The Huntington Hounds saw their dream season derailed Saturday night by relentless defense from the West Memphis Christian Golden Knights in a 60-44 state championship game loss.

Only five players from Huntington (32-4) got in the scoring column, and only Antonio Jordan scored in double figures, with 20.

Austin Hudson and LaTony Sims led the Golden Knights (36-3) with 18 and 17 points, respectively.

Huntington head coach David Boydstun said West Memphis was simply too fast on the defensive end.

“There was too much quickness on the defensive end,” Boydstun said. “I talked and talked about penetrating and making things happen, but we weren’t able to do it. They wouldn’t let us get inside and we never could.”

West Memphis coach Mark Lay, who helped the school win its first state championship, said defense has been the name of his team’s game all season.

“That’s what we’ve lived on all year is defense,” Lay said. “Our offense is spurred by our defensive pressure.”

The Hounds led early and pushed the lead to as many as six late in the second quarter, but an 11-2 run gave the Golden Knights a 26-23 lead, and they went into halftime leading 30-27.

The third quarter saw Huntington have several opportunities to get back in the game, but they could get no closer than three points.

West Memphis stepped up its defensive pressure in the second half, allowing Huntington only 11 points in the third and only six in the fourth.

The Hounds were hampered early by Ricky Dunbar getting in foul trouble. He scored six points before fouling out.

While the season came to a disappointing end, Boydstun said he was proud of his team’s performance.

“I can’t be anything but pleased,” Boydstun said. “We made it to state and then made it to the finals. Just to have the opportunity to be a state champion is something to be proud of. It’s a good feeling.”