FORT WAYNE — There was never any doubt.
The Ben Davis girls’ basketball team earned its second straight Class 4A state championship Saturday, cruising past Merrillville 99-52 at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
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It was a game so devoid of drama that the only real suspense came in the final seconds, when the Giants came up just shy of cracking 100 points.
The victory stamped a bold exclamation point on a record-breaking season. Ben Davis (28-0) not only defended its title, but became the first team in Indiana history — boys’ or girls’ — to go undefeated with a state crown in two consecutive seasons.
“I wanted these seniors to go out the right way, so the state could see how good they are,” Ben Davis coach Stan Benge said. “They did. I was so happy and so proud of every one of those seniors.”
The game was briefly tied at 6-6, but Ben Davis used a 24-4 run late in the first quarter to get in front for good.
The Giants led 42-22 at halftime and by more than 20 points the rest of the way.
Bria Goss scored a team-high 22 points on 7-of-14 shooting to lead the Giants. No late-game heroics were needed this time around from Goss, whose last-second shot lifted Ben Davis to victory in last year’s state final.
“We were all excited,” Goss said. “It was a great atmosphere and I enjoyed it just like I did last year.”
Ben Davis’ four seniors — Dee Dee Williams, Demetria Nunley-Lash, Jordan Huber, and Vivian Holcomb — all produced.
Williams totaled 14 points and eight rebounds, and was named the Patricia L. Roy Mental Attitude Award winner.
Nunley-Lash scored 20 points and swiped a team-high six steals in what Benge called “the best game she’s ever played.”
“To every story there’s an ending, and I’m just happy that it ended the way that it did,” Nunley-Lash said. “It’s an amazing feeling.”
It was a bittersweet victory for Huber, who finished with nine points — all on three-pointers.
“We won a state championship, but I’ll never get to wear a Ben Davis jersey again,” Huber said. “I’m ecstatic because we made a wonderful run in the past two years. I love the girls and we had so much fun while we were doing it.”
Holcomb totaled 12 points — including seven in the first quarter to help Ben Davis build its lead.
While last year’s Ben Davis squad ended the season ranked No. 1 in the nation by both USA Today and ESPN RISE, this year’s Giants are tabbed No. 2 by both publications behind St. Mary’s (28-1) of Stockton, Calif.
Benge said his team deserves the top spot.
“They may be very good, but they’ve lost a game,” Benge said. “We’ve beat everybody we played against. How can you not vote us No. 1 under those circumstances?”
The Giants figure to be dangerous again next year. Seven players who dressed for Saturday’s state final will return. Brionna Arnold and starter Shawnece Teague should also return from knee injuries.
That begs the question — can the Giants do it again next year?
“Our goal is to get another one and go undefeated,” Goss said. “We’re going to try. We’re going to stay humble and we know we’ve got to put in work.”
kevin.leibrock@flyergroup.com
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