Two similar teams met for the 2018 2A title as Forest Park and Oak Hill each have great size and like to work inside to outside. Both communities showed great support filling up their respective sections at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Caleb Middlesworth scored the first five points of the game – a paint finish then tipped the ball ahead to score and draw the foul. He recorded seven points and three rebounds in the opening period. It was a sign of things to come for the Huntington University-bound forward.

Sam Englert was able to draw fouls on Oak Hill at a rapid pace. He shot six free throws in the first quarter as Oak Hill’s Spencer Ballinger picked up two fouls. Early in the second period, David Arens picked up his second foul as well.

Arens came back into the game late in the half to connect on a couple of three-pointers. His shooting pushed Oak Hill’s  lead to 23-16. Arens and Middlesworth scored 17 of Oak Hill’s 23 first half points.

Forest Park couldn’t get shots to fall in the first half. Even close shots rimmed out for most of the half. The Rangers shot 5-18 from the field and 6-13 from the free throw line in the opening half. That’s how Oak Hill took a 23-17 lead into the locker room.

After a methodical pace in the first half, the first few minutes of the second half were frantic. Curt Hopf’s aggressiveness went to a higher notch as well. He opened the half by leading a break and scoring through a foul. The freshman also rebounded and posted with more intensity to begin the second half.

The game was back and forth throughout the third quarter before Oak Hill’s pressure started to bother Forest Park on nearly every possession. Middlesworth was the major beneficiary of the extra possessions in the fourth quarter. Middlesworth scored 12 of his 25 points in the final period.

Oak Hill would have put Forest Park away sooner if the Golden Eagles would have converted at the free throw line. Oak Hill only hit 9 of 16 free throws in the fourth period.

Oak Hill captured its first basketball state title by beating Forest Park, 56-45. Middlesworth added nine rebounds along with his game-high 25 points. David Arens added 13 points in the win.

Curt Hopf had 10 points and 10 rebounds to lead Forest Park. Sam Englert added eight points and seven rebounds.

Forest Park – Sam Englert 16 points (2-5 FG, 4-8 FT), 7 rebounds, 1 assists; Curt Hopf 10 points (3-5 FG, 4-7 FT), 10 rebounds, 1 assists, 3 turnovers; Collin Hochgesang 5 points (2-12 FG, 1-7 3FG), 4 rebounds; Isaac Uebelhor 6 points (2-6 FG, 2-3 FT), 5 rebounds; Reid Steffe 6 points; Daniel Lusk 7 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists; Braydon Voegerl 1 point; Elliott Rothgerber 1 point

Oak Hill – Caleb Middlesworth 25 points (8-14 FG, 0-3 3FG, 9-11 FT), 9 rebounds, 1 assists, 3 steals; 1 block; David Arens 13 points (4-9 FG, 2-4 3FG, 3-6 FT), 3 rebounds, 1 steals; Tyce Frank 6 points (2-8 FG, 0-4 3FG, 2-4 FT), 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 turnovers; Spencer Ballinger 5 points (2-7 FG, 0-1 3FG, 1-2 FT), 3 rebounds; Konnor Cabe 2 points (1-2FG, 0-1 3FG), 1 rebounds, 1 assists, 3 steals; Cal Mann 3 points, 3 steals; Tahj Johnson 1 assist; Reid Newhouse 2 points, 5 rebounds.