Spring Garden has embraced the 3-point shot.

The top three Panthers shooters have attempted more than 700 long-range bombs, converting 33 percent and leading to a high-scoring offense that averaged more than 70 points a game, including a 101-point outing this season.

Spring Garden stayed the course during Thursday’s AHSAA Class 1A girls state championship, taking 36 shots from behind the arc in its 62-39 win over defending champion Marion County.

“Coach tells us that good shooters shoot so keep on shooting,” said MVP Ace Austin, who scored 33 points. “We just had to keep on shooting until we hit some.”

The 3-point shot was more prevalent in the first half when the Panthers fired 25 long-range shots – 12 of the first 13 shots were 3-pointers – because Marion County was tightly packed in its zone defense.

It wasn’t the prettiest shooting exhibition with the top-ranked Panthers (36-1) making only nine 3-pointers in the game, but coupled with 28 points off 24 Marion County turnovers, it proved enough.

“We turned the ball over too much,” said Marion County coach Sott Veal. “Spring Garden is a really good basketball team. They have a great coach and a great program.”

Spring Garden coach Ricky Austin stresses defense.

“Something we continue to talk about, points off turnovers, were a huge part of the game,” Ricky Austin said. “We were asking for a lot more in the second half. We say defense isn’t over till the ball is in your hands.”

Spring Garden won its eighth championship and appeared in its 11th title game. Seven of the titles have come under Austin.

“We’ve been working for the state championship since the beginning of the year,” Ace Austin said. “We heard it all year that it’s been 700-something days since we’ve been to state. We got tired of hearing about it, so we didn’t want to make it even more days.”

Fifth-ranked Marion County finished the season 20-14.

Star of the Game: Spring Garden’s Ace Austin was named MVP, scoring 33 points on 10-of-21 shooting, 2-of-9 3-pointers and 11-of-14 free throws, adding seven rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Stat sheet: Spring Garden – Kayley Kirk 14 points, 4-of-9 3-pointers; Libby Brown nine points, two steals.

Marion County – Jasmine Wilson 13 points, five rebounds; Leiporshia Lipsey 12 points, four rebounds.

By the numbers: Spring Garden – Shot 19-of-51 (37.3 percent) field goals, 9-of-36 3-pointers, 15-of-23 free throws, 24 rebounds, nine assists, 16 steals.

Marion County – Shot 17-of-33 (51.5 percent) field goals, 2-of-8 3-pointers, 3-of-6 free throws, 30 rebounds, eight assists, two steals.

They said it: “How can you not smile when you just won state? Everyone needs to know what it feels like.” – Spring Garden’s Ace Austin.

“It’s hard not to smile. Feels like I am in a dream.” – Spring Garden lone senior Kayley Kirk.

“I am speechless for words.” – Spring Garden’s Libby Brown.