Five-star Rutgers signee
Ace Bailey kept McEachern in the game in the first half as he scored the Indians' first 12 points of the contest before a basket from senior forwad
Nnadozie Onyirimba with 4:45 remaining in the second quarter.
After McEachern took a 22-20 lead late in the second quarter, the Rams responded with a 6-0 run to close the first half highlighted by back-to-back putback slams from junior forward and University of Georgia pledge Wilkins.
No. 11 Grayson captures program's first state title led by 14 points and 12 rebounds from top 30 Georgia commit Jacob Wilkins. (Photo: Corey Jones)
Grayson (30-2) scored the first six points of the second half to extend the lead to 32-22 with a 12-0 run that stretched from the end of the second into the third quarter. They maintained their lead into the fourth quarter as they held onto a 40-30 advantage at the end of the third quarter.
After the teams traded a few baskets to open the fourth quarter, a 3-pointer from
Jayden Bynes with 2:17 remaining cut the McEachern deficit to 46-39.
A pair of free throws from senior guard
Jaye Nash cut the lead to 47-41 on the other end, another putback slam from Wilkins with just over one minute remaining secured the victory for the Rams.
Grayson held Bailey to 18 points and six rebounds in the title game, including just four points in the second half. He shot 8 of 20 from the field.
Top 100 Purdue signee
Gicarri Harris chipped in nine points and five rebounds in the victory and Western Carolina commit
C.J. Hyland contributed eight points, nine rebounds and three assists.
Grayson also won the previous meeting between the two teams 79-62 on Nov. 11.
