Date: February 1, 2025
Location: Gueydan High School, Gueydan, Louisiana
Tip-Off: 2:00 PM CST
Live Coverage: usnbl.com
GUEYDAN, LOUISIANA – The stage is set for the National Basketball League-United States (NBL-US) Championship Game, as the undefeated Gueydan Flying Ducks take on the Baytown Bobcats in what promises to be an electrifying showdown at Gueydan High School. This highly anticipated matchup will determine the next NBL-US champion, with both teams bringing compelling storylines and elite talent to the court.
A Rematch with Championship Stakes
The last time these two teams met, it was a battle until the closing minutes. The Flying Ducks, facing an eight-point deficit with four minutes remaining, showcased their resilience and dominance by closing out the game on a 20-4 run, securing a 72-60 victory. Gage Marshall delivered a standout performance, while Jacorey Harrell led the defensive charge, making key stops down the stretch to seal the win.
Baytown enters the championship game riding a wave of momentum. After a Quarterfinals victory over the Huntsville Dawgs, the Bobcats pulled off a stunning upset over the heavily favored Cypress Venom, punching their ticket to the first championship appearance in franchise history. This marks a defining moment for a team that has battled for five seasons in the NBL-US, now finally reaching the league’s biggest stage.
The Gueydan Flying Ducks, an expansion team in their inaugural season, are led by five-time NBL-US champion and two-time Coach of the Year (2020, 2022) Kevin Williams Sr. Williams, who retired after winning the 2024 championship with HBCU Movement as an assistant coach, made his return to the sidelines for one reason: to bring a championship to his family’s hometown of Gueydan, Louisiana.
“Coaching the Gueydan Flying Ducks has been a dream come true,” said Kevin Williams Sr. “To be able to bring professional basketball to this town, to lead a team in front of my family, friends, and the people of Gueydan-this means everything to me. We’ve been undefeated all season, but that won’t matter if we don’t finish the job. Baytown is a battle-tested team that has fought their way here, and we expect a war on the court. But we’re ready. We’ve prepared for this moment, and I trust my guys to leave everything out there and bring this championship home.”
For Baytown Bobcats’ first-year head coach, Des’Rick “Dee” Payne, this championship game represents an incredible accomplishment. At just 19 years old, Payne is making history in his first season as an NBL-US coach, proving he belongs among the league’s top strategists. His leadership has propelled Baytown to its first-ever championship game appearance, and he believes his team is ready for the challenge.
“This is an unbelievable moment for me and for the Baytown Bobcats,” said Dee Payne. “To be in the championship game in my first season as head coach is a blessing, but we’re not just happy to be here-we came to win. We’ve overcome adversity all season, and we’ve proven that we can compete with anyone. Gueydan is an outstanding team, but we’re prepared to give everything we have to bring the title home to Baytown. My guys have worked too hard to stop now.”
With Gueydan looking to complete an undefeated season and Baytown seeking its first-ever championship, this game has all the ingredients of a classic. The intensity, the stakes, and the history-making potential make this a must-watch event for basketball fans.
Fans can catch all the action live at 2:00 PM CST on usnbl.com, with full championship coverage, analysis, and post-game reactions.