In a rematch from December 16, Evansville Bosse and Culver Academies met to decide the 2018 3A state champion. This time around, tt was a completely different game and outcome.

Ethan Brittain-Watts had a quick start for Culver Academies. Just a 30% shooting from three, Brittain-Watts hit two early threes then added a bucket in the paint as well. His eight early points pushed Culver’s lead to 10-6 midway through the opening quarter.

Bosse struggled with first quarter turnovers, and Culver took advantage of them. Six Bosse turnovers were converted into 13 points. It was a trend that continued for most of the game. That hurt Bosse’s normally high powered offense throughout the first half. Culver’s defense forced Bosse into low percentage shots early.

Once Mekhi Lairy got a couple outside, it kick-started the Bosse offense and gave the team energy. Lairy scored 11 straight points to help Bosse climb out of a major hole. At one point, CMA was up 22 points with 5:55 left in the first half. Behind Lairy, Bosse cut the deficit to 32-23 at the half.

Both teams struggled to get good looks in the third quarter. It led to an extremely low scoring period with Culver recording seven points and Bosse getting six.

Culver spent most of the fourth quarter at the free throw line with Bosse trying to extend the game. Culver did a good job of making the charity attempts at a high rate. The Eagles converted 17 of 23 in the final quarter. Brittain-Watts converted many of those free throws. The junior guard finished with 20 points and seven rebounds.

Throughout the fourth quarter, Mekhi Lairy tried to get Bosse back into the game with his scoring. He tallied 11 points in the fourth on his way to a game-high 28. Jaylin Chinn, the Trester Award winner, added 10 points for Bosse. The Bulldogs were never able cut it to less than a three possession game.

Trey Galloway was strong in the second half for CMA. He scored nine of his 14 after halftime including a two-handed dunk late that punctuated the win for Culver Academies. Deontae Craig got his own breakaway dunk late in the game. Craig finished with 14 points and seven rebounds in workman-like effort.

Culver Academies won its first boys basketball state title with the 64-49 victory over Bosse.