3A boys basketball state championship: Osceola adds to dynasty, wins third title since 2020

The Seminoles came out on top in a tight matchup that featured 17 lead changes

Tommy Land

For the third time in five years, and seventh time in school history, the Osceola Seminoles are state champions after surviving a physical matchup 57-53 over Melbourne at Bank OZK Arena Thursday night.

The Seminoles (27-7) rode 14-0 run from the end of the third quarter into the fourth and locked down when they needed to most. The game featured 17 lead changes and four ties, and Osceola forced an impressive 23 Melbourne turnovers.

MJ Washington was named the 3A tournament's Most Valuable Player and finished with 15 points, five rebounds and an assist. Tyler Bell led all scorers in the contest with 20 points, plus had five rebounds and four assists. Brennan Burch led Melbourne (29-8) with 14 points, followed by Kale Caraway with 13 and Hayden Edwards compiled a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Pregame

Osceola handed Melbourne its fourth loss of the season Dec. 28, and the Bearkatz can earn both redemption and their first state championship with a win Thursday.

Osceola is in the state final for the eighth time in school history and has won two championships in the past five years, defeating Dumas in 2022 after splitting the 2020 title with Rivercrest after the game was canceled because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Melbourne first-year head coach Logan Bailey won't turn 30 until September but is quickly, and fairly quietly, climbing the ranks among the top Arkansas coaches on the hardwood. Before leading the Bearkatz (29-7) to their first state title game since 2009 this season, Bailey took Cabot to the 6A semifinals in 2023 and nearly beat Jonesboro but ultimately came up short, and the Hurricane went on to win their third consecutive championship the next week.

On the opposite side for the Seminoles (26-7), Bryanth Basemore has gotten Osceola back to where it expects to be after taking over for Vernon Wilson following the 2022 championship run. The Hughes native previously held the same position at Division II Lane (Tenn.) College for more than a decade and brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to northeast Arkansas.

Since falling to Osceola in their final nonconference game, the Bearkatz dropped consecutive conference matchups against Flippin and Bergman by a combined four points. They then fell to Bergman by 18 on Feb. 11 and have since won nine in a row, including a district championship as well as a regional title championship victory over the Panthers. Melbourne squeaked past Lincoln in the first round, then handled Prescott and Lamar with exceptional shooting and suffocating defense.

Speaking of defense, Osecola has made a reputation of it and allows around 55 points per game. Senior Jeriyan Long (15 ppg, 9 rpg) and junior MJ Washington (16 ppg, 6 rpg) have led the way, and junior Anthony Brown adds 12 points with three assists per contest and junior Tyler Bell brings a balanced attack, averaging nine points, seven rebounds and five assists. Similar to Bell, senior Jeremiah Jacobs has played a role in multiple phases with averages of eight points, five rebounds and two steals.

Melbourne counters with the senior duo of Hayden Edwards (16.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.4 spg) and Malcolm Hammack (12.3 ppg, 6 rpg, 2.3 apg). Edwards and classmate Tanner Williams, who averages 10.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, each scored 23 points in the Bearkatz's rout of Lamar. Senior Brennon Burch also has been a top contributor with 11 points per game.

(Updates will appear here after the game starts.)

FINAL: Osceola 57, Melbourne 53

The Seminoles survive a very physical matchup to win their third state title since 2020. Bell scored 19 to lead everyone, followed Washington with 14. Burch led Melbourne with 14, Caraway scored 13 and Edwards had 11.

Fourth quarter

Osceola 56-53, :04

Well, Melbourne is not completely out of it. Collin Teague drills a deep three and the Bearkatz call time with its back severely up against the wall.

Osceola 55-50, :19

Long lays in a contested shot, then converts one of two free throws to all but seal it for the Seminoles.

Osceola 52-50, :54

Hayden Edwards converts one of two free throws, then Osceola calls another timeout.

Osceola 50-49, 1:33

Osceola claims the 17th lead change of the evening after Bell hits a jumper. Timeout Seminoles.

Melbourne 49-48, 2:38

Another lead change! Williams nabs a steal and assists on a score by Caraway.

Osceola 48-45, 3:39

The Seminoles' lead is cut to a single possession thanks to successful free throw attempts from Caraway.

Osceola 48-43, 3:54

Burch hits an impressive reverse layup on the fastbreak to cut the lead to five as we reach the media timeout.

Third quarter

Osceola 45-41, 5:17

Tanner Williams is fouled going up for a layup, bucket is good but the and-one is not.

Osecola 44-37, 5:51

The Seminoles are rolliong to start the fourth. That 7-0 run to finish the third has turned into a 14-0 run on two-pointers from Tyress James and Washington, then a three by Jeremiah Jacobs on the fast break forces Melbourne to take a timeout.

End of 3rd: Tied at 37

Osceola responds with a 7-0 run to close out the third and tie it back up. There have been 14 lead changes and four ties.

Melbourne 36-30, 2:10

Just like that, the Bearkatz are on an 8-0 run following two successful free throw attempts by Kale Caraway.

Melbourne 31-30, 3:08

Osceola took back the lead on baskets by Jeremiah Jacobs and Washington, but Melbourne responds with a three from Brennon Burch. Melbourne calls time.

Melbourne 28-26, 5:16

Jeriyan Long hits one of two free throws, the first of the game converted by Osceola.

Second quarter

Halftime: Melbourne 26-22

The Bearkatz are hanging tough against Osceola's stifling defense and added one more bucket from Tanner Williams before the break. Bell still leads all scorers with 13 points, Edwards has seven to lead Melbourne. Not many free throws have been attempted, but the Bearkatz are two for three while the Seminoles are 0-4.

Melbourne 19-18, 3:49

Melbourne still holds a narrow lead at the media timeout. MJ Washington got the lead back for Osceola, but that did not last long following an answer from Cael Bray.

Melbourne 17-16, 6:07

Bearkatz regain the lead on a three from Edwards.

First quarter

End of 1st: Osceola 16-14

Hayden Edwards hits a floater to get the lead back for Melbourne, but Bell connects on a three at the horn to put Osceola back in front. Bell leads everyone with 11 points.

Osceola 10-9, 2:34

It is evident why both teams are here, each are shooting well in a fast-paced start. Tyler Bell has eight of the Seminoles' 10 points and has connected on both three-point attempts.

We are underway!

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