TEXARKANA, Ark. - Trinity Christian was recently crowned state champion.
The Warriors defeated Westside Christian, 71-49, over the weekend to win the Class 2A Championship of the Heartland Christian Athletic Association Senior Boys state basketball tournament.
Bryce Evans is in his second season at TCS as head basketball coach.
The Warriors averaged 70.0 point per game, while giving up 50.0 points per game to opponents.
"Going into the season, I knew what upperclassmen I had returning and also the sophomores coming up," Evans said. "I knew how well we played in the Arkansas Activities Association, so when we moved to the Heartland Christian Athletic Association, I had the most confidence in us winning a state championship.
"I'm always very confident in my guys, no matter what conference we're in, I'm always expecting them to win."
Sophomore Zach Graf led the Warriors in scoring averaging 20.0 points per game, senior Zack Franklin added 16.0 points per game and senior Alex Cobb contributed 13.0 points per game for Trinity Christian.
"For me, it's our mindset," Evans said. "That's where everything starts. If I have kids I don't trust and they don't trust me, it's not going to work. Our summer program is not easy.
"From the first day, they're running bleachers and the gym is hot. If they can't make it in the summer, there's no need for them to practice with me in the summertime. If you have the right mindset and work ethic, you'll find a way to get on the court."
Junior CJ Horton, sophomore Brock McGuire, sophomore Marely Franklin, freshman Nate Wall, freshman Micah Pete, freshman Dakota Boswell and freshman Rye Altenbaumer round out of the rest of the Warriors roster.
"I've built these relationships with these guys since 2019 before I started coaching these guys," Evans. "I had to build those relationships, in order for the guys to trust me the way that they do. They know that I have their back, whether it's on the court or off the court.
"We're a small school but we're not afraid of anyone. My guys are going to work extremely hard until the final whistle, no matter who we're playing."