Central Catholic brings home another state championship
NDIANAPOLIS (WLFI) – The Central Catholic Knights beat the previously undefeated Barr-Reeve Vikings 52-44 in the Class A girls basketball state championship at Bankers Life Fieldhouse Saturday.
The Knights closed out the victory at the free throw line, hitting 6-of-8 in the final minute. The team found added inspiration after assistant coach Jeff Dienhart passed away last week after a long battle with illnesses caused by cystic fibrosis.
Number two ranked Central Catholic, was making its second state finals appearance and first since capturing the 2006 title. The Knights, who finished 24-6, won 15 of their last 16 games.
Senior guard Emily Burks led the Knights with 17 points in the title game. Burks was 4-of-7 on 3 point shots and said a sense of urgency has helped her improve her game.
“I told myself this postseason, it’s my last post-season ever,” Burks said after the game. “So, I gained a lot more confidence shooting and teammates got me open and I just started making them.”
Knights junior guard Cam Onken finished the game with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. Senior center Maggie Bobillo scored 10 points giving the Knights 3 players in double figures.
Heading into Saturday’s Matchup, Barr-Reeve was undefeated and held the top ranking in Class 1A. Add that to the fact that the Knights were playing with the loss off Coach Dienhart still weighing heavily on their minds, and keeping their focus might have been the biggest challenge for the Knights.
“They never fold when it gets to crunch time,” Head Coach Craig DeVault said. “I mean we could be up eight, ten, a team cuts it to one or even takes the lead, these girls never quit.”
Barr-Reeve’s Tiara Kenney led all players with 18 points, and teammate Hannah Bullock was named the the Patricia L. Roy mental attitude award winner.