Final day of state tournament, George Washington Carver looking for redemption

Published 9:43 am Saturday, March 12, 2022

Since a one-point loss in the final last season, No. 1 George Washington Carver has been waiting for its chance at redemption.

The Rams will get a rematch in the Class 4A title game against defending champion No. 3 Eleanor McMain at 11 a.m. today to start the final day of the boys state basketball tournament at Burton Coliseum.

McMain (24-6) junior Corey Chest made a free throw with less than a second last in the final last year, but the Mustangs will have to find a way to stop the Rams’ (28-2) agile big-man Solomon Washington. The Texas A&M signee had 16 points, 12 rebounds, seven blocks, four assists and three steals Wednesday in the semifinals.

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In the Class 3A final at 2 p.m., No. 1 Madison Prep (24-6) is going for its eighth state championship in 10 seasons, while Wossman (30-6) is after its first since 2008.

Wossman has played in seven consecutive state tournaments, losing in the final four times since 2016.

Madison Prep 6-foot-9 senior Percy Daniels will look to add to his near-perfect performance in the semifinals when he missed a single shot and finished with 25 points and 14 rebounds.

Two-time defending champ No. 2 Port Allen (23-10) will go for a three-peat at 5 p.m. when it faces No. 5 Amite (29-5) in the Class 2A final.

Port Allen rolled over 2020 and 2021 championship game opponent Rayville by 27 points in the semifinals, while Amite got 29 points from guard Lamar Harris to edge No. 1 Lakeview.

The final game at 8 p.m. will pit defending Class 5A champion Zachary (32-2) against newcomer No. 11 Northshore (26-6).

The Panthers have relied on the hot hand of sophomore guard Kohen Rowbatham to reach the final for the first time. Rowbatham has scored 55 points in his last two games.