INDIANAPOLIS — A first-time state champion was guaranteed Saturday morning at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and by game’s end, history belonged to the fourth-ranked Orleans Bulldogs, who secured their first-ever Class 1A state basketball title with a 64-55 victory over the third-ranked Clinton Prairie Gophers in the 115th Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) Boys Basketball State Finals.
Orleans, competing in its first state finals appearance in 111 years, had previously reached the title game consecutively in 1912, 1913, and 1914, but had never won the final game. The Bulldogs’ win not only represents the first state basketball title for Orleans High School but also marks Orange County’s first state championship.
Entering the finals, Orleans (25-4) was battle-tested, having knocked off second-ranked Hauser, 69-67, and top-ranked Clay City, 50-47, in the Seymour Semistate. Clinton Prairie (26-3) had also made history this postseason, capturing their first-ever regional and semistate titles and entering the championship with impressive offensive firepower, averaging 65.6 points per game.
This game was a back-and-forth clash, where either team could have run away with it. Someone always clawed back, making it a spectacular game for the over 5,000 people in attendance. Here’s a quick quarter-by-quarter breakdown of the action:
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: The teams were evenly matched from the tip-off, exchanging rapid baskets. It was Orleans’ Alex DeWitt who took early command, scoring the Bulldogs’ first three baskets and giving his team the early 6-2 lead. Clinton Prairie’s Alex Farley responded with a three-pointer to close the gap, but Orleans went on another run behind Bryce Jones’ acrobatic layup and a big three-pointer from Rylan Crocker, pushing their lead to 11-5. The Gophers took control late in the quarter with Farley hitting another three-pointer, giving them a 14-11 lead. Orleans was held scoreless for five minutes until Crocker was fouled on a three-point attempt and tied the game by hitting all three free throws, making it 14-14 at the quarter’s end.
Second Quarter: The game’s pace slowed as fouls became more prominent and both teams missed several close-range shots. Clinton Prairie took a slight advantage, 21-18, but Orleans surged back, finishing the half strong to lead 28-25 at halftime.
Third Quarter: Orleans opened the second half with intensity, led by junior Alex DeWitt, whose aggressive play sparked a pivotal 12-4 run, giving the Bulldogs a comfortable 44-33 advantage.
Clinton Prairie wasn’t going to fold though, and battled back cutting the deficit to just two points at 46-44 with a spirited 11-2 run, setting up a dramatic final quarter.
Fourth Quarter: Clinton Prairie quickly tied the game at 46-46, powered by Jake McGraw’s standout second-half performance. With the championship hanging in the balance, Orleans rose to the occasion. A critical three-pointer from Bryce Jones and timely baskets from Alex DeWitt and Rylan Crocker swung momentum back to the Bulldogs. Despite a late push from the Gophers that narrowed the lead to 53-50 with 2:36 remaining, Orleans’ steady free-throw shooting secured the 64-55 victory and their first state championship.
Stars of the Game
- Alex DeWitt (Orleans): Game-high 24 points and a team-best seven rebounds, shooting 10-for-14 from the field.
- Bryce Jones (Orleans): 17 points, five rebounds, and critical leadership on the court.
- Rylan Crocker (Orleans): 16 points, including crucial free throws to seal the win.
For Clinton Prairie, Jake McGraw led with 23 points and seven rebounds. Alex Farley contributed 16 points, and Nick Curtin added 10 points with seven rebounds.
Record-Setting Performance
Despite committing 17 turnovers compared to Clinton Prairie’s eight, Orleans dominated rebounding (24-17) and shot exceptionally well. The Bulldogs set Class 1A state finals records with a 63.9% field goal percentage (23-of-36) and a 60% three-point shooting rate (6-of-10). Combined, both teams established a new Class 1A state finals record by shooting 53% (44-of-83).
Bryce Jones Named Mental Attitude Award Winner
Following the game, Orleans’ Bryce Jones received the Ray Craft Mental Attitude Award, becoming the first student-athlete in school history to earn this honor. Jones, known for his scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability, will attend Indiana University. The Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever donated a $1,000 scholarship to Orleans High School in his name.
Historic Triumph
This championship marks a historic triumph for the Bulldogs, overcoming decades of postseason adversity. Coach Tom Bradley, who has coached Orleans for 26 years, now adds a state title to his impressive resume.
“Class guy, class act. [Bradley] has a history of doing things the right way,” Clinton Prairie coach Chad Peckinpaugh said. “He did a great job, and his team did a great job today.”
Orleans’ victory not only marks their place in school history but also cements their legacy within Indiana high school basketball lore.
