KING COTTON 2024: Springdale claims championship over Bishop Ireton

A powerful one-handed dunk and a game-ending block by University of Arkansas signee Isaiah Sealy put the final mark on the King Cotton Holiday Classic.

Springdale defeated Bishop Ireton (Alexandria, Va.) 63-54 to become the fourth Arkansas school to win a King Cotton championship Monday night at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.

Sealy, who was named King Cotton MVP, said it felt good to win the tournament after dropping a home game before the Christmas break.

“I feel like we were able to prove that we can play against high competition,” Sealy said. “I just feel like us coming out here, playing five stars the first two games and beating them, coming out and winning the championship, I feel like we proved that we can play any competition in the state, really.”

The game was tied at 42 entering the fourth quarter. Neither team had led by more than 7 points.

After multiple lead changes in the first two minutes of the quarter, Sealy hit a 3-pointer to extend the Bulldogs’ lead to 51-45 with 5:32 to play.

Bishop Ireton junior Silas Devonish completed his second 4-point play of the game to cut it to 51-49, but the Cardinals (9-2) didn’t get any closer. Devonish was fouled on a 3-point miss with 1:40 to play and made all three free throws to cut it to 58-54 before Sealy’s big dunk. Sealy added a free throw on the next possession to extend the lead and put the game beyond doubt.

Springdale Coach Jeremy Price said toughness wins tournaments.

“It’s a grind to get to the finals, and that fourth quarter, it’s extra hard,” Price said. “We just talked about relying on each other and being mentally tough and paying attention to the details.”

Sealy scored a game-high 24 points with nine rebounds for the Bulldogs (12-3). Fellow senior Jaxon Conley added 19 points after making three 3-pointers in the third quarter, while Cy Bates scored 10 points with 12 rebounds.

Devonish led Ireton with 22 points, while Ripp Kodi scored 12.

Price said the opportunity to play great out-of-state teams such as Ireton is what makes King Cotton great.

“I’m glad that we were invited, and we were able to see some things, some other teams outside the state,” Price said. “Our state’s pretty dang good, too. We’ve got some really good teams and some really good coaches, but great tournament. We’re just blessed to have won it.”

Arkansas had seven teams in this year’s tournament. Springdale’s win brought the state’s final record to 7-12.

Springdale joins Magnolia, Russellville and North Little Rock as the only in-state teams to win King Cotton. The Bulldogs defeated Westminster Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 69-58 in the first round and Bellaire (Texas) 61-47 in the semifinals.

Sealy said he hopes this championship brings some respect to northwest Arkansas high school basketball.

“They don’t have a lot of respect for the teams in northwest Arkansas,” Sealy said. “The fact that we can come down here to Pine Bluff and show that, it means a lot.”