Stampede Advances To State Championship Game

The Paul W. Bryant Stampede Varsity Boys basketball team advances to the 6A State title game after today's close win against Gadsden City in Legacy Arena.

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The Stampede won the game on a last-second score by King Larkin, a 6-foot-5 senior who scored 21 total points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Ty 'Javion Byrd, the 6-foot 8 sophomore, was also a big factor in this gam,e adding eight points and blocking four shot attempts for the Gadsden City Titans. Javion Williams also put up eight points, three assists, and two steals.

Bryant held a significant lead over Gadsden City in the early moments of the game before the Titans were able to get their shots to fall with Devin Barksdale starting the barrage of three pointers followed by two more three pointers by Keyshawn Curry and one more added by Jedidiah Wynn. Devin Barksdale for the Titans scored another three pointer with 1:19 left in the game, which gave the lead to Gadsden City. The Stampede were able to get the ball to Larkin for a baseline score to put the Stampede up by one. Gadsden City had an opportunity to win the game with 11.4 seconds left until the final buzzer, but Wynn was unable to hit the shot.

Paul W. Bryant went 15 for 20 at the free-throw line with Larkin making 9 out of 13 of his shots while the Titans were only at the free-throw line once. The Stampede also out rebounded the Titans 29-14 this game.

The now 26-7 Paul W. Bryant Stampede advance to the State Championship Game and will play Pinson Valley. This is the first time that the Stampede will play for the championship since 2017 and 2018.

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