High School Basketball State Champions: Who Took The Crown?

who won state for high school basketball

The Indiana High School Athletic Association Boys Basketball State Tournament saw Orleans High School crowned as champions, winning their first state title in 26 years. Orleans coach Tom Bradley celebrated the achievement, praising the support of the Orleans community. Orleans High School's Bryce Jones was also named the recipient of the Ray Craft Mental Attitude Award, an annual award recognising a senior participant who demonstrates excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability.

Characteristics Values
Location Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Team Orleans
Coach Tom Bradley
Player Bryce Jones

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Indiana Boys' Basketball State Tournament

The Indiana Boys Basketball State Tournament is an annual event organized by the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA). The tournament features some of the best high school basketball teams and players in the state, with the winners claiming the coveted state championship title. Here is a summary of the tournament details and recent winners:

The IHSAA Boys Basketball State Tournament is a highly anticipated event in Indiana's high school sports calendar. The tournament typically begins with sectional and regional rounds, followed by semi-state and state finals. Schools from across Indiana participate, and the tournament brackets are carefully organized to ensure fair competition.

In terms of recent winners, the 2023-24 tournament saw some exciting matchups and deserving champions. In Class 1A, Fort Wayne Canterbury claimed their first boys' state championship title, defeating Bethesda Christian with a final score of 48-41. Luke Douglas of Bethesda Christian received the Craft Mental Attitude Award.

In Class 2A, Brownstown Central secured their first basketball crown, with a dominant 55-36 victory over Wapahani. Wapahani's Isaac Andrews was recognized with the Trester Mental Attitude Award. The Class 3A final was a thrilling contest, with Scottsburg pulling away late in the game to defeat South Bend Saint Joseph by a score of 67-57, claiming their first state championship.

The 2024-25 tournament is already shaping up to be another exciting season. In Class 1A, Orleans emerged victorious, defeating Clinton Prairie 64-55 to win their school's first state championship in any sport. Bryce Jones of Orleans was honored with the Ray Craft Mental Attitude Award.

The Class 2A championship game featured Manchester and University, with Manchester prevailing 59-54 to secure their first boys' basketball crown. Kaleb Kline of Manchester was recognized with the Trester Mental Attitude Award. Lastly, in Class 3A, South Bend Saint Joseph returned to win their first state title, defeating Indianapolis Crispus Attucks 56-52. Brashaun Woods of Saint Joseph received the Trester Mental Attitude Award.

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Orleans High School's Bryce Jones

During his high school career, Jones attended Boys & Girls High School and later enrolled at Murray State University, from which he graduated in 2017. He excelled on the court and was a key contributor to his team's success. Notably, Jones helped lead his high school basketball team to a Class A state championship victory, showcasing his skills and contributing to the success of his school's athletic program.

Following his graduation from Murray State University, Jones embarked on a professional basketball career. He signed a contract with the Serbian club Borac Čačak in 2019, marking his entry into the ABA league. Jones's talent was recognized during his debut season, as he averaged impressive numbers, including 10.9 points, 4 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game. However, the season was unfortunately cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Undeterred by the setback, Jones continued to develop his game. In the following season, his team, Borac, earned a promotion to the top-tier regional competition, the 2020-21 ABA League First Division. Jones's performance continued to improve, and he averaged 13.1 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game. His hard work and dedication led to further opportunities, and on June 15, 2021, he signed with another Serbian club, FMP. With FMP, Jones's impact was significant, as he averaged 15.7 points, 6.7 assists, and 3.1 rebounds over 27 games in the ABA League.

Jones's career has taken him to various countries, including France, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, and the United States. He signed with the French club Limoges CSP in 2022 and made a strong impression, averaging 15.8 points and 5 assists over 28 games. The following year, he joined the Romanian club U-BT Cluj-Napoca, where he competed in the European second-tier competition EuroCup, reaching the quarterfinals. Throughout his professional journey, Jones has consistently demonstrated his abilities as a player and contributed to the success of the teams he has represented.

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Minnesota State High School Tournament

The Minnesota State High School Tournament is a highly anticipated event in the state's sports calendar, with boys' and girls' basketball teams vying for the coveted championship title. The tournament is a showcase of the best high school basketball talent Minnesota has to offer, with teams and players from across the state participating.

The boys' basketball tournament has seen its fair share of thrilling moments and standout performances. In recent memory, the Bulldogs have been a dominant force, winning 30 or more games in the past three seasons and aiming for a fourth consecutive successful season with their star players, Elijah Sherwood and Lloyd Jones III. The team's consistent performance has put them in the spotlight, and they are undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with.

Champlin Park's Tyler Wagner and Jackson County Central's Rylie Cother have also made headlines with their impressive performances, attracting Division I offers from multiple colleges. Additionally, Brady Wooley, a three-star recruit, has committed to Yale, showcasing the talent and opportunities that arise from Minnesota's high school basketball scene.

On the girls' side, Hopkins High School has established itself as a powerhouse, winning its ninth title with Erma Walker scoring an impressive 28 points. The Lions' Maddyn Greenway also made history, leading her team to become Minnesota's first girls' basketball team to win four consecutive titles. The Red Knights have joined an elite group, becoming the sixth girls' basketball team to win three titles in the MSHSL era.

The Minnesota State High School Tournament is not just about the wins and losses; it's about the stories, the upsets, and the players' journeys. With rankings and standings covered by local media outlets like the Star Tribune, the tournament gains even more attention, providing a platform for these young athletes to shine and make a name for themselves.

The state of Minnesota takes pride in its high school basketball, and the tournament is a testament to the dedication of the players, coaches, and communities that come together to celebrate the sport.

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Indiana's Springs Valley

Springs Valley Junior-Senior High School is a public high school located in French Lick, Indiana. The school's athletic teams are nicknamed the Blackhawks. The Blackhawks first season playing basketball was in 1957-58, where they advanced to the final four of the Indiana state tournament but lost to Fort Wayne South Side, who went on to become state champions.

Springs Valley has a rich history in basketball, with the school's gym holding a lot of significance. The gym, which opened in 1957, gained national notoriety due to a special student-athlete, Larry Bird. Bird, a Hall of Fame forward who went on to play for the Boston Celtics, led the Springs Valley boys' basketball team in scoring. The gym was packed for almost every home game during his time there.

The Blackhawks have been to the state finals more than twenty times. In their 1957-58 inaugural season, they lost to the eventual state champions, demonstrating their early success. In more recent years, the Springs Valley Varsity Boys Basketball team has continued to find success. In 2025, they defeated Evansville Christian High School 50-47 and Eastern High School 57-50. However, they also suffered losses against Corydon Central High School (49-81), South Central High School (40-65), and Crawford County High School (66-72).

The Springs Valley High School band, the "Blackhawk Brigade," has also achieved notable success. The Brigade has won multiple state championships, including the Class C title in 1977 and the Class D title in 2010, 2016, and 2017. They were also State Champion Runner-Up on several occasions.

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Indiana's Paoli

The Paoli Rams have also faced some losses, such as against Sullivan High School in 2024, with a score of 39-47, and against Hauser High School in 2024, losing 50-63. The team has also competed in tournaments, such as the Rider Realty Switzerland Co. Holiday Tournament in 2024, where they won against Hamilton Heights High School.

The girls' varsity basketball team has also had their share of victories and defeats. In 2024, the team won against Columbus East High School with a score of 42-36, and against South Decatur High School with a score of 47-30. However, they lost to Edgewood High School in the same year, with a score of 38-47, and to Clarksville High School, also in 2024, with a score of 38-47.

While the Paoli High School basketball teams have had their share of wins and losses, they have not been mentioned as state champions in the sources provided. The most recent mention of a state championship for Paoli was in 1999, when they were Class 2A state runners-up.

Indiana's high school basketball scene is highly competitive, with various schools vying for the coveted state championship title. While Paoli has not been among the recent state champions, their basketball programme continues to foster talent and compete at a high level.

Frequently asked questions

Orleans High School won the 2023 Class 1A state championship for high school basketball in Indiana.

Tom Bradley, who has been coaching at Orleans for 26 years, served as the coach for the Orleans High School basketball team.

Orleans High School's Bryce Jones received the Ray Craft Mental Attitude Award.

The Ray Craft Mental Attitude Award is presented annually to a senior participant in each classification who has demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability. The award is named after the former IHSAA Associate Commissioner Ray Craft.

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