HOT SPRINGS, Ark. -- The Magnolia Panthers defeated Little Rock Mills in overtime in the Class 4A state championship Saturday night 78-76. The Panthers are state champions for the first time since 1997.

Freshman MVP Derrian Ford finished with 28 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks (including the game-saving swat as time expired) for the Panthers. Fellow freshman Colby Garland added 21 points. Braelyn Beasley came away with the game-winning tip-in with just seconds remaining in overtime.