HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Courtney Crutchfield finished with 24 points and seven rebounds, Deriyon Grayden added 14 points and six rebounds and Pine Bluff overcame a double-digit deficit to beat Benton 68-63 in the Class 5A state championship game on Friday at Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs.
It's the second consecutive state title for the Zebras, who topped Lake Hamilton in the championship round last season.
Benton put pressure on the defending champions, especially in the second quarter when they put together a 17-1 run to take a 35-21 lead with 2:35 to play.
Terrion Burgess led Benton with 27 points on 9 of 15 (60%) shooting with eight rebounds, while Harrison Pickett finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
Pine Bluff immediately responded, scoring the last nine points of the first half to cut into the Panthers' lead 37-32 heading into the locker room.
The Zebras, who once trailed by 14 points in the second quarter, regained the lead 43-42 at the four-minute mark of the third quarter thanks to a Crutchfield layup.
Pine Bluff outscored Benton 36-26 in the second half and held the Panthers to 1 of 7 (14.2%) shooting down the stretch to seal the victory.
Crutchfield was named title game MVP for the second consecutive season.
Click here for more scores and highlights from the 2024 Arkansas high school basketball state tournament.
