Keith High’s defense was the difference in its 41-40 win over Selma High to win the Dallas County Schools Basketball Tournament on Saturday at Wallace Community College-Selma.

Selma had four chances to win the game in the final 30 seconds, but Keith’s defense denied all shot attempts and the Bears held on.

Tournament MVP Arayvion Jones had nine points and 12 rebounds to lead Keith’s defensive effort. Mark Young led Keith with 11 points.

Selma High led most of the way, leading 16-15 after one quarter and 26-23 at halftime. Keith rallied to tie the game at 35-35 after three quarters.

“Winning this tournament means a lot,” Bears coach Clifton Reeves said. “I said before the tournament, records can be thrown out. We wanted to keep the game low scoring and make it a dogfight. We hang our hat on defense.”

“It feels great to win this tournament,” Jones said. “Last year, we were beaten in the first round. It means a lot to beat Selma.”

Tyshawn Garner led the Saints (10-7) with nine points.

Southside won last year’s tournament.

Jones, Garner, Victor Milhouse Jr. of Keith, Selma’s Jarvis Moss, Kendall Thomas of Dallas County made the all-tournament team.

Selma girls 54, Southside 40: Tashari Grimes scored 21 points and made four assists as the Lady Saints repeated as tournament champions.

Aaliyah Hatcher scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while girls’ tournament MVP Rodericka Parker had 10 points and five assists. Selma (11-6) has now won 10 straight games.

“We’ve been on a roll since the Thanksgiving holidays,” Selma girls coach Anthony Harris said. “The girls understand what we’re doing.”

Kylie Brown led Southside with 14 points and 18 rebounds. Tamerya Snow had 12 points.

Joining Parker and Grimes on the girls’ all-tournament were Brown, Southside’s Christina Watts, J’Kiera Peterson of Dallas County and Keith’s Jakyra Simmons.