5A Title Game Top Talent

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5A State Championship Game between Maumelle and Benton was a showcase of incredible talent, with multiple Division 1 prospects making their mark. Benton edged out Maumelle with a nail-biting 58-57 victory. Here are the top talents of the nights:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>5A State Championship Game</em></strong> (Maumelle - 57 vs <strong><em>Benton - 58</em></strong>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2021778' first='Terrion' last='Burgess'] | 6'9 Wing 2025 | Benton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Stat line - 18 pts, 5 rebs, 4 blks</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2293765' first='Harrison' last='Pickett'] | 6'2 Guard 2025 | Benton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Stat line - 22 pts, 3 rebs, 1 stl, 1 blk</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2194618' first='Anthony' last='Spratt, Jr.'] | 6'6 Wing 2028 | Benton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Stat line - 11 pts, 3 rebs, 1 ast, 1 stl</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2481844' first='Markalon' last='Rochell'] | 6'5 Wing 2025 | Maumelle</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Stat line - 18 pts, 11 rebs, 1 stl</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2266284' first='Malik' last='McGuire'] | 6'7 Forward 2025 | Maumelle</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Stat line - 19 pts, 14 rebs, 3 blks, 1 stl</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2021778"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67d605968a592"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Burgess made the biggest play of the night. With under five seconds to go in the game, he got an incredible steal from the inbounds pass to score the go-ahead bucket and secure the 5A State Title. He earned MVP honors for his impressive winning efforts. His scoring touch inside was effective and efficient, getting into the paint with high and low post-ups using his pivots and long arms to rise over defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2194618"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67d605968a612"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Spratt found ways to stay in the action throughout the game, with timely plays when it seemed like Benton was flat the freshman brought a spark. He didn't need a bunch of looks to contribute, shooting 4 of 9 for the game which included 2 big triples. He defended the wing well not allowing easy passes back to the perimeter once the ball entered the middle. Most of his work came in the pivotal moments in the 4th quarter forcing a big turnover followed by 4 points in the last 6 mins of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2481844"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67d605968a687"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Markalon led feverishly with his energy on the attack all night. Shooting 8-13 in the paint he was nearly unstoppable with tough defending meeting him at the point of attack almost every trip inside. His rebounding totals speak more to his aggression and athleticism grabbing 11 of them after misses. He ran the floor and cut through the lane with intent looking to secure passes and finish above the rim in open space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2266284"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67d605968a6ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McGuire's interior presence continually bothered opponents who were looking to attack. His physicality and length under the basket caused problems for slashers and bigs on a variety of plays, he tallied 3 blocks and changed numerous others with intensity down low. His rebounding prowess was evident as he pulled in 14 of them making a statement on the boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->