The Keenan Raiders, 2024-2025 3A Boys Basketball State Champions: 0 Brian Sumpter; 1 Zy’ion Jones; 2 JaNolan Mathis; 3 Tyheim McNeil; 4 Antoine Caughman Jr.; 5 Broderick Anderson Jr.; 10 Nyheim McNeil; 11 Isaiah Jacques; 12 Noah Smith; 13 Malik Brunson Jr.; 14 Marcus Simpson Jr.; 22 Marcus Simmons Jr.; 24 Anthony King II; Assistant Coaches Greg Williams, Alexander Harper, Bernie Norris, Hodges Anthony, Brandon Trapp, Eernest Hemmingway, Tomothy Edmond, Derrick Crawford, Ryan Norris, and Quinton Somerville; Head Coach Zach Norris; Athletic Director Sean Gilley; and Principal Jabar Hankins. Photos by Mike Maddock
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For the first time since 2020, the Keenan Raiders are state champions following a 58-53 win over the Powdersville Patriots Thursday, March 6 in the 3A boys basketball State Championship.
Three Raiders finished in double figures highlighted by Antoine Caughman Jr. who finished with 17 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Nyheim McNeil added 15 points and four rebounds; while Brian Sumpter chipped in ten points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and one steal.
It was McNeil and Malik Brunson Jr. who got things going for Keenan, as the Raiders jumped in front 9-7. McNeil accounted for five of those points, while Brunson Jr. scored four. Sumpter scored on two bank shots, while Brunson Jr. knocked down a jumper as the Raiders’ lead grew to 15-9. Powdersville’s Von Burton made a layup, and then Brunson Jr. knocked down one of two free throws as Keenan led 16-11 at the end of first quarter.
“I’m pretty sure they didn’t notice him in the scouting report because he hasn’t done anything the last five games,” Keenan head coach Zach Norris said of Brunson Jr. “Earlier in the season he was averaging about 13 points. For him to come out, that gave us a big lift because we knew Sumpter, Anderson, and Antoine Caughman were going to score some baskets. That’s what they do. For him to have a good game that’s a real blessing for us.”
Keenan’s Malik Brunson Jr. battles Powdersville’s Kaden Whitmer and Colton Kreger to get to the hoop.
A free throw from Burton closed the gap to four. The Raiders then got a layup and a floater from Sumpter and two free throws and an “and 1” from Caughman Jr. as Keenan led 25-16. Burton answered with a free throw and a jumper, while Colton Kreger made one of two free throws as the Patriots trailed 25-20 at halftime.
The Raiders got nine of the first 11 points in the third quarter to increase their lead to 34-22. Brunson Jr., McNeil, Sumpter, and Caughman Jr. scored during the run. Burton got an “and 1” and a layup. Quan Burton got an “and 1” as Powdersville trimmed the deficit to 36-32. Keenan ended the quarter scoring six of the final eight points to lead 42-34. Caughman and Marcus Simmons Jr. got points for the Raiders.
Keenan’s Brian Sumpter soars to the basket over Powdersville’s Jaleel McGee.
The Patriots rallied in the fourth quarter going on an 8-2 run to come within 44-42. Kreger and Jaleel McGee scored for Powdersville. McNeil then came up with two big layups to put Keenan ahead 48-42. A jumper and two free throws from Quan Burton closed the gap back to two. Then it was up to Keenan’s ability to hit free throws. Caughman Jr., McNeil, and Broderick Anderson Jr. all connected from the charity stripe to increase the Raiders’ lead to 53-46. The Patriots made one final push as Quan Burton hit two jumpers and McGee made a free throw and a layup as Powdersville trailed 57-53. That was as close as the Patriots would get. Caughman Jr. made one final free throw to set the final score.
“We’ve been there and done that throughout the season and everything,” Norris said. “We practice on those situations. They don’t really lose their composure. They’ll make a turnover, and they’ll feel down about it. I tell them to get the ball back. Who cares about the turnover if we can get it back? They are a good group of young men. They stay together and they just love each other.”
Keenan’s Nyheim McNeil glides inside for a layup against Powdersville’s Micah Williams.
Keenan finishes the season with a 22-8 record. Norris also collects his eighth state championship.
“This one means a lot,” Norris said. “I’ve got to buy another ring case and everything. It’s just a blessing and especially good for my seniors. We’re a family. They love everything about Keenan basketball. You can ask any one of them what they bleed and it’s blue and gold.”
Keenan: Antoine Caughman Jr. 17 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals; Nyheim McNeil 15 points and four rebounds; Brian Sumpter ten points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and one steal; Malik Brunson Jr. nine points and three rebounds; Broderick Anderson Jr. four points, seven rebounds, two steals, and one block; and Marcus Simmons Jr. three points, three rebounds, two assists, one block, and one steal.
Keenan’s Broderick Anderson Jr. runs the floor against Powdersville.
Powdersville: Von Burton 19 points, two rebounds, five steals, one assist, and one block; Jaleel McGee 15 points, eight rebounds, five steals, one assist, and one block; Quan Burton 13 points, two rebounds, and four steals; Colton Kreger four points, four rebounds, five steals, two assists, and one block; Micah Williams two points, one rebound, and one assist.
Keenan’s Antoine Caughman Jr. knocks down a jumper over Powdersville’s Von Burton.
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