DECATUR -- The New School left no doubt Saturday in the 1A-1 West Conference Tournament final.
Jaxon Hand scored 20 points and Jaiden Wilson added 19 as The New School claimed the 1A-1 West Conference Tournament championship with a 57-49 victory over Ozark Catholic. Freshman Jackson Marshall added 11 points for the Cougars (33-3), who also won the regular season conference championship with 14-0 record.
"Hand got us going, but what can you say about Jaiden Wilson? He's just the best player here," The New School Coach David Ferrell said. "Caleb Massey and our freshman [Marshall] also stepped up."
Simeon Spencer scored 16 points and Shep Newcomb 14 to lead Ozark Catholic (29-9). All four of the teams that played Saturday will advance to the regional tournament that starts Wednesday at Huntsville, hosted by St. Paul.
The New School took command Saturday when the Cougars outscored the Griffins 13-3 in the third quarter. Ozark Catholic rallied to within 50-42. But The New School was able to hold on to claim the tournament title.
The New School and Ozark Catholic met on Feb. 3 when the Cougars clinched the conference with a 59-53 victory over the Griffins. Wilson had 17 points and Hand had 11 in that game at Fayetteville. The New School won again three days later at Ozark Catholic in Springdale.
"You know the old saying, 'It's hard to beat a good team three times' and they're a very good team," Ferrell said. "It's a big feat because we beat them all within two weeks."
Hand and Wilson mostly took turns scoring baskets in the first half to lead The New School to a 31-27 lead after two quarters. Hand had 15 points on five three-pointers, while Wilson had 12 points that included two three-pointers.
GIRLS
Thaden School 31, Ozark Catholic 24
Thaden School outscored Ozark Catholic 11-0 in the fourth quarter to claim the conference tournament championship over the regular-season champion.
Thaden School rallied from an eight-point deficit at halftime to take 26-24 lead on a jumper by Sam Whitaker with 3:50 left in the game. Laura Bailey added a crucial three-pointer from the corner with 1:22 left and Sam Whitaker capped the 11-0 surge with two free throws.
"This year has been a fight all year long,"said Thaden School Coach Sarah Sagely, whose team finished third in the conference during regular-season play. "My girls stepped up and showed what they're made of. I'm so proud of them."
Bailey scored eight points and Sam Whitaker seven points to lead Thaden School (17-11). Gabbi Dickinson scored 10 of her 13 points to lead Ozark Catholic (21-12).