After a valiant second-half rally, the Cole boys basketball team saw a late lead slip away in a 53-51 loss to Dallas Madison in the UIL Class 3A State championship game on Saturday morning.

After Thursday's victory over Hitchcock in the state semifinals, the Cole boys basketball team will square off against Dallas Madison for the UIL Class 3A state title on Saturday morning.

Seniors Trey Blackmore, Dre Ray and Silas Livingston powered the Cole boys basketball team to a 53-49 victory over Hitchcock in the UIL Class 3A state semifinals, clinching a spot in Saturday's championship game.

On the exact anniversary of the 2020 University Interscholastic League (UIL) state tournament’s cancellation due to COVID-19, the Cougars used a third-quarter surge to knock off Tatum in the Class 3A State Championship Game at the Alamodome, 77-60. Trailing 9-7 after one quarter of play, Cole found some separation in the second quarter. Cole then outscored Tatum 31-12 in the third quarter, providing all the separation they would need to cruise to the title. Congrats to Cole High School on winning the Class 3A boys state basketball title! #KSATsports @RGC_BBasketball @SHAQ https://t.co/FGNKcY3yAK pic.twitter.com/GylwsuZHII — KSAT 12 Sports (@InstantReplaySA) March 13, 2021This is the program’s first state championship since Shaquille O’Neal led the Cougars to the Class 3A title in 1989.

“It feels great,” Blackmore said. “We’re going back to the championship game, and we actually get to play it this year. I love how we can come through in a tight game like this against a great team. “You never know if you’re going to get back to state or if you’re ever going to have a chance to get back to a state championship. They think they’re going to win every game.”The Cougars will return to the Alamodome on Friday, March 12 to take on Tatum in the UIL Class 3A State Championship Game.

SAN ANTONIO – A year after their championship game was canceled due to the burgeoning COVID-19 pandemic, the Cole boys basketball team rolled past Santa Rosa in the Class 3A Regional Final and clinched the program’s third straight trip to the UIL State Tournament.

Andrew has covered athletics of all levels for more than five years and is dedicated to shining a spotlight on local San Antonio athletes and their stories.