5A Championship Game Features College Prospects to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hot Springs delivered a Patriots‑vs‑Patriots showdown that lived up to the billing: overtime, 15 lead changes, and six ties in a game decided by the smallest margins. Let's get into the game recap and a handful of prospects you can expect to see at the college level in the near future. Keep us updated on ALL prospects over on “X“ and “Instagram,” just tag @PrepHoops_AR &amp; @VortexSportsArkansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Parkview Claims the 5A Crown in an Overtime Classic</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Parkview 63 - Marion 57 Final/OT</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parkview and Marion delivered one of the most tightly contested championship games of the weekend, a matchup defined by execution, toughness, and the kind of late‑game poise that separates champions. Marion led by two at the half and answered every punch Parkview threw, and senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2864940' first='Dexter' last='Higgins'] forced overtime with a clutch bucket in the final seconds of regulation. The game featured 15 lead changes and six ties, with both teams trading adjustments and momentum throughout. Marion dominated the paint with 44 points inside, but nearly every other category, between rebounds, turnovers, second‑chance points, fast‑break production, was dead even. The difference came at the line and from the perimeter, where Marion struggled at 2–16 from three and getting a mere 9 shots at the charity stripe, while Parkview's 3pt shooting was just as bad at 4 of 13, their ability to draw 24 fouls and convert 21 of 29 free throws proved decisive in the 63–57 overtime finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parkview's championship run was fueled by Nebraska signee and 5A title game MVP [player_tooltip player_id='2021873' first='Jacob' last='Lanier'], who capped his storied high school career with a dominant 23‑point, 13‑rebound double‑double. His presence on the glass and ability to control possessions late were critical in overtime. [player_tooltip player_id='2021884' first='Ayden' last='Hansberry'], a Harding University commit, added 17 points, attacking the lane to earn trips to the stripe where he went 10–16, while also contributing 7 rebounds and 2 steals. [player_tooltip player_id='1437332' first='Kolby' last='Bell'] gave the Patriots another steady two‑way effort with 10 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals, and Parkview's deep senior‑heavy rotation with eight-plus upperclassmen seeing the floor provided the composure and experience needed to close out a championship game that demanded it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marion's resilience was undeniable, responding to adversity time after time and refusing to let Parkview create separation in the second half. Their defensive adjustments and interior scoring kept them within striking distance all night, and their late push forced the extra period. [player_tooltip player_id='2732998' first='Chandler' last='Randle'], headed to Henderson State next season, delivered 17 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and a steal, attacking the rim and defending multiple positions. [player_tooltip player_id='2883702' first='Jalen' last='Neal'] closed his Marion career with a 10‑point, 10‑rebound double‑double on 50% shooting, battling inside to keep possessions alive. [player_tooltip player_id='2864940' first='Dexter' last='Higgins'] added 11 points, 7 assists, and 3 steals, including the game‑tying bucket that sent the title game to overtime. Marion's fight, discipline, and ability to respond under pressure defined their performance, but the overtime stretch and Parkview's free‑throw advantage ultimately decided the 5A championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->