Last season Kevin Ferrell and Park Tudor knocked out Bowman Academy in a talented Class 2A state championship game. This year, Bowman was able to turn it around. The charter school from Gary led from start to finish and survived a late run to win 86-73.
Bowman was led by talented 2015 prospect Davon Dillard, who is getting interest from the Indiana Hoosiers, Purdue Boilermakers, Illinois Fighting Illini, DePaul Blue Demons, Iowa Hawkeyes, and Michgian St. Spartans. Dillard had 24 points on 10 of 16 shooting and proved to be too athletic for Linton-Stockton to handle.
Justin King, who is also receiving some Purdue interest, had 16 points, while Antonio Pipkin had 16 and Arthur Haggard III with 15. Pipkin had 14 of his points in the second half as he repeatedly hustled to the basket.
An excellent mid-major prospect in Austin Karazsia finished with a game high 29 points and won the Trester Mental Attitude Award. He was a decent football prospect, but the 2013 player, who is 6'8" and a great ball handler, has decided to go for basketball in college. He would be a great mid-major player.He was 11 of 13 from the floor and 7 of 8 from the line, showing a great touch. He also added 10 rebounds.
Dess Fougerousse had 25 for Linton-Stockton and is another interesting mid- to low-major prospect.
The Miners got as close as five in the fourth quarter but could not break Bowman's trapping defense to cut the deficit further. Bowman also hit 14 of 17 free throws to keep the Miners at arm's length.