Title game closes Monk's odyssey

HOT SPRINGS -- Cabot Coach Jerry Bridges has coached against several Arkansas high school stars who went on to play in the NBA, Corliss Williamson and Joe Johnson among them.

Bentonville guard Malik Monk is the latest phenom he's seen in his coaching career, which includes two state championships at Caddo Hills (1990) and Morrilton (1991).

"I've had the opportunity to coach against all of those players," Bridges said. "I think at this stage of his career, he's more talented and more explosive than what they were.

"Is he going to be a better pro than Joe Johnson and Corliss Williamson? I don't know that yet."

Before Monk has the opportunity to reach the professional level, the University of Kentucky signee will play in his final high school basketball game at 8:45 p.m. today against Cabot in the Class 7A boys state championship at Bank of the Ozarks Arena.

Monk has led the Tigers (20-8) to their second consecutive Class 7A state championship game. The Tigers beat West Memphis and Van Buren in the 7A state tournament in Cabot last week. His three-pointer with 1:13 remaining in overtime gave Bentonville a 57-54 lead against Van Buren, and the Tigers never relinquished it. Monk finished with 33 points.

"As soon as we got the victory, I've been focused on Cabot," Monk said. "It's been a focused week for everybody."

Monk is averaging 28.6 points per game this season for Bentonville. He has four 40-point games and scored a career-high 53 points against Arlington, Tenn., on Dec. 11.

The Tigers' supporting cast, which features senior guard Jordan Hemphill and sophomore forward Asa Hutchinson, has been solid all season long, but Monk leads the charge.

"They're more than just Malik Monk," Bridges said, "but he is all that."

Monk was one of the most highly recruited basketball players in the country the past two years. Monk said when he signed with Kentucky on Nov. 18 over Arkansas, Kansas and North Carolina, the decision took a lot of pressure off of him.

"I didn't have to worry about fans asking me where I was going to go," Monk said. "I didn't have to worry about other people telling me where I was going to go."

Monk's college decision also made Bentonville Coach Jason McMahan's job easier.

"It removed the busyness of the recruiting process," McMahan said. "It was constant. Every time you'd go to Chick-fil-A and be asked five or six times, 'Where do you think Malik is going to go?' or Malik would be asked, 'Where are you going?' Even for myself, I enjoy not being asked that question all the time. I know he does."

Bentonville has traveled around the country this year, playing in five states (Arkansas, Missouri, California, Tennessee and Massachusetts). McMahan called the experience fun for his team.

"It's broadened our horizons on what the best in the nation looks like," McMahan said. "We know what the best in California looks like, the best in Massachusetts looks like. It's been the experience of a lifetime."

Monk hopes the third time is a charm for him in a state championship game.

He was a freshman for East Poinsett County in 2013 when the Warriors lost to Cedar Ridge in the Class 2A state final at Barton Coliseum in Little Rock. Bentonville lost to North Little Rock last March in the 7A final in front of a standing-room-only crowd of more than 6,500 at Bank of the Ozarks Arena. Winning a state championship in his final high school season is a goal Monk has had on his mind since that loss.

"It would be tremendous," Monk said. "I haven't won one. Bentonville hasn't won one. To win my first one and Bentonville's first, it would be great for me and the city of Bentonville."

Sports on 03/11/2016