Poinsett County is home to not one, but two 2024 state high school basketball champions.
Marked Tree dominated Nevada 66-43 in the Class 1A Boys Championship behind Ladarrius Brown’s 20 points. It was Marked Tree’s first state championship since 2001.
Kenyon Carter and Jonah Walker each added 10 points for Marked Tree, which ended the season by winning 23 games in a row. The Indians beat Jasper, Bradley, and Brinkley in their march to the state championship.
East Poinsett County defeated Marshall 68-61 in the Class 2A boys title game Saturday in Hot Springs. The Warriors outscored the Bobcats 21-to-8 in the fourth quarter to get the win.
EPC was led by Jacob Gaines with 22 points. Tyrus Reel and Dennis Gaines both scored 13 points and Omar McCuiston added 10 points for the Warriors, who ended the season 22-and-11. EPC defeated Sloan-Hendrix, Junction City, and Bigelow in state tournament play.
