A Night to Remember: Maumelle Secures 5A Central Championship

Dear Maumelle Hornets,

What a night. What a game. What a journey.

Tonight, the energy in the gym was electric from the first jump. In their first matchup this season, LRCA pulled out a dominant 18-point win after the Hornets seemingly fell apart in the fourth quarter. But tonight was different. Knowing this would be their last time playing on their home court, the Hornets took no prisoners.

Malik McGuire came out swinging, grabbing five blocks in the first quarter alone, followed by two more in the second. He finished the night with a dominant triple-double—13 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, 10 blocks, and one steal—proving yet again that he is the Hornets' defensive anchor. With the help of fellow seniors—Markalon Rochell, Talan Poyner, Cedric Jones, Jayce Tillman, and Derrick Lewis—the Hornets stormed into halftime with a commanding 51-23 lead, holding ESPN-ranked junior JJ Andrews (LRCA) to just 12 points in the first half. Andrews would finish with an astonishing 43 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks, but the Hornets had already set the tone.

The Hornets came out in the third with the same fire, extending their lead to 30 points before LRCA began to fight back. Mitchell Morris knocked down four of ten from behind the arc, and a massive momentum-shifting call changed the game’s trajectory. Andrews took a shot from deep, exaggerated the contact, and Jayce Tillman was called for the foul—despite what appeared to be minimal, if any, at all. The Warriors capitalized, going on a 32-16 run in the fourth quarter. However, they had to send the Hornets to the charity stripe, where they took 17 free throws (making nine) in the final quarter alone. With just over two minutes left, four of Maumelle’s five starters had four fouls, making for an intense finish. Andrews grabbed a quick layup to make it 84-82 Maumelle, but with only seconds left, the Hornets let the buzzer sound—securing the 5A Central Conference Championship and the number one seed heading into next week’s state tournament.

This class is special to me. I’ve watched their journeys since they were freshmen—some more than others—but altogether, I have witnessed these young boys grow into fine young men who play the game I love very much, very well.

Markalon, I remember your first varsity three-pointer, and more importantly I will never forget the way you have overcome adversity with your head high, marching forward as if nothing will ever stop you.

Talan, I’ll never forget the first time I heard someone in the visiting stands yell about "the boy from Memphis" who was a left-handed shooter and how no space could be given or he would drain the three.

Derrick, I always wanted you to see the court more because you are one of, if not the most, impactful player I have ever covered at Maumelle. Not to mention—my kids are your biggest fans.

Malik, I remember the first time I posted about you getting a double-double, knowing without a doubt how special you were. You are Maumelle’s secret weapon—one that no other team in 5A has.

Cedric, I covered you a few times as a Wampus Cat and was overjoyed when you transferred to Maumelle. Watching you drop 40 at Poplar Bluff was an absolute clinic.

Jayce, I covered you as a Titan, and I knew you would be the calm, collected, and determined final piece to make this Maumelle team so special.

And special they are. While I cover much of the 5A conference and beyond, it’s no secret that Maumelle holds a special place in my heart. I care for these kids as if they’re my own, I pray for their success, and I cherish their families and the incredible support they have given me. I love the coaches who have allowed me to tag along everywhere they go, and I am forever grateful to the Maumelle community for embracing this small-town girl with a big dream and an even bigger heart for basketball.

But we aren’t done yet.

State tournament starts next Tuesday, and Paragould, Arkansas, is where you’ll find KFletch.

I was there when Maumelle headed to Sheridan as the 2-seed in 2022.

I was there when Maumelle headed to Pine Bluff as the 1-seed in 2023.

I was there when Maumelle headed to Searcy as the 2-seed in 2024.

And now, I’ll be there when Maumelle heads to Greene County Tech next week as the 1-seed in 2025.

With pride and gratitude, KFletch 🖤