The County Line School District, their boys basketball team, and their fan base have much to be proud of. The district hosted a very successful state tournament at Ozark High School last week, and the Indians were equally impressive in three dominant wins in the first rounds of the tournament. Everyone connected with the district and the basketball program, including the staff and administration at Ozark High School did an outstanding job hosting teams from across the state. And from our perspective, RNN Sports would like to thank everyone who made the tournament possible and for the great hospitality and access that was extended to us during our coverage of the tournament. The Arkansas Activities Association, game officials, and the two school district organizers and administration did an outstanding job and should be congratulated.
The Indians entered the tournament with a perfect 41-0 record. Amazing in itself, but some pressure on a team that was expected to win a championship. But from this reporter’s observation, the Indians’ players and coaches seem to be oblivious to what some other programs would have felt in the way of pressure or expectations entering the tournament. In fact, County Line played three very talented teams, and in all three games, the Indians took control of the game by midway of the second quarter and never looked back on their way to the championship weekend.
County Line defeated Bradley in the first round by the score of 70-47 to advance to the second round. In the second round, the Indians faced a very talented Clarendon team that had defeated Concord in their first round game. County Line rolled to a 70-55 victory over the Lions, advancing to Saturday night’s semifinal. In the semifinal round, the Indians faced the Shirley Blue Devils who had defeated Lafayette County in the quarters. And just as County Line had done in the first two rounds, the Indians defeated Shirley by the score of 71-58. The thirteen point victory for County Line in the semifinals was the closest margin of victory for the Indians in the state tournament so far.
With their semifinal win, County Line advanced to this Friday’s championship game in Hot Springs. There, the Indians will face Marked Tree. The Marked Tree Indians earned their way to the finals by defeating Marvell-Elaine in the first round by the score of 63-49. In the second round, Marked Tree faced The New School Cougars who defeated Nevada in the first round. The Indians defeated The New Scbool in a close game by the score of 56-54 to advance to the semifinals. In the semis, the Indians faced a very talented Brinkley Tigers team who had defeated Ozark Catholic in another close game and by the score of 46-43. But in the semis, Marked Tree played an inspired game and defeated Brinkley by the score of 56-44. Marked Tree advanced to the state finals and will play County Line in Hot Springs this Friday night at 7:45 p.m.
Fans wishing to attend Friday’s championship game in Hot Springs at Bank OZK Arena will be required to purchase tickets in advance. RNN Sports recommends that fans visit the Arkansas Activities Association’s website or social media posts for online ticket information. Fans should also take note of security guidelines for the event (i.e., prohibited items, purses, etc.).
RNN Sports will be in Hot Springs on Friday night to capture the event in pictures. We will post a championship game online story on Saturday evening on our website at residentnewsnetwork.com.
RNN Sports will publish a championship story in the RNN Logan County Edition weekly newspaper in two weeks. The paper will be a great source for photos and clippings for anyone keeping a scrapbook on this historic season for County Line. If you have not yet subscribed to the paper, just go to residentnewsnetwork.com and click on the “subscribe” link.
Congratulations to the County Line Indians and to all of their fans on what has been a historic and magnificent season. We wish them the best in seeking their 45th win in the championship game on Friday!
