CLASS 6A CHAMPIONSHIP CAPSULES

[BarclayAlmanac]

2019 CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
BOYS
Friday, March 8, 4:15 pm
Bank OZK Arena, Hot Springs
BRYANT VS FORT SMITH NORTHSIDE

BRYANT (24-4)
Head coach: Michael Abrahamson
State championships: (1) 1981
State championship games: (2) 2019, 1981

NORTHSIDE (20-11)
Head coach: Eric Burnett
State championships: (10) 2017, 2007, 1974, 1968, 1965, 1959, 1958, 1955, 1951, 1925
State championship games: (14) 2019, 2018, 2017, 2007, 1982, 1974, 1970, 1968, 1965, 1959, 1958, 1955, 1951, 1925


FEARLESS FACTS: Both teams hail from the 6A-Central. ... Bryant is the top seed from the conference while Northside is the fourth seed. ... Bryant is 2-1 against Northside, winning in the Fort Smith Coca-Cola Classic's second round in December. ... During conference play, Bryant lost to Northside, 47-42, in the 6A-Central opener and then won 13 straight conference games. ...  Bryant defeated Cabot and Bentonville by a combined 144-88 in the state tournament to advance to its first state championship game since winning the title in 1981. ... Bryant's other losses are to Marion, Jonesboro and Greenbrier. ... Northside is trying for its 11th state title and is playing in its 14th championship game. ... The Grizzlies are playing in their third straight title game for the first time in school history. ... Northside lost three straight conference games in January to Little Rock Catholic, Conway and North Little Rock. ... Northside defeated to Fayetteville and Conway in the state tournament.


2019 CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
GIRLS
Friday, March 8, 2:30 pm
Bank OZK Arena, Hot Springs
BENTONVILLE VS FORT SMITH NORTHSIDE

BENTONVILLE (25-3)
Head coach: Tom Halbmaier
State championships:  (0)
State championship games: (3) 2019, 2003, 1997

NORTHSIDE (27-1)
Head coach: Rickey Smith
State championships: (6) 2013, 2007, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999
State championship games: (12) 2019, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2007, 2006, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1989

FEARLESS FACTS: The best from the West meets the best from the Central with both teams earning the top seeds from their respective conferences. ... Bentonville went 13-1 in the 7A-West, losing only to Fayetteville, and outscoring its conference foes by a combined 877-514. ... Northside was also 13-1 in the 7A-Central, losing only to North Little Rock, and outscoring its league opponents by an 846-557 count. ... Smith is in his 25th year at Northside's helm and is 626-119 at the school. ... Northside outlasted Fayetteville, 64-62, in triple overtime in the semifinals on Saturday. .. Halbmaier is 319-189 in 18 years at Bentonville.