INDIANAPOLIS — For the first time in program history, the Lawrence Central Bears girls basketball team are IHSAA state champions.
Lawrence Central, ranked first overall in Class 4A, advanced to the state championship game after defeating Center Grove in last weekend's semi-state championship.
The 14th-ranked Lake Central Indians advanced to their first IHSAA state championship game since 1998 with their 52-36 victory over Noblesville in Feb. 17's semi-state championship.
The Bears entered the state championship game boasting a 29-1 record, while the Indians were looking for an upset with their 26-4 record.
Lake Central began the game with a hot start in a low-scoring first quarter. Vanessa Wimberly led the Indians in the opening quarter with four points out of the nine total scored by Lake Central in the first quarter.
By the second quarter however, Lawrence Central took control of the game and never looked back.
The Bears held the Indians to just two points in the entire second quarter, while putting up an impressive 19 to head into halftime up 23-11.
Jaylah Lampley led Lawrence Central in scoring during the first half with 10 points. She also knocked down two 3-pointers. Mariah Garrett ended the first half with five points, while Aniyah Mckenzie had four. Nadia Clayton led first half scoring for the Indians with five points.
Lake Central had their best quarter of play right after halftime. The Indians scored 11 points in the third quarter, thanks to Wimberly's eight points. However, Lawrence Central still outscored Lake Central in the third with 17 points.
By the fourth quarter, Lawrence Central continued to extend their lead. Lola Lampley scored eight points from the field, leading the Bears in scoring for the final quarter.
Lawrence Central's performance was one of the more dominant of the day. The Bears shot 44% from the field compared to Lake Central's 26%. From beyond the arc, Lawrence Central's Jaylah Lampley had all four of the Bears' 3-pointers. Lake Central attempted 19 3-pointers, but only made three of them.
Lawrence Central also dominated from the free throw line, with the Bears shooting 70% from the line compared to the Indians' 38%.
Lawrence Central 55, Lake Central 28
LAWRENCE CENTRAL (30-1) — L. Lampley 6-10 0-0 12, Kenter-Garrett 2-8 1-1 5, J. Lampley 7-11 1-2 19, McKenzie 5-9 2-3 12, Abdurraqib 2-8 0-0 4, Hughes 0-0 1-2 1, Castro 0-0 2-2 2, Wynn 0-1 0-0 0, Heavener 0-0 0-0 0, Russell 0-0 0-0 0, Harrington 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 22-47 7-10 55.
LAKE CENTRAL (26-5) — Milausnic 0-4 0-0 0, Clayton 2-12 0-2 5, Wimberly 6-11 0-0 14, Bishop 1-4 2-4 4, Krygier 1-5 0-0 2, Burks 0-3 1-2 1, Iwema 0-1 0-0 0, Leonard 1-1 0-0 2, Harrison 0-0 0-0 0, Lukic 0-0 0-0 0, Myszak 0-0 0-0 0, Skurka 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 11-42 3-8 28.
Lawrence Central 4 19 17 15 — 55
Lake Central 9 2 11 6 — 28
3-point Goals—Lawrence Central 4-10 (J. Lampley 4-7, Abdurraqib 0-2, L. Lampley 0-1). Lake Central 3-19 (Wimberly 2-2, Clayton 1-6, Milausnic 0-4, Krygier 0-3, Bishop 0-1, Skurka 0-1). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Lawrence Central 39 (J. Lampley 9, McKenzie 9), Lake Central 19 (Bishop 5). Assists—Lawrence Central 11 (Abdurraqib 5). Lake Central 6 (Bishop 2). Total Fouls—Lawrence Central 21, Lake Central 21.