That is what is done.

And we look me in one last time here.

Today, the final day of the high school championships at Bangkok Arena.

And we're going to start it off with the six eight girls.

It'll be the Fayetteville Bulldogs and the Fort Smith North side Grizzlies.

Justin.

Adrian.

Kyle.

I'm glad to be with you for this one.

And there is some star power in this ball game.

And Kyle I'm going to start though with the coaches.

You've got two extremely talented and experienced coaches.

They've been on this big stage many many times before.

And Ricky Smith and Vic Rim are about as good as they get.

You're talking about two programs by the way.

They're about as accomplished as we get in the entire state.

Talking about a close to 30 state title appearances between them, 16 state championship.

It should be really good.

Absolutely.

We got two great ones yesterday, too.

Let's go back to how things went down last night in our final session with the five eight girls.

And that was Easton McCullough, our MVP.

The freshman led.

Then we're going to get that situation today with Pete Cottle as well for Fayetteville.

And then a wild finish six points in the final 17 seconds by the Benton Panthers.

Doing the near impossible yesterday and claiming that title over Maumelle a hard fought game by Marmol.

But it was just too much Benton down the stretch in a wild, wild finish.

Hoping for some good finishes today as well.

It is Fayetteville and Northside here in the six eight girls.

And then a great matchup with Brian and Springdale on the six eight boys game in our second game of the day.

And then in our afternoon session we've got West Side against Earl and Mark tree against girls in the boys final.

And that's how we're going to wrap things up with some money.

Basketball.

We're going to get you set for this big time matchup in six eight familiar foes doing it again.

And we'll talk about that as we continue on.

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All right.

Welcome back in to Benkovic arena.

Let's look at how we got here.

As we get you set for action between Fayetteville and Fort Smith.

North side.

And we're going to start with the Grizzlies as they work their way through Jonesboro in a dominant fashion 5523 knocked off central by a dozen.

Then a close game against Bentonville 43 to 40 to get here to this matchup with their well known opponents the Fayetteville Bulldogs.

And our player to watch today is going to be Ariana Gooden.

Colorado signee Kyle 15 points a game for her.

And she's their all time leading scorer with 1879 points.

You're talking about 40 plus Division one offers one of a couple twins that's going to start for side and certainly some big keys to the game for them.

I think first of all, they certainly need to lean on her.

But coach Ricky Smith talks about how they are a better team and they've got 2 or 3 people scoring.

They also have to lean on the experience.

They are the older team, much more senior and junior leading upperclassmen for these Lady Bears.

First for the mission.

Now let's take a look at how Fayetteville got here.

And the Purple Dogs started off with a dominating win.

Again, speaking of a easy opening round about a 6936 win over and knocked off Conway in a competitive game 6962 and beat North Little Rock 6958.

And a freshman shall lead them.

But it's going to be Peyton Cottle, their freshman star, who was, a key to this game.

She had 20 in that semifinal game.

And, you know, we talked about this yesterday with Easton McCullough with Farmington.

He may be young, but you can certainly start this sport on this stage.

Hayden Cornell ten plus major major offers.

This is a future bright star here in the state.

An outstanding shooter from anywhere mid range long range.

She can finish through contact.

Excellent court vision a relentless defender and oh yeah 4.0 GPA.

So for the Bulldogs a couple keys here one they got to get to the line.

But they knocked off North Little Rock 21 of 22 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter.

They hit one field goal in the fourth quarter and still won.

That's because they were really good at the free throw line that got to the line.

And then second, hey listen, they've lost to this Northside team twice this year in January and mid-February.

You got to forget those past two meetings.

It all starts over right here for the six eight championship.

Well let's get to our winner rock starting lineups.

Now take a peek at who's going to be on the floor first.

And this will be for Northside Cameron Schmidt six one junior cadence Fleming five eight senior three.

Paisley grad John, A57 senior averages over 12.5 a game and then the good twins.

You mentioned it Ariana our player to watch and then her sister Erica 511 senior also going to play college basketball up at Nebraska, Omaha.

And for Fayetteville it'll be Whitney Brown A55 senior ten points a game for her.

Charlie Rollins eight point score, A56 junior.

Cynthia Coachman 510 sophomore.

Really intriguing player that's going to have increasing numbers of college options.

Kyle 13 points a game for her.

We mentioned the freshman Cornell and then Mariah Moss six and a half points a game for the six foot senior.

Probably seen our friend Bobby Swofford in the ads airing both on social media.

MTV's talking about, hey, watch these state championships to see who's the future Isaiah Cho, the future monk, the future Jersey Wolfenbarger her and Kristin Williams.

I think we have more of that combined star power in this game than any other this weekend.

Yeah, I think we got to be talking about the future.

Caitlin Clark in this game, right between Caudle and Coachman and good can be fun.

Got a whiff on the opening tip, but now we're going to reset here I think after a whiff on the opening tip.

Don't see that very often.

A little bit of a miss time.

Hannah.

I love the referee conference right out of the gate.

By the way, our officials for today's game, Hunter Beshears, Jake Black and Keith Wells, they're not when they wanted to be introduced, you and I out there set up for.

Well it's not their fault.

Now.

They're just going to do a side out here and give it to the purple.

So it'll be Fayetteville basketball to start things off here again in the home whites.

But the purple numerals Bulldogs across the chest and the Grizzlies in that familiar red for North side Fayetteville 19 and 11 Justin.

But it's such a misleading record for them.

When you have this much star power you're going to be invited to play major games.

So they've played a lot of really big games this year.

They've traveled to Arizona misleading 19 and 11 record right out of the gate.

A miss by coachman from the left wing.

But an offensive rebound for Fayetteville and going to work inside his boss left handed.

You got Moss right out of the gate.

Fayetteville going to work inside and making the most of that offensive rebound to open the scoring here in the six eight girls title game.

That's one thing these these north side of the people that follow them so closely will point out she's a player that can give them a lot of trouble because he just can't move her around.

That was a tough shot there.

Another offensive rebound this time by North Side.

And they're going to get a second attempt at it.

It'll be Ariana good at this.

The first missed the second.

But her sister there for an offensive rebound.

This time she's going to try a third time that one also no good.

And yet another attempted an offensive rebound.

This one though cannot be handled.

And so it will go back to Fayetteville.

But good hustle there.

By Hazel Grogan I mean my goodness.

She's she ran about a 400 meter there in that first opening.

Opportunity for them, indicative of some of the shooting before me because I think we've seen this weekend, isn't it?

Yes.

And let's hope that doesn't continue.

Whitney Brown's is dribbling and out of bounds as he drove to the baseline.

Again, good defense by John harassing enough to create the turnover.

So offensive rebounding the story of the day in the early going here.

We're about a minute in foul off.

Just an angry thrilled to be with you.

Fort Smith North side 26 and five record 13 and three in conference.

You mentioned earlier won both the regular season meeting 7765 on January 14th and then on February 11th, 5651, a little more competitive in the second go round.

We'll see if this one's even tighter.

Wild scoop shot.

And that is some nerves, I think, for good.

And just trying to do a little too much.

That's her four shot of the game.

You know we did talk about the unspeakable I guess star players from North Side struggling in this championship game, albeit in a victorious performance going back to Jersey Wolfenbarger, who had a just an awful day shooting the basketball a few years ago in a championship game.

But her team able to get the title regardless of that.

That was Northside last championship.

There's a great play by grads on reaching in and taking it away from Brown.

Okay, they're going to call a jump ball there.

We just got an explanation on the opening tip.

They said the ball hit the floor so they blew an inadvertent whistle.

So they decided to do a side out there.

You have a great point Justin.

I was actually calling that game in 2021 when a jersey wolfenbarger came in.

Was just such a spotlight on her.

And it was not her best performance, but her team was able to lift her up.

Here's a great feed inside.

How about good to good.

And that's good enough for a bucket.

And Northside now on the board.

2 to 2 minutes in.

Three pointer on the other end a quick one by coachman.

That's no good Moss.

Another offensive rebound though both teams having success on second chances.

Moss underneath doesn't get it triple teamed underneath the basket.

Finding her way through curls.

A little elbow looks a little frustrated and Erica good and says how about that?

We're going to let that go on.

You don't blame her for the frustration.

Triple team down there.

Yeah.

They retain the possession though.

They've gotten away with one.

There's Connell our first look at the freshman driving in scooping it up falling to the floor.

Buckets for Fayetteville her first basket.

And she puts the Bulldogs up 4 to 2.

She's so good at finishing through contact.

Cogdell ten plus offers.

All right you're talking about Arkansas Alabama Florida Miami the list goes on.

Major players Three-Pointer blocked in the corner.

Great defense by coachman but another offensive rebound and a stick back.

Cameron speaking on the board six 1 to 11 points a game for her.

Seven and a half rebounds as well.

So that is the norm for her.

There's a runner in the lane.

No Good by Whitney Brown.

Great feed from the baseline.

There.

But we will get free throws for the first time today.

And Brown's a 67% shooter at the charity stripe this season.

She had 19 in the semis.

She was ten for ten from the line against North Little Rock.

So players come on.

And playing her best basketball here late.

We talked about coach coachman tonight.

Coach in the sophomore trying to do a little bit from distance early on 30% three point shooter averages 13 a game.

That's tops on the team.

That's pretty balanced.

Scoring the 1312 for Connell ten for Brown eight for Rawlins I mean it's by committee from an offensive standpoint and really much the same.

I think on the other side, even though Ariana Gooden leads the way with 15 points a game for Northside, first free throw, no second free throw, no offensive rebound.

Yes.

But then a blocked shot inside Blackman, who just entered the game 511 with those long arms able to get up there and block that one away.

And she will now get an opportunity here on the offensive end for the first time for the Bulldogs.

Taisha Harris just checked in with 510 senior.

So they will match up with one another mistake the newbies on one another here.

Also, Isabella Kendrick has got the ball.

Oh did momentarily the five six junior into the game and Lily chrome for Fayetteville drive inside.

No no offensive rebound this time as Harris clears it away for Fayetteville in A44 ballgame.

4.5 minutes to play.

Drive inside.

Coachman jump stop ball knocked away.

Good play there by Carey on a good.

It saved in tipped away.

Wild exchange here.

And it's scooped up by Terrence Blackman.

And the Grizzlies will head the other way.

Driving inside to kick to the corner.

Three pointer on the way.

That is short.

What a defensive rebound by Fayetteville.

And you could tell coach said go in there give me some rebounds back to back.

She got some defensive rebounds for Fayetteville.

So excellent work there by the substitute three pointer right wing.

And there is a shot from distance.

We need around 34% three point shooter on the year.

Puts her team up three and we are under four minutes.

Or dead ball will be our first media timeout of this one.

Kind of a frantic start.

You can tell nerves, anxiety, all the adrenaline rush here early on, and hopefully these teams can take a deep breath here and get in some rhythm.

But a competitive game in the early going high low, good catch, good shot up and no but a foul Blackman drawing the contact from Harris.

Excellent post position.

Really nice feed from the top.

And she is going to get a couple of free throws here.

I think you could tell early on in this game though.

Granted Gooden does have five attempts from the field, but there's a concerted effort to get just about everybody else involved.

Fayetteville North side, 7 to 4.

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At 743 35 left in the first quarter, Fayetteville over Fort Smith North side.

Lady Bears won the first two meetings and the Bulldogs trying to claim their first, but it'll be North side at the free throw line to that.

Good feed into the post drew a foul.

Blackman a 63% free throw shooter, missed the first.

That last beating Justin.

So tight game down the stretch and Fayetteville double teams Ariana Gooden it leaves Hazel Rochon open.

She spins and scores the Go-Ahead bucket.

Just kind of a sign of I think what they really want to do here.

Two purple dogs into the lane there.

So a mistake by Fayetteville is going to get another free throw attempt for Blackman, who missed both of her first two.

Second one doesn't count.

Third one does.

And so she does get one of the three attempts.

One of the two the count, and she gets her team back within a pair.

So Fayetteville back on offense here.

Cornell can hit that counter.

Will attempt it.

She did not get it though.

And Blackman tracks it down for North Side.

I was watching her in warmups.

I don't think she missed one of those because she used them all up.

That happens sometimes.

Kind of like me on the range.

Hit a good out there and then get on the course and I can't make a translate.

Schmidt posting up.

They're going to try to get it into a tough angle.

Good defense there by Fayetteville and going to get a tie up.

Good work by Cornell defensively possession arrow going the way the Lady Bears.

So they'll keep the basketball here with 258 to go in the first quarter.

Moss checking back in.

And so is Charlie Rollins.

Couple starters back on the floor for Fayetteville.

A little discussion point here with the officials.

But here we go.

Baseline inbound for North Side.

Great John pull up jumper in the lane.

Rattles out.

But an offensive rebound again.

And then attempted a pass there by Kendrick but turns it over throws it right to Fayetteville.

That's her what she was trying to do there other than gain or balance.

And unfortunately for them the Lady Bears give it back to the Bulldogs.

In the corner.

Coachman spinning in the lane.

Off the glass.

No good.

But what a brilliant move.

She herself all turned around.

The hair was in tow.

Following along, there's a wild spinning scoop shot that is no good by Brad John and collecting it as coachman coming the other way.

She's going to force the issue.

Got double team and a steal by Fort Smith.

North side heck of a play there by Schmidt.

Got down on the floor.

And now on the other end a wild shot no good.

And the tentative offensive rebound.

But it's tapped out by Fayetteville.

Will stay with the Lady Bears 2 or 5 to play.

Kind of a wild scramble a little sloppy both sets here but seven five Fayetteville leading it and I think we're seeing a lot of one on one basketball right now.

I think both these coaches would want to tell their teams what set ups and offense.

Let's let's calm the pace just a little bit.

Let's get comfortable in this game.

Kendrick will trigger for North Side here.

Loops it into Schmidt.

She got stopped up ahead to just throw it out as she sits down on the floor spinning around.

Good defense inside by Fayetteville.

And looking to work it around the perimeter a little bit here John picks up her dribble.

He's good on the baseline.

Tough jumper.

And they're going to get a foul kind of a bailout over there.

Not a great decision by Kyra Ball.

The five eight senior fouls on a jump shot there in this area on a good rose up there on the baseline.

Two shots.

So Ariana kind of getting build up such a tough angle.

There.

So I met before the game I bet Ariana goodness mom.

And I said what do you like during games?

She was asking me where she can walk because she paces so often.

She cannot sit still.

So I told her I think he can get some laps around kind of the middle portion of the stands here.

Free throw.

Good there he seven seven, both of it go down.

And so we have a tie ball game again.

Ryan boss pass to the wing.

And that's going to be a turnover.

Looking for Brown.

Couldn't make the connection replacing Tyrell Ball Moss.

You see they're just the kind of player Northside identified who can hit one and then get really hot.

She can really hurt you.

And she's just so physical and hard to move around.

A real problem for Northside in this game.

I think you've seen the physicality that she plays with already.

Schmidt walking it down there was trying to spin and go over coddle, and Cottle was helping the official out, saying, yeah, she travel, you betcha.

Schmidt again, I think everybody trying to do a little too much right now, forcing the issue, maybe pressing a little bit, need to take a deep breath and settle in here.

It's taken almost a whole quarter to do it.

We're seven minutes in.

Jump stop, feed inside.

Knocked away and it'll go out of bounds off of North Side.

So it'll stay with Fayetteville with 22 on the shot clock.

Just over a minute to play 77.

Now just two players have played in this stage before the twins Ariana and Erica Gooden back at 22 in the championship game.

And sometimes you can learn a lot from those tough finishes.

And obviously you don't want to feel that pain again.

We're going to see that, you know, again coming up here in the six eight boys with Bryant going down last year to Central Drive inside Moss.

Really nice move.

Couldn't finish it off.

Nearly got her own rebound after was tipped by coachman.

But it will go out off of Fayetteville and back to North side seven.

Up under 53 seconds to play.

And Ariana good going to walk it up.

The six foot senior headed to Colorado.

All time leading scorer to score 15 points a game this year.

An 82% free throw shooter.

She needs maybe to get some free throw opportunities.

There's a high, low little role reversal and it goes through the hands of the intended target, Kadence Fleming.

So you would have thought maybe the other way around the senior guard feeding good and inside, but does not work out.

We got about a half second differential in and throughout these championships.

People have spoken about it on a number of broadcasts.

We have not seen teams take advantage of being able to hold for the last shot.

Coachman driving in fouled and they will get it inbound.

I think they're going to call that in the active shooting.

They are okay.

Well she nearly got into her shooting motion because she was hit on the way.

So they're going to give her a couple of free throws here.

Coach was a 77% free throw shooter.

But the bottom line is they're still 20s on the on the game clock here.

And teams have just not taken advantage for the most part in these games.

And I realize again, young players.

But we're talking 30 plus games into the season.

I'm a little surprised that it's not been more of a plan by some of these coaches.

And we've seen a number of teams get hurt scoring with 6 or 7 seconds left, and the other team will go down and get a bucket at the buzzer.

We've seen some unfortunate mistakes too.

It's not all.

Perhaps, you know, as a result of kind of lack of design.

And that will happen when you lose your composure on a big stage like this.

Bright lights.

Yeah.

It's a it's a tough situation.

You know, everything is on the line.

Good cool free throw there by coachman.

Puts your team up by one with 20.9 left.

But you're right it it's easy for us to say over here sitting on the sideline and just talking about the game versus actually being in the midst of it and playing.

It's a challenge.

There's no question how good and and her teammates will hope for the final shot under 10s, dribbling it out near midcourt, seven seconds Ariana Goodin spinning in the lane.

Pull up jumper from 16.

No offensive rebound but it's going to be too late to get a shot up.

Are they going to call a foul down there.

They're going to either get a foul or out of bounds.

Yep they're going to get a foul.

It's going to go against Kyra Ball.

That's her second quick foul.

She took a hard fall to there.

Yeah.

And I can't tell who is the player down.

It's Blackman okay fellas.

They've got her up now.

Cherish Blackman.

She is not feeling good I think she got popped in the eye.

They're going to take a look at her.

But 2/10 of a second on the clock.

So it'll be a lady Bears inbound from underneath their basket with 2/10 of a second.

You have to really have a special play drawn up here to check out.

It'll be inbounded by Kendrick.

They're going to sub Erica Gooden back in as well.

She'll go down in the post.

Not sure what you can do here.

I almost have to get a tip all in one motion.

Perfect.

Oh my goodness Ariana Goodin caught it.

Shot it bucket.

And she went down hard after the shot attempt.

And she is hurting.

And they're going to discuss a foul there as well.

She's on her feet.

They're going to wave it off.

You've got to be kidding me.

They're going to wave it off.

Oh my goodness I think they're going to say it had to be a tip.

And we'll get the official to come over here and answer for it.

But boy you talk about an insult added to injury.

Not only does she take the shot go down hard, but they wipe the shot off.

And again let's get a look here.

I mean she couldn't have gotten it up there any quicker.

It was almost a tap and the light went off afterwards.

But if they're going to say that she caught and shot and it was all in one motion, I don't know what else she could have done.

There.

That's exactly what the ruling is.

So yeah, it has to be a tip.

And again, I don't know at what point you could catch and shoot maybe a full second or a half a second, I don't know, that just closes against that.

Looked awfully good to me.

Yeah.

It was a heck of a play.

Well, regardless, it will not count.

It's going to be eight seven going into the second quarter.

We're going to take a break.

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Here.

This is the end of the first quarter.

Looks awfully good on the tiffin, but the rule is, after talking to the officials there during the break, it's got to be point three or more in order to count for a catch and shoot.

It's got to be a 0.3.

It's got to be a straight tip.

And they would have had to throw it up near the rim and just tipped it in.

So with the wrestler saying essentially is that she caught it and put it up and there wasn't enough time for that corner throw, then she's got a bucket and she's going to the free throw line.

No debate about that one.

And Fayetteville extends the lead with that basket 749 to play.

So very early moments here in the second quarter.

But a wild finish.

And look at this beautiful spin move by Connell.

She gets so good.

Takes the arm by Schmidt and falls to the floor.

Took it a free throw attempt here as well.

Yeah.

So good at finishing through contact.

But just to finish that point real quickly Justin the good news is Ariana Gooden who has hit the ground hard after that was walking back to the bench.

She's back in the court.

She appears to be just fine.

Yeah you got to shake that one off.

It's got to be very frustrating though because they made a beautiful play there to get a shot attempt up before the buzzer went off.

Good.

Now posting up inside going to work.

Kick out short corner jumper.

That's good.

Nice line by it.

Good shot by Kendrick.

And back within two.

Now the Lady Bears.

First basket of the game for Kendrick.

The five six junior to the elbow A kick out Whitney Brown down the lane.

Back outside for three.

It's good Sonia.

Nia coachman the sophomore throws it and Fayetteville extends the lead to five.

That's four now for coachman a coachman can be a streaky player.

14 in the semis.

But 11 of those came in the second half.

Pass inside.

Catch and shoot.

That's Cameron Smith finishing it off inside.

They've done a great job in the high low with the lob passes over the defenders.

And Schmidt at 61 a long offensive player.

And they're working it in there beautifully to her.

And they've been able to finish around the rim on those.

So both teams kind of settling in what feels like at this point.

Porter will back it out into the corner working against Smith.

Crossover kicks the coachman down to Moss.

Baseline jumper up and a silly foul there.

Whitney Brown takes the contact and will go to the free throw line for two.

She's again a 67% free throw shooter.

And you see coachman there I think both teams Justin have settled in a little bit to your point.

And it started to run a little bit of offense.

We're not seeing as much one on one and players trying to do a lot.

They've settled in here and the coachman, they're just a great idea.

And coach Vic Rivers talked about her maturity.

Her leadership has increased so much from a freshman, a sophomore season.

That's the thing about this Fayetteville team Cornell, a freshman coachman, a sophomore.

So 15 and 11 after the free throw.

One last final thought a final final thought if I might on the tip in the official key moments that I would have gone to review it if it was allowed.

So what they don't allow for is as a second free throw falls away, end of quarter or end of half reviews only end of game reviews.

And again, I'd say it's all over the national federation.

Arkansas works of the National Federations rules.

We got a foul on the other end as good and got knocked to the floor.

Erica Good did, but I think that's something they ought to consider looking at.

And if you're going to allow review at the end of a game, why not allowed at the end of a quarter and a half to I. I don't understand the thinking.

There.

You want to get it right.

And it could have been impacted the game earlier with the Lamar game.

They had a shot that we thought came after the buzzer that they awarded them the basket, but it was at the end of the half and they couldn't look at it.

And there's a foul by Moss out well away from the three point line.

And then she reacts to it.

Official doesn't even give it a side eye for that.

But she's going to go over and talk to him about it a second on Moss.

And that's going to put her on the bench.

He's not happy.

But again that's not a play you need to try to make.

It's just really necessary.

You're, you know, 27ft away from the basket, just not really a necessary play three pointer on the way and a little bit long for John.

Follow up inside.

And Cameron Smith starting to settle this.

The junior having some success inside and gets her team back within two six points.

Now for Schmidt she's six one.

She's the tallest player in this game.

And she looks it out there.

She looks like it's only an inch taller for example, than Mariah Moss, but she looks like she's got 4 or 5in on it.

Yeah, she's long and you see her next to Cottle.

They're about the same size, but she's got a little more strength.

It seems like as an upperclassman there's a three pointer up and good.

So Fayetteville continuing to knock shots down as we getting getting further into this game Whitney Brown good from outside on that one 1813 high low again good anticipation defensively though by the Bulldogs.

Knocked it away.

And we're heading the other way.

Connell scoop shot no.

But she'll head to the line for a pair with 520 left in the second quarter.

Fayetteville already up by five.

Expect Connell to finish that don't you.

Here's a look at that Whitney Brown three.

The senior knocking it down from deep 19 in the semi's ten of ten from the free throw line.

She's headed to Hutchinson Community College.

One thing about this Fayetteville team Justin in and any in terms of finding their way.

I mean they lost to Conway and North Little Rock in the regular season by nine.

And then they beat those teams in the state quarters and semis.

So you talk about the ability to kind of respond and learn from past mistakes.

And I think they might have leaned into that facing a North Side team that they've lost to twice this season.

Well, they say it's hard to beat a team three times in a season.

There's no doubt about that.

Always been a cliche that I never love, but but true nonetheless.

Well, I mean, we saw it last year.

Like we said.

We talked about the Bryant central situation.

Central goes down to Bryant twice.

And then they come to the finals.

That's a different situation.

It's also about how well are you playing right now.

Great feed inside.

Good five by John and a good finish inside.

Schmidt continues to find her way in the post eight.

Now for the junior also in the game.

Now she's got the ball.

It's Charis Terry five five.

Senior gives it away.

Fayetteville went pretty deep in the bench and intensely play game up and under a wild shot.

Airball and a foul called and to the line.

Ty Harris will go.

Who came in and have an instant impact rebounding for the Lady Bulldogs.

And she'll have a couple of free throws here for Fayetteville in a 2215 ballgame.

I think she saw that last, the two possessions ago.

Might as well just try to do a continuation and get the ball, get to the line first.

Free throws.

Good Foul's on Terrence Blackman.

That's her first.

North side has got four fouls here in the second quarter.

Two on Fayetteville.

So Fayetteville will be shooting free throws the rest of the way on any lady bear fouls.

And it will be Marianna.

Good.

And bringing it up.

It's been a physical game.

Yes.

Seen a number of players going to the floor either knocked to the floor chasing loose balls.

It's an all out effort.

It's a championship game.

That's what you'd expect.

Good in pull up jumper.

Got it.

That was pure.

She's feeling that one good pumps her fist.

And you know that.

Had to feel good to see that go down so smooth there I mean that's the that's the look of a player who you knows major offers another three on the other end.

Missed by Brown.

And an offensive or defensive rebound and a foul.

I believe this will be against Michelle Harris personal.

She's got two now.

And the foul count is evening up a.

Touch 2217 Fayetteville with the lead and Northside with the ball.

North side trying to get a championship.

Also trying to complete the sweep 15th finals appearance under Ricky Smith are 14th under Ricky Smith.

The forehand.

15th overall.

They've won eight state titles under Ricky Smith's direction.

He's been there 34 years and he's seen of those things go down over the years.

A three pointer from Blackman knocks it down.

First three of the game there for North Side.

Yeah Ricky Smith just a stalwart as a coach as there is in the entire state.

And again his counterpart not quite that many shots blocked on the perimeter.

Great job by Blackman.

Brought John Paul up on the other end.

No.

Try to sell a foul.

Saved in for a moment and it will go back to Fayetteville.

The battle will bring it up the left sideline and brought down.

Just took it away from going the other way for the layup.

What a play by Grant on this to put a motor on number ten for Northside.

My goodness.

Knocked down two to be able to get up from that.

And sometimes those emotions work against you and you're so frustrated.

That's when you commit a foul.

That was that was great play and just came up and dribbled it for Cogdell.

Now a drive inside, Crone shot up no, but she'll go to the free throw line for a pair.

By the way, in all of that mess, back and forth, we're tied now at 22.

What a save it by Smith.

Look at that.

Save.

And you saw brought John on the ground there.

Gets up and instead of fouling those quick hands and a wraparound play to I think that angle was great to show just how far around she reached in order to get the steal.

All right.

We got another media timeout.

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Welcome back.

It's time for Arkansas PBS student all star.

And congratulations to McKinley Campbell from Harbor, a sophomore point guard with a 4.1 GPA.

She wants to attend college, run track, or play basketball, and become a veterinarian or psychologist.

Congratulations to Harbor's McKinley gamble, our Arkansas PBS student.

All star.

Some purple over there behind the Fayetteville bench.

Pretty good turnout for Northside.

Student section for Northside.

Yes, and a smattering of Fayetteville students in attendance as well.

We're locked up at 22 with 253 to go.

They miss at the free throw line for Lily Krohn.

The five eight junior left hander will settle in and try again in the second one.

Splashes home to put Fayetteville back in front.

Bulldogs have really been in control for the most part today, but give Northside credit they have fought their way back into it.

Tied at after.

A hard comeback and now a one point lead for Fayetteville.

Brad John couldn't get the ball into her hands.

Finally does gets a shot up.

No good.

Tipped out of there by Schmidt, but into the hands of Whitney Brown to lead the break.

Doesn't have numbers, but she forces the issue anyway.

What a beautiful spin move.

And a hard foul by Ariana.

Good.

It will be getting a little bit of that frustration out.

And that was a it was like a 1970 NBA foul.

I'm stunned by how physical this game is so far under.

Well listen what do they say Kyle?

Familiarity breeds contempt.

And these two teams know each other well.

For the most part, the refs have let them play through contact to.

There's a lot of ex-husbands out there that understand that sentiment.

Free throws good Fayetteville by 226 to play.

Dick Brimmer imploring his team, asking the official what are we holding up for?

Impatient.

Second free throws.

Good.

So Fayetteville opens up a three point lead, 225 to go.

How much do you love a coach in a full suit, by the way?

Not as much as you do, but I do like it.

Three pointer from the right wing that is short, tipped out and it'll be Charlie Rollins coming up with it.

Gives it back to the point guard.

Brown coachman deep.

No.

And a clear by Schmidt.

Two minutes to play in this first half.

It's been a war between two familiar foes.

Bulldogs and a drop into his own here.

Minute 53 to go.

Good pass to the baseline.

I don't know how Bradshaw saw that, but it's Fleming all alone floating it over the zone.

Great catch.

Nice finish in the senior with a bucket.

We've got a 32nd timeout.

We'll keep it here with Fayetteville up by just one now.

Look at this pass.

What great vision to float it over there for the score.

You've talked about it all game, Justin.

This is exactly what Northside for trying to do is every single possession.

That's been their strategy.

Let's get it high down low.

It's worked.

Some of our fans in the crowd, some some excited about the camera, some just focused on the popcorn feet.

You get the excited ones in the nonplused ones like.

So I look at Ricky Smith and his bunch over there on the sideline, 800 plus wins, and each time champ.

Oh nice job there by Fleming.

Finishing that pass off.

And I'm impressed with the passing really by both teams.

Yeah I think it was it last season when he hit those 800 wins.

And I remember what a big deal that was in the state.

Yeah.

And how much he hated all that attention I mean just not a guy who loves all that.

But what if he doesn't like it?

He should quit winning so much.

800 wins is, pretty incredible.

You know, if you take home as many titles as he had and show up here in Hot Springs as many times as he had, you're gonna.

You're going to get some love.

It's part of it.

So Fayetteville, with the lead by one in what's been a very hotly contested game, very physical.

And Bulldogs with it.

Brown driving down the lane shot up two strong tip ins.

Good all in one motion.

And that is a great show of her athleticism.

Able to catch and shoot that in one motion.

I don't know if that would have been good with 2/10 of a second on the clock, but it was a heck of a tip in there.

She's got nine now with a minute 15 left.

She had 21 in the last meetings and I think feels really good facing them.

But you just you see she could score from absolutely anywhere.

Just a great stroke anywhere on the court finishes through contact a tip in there.

So tough corner three air balled by Kendrick but an offensive rebound.

Goodin bricked it Kendrick got the offensive rebound and she'll bring it back out Ariana a good and driving in off the glass.

No.

But she draws some contact.

And they're going to call a block.

Oh Vic River wanted a charge.

Doesn't get the call.

And so it will be free throws for Ariana.

Good.

Look it is 82% on the season.

That's called just one motion for the finish.

All in the air.

She knows that you bring that down the attention that you attract and how much harder it is to get back up.

Free throw by good bounces around and falls.

Foul was on Cornell.

That's her first four team fouls on Fayetteville.

North side with five.

So it's only 51 seconds left.

But both teams if they draw any fouls will be at the free throw line.

A miss on the second one rattles out and Fayetteville with the ball by two.

Cornell on the right wing, surveying now.

Brown step back three.

In and out.

And again an opportunity to hold for one.

And to me the wise move here because you can go into the halftime break with the tie but good.

And instead forces the issue.

And then we get a foul on the rebound.

Attempt against Fayetteville is going to go against Charlie Rollins a little too aggressive taking out Kadence Fleming.

And so free throws for Fleming with 26 seconds left I'm with you I think I would hit pause there.

You got to feel pretty good if you're North Side.

You were down 11 seven after the first quarter.

You you know you're within two now play for that last bucket.

You've got a strategy that you know that's working.

But then again they're here for large reason because Ariana Goodin is that good.

And can score a bucket just like that I agree by the way I love that camera angle from the top of the basket where you could see it glance off the rim.

Second one's good.

So they're within one.

But my thing is, if you're going to get a great look, if you got a clear path, you got a wide open shot, fine.

But that was a tough running jumper.

Defended well I mean that's a low percentage play.

And again you don't need to force the action if you don't you don't have to.

And you certainly don't in that situation.

Now Fayetteville will pull it out and hold on to it.

And coach who's going to lead the charge here between the circles.

Going to get a late double team.

Some contact.

No call.

Down goes the defender crosscourt to get it over to Charlie Rollins.

And they never got a shot up.

So the Lady Bears get a small win there defensively coachman that I think the double team.

Really good call by Ricky Smith.

The double team at the last minute.

Got coachman out of sorts.

Nearly drew an offensive foul pushing Kate Fleming to the floor.

But it does stay a one point game I think everybody's going to stick around now right.

We got a whole front half of a basketball coming up.

Another physical half I think two really good teams that know each other well.

This should be a fun second half.

All right.

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.

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 Edgar, I think pretty well started the program.

And Jim Dixon's The Color of Talent, so 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.

Most 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.

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 the line.

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 horn.

So we were by 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 drained, 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 to move all the way.

And all of a sudden he sees the case.

He's got great awareness as he sees the roll coverage he gave us.

They made a great pass.

There was nobody guard.

And it was kind of lucky.

It was like it was a tough shot and played in the layup as the shot clock the.

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.

Instead of 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 them basketball.

We teach them live skills.

I just wanted 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 to 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, then you got to go.

You got to figure it out.

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

Through coaches like Karen Pinion, McNabb, the spirit of excellence and determination that Jo Foley instilled lives on and 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 B1A girls, that is Isla Holzman with the Sacred Heart Knights.

Isla 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 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 AA girls.

She plays for the Lady Greyhounds of Sloan Hendrix 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.

I'm.

Ray, 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 AA.

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 For a Girl.

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 eight 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 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 eight 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.

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.

Welcome back to the six, a girls state championship here in Hot Springs.

Let's take a look at how we got here.

A one point game at the break Fayetteville leading in a very physical start to this one.

You see Moriah Moss carving out space and some takeaways in a very physical start to this one.

And a little bit sloppy, frankly out of the gate to both teams with some nerves.

But they kind of found their footing.

And there's the outstanding freshman Choteau for Fayetteville a nice three point bomb by Whitney Brown.

And then Fort Smith finding its way inside.

Smith had quite a bit of success.

The first half ended up with eight points and then a nice jumper by their star Ariana Gooden, the Colorado signee having her moments in the first half.

And here's our halftime numbers.

Very even from a field goal standpoint.

Much better shooting from Fayetteville in the first half.

From the outside of the paint.

Lady bears having their way.

Smith really leading the charge in that regard.

It'll be Lady Bear Basketball to start the second half and carry on a good park right in front of our broadcast position here.

So if it looked like you saw the exact same play multiple times for North Side, that's because you did.

There was a concerted effort there to get the ball in the low post.

14 of their 26 coming in the paint, and then you go back to the keys to the game for Fayetteville.

Get to the line ten of 15 from the charity stripe in that first half.

Cambridge fire right to work out of the gate.

Offensive rebound stick back in red zone.

Continuing to make plays in every which way.

Steals defensively and that time an offensive rebound stick back off of the Schmidt air ball early on here.

And guess what.

Northside in the lead shot inside by Moss.

No good Brian John with the clear gets it up to Ariana Gooden on the left wing.

High low to Schmidt feeds the post.

Shot up no good and a miss goes out of bounds.

Did you notice two little change the lineup Blackman starting the second half and she got a great look right there.

Up the nice feed by good but could not make it pay now.

She hit four points one for two from the field.

But some big key plays I think in the first half and that makes a lot of sense.

I think they got to get it.

Paisley got John going.

Team-high 14 in the semis.

That scorer's mentality when they get her going it can really pay off.

Coachman just off on the three.

And another rebound for Blackman.

So Ricky Smith's decision to start her in the second half paying off.

And then they got a reaching foul by Whitney Brown.

Not sure what she was trying to accomplish in the back court there but ends up with a foul.

And we're just over a minute in and just like that, the Lady Bears have taken the lead.

That's the first foul on the senior Whitney Brown.

Ariana Gooden to the left wing working against the supersoft Sonia coachman hard left hand dribble to the baseline.

Stepping through across John going to work straight away.

Kick three on the way.

Bucket.

Cherish Blackman.

So again Ricky Smith the Hall of Fame coach looking like a genius with the lineup change to start the second half Blackman paying dividends Whitney Brown trying to answer.

Does a long two for her and Fayetteville back within two.

But I love how you're seeing these two teams settled in just a little bit.

And you're seeing some some mid-range too I think one of the lost art, but I think both these teams have had some really big shots.

Between the paint in the, the, beyond the arc.

Yeah.

Well, there's a lot of confidence.

And again, you can understand why these teams have had a lot of success.

Blackman is going to try it again.

Not this time.

And a really hard fought rebound for Connell.

She may be thought of as a scorer but she comes up with a tough rebound in traffic that time.

Going the other way.

Got whacked by Blackman as she takes it to the baseline.

Fort Smith bench.

One of the walk from Connell a little bit casual.

Bring the ball to the floor after she got that really tough rebound.

Look at the kick out here.

Such good court awareness I think from this entire Northside team.

And you see the emotion was see how high up was Blackman after doing that three.

Free throw for Connell is absolutely dead solid.

Perfect 1,080% on the year she had 20 in the semis against North Little Rock in that 11 point victory.

Brown also good game Whitney Brown had 1910 from the free throw line.

Well making some hay there now.

And her second one is good as well.

So Fayetteville just like that ties it up again Fayetteville gets ahead.

Northside catches up.

Northside gets ahead.

Fayetteville catches up a great battle here in the six eight girls title 11.

Now for Carter by the way yeah sorry.

Just neither side by more than 3 or 4 points in this one.

Schmitt on the drive.

Nope.

Now largest lead in the first half Fayetteville was up seven at one point.

There's the drive up.

Great John.

Yes boy you're right.

She is just a playmaker.

And maybe you want to look for her a little bit more.

She has been phenomenal.

Largest lead of the game for Northside came in the second half here four points seven in the first half by Fayetteville.

But they have hung within 2 to 4 points really for the most part of the game.

Connell going to take it all the way.

Scoop no good.

But she got bumped out a lot of contact there by Fleming Ricky Smith not happy about the call beside himself.

Hands over his head.

You got to take a little walk.

And now they're going to coach of Fleming on the sideline.

I think there's some, built up frustration from Ricky Smith too.

And the longer this game goes in it remains within 1 or 2 points.

We go back to the end of the first quarter and a bucket that was waved off for North Side.

If this ends up being a 1 or 2 point game, that will be one to circle for sure.

But by the letter of the law, the officials called it correctly.

If in fact they believe she caught it, it was very, very close to being a straight, almost a volleyball set from the wing, which would have I mean, again, what's a tip?

You know, we can't we can't figure out what a catch is in football.

But now we can't figure out what a tip is in basketball.

So the officials were pretty pretty sure that they had it.

Right.

So we have to go with that.

It was as close as it gets though.

The more times you watch it.

Baseline drive crotch on.

Yes.

Again hanging using every bit of the rim there and pushing the lead to three again.

Down hill scoop shot.

No.

Guess who got John defending.

And she's pumped.

She is active on both sides of the court.

Look at this kind of they yell as she finishes.

They're hard at the rim.

She's a tough competitor.

Paisley is really getting it done on both ends.

She's got a penalty and Energizer Bunny.

Just incredible energy on both ends.

Great motor coach one just dribbled herself into a turnover.

Lost the handle Ariana good like thank you very much.

Going the other way.

Five on four to the wing.

Spinning and kicking back out to good.

Oh you could tell she was thinking about it Tara Ball staying in the neighborhood.

Keep her from rising up and shooting that three went right by her off the glass.

No ball fighting for space in there for the rebound.

Goes down and the ball goes out off of the Lady Bears.

And two points of the game for time.

The ball brought John.

She has been phenomenal today.

Going to get a sub for the Bulldogs.

Here comes Charlie Rollins again.

Ellie Crowell take a seat.

3532 coming up on the halfway point of this third quarter.

North side in the lead.

Fayetteville with the ball.

Inside Moss calling for it.

Wants it shoots it.

Can't get it to go.

Tipped it out.

Kick to the wing.

Three on the way Brown.

No.

But Moss will outrun everybody to the corner for the offensive rebound.

Again guarded closely by Schmidt.

Nowhere to go with it.

And we're gonna get a timeout for Fayetteville with 346 to go.

And that'll be the media timeout as well.

We'll take it with a media timeout.

Oh.

Yeah we'll take a quick break.

We'll come back in a moment.

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BAC Bank arena.

I'm not sure if she'll know the answer to our trivia question, but we'll give it a shot here.

Who holds the record for most girls state championships in Arkansas history?

Arkansas Governor Chris Ball, Association trivia question I'll give you a hint there's more than one answer.

Oh well, thanks a lot.

Have a hard enough time coming up with anything, but I guess options are good.

Fans are locked in on this one, intently watching.

The six eight final.

So far, perimeter shooting early.

Neither team doing very well.

North side two of 922% Fayetteville three of 1,225%.

We've talked about North Side feeding off of Brock.

John I think Fayetteville can feed off of Moss.

I think she plays with the emotion that they can kind of feed off of that nice handoff.

They're got a drive in for Cynthia Coachman.

And so a little two man game there in the bucket for the sophomore to get Fayetteville within one.

Good play out of the timeout for Fayetteville.

She's got six now.

Coachman does.

And an easy assist for Moss.

Traore John spinning between defenders to the baseline.

Great find to Smith.

Nice good.

How good is right on Paisley having herself a championship game.

That was a brilliant maneuver to get her team back up by three.

That was such good quarter.

Ward has such a good eye on that.

And then just nodded as if it were nothing.

Smith knows what to do with it around the basket.

Coachman fouled inside.

It's going to be reaching on Smith.

I believe this looks.

Look, just one more time.

Just look at the spin around.

That is ridiculous.

All in one motion.

Incredible 40.

So nine.

Now you see me, now you don't.

And you don't see the ball either because it's already gone through the basket.

Free throw.

Nope.

By coachman.

You think about defending that and you see her eyes darting left.

But what are you going to do?

Where are you gonna put your hand?

Because you go that way.

She'll just continue her motion.

See if coachman can convert on the second one.

Get her team back within two.

Does.

So see what a good one the Lady Bears have got.

Store here.

Shot clock issue.

Fix that sideline inbound with no backcourt pressure from either team.

But for once, you get across half court, you better know it's going to be a battle.

It's been a quick third quarter, hasn't it?

Yep.

Here's Ricky Smith.

Only four fouls in this quarter with 230 left.

So that'll keep it moving.

Candace Fleming up top to Smith.

She's going to try a three this time.

Got it a huge bucket for Cameron Smith who's having a pretty championship game.

She's got a baker's dozen now and her team up five.

We've talked about her using a height.

She's so long and athletic and has great limbs in this game.

But she can shoot it as well.

Fayetteville critical moment in this game.

They need a bucket soon.

Going inside to get a hold point.

That's another tough call.

I tell you what Candace Fleming said her cadence.

Scuse me.

Fleming has had a couple of tough calls against her today, but there's that shot by Schmidt.

Just pure.

And she has been phenomenal today.

Just steady and solid personal foul.

That's the fourth foul now against the Lady Bears.

And there's a steal.

There goes that lady again dropped on the distance layup.

You betcha 2235.

And Northside with its largest lead of the game.

Matching Fayetteville's seven point margin they had earlier in the game.

Dick Rivers puts in a critical spot here.

How about ten points off turnovers now for Northside.

Outside going to work.

Coachman kicking to the corner O'Connell for three.

Got it Louis what an answer by the freshman.

Needed it.

Big time.

Got him back within four with 120 on the clock when they needed it the most.

The freshman step it up from the corner.

Pull up from the baseline, airball.

Follow up.

Schmidt denied.

And a rebound pulled out of there by coachman.

Just over a minute to play.

Coachman between the legs.

Driving stopping outside Brown for three.

That one's badly missed.

And a rebound by John.

They're going to run.

Here comes good inside to Schmidt to the basket for two.

Schmidt has been spectacular 15 for her.

She's been fantastic Justin.

And the other thing worth mentioning.

Look at who she's up against here.

Defensively.

She's going toe to toe for the most part with Moss.

How tiring that must be.

36 seconds.

About a 15 second differential in game and shot clock.

Brown to the paint.

Brown.

Tough shot up and down.

How about it Whitney Brown to the line forcing the issue.

The point guard will not be denied.

And really both lead guards having a stellar afternoon right.

That was a really really difficult shot.

John defended as well as she could.

Got a little bit of body and that will put her on the line with 29 seconds left.

This can make it a three point game.

Fayetteville will not go away.

Got it.

Brown 67% spent a lot of money today.

The Crimson pouring his team on.

4441 under 25 seconds.

And again an opportunity for the lady bears the hole for the final shot.

And they will do so.

Brown up to 14 total to 15.

Lady bear bench stomping their feet, clap of their hands and pouring their team to some more points.

Here.

Pull up jumper short by Kendrick.

Saved in and with two seconds left.

Stolen away and they are not going to beat the buzzer.

That's how the third quarter will end.

But a storm back by the Lady Bears in the third quarter puts Northside ahead after three.

It's 44 to 41, and the final quarter of this six eight showdown is coming up next you're watching the Centennial Bank State Basketball Championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

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Getting set for what should be a really fun fourth quarter.

Let's answer Arkansas Governor's Crystal Ball Association trivia question.

Who holds the record for most girls state championship that Arkansas history?

It is a three way tie with eight each.

A little hint they're both playing right now.

North side Fayetteville.

And the other one is Greenwood.

That stands to reason, doesn't it?

It does get to redo that trivia question next year.

Yeah.

All smiles for the North Side fans right now.

But we've got a long way to go.

This is going to be a very interesting eight minutes here in this third matchup between the Bulldogs and Lady Bears.

And who's going to come out on top this time.

We're going to get a sweep or a first win for Fayetteville.

There's a miss from outside to start the fourth quarter by Whitney Brown had that huge three point play late in the third quarter.

And that would have tied the ballgame.

John's been spectacular today.

She's got it for her team.

Will dribble the left wing.

Clearing out some space going baseline.

She and Brown are deadlocked in a battle right now.

Great John great find but can't finish inside.

Kendrick missed it and we're going the other way.

A little frustrated for Kadence Fleming.

And the Bulldogs again with a chance to get within one or tie things up.

And one play with three fouls.

Justin it's great.

John.

Great backdoor cut.

But it got tipped away.

Connell didn't quite make the delivery and he couldn't quite catch up to the pass.

Schmitt in the lane one and a foul.

Didn't get it.

Great John goes down.

Did she go out of bounds or get a timeout.

Went out of bounds I think they're going to help her up.

And she's grimacing as she gets to her feet.

And she gets a swat on the backside.

Fleming.

Yeah.

She went down hard kind of fell on her shoulder.

And then boy, I don't even know if she ever did touch out of bounds, but it looked like she did that.

She get whacked in the nose a little bit.

Yeah.

Knows I can play.

So one more time now Fayetteville going to get a chance to get within a point or take the lead.

I think Ricky Smith has given the official the business over there and he's heard enough of it.

He's not wanting to hear another word.

Meantime, I think he saw the grip on the long sleeve there from Cogdell.

That shows just how hard she's hit the deck now.

Moss is back in there for the Bulldogs.

On a post up inside again, Schmidt will flip it into her.

Moss going to work spinning and she walked with it.

You bet.

Got the bucket.

But she traveled first.

She was dead set.

She was going to go to work on Schmidt.

And a little too aggressive there.

She turns it over, back into the game.

Now Kyra Ball and for North Side Lily Chrome back in as well for Fayetteville.

And here comes Charis Blackman who's had some really good moments for North Side today.

Blackman one of the seniors.

Fleming's a senior John Blackman both the good and twin.

So Ricky Smith's going to have a bit of a rebuild project for next year.

Kyle well I would never use that term with with the Ricky Smith team.

Right.

But how about Ricky Smith as he calls timeout here leaving brought John in the game there.

You know emotions are high.

She took a hard fall but he knows her.

And I think she's the kind of player who plays at her best running those kind of emotions.

Well let's see the work that she has done to this point.

She has been brilliant defensively.

She's been fantastic.

Passing and scoring in traffic that time.

On the baseline, there's another one hanging in the air against a good defensive play by Brown and this brilliant spinning delivery to Schmitt for the finish.

How about a little steal and run out.

She's got the whole package.

Flips it up and in for the bucket.

And we didn't even see the steal that she had the little pick six when she snuck up behind Connell.

She has been phenomenal today.

I think those are the two plays of the game.

The one you just mentioned where she snuck up behind Connell took it away because it was a full wraparound and then two to score.

And the other play is that spin move underneath.

That was so pretty.

Yeah.

Absolutely spectacular.

Student section for Northside MC.

Loving it.

I see the t shirt.

Very nice.

And there she is, the warrior grimacing Yeah.

Wiping that nose.

Took a shot in the schnoz Kyle.

It hurts, but she's going to fight through it.

She's going to northeastern Oklahoma A&M got a few collegiate bound players in this game.

Mentioned Ariana headed to Colorado for a sister to Nebraska.

Omaha.

And there's definitely some collegiate talent on the other side as well.

And we'll see what Coachman and Cottle become as players and where they end up heading.

Certainly wouldn't be surprised to see them get High Division One offers.

There's good drawing a foul on the floor before the shot.

Nope.

They're going to count it.

Wow.

And NBA like continuation an Ariana good going to go to the free throw line for a chance at a three point play.

With a team leading by five.

She has nine.

Wow I'm a little surprised Vic Rimmer is furious at that call.

Still barking at the official.

And all the official could say is yeah, bucket.

There you go.

Three point play.

That was a huge swing right there Kyle.

Because if that's on the floor it's just a foul.

And instead it's a three point play.

Really big turn of events right there.

Well Fort Smith got a bad break at the end of the first quarter.

They got a huge break right there.

Ball knocked away.

Nice steal from behind.

And Schmidt with the ready hands to steal it away.

And now an opportunity for North Side to really sink their teeth into this situation.

Driving to the baseline whipping a pass to Schmidt.

Going up against Cottle.

Stepping in and spinning underneath shot.

Good boy.

What a great job by Schmidt.

Patient spinning working around and got caught on the high side where she can sneak down low and get the kiss off the glass.

And we're going to get a timeout on the other end.

Nick Brimmer wants to talk it over, but that was a brilliant play by Schmidt.

Just keeping working around and getting the defender out of position and able to get the score.

And look how long she has after that one.

She's been fantastic, she's been awesome and patience is the perfect word to use for that.

Justin.

And then he saw Vic River out there, who, by the way, was pumping his fist and I love to see him.

The veteran coach midway on the court, as you see, Vic River called the timeout.

He was still talking to the officials there, still not happy.

So here you Fayetteville, you're down eight for five and a half to play.

You were just in a similar situation.

Your seat clawed back and I did.

You have a lot of confidence in them to do so.

But you got a force of turnovers here.

You got to get some key stops and they've had a tough time stopping that high load screen.

They've had a tough time defending the low post.

You have to get some turnovers here as time kind of wins out on you.

Yeah.

Schmidt by the way 17 points now a game high.

She's eight of 12.

Made her only three point attempts.

She's got five rebounds two assists in 26 minutes.

Points in the paint Justin 30 to 12 in favor of North Side.

The most glaring difference when you compare the statistical boxes.

Yeah when you look at, three point attempts ten for North Side, 15 for Fayetteville, neither team shooting a real high percentage.

The North side is actually a little bit better percentage wise.

Three of ten versus the 4 or 15.

Well, critical juncture for the Bulldogs.

If they're going to get back into this game eight points.

The margin currently and this is the largest lead of the day for the Lady Bears.

Free throw line.

Didn't want it.

And a turnover on another steal.

Who else going the other way.

Will she finish it.

She will with the left hand coach but couldn't quite get into it to stop her.

Ten the margin now.

With five minutes to play.

First North side victory was by 12.

Second won by just five.

And they are in control right now.

And that five point game it was like a one point game in the final minute.

It was close.

There's a drive and kick into the paint.

Floater up.

She's fouled.

And Blackman's going to get nailed with that one.

Absolutely brought John here.

She has been everywhere.

She Schmidt.

Huge keys for North Side.

And look at the finish here at the other end shooting two shots.

How about the flail two.

She just throws her body up in the air and a flailing out and turns into a turnover I love it.

She's like I got to get big here.

Great job five seven.

And she used every bit of that fingertip reach to knock that one away.

So if you're Fayetteville here, this is your other best friend is getting to the line and scoring the clock.

Stop 16 of 23 now from the line.

It's a key that we talked about at the top of the broadcast.

And it's been a huge help for them 17 to 24 now from the charity stripe.

They got to keep getting back here.

Well Connell now ties for game high 17 with Schmidt from North Side.

Got to be really good defensively here.

You need a need a string stops here.

You got to find something on the offensive end eight points.

The margin.

We have not seen either team try to use the clock at any point in this game.

Fleming with the catch Kendrick back out.

Brogdon going to work hard.

Left hand dribble all the way and swatted out of there.

Great defensive play by Kyra Ball and it'll stay.

Fort Smith ball.

No foul.

Called bridge on again.

Gingerly getting up three seconds on the shot clock.

Foster shooting the process you know by beating an ice pack.

Yeah it's going to be a very restful ride back to Fort Smith.

I think.

For drive John pulls the trigger at the buzzer.

There's an airball.

So a shot clock violation.

Trojan still trying to put her personnel back together.

Maybe wasn't thinking quite clearly about the three seconds on the shot clock, but I'm not sure I would have gone her.

That's giving it to running back who's got 35 carries it breathing hard.

Maybe you want to give her a second till somewhere else with it for a minute.

I think they probably know this is when she's at her best.

Right.

Well, I mean, talk about what an Energizer bunny she is and how she doesn't have an off switch.

We'll see if that continues here.

O'Connell dribbled herself into a turnover.

Great play by Smith.

Here comes good.

Right down the floor.

Attacking jumper.

No rebound.

Yes.

And a foul drawn by coachman got whacked by good.

That was I mean I'm watching Groton and she just just a monster that she is just for now you can tell.

But she's going to keep fighting to the finish 5143.

That's the second team foul on Fort Smith.

Second on Gooden as well.

Timeout on the floor.

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Our Stewart crew in the truck just pointed out one stat about garage.

John, we have really been talking about how about five steals.

That is a game high.

Her team has 11.

She has more steals in fact more than twice as many steals as Fayetteville.

They're stuck on to her line.

Six of 12, seven boards, 12 points, three assists, five steals and maybe the most impressive.

No turnovers.

Get out of here.

Not to mention maybe 16 black and blue marks, no doubt.

Points off turnovers.

Fort Smith dominating 17 to 3.

Drive in shot up no good.

Rebound on the offensive glass.

Back up with it.

No tipped out ball again.

We're gonna get a foul underneath.

Good.

And another hard fall.

And that will be against coachman I believe 23.

So repeated attempts but unfortunately for Fayetteville they'll pay off.

Now we're going to get some Fayetteville pressure in the back court.

They got a force.

The issue by the way.

They win this championship Justin.

Yeah, but half their players are going to need crutches to get to the basket.

Ariana Gooden selling it.

But she seems to be moving around okay.

Pushing off against coachman to create some space across the timeline.

Forcing the issue.

Jumper by Schmidt is in and out.

And that's what you want if you're Fayetteville a quick shot.

There's a foul away from the ball and Fleming pushing to the floor.

Lilly Crone to the third.

Foul on her third team foul 312.

Left.

Eight point game.

I didn't love that shot by Fort Smith again.

You got that there.

It's a good look.

But I want to shorten this game up a little bit.

I would think coachman yeah I think Ricky Smith would be the same way considering what their strategy was in their last offensive possession and holding the ball.

They need some big shots here too, strung together.

And they did not need that.

They said coachman had it knocked away.

Didn't see that.

But it'll stay with Fayetteville.

She didn't seem the least bit concerned that that wasn't off of Fort Smith, so I didn't I didn't have a great angle, obviously, at the other end of the floor.

So 5143 North side leading by eight under three to go.

Brown's got to get it in.

Got to get it in.

Got it to Cottle in the corner.

Just in time.

Into the paint.

Stops and spins.

She needs to go somewhere with it.

We're getting good.

Hold on.

Grosjean holding brown.

Those two have been locked in a battle all day.

And that's the fourth foul now.

So hey watch out to 53.

Make it a bunch of Fayetteville free throws here down the stretch Kyle.

Exactly right.

They need all the help they could get and that would help them immensely.

Moss inside up and under bucket.

Good.

Beautiful shot there by Moss.

Reverse layup off the feed by Brown.

And back within six with 243 to go.

It's an eternity left in this game.

As I mentioned earlier I think Moss is a player they can really lean into down low, but they've had a tough time getting into it.

John reposition three on the way.

No ball tipped out of there and out of bounds off of Fayetteville.

Moss is going to get a breather.

Big bucket moments ago.

Here comes Kyra Ball again via Fox.

So be it.

Inbound for Fort Smith over in front of their bench.

Kendrick will trigger it.

Gets it in to good.

Erica goodness.

Not played the entire second half.

Not sure if she got hurt or they just wanted to go in favor of Blackmon.

The senior.

Handoff.

Schmitt with the drive.

Lost the handle.

Big steal by Cottle.

Cottle up the floor to the right side.

Forcing the issue all the way and missed the layup.

Rebound by ball.

Ball!

Back up with it.

Got hit.

Go to the line.

Good.

And thought her block was clean.

But she's going to get free throws in a relentless effort by Kyra Ball.

The senior doesn't want to go home with a loss.

And she is playing all out with 207 to go.

It's a great effort by Cottle on the steal here.

She almost always finishes those I think underneath there I tried to kick it out and set up offense as opposed to trying to force that up.

You see also Kendrick pulled away as Carter was going up the floor to avoid the foul around midcourt.

Sitting down will be Charlie Rollins and Crone back in need.

These free throws missed.

The first second one is good.

So a one for two trip gets Fayetteville a little bit closer within five with 207 to play.

Oh, and a touch foul up the sideline.

Coachman tagging Goodin for second and the third team foul in the fourth quarter for Fayetteville.

203 left here.

Good.

Got it.

Fell down.

Great save.

And now John will walk it up.

To the right corner.

Gets it to good.

Pass in the middle.

Dangerous pass.

Save but stolen away.

Then.

And ripped by ball.

And it's a five point game.

So sloppy ball handling by the Lady Bears.

Turns it over.

And now Fayetteville going back to work.

And a chance to make this a one possession game.

But they can get a score here.

Brown down the lane.

Wild shot up.

Good defense by great job without fouling forcing the issue.

And really Brown never had anything there but went to try to score anyway on gets out of the trap attempt what a screen by Schmidt and they're going to call a block a late call.

He was going to show a charge and he does okay.

So he's going to say the legal screen looked like he was going to call the foul against ball.

But they got Schmidt.

And I'd like to see if she was set beforehand.

That was a violent collision.

And we got a second look at it there.

But I mean, you made the call and Ricky Smith telling his team to be smart.

I think the feet were moving there.

Scoring drought about four minutes here for the Lady Bears.

Not a good time for that to happen.

But they're not giving up much either.

There's a bad pass.

Connell tried to save it.

And what a play by Rollins to save it in for Fayetteville.

And then we got a step out of bounds on the sideline.

And it will go back to Fort Smith.

So unforced error at that time.

You cannot afford that if you're Fayetteville.

Yeah I think generally speaking the last say 2 or 3 possessions for Fayetteville, you've had some great opportunities.

You forced Northside into this four minute scoring drought and you're right there, but you just haven't been able to get a great look at any of these possessions, whether it's trying to force something up, down, low or move a little bit too quickly or force back a foot back, that maybe wasn't the best idea when you could have kicked it out and tried to get a better shot, and you just haven't been able to capitalize.

When you are right there and you've held Northside down well.

Turnovers.

The story of the game here.

You just saw the grabs a moment ago 16 turnovers by Fayetteville only eight for Northside in the points off those turnovers Kyle the story of the day 17 to 4 advantage for the Lady Bears.

And they're up by five.

And again it doesn't take a mathematician to realize the difference in the points off turnovers 13.

So that is the storyline I mean it's just been four ball handling unforced errors and some mistakes by Fayetteville.

Its cost of possessions.

They had you look at the field goal attempts, how I mean 34 for Fayetteville 53 for Northside.

And it's not even close.

And you mentioned the points off turnovers.

To even hone in on that 11 one advantage for Northside in the second half.

Now Fayetteville has shot 26 free throws to the nine for Northside.

But doesn't fully account for the disparity in field goal attempts.

Goodin being pressured gets it to Garrard John walking the midcourt line gets it across to Schmidt.

They're going to take their time now.

They're going to make the Bulldogs foul.

And that is the wise decision here until now.

Then Schmidt inside missed the layup and a rebound by Brown.

So a blown opportunity inside for Schmidt who's been spectacular today 17 points and missed out on 19.

And it was a big miss.

Ball driving in the lane.

Wild shot up.

Not a good attempt.

That was a very low percentage.

And then she's going to get an intentional foul on Goodin.

Oh no.

Fayetteville back to back mistakes a very difficult shot.

Not a very wise one there.

And then we get an intentional foul on top of that.

Good.

You mentioned it.

They've they've taken some rough play there.

And yeah she just straight shoved her in the back.

You can't do that.

Yeah sure.

It's the first composure a little bit.

They could afford to play that possession out.

And they did.

And I think that was just fine too.

They got lucky that she didn't finish the bucket there.

And that is one that she's finished all day.

And at the other end intentional foul there.

The officials tell us at the other end ball had a chance there.

But but just a tough shot to try to force up.

And I just think that's been the story late in the fourth quarter here for Fayetteville.

Knocked down by hooks I mean you're not a key offensive weapon for your team either.

I'm not sure why she felt it was upon her to go to work.

All of a sudden, in a critical spot, you had to have a basket on that possession.

You think maybe lean on one of your more efficient offensive players and clutch free throws by Goodin.

And now a seven point game.

They're gonna get the ball back 12.

Now for the senior.

And with 29.6 seconds left in Fayetteville's in big trouble.

It's amazing.

Two North side now approaching five minutes without a field goal.

They are zero of their last six from the field, but Fayetteville has not been able to capitalize at the other end.

I think you've had players to your point.

They've been able to try to force things a little bit too much.

5346 we saw Benton pull off an incredibly unlikely victory last night over Maumelle.

It's going to take something along the lines of that kind of miraculous comeback for Fayetteville to pull this one out.

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

More information at MNM productions.

Dot net.

Fayetteville's really put itself in a tough spot.

And North Side, with their eyes on the sweep and the big prize, trying to give Ricky Smith his ninth state title.

And this is 34th year.

Think about the percentage of that, by the way.

I was just doing the math on that, honest.

I was just thinking about that like almost a third of your seasons, you're finishing for the championship.

And there's a turnover though.

Unforced error by Fort Smith.

Now I said you have to have a lot of things go right.

Step one in progress.

It's still a three possession game though, with 27.5 seconds left, but we did see six points scored in 22 seconds last night by Benton.

That's exactly right.

It's possible.

But you need a lot of things to go right.

You need mistakes like that by your opponent.

They're going to get the ball in the right hands, the right players.

Deep three on the way off.

Battle for the rebound and knocked out of bounds.

And it's going to be.

We're going to get a foul.

And that's going to be I think on Crown.

So we're going to have free throws at the other end.

And this is likely going to do it for.

Bell I think for Fayetteville you had so many chances there late.

And you think how these players are going to learn from this, the talent that's going to return for the Bulldogs.

Coachman a sophomore just a freshman.

His free throw by Kendrick probably won't make a big difference.

But here comes Ty Harris.

Came in and gave a spark in the first half 21.

And now you mentioned Eric Gooden had not played in the second half.

She's about to check in Justin.

And how neat for the twins the seniors to finish on the court as champions for the final time.

For the second one's good.

She's going to check Kendrick.

Regular season 21 Kendrick, after playing 30.

Year.

Ricky Smith giving Kendrick a big hug over there.

Eight points the difference.

Coachman layup.

Yes with 15 seconds and a timeout by Vic Rimmer.

Basketball score.

But what do you do.

If only they were all that easy to keep talking about how Fayetteville couldn't get good shots up North sides.

Played pretty good defense in this game too.

And I think they deserve a lot of credit for for the way they've played against the two stars for Fayetteville coach in court.

Well yeah.

Again you talk about the turnovers a lot of those created by plays.

You're right from North Side.

We already mentioned Broad's on her five steals which is just ridiculous in a championship game 11 steals total.

She lead the way again.

She's individually got more than Fayetteville has.

And in the paint is domination by the Lady Bears.

Doubling up.

Fayetteville 3216.

Kendrick out Kendrick back in.

So both the goodness brought John and Schmidt the stars in this game.

The key piece is on the floor.

Really Schmidt was brilliant.

Brought John phenomenal and good chipping in with enough baseline inbounds to great John fouled immediately by coachman.

And she'll go to the other end to shoot free throws with 13.5 seconds left.

The six point game three.

But Ricky Smith there you think about where he stands among the just the great Arkansas coaches.

Not even a girls basketball.

But when you win nine state championships, the 800 plus wins.

Start thinking about some of the really great ones across sports.

And his name has got to be right there.

We can't be everything, but John.

That'll do it.

It's a three possession game now John, you would have needed a miracle.

You would need a two misses and then get it down, get a quick three and then get a steal and another three force overtime.

Forget it now seven for 13.5 to go.

But John again just clutch all day.

And of course she makes the both coachman making another run out here.

We'll see.

And she may just say forget it.

Eight seconds.

Six.

Kick out call for three.

No tipped out of bounds with one tenth of a second.

Look.

Are they going to count.

Are they going to say that's it.

That's it.

And again three times this year against Fayetteville.

And one more title for Ricky Smith and the North Side Lady Bears 56 to 48.

Your final.

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When the students I'm the Rock walked along through the mob, 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.

I'm a cotton farm.

Number one choice for this ballot was Daisy Bates.

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.

They're just a little kid from wherever.

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

Right here on Arkansas PBS.

Look at the size.

I would have never known the things I know now without that program.

It really helped me advance my opportunity to this career field really gives him a fast forward, a good track to be able to come into the technical trades to celebrate the first of five brand new transmitters that will broaden our signal coverage to just under 100% of Arkansas.

Up, up.

We are committed to helping the youngest Arkansans prepare for kindergarten and for life.

Education is everything, and if we can teach our children to get out there and make the most of that is great.

So I'm just proud to do my part.

Everything you all done, I'm gonna.

And I will say, you know, when you can't find anything in you.

This is the first step for reforming our Arkansas, taking the effort to understanding each other's struggles and making them our own.

Everyone, repeat after me.

We have a voice inside.

What's wrong?

It could not reach our soul.

Call you what they tell everyone.

You get everything you want.

And you?

One more time for Northside.

Six eight girls state champions.

Again in 2025.

And we're going to talk to head coach Ricky Smith.

He's done a few of these interviews over the years.

And we're going to look at the numbers here, coach, as we, get settled in.

But I want to congratulate you on another championship.

And I know it's it can't ever get old that last minute and a half.

I'm going to have to do a better job coaching because, well, we gave them every opportunity to get back in it.

And you think with senior guards, we got to bury very.

But, we watched some film get better.

But how about that win.

And we worked hard for that one this year.

We really did.

We've struggled a little bit early, but played really, really good teams.

A couple of our losses are in the six a state championship game in Oklahoma today.

And so, you know, we're 53, 55 point team.

So we we either got to change our offense or you got to play better defense.

And for us, I thought our kids, Baldy and my assistant coaches did a fabulous job this week scouting.

You know, we knew each other.

They knew, something to do.

And so we did a good job guarding the kids that we felt like we could shoot it.

And.

And a lot of the plays they made was just athletic ability.

But man, very blessed.

You know, we lost Jim Roland, the guy that hired me, you know, 31 years ago.

And, he took a chance on me when I was at Stamps High School.

No one had ever heard of stamps on me or anything.

And Jim Roland took a chance and asked me, can you just make him competitive?

And I said, I promise I'll try, coach.

And, I'm going to go by great tonight and take the trophy.

He always wanted us to wear a coat and tie, so I still do it.

I know they make fun of me, but, Just very blessed to be at North South High School.

Coach, you had some big players step up.

Big, great.

John was phenomenal.

Schmidt was a problem for them all night.

And obviously, you know, the guns are always a, you know, key piece of what you guys do.

But you got a lot of folks step up in different ways today.

Yeah I thought Cam Schmidt played really well.

That was a big key.

You know, obviously we expect good and I mean, you know, really shooting that bird a lot there in the second half, but, shouldn't play better, but mostly stepped up.

But you had to make some big stops defensively.

But very proud.

Got John as a winner.

Comes up with steal after steal.

Makes the extra pass a little behind the back pass.

That kind of gave me the confidence.

Hey we got little swagger back.

But yeah you know huge win.

Huge win for our program.

Very proud for this young lady.

She, I'm not going to crack on anything, but I think that's the getting ready player of the year right there.

All right.

There.

All right, there's our winning coach, Ricky Smith.

Let's bring in, our player of the game, our MVP.

And there's our final numbers 39%.

Not a great shooting day for Northside, but plenty good enough 25% from three rebounds.

Pretty even the turnovers.

The big story there in the points off a 13 point disparity.

Also as Kyle pointed out doubled up.

You know in the paint 32 to 16.

Let's get our MVP honors getting a couple of shots with her coach.

And then we'll let I'll talk to Ariana.

Good Ariana congratulations.

You put this on very quickly.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

What did it feel like when they hand that to you I mean it feels great.

You work all season for that one.

Your teammates a great John in particular.

I mean, my goodness, I don't know if she could stand up straight.

Oh, God.

She hit the floor so many times.

We all hit the floor.

I mean, her cadence, too.

So just.

And to get back up, I mean, you know, we were talking about the cliche.

It's hard to beat a team three times.

Y'all know each other so well.

What was different this third time around for y'all?

I mean, we we we switched our matchups a little bit, and, we had to focus in on guarding number 30, and, I mean, all of them, they got they're such a great team, and they worked so well together.

So I mean, we all have to it's a team effort.

You thought about this.

The next time you sit it up, you're gonna be in a Colorado uniform.

How about that?

I know it's crazy.

High school game.

Ever.

Yeah.

You been through a loss here before?

And obviously maybe a lesson learned or two.

You guys had some tough lessons early in the season two.

Yep.

We did.

We had a lot of, I mean, all of our games were 1 or 2 basket losses.

And so, I mean, I think that has prepared us for this game here.

Just tough.

We were down one and a half fight back to that.

Yeah.

Congratulations.

Enjoy it.

Yeah.

Thank you I'll take this from you here.

All right.

That is our MVP Arianna.

Good.

Excellent performance by she and her teammates.

And a hard fought game again very physical early on.

And both teams kind of settled out Northside doing what they needed to do.

Especially on the defensive end winning it today 56 to 48.

Coming up next we've got our six eight boys championship and two spectacular programs with Bryant and Springdale.

Looking forward to bring you that one.

But again, what a finish by the Lady Bears of Fort Smith Northside here.

The official championship apparel and memorabilia for this season are available at Arkansas High School sports.com.

What a game.

All right again let's take a peek at that one coming up there on the court warming up Brian Springdale and the Hornets a little bit different team got a key piece in the former Robinson back with him.

Now Springdale has been spectacular all year and it should be a really good one.

So stick around.

It's coming up next here on Arkansas PBS sports.