Class 3A State Final: Attucks vs. Twin Lakes

From the tip to the final buzzer, Crispus Attucks and Twin Lakes played an incredible game for the class 3A state title. The teams put on a show for Oscar Robertson, 1953 Mr. Basketball Hallie Bryant and many other legends in the crowd.

After Bryce Bennington split two free throws to tie the game, Attucks had the ball with 36 seconds left in the title game. The Tigers worked the clock down to eight seconds before Alex Cooley penetrated then popped a three-pointer from the right wing. Cooley’s shot was off the mark, but Jamal Harris came from the opposite side to grab the offensive rebound. While in the air, Harris gathered the ball then shot it from the left baseline. Harris converted the shot with two seconds left. Twin Lakes called a timeout with 0.9 seconds left.

Twin Lakes threw a baseball pass down the court but was unable to get a decent look.

The game had twists, turns and surprises. Kris Goodlow was the first surprise of the game. The senior forward averaged 10 points per game this year. He had the first eight points of the game for Twin Lakes. Behind the play of Goodlow, Twin Lakes played the tempo of Attucks and didn’t blink an eye.

Attucks shot 10 of 11 in the first quarter. Teyon Scanlan was locked in, especially early. He tallied 12 points in the opening quarter. Scanlan finished the game with 24 points on 9-11 shooting.

Although Attucks had the biggest offensive rebound of the game, Twin Lakes dominated the glass on its end. Twin Lakes grabbed 12 offensive rebounds in the game compared to six for Attucks. The extra shot attempts were huge for Twin Lakes.

Speaking of impressive Twin Lakes performances, Bryce Bennington was fantastic from the second quarter on. He finished with a game-high 32 points on 18 shots. His three-pointer early in the fourth quarter pushed the Twin Lakes lead to seven points.

Nike Sibande came alive in the third quarter for Attucks. The senior guard scored 10 of his 23 points in the period. He tallied seven points in a span of 30 seconds as he hit two threes plus the foul on the second. He stepped up when Attucks needed him the most.

The state title for Attucks was the first since 1959. It is the fourth state title in the school’s history. Chris Hawkins guided the Tigers to the title in his first year with the school. Oscar Robertson handed out the state medals to the Attucks players after the game.

Twin Lakes finished the season 25-4, and won the school’s first Regional and Semi-State titles.

Crispus Attucks: Teyon Scanlan 24 points (9/11 FGs, 4/5 3Ps, 2/2 FTs); Nike Sibande 23 points (7/12 FGs, 4/5 3Ps, 5/5 FTs), 8 rebs; Alex Cooley 11 points (3/8 FGs, 3/6 3Ps, 2/2 FTs), 4 stls; Zac Owens 5 points (2/6 FGs), 4 asts; Jamal Harris 4 points, 4 rebs; Derrick Briscoe 2 points; Jaiquan Edwards 2 points; Warren Williams 2 points

Twin Lakes: Bryce Bennington 32 points (12/18 FGs, 4/8 3Ps, 4/7 FTs), 5 rebs; Kris Goodlow 12 points (5/8 FGs, 2/3 FTs), 6 rebs; Blake Bennington 10 points (3/13 FGs, 4/7 FTs), 10 rebs; Matt Conrad 8 points (3/6 FGs, 2/5 3Ps), 3 stls; Justin Crabb 7 points (3/5 FGs, 1/2 3Ps), 4 asts; Machaiah Galvin 2 points