After all of the practices, the holiday tournaments, the long bus trips, and the many season and post-season games, it all boils down to this week and the Class 3A state tournament. This is the final week of basketball as the top teams in boys and girls 3A basketball will meet in Charleston to decide who will play in this year’s state championship finals. State tournament play will begin tomorrow and will go through Saturday. The boys and girls state championship games will be held on Friday, March 13, in Hot Springs at Bank OZK Arena.
The host school will have one team in the state tournament, the Charleston Lady Tigers. The Lady Tigers are a #3 seed in the tournament, and their first game will be on Wednesday, March 4, at 7 p.m. versus Centerpoint. The Lady Tigers will be going for a potential rematch with Mountain View, possibly in the semifinals with the right to go to Hot Springs for the final. But for now, there is a lot of basketball to be played. And at tournament time, you never know who is going to play their best at the right time to advance in the tournament.
The opening game of the tournament will begin at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3 with Hoxie taking on Little Rock Episcopal.
To view or download a copy of the girls 3A state championship tournament brackets, click here to be redirected to Max Preps.
On the boys’ side of the brackets, Valley Springs is also a one seed in the tournament, making it a possibility for the state girls and boys final to be an all Valley Springs affair. Boys play will open on Tuesday, March 3, at 2:30 p.m. when Rivercrest and Jessieville open the tournament with what should be a great game.
To view or download a copy of the boys 3A state championship tournament brackets, click here to be redirected to Max Preps.
For our readers, here is a preview of the tournament fields for this years boys and girls state tournament.
2020 Boys Class 3A State Tournament Field
Bald Knob Bulldogs
Coach: Matt Ragsdale
18-11 Overall, 12-4 Conference
Little Rock Baptist Prep Eagles
Coach: Steve Miller
23-9 Overall, 12-2 Conference
Bergman Panthers
Coach: Bo Martin
32-8 Overall, 9-3 Conference
West Helena Central Cougars
Coach: Kevin Pringle
19-10 Overall, 9-5 Conference
Clinton Yellowjackets
Coach: Cole Gardner
21-9 Overall, 10-2 Conference
Monticello Drew Central Pirates
Coach: C.J. Watson
18-12 Overall, 8-6 Conference
Dumas Bobcats
Coach: Larry Harris
24-3 Overall, 14-0 Conference
Elkins Elks
Coach: Jared Porter
28-4 Overall, 12-2 Conference
Little Rock Episcopal Wildcats
Coach: Brandon Friedel
20-11 Overall, 10-4 Conference
Gosnell Pirates
Coach: Kirk Glintborg
19-12 Overall, 11-5 Conference
Jessieville Lions
Coach: Jared White
18-13 Overall, 8-6 Conference
Mayflower Eagles
Coach: Brent Stallings
21-9 Overall, 10-4 Conference
Osceola Seminoles
Coach: Vernon Wilson
16-7 Overall, 12-4 Conference
Prescott Curley Wolves
Coach: Beau Brickell
18-4 Overall, 11-1 Conference
Rivercrest Colts
Coach: Hunter Robinson
21-8 Overall, 12-4 Conference
Valley Springs Tigers
Coach: Blake Hanney
35-3 Overall, 11-1 Conference
Girls Class 3A State Tournament Field:
Ashdown Panthers
Coach: Beau Tillery
17-12 Overall, 7-5 Conference
Little Rock Central Arkansas Christian Academy (CAC)
Coach: Steve Quattlebaum
26-6 Overall, 12-2 Conference
Centerpoint Knights
Coach: John Bright
23-6 Overall, 10-2 Conference
West Helena Central Cougars
Coach: Kevin Pringle
23-5 Overall, 12-2 Conference
Charleston Tigers
Coach: Jason Rucker
27-3 Overall, 14-0 Conference
Little Rock Episcopal Wildcats
Coach: Micah Marsh
23-8 Overall, 12-2 Conference
Fouke Panthers
Coach: Richard Williams
21-10 Overall, 9-5 Conference
Searcy Harding Academy Wildcats
Coach: Rusty Garner
28-4 Overall, 16-0 Conference
Hoxie Mustangs
Coach: Scott Brown
27-3 Overall, 16-0 Conference
Lamar Warriors
Coach: Brandon Schluterman
29-3 Overall, 14-0 Conference
Mayflower Eagles
Coach: Coty Storms
22-9 Overall, 9-6 Conference
Mountain View Yellowjackets
Coach: Casey Scribner
24-5 Overall, 11-1 Conference
Rose Bud Ramblers
Coach: Bradley Moss
19-11 Overall, 8-4 Conference
Walnut Ridge Bobcats
Coach: Michael Halbrook
22-7 Overall, 14-2 Conference
Valley Springs Tigers
Coach: Ryan Johnson
33-7 Overall, 7-5 Conference
Both boys and girls fields are loaded with heavyweights who have dominated their overall and conference seasons. As it is often times in the state tournament, a favorite might disappoint and not play well, and a team that is thought of not to have much of a chance in the tournament will get hot and upset at least one “favored” opponent in the tournament. One thing is for sure, each team in the tournament better be ready to play and give it everything they have, because there are simply no weak teams on either side of the tournament.
Area fans have a great opportunity to drive to Charleston and watch some high quality basketball this week. And for Charleston fans, your Lady Tigers are playing for a chance to be in the state final in Hot Springs next week. Charleston needs to have the home court advantage all week when they take the floor in their quest for a state title. Simply put, there needs to be a lot of black and gold in the stands when the Lady Tigers take the floor. Tiger Center needs to be rocking with a lot of noise! Give your team a home court advantage all week, and I am sure the Lady Tigers will respond!
Resident Press wishes all of the teams in this year’s state tournament the best. RP would also like to recognize and thank the Charleston School District for taking on the huge task of hosting the state tournament.
Resident Press will post afternoon and evening updates on all the state tournament sessions throughout the week. Look for RP for the latest on state tournament coverage from Charleston!
See you at the tournament! It’s going to be fun!
