Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
County Line hopes for longer playoff run
BRANCH — Gage Gattis didn’t miss many County Line games growing up as he watched his two older brothers play basketball.
“Both of my brothers, Trent and Justin, have gone through this program from seventh to 12th grade,” Gattis said. “They were both exceptional basketball players. Watching them growing up, I was at every game, and I couldn’t wait to be in that position.”
The senior guard has made the most of the opportunity, starting since he was a sophomore for the Indians, who have won at least 30 games in each of the past three seasons. Gattis again has been a big part of the success, averaging 14 points a game this year.
County Line coach Joe Brunson knew it would be another special year with County Line returning plenty of talent from last year’s team, which made it to the quarterfinals of the Class 1A state tournament.
Seniors Gattis, Evan Johnston and Braden Bateman along with juniors
Pacyn Reames, Zack Franklin and Tyler Young have all played key roles for the Indians (32-3). County Line lost in the finals of the 1A-1 West Conference tournament to Scranton on Friday and will be the No. 2 seed in this week’s Class 1A Region 4 tournament in Dierks starting Wednesday.
“One thing that has set this team apart is how balanced we are,” Brunson said. “We have six different guys who can score the ball well. As an opponent, it makes it tough to slow down them all. We have options.”
County Line’s senior class feels like they’ve accomplished a lot together. But heading into postseason play, one goal still has alluded them — a state championship.
“It’s been our last go around for everything we do,” said Johnston, who is averaging 12 points per game. “We’ve achieved a lot since we got here. But it’s gotten to the point where we really want to win the state tournament. That’s what it’s been about.”
Bateman worked his way back from an injury in the last half of the season but never got fully healthy for the stretch run a season ago. He now is looking to be there for his teammates when they need him most.
“We’ve looked forward to this opportunity for a long time now,” Bateman said. “I’m ready to make a run at this now that I’m healthy. We want to win this really bad. We’ve had some shots at it.”
Reames, the team’s leading scorer with 16 points per game, said he wants to send this senior class off with another strong playoff push. It has shown as the junior has stepped up his game even after earning all-state honors last season.
“I’ve been playing with those guys since little league,” Reames said. “We’ve been good friends from the start. Gage is my cousin. I feel like it’s been a special season for them being seniors. I want to do everything I can to help them go out with a win.”
A quick glance around County Line Gym shows the winning tradition of the athletic programs throughout the years with many banners, including a state title in boys basketball in 1971.
During the last 13 seasons under Brunson, the Indians are averaging about 28 victories a season.
County Line will now enter postseason play looking to make another run at a state title after losing two regular-season games — one at the buzzer and another to a team that made 18 3-pointers.
“I feel like we have been playing really, really well after the Christmas break,” Brunson said. “We have been sharing the basketball like we want. We are playing well at the right time.”