CLASS 7A CHAMPIONSHIP CAPSULES

[BarclayAlmanac]

2017 CLASS 7A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
BOYS
Saturday, March 11, 12:45 p.m.
Bank of the Ozarks Arena, Hot Springs Convention Center
FORT SMITH NORTHSIDE VS NORTH LITTLE ROCK

NORTHSIDE (22-7)
Head coach: Eric Burnett
State championships: (9) 2007, 1974, 1968, 1965, 1959, 1958, 1955, 1951, 1925
State championship games: (12) 2017, 2007, 1982, 1974, 1970, 1968, 1965, 1959, 1958, 1955, 1951, 1925
Road to the Bank: In Class 7A state tournament, Northside defeated Bryant and Springdale Har-Ber

NORTH LITTLE ROCK (26-4)
Head coach: Johnny Rice
State championships: ( 2015, 2014, 2013, 1969, 1967, 1964, 1949, 1943
State championship games: (18) 2017, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2004, 1999, 1985, 1980, 1969, 1967, 1964, 1963, 1962, 1955, 1950, 1949, 1948, 1943
Road to the Bank: In Class 7A state tournament, North Little Rock defeated Conway and Little Rock Central

Fearless Facts: North Little Rock is playing in its 19^th state championship game with eight titles, including three of the last four years. ... Northside is making its 12 appearance in a state championship game and first in 10 years. ... Northside has won nine state championships, including 2007 when Northside beat Springdale Har-Ber, coach by Burnett, a Northside graduate who returned to his alma mater after the 2010 season. ... North Little Rock and Northside both played in the 7A-Central with North Little Rock beating Northside twice by three points in conference play. ... The 7A-Central was 6-1 against the 7A-West in the state tournament. ... One of Northside's state championships was in 1955 when the Grizzlies beat North Little Rock, 60-55, for the title. ... North Little Rock's last three championships were over 7A-West teams; Bentonville in 2015, Springdale in 2014, and Fayetteville in 2013.

2017 CLASS 7A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
GIRLS
Saturday, March 11, 11 a.m.
Bank of the Ozarks Arena, Hot Springs Convention Center
NORTH LITTLE ROCK VS FAYETTEVILLE

NORTH LITTLE ROCK (28-2)
Head coach: Daryl Fimple
State championships: (3) 2016, 2010, 2006
State championship games: (5) 2017, 2016, 2010, 2009, 2006
Road to the Bank: In Class 7A state tournament, North Little Rock defeated Springdale and Van Buren

FAYETTEVILLE (29-2)
Head coach: Vic Rimmer
State championships: (6) 2015, 2011, 2009, 1994, 1993, 1979
State championship games: (11) 2017, 2015, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2000, 1994, 1993, 1984, 1979
Road to the Bank: In Class 7A state tournament, Fayetteville defeated Conway and Little Rock Central


Fearless Facts: North Little Rock is appearing in the state championship game for the fifth time and is the defending state champion after beating Conway last year. ... Fayetteville is in the title game for the 11^th time and has won six championships. ... This is the third time for North Little Rock and Fayetteville to meet in the championship game with North Little Rock finishing a 31-0 season in 2010 with a 51-46 overtime win while Fayetteville completed a 32-0 season in 2009 with a 72-61 win. ... Fimple is 302-50 in 12 years at North Little Rock and 422-113 in 17 years overall, including a year at Shirley and four at Lonoke. ... Fimple is an Alma graduate and played in the 1992 state football championship game in the freezing rain, which Alma lost to Lake Hamilton. ... Rimmer is a Guy-Perkins graduate and played under legendary John Hutchcraft. ... Rimmer guided Shiloh Christian to girls state titles in 2009 and 2011 before taking over for Bobby Smith at Fayetteville. ... North Little Rock only played seven home games during the season, which were all 7A-Central games.