Silver Creek used a great defensive game plan and hot-shooting in the second half to win the 2019 3A state title over Culver Academies.

The first half was a defensive battle as both teams exploited the weaknesses of the other. Silver Creek crowded the lane and left Culver’s non-shooters open on the perimeter. On the other end, CMA pressured and pushed the bigger Silver Creek away from the basket. The teams were a combined 9-38 from the floor in the first half.

Jack Hawkins was the bright spot for Silver Creek in the opening half. He was about the only Dragon that could make a shot. The senior forward had eight points and six rebounds in the half. His play helped Silver Creek to a 16-12 halftime lead.

The lid was lifted off the basket in the third quarter as Josh Landers hit a couple of three-pointers for Silver Creek. Culver Academies found success with driving to the lane to draw a help-side shot blocker then Deontae Craig grabbed the offensive rebound and put it back. That happened a few times in the third.

Zane Gross, Landers, and Ty Kessinger helped Silver Creek open a lead in the third quarter. Gross scored eight in the stanza as Silver Creek’s offense started to find openings in the stingy Culver defense.

Ethan Brittain-Watts was great for CMA all game. He showed the potential that he has for the next level. He hit shots, slashed to the basket, and handled the ball. Brittain-Watts helped CMA stage a fourth-quarter comeback after being down eight with four minutes to play. With under a minute to play, Brittain-Watts rushed the ball to the basket for back-to-back layups. It cut Silver Creek’s lead from five to two with a Zane Gross free throw sandwiched between the buckets.

Silver Creek missed four straight free throws under 45 seconds to give CMA multiple chances to tie or take the lead. With 25 seconds left, Brittain-Watts slashed to the lane and found Nick Gravenites, but the sophomore couldn’t score. After Kooper Jacobi made a free throw, Brittain-Watts had a desperation three-pointer miss.

Silver Creek won its first basketball state title, 52-49. Zane Gross led SC with 15 points. Kooper Jacobi added 11 points and seven rebounds. Trey Kaufman was held in check offensively, but the sophomore had 13 rebounds and two blocks to go with four points. Jack Hawkins finished with eight points and nine rebounds. Ty Kessinger also had eight points.

Boston University signee Ethan Brittain-Watts finished with 23 to lead all scorers. Trey Galloway racked up 13 points and 11 rebounds. Deontae Craig added 11 points and seven rebounds.