2018-19 Hickory Nights

indgrapp08

In the final Hickory Night of the 2018-19 season, the Pacers will honor the 2019 IHSAA Boys and Girls Basketball State Champions.

Learn more about each team's trip to the title game and explore our past Hickory Night Honorees from this season at Pacers.com/Hickory

Class A: Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian 60, Barr-Reeve 43

In the Class A Championship, Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian won its first-ever state championship, defeating Barr-Reeve 60-43.

The victory capped an impressive 28-2 season for the Braves.

Andrean closed out a thrilling 2A Championship with an 11-0 run en route to its 59-54 victory over Linton-Stockton.

The victory allowed Andrean to capture its first-ever state championship, wrapping up a 21-8 season for the 59ers.

"I thought they got a lot of loose balls and I thought they missed some shots," Andrean head coach Brad Stangel told the Indianapolis Star. "But these guys kept battling and battling. We talked about it all the time, our 32 minutes. We thought our 32 minutes was better than anybody else’s 32 minutes."

Class 3A: Silver Creek 52, Culver Academies 49

Thee 3A Championship featured another close game, as Silver Creek managed to pull out the 52-49 win over Culver Academies.

After a low-scoring first half in which the teams combined for just 28 points, the teams found their footing in the second half, setting up the thrilling finish.

Despite losing in the 4A Championship game last season, Carmel came back strong, grabbing a 60-55 win over Ben Davis at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

The victory but the finishing touches on a stellar 26-1 season for the Greyhounds.

“Everything we try to embody in Carmel basketball, the senior class gave us this year,” Carmel coach Ryan Osborn told the Indianapolis Star. “To finish it like this, as a coach, makes me so happy for them. You want them to experience it and enjoy it.”

Class A: Marquette Catholic 57, Vincennes Rivet 36

For the second year in a row, Marquette Catholic hoisted the trophy at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, topping Vincennes Rivet 57-36.

The Blazers never trailed during the win, leading by as many as 23 points.

Class 2A: Oak Hill 54, Winchester Community 42

Oak Hill managed to overcome a nine-point deficit in the second half, going on to beat Winchester Community 54-42.

The victory wrapped up a 25-3 campaign for the Golden Eagles and helped erase memories of their 2017 loss in the title game.

Class 3A: Northwestern 61, Benton Central 39

For the second season in a row, the Northwestern Tigers emerged from the 3A Title game victorious, this time beating Benton Central 61-39.

The win put the finishing touches on a 27-3 season and gave coach Kathie Layden her fifth state title.

"I’m so happy for these girls and what they’ve been able to accomplish in the past two years,” said Coach Layden to reporters after the game. “Being ranked No. 1 for two years in a row, that’s not easy to do. They’ve had a target on their back and they performed."

Class 4A: Hamilton Southeastern 55, Lawrence North 44

In the Class 4A title game, Hamilton Southeastern managed to hold its lead over Lawrence North, winning 55-44.

The Royals opened the fourth quarter with an impressive 13-2 run to take control of the game, wrapping up their 27-1 season.

2019-ihsaa-boys-and-girls-basketball-state-champions-to-be-honored-on-hickory-night

2019 IHSAA Boys and Girls Basketball State Champions To Be Honored on Hickory Night

indmboyle

I've never been a fan of clichés, and "Time flies when you're having fun" was always near the top of my list of ridiculous bon mots. But that was before we became partners and friends; I'm still not big on clichés, but I can tell you without hesitation that our 25 years together have seemed more like 25 minutes.

People are always asking me to share stories about you and/or our time together, and while it's always easy to come up with an episode or two, for me it's not about the stories. It's about a connection. I remember when you used to always tell me to "own the ground you live on", but I rented for the first seven or eight years I was here because I'd moved seven times over the first nine years of my career and figured that Indianapolis was just another pit stop. Then, when I finally took your advice, you made sure that your wife Nancy was my real estate agent and that your son Tommy built my first house.

I've never been a people person, and by now it's safe to say that I probably never will be. But I'm better than I was, and a lot of that comes from being around you. Your knack for making everybody feel like they're the most important person in the room is rare, and it resonates. You've touched so many; I will never forget the night you had that second heart attack on the bus outside Madison Square Garden, and standing outside that bus while our trainers, Carl Eaton and Josh Corbeil saved your life. The rest of us – players, coaches, and staff – couldn't see what was happening on that bus, and the thought of losing you had more than a few grown men standing outside that bus, crying.

As I get older, I tend to appreciate things more than I used to, and the chance to spend 41 nights a year working together is something that I cherish. I know how difficult it is for you to get around, and that some nights you'd probably be wise to stay home. But you don't, and your love for the Pacers, our city, and our state comes through loud and clear every night. You and I have laughed together, we've shared a good part of our lives together, and while our working relationship is without question the highlight of my career, it pales in comparison to the impact our friendship has had on me.

Yeah, 25 years does go by fast when you're having fun. I can't wait for the next 25 to unfold.

2018‑19 Hickory Nights

2019 IHSAA Boys and Girls Basketball State Champions To Be Honored on Hickory Night

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