Marla Jones, Sports Editor
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-- The Plainview Bears (31-5) claimed back-to-back Class 3A State Basketball Championships, with a 40-37 win over Midfield on Friday.
Before the Class 3A State Championship game, Plainview Head Coach Robi Coker made the decision to not play full-court pressure defense.
“It was one of them deals where we felt like Shannon Jones was too good a basketball player for us to press and be efficient,” said Coker, speaking of Midfield’s star point guard.
“I knew if we didn’t press and lost, I’d be the goat- and not the greatest of all time. We felt like it was our best chance to win the game” stated Coker.
The decision to play half-court limited the Midfield Patriots to only two fastbreaks points.
Plainview trailed 20-16 going into the half. The Bears came back from the half with a new strategy.
“We threw the ball to Luke Smith” stated Coker.
Luke Smith scored 10 of his 18 points for the game, in the third quarter.
“They were guarding us well. They were athletic” stated Luke Smith. “ We were down. I knew we needed someone to step up and make some plays. I just happened to be that guy at the time.”
The Bears had a 28-26 lead going into the fourth quarter. The Bears increased their lead to 38-33, with a pair of free throws by Jonah Williams, with only :30 remaining in the game.
Midfield (25-6) made the basket and forced a turnover when Plainview was called for traveling. With 15.9 seconds left in the game, Midfield had a chance to tie the game and force overtime, with a three-pointer.
Plainview only had two team fouls. Coker called timeout and made the decision to make fouls to prevent Midfield from attempting a game-tying 3-pointer.
Jonah Williams hit two free throws to bring the Bear score to 40. In a last-ditch effort, Jones made the halfcourt shot, as the buzzer sounded but missed.
Plainview was 15-of-34 from the field, 4-of-12 from 3-point range, and 6-of-8 from the foul line. The game was tied three times and there were four lead changes.
“This is a resilient group. We didn't start the season real well, but they showed their character and love for one another, and we figured out our identity” stated Coach Robi Coker. “I can’t say enough about this group’s toughness and how they respond to adversity. Because of that, they deserve to be champions.”
“Forty was enough today,” Plainview senior Luke Smith said.
Luke Smith was named MVP of the Class 3A Tournament Team. Joining Luke on the Tournament Team from Plainview was Landon White.
Plainview has now won state titles in 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023.
