Magnolia head coach Dyun Long has applauded and praised his Panthers’ effort on the court all season.
He strongly believes their hard work and desire to play together as a team are two reasons they’ve landed in the Class 4A State Basketball Finals.
The Panthers (23-5) and Little Rock Mills Comets (28-4) will square off for the championship at 5:15 p.m. Saturday inside Bank OZK Arena at the Hot Springs Convention Center.
“I’m so proud of our young men. They play so hard, listen to the coaches and try to do everything we ask of them” said Magnolia head coach Dyun Long. “We make some silly mistakes at times and we have to shoot free throws better. But no one will question these guys’ effort on the basketball floor.”
Magnolia appeared in the Class 5A State Finals in 2006, but lost to Blytheville. The team’s last state title came in 1997.
“For us to be as young as we are, it’s unbelievable where we find ourselves,” said the coach.
As for starters, the Panthers are led by freshmen Derrian Ford and Colby Garland, along with seniors Kadyn Roach and Markeveon Strickland. Junior Braelyn Beasley is the other starter, but the Panthers get bench help from junior Kyle Carver and senior Korey Fulton, who have also started as some point during the season.
Ford has led the Panthers during the state tournament so far, scoring 26 against Morrilton, 29 versus Jonesboro Westside and 18 against Blytheville.
Garland dropped 14 against both Blytheville and Westside, while scoring 15 against Morrilton.
Against Blyethville, all five starters were in double figures. Following Ford’s 18 and Garland’s 14, Roach finished with 11 while Bealsey and Strickland added 10 apiece.
“Ford does what he does. Garland and Strickland give us big shots when we need them. Braylen is always everywhere on the court and No. 1 (Roach) is simply our general on the floor. He will step up when needed,” explained Long.
“Kadyn does all the little things. He keeps us focus and our heads in the game,’ said the coach.
Regarding Ford, Long said he’s a better person than a basketball player.
“You have to get to know him. Yes, he’s a great player but he’s they type of young man I’m grateful to be around,” he added.
Magnolia blew a big lead against the Chickasaws, but Long said his team may have gotten a little too excited.
“We just had to calm down and start executing,” he said. The Panthers held on for the 63-61 victory, thanks to Ford’s free throw shooting down the stretch.
The Panthers have suffered only five losses this season and three of them were to teams playing in state finals this weekend. The other two were to a Monticello team that won the Class 4A South Region before being eliminated from the state tournament by Little Rock McClellan.
Magnolia fell to Class 1A Nevada twice, who will play Izard County in the state finals at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Hot Springs. The Panthers lost in double overtime to Ashdown at the start of the season. Ashdown will battle Drew Central at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Class 3A State Finals.
The Comets are heading into the title game riding an 18-game winning streak. After losing their first three games of the season to West Memphis, Little Rock Central and Marion, they reeled off 10 consecutive wins before falling by 12 to North Little Rock midway through the season.
They have been the top-ranked team in Class 4A all season and among the top five teams in all classifications.
A large group of Magnolia followers are expected to be in Hot Springs on Saturday and Long said it’s been the community support that has elevated his team’s play.
“I can’t say enough about our crowd. They carried us,” Long said following each state tournament win at Panther Arena. The facility was full each night the Panthers played.
“It was exciting and our player fed off it,” he noted. “These young men deserve to be where they are and everyone in town has shown they deserve it.”
After one the quarterfinal game at Panther Arena, Long said he was in a fog and really didn’t know what to say.
“When you see something like this in your community, you can’t help but appreciate and be very thankful for where you are,” he said.
Tickets for the championship game are currently on sale.
All tickets bought at the Hot Springs arena are $8.
Tickets will be good for all games held on Saturday.
Anyone exiting the arena will be required to purchase another ticket.
Also, the Arkansas Activities Association announced that its clear bag policy and enhanced security measures will be in effect during the state finals.