Eagles State Bound

It's playoff time, and boy has it been a week for the Hearne Eagles. Hearne came through in the clutch as they edged out the Port Aransas Marlins with a 52-47 win on Friday, February 28. 
Dereion Mitchell was his usual stellar self, racking up a double-double with 21 points and 17 boards. He's been on a tear, snagging 12 or more rebounds in his last seven outings. Kellen Bowser also chipped in, nearly grabbing a double-double with nine points and 11 boards. 
Hearne was a force on the offensive glass, hauling in 28 offensive boards. This kind of performance has been par for the course for the team, as they've snagged at least nine offensive rebounds in every game this season. 
In another barnburner, Hearne walked away with a 58-48 win over the Marlin Bulldogs on Monday, March 3. The Eagles have had the Bulldogs' number lately, with this game marking their sixth straight victory against them. 
Leading the charge for Hearne were Dereion Mitchell and Zayden Mercer. Mitchell went 9-for-14, putting up 20 points and eight rebounds, while Mercer tallied seven points, 12 boards, and seven assists. That's the most rebounds Mercer's had since December 2024. Kellen Bowser also made his presence felt, adding seven points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. 
The Eagles are heading to state, poised to continue their winning streak in the playoffs. The Eagles will be escorted to San Antonio for the big matchup tonight, Thursday March 6, by fans, family and the cheer squad who will be Marooning Out at the Alamo Dome. 
Superintendent Johnson had this to say about the experience of sending a third team to a state championship, ""As Superintendent of Hearne ISD for the past eight years, I've had the privilege of witnessing our students achieve remarkable milestones. This marks our third trip to the UIL Basketball State Championship tournament during my tenure -- but this year is truly historic as the first time the Hearne Eagles have advanced to the State Finals. The Hearne Eagles are unstoppable -- that mindset is in our walk, our talk, and everything we do. Our student athletes believe in themselves and each other, and that unwavering confidence is what has carried them to this moment. These young men are learning skills that will benefit them for a lifetime -- teamwork, perseverance, and leadership. This journey is bigger than basketball -- it's an experience that will forever unite our school and community." 
The Eagles will take on the Ravens for the State Championship title and can be streamed for free through many services, including here.