Bryant Hornets get a shot at redemption and a state title in Hot Springs
The Hornets are back in Hot Springs, looking to leave with a trophy after being defeated by Little Rock Central in last year’s title game.
BRYANT, Ark. — Basketball teams from around Arkansas are set to converge on Hot Springs this week for state championship games.
For the Bryant boys, it’s a trip they made just a year ago. The Hornets are hoping the ride back home feels a little better this time around.
“It hurts,” Head Coach Mike Abrahamson said. “When you lose this game, it hurts. We don’t want to forget the feeling.”
The Hornets fell to Little Rock Central in last year’s title game. Seniors Kellen Robinson and RJ Newton remember it well.
“Last year, we were so excited just to get there. This year, we’ve been there before, we want to win,” Robinson said.
“Last year’s been real motivating, we want to get back and win it. We just got to finish, that’s really it,” Newton said.
The road back has been a tough one, dealing with key absences and injuries, including to Robinson, but Abrahamson now views the trials as a learning experience.
“It’s forced us in to growth and development, so we look at it as a blessing,” Abrahamson said.
“A lot of guys had to play different roles, me included, so we were winning without our leading scorer, bringing him back makes us even better,” Newton said.
For his part, Robinson is happy with what his team accomplished without him, but happier to be back on the court.
“It really just shows their hard work and dedication, I’m just proud of them,” Robinson said.
Back at full strength, the Hornets hope the up-and-down season becomes a steadying force on Saturday.
“Championship is a regular game, it’s just staying the same, we aren’t gonna let our confidence get up or lower, just stay the same,” Robinson said.
The Hornets take on Springdale in the 6A Boys State Championship on Saturday at Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs at 1:45pm.