East Panhandle Times

After a challenging season, the Spring Mills Cardinals emerged as the 2025 WVSSAC Boys Basketball AAAA State Champions. The team secured their first title in program history by defeating the George Washington Patriots with a score of 41-38.

Spring Mills entered the state tournament as the top seed, while George Washington held the third seed. Interim head coach Shannon Layton expressed pride in his team's efforts, stating, "These guys work so hard all year and I’m extremely proud of them." Layton took over coaching duties after head coach Luke Samples was placed on administrative leave in February.

Layton noted that they anticipated a close game, saying, "The coaches have been telling them all week: ‘This game is not going to be a runaway’. We knew it was going to come down to the last shot and it definitely did and these guys were prepared for it."

The championship match was closely contested until the final moments. With only one point separating the teams and 12 seconds left on the clock, Spring Mills senior Caleb Thomas made two crucial free throws to secure victory. Junior Akwasi Opoku-Achampong then forced a turnover and maintained possession until time expired.

Thomas, Opoku-Achampong, and teammate Loakkhae Uth-Smith were named to the AAAA All-Tournament Team for their performances. Thomas also received recognition as the Most Valuable Player of the tournament after leading all scorers with 15 points alongside seven rebounds, four turnovers, six blocks, and two steals.

Reflecting on their win, Thomas shared his excitement: "It’s an unbelievable feeling," adding that achieving this victory for their community felt rewarding. He credited their success to strong team unity despite facing adversity throughout the season: "We’re like a family."

In terms of performance statistics during their title-winning game against George Washington: Spring Mills completed 43% of field goal attempts (15-35), 17% from three-point range (2-12), and converted 82% at free throw line (9-11). Meanwhile, George Washington finished with similar numbers; completing 44% field goals (15-34), making three out-of-eight three-pointers (38%), but struggled more at foul line converting only five out-of-nine attempts (56%).

Despite being limited offensively by opponents’ strategy—holding them down significantly below average scoring levels seen previously—the Cardinals displayed solid defense throughout entire matchup keeping opponents similarly constrained within low-scoring quarters each period ultimately leading towards final outcome favorably decided upon end buzzer sounding off declaring victorious celebration ensuing thereafter marking culmination remarkable journey undertaken across long arduous campaign now finally realized dream come true momentous occasion cherished forevermore amongst everyone involved directly indirectly alike witness historic achievement unfold before eyes witnessing triumph unfold hands players teammates coaches supporters community collectively rejoicing shared accomplishment proudly commemorated moving forward future endeavors awaiting ahead unknown horizons beckoning next challenges await new chapters written yet unwritten stories told untold continuing legacy established 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