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INDIANAPOLIS — Clinton Prairie's story ended in Indianapolis exactly as it hoped after years of winning records, only to come short during sectionals in the previous five seasons.
A first sectional title in 43 years followed by its first regional and semi-state title but that crowning boys state championship will have to wait another time for Clinton Prairie of Frankfort.
Clinton Prairie struggled handling the physicality of 6-foot-3 senior Alex DeWitt. DeWitt hammered Clinton Prairie seeking the extra possession and using a jump hook and soft touch generated three straight baskets in the first and third quarter.
More: Big brothers play role in Clinton Prairie's all-time leading scorer Jake McGraw's rise
DeWitt finished with 24 points, seven rebounds and three assists to lead Orleans over Clinton Prairie 64-55 in the IHSAA class A state championship.
Orleans (25-4), which captured its first state title, opened doors in 1866 and whose graduating class first crossed the stage in 1872.
Orleans coach Tom Bradley entered Saturday with the 16th most wins among active coaches and now has his first state title after 26 years leading the Bulldogs from Orange County.
Orleans outrebounded Clinton Prairie 13-4 in the first half
Clinton Prairie (26-3) despite its own struggles adjusting to Orleans' physicality, managed to soften a pair of 5-0 runs with buckets from Smock and Alex Farley.
The Gophers never stopped battling as they trailed 44-33 with 2:53 in the third quarter.
Farley scored 16 points, including 10 points in the first half with two 3-pointers, while Clinton Prairie all-time leading scorer Jake McGraw came alive in the second half.
Farley and McGraw led a furious charge in the final third quarter. Farley hit a 3-pointer in the closing seconds of the third quarter and McGraw tied the game at 46-46 with a layup to open the fourth quarter.
More: Clinton Prairie continues dream season, reaches first IHSAA boys basketball final
McGraw scored 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds with four assists.
A streamline of storylines poured out during the deepest run in playoff history.
Junior Nick Curtin went from being a starter in the rotation to a prominent scorer that'll carry Clinton Prairie as Hoosier Heartland Conference and sectional favorites in 2025-26.
Curtin scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds. He didn't start playing basketball until the sixth grade and didn't play varsity until this past season.
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at [email protected], on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Clinton Prairie falls to Orleans in IHSAA class 1A state championship
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A first sectional title in 43 years followed by its first regional and semi-state title but that crowning boys state championship will have to wait another time for Clinton Prairie of Frankfort.
Clinton Prairie struggled handling the physicality of 6-foot-3 senior Alex DeWitt. DeWitt hammered Clinton Prairie seeking the extra possession and using a jump hook and soft touch generated three straight baskets in the first and third quarter.
More: Big brothers play role in Clinton Prairie's all-time leading scorer Jake McGraw's rise
DeWitt finished with 24 points, seven rebounds and three assists to lead Orleans over Clinton Prairie 64-55 in the IHSAA class A state championship.
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Orleans (25-4), which captured its first state title, opened doors in 1866 and whose graduating class first crossed the stage in 1872.
Orleans coach Tom Bradley entered Saturday with the 16th most wins among active coaches and now has his first state title after 26 years leading the Bulldogs from Orange County.
Orleans outrebounded Clinton Prairie 13-4 in the first half
Clinton Prairie (26-3) despite its own struggles adjusting to Orleans' physicality, managed to soften a pair of 5-0 runs with buckets from Smock and Alex Farley.
The Gophers never stopped battling as they trailed 44-33 with 2:53 in the third quarter.
Farley scored 16 points, including 10 points in the first half with two 3-pointers, while Clinton Prairie all-time leading scorer Jake McGraw came alive in the second half.
Farley and McGraw led a furious charge in the final third quarter. Farley hit a 3-pointer in the closing seconds of the third quarter and McGraw tied the game at 46-46 with a layup to open the fourth quarter.
More: Clinton Prairie continues dream season, reaches first IHSAA boys basketball final
McGraw scored 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds with four assists.
A streamline of storylines poured out during the deepest run in playoff history.
Junior Nick Curtin went from being a starter in the rotation to a prominent scorer that'll carry Clinton Prairie as Hoosier Heartland Conference and sectional favorites in 2025-26.
Curtin scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds. He didn't start playing basketball until the sixth grade and didn't play varsity until this past season.
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at [email protected], on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Clinton Prairie falls to Orleans in IHSAA class 1A state championship
Continue reading...
