6A boys basketball state championship: Bryant takes first state title since 1981 behind Robinson's 25 points

The Hornets are state champions for the first time in over four decades

Tommy Land

Bryant was determined to make it back to Hot Springs after coming up short last March and they finished the job this time around with a 69-59 win over Springdale Saturday at Bank OZK Arena to earn their first state championship since 1981. With the victory, two state titles are coming back to Saline County after Benton knocked off Maumelle on Friday night in the final seconds.

The Hornets had 24 points off of turnovers to Springdale's seven and 44 total free throws were attempted – 24 for Bryant, 20 for Springdale.

Arkansas – Little Rock signee Kellen Robinson fouled out with 25 seconds remaining, but by that point the game was all but decided. Robinson earned 6A state tournament Most Valuable Player honors and scored a game-high 25 points on 10 of 17 shooting with six rebounds. Camarion Bead had a double-double, 15 points and 10 rebounds, while RJ Young added 14 with four boards.

Springdale had three players finish in double figures. Jaxon Conley had 18 points and eight rebounds, DJ Hudson had a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Arkansas signee Isaiah Sealy finished with 16 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Pregame

It is only fitting that the state's highest classification features a state championship game with the two most talent-stacked rosters.

Springdale (29-3) returns to Hot Springs for the second time in the past three years and the state final for the fourth time in school history. The Red Dogs fell to Guyer (Texas) in late November, then dropped two of three contests in December and have won 21 consecutive games since, mostly in dominant fashion over 6A-West opponents.

The Red Dogs' deep lineup starts with Arkansas signee Isaiah Sealy (17.7 ppg, 5 rbg, 5.1 apg, 1.6 spg), and Springdale Har-Ber transfer Jaxon Conley (12 ppg, 5 rpg, 5.1 apg, 5.1 apg, 1.6 spg) has been a great addition to go with D.J. Hudson (11.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.2 spg), Maliq Sosa (9.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1 spg) and Cy Bates (8.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2 apg, 1.8 spg).

Bryant (22-9) advanced to the championship round last March and fell to 6A-Central foe Little Rock Central, but the Hornets returned essentially everyone and had sky-high expectations for 2024-25. A gauntlet of a nonconference schedule, plus not having star senior guard and Arkansas – Little Rock signee Kellen Robinson (26.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 5 apg) as he missed more than half of the season, made for some growing pains. The Hornets have not lost since Robinson's return against Jonesboro on Feb. 7, and they have won nine consecutive games overall.

Like Springdale, Bryant has an impressive lineup past its future Division I player that includes Robinson's classmate RJ Newton (8.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.3 apg), plus juniors Camarion Bead (17.7 ppg, 5 rpg, 5 apg) and RJ Young (20.5 ppg, 8 rpg, 2.5 apg).

(Updates will appear here after the game starts.)

Final: Bryant 69-59

An exclamation basket by RJ Young puts the finishing touches on Bryant's first state title since 1981 and second in school history.

Fourth quarter

Bryant 64-58, :41

Robinson connects on one of two free throws for an eight-point Bryant advantage. However, Robinson commits his fifth personal foul and will have to sit with a game-high 25 points.

Bryant 62-56, 1:01

Robinson commits his fourth personal foul, but Springdale turns it over moments later. Timeout Springdale.

Bryant 60-54, 2:41

Bryant calls time as Robinson was about to fall out of bounds and the Hornets are in a good spot with the inbound on their side coming up when play resumes.

Bryant 60-54, 3:04

Hornets have gotten consecutive layups by Bead and RJ Young, prompting Springdale to call time leading by six points.

Bryant 56-54, 4:45

DJ Hudson's layup makes it a two-point contest, Robinson then turns it over as the teams scrambled for the ball. Springdale calls time.

Bryant 56-52, 5:28

Bryant drives for a layup, then the Hornets commit a personal foul on the other end. Timeout Bryant.

Braynt 54-52, 7:08

A three by Conley puts it back to a one possession game.

Bryant 52-47, 7:45

Bead connects on a jumper to give Bryant a two-possession advantage.

Third quarter

End of 3rd: Bryant 50-47

Robinson earns another layup to make it a one-point game, then Bead ties it up with one of two successful free throws. Bates turns it over on Springdale's ensuing possession and Caleb Tucker heaves a deep three that hits off the backboard and goes in. The Bryant crowd is going crazy.

Springdale 45-42, 1:38

An obviously frustrated Coach Mike Abrahamson calls times for Bryant. Robinson's layup at the 2:00 mark cut the Red Dog lead to one possession.

Springdale 42-38, 3:51

A Bead layup cuts the Red Dog lead to four. A Springdale blocking foul turns it back over to Bryant right before the media timeout.

Springdale 42-34, 5:12

Camarion Bead fouls Jaxon Conley as Conley attempts the layup. It's good, as is the and-one to give the Red Dogs more of a cushion.

Springdale 37-28, 6:25

Sealy nabs a steal and slams a windmill dunk on the fast break.

Springdale 33-28, 7:21

Cy Bates scores the first points of the second half on a layup to extend Springdale's lead.

Halftime: Springdale 31-28

It was a very fast-paced final two minutes and Springdale takes a three-point lead into the break. Robinson leads all scorers with 17 points and Hudson leads Springdale with 13. Arkansas signee Isaiah Sealy has six points, but is playing with three fouls.

Second quarter

Bryant 24-22, 2:25

Bryant is on a quick 4-0 run and regains the lead, then a jump ball on the Springdale side gives the Hornets possession.

Springdale 22-20, 3:39

After some back and forth, Cy Bates connects on one of two free throws following the media timeout.

Springdale 17-16, 5:45

A three by Robinson cuts the Red Dog lead to one.

Springdale 15-11, 7:29

RJ Newton mildly cuts into the Red Dog 9-0 run by converting one of two free throws.

First quarter

End of 1st: Springdale 13-10

Red Dogs take a three-point lead into the second. Bryant did not score in the final three minutes.

Springdale 12-10, 2:18

DJ Hudson gets a layup and is fouled, and-one is no good but he tipped it in to give the Red Dogs the lead.

Bryant 10-6, 3:00

Little Rock signee Kellen Robinson has eight of Bryant's 10 points. Media timeout.

Bryant 4-2, 5:12

Camarion Bead gives Bryant its first lead on a layup.

Springdale 2-0, 6:52

Jaxon Conley puts the first points of the game on the board.

The ball is tipped and we are underway!

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