All agree that Saturday’s first-ever girls basketball meeting between Washington and Ben Davis is huge.
“It’s the biggest girls game in the history of Indiana,” said veteran South Bend Tribune sports writer Scott Davidson said.
The game not only will decide the Indiana 4A champion but many believe the 2008-09 mythical national championship as well. Davis is No. 2 in both MaxPreps’ National Guard computer and Xcellent 25 human rankings, while Washington is No. 7 and No. 3, respectively.
Both up-tempo teams are unbeaten, both have squashed foes by more than 30 points per game and both feature multiple Division I talents, including National Player of the Year co-favorite Skylar Diggins, a 5-9 guard from Washington making her fourth straight state-final appearance.
“This one is definitely different,” Diggins said. “This is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
File photo by Jim Redman
Skylar Diggins is a National Player of the Year candidate.
Appropriately, the backdrop for this one is also enormous, so gigantic that it may well play a role in the game’s victor.
Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts, is ridiculously large site of four girls state championship games Saturday, finished off with the 4A game at approximately 8 p.m.
Conseco Fieldhouse, which has hosted the last eight finals, is occupied this weekend by the Big 10 women’s tournament.
Lucas Oil Stadium is a seven-level, 1.8-million square foot monstrosity that holds 63,000 for football games. With some pretty major configuring, Saturday’s state championships will accommodate approximately 17,000.
How many figure to show up for the late show? Indianapolis Star reporter Patrick Dorsey thinks it might just fill up.
“That’s what we’re hearing,” he said.
For a girls basketball game? Indiana is a basketball Mecca for sure, but the boys, like every other state, draw most of the attention.
Diggins said approximately 10,000 have shown for previous girls state championships. The national appeal, and extra seats, makes this a larger draw Davidson said.
“I honestly think those with no connection at all to the two schools or regions will show up for this one,” he said. “It’s that special of a game.”
So how will the team’s handle the extra juice? Davis coach Stan Benge has been a part of numerous huge showdowns over his 24 seasons, that includes 467 wins and two state titles (2000 and 2001), and no one is immune to pre-game jitters.
“The butterflies are natural,” he said. “But once you’re out there, once you get a sweat going and the referees blow a whistle or two, then it doesn’t matter if you’re playing in front of 200 or 20,000.”
Diggins agrees.
“I don’t think I’ll be so much nervous as anxious,” she said. “There’s so much buildup and we’ve had to wait a week, we’re all just anxious to play the game.”
But beyond the nervous is the giant backdrop.
Bigger arenas create a different depth perception which usually equals poor outside shooting. The team that relies on more 3-point shooting will likely be at a disadvantage.
“But both teams can get to the rack,” Davidson said. “And both teams like the up-tempo game. It shouldn’t be a factor.”
Diggins’ game might be affected. She can definitely slash, but her potent 3-point shooting - 55 of 131 (42 percent) - often opens up her drive. How concerned is she with the vastness of the domed Lucas Stadium?
She and both teams will get a one-hour shoot-around Friday but nothing more. Both teams walked around the facility on Monday.
“It’s huge especially with the stands completely empty,” she said. “I’ve never played in a dome before. I’m sure it will be a little different. You just need to focus a little more.”
With at least four Division I players on Davis’ roster, Diggins certainly has no room to be lackadaisical.
The Giants are led by 5-9 Penn State-bound guard Alex Bentley, who scored at 15.6 points per game. Other college-bound players are 5-10 senior forward DeAirra Goss (Western Michigan), 5-11 junior Dee Dee Williams (Purdue) and 5-7 junior Jordan Huber (Ball State).
Sophomore Bria Goss, a 5-9 guard, might end up being better than all of them.
Benge won’t say if this team is better than the previous two Davis state champions, but the Giants do have a chance to become the first 30-win undefeated team in Indiana history.
“I don’t think either of the other teams had as much depth as this one,” he said. “The thing that makes this team so strong is the play good team basketball; they work hard and really enjoy the game.”
How do they plan to stop Diggins?
“We’ll just do our best to contain her and hope nobody else has a big game,” he said.
Giving up just 35 points per game, defense is definitely strength for Davis, which has allowed 29.1 its lasts seven game. The Giants don’t play a 6-footer in their rotation which may be good news for 6-3 Washington post Jasmin Watson (11.5 points, 8.7 rebounds per game).
Staff photo by Jim Redman.
Washington senior Jasmine Watson's post scoring might be key.
Other strong threats for the Panthers, the highest scoring team in the state at 76.4, are 5-11 senior Takoia Larry (12.4 ppg), 5-2 senior Karis Phillips (7.1) and 5-9 senior Rakeesha Lane (6.8).
Everything, however, centers are the Notre Dame-bound Diggins, who averages 29.0 points, 6.4 assists, 6.4 rebounds and 5.6 steals per game.
“The key for Washington is they must attack from the get-go and continue to play no matter what the score,” Davidson said. “It’s virtually a dead-even game but the X-factor is Diggins. No matter how you look at it Washington has the best player on the floor.”
Much of the Panthers’ offensive game is built on steals and transition. Likewise for the Giants.
That, along with all the other fixings, makes this a tantalizing matchup.
“Forget everything else, it should just be a fun game to watch,” Benge said. “Both teams like to fast break. Both teams simply get after it. No matter what, the fans will get their money’s worth.”
A Game for the Nations
What: Indiana 4A State Girls Basketball Championships
Teams: Ben Davis (Indianapolis) 29-0, Washington (South Bend) 26-0
When: Saturday, 8 p.m. EST
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis)
MaxPreps/National Guard national rankings: No. 2 Davis, No. 7 Washington
MaxPreps Xcellent 25 national rankings: No. 2 Davis, No. 3 Washington
Points scored per game: Washington 80.2, Davis 65.7
Points allowed per game: Washington 44.2, Davis 35.2
Common opponent: Bollingbrook (Ill.), Davis won 42-28, Washington won 66-65
E-mail Mitch Stephens at mstephens@maxpreps.com.