5A D1 state championship: Birdville’s comeback falls short vs. West Brook in overtime classic
To start the third quarter of the Class 5A Division 1 state championship, Beaumont West Brook completed a 13-0 run and took an 18-point lead over Birdville.
Having gone the last six minutes without a field goal, the Hawks had their work cut out for them. But just as quick as they fell behind, Birdville erased the deficit and eventually forced overtime.
The magical comeback was nearly complete, but in the final moments, the Hawks ran out of steam. West Brook outscored Birdville 7-1 in overtime to secure a 63-57 victory on Saturday, March 8 at the Alamodome.
“I’m just very thankful and fortunate to be able to coach these young men,” Birdville coach Anthony Holman said. “ ... (West Brook) is a really, really good team. No doubt about it.”
With the win, West Brook (38-2), No. 4 in the state in Class 5A according to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches, secured its first boys basketball championship in program history. Junior Elijah Garrett, the game’s MVP, led the Bruins with 26 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Birdville has a motto they’ve used throughout the 2024-25 season: Always us. The idea involves that selflessness and unity can power the Hawks to success, and it almost did in the state title game. Holman said the team effort helped power the comeback.
“And for a second, it was almost our night,” Holman said. “They did everything they needed to win that game. The coach fell short to that.”
After West Brook completed its 13-0 third quarter run, back-to-back field goals from junior Avery Webb regained the momentum; it sparked Birdville’s offense, and the Hawks cut West Brook’s lead from 18 points to seven.
“(The comeback) is a testament to the type of team (Birdville) has been all year long,” Holman said. “We’ve faced adversity in several playoff games. Several games this season. And these guys just keep fighting. We keep punching. And I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Although a costly shooting foul on a three-pointer extended West Brook’s lead to double digits, the Hawks bounced back at the start of the fourth quarter with a 9-0 run to reach striking distance.
A three-pointer from junior Sawyer Dawson tied the game, officially erasing the 18-point deficit.
No. 25 Birdville (35-4) took the lead with another three-pointer from Dotson — this time, it was in transition.
“The effort is incredible — these kids don’t quit,” Holman said. “No lead is safe because of the way they can shoot it. But more so because of the effort they put in and how much they love each other. You can see it.”
West Brook responded with a 4-0 run. In the final moments, Birdville needed a field goal. Junior Avery Webb, in isolation, took things into his own hands and drove right at the West Brook defense for a game-tying layup to force overtime.
Birdville was held to zero field goals in overtime, and West Brook reclaimed and held its lead. Dotson, a crucial force in the comeback, missed four of five free throws in overtime. He finished with 25 points on 8 of 14 shooting and five rebounds.
“We wouldn’t be here without (Dotson),” Holman said. “Every shot that he takes, I think it’s going in. It doesn’t matter where its from. I want him to have the basketball in his hands at times when we need it.”
In its first state tournament appearance, Birdville was looking to win Birdville ISD’s first boys’ basketball state championship. The season is undoubtedly the best in program and school district history.
“I hope, I pray that they remember the good times,” Holman said. “I pray that they don’t look back at this season and think about what they’re feeling right now. Because eventually, that needs to turn into a celebration of everything they’ve accomplished.”
This story was originally published March 8, 2025 at 3:50 PM.
.jpg)