BEAUMONT UNITED, ARCENEAUX WIN STATE AT THE BUZZER
This time last year everything shut down at the state tournament. Everything was halted to include 6 championship games due to the Covid 19 pandemic. This year was a little different. 6 games spread out over 2 days to decide the champs in 6 divisions. In 5A it would have the # 2 team in the state in Beaumont United. They have several prospects. # 8 in class of ‘22 Terrance Arceneaux, the class of ‘23 Wesley Yates who is #13 and #34 prospect Traelyn Porchia. The # 12 team state in 5A is Dallas Kimball. They come in off an overtime win in the state semifinal versus Amarillo. They have the #3 propsect in the class of ’22 in Arterio Morris. They also have backcourt mate Chauncey Gibson who comes in at #34. With the game loaded with several up and coming prospects it was a good eval opportunity.
The game got off to a strong start with ’23 prospect of Beaumont United Wesley Yates. Showcasing ability to shoot it with good range and quick release. He also showed he can score it off the dribble inside the arch. With United and Yates off and running the Kimball Knights chose to turn up the pressure some and unleash Kyron Henderson. Henderson displayed a high motor all night. Very active inside rim protecting and rebounding and finishing at the rim. He helped settle things down for Kimball and allowed them to stay close. He had 5 blocks and 6 boards at the half. To add more punch was ’22 prospect Chauncey Gibson. Gibson has good range and a clean stroke and it was on display as he knocked down a couple from deep. To counter for United they also got strong play from ’23 Traelyn Porchia. He was effective early on hitting 12-15 ft shots. This helped United to lead at the end of 1.
In the 2nd qtr both headliners got involved. Morris was able to get to the rim on multiple occasions and make plays finishing or drawing defenders and Henderson would finish the job. United would turn up their own defensive effort and caused some miss shots and turnovers and they converted them into points. Arceaneaux during this run really showed his versatility on both ends. He had the responsibility of rebounding as well and protecting the rim. He did so very well . He had 4 blocks at the half and 5 rebounds to go along with 10 points. Mostly in the paint at this point. He also got solid contributions from Porchia as well. With Porchia and Arcenaeux making plays United pushed their lead to 17. After a timeout Kimball settled down and got big buckets from Gipson and Morris to help cut the lead. They were able to cause some turnovers and get the lead down to 8 at the half.
In the 3rd qtr. Kimball didn’t let up. They kept plugging away with Morris getting it going from multiple spots on the floor and Henderson cleaning up everything else. They also got contributions from ’22 n Jerqualen Parks. Parks hit timely shots and made plays throughout the game. He would finish with (11 pts).They got the lead to 3, but the Wolves didn’t buckle. Yates, Porchia and Arceaneuax were able to get back in rhythm some and hit a few shots as well as get to the line to help slow the run. They were able to push the lead back to 8 to start the 4th.
In the 4th Arceneaux (24 pts) continued to be solid along with Porchia (17 pts ) for United but Kimball had one more major push. Led by Morris. He and Henderson would combine on a solid run that had the Wolves lead to 4 with 3 min left. After coming up empty on a couple of shots and 2 turnovers Kimball took full advantage. With just under a minute left Arterio Morris hit from deep on the left wing to take a 1 pt lead. This would be brief as United scored to take the lead back. Then Henderson made another play on a tip in; This was 1 of his 11 offensive rebounds on the night. After going up 1, Kimball caused a turnover and hit 2 Fts to go up by 3. The following possession Kimball got a steal and Henderson was fouled. He missed the front end of a 1 and 1 and this left the door open for Arceneaux and United. Arceneaux dribbled to the left wing and hit from 23 feet in front of his bench falling down tying the game up at 64 to force overtime.
In OT Beaumont United got the tip and missed and Kimball still hot from the end of the qtr run scored on consecutive possessions. For United they missed a couple FTs and allowed Kimball to stay ahead by 2.Playing aggressive defense, United fouled and Kimball was at the line up 2 with under 20 to play and they missed the front end. This left the door open. Down 70-68 Arceaneaux calmly came across half court and let it got from the top of the key and hit with 3 seconds to play only leaving time for a desperation heave. This finished off an outstanding performance by Terrance Arceneaux as he finished with not only 24 pts but he had 7 rebs and 9 blocks to help win the state title. A great game with several next level prospects in it. BEAUMONT UNITED 71 DALLAS KIMBALL 70.