By Mike McGraw
Executive Director
SOUTHPORT – In order to understand just how good undefeated and top-ranked Ben Davis was in its 59-27 Class 4A Southport Semistate triumph over No. 7 Mooresville, you have to take a look at Mooresville’s resume.
(VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS TO THE LEFT! TO CHECK OUT PICTURES FROM THE BEN DAVIS-MOORESVILLE GAME BY OUR OWN MARK GRICIUS, CLICK HERE!!)
The Pioneers (23-2) came into the game having lost only once all year. They defeated third-ranked Terre Haute South in the opening game of the sectional, important because the only team to challenge Ben Davis this season was Terre Haute South. In short, the Pioneers are a quality team.
That having been said, consider the following statistics.
In the first quarter, Mooresville had nine turnovers, had only three defensive rebounds, and DID NOT score a field goal. The Pioneers’ only points came on six free throws in the period.
In the third quarter, Mooresville simply did not score.
There is obviously a reason why Ben Davis (29-0) is ranked as the top team in America. That reason is suffocating defensive pressure. The Giants galloped to a 20-6 advantage after eight minutes and never looked back.
They did not need to impose the strangling pressure after the first period, and Ben Davis seldom did. The Giants coasted to a 37-21 lead at intermission despite rarely having more than two starters on the floor together in the second quarter.
Coach Stan Benge decided to eliminate any chance of a comeback in the second half by immediately going to a delay offense in the third quarter. At various times in the second half, the Giants ran a four corners, a 1-4 low, and a simple five-out set.
All of these options isolated the more athletic Giants and led to easy baskets when they finally decided to attack the hoop. The tactic both eliminated any chance of a Mooresville rally and kept the score from getting out of hand.
Alex Bentley led the Giant attack with 23 points, scoring on an impeccable selection of shots. The Penn State recruit simply does not take bad shots. Jama Sharp led Mooresville with 14 points in the losing effort.
The victory sets up the 4A state championship game fans have been anticipating all season. Ben Davis will tangle with three-time defending 4A state finalist South Bend Washington (26-0) and the second-ranked Panthers’ star guard, Skylar Diggins.
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