(San Antonio, Texas)-At the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, the Beaumont West Brook HS Bruins (38-2) captured their first University Interscholastic League Class 5A Division I basketball title in overtime 63-57 over North Richmond Hills Birdville Hawks (35-4) on Saturday. Both teams were making their first-ever state championship appearances.
The Hawks just kept shooting but the balls did not favor Birdville as they went cold on the floor by converting 4-of-17 3pt attempts and made only 11 shots of 36 tries as they trailed the Bruins 40-29 with 2:17 left in the third quarter.
The Bruins fared much better by dominating the boards with 26 rebounds and converting 17-of-33 attempts. Bruins head coach Michael Thomas was filled with emotions as he hugged his players as the clock showed 0:00. “This is the best feeling ever,” said Thomas. “This title is for our team and community. Thank-you to our Beaumont West Brook family. We are state champions.”
The game almost went to the Hawks, when Sawyer Dotson tied the game at 51-51.
In overtime, Bruins Elijah Garrett took over scoring to put the Bruins up 58-56 and never looked back. The Bruins shot 54% from the field which proved to be the difference. He was named MVP of the UIL State 5A Division I Championships.