pickett going to pull up for three.

It's going to be a little short.

Maumelle comes down with it.

That's Rochelle.

And bringing it up is going to be said Jones.

Jones right side of the paint stops pops and he can't get it to go.

As Russell is going to pull into the rebound, Benton needs to get a good offensive line.

Has a few, but they need knocking down.

Here's a three by Burgess is falls short.

Almost had to travel right there.

They had the ball way out there and was able to recover some for the pace for early.

Kind of favored Maumelle.

They've been able to slow down.

Benton's not been able to make a bucket to slow the up to speed things up right defensively.

So with the basketball as Lewis there go left side to McGuire.

Works his way down, puts up a shot.

Used his body that time he off the glass.

And Maumelle has extended their lead to five 7 to 2.

That's not an easy play by the way for McGuire facing up against Burgess.

That's tough through contact to get that one to go.

Shelby goes back.

Tom Petty stolen away by Rochelle.

He'll go with the flushed.

Though Rochelle was able to take it home.

It's 9 to 2 now.

High flying for that jam.

Here's a pickpocket that time it's taken by Maumelle Lewis tried to get it down low to Rochelle and got knocked out of bounds.

And Ben's going to get the basketball.

Wow.

You look at the hard play from McGuire.

That's doing some dirty work in the paint.

And in the highlight reel.

Get the dunk away.

Coming up right here.

Picks the pocket jumped the and then he flies high for the rocker.

427 left here in the first.

Here's a three by Benton.

And that time it was Pickett and couldn't get it to go.

And now Maumelle with the basketball right now Benton's killing themselves just trying to shoot threes as going quickly to the bucket.

That time it was McGuire.

He couldn't get to go Rochelle comes back up.

He can't get it to go.

Ball's on the court and saved out of bounds.

But no it was McGuire who touched the out-of-bounds line.

And so Ben's going to get the basketball back.

There's a lot going on in that secret rate right now though for Ben it's 9 to 3 early.

They've had good looks but they just need to slow things down.

Get a good offensive possession here.

Trying to get a bucket.

Under four minutes to play 9 to 2.

Maumelle leads Benton.

Here's Pickett bounce pass Burgess had a cutter in the lane that was Shelby and went through his hands.

And that'll take us to a media timeout 348 to play first quarter.

Maumelle they lead 9 to 2.

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Jamie, Brazil I'm RJ Hawk, and there's a glimpse at the student section for Benton.

And look at what?

Look at the horn.

These guys right now.

9 to 2.

They only been got out to an early start right now 43% shooting their one of one from three point range.

Benton on the other hand one of five from the field over four from three point range.

Maumelle with the basketball as Jace Tillman is going to inbound it from the left side of the bucket.

And there's some jawing at mid court between Benn and Maumelle.

I think they're all good.

Everybody's having emotions are high in the state championship game to say the least.

So Derrick Lewis with the basketball and give it off to said Jones.

He'll be in the lane and kick it back out.

Lewis for three hits a little too hard but gets his own rebound now.

He'll go in the lane.

Thought about taking it but dishes off to Jones for three.

Said Jones was able to knock it home.

It's 12 to 2.

Ten point lead for Maumelle.

Wow.

They're falling early for the Hornets.

Benton needs to find something close to the paint.

Terry on Burgess goes up with the right hand.

He can't get it to go.

Maumelle gets the rebound.

Coming down with it was McGuire.

Working quickly goes said Jones.

You got some handles, Danny.

And.

Looks like we've got an injured Benton player.

And for Benton, it was Jabari Russell who I think he may have got hit in the eye.

And so like they call time for an injury and.

He's got a lot of pain.

I think he got hit in the eye whenever they were working the ball around.

May have lost contact or something like that.

We've seen that a couple times.

And so the train staff is going to a lot of blood on the floor.

Oh no, he must get hit in the nose because now they're going to have to bring that out, clean all that up and Jamie, let's go back to the.

Let's well here's what we're going to.

We're going to take a quick break because they've got to come out quick.

We're going to reset.

We'll come back here.

We'll kind of recap this first half.

302 left here in the first quarter.

Maumelle leads 12 to 2.

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So they've got floor cleaned up and.

It's like they're still kind of looking to make sure there's no residue on the floor.

But really, JB the first quarter where we were at the three minute mark and Benton can't get a shot in the ball right now.

Well they're taking a lot from beyond the arc two.

Right.

And I'm gonna go four for four from distance and into the Hammond.

Attack the paint like they should.

Coach Hendrix, you likely feel like that's probably what he talked about in the stoppage of play.

You got some size.

You got to build and get downhill and try to get to the free throw line and nothing else.

But look at this crowd.

You know, I've been doing this is my 16th year of doing high school basketball.

That's all the finals.

And I've seen some big crowds.

But this is this is a pretty large crowd here at Benkovic Arena.

So back to action is small mills with the basketball, as they'll have Jace Tillman with it at the high post.

Left side and get out to said Jones, who's been on fire so far so far here in the first quarter.

Jones kicks it out right side to Lewis.

Now to Rochelle for three.

It's off the front of the iron.

No good.

Benton's going to come down with it.

Going to do in this offensive possession.

This is still early.

Got to get down hill Caleb Knight with the basketball.

He's had it taken away from him Caleb Knight checked in just a moment ago.

And.

We're able to take it from underneath the bucket 12 to 2 Maumelle leads.

But I like that take though from the Panthers are getting closer.

Just better defense from out.

With the basketball is Tillman.

Pull up for three.

It's off the front of the iron.

No good pulled in by Benton.

Working quickly.

Here goes Spratt off the left side.

They get it to go.

And as one tough freshman he can play basketball.

Really nice take there.

Six six.

That's a dude right there.

And he's got offers or an offer from Uapb.

Yeah Brett six six.

Now here's Maumelle working with a right hand.

That's McGuire.

He's able to make it go home.

It's 14 of four under two minutes to play in the first quarter.

That was good finance again for McGuire.

He went tough first time that time ball fake around and loose it.

That's a high percentage.

Look you get those bunnies to go set your team up.

Well Spratt with the basketball bounce pass down low is right at the feet of Pickett.

And now Maumelle working quickly as the fourth turnover of the game for Benton.

Now here's a slam left side.

That's Rosehill.

Lift off baby Rochelle getting up.

And it's all Maumelle early.

A minute seven left here in the first quarter.

We got a timeout on the floor.

Take a look at this.

Will come good.

Back and was just able to flush it home.

And Maumelle.

They lead it 16 to 4 for the Benton Panthers.

Jamie I don't think I don't think Benson's ready for this.

I thought you know, you look at it on paper and you say, you got to think, you got to get the edge to beat them.

But Maumelle has done literally everything correct in this game.

Benton returns so much from that state title appearance team right there.

And they felt like they got the guys.

Maumelle him come out punched him in the mouth early.

And they've they've really looked good on both sides of the ball offense and defense 12 point game 1614.

As Benton is going to have the basketball Harrison Pickett going to bring the ball up for the Panthers.

As we're at the one minute mark Pickett going to have a floater.

Left side can't get it to go Rochelle pulls it in.

They can out by a bucket right now Rochelle in the lane.

Eurostep with the left hand.

Can't get it to go.

Rebound is going to be taken in by Benton and quickly given off over to Shelby.

Left side.

They go in the south and Knight with the right hand.

He gets it to go with 40s left here in the third.

He was the one that saved it in, by the way.

Two runs the floor transition bucket.

Much needed for Benton.

Ten point game down to 30s as McGuire's got it working against Burgess.

McGuire goes up.

Can't get it to go.

Gets his own rebound comes back.

Spin move up and up here tonight by Mark waters 18 to 6.

He is relentless X-Factor for this Maumelle offense.

Here's Knight trying to go up out of control.

Throws it away.

Here comes Maumelle.

Tillman and he'll lose the handle on it.

Goes out of bounds with four seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Oh chaos going on here.

Banko Zeke arena having a dream.

Start for a moment right.

Well pressure in the back court by Maumelle down to two seconds.

This throws up a prayer and it's not going to go.

And as we end one quarter of play Maumelle.

They lead with 18 to 6 over the Panthers.

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It's that time, RJ.

Trivia time.

Carmel scored 97 points in the opening round of this year's five AA state tournament.

What's the most ever scored in the state tournament game?

See, I've never been good at trivia night.

I mean, like, I've never been good at this, but I think I know the answer that we'll get to that here in a moment.

But I want to say it was like around 105.

I could be wrong.

But hey, that injury that we saw a little bit ago, we did this head to head contact watch.

Here we go.

A little head fake.

And it just hit him right there in the nose.

And that was Jabari Russell.

And so one field to good right.

Well he came out the locker room just a moment ago.

He's good to go.

He got everything looked at.

He's good.

So Jabari Russell is back on the bench and, could be checking back in the ball game.

Actually, just check back into the ball game for the Panthers.

So he's good.

Yeah.

Good to see that.

So here is Anthony Spratt.

He gives it off left side to pick it in the lane to Burgess.

And he's going to get it to go.

It's only a matter of time before Taron Burgess is going to get a bucket.

He'll head to the free throw line to try to make it a three point play.

That's a great start to the second quarter.

Going straight to the rack.

Gets that contact from Tillman in the finish.

Free throw is no good.

Maumelle is going to get the rebound Burgess all right.

And Benton came down with it.

And Burgess will have it on the left side.

Goes back out to get a Spratt Spratt floater in the lane.

He's able to make it a go.

So instead of a three point play good a four point play out of it.

Yeah I like that.

Take two from from Spratt.

Rising fire high percentage mid range.

So Lewis works his right side.

The hands of Johnson.

Just checked in the ball game.

Pass left side.

We've got a kick by Shelby.

But you see those first two buckets from from Benton.

Yeah.

Oh close range.

Mid range and close.

Well they've slowed it down.

Well you know I think Dexter Hendricks look his guys you guys are playing way too fast right now.

And he was able to slow them down get a little pace going.

And here's Rochelle.

Nice pump fake goes up with and scores the two points.

Makes it a ten point lead.

That's good patience too.

It's tough to knock that ball fake.

And here's a wild shot by Russell in the lane.

Can't get it to go.

And coming down with it was Derrick Lewis Russell just got banged in the face.

And he's still going attacking right there.

Yeah I don't know if it's me I'd be a little shy to go.

But contact will come into it.

Well you know almost all the starters for Benton played in the state championship game last year.

Now in the lane they'll go to travel.

That was by Malik McGuire.

But he may have shuffled his feet a little bit when he went on that spin move.

And I think he kind of tossed it when he when he should have just kept if he keeps going, it's not going to be a travel.

If you go up with it once you committed, you can't pass.

641 left here in the first half.

Here's on Burgess.

He's gonna pull up from eight feet away.

It's no good.

Rebound pulled in by Maumelle as McGuire's got it quickly gets it out to Rochelle Johnson now works it back.

Left side in the hands of Lewis there.

Slowed things down McGuire is going to hold on to it.

Now Lewis.

Bridgeman loses a handle on it.

Gets it back over to Rochelle.

Spin move Rochelle he lost it and it was chaos in the lane is taken by Benton.

That's going to be Pickett now.

Left side to Shelby for three.

Joe Shelby's feeling it.

And you know what.

That's a big bucket for the Panthers that draws them within seven.

But you know they tried and tried and tried for three point range.

That's their what is that the first one.

Another one of five down the first one.

You're right.

The big triple though from Shelby in transition.

So let's go ahead and answer that trivia question okay.

So you said 97 points in the opening round of the five state tournament.

Yep I say it's 105 to my way off.

Not way off.

You're six points off 111 111 by Jasper in 1960.

Yeah, I mean that's a lot of points in the tournament.

And that's before the three point line, right.

So that's two points every time.

That's a great point.

That is they were getting after they were getting that they were getting after it.

They had to get a free throw or two because you can't have it on number if you really make it two.

Yeah.

That's a heck of a job by the Jasper 1960 team.

Unless they had a larger time on the corners, I don't think they have.

I don't think they did.

2213 Maumelle leads Benton has said Jones is going to bring it up into the frontcourt, gets it over to Johnson.

Johnson lost the handle briefly and got it back to said Jones.

Oh.

Not down to the corner to Tilmon.

He'll go in the lane.

Got blocked away squad came in as that was Team Burgess who came in.

And ball's going to go out of bounds.

It'll stay with Maumelle.

It's a good jump step but you got to be quick right.

Burgess is looming and he he got some help to both Pickett and Burgess all over that one.

Spiking it like a volleyball.

536 to play left here in the second.

Inbounds going to come out to Alexander.

Sanders throwing it away.

But right there was Tillman to pick it up.

Down to four seconds on the shot clock said Jones.

Trying to go up with it blocked out.

But that's going to be a shot clock violation as Bill will get the basketball back.

It's good defense for the Panthers and a sloppy first quarter defensively and offensively.

But they're getting stops now 2213.

Maumelle leads Benton.

Picking it up for the Panthers.

It's going to be Russell.

They go right side of the pick and he gets it to go.

The three and one.

That is a tough finish from Vic Bluff.

Now it over the defender and drawing the foul Barton.

The one thing about this both teams they don't take much time with that shot clock I mean it was down to like 29.

There is the way they did just it was relentless.

Coach talked about this is a veteran group of hungry and Pickett's the mainstay.

He said after that championship loss he said he's one that's hurt the most.

But he wanted to get back here and finish the business that they started.

So it's down to a four point game is just ten points.

The moment ago, as we reached the 506 mark left here in the second quarter, Maumelle, the basketball into the lane and we get a whistle and a foul on Benton.

They're you get Terry on Burgess.

Yeah they are balanced.

That's his first personal foul purchase.

This is our fourth foul of the game specifically so far there.

Let them play I mean I know we've heard some boos here in the arena, but for the most part I mean you can't ask for much more than being fair on both sides.

You let him play a little bit.

So with the basketballs Alexander, he'll go bounce pass right side of the Dwyer.

Oh McGuire throws it up with a right hand off the backboard.

That's good.

They've got away with the push off right there.

Yeah but good job.

Realizing once they didn't call it they go straight to the rack.

Burgess now a low post goes up with the left hand.

He's fouled.

Fouls.

So Burgess is going to hit the free throw line.

Notarial foul.

Got he's got eight points.

Excuse me I think he's got two points.

He's going to the free throw line.

This is the guy that averages 20 points a game.

And we're at the 438 mark.

And he's only got two points so far.

Within a good job of trying to keep him from making making them going to beat you.

Free throw is up and no good.

But also he's one for five.

He's had some open looks.

Baseline jumper.

He's just not knocked him down on this point.

Second free throws up and good.

So takes it down to a five point game 2217 Maumelle.

Up front court they go.

That's out to Johnson Thompson over the left side to McGuire.

He'll go in the lane.

Lost the handle on it and stripped away.

They will find a cutter in the lane.

Can't get it to go.

Maumelle gets it back to right there said Jones.

Basketball boy that guy handles there.

Everybody's around the basketball at all times.

For Maumelle.

And the star on that play was Rochelle everybody.

He was the last one.

If he doesn't get that tip boy it's an easy transition bucket for it.

But he flips it to a four point play.

There's Terry on Burgess with the left hand.

Too hard off the backboard.

Can't get it to go.

Maumelle going to just throw it away though.

They had a give up and throw it away.

And that'll take us to a media timeout.

Maumelle 24 Benton 17 354 to play left here in the first half.

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Well, it's time for our Student athlete spotlight.

Going into.

Why is there being a senior from Russellville?

Look at that 4.2 GPA.

Plans go to the UK, going to medical school, become a gastro gastro.

What is that thing?

Yeah.

I mean, like, literally kids are way smarter than I ever thought I was going to be.

I didn't think when I was in school you couldn't go past the 4.1.

That's what I thought.

I don't know how you can even do that.

Wow.

Great job guys.

Back to action.

345 here's a runner in the lane by Benton.

And it can't go that time.

Throwing it up was Pickett.

And Mills got the basketball back.

Benton's trying to speed him up with that defense force one before that media.

They're just trying to get them to keep that pace up a little faster.

That's where you can force turnovers.

Seven point game.

Said Jones.

Working down low to Rochelle takes it back out to Jones for three.

In and out.

No good rebounds pulled in by Pickett.

It's good look though.

Kickout.

He wanted that one to go.

Not a bad look for Maumelle.

And slowing things down as Brandt's got it goes to Shelby.

Left side.

Now here's a three by Pickett hits the ball.

And takes it to a 4.103 to play.

Pickett stepping up to the occasion right.

Slow start for Benton.

Offensively Pickett's been doing a lot from deep.

Had a driving one earlier.

Defense has been good for Pickett also there's the basketball.

Alexander now to Lewis.

And Lewis being guarded by Russell.

And he'll be fouled.

He was actually going to turn and pass it.

And that's when he got pushed to the back.

Look at this hand on his face.

Launches it hits buries it.

Checking in the ball game for Mills.

It will be Jace Tillman.

He'll come in and he's gonna replace Brian.

Inbound pass going to come right side to said Jones.

Has it deflected away.

And it's going to stay with Bowman.

233 to play in the second.

Bluebirds coming out.

You know I've always wondered like you got bluebirds on the opposite hand.

Those folks can't see if it went out of bounds down.

They're all part of the fandom as the ball is on the floor to find somebody to get it off, and we're able to throw it off the foot.

That time of Caleb Knight.

That was impressive by Tillman not to travel, by the way, and then able to throw it off and keep the possession.

Now high basketball IQ by all of these four of these players both Bent and Maumelle on a D1 player for both these two teams.

Good talent on the floor.

We've seen a lot this whole week right.

Yeah.

And you know just think we still got the highest classification from tomorrow John six eight girls six eight boys to be fine, not to take anything away from the running game, but I mean, there's a lot of talent still left to be played here in Hot Springs now.

And here is Tillman throwing up a shot that got knocked away.

And now Benton's got it working quickly down the floor.

Russell has it trying to get a timeout.

And Ben's going to get the timeout.

The pass was really low.

He had to go down and get it.

And by that time he was looking for a time.

Who's trying to find an official good timeout.

So Ben keep the possession down on this end of the court 2420 with 214 to play left here in the second quarter.

Get your live action photos for the game at my AARP pbs.org slash photos.

Grand Prix downloads have Prince made?

These are a great championship keepsake.

Yeah, the folks over at PBS, man, they do a great job.

They absolutely.

They got a whole crew of photographers and folks back back in the in the back in the holding area that, hey, they're out here taking pictures of everything.

So if you want to go by there and get those photos later, we'll do a, a read for a DVD.

If you still got a DVD player, you can get your DVD as well.

Yeah, they even take pictures of us every now and then.

Can you believe it?

RJ, I don't know what to pay nobody keep.

So literally nobody keeps those.

They do that free.

They do that for you because you had you put in a request on your Facebook page to tell them our James.

Oh, goodness.

214 left here in the second.

Maumelle on top 2420.

Now here's a three right side.

Nothing but net by picking that was added to the tray from Pickett from long distance.

Man that was pure.

That was a really confident shot.

And it takes it to a one point game for Maumelle.

Maumelle takes it right side.

That's Rochelle back into the hands of Lewis.

And stop in the lane.

Kicks it back.

Right side right now Benton on his six.

Oh run over the last minute.

Now here in the lane is Jones coming up with the offensive rebound was McGuire.

He sticks it back up.

Can't get it to go.

But Tillman's right there and he'll get the foul.

And hooker shoot two.

That was good to attack from Tillman.

But how about the offense off the though will pass in bounds.

Pick it rise him.

Fire young the right now the scoring drought for Romell two minutes and 36 seconds shots.

Well they need to end it right here right.

Tillman has been kind of hampered a little bit.

They've not given him a lot of opportunities underneath.

But he gets fouled a chance to get on the scoresheet.

It's Jack scores sheet here.

This is the first free throw.

So the shot is good.

Tillman came in the ballgame a 79% free throw shooter.

So it's two point game.

Here to the left side.

Pickett for three again.

He works the ball that takes a little bully Pickett unconscious right now.

My goodness young fella.

Working quickly goes ball Mitchell left side said Jones trying to handle it home.

And Burgess was right there.

Offensive rebound.

And we've got a whistle and a foul down low.

Wow.

This has been an exciting last couple minutes really since the start.

But that sequence right there hey take a look here Pickett the step back bottoms up and back the other way.

Look at that.

Oh Burgess it's not in my hands.

But either way that's going to put Malik McGuire at the free throw line.

His first free throws no good Ben takes a one point lead.

They were down by as much as 12 points in this contest.

Resilient.

Second free throw.

No good.

Burgess comes down with it.

Down to a minute left here in the first half.

Pickett going to fire again for three.

No good.

Rebound pulled in by Maumelle boy Pickett hit that with this though the roof would have exploded in this play.

Lewis with the basketball comes back left side to said Jones.

Jones down to Rochelle.

Finger roll in the lane and it gives Marlboro one point lead.

That was an athletic play.

He had lead me.

They threw it over.

He was there and he finished.

That's a really athletic play from Mark and Rochelle right now Benton shooting 45% for the game.

Maumelle 41%.

Pickett right side left side.

They've got a Spratt now tonight for three.

No good.

Rebound is going to go out of bounds.

Last touch by Maumelle.

It's a good look for night.

Just couldn't get that three ball to go.

It doesn't end up hurting them because they'll have the possession underneath the baseline.

So various Russell's going to check in eight points three seconds left here in the first half.

Ben's going to get it to Shelby on the right wing.

Back down low to Burgess.

He tried to go down low.

Now here's the run out by said Jones stolen away.

They're gonna heave it at the buzzer and it's no good.

And at the end of the first half Maumelle they lead 2726 over the Benton Panthers.

And boy what a first half.

Let me see a little bit of everything there in the first half.

Oh my god.

So fast paced a lot of fun in the five state title game.

Well stick around.

We got a great halftime for you as you're watching the Centennial Bank State Basketball Championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

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.

The electric cooperatives of Arkansas.

They support high school students and athletics in Arkansas and hope you enjoy watching the state championship games on Arkansas.

PBS sports.

Better connected together.

The electric cooperatives of Arkansas.

It is halftime at Bank Ozark Arena.

But don't go anywhere because this is Arkansas PBS.

And here is where we tell Arkansas stories.

Plus, in a few minutes, Christina munoz like you to the Arkansas PBS student All-Stars.

But first, coach Charles Ripley is an Arkansas basketball legend, taking the Parkview Patriots to state crown five times from 1978 to 1995.

But Coach Rip, as he was known to his players, was admired much more for his contributions off the court.

When I think about Coach Ripley, this is a guy that every day he wakes up, he wants to make the world better with basketball in it.

Coach rip.

Welcome to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.

He's affectionately known as Rip or Coach Rip, and for three decades, he's knocked them dead.

As the head basketball coach at little Rock Parkview.

When I was in junior high at that time, your love for you went to high school, you had to take a vocational, take a couple weeks, go to school, come back.

Counselor comes in and says, Charles, we just couldn't find anything that you said was strength of interest or anything.

I said, yeah, because I'm going to be a coach and be a dang good one.

And then when he coaching questions on that task.

Will definitely be known at the end of the day of being the basketball coach.

And I think a two right.

My right hand and my left hand man.

Coach Flanagan is.

Came over 89 real fast.

Me, he knew he would lose an assistant.

Asked me to come over and work with him.

You know, the rest is history.

If you ever see coach Lee and his body style, he's a little short, little round, stubby guy.

There's no way he couldn't have been a point guard, but had such a passion about the game that he made that passion his own.

And it came out in this player's and the records and the championships and all that speaks for itself.

We measure success part by winning championships.

We want to be the last team in.

Porky's basketball is basketball player.

You got to understand that those Patriot athletes, number one I sport them.

Yeah, they know what.

He never thought twice about what it would cost to get into a game.

Or what time is van full of aspiring young athletes might come rolling in in the wee hours of the morning.

He has no children yet.

He's been a dad of sorts to hundreds of youngsters across our state.

His thing was, if I create great relationships with my players, those players are going to go out and they're going to perform and they go out and perform.

We're going to win a lot of games and win a lot of games.

We're going to win championships.

I mean, they gave 110% for the year.

You know, you can you can blame them because he used like a father figure too.

I mean some of the guys who could afford it man here.

He fed them at night after the game.

The stuff he would do anything for you.

You didn't let you have his car, man, to go out on a date, all that kind of stuff.

I try to talk about that kind of stuff, but he.

He would listen.

He just didn't care.

He was imparting lessons.

He was.

And pardon anything he can give you to the day he died.

And the fact that he probably spent his last night and everything he got on his players, that was his passion, that was his family.

And he just kept giving.

Charles Ripley, he's been a difference maker, touching the lives of thousand along the way.

A week before that, I been I didn't see real, you know, like everything was okay with I was fine.

At some point he he he thanked me more that day than he ever had.

You know, I should I should have cut it out right off.

But I didn't.

If you if you can say something to now, would you say, oh, yeah.

I love you, big guy.

You know, I kept that tradition going for you.

How fortunate can a man be to decide what's he, what he wants to do at 12 years old, and start preparing to do that and get to do that the rest of his life.

Couldn't play.

What an athlete.

But I wanted to coach all my life, and and and I fulfilled my dream.

Coach rip passed away in 2020, leaving behind a legacy of wins, but more importantly, a culture of caring.

We salute Coach Ripley and all the coaches that bring a human spirit to the game.

Now let's get over to Christina and she can introduce you to some very hardworking student athletes.

Christina.

Thank you 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, too.

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

We start off with B1A girls, that is Ella Holtzman with the Sacred Heart Knights.

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

We have Jonah Walker, a senior center for Marquette Tre.

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 Bergmann 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 Jesse Edrington of the Greene County Tech Golden Eagles.

Jesse 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 veterinary and 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 eight boys, we have Kellan Robinson with the Bryant Hornets.

Kellen plans to play basketball at UAA.

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.

Yes, Christina, it is that time.

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

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.

The electric cooperatives of Arkansas.

They support high school students and athletics in Arkansas and hope you enjoy watching the state championship games on Arkansas.

PBS sports.

Better connected together the electric cooperatives of Arkansas.

Well, we are just about over with.

Half time.

Maumelle leads at 2726.

We had some action going on JB there in the first half, and it started out with Maumelle.

Hot start.

Didn't get the first bucket and then it was all Maumelle said.

Jones will step back three to the left side and in the working the paint for McGuire, he goes through contact against Burgess.

That was big.

And then Rochelle how about this one gets the open space liftoff throws it down.

But then you head into the second quarter Benton making a comeback.

Spratt the pull up J got that one to go.

And then alum Shelby left wing triple bury that one.

And how about this one left side.

Prickett with a hand in his face.

He's been tough as nails the step back jet pop from Pickett.

Well they they really made a run there in the second quarter.

Here's your halftime stats 43% shooting almost 44 for Benton there in the first half.

Maumelle at 40.7 on three point range.

Benson 40%.

Maumelle at 33.

And then you can see the rest.

Look at those rebounds though.

Maumelle has been a beast underneath the bucket a half.

That's the difference right there in the top ten in that category.

Blocks and steals.

That's where the physicality has been by Mills.

Got five five blocks for Benton.

Hey stuff Tillman McGuire a few of those guys in the paint.

They've been playing physical down low.

Yeah I was trying to look to see if I could pull up how many blocks.

Carry on.

Burgess had their hits three blocks there in the first half.

So.

Well now half of basketball where Maumelle leads by one 2721.

Mills going to have the ball to start the second half.

Glad to have you along, wherever you may be across the state of Arkansas.

I'm RJ Hoffman with a broadcast partner, J.B. Brazil, and we got one more half to crown a champion in class five AA.

Both these teams never won a state title.

They've been a couple times.

Few times, in fact, Ball Mills had four finals appearances and has yet to win a final.

Now here comes Lewis.

Just going to kick things back out to McGuire.

Trying to take a deep three right here.

No good.

And Shelby's going to come down with it.

Working quickly goes Pickett.

Crosscourt pass.

Now here's a three.

It's going to be two hard rebounds.

Gonna be taken by Maumelle.

Both teams taking some deep shots said Jones with a right hand.

Can't get it to go.

Ball goes out of bounds and it's going to go in favor of Benton.

I like that take, though, said Jones.

Move fast.

Even though you don't get the shot, you got a chance for maybe a foul, but it's a high percentage.

Look good defense forbidden them.

Big.

It's going to bring the basketball up for the Panthers.

Right wing.

Then slowing things down.

Being a little bit more methodical as we start the second half.

Here's a three by Pickett.

It's no good.

Offensive rebound taken by the Panthers.

Now down about a three in the corner.

That was Russell.

Bounce pass in the lane over to Spratt.

Tell you one thing Maumelle does a great job playing down low trying to defend.

Now here's a floater high off the backboard by Harrison Pickett.

That was pretty Pickett got it to go I talked to Darryl making his little cousin at halftime.

He said man he's just he's just cool calm and collected.

Never lets the moment get too big.

He has had some smooth looks tonight.

Oh Mel with the ball Derrick Lewis has it number Rochelle two McGuire spin move in the lane has the partially blocked.

But there was a foul called bouncing the goal against Shelby.

Go back to this.

Look from Pickett.

Going one on one high floater.

Teardrop off the window.

Here at the line for.

So Billy McGuire is a 47% free throw shooter.

But I like the way that he attacks right.

He gets to the line even if he hasn't capitalized.

He's zero for two now make it oh for three at the charity stripe.

It's a big moment right.

It's tough.

It's tough.

And these we saw earlier in the game Osceola last night one of 12 from the free throw line.

Still want to make a shot is up.

And good.

Ties the ball game 28 all in the first tie of the game.

Believe it or not.

You know we used to talk about when teams came to Banko SDK arena that the shooting here was a little bit different because there was so much depth.

But with all the new arenas now, it's not really much different from what they see.

And you know, and when they go on the road or things of that nature.

But speak to that Benton, talk to the coach Hendricks, he said.

We try to replicate this.

After losing last year, they started practicing the Jack Stevens Center, some places to try to simulate a very similar experience.

Here's a shot at Coach Henderson.

As Terry on Burgess set the free throw line.

Free throws.

Good carry on so far in this game.

He's now two of four from the charity stripe.

Second shot's good.

Gives Benton a two point lead bringing that pressure two defensively.

With full court press by Benton as Rochelle is able to get through it.

Right side to Lewis for three.

No good rebound be taken by McGuire.

Back down low to Rochelle.

He'll be able to go up and under for a smooth play right there.

Again you're trying to track over too far to get that steal that take away.

And it leaves Rochelle open underneath.

Very patient.

Now here's Pickett with a right hand.

Can't get it to go Burgess is there.

Goes back up with the left hand.

He's fouled with Burgess even though his size he gets there for that rebound.

Quick take a look at this though.

Nice save from McGuire.

Throws it out high and they go quickly.

Lob for Rochelle.

Almost got it walked but he stays with it.

Goes right back up.

Terry on Burgess three of five from the line.

Now three of six.

We've seen some struggles at the charity stripe tonight for both teams.

We've said it all week.

Well that's a good point.

You really have I mean teams have really strong outside of one team who went 12 for 12.

Everybody has struggled at the free throw line throughout this entire weekend.

It's the second one's good.

That was the first game.

Very first game of the weekend.

Second game.

Second quarter.

Yeah.

So now here's the attempted steal by Benton.

And that's here Anthony Spratt.

He was trying to sell it like he wasn't the last to touch it.

Fisher was all over at that time.

By the way our officials for this game, Gene Etheridge, Daniel Brown and Patrick Watson.

All male with the basketball, goes crosscourt to Rochelle in the right corner.

And that will get an offensive foul on Rochelle.

Offensive.

That's his first foul in the ballgame.

And he just lowered his shoulder.

Gas is that linebacker hit.

And that's right.

You got to get called for that Allen Shelby got a good job getting the right position right here.

But yeah just too much sometimes you can you can sell it.

That wasn't a sell job from Shelby Pickett going baseline.

Now here's the three out the side of the backboard Rochelle comes down with it.

He'll lose the handle.

But there's a foul home.

Foul's going to be go against Pickett.

That's his first and personal foul on Pickett.

Honestly not a bad foul because it's going to be easy run out.

If he doesn't try to get that take away.

So you save two points perhaps.

Maumelle is going to have it right in front of their own bench as well.

Get it in over to, said Jones.

Or come down low to McGuire and he go up with the right hand.

And he does.

That's just patient kept that footwork right.

Wasn't there the first time.

Turn pump one there again.

And he finally got plus position and laid it in Maumelle out on top 3231 Panthers with the basketball pick.

It goes up with the right hand to hard coming down.

The rebound is Rochelle for Maumelle I've been impressed with Rochelle's game today.

His effort he time to get that rebound was big time, said Jones.

In the lane Whistle and a foul.

That foul that time is going to go against Jabari Russell him yeah.

And that's the second foul on Russell.

Wow Russell has his second personal foul.

Inbound pass going to come high up two said Jones.

Acquired up and under makes it go.

He is tough and he went straight up hill for contact.

That is that is a tough play.

Pick it works.

Right side to Shelby.

Now for three.

There's Russell no good.

Rebound coming down by Maumelle.

And that's a good save that time by Tillman.

He's done that twice now on the near.

Z Jones over to the Dwyer open lane with a right hand.

He's fouled.

Hill has the free throw line.

Shoot two.

And that'll take us to a media timeout 327 to play here in the third.

Maumelle shooting free throws.

When we come back they lead it 3431.

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3431 Maumelle leads Benton 327 to play here in the third quarter.

Fans having a good time here at Bank Ozark Arena.

And don't forget we got a whole host of games.

We got four more tomorrow.

You know Tony I've been doing this walk on actually going to be here tomorrow.

But it's the first time in 16 years I've not stayed for all three days.

Wow.

Because my daughter Addison, I have to always give her a shout out to her Diamondbacks team.

Is playing softball in Conway tomorrow.

First tournament of the season.

So I'm going to go up there, trying to coach them to a tournament win this Saturday.

So everybody's trying to win championships this weekend.

Oh, you're a good dad.

Daughter comes first right.

Always always.

So back to action.

We go as first free throw Malik McGuire hits his first and takes it to a four point lead for Maumelle.

You look for Benton.

It's been Pickett right 16 points leads the way man.

Mills got three different scores McGuire with 14 Rochelle with 12.

And said Jones has got eight.

Second free throw goes back out to a five point lead for Maumelle.

They're also still out there.

He picked up his third foul right there before the media.

So Benton's Pickett trying to go down low to Burgess walking it down.

Little Russell lost the handle on it.

Ball still on the floor.

Maumelle comes up with it Lewis.

And he's going up with the left hand.

Nice bounce.

Pass off the glass that Tillman.

That's really good play.

Really nice job driving inside.

Didn't try to do too much.

Gets the dish off does Lewis.

And finds Tillman.

Pressure coming by Maumelle Shelby works back left side to pick and he'll pull up for three.

No good.

Rebound taken in by Maumelle.

And the same game plan Maumelle had in the first half.

They jumped out to a early big lead.

But Benton came rolling back in the second.

It's been a game of quarters right.

First quarter was Maumelle.

Second quarter was Benton.

Third quarter.

It's been well now just to give you an idea of outscored Benton 18 to 6 in the first quarter Benton outscored Maumelle 20 to 9 in the second.

Here's Tillman in the lane with a right hand.

No good.

Benton comes down with the rebound on Burgess left side.

Lost the handle on it blocking foul.

The foul is going to go against Maumelle said Jones.

And that's his first personal foul.

It's tough to get a charge going back here.

We haven't seen a lot called in any of the state championship games.

You've got to be in a really good position.

Mostly you're going to see it on on a push off, right?

Yeah.

I mean I think we've seen maybe a handful of charges entire weekend.

Yeah.

Not many at all.

But and look they got to give credit.

These officials say a lot of them, they've just not been in position.

Here's Burgess on a turnaround.

Nice.

Makes it go.

That's a shot.

Create space a little bit.

Not too much.

Just enough to give you a li Maumelle with the basketball.

Comes back.

Left side said Jones.

Going down low.

Alley oop.

No good.

Rebound taken in by Caleb.

Nine for Benton now working quickly.

And the block squad comes off the bench.

Gets it then goes out of bounds.

And now they're going to say big basketball.

Look at this more Kalen or excuse me McGuire Malik on pinball off the backboard.

Wow.

And originally they called it out of bounds on Vic but they didn't see the ball.

No player McGuire laying in the at the out-of-bounds line.

So they quickly reversed it Russell gets it into Shelby Shelby right hand.

But he's going to be called for traveling.

At the eighth turnover of the game for Benton.

Had a good look.

He had his defender beat.

But in that shuffle on the way in a minute 46 to play here in the third 3833 Maumelle.

Tilmon going to bring it up gives it off over to said Jones for three from the corner.

No good rebound pull in by Spratt.

Working quickly goes Burgess in the lane.

Right hand.

He gets it to go.

It's tough because you're moving so quickly.

Spin move right underneath the basket Burgess good awareness takes it to a three point game.

Now here in the lane block.

And then he puts it back that time and push Rochelle once again.

He is playing out of his mind that one should have been blocked.

It was he stayed with it still got it to go back to a five point game.

Here's the three ball.

Nothing but net.

That time it was Anthony Pratt.

Ain't no way he's a freshman.

Hit up play like one.

Not at all.

So said Jones with the basketball being guarded by Caleb Knight.

And now we've got a whistle and a timeout.

Charge the ball.

Bell with 46.7 seconds left here in the third.

Maumelle 40, Benton 38.

How about this shot Spratt off the dribble.

Stop and pop.

Bang.

How was big.

Got a little screen time and that's not an easy shot.

No he means no.

He And really from the three point line Benton is five of 17 tonight.

Maumelle on the other hand is two of nine.

So neither team really light it up from deep at all.

But Maumelle shooting 41% from the field.

Benton shooting 39%.

Yeah.

You look at Maumelle.

It's been McGuire and Rochelle.

They've gotten a lot of their buckets.

Proposed to combine 12 Mayfield goals between them to Burgess is starting to come alive.

That's what Benton really needs.

It's been picking.

He's been on the bench for a while.

So now Burgess coming in with a couple of big points four in the quarter.

You need more of that.

What a good game it's been all right.

Yeah.

No I mean it's it has been a game of runs for sure and probably been the most even quarter that we've had.

We talked about the lopsided ness, but both those quarters this quarter, Bama's led 13 to 12 in the quarter.

Said Jones has it down to ten on the shot clock.

Jones has it down to four on the shot clock.

Tillman for three from the corner and he buries it.

He's missed wide game and a good tournament.

The state tournament.

And that time he comes alive with the triple carry on Burgess brings it to left side.

Now Russell's got it.

Going to hold for one shot.

That needs a bucket here don't they.

Down to 10s.

Pick it with the right hand.

Can't get it to go.

Rebound pulled in by Rochelle.

Lost the handle on it.

And they can't get it to go.

And as we end the third quarter of play Maumelle they lead by 543 to 38.

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Well, we got to get a shot of the students.

Student Mel.

They're getting after it over here.

They are having a good time in the bank of arena.

Hey, you got camera shy?

I didn't want to dance anymore.

I was going crazy.

He was wearing it out during the break.

Guys like you, Right now?

Rightfully so.

Because this hornets are up by 543, 38.

Benz got the basketball.

The Shelby's going to inbound.

It as we start the final quarter of play here at Bangkok Arena.

Spratt walks him back over to pick it.

Carry on Burgess for three.

He hands it home.

That's a big bucket for Burgess.

He's been held in check a little bit.

Rising fire three blocks, his first of the night.

Now.

Back to a two point game.

Now here's Jones for a three.

And he's fouled at the three point line.

So he's going to go to the three for the charity stripe and shoot three buckets.

How about back on the other end though Burgess big three to cut it to two.

That was huge.

But you go back to that foul.

That's foul on Russell.

They already rule the small lineup.

That's why that's big.

He's got to come off the field.

They're saying that it wasn't a shooting foul.

It was when he landed.

Yeah.

So the officials are saying it wasn't a shooting foul.

And they're going to inbound it for the near side.

Said Jones takes the inbound two point game.

Jones with a right hand gets it to go boy.

And he gets the steal.

But there's a whistle and a foul against Seth Jones.

Wow a couple of tough signals Cole got that one and then picked up the foul.

Really nice effort.

And that'll be his second personal foul a four point game.

So again Russell's got four fouls in a small lineup right.

So now you only got these five.

Here's Burgess for three two hard rebounds pulled in by Kenyon Johnson.

Said Jones goes back.

Left side Rochelle and a pull up just inside the three point arc.

Can't get it to go.

Pickett comes down the rebound.

That's the shot Benton wanted him to take a little bit long range.

Those are tougher to make.

Here's a three right side.

It goes.

One point game 45 and 44.

Another one from the young fella Anthony Sprint.

The freshman down to Rochelle in the lane.

Spin move.

And we've got a whistle a foul.

And foul.

Who are they going to call that one.

That was Pickett.

Boy that three ball from no.

Huge for Ben.

Once again.

As it is against Pickett that's his second personal foul.

So now Rochelle's going to head to the bench and catch a breather real quick.

Inbound pass coming to McGuire and guarded by Burgess.

Kicks it out.

Left side to Lewis now top of the key.

Over to Johnson.

Tilmon.

Stands on that right wing trying to make a move.

Spin.

Move.

Goes up with a left hand.

Can't get it to go.

Gets his own rebound.

Lost the handle on it Ben comes away with it.

Working down quickly.

He got he just wanted to do anything with it.

That time it was Caleb Knight working left side said Jones goes up with a right hand to hard rebound.

Taken in by Ben.

Spratt.

Wow.

That'll work.

The lane with the right hand foul.

He'll let the free throw line shoot two.

What a piece of play.

Back and forth in that sequence Ben gets the outside to the free throw.

Shows a lot of guys just going as hard as they can right now.

When you see it, you're seeing a lot of wild shots.

But because that because the pace of play and the quick play on both ends, it's just been a little bit on the on the unsteady side.

It's tough when he got so quickly did not lay it off softly.

Right.

But just shoot him hard and it's so tough to slow down mental.

So he heads the Spurs to tie the ballgame at 45.

That's a good play right there.

And Spratt young guy he's got a bright bright future.

Will replace checking back in the ball game for Maumelle.

It's Mark Allen Rochelle.

Breaking free throw in and out.

We've got a tie.

Ballgame.

McGuire.

Is going to hand it off to said Jones near the jump circle.

As we're down to 510 remaining left here in the fourth quarter.

Off the back, the iron gets his own rebound.

That's McGuire.

He gets it to go.

Second chance points has been the name of the game for Maumelle big time.

That's 14 now on the second chance.

Well left side here's Russell for three.

No good ball batted around.

Taken by Maumelle.

Working down low Russell he slams it home.

That was no good.

Pass.

Wow.

The no look led to the jam from Rochelle McAloon having a great game.

Carry on Burgess.

We've got a whistle and a foul.

That was away from the basketball.

And it's going to go against Rochelle.

We've got earlier going inside and then this no look a thing of beauty but Rochelle's all alone.

Liftoff my man is.

Here Shelby.

Off the inbound.

Down to Burgess.

Goes up with a left hand.

In and out.

Can't go.

But the putback is right there by spread.

Man two good looks for Ben.

Just couldn't get him to go.

Spratt thought he had to go and now Maumelle back into the frontcourt with a four point game.

Here's McGuire spin move right hand.

He does need to go.

And it takes it out to a six point lead.

Under four minutes to play now.

Well he's made some great plays in the paint.

Having Pickett going to drive.

And he'll be found.

He'll go line to shoot.

But that will take us to a media timeout with 357 to play in the ballgame.

Maumelle has blown their lead to six points 5145.

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Well, we've got 357 left in this one.

Maumelle leads fifth by a score of 5145.

The runs have come early and often.

And right now, Maumelle on A60 run up to the last minute, nine.

Benton hadn't scored in the last two minutes, and 40s.

They've got an opportunity to break that drought right here as Harrison Pickett's at the free throw line.

He didn't scored in the while either.

Free throw is good.

I think for Benton that media timeout came at a good time right.

Slow it down a little bit.

Now get to take a deep breath.

Not down a free throw.

And then come back to that defensive pressure that they've been doing.

Second free throw goes.

Texas back to a four point game.

Said Jones gets the ball to Lewis into the frontcourt.

Now here's Tillman in the lane goes Howard off.

The glass is good and strong to Tillman a great take going straight downhill.

Carry on Burgess goes up with the left hand is swatted out of here.

Wow.

Once again Rochelle swatted down.

Said not today.

Get that out of here.

It's not a bad tag either I'm not Tillman though.

Well his tech he's been limited a little bit but that was a great one.

Inbound is going to come from Russell.

As he'll get it into Shelby.

Marion Burgess with the basketball.

Spin move goes up with the right hand.

He goes.

Great take from Burgess.

He's been to nine a couple of times.

He stays confident going right in trying to take that contact.

It's a tough one.

Again 5349 Burgess has 13 points.

McGuire and Burgess got tangled up and called the foul.

And I think we've got a timeout.

It's going to be charged.

Timeout to Benton with 304 left here.

They get the foul to purge the offense.

His second foul.

That's it.

He had 13 points.

They've actually got him now with 15 points.

So they both a foul McGuire Burgess.

Yeah.

And you know as far as foul trouble is concerned you've got Russell with four fouls.

You see him right there getting tangled up.

Got arms.

They're locked with one another.

I don't really know how Burgess hits foul but they call it a little chippy at times in this one.

Yeah it's tough.

And they want to try to nip that stuff in the bud.

Right.

They don't want that tip to elevate.

For Maumelle you've got Roach Rochelle and Tillman both have three fouls apiece.

Or excuse me you've got Rochelle with three.

Tillman's got one.

And then for Benton Russell got four.

And then Shelby Spurgeon pick it all have two.

So they're good in that regard.

But Russell's got to be careful.

You know the crazy thing about this team they've only played six guys this game.

So let's not forget they had a guy in 80 gray who was a starter for this team.

He's good.

He hurt his knee early in the year has been out all year.

There was thought that he might actually get to play a little bit tonight, but we've yet to see him so far.

He had a great state title game last year.

I remember calling his name a ton.

Now here's said Jones with the basketball under three to play.

Off of the key to Jones for three hits him.

It hits the net.

Goes out of bounds and go in the net.

Just hit the outside of the net.

And so Benton is able to get the basketball back with 245.

Brought that help defense over that left Jones open.

Benton's fortunate that that one didn't go down.

Caleb Knight handling the basketball.

Carry on.

Burgess.

And got deflected away.

And we'll get a whistle.

Right.

There is a point for that.

Foul's going to go get Rochelle and think about this.

So now Rochelle that's going to be his.

That'll be his fourth foul boy.

Yeah.

The free throws for Burgess.

First free throws no good.

Now I mean think about this.

The team you've got with more fouls than if some has been to find a way to foul him out.

That is a big big key contributor to this team.

Yeah it's been he and McGuire the mainstays.

Here's the second free throw.

It's good three point game.

Pass is going to come all the way across the far side to McGuire as Pickpocketed Shelby.

And there's going to be a whistle.

And the ball's going to go out of bounds.

Shelby's trying to plead his case that he got pushed down.

And there is this a little basketball.

And Nixon does not like that at all.

There's that play.

He gets to come back, side swipes it, and then he gets grabbed a little bit I think Benton Minnesota give me.

The officials are getting together.

Talk this over.

The head officials went over to chat with Etheridge, who went over to check with the scorers table.

I think they were checking the clock.

Took a time.

As inbound is going to come out to Johnson.

Said Jones.

But the basketball got a whistle.

A foul foul is going to go against Caleb Knight.

It's his second personal foul about free throws the rest of the way.

Now both teams in the bonus.

Tillman's going to inbound it for Maumelle.

But.

It's about to said Jones in the back court.

Oh and now Maumelle is going to call a timeout.

Let's hear Shelby as he keeps going.

How do I keep getting pushed down?

There's no call.

He just looked at the official.

But good job by Maumelle.

Pulled the timeout prior to hey, I saw the official point of Maumelle right before the push.

That's right.

And so that's what that's why there was no foul play.

Exactly.

I was going to say people at home may think, oh, it doesn't matter.

The timeout occurs first.

Doesn't matter what happens unless it's something extracurricular outside of that, like a flagrant or something like that.

53 5006 to play left in this one.

It's been a good one so far.

So far in the quarter, Benton has outscore But the thing is to keep an eye on it.

You've got Rochelle for Maumelle with four personal fouls.

You've got Russell for Bette with for personal foul for Benton.

Cricket's got three.

And Johnson who came off the bench for Maumelle.

He's got three mistakes.

So foul trouble is going to come into play a little bit.

How about Maumelle McGuire and Rochelle both with double doubles tonight.

That's impressive.

Two guys on the same team.

Yeah I mean look at the stars come out when a championship is on the line.

Well, anybody that got a ticket to this one is had a treat.

Ball is going to break their huddle.

Inbounding and it's going to be Jace Tillman.

He'll get it in to McGuire and then back over to Lewis.

He gets.

A 15 on the shot clock.

Tillman trying to find something to do with it down the seven.

On to work it down.

Low ball got deflected away by Benton.

And there's two seconds remaining left on the shot clock.

Good time for one dribble on an inbounds.

And he got a pull up.

No.

Eric Lewis is going to inbound it from the right side and get it to Tillman.

He'll pull up for three.

And he doesn't get it to go.

As Russell comes down with it.

This is Shelby.

Back to Burgess and we've got a timeout.

Charge to Benton with a minute 29 to play here in the ballgame Benton down by three 5350.

You think these coaches know how important it to these possessions are.

Going to make sure they use their timeouts.

Can't take them home with you.

So if you're Dexter Hendrix right now when you're in the huddle talking to guys, what are you saying?

First off, hey, it's getting later.

Nope.

No silly fouls because it's free throws.

That's on the defensive side.

Offensive side.

What you're looking for Pickett.

He's been your guy and Burgess has been there too.

But look for Pickett.

If he's got an open link you can't imagine they're going to clap.

That's going to leave somebody open versus whoever run it through.

Pickett.

Well, and I think the biggest thing you don't have to settle for a three pointer.

You're down by three.

But just get some points.

Right now Maumelle is in a scoring drought over the last two minutes and six seconds.

The defense for Benton has played well, but you know I mean I just think if you get if you get a two point play and then play defense for Benton, you're sitting there setting yourself up nicely.

Now for from all nil I mean you're in that huddle over there.

No one.

You're up by three.

I think all eyes are on Terry on Burton.

Absolutely.

And you got to come in to think about this.

Two.

Coach Hinrich knows there's 4000 Rochelle attack and try to get him out of the game.

Get that down because he is a game changer when he's on the floor for one.

No no I would agree.

And he has been so far on the night.

He's the second leading scorer for Maumelle 16 points.

But he's also had ten rebounds.

And that's a good night.

So Benton basketball is Russell is going to inbound it.

We go to Burgess on the right side trying to work around a couple of screens.

He'll pull up from the free throw line too hard.

And Maumelle comes down with it.

Ball was in the back court to Tillman.

And they're going to get it in the frontcourt out to said Jones.

Rochelle goes up with it.

Has it blocked.

Gets his own rebound.

Puts up the shot.

It's good.

He'll enter the Free-Throw line to shoot one.

How big is more Kalen will Shelvin tonight.

His team calls him the Silent assassin.

That might be one of the biggest shots of his career.

Yeah, that just to be able to follow and keep getting rebounds.

Making sure and doing so with four foul.

Yes staying aggressive him that's impressive.

Not done for Benton.

But they got to have a lot go their way now.

Well he missed the free throw.

And but he gets it right back Burgess comes back and now it's a four on five opportunity.

Here's a floater in the lane.

Doesn't go.

Ball on the floor.

Russell's got it back.

Top of the key.

Here's Pratt.

Can't get it to go for three.

Ball still on the floor.

It's tied up and we've got a timeout.

Benton.

Wow.

Timeout 37.4 seconds remaining in this one.

Maumelle 55 Benton 50.

What a sequence.

And Russell giving everything.

He was around that twice after misses calls a timeout.

The wherewithal for Russell to call that timeout.

That is a heads up play.

Yeah I mean he's able to get it.

Get the timeout.

It gives you life with 37 points.

But here's the other part.

After that the sequence when Benton came out of the timeout and you saw Burgess pull up from the free throw line, Dexter Hendrix was not happy because I think what he was intending for, instead of pulling up, drive the lane and try to shoot, and you can see there was he was not happy with the choice of shots selection.

Let's so you go in and you try to attack Rochelle, you foul him out.

He's the one that cost you big time on the other end on a big put back.

So.

Benton comes back on the floor.

You've got Burgess.

You've got Russell.

You've got Pickett, you got Shelby and he got Spratt.

A couple of things to think about now.

Benton.

They're out of timeouts, so now you got to go the rest of the way.

Second thing is you need a big shot, right?

You got to make make a shot here.

You got two mills going to hit two free throws.

They're in a good spot for Maumelle.

They've got McGuire said Jones Tillman Rochelle and Lewis.

Benton basketball.

They're going to inbound it from the right side of the bucket.

Inbound comes right side to Spratt down.

Low jumper in the lane it goes.

That was by Pickett.

Three point game clock still running.

And now we've got a timeout charge to Marmol because the five second count started at the Or.

The ten second count started to the baseline.

Nobody was picking up.

The basketball can also get called for like a delay of game two right.

So you want to make sure that's a Smart goal by Coach Short.

It's going to come down to free throws for a moment.

Also going to come down.

No good inbounds play.

But how about that.

I like that take from Pickett right up.

Floats it up.

Needed that basket.

He's been confident today.

That was a good find now for Benton.

Still plenty of time left.

Try to get a steal here quickly to knock down the foul.

Maybe a shooter that that's not good at the free throw line.

Well Maumelle has one timeout remaining.

Benton has none 25.6 seconds left.

Maumelle leads 5552.

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Play now to give it up to the PBS folks when they have done a heck of a job over the last two days, they've got one more day to go.

But every year the quality of the broadcast gets better and better.

They brought the big jib arm all the way in from down here.

You get a bird's eye view from the big camera working over in the corner of the arena, and want say thanks to everything, all the folks over PBS.

They did a phenomenal job this year to 5552 Maumelle on top of Benton.

Here we go.

Maumelle.

Got to go.

The length of the floor.

Full court press is going to be on by Benton.

Tillman's going to inbound it.

Inbounds going to come right side to Lewis.

And he'll get fouled.

And he's gonna be fouled by Russell.

And that'll be Russell's fifth foul.

Is his personal foul.

And so they're going to put at the free throw line Derrick Lewis who is a 78% free throw shooter but he has not scored tonight.

That's the guy you wanted the foul.

It's just regardless because he hasn't had a moment to score yet.

First free throw is good.

That's a pick free throw.

Talk about the nerves in that moment to still knock that down from Lewis.

Wow.

Second free throw is good.

Got to go quickly.

No timeouts for Benton who in the lane goes pick it off the glass.

He gets it to go down to 14 seconds.

And it's stolen away by Shelby to Burgess.

He goes off the glass but it a foul.

There was a foul down low.

Yeah that was an and.

So he's got to hit the free throw.

Shoot.

Now they're they're saying that the officials are talking about it right now I don't think the the basket didn't count.

The basket didn't count.

They're talking about it.

As a foul on the floor.

He just said it's over.

He's good for Shelby 5754.

Yeah.

So everybody got really excited because they thought it was a one point game.

The officials are going back to they've changed the score.

It's 5754 now here I mean here you go.

You have no timeouts 8.9 seconds left.

You got two shots.

You make one miss a second try to get the rebound.

Put back.

There's the make.

But but also think you got to steal already once right.

You might try to make this.

Try to get a steal.

If you foul you still a one possession game I think you make this shot if you can try to play good defense.

Coach Hendricks is telling all of his guys foul.

The second shot is up and good.

So it's a one point game now.

You either get a steal or a foul.

There's.

Ball goes out of bounds 6.4 seconds.

Mills got one more timeout.

Do you want to use it right here.

And we've got a whistle.

No easy step.

He's stepped over the line.

He can't move.

He's not supposed to.

Man.

He wasn't mad about it.

Got knocked away.

And he also though the official point at the line, he stepped over it.

It's going to be big basketball with 6.4 seconds.

Wow.

One point game.

You saw him step over the line right there.

Inbound to Burgess goes up.

He.

Down.

3.1 seconds.

But he's got to get back.

It's pandemonium before he goes.

He can react.

10s ago.

Fifth season was hanging in the balance.

They went down three.

They got the steal.

And then the turnover on the baseline.

What has happened?

Watch this.

You come in.

Give it to Burgess.

Goes hard with the body and gets it to go.

Think about the crucial mistake.

All you've got to do is get the ball in for Maumelle.

Maybe we can go back to that inbound play.

You just got to get the ball in.

And he stepped over the line when he throws it in.

And that's that's what causes this.

Big was down by five.

And it's not if you were at Oaklawn or anywhere else right now you were a long shot.

It was about a 75 to 1.

He was going to get it.

And he stepped over the line.

Benton hadn't led in a long while.

RJ well, the last lead that Benton had.

They've only led for two minutes and 40s the other 20 was all Maumelle.

Wow.

And you saw the replay where he stepped over the line.

You can't move at all.

That's his biggest problem, too.

It was tipped out of bounds.

He can't run the baseline.

That's where he stepped over.

It was two.

No, no.

He stepped over.

He can't move.

So now you've got.

They put 4.5 seconds back on the clock.

So they added about a second to it.

The ball now has no timeouts.

Everybody's on their feet here at Benkovic Arena.

And you can't ballot their bit.

You got to play tight but no foul.

Ben's going to try to play up a little bit.

They get it into Tilmon.

Working it up.

Lewis back to Tillman.

He lost the handle on it.

Throws it up.

It's no good.

The Panthers first state championship in school history.

Your final score in this one been 58.

Maumelle 57.

What a ball game last year.

Benton let the game slip away.

They had a big lead on Pine Bluff.

They let it slip away.

They were quite dead to right.

But their defense paid off.

They made the plays down the stretch.

And you think about Freddy Reinhart, the superfan for Benton, smiling down.

We'll take a break.

We'll have the trophy presentation coming up next.

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And.

Get.

There it is.

The Bent Panthers are your class five AA state champions, and they do it in the last seven seconds of the ballgame.

I get to think about this.

I mean, just absolutely crazy how this ball game ended.

And here's a shot.

And look, I'm very aware very aware of that.

It's a spot by the way.

What we're saying.

But what we're also saying is the move.

That's what causes spot violations.

So, you know, you've just got to know the situation.

And you know, when there's a lot going on like that, you hate it for that young man.

He'll be thinking about it for a while.

Absolutely.

You got a chance to win the game and you move with the base and it's tough.

Take a look at the final stats of this one.

Benton shot 39% for the game.

Maumelle 43 from three point range, 31% for Benton, 25 for Maumelle.

Rebound.

Look at that.

Maumelle outrebounded Benton 3529.

If you just look at the stats you and without looking at the score you say Maumelle wins ball game.

And so it was a heartfelt effort by the Hornets.

Now it's going to going to be joined by the head basketball coach.

He he said give me a minute.

I gotta get a drink of water real quick.

Dexter Hendricks is making his way over and.

Dexter I mean, have you ever been in a basketball game?

You're down five with seven seconds left, and you come back to win it?

Yeah, but I'm just so thankful right now for these guys.

Maumelle played an excellent game.

Credit to their kids.

You know, it sure didn't look like we had a chance there.

But, you know, I think more importantly, the way I'm feeling right now, our kids just did get fired, and they just kept fighting and kept fighting, and they just didn't give up.

And even with that, a little bit of time left, you know, still been having a chance to make the play.

And guys just, you know, I'll never forget those two plays by those two seniors, you know, just they just didn't want to lose.

Refused to lose.

Well, coach, you go back to the plays with Pickett, right?

You get the thousand.

Pickett makes two big buckets late.

Then the foul on the defensive side Shelby knocks down both free throws.

The cold to go for two to hold it on your defense.

What was going through the emotions for you.

It was that the game plan all along.

Well you know we just wanted to try to you know to get to the free throw line.

We knew that we're in the bonus and get to the free throw line.

The clock stops and just try to try to win the possession at hand.

You know, that's all we could do right there, win the next possession.

But like I said, you know, there's a third senior step up to the free throw line, hit some big centros and and then, just like I said, those guys just refuse to lose.

I'm so proud of coach.

You and I talked earlier today, and, you know, this was a team.

You guys were fully loaded at the beginning of the year.

You lose a big part to an injury.

So now you're you're running six guys in a championship game.

It's a tough thing to do it.

And just the fight and the grit of this entire team, not just one person, to keep fighting with six guys, that's pretty impressive.

Well I appreciate that.

Yeah.

It's been it's been one of those years.

You know with that we were able to win some games, but, our guys just they kept fighting and it was next man up all year.

And like I said, I just can't be more proud.

Well, congratulations, you guys are state champs, coach.

Congrats.

Dexter Hendricks, head basketball coach for the Benton Panthers.

Now let's talk with the tournament MVP Taryon Burgess and Taryon.

You've played a lot of basketball.

I've watched a lot of basketball.

Have you ever been in something like that before?

Yeah, it was crazy that last seven seconds just kind of walk through your head.

Just like what was going down.

You were down by five coaches yelling at you a foul, and next thing you know that the spot violation happened.

I mean, we was in timeout.

You know, we had to finish, you know we all cussing each other out on its.

I had to get it done.

You got that clutch shot late in the game right?

Right.

I knew it was coming to you.

Likely but.

But beyond that what does this mean to you guys?

After last year you felt like you let this lead Savoy, let the state title come back.

You come back this time and you take care of business now.

I mean, I feel honored.

You know, we wanted this.

You know, let me talk about it since obviously.

Yeah.

You know, you you saw the Benton crowd come up here.

You you've been around Benton for a while.

What's this mean?

To bring the first state championship and basketball to Benton.

I mean, I know once I came here, you know, it was all of us.

And, you know, I'm glad to bring home a championship.

Hey.

Well, congratulations.

Go celebrate with your team.

Thank you.

That's Terry on Burgess, the tournament MVP for this one is the Benton Panthers.

They win this thing by a final score 5857.

A wild finish.

Well, the official championship apparel memorabilia for this season are available at Arkansas high school sports.com.

And I guarantee you, those Benton Panther fans are going to want to remember this one for a long time.

So go get something to remember it by.

What a game it was.

You know, those DVDs we always talk about?

That would be a great thing to get as one.

Hey, look at these highlights.

We're not even going to show the whole game.

We're just going to show this last few buckets, by Benton.

So, you know, you see the turnaround right there by Pickett comes in the lane off the glass.

That's finishing off A60 run.

And here's the violation.

They cause the violation.

And then Terry on Burgess goes up gets the win for the Benton Panthers.

And the Panthers are your class five AA boys state champions here in Hot Springs.

That student section was going crazy.

Well, hey, we got a full day of basketball tomorrow.

Don't forget it all.

Get started in the morning at 12:00.

And, we've got 6:00 action because the other half of sling counties coming and, and, I guess 145 but it starts at six with Fayetteville and North Side in the girls finals for class six.

And then, you got Brian and Springdale, rounding things off in the, in the first half.

So, ought to be a lot of fun.

Looking forward to my final thoughts on this as well.

One of the best basketball state championship games I've seen in quite some time.

This one fit the bill.

It came right down to the wire heartbreak for Maumelle.

But Benton revenge from last year after they lost all the game.

It was well it's been fun.

One your final score in this one 5857 one to say thanks to all the folks back in the trunk, Kevin.

Tarnation, everybody clicking and ticking on from PBS.

The standpoint for my broadcast partner JB Brazil.

I'm RJ Hawk, your final in the five bay boys state championship.

5857.

You've been watching the Centennial Bank state basketball Championships on Arkansas PBS sports.