“I tell you, it’s been a while for Curtis Baptist School, and we’re just so excited for these young men,” Curtis Baptist head coach John Spurlock said of the program’s first state title since the 1996-97 season. “It’s an honor and something they can take away for the rest of their lives.”

Curtis Baptist turned the ball over eight times in the first quarter, but was 4 of 7 on 3-point attempts and finished the quarter on a 15-3 run to take an eight-point lead. The Crusaders knocked down eight 3-pointers in the contest.

“I think our 3-point shooting helped to get some of the pressure off us that Dawson was causing in the first quarter,” Spurlock said. “We had several boys that were able to knock a couple down, and it just got us rolling.”

The second quarter was a back-and-forth affair that saw the Crusaders extend their lead to 29-20 at the half behind 15 first-half points from senior guard Brian Wilson. He finished with a game-high 20.

Curtis Baptist junior Micah Ryals knocked down four 3-pointers and put the game away with a pair on back-to-back possessions at the end of the third quarter that gave the Crusaders a 17-point lead.

Dawson Street was appearing in its third consecutive championship game after winning it all a year ago. The Wildcats’ season concludes at 23-11, while Curtis finishes its campaign at 24-9.