The final 4A game of the 2009-10 season came down to No. 1 Ben Davis and No. 5 Merrillville. In the end, the Giants came out on top 99-52, setting a number of records in the process on a neutral court in Fort Wayne.
In the first girls state finals game held outside Indianapolis, Ben Davis broke the record for the most points and the largest margin of victory in a championship game, regardless of class. They also set the record for consecutive wins (58) and became the first team to go undefeated in back-to-back seasons.
"The girls got better with each game, and I was happy that they came out and played each game hard and improved along the way," said Ben Davis head coach Stan Benge. "We really emphasize correcting our mistakes and we were fortunate enough to put together perhaps the best basketball game that I've ever seen any (high school girls team) play."
Ben Davis jumped out to a quick lead, resulting in a 30-10 lead after the first quarter. The two teams played even in the second, but a 17-0 run to start the third quarter put Merrillville away for good. The Giants forced 32 turnovers in the game, snagged 12 more offensive rebounds than Merrillville and never trailed.
Junior Bria Goss, who hit the game-winning shot in last year’s state finals, led Ben Davis with 22 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Demetria Nunley-Lash added 20 points, while fellow senior Dee Dee Williams contributed 14 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. The Pirates were led by senior Bryonna Davis with 25 points.
The Giants’ seniors will graduate having garnered a 100-7 record in their four years, including a pair of state titles and at least one mythical national title. Ben Davis, ranked fourth in the nation by MaxPreps, won every game by at least 12 points this season.
Big third quarter helps Concordia past Rushville
3A No. 8 Fort Wayne Concordia was forced to play an up-tempo game against No. 1 Rushville, which seemingly did not mesh with the defensive-oriented Cadets. Concordia (24-3) still managed to trump the Lions 59-48, which is the most points the Cadets had given up in a win all season.
The Lions (25-3) and the Cadets were both looking for their first titles, and both were known for their stout defense. Rushville led 25-24 after the first half, but Concordia hit 9-of-13 shooting in the third quarter and took a nine-point lead into the fourth quarter. The Lions, who shot just 32 percent from the field, never got closer than seven during the final quarter.
Rushville held Concordia’s leading scorer, Andrea Newbauer, to just 11 points, but she also contributed eight rebounds and six assists. Erynn Meiklejohn led the way for the Cadets with 16 points, while Anna Goeglein and Angie Doerffler each tallied 12. Rushville was led by Shelby Justice with 18 points and 10 rebounds, but sharp-shooting Kaleigh Andrews scored just nine points on 4-of-12 shooting and Alexa Bess managed just 10.
Austin outlasts Fort Wayne Bishop Luers for 2A title
The Austin Eagles entered the 2A state championship game seeking their first state title in school history, while their northern counterpart Bishop Luers (Fort Wayne) came with a 2-1 record in state title games in the past decade and seeking their potentially record-breaking sixth title. Both teams had their seasons cut short deep in the postseason the past 2-3 years, and both were undefeated in 2A competition during the year.
The Eagles took a nine-point lead into the fourth quarter, but Luers chipped away and it took a three-point play from Katy McIntosh to tie the game for Austin and force overtime. Austin never trailed in overtime, powering past the Knights 70-65. Chelsea Jones scored four of her game-high 23 points in overtime, while McIntosh tallied 19 and Michelle Goodin added 18 points for Austin. Miracle Woods led the comeback for Luers, scoring eight of her 17 points in the fourth quarter and adding 12 rebounds. Teammate Brooke Ridley tallied 15 points, while Brierra Young had 12 points and four assists.
Fort Wayne Canterbury takes third straight Class A title
In a rematch of last season’s class A championship game, No. 1 Vincennes Rivet looked to avenge its 72-66 overtime loss against No. 2 Fort Wayne Canterbury. Rivet climbed to an early lead, but could not hold off the Cavaliers, who used an 8-2 run at the beginning of the second half to take the lead and outplayed the Patriots for a 69-65 win.
Tabitha Geradot had a game-high 27 points for Canterbury, including 14 in the fourth quarter, despite being held scoreless in the first quarter. She also had 12 rebounds and five steals. Cassie Kreiger scored 14 for the Cavaliers. Rivet was pace by Chelsea Meeks, the only player from either side who did not start in last year’s title game, with 18 points.
Boys sectionals
North Central took its third sectional title in four years, holding off rival Lawrence North in a defensive battle for a 41-30 win.
The Panthers (21-3) were held to their lowest point total of the season by 19 points, 40 below their average. North Central had already beaten Lawrence North (16-9) twice this year, the last time in a 99-55 blowout at the end of January. The Panthers got down early in the sectional final, as Lawrence North took a 19-7 lead after the first quarter. North Central then began to apply pressure to the Wildcats, forcing eight turnovers in the second quarter and cutting the deficit to seven by halftime.
The Panthers continued to battle the bigger Wildcats, eventually overtaking them with just under three minutes remaining in the third quarter. North Central’s defense shut down Lawrence North in the second half, holding the Wildcats to just 1-of-17 shooting with the only field goal coming late in the third quarter. Panthers stars Ryan Taylor and Michael Chandler, both Louisville recruits, were held to just 20 points combined. Chandler fouled out with just six points and three rebounds, while Taylor managed just two points in the second half.
Terone Johnson led the way for North Central with 15 points, while Ronnie Johnson added 14 points. Lawrence North had powered past Lawrence Central 73-66 in the semifinal game on Friday behind Chandler’s 28 points. North Central took down Warren Central, led by D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera with 24 points. The Panthers will face the winner of Monday night’s Pike/Ben Davis matchup.
Sectional wrap-up
Noblesville (19-4) knocked off Zionsville, Hamilton Southeastern and Westfield to claim one of the state’s toughest sectional titles, the Millers' first since 1997. Leland Brown led Noblesville with 18 points and six rebounds in the win over Westfield. The Millers will play Perry Meridian (15-9) in the regional.
Guerin Catholic knocked off 2A No. 4 Tipton 66-53 behind 19 points from Jordan Rapp and 17 points from Mitchell Paige. Guerin (14-10) will play Carroll (13-10) in the opening round of regionals.
Martinsville (6-16) pulled off a pair of upsets over the weekend, knocking off Terre Haute North (17-7), 33-31, behind 10 points from Seth Dow and topped Terre Haute South (14-11) 57-50 behind 18 points from Derek Krebs. The Artesians now have to battle Jeffersonville (20-4) in the regional.
3A No. 1 Danville (23-1) had four scorers in double figures as they beat Lebanon 68-52 for the sectional title.