Martin’s Mill set for 7th state semifinal appearance

Published 11:09 am Monday, March 3, 2025

Ryder Marsh (32) and the Martin’s Mill Mustangs will face Goldthwaite in the Class 2A Division 2 semifinals at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at China Spring High School. (Michel Alfaro/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

It’s state semifinal time for high school boys basketball in Texas.

Martin’s Mill is in the state semifinals for the seventh time in program history and the first time since 2020. The Mustangs won a state title in 1949. In 2020, none of the Class 2A state games were unable to be played due to COVID-19.

No. 1 Martin’s Mill (34-1) will face Goldthwaite (26-6) in the Class 2A Division 2 semifinals at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at China Spring High School.

Goldthwaite is in the state semifinals for the first time in program history.

Martin’s Mill advanced with a 53-44 win over Grapeland in double overtime. Goldthwaite took a 56-55 win over Mumford.



The winner will advance to face either No. 5 New Home (31-5) or No. 2 Lipan (33-4) in the Class 2A Division 2 championship at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

No. 2 Tatum (29-2) will meet Iowa Park (27-8) in the Class 3A Division 1 semifinals at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Mansfield Lake Ridge High School.

The winner will face either No. 23 Onalaska (33-6) or Columbus (16-2) in the Class 3A Division 1 championship at 1 p.m. Friday at the Alamodome. Columbus features Arizona State football signee Grayson Rigdon, a four-time football state champion who is averaging 34.0 points, 8.5 rebounds 4.2 assists and 4.7 steals per game for the season and averaging 48.75 points per game in the playoffs with games of 50 and 58 points.

Tatum is in the state semifinals for the fifth time and the first time since 2021. The Eagles are looking for their first state championship. Iowa Park is in the state semifinals for the first time.

Other East Texas programs in the state semifinals are Brookeland and Kennard.

No. 4 Brookeland (29-7) was scheduled to meet No. 2 Perrin-Whitt (32-5) in the Class 1A Division 1 semifinals at 7 p.m. Monday at Athens High School. Brookeland is in the state semifinals for the sixth time and the first time since 2000, when it won its lone state title. Perrin-Whitt is in the state semifinals for the first time. The winner advances to face either No. 20 Turkey Valley (33-3) or Garden City (20-15) at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Alamodome.

No. 12 Kennard (29-8) will face Bryson (28-4) in the Class 1A Division 2 semifinals at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Waco Robinson High School. Kennard — a four-time state champion — is in the state semifinals for the sixth time and the first time since 2002. Bryson is in the state semifinals for the first time. The winner advances to face either No. 5 Texline (30-6) or No. 1 Jayton (26-2) at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Alamodome.