Arkansas high school boys basketball state tournament final live updates: East Poinsett County vs. Marshall
HOT SPRINGS – For the second straight year Marshall was in good position to take home a state championship, but again endured a heartbreaking ending.
Up six points heading into the final frame, East Poinsett County (22-11) grinded as it has all season against the odds and outscored Marshall 21-8 in the fourth quarter to win 68-61 and claim the program's first state title since 2012.
The Warriors led for essentially all of the first half by a slim margin, but an impressive third quarter by the Bobcats (28-9) gave them the momentum before EPC snatched it back.
Neither squad shot well from long range, but had much better luck from the field overall as Marshall hit 50% of its attempts to EPC's 47%.
Jacob Gaines was tabbed the 2A state tournament MVP and finished with a game-high 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting, plus pulled down 9 rebounds. Dennis Gaines and Tyrus Reel each added 13, while Omar McCuiston also finished in double figures with 11.
Payton DePriest led Marshall with 17 points, while Dylan Tyler (14), Cole Harness (13) and Bryce Griffin (12) had double figures for the Bobcats.
See previous live updates below.
Final: EPC 68-61
The Warriors rally and win their first state title since 2012.
4th Qtr: EPC 66-61, :30
Reel connects on two free throws and has made all four of his attempts on the evening.
4th Qtr: EPC 62-59, 3:04
A valiant effort that featured him getting more than one of his own rebounds, Jacob Gaines lays it in to get the lead back for the Warriors. Another bucket by McCuiston forces Marshall to call time.
4th Qtr: Marshall 57-52, 5:03
Doug Reel has provided a spark for the Warriors with five points and two rebounds.
End of 3rd: Marshall 53-47
There is no doubt the Bobcats remember letting the fourth quarter get away from them last year and look to keep building on a strong third. DePreist is up to 15, while Jacob Gaines leads the Warriors with 14 points.
3rd Qtr: Marshall 51-47, 1:24
Marshall is shooting lights on in the third, currently at 71%, led by six points from DePriest and Bryce Griffin.
3rd Qtr: Marshall 43-38, 3:26
DePriest slams it home again, all alone on a fast break, to give Marshall its largest lead of the game. Timeout EPC.
3rd Qtr: Marshall 36-35, 6:17
Jesse Ragland converts a three-point play as Marshall retakes the lead.
3rd Qtr: Tied at 31, 7:55
DePriest immediately ties it up to start the second half.
Halftime: EPC 31-29
EPC has held the lead for the majority of the game, but Marshall has consistently kept it within one possession. Dennis Gaines still leads all with 10 and DePreist has 9 for Marshall.
2nd Qtr: EPC 30-29, 1:13
DePreist about brought the house down on a fast break alley-oop from Harness.
2nd Qtr: EPC 27-25, 3:40
Reel heaves a deep prayer as the shot clock expires for the lead.
2nd Qtr: EPC 24-23, 4:12
Dylan Tyler ties it at 19, then Payton DePriest connects on a three, but a layup by Tyrus Reel gives the lead back to the Warriors.
End of 1st: EPC 15-12
The Warriors maintain the lead and Dennis Gaines is a major reason. He's got 10 of their 15, which leads all scorers in the game.
1st Qtr: EPC 12-10, 1:41
Omar McCuiston earns a physical layup and his efforts pay off as he'll head to the charity stripe for one shot following the media timeout.
1st Qtr: EPC 9-7, 4:47
Dennis Gaines comes up again, connecting on a three-pointer, Cole Harness responds with one, then Dennis Gaines hits another from the left elbow.
1st Qtr: EPC 3-2, 6:45
Dennis Gaines puts EPC ahead after getting an and-one following Marshall putting the first points of the game on the board.
We are underway.
(Photo by Tommy Land)
-- Kyle Sutherland | kyle@scorebooklive.com | @k_sutherlandAR
