Both sides played the ball extremely well as these two schools had top recruit after top recruit, and through this battle, one team could prevail from all of the talks of strength and illusive talent.
That team was Ben Davis as they gave Bloomington North a run for their money as the Giants would prevail over the Cougars 78-55 at the IHSAA Class 4A Semi-State semifinals in New Castle, Ind.
To say this battle was physical was an understatement. Both teams put in under 70% points during the game and averaged under 30 rebounds.
These two teams drug the battle out, but some of the most highly recruited players in this game put on a show for the crowd at the New Castle Fieldhouse.
Vanderbilt University commits, and the number 9 recruit in the state of Indiana in North’s JaQualon Roberts scored a team-high 20.3 points, 1 block, and 7.8 rebounds in the game. Dawan Daniels, #2, for Bloomington North averaged team highs during the game in assists and steals.
One player that guarded the perimeter and played on another level was two dynamic players for the Giants. Those two players were Sheridan Sharp and Zane Doughty who grabbed people’s attention for their blocks, rebounds, points, and assists during this game as they put on almost a career performance against a dominant, hyped-up Bloomington North team.
Today was the day the slipper was placed on the shelf as Ben Davis’ performance was just too powerful for the Cougars to handle in New Castle.
The Cougars finish with a 19-6 record, a 3-2 conference record, and a winning percentage of .760%.
For the undefeated Ben Davis Giants, they square off against the 22-4 Brownsburg High School Bulldogs at 8 pm tonight at the New Castle Fieldhouse for the right to win the south region of the IHSAA Semi-State Championship and play at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. next Saturday, March 25.
The team they will play in Indianapolis has to be decided in the Michigan City, Ind. Semi-State Championship at the Wolves Den at Michigan City High School. This is Kokomo High School has a test tonight going up against Penn High School who beat Hammond Central in dominating fashion, 108-70.
The winners of these two semi-state championships will play in Indianapolis approximately at 8:15 pm EST after the Class 3A State Championship that would conclude around 7:30 pm.
Tickets at the gate are $15 per person according to the Indiana High School Athletic Association website, with additional tickets sold will be available on Ticketmaster dot com.
The state championship festivities begin at 9 am as the gates of Gainbridge Fieldhouse open with the first matchup starting with the Class 1A State Championship game at 10:30 am, Class 2A will start approximately at 12:45 pm. After a five-hour break, the Class 3A title will begin at 6 pm, and the final match in 4A will begin around 8:15 pm.
For more information about tickets, event festivities, and other information about the IHSAA State Championship events you can contact the winning school’s athletic office for more information on festivities, tickets, and pricing, but for more information about the state championship.
The IHSAA website for information on the boys’ basketball state championship said to not bring flags, banners, balloons, cowbells, or any other noise devices during the game. Additionally, fans should not bring video devices onto the playing surface, and no fliers should be promoted at the game.
For more information visit www.ihsaa.org/sports/boys/basketball/2022-23/tournament?rounds=state-finals
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