(Anthony Ball after posting a monster 17-point, 24-rebound statline)

The Hornets of Beech Grove used a mammoth effort from junior forward Anthony Ball to pull away from Mishawaka Marian in the 3A state title game. Ball had a huge double double with 17 points and 24 rebounds to go along with five blocks.

Mishawaka Marian and Beech Grove went back and forth at the onset as each team struggled to settle in. Anthony Ball was able to calm the Hornets by dominating the offensive glass, getting second chance opportunities. The score was tied at seven with just over two minutes left in the first quarter. The Knights would proceed to go on a 6-0 run to end the quarter, hitting a pair of three pointers. Marian would hit three total from behind the arc in the first on their way to a six point lead.

Turnovers would begin to plague the Knights as Beech Grove again rode the back of Anthony Ball as he got to work against the frontline of the Knights. With Deaglan Sullivan on the bench due to foul trouble, Jackson Price stepped in and hit a pair of first half threes to keep the Knights in front.

Marian would jump out to a 20-12 advantage midway through the quarter, but Beech Grove would respond by ending the first half on an 8-2 run as Ball and junior guard Jeremiah Tate scored all 20 of their points in the first half. Beech Grove would shoot just 25% from the field in the first half, but the combination of the offensive glass and Mishawaka Marian turnovers meant the Hornets entered the locker room down just two.

Anthony Ball would continue to be a menace in the paint, as he altered several Marian looks in the lane. The Hornets still trailed, but would soon see their fortunes turn at the hands of Cameron Brown. The 6'6 junior wing would catch fire, going for 11 in the third quarter alone on the strength of three triples, which brought the Beech Grove crowd to life.

Marian would continue to struggle turning the ball over, with 15 giveaways in the first three periods. Every time the Knights would attempt to get back in the game, the ball would find it's way out of their hands and into the hands of a Hornet.

The Hornets would stay in front thanks to five straight from Jeremiah Tate, as he would give his team a five point lead with just over three minutes left. Marian would get a three point play from Richard Brooks and a transition bucket by Deaglan Sullivan, but it would not be enough as Beech Grove would convert at the line and hold on for a ten point victory.

The win gives Beech Grove their first state title in school history. Anthony Ball had 5 blocks to go with his 17 points and 24 rebounds, while Cameron Brown had 13, all in the second half.

Mishawaka Marian was led by Richard Brooks with 13 points. Deaglan Sullivan was the only other Knight in double figures with ten.


Beech Grove        7  13  16  17  -  53
Mishawaka Marian  13   9  12   9  -  43

Beech Grove: Anthony Ball 17 points (6/15 FGs, 5/6 FTs), 24 rebs, 5 blks; Cameron Brown 13 points (4/8 FGs, 3/6 3Ps, 2/2 FTs), 2 rebs; Jeremiah Tate 12 points (5/12 FGs, 1/4 3Ps, 1/2 FTs), 4 rebs, 4 asts, 6 stls; Jeremiah Alexander 9 points (3/4 FGs, 1/2 3Ps, 2/2 FTs); Jaleel Edwards 2 points (2/4 FTs), 4 rebs

Mishawaka Marian: Richard Brooks 13 points (5/15 FGs, 2/8 3Ps, 1/1 FTs), 2 rebs, 4 stls; Deaglan Sullivan 10 points (5/10 FGs), 2 rebs, 3 asts; Jackson Price 9 points (3/4 3Ps); Dar'e'eon Thornton 5 points (1/5 FGs, 1/1 3Ps, 2/2 FTs), 4 rebs, 2 asts, 2 blks; Zion Rhoades 4 points (2/3 FGs), 4 rebs, 4 stls; Kaleo Kakalia 2 points (1/7 FGs), 11 rebs, 3 asts, 2 stls