TSSAA boys basketball state tournament: Independence vs. Cookeville

Cookeville's guard Jalen Heard (0) reacts to losing to Independence in the TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Independence's forward Davis Clarkson holds the the Class 4A TSSAA Boys Basketball State Championship trophy and celebrates with the crowd after beating Cookeville in the TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Independence's forward Korben Walling (24) celebrates with Independence's guard Bradley Stewart (3) and other teammates after defeating Cookeville in the TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville's Jack Oakley (10) walks off the court as Independence wins the TSSAA Boys Class 4A Championship between Independence and Cookeville inside Murphy Center, Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Independence's guard Dawsyn Miller (10) holds the the Class 4A TSSAA Boys Basketball State Championship trophy as the fans reach down to touch it after they beat Cookeville during the TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Independence fans celebrates with the players as the Eagles win the TSSAA Boys Class 4A Championship between Independence and Cookeville inside Murphy Center, Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Independence players celebrates their Championship win with their fans and their Class 4A TSSAA Boys Basketball State Championship trophy after beating Cookeville in the TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game , on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Independence's head boys coach Mark Wilkins comes onto the court to greet players during a timeout in the TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game against Cookeville, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Independence's guard Tylan Lewis (5) and Independence's forward Jaxson Koch (14) celebrate theTSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship win over Cookeville with the fans after the game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Independence's Tylan Lewis (5), Jett Montgomery (1), and Korben Walling (24) celebrate after their 53-41 win against Cookeville in an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Independence players hold up the the Class 4A TSSAA Boys Basketball State Championship trophy after beating Cookeville in the TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Independence's Payton Gordon (11) and Jett Montgomery (1) celebrate the team’s 53-41 win against Cookeville in an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Independence won 53-41.

Independence's Korben Walling, left, and Jett Montgomery celebrate after defeating Cookeville 53-44 in an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Independence's Jett Montgomery (1) celebrates after the team’s win 53-44 against Cookeville in an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Independence's Jett Montgomery (1) Brayden Buck hugs after the team’s 53-44 win against Cookeville in an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Independence players celebrate after their win against Cookeville in an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Independence's Davis Clarkson (0) carries the trophy as he celebrates the team’s win against Cookeville during the first half of an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Independence's Jett Montgomery (1) and Tylan Lewis (5) celebrate after defeating Cookeville 53-44 in an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Cookeville's guard Bennett Reeves (11) tries to steal the ball away from Independence's guard Tylan Lewis (5) during the TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville's forward Josh Heard (5) goes up for a shot as Independence's guard Tylan Lewis (5) guards him during a TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Independence's Dawsyn Miller (10) passes the ball around Cookeville's Josh Heard (5) during the second half of an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Independence won 53-41.

Independence's guard Tylan Lewis (5) tries to control the ball as Cookeville's forward Joseph Owens (3) looks on after falling during a TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Independence's Jett Montgomery (1) takes the ball to the basket between Cookeville's Colin Ayers (1) and Jaren Davis (12) during the second half of an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Independence won 53-41.

Cookeville's guard Bennett Reeves (11) and Independence's guard Jett Montgomery (1) get tripped up during a TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

The biggest crowd on Championship Day of the TSSAA boys State Tournament was during the TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game between Cookeville and Independence, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville's guard Colin Ayers (1) shoots the ball as Independence's center Houston Hicks (34) guards him during a TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville's guard Colin Ayers (1) goes for a 3 pointer as Independence's guard Tylan Lewis (5) guards him ad Independence's forward Brayden Buck (30) looks on during a TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville's guard Jack Oakley (10) moves the ball around the court as Independence's guard Jett Montgomery (1) guards him during a TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville's forward Joseph Owens (3) drives to the basket during the TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game against Independence, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville's forward Josh Heard (5) tries to steal the ball away as Independence's guard Tylan Lewis (5) passes the ball during the TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville's guard Jalen Heard (0) drives to the basket as Independence's guard Jett Montgomery (1) covers him during a TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville's head boys coach Josh Heard on the sidelines during a break in the TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game against Independence, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville fans show support to the team as they play against Independence during a TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville's forward Josh Heard (5) shoots a 3 pointer as Independence's guard Dawsyn Miller (10) guards him during a TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville's forward Josh Heard (5) drives to the basket between Independence's guard Jett Montgomery (1) and Independence's forward Brayden Buck (30) during a TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville fans show support to the team as they play against Independence during a TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Independence's guard Jett Montgomery (1) passes the ball as Cookeville's guard Colin Ayers (1) and Cookeville's guard Bennett Reeves (11) both guard him during the TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville's forward Josh Heard (5) goes up for a basket as Independence's forward Brayden Buck (30) guards him during the TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

The Cookeville student section cheers on Cookeville during the TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game against Independence, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville's head boys coach Josh Heard on the sidelines during the TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game against Independence, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville's guard Jalen Heard (0) looks to passes the ball as Independence's guard Dawsyn Miller (10) guards him during a TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Independence's Tylan Lewis (5) drives to the basket against Cookeville's Jaren Davis, left, and Josh Heard (5) during the second half of an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Independence won 53-41.

Independence players react after a basket against Cookeville during the second half of an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Independence won 53-41.

Independence's Tylan Lewis (5) goes to the basket against Cookeville's Colin Ayers (1) and Josh Heard (5) during the second half of an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Independence won 53-41.

Independence's Korben Walling (24) reacts after making a defensive play against Cookeville during the second half of an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Independence won 53-41.

Independence's Houston Hicks (34) reacts after scoring against Cookeville during the second half of an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Independence won 53-41.

Cookeville's forward Josh Heard (5) goes up for a shot as Independence's forward Korben Walling (24) steals the ball away during a TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Independence's Tylan Lewis (5) and Cookeville's Colin Ayers (1) reach for the ball during the second half of an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Independence won 53-41.

Independence's guard Jett Montgomery (1) and Independence's guard Dawsyn Miller (10) celebrate their win over Cookeville in the final moments of the game in the TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville's guard Jaren Davis (12) goes up for a shot a Independence's center Houston Hicks (34) guards him during a TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville's guard Bennett Reeves (11) and Independence's guard Jett Montgomery (1) get tripped up during a TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville's guard Jalen Heard (0) goes up for a shot as Independence's guard Dawsyn Miller (10) guards him during a TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville's guard Bennett Reeves (11) shoots the ball as Independence's center Houston Hicks (34) guards him during a TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Independence's forward Korben Walling (24) grabs a rebound under Cookeville’s basket as Cookeville's guard Jaren Davis (12) and Cookeville's forward Josh Heard (5) both go after the rebound during a TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville's head boys coach Josh Heard talks to Cookeville's guard Colin Ayers (1), Cookeville's forward Josh Heard (5) and Cookeville's guard Bennett Reeves (11) during a free throw during a TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game against Independence, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville's guard Jack Oakley (10) passes the ball during a TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game against Independence, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Independence's head boys coach Mark Wilkins on the sidelines during a TSSAA high school boys basketball 4A Championship game against Cookeville, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Independence's Korben Walling, left, is fouled by Cookeville's Bennett Reeves (11) during the first half of an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Independence's Jett Montgomery (1) drives to the basket against Cookeville defenders during the first half of an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Independence's Korben Walling (24) and Tylan Lewis (5) reache for a rebound against Cookeville during the first half of an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Cookeville's Bennett Reeves (11) reacts after making a 3-point basket against Independence during the first half of an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Cookeville's Bennett Reeves (11) reacts after making a 3-point basket against Independence during the first half of an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Independence's Tylan Lewis, left, and Cookeville's Bennett Reeves (11) battle for the ball during the first half of an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Independence's Jett Montgomery (1) drives past Cookeville's Colin Ayers (1) during the first half of an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Independence's Jett Montgomery, left, and Independence's Houston Hicks (34) stop Cookeville's Jaren Davis (12) from scoring during the first half of an TSSAA 4A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Cookeville's Bennett Reeves (11) attempts to layup as Independence's Houston Hicks (34) defends during the TSSAA Boys Class 4A Championship match between Independence and Cookeville inside Murphy Center, Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville's Jalen Heard (0) attempts to shoot during the TSSAA Boys Class 4A Championship match between Independence and Cookeville inside Murphy Center, Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville fans cheer as the Cavs tie the game, forcing Independence to call a timeout during the TSSAA Boys Class 4A Championship match between Independence and Cookeville inside Murphy Center, Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville's Colin Ayers (1) reacts as his errant pass leads to a Cavs turnover during the TSSAA Boys Class 4A Championship match between Independence and Cookeville inside Murphy Center, Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville's Colin Ayers (1) attempts to shoot as Independence's Tylan Lewis (5) guards closely during the TSSAA Boys Class 4A Championship match between Independence and Cookeville inside Murphy Center, Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Independence's Houston Hicks (34) celebrates as his three point shot puts the Eagles up seven with two minutes left on the clock during the TSSAA Boys Class 4A Championship match between Independence and Cookeville inside Murphy Center, Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Cookeville fans jeer the refs as Independence is awarded possession during the TSSAA Boys Class 4A Championship match between Independence and Cookeville inside Murphy Center, Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Saturday, March 16, 2024.