Over 15,000 people filled the stands inside of Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 25, to witness Ben Davis vs. Kokomo in the 4A championship bout.
The game began with an 18-10 run in the first quarter and the Giants were firing off on all cylinders. By halftime, the Giants were up 28-17 and they were only two quarters away from making history.
However, in the second half, Kokomo’s five-star prospect, Flory Bidunga, helped his team by fueling a 9-0 run which trimmed the score to 36-33 by the end of the third quarter.
(This was Kokomo’s first championship appearance in nearly 35 years and the team garnered a record of 24-5 this season.)
This season Kokomo garnered a record of 24-5. It was also the school’s first championship appearance in nearly 35 years.
With one quarter to go, the Giants went nuclear. Ben Davis opened the final period with a clean 8-0 run. With less than 5 minutes to go, Ben Davis went up 11 against Kokomo.
The Giants finished the championship game ahead by 13.
Many wondered if Ben Davis would become the 14th team in Indiana history to win the state championship without rendering a single loss.
This noted the school’s 29th victory by at least 10 points and the first time the institution completed a perfect run to win the 4A title. With a final score of 54-41, Ben Davis completed the prophecy and etched their legacy into the history books.
Ben Davis has now secured four state championships in the institution’s history. The previous titles were secured in 1995, 1996, and 2013. They are also the first Indiana team to remain undefeated in the last six seasons.
Contact multi-media staff writer Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Email him at NoralP@IndyRecorder.com. Follow him on Twitter @NoralParham.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
