By Joseph W. Gex II/Sports Writer

Jackson — The Saint Stanislaus College Rock-A-Chaws returned to the Big House in Jackson for the first time in 15 years and came home with their second state basketball championship, following a 49-36 victory against the Quitman Panthers Saturday afternoon.

The last time SSC (31-4) played in the state tournament and title game, Rocks head coach Daniel Grieves was an All-State player for the team.

Grieves commented, “We tried to produce all the scenarios that we would face in the game tonight in practice the last few days. We didn’t transition from zone defense to man defense as fast as I would like. Quitman is extremely well coached, long, and athletic. They posed tremendous challenges for us throughout the game. We have worked hard all season long and prepared ourselves to make a run in the postseason. I am extremely proud of the players and how they have responded to adversity all season long. As of 17 minutes ago, we are the defending Class 3A state champion. Now, we are working to defend that title.”

The Rocks went on an 8-0 run to start the game with Max Baria, Rafael Cohen, and Alan Gilliam all sinking baskets and Baria making two free throws as part of the run.

Zarius Dear stopped the run for Quitman hitting layup at the 4:04 mark of the first period to make the score 8-2.

The Panthers cut the lead to 13-10 as Ethan Nicholson sank two charity shots with 56 seconds left. 

The Rocks went on a 5-2 run highlighted by a long ball from Cohen and a twisting layup at the buzzer to give SSC an 18-12 lead. 

In the second period, the Rocks were able to keep the distance from Quitman and held a 32-22 lead at intermission.

The Rocks started slow in the third period as Quitman managed a 6-2 run to start the second half. However, the Rocks pushed hard at the end of the period highlighted by Baria’s consecutive dunks as SSC enjoyed a 44-32 lead. Cohen made a spinning reverse layup to close the period for SSC. 

There was not much offense in the final period as the Rocks outscored Quitman 5-4 to make the final score 49-36. Cohen dribbled out the final minute until the clock hit all zeroes.

Grieves added, “Rafael Cohen continued what he has done all year long. He got stronger as the season progressed. That does not usually happen. He prepared his body for this run. Max Baria has been the backbone of this team for five years now. He delivers so many intangibles that do not show in a box score. I did not think about winning a title as a player and as a coach. I simply wanted these guys to have the same experience that I had as a player.”

Rafael Cohen was named the Player of the Game following the ending of the game. Cohen stated, “I am so very excited for this team and my school. I want to thank my teammates, coaches, teachers, and the student body for the support they have shown us all season long. We have worked so hard to get to this point. One year one ring, two years two rings.”

Max Baria was named the Scholar Athlete for the Rocks prior to the game. Baria commented, “This is tremendous. A group of guys working equally as hard each and every day driven by one goal. There is not another group of guys that I wanted to do this with than my teammates. They have been there every step of the way and we would not be as successful as we are without the dedication of each member of the team and being led by a tremendous group of coaches who knows the value of each member of this team. We are not proud of ourselves, we are proud of each other.”

The Panthers were led by Ethan Nicholson with 14 points. SSC was paced by Rafael Cohen with 22 points and 5 rebounds while Max Baria chipped in 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 blocks.