Craigmont used some quality outside shooting and held off a determined Bearden group 61-55 to capture the 2011 Class AAA Boys State Title.
A back and forth affair saw the Chiefs get out of the gate quick on some deadly strokes from Robert Houston (Craigmont), who scored the teams first eight points.
Dion Fair (Bearden) brought the Bulldogs back with some exciting moves to the bucket and some timely dishes to opportunistic teammates.
Craigmont seemed to come up with big buckets every time Bearden would pull even or slighty ahead throughout the game.
Houston finished with 17 points for the Chiefs and tourney MVP Sam Craft (Craigmont) added 15 in the title game victory.
Ty Greene (Bearden) led the Bulldogs with 18 points on the evening. Rico White (Bearden) finished with 13 while Fair chiped in with 12 markers.
Joining Craft on the all-tournament squad were Houston, Greene, White, Fair, Zavion Williams (West Creek), Andre Hollins (White Station), Stephen Hurt (Siegel), Oscar Butler (Siegel) and Rodnerius Lewis (Craigmont).
Andre Hollins (White Station) was honored with the coveted Mr. Basketball award for Class AAA. The Minnesota signee was chosen from a panel of three finalists including Adonis Thomas (Melrose) and Alex Poythress (Northeast).
