Ben Davis leans into its championship experience to push past New Palestine in regional win
Known as one of the state’s best cornerback prospects, Ben Davis junior Mark Zackery IV proved he’s more than a one-sport star.
With defending state champion Ben Davis in need of a spark against New Palestine in Saturday's Class 4A regional final, Zackery rose up to the challenge.
Not once but twice, and both times he used two hands to emphasize the Giants’ repeat intentions inside historic Southport Fieldhouse.
Zackery crammed down his first dunk with 1.1 seconds left in the first half to put eighth-ranked Ben Davis ahead 33-29.
IHSAA basketball regional scores:See which teams are headed to semistate
Neddenriep:No. 1 Fishers lowers boom on No. 4 Kokomo in front of 8,500 fans
His second two-handed, touch-dunk marked the sixth point during the Giants’ decisive 11-1 third-quarter run, which put Ben Davis in control en route to a 70-59 victory.
“It definitely came down to that fourth quarter and the second half,” Zackery said. “In the fourth quarter and in the second half, we talked about our experience and expressed that to the team. I think it’s what helped us come out with the W.”
The varsity veteran trio of Zackery, senior Mark White and senior K.J. Windham., a Northwestern recruit, entered the IHSAA state tournament with one shared goal — return to the state finals.
Against New Palestine (22-6), their experience from last year’s state title season paved the way through four ties and nine lead changes until Ben Davis (22-5) built a 55-43 lead early in the fourth and maintained the cushion with an 8-0 run late.
In 2022-23, the Giants finished a perfect 33-0 to win the 4A state championship, but with the loss of seven seniors from last year’s roster and coach Don Carlisle being placed on administrative leave due to an altercation with a student this past September, Ben Davis’ journey back has been taxing.
“It’s a real moment. All year, we knew we had the potential to be here. I’m so proud of the guys. They fought through some adversity, even in this game. We had to battle through it,” Ben Davis interim coach Corey Taylor said.
“Coming into the year, the stakes were so high. They thought we’d be undefeated again, but it took time for us to get there. We only lost five games, but with every game we learned something new about ourselves.”
Tied up 42-all with 39 seconds left in the third quarter, the Giants broke the final stalemate behind a pass from Zackery to senior Ramone Enis to give them a 44-42 advantage.
Enis opened the fourth with another layup assisted by Zackery. Less than a minute later, Zackery intercepted his third steal of the game and ran down the court for his second dunk.
“He’s not a bad football player as well, but he’s one of our leaders. He and K.J. and Mark White have done this before with the state team last year, so in these battle-tested moments we’re ready to go,” Taylor said.
Zackery finished with a team-high 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting while converting 5-of-6 free throws. He posted a double-double with 10 assists.
White had 16 points and six rebounds with 10 of his points coming in the second half. Enis added 11 with 10 dropping through in the final 16 minutes.
Windham, who was averaging 15.7 points per game, was held to five, but eight points each from senior Justin Harrington and junior Justin Parks showcased the Giants’ widespread attack.
“It’s really just a statement for us. I know a lot of people would be satisfied with one (state title). And us being underclassmen last year and then having another year and actually doing it before, it makes us hungrier,” Windham said.
“That’s something that some teams don’t have. Everyone wants to win, but when you’ve been there and you know what it feels like to win, to be downtown in that game and cut the nets on the (Indiana) Pacers’ floor, it definitely gives you more motivation.”
The Giants needed to take their stand in the fourth with New Palestine junior Julius Gizzi scoring a game-high 31 points on 14-of-17 shooting.
Gizzi, who is New Palestine’s record holder for most points in a single season (810), hit a post jumper that moved New Palestine ahead 29-28 before a 3-pointer by Windham and a steal and dunk by Zackery flipped the margin 33-29.
A technical foul called on Zackery following the dunk for hanging on the rim kept the Dragons close at halftime, 33-31, after Gizzi buried both foul shots. Moses Haynes finished with 17 points on 5-of-7 shooting from behind the arc.
“Gizzi is a heck of a player, as well as Haynes,” Taylor said. “I thought we did a good job in the second half limiting their looks. It was a collective effort. The one thing about losses. If you learn from them, they’re not necessarily losses. We learned some great lessons. After every one we learned.”
Their primary lesson these few months, “Resiliency. Resiliency,” Taylor said.
Their 26-point fourth quarter echoed their fortitude and netted the program’s 11th regional title since 1988 and fifth in 4A since 1998. Their regional repeat is the first since Ben Davis won five straight from 1992-96.
“They had a good defensive plan on us, but it also allows the rest of our team to get going,” Windham said. “One player isn’t going to win a game. It’s about what everyone does. Especially, with me getting added attention, it just opens (Zackery) up. I told him before the game, ‘As soon as you see they’re face-guarding me, you got to go. It’s your game.’”
Zackery was ready.
“K.J. didn’t have his best game, but I knew it was still going to take him to end the game,” said Zackery, who was averaging 9.8 ppg. “It’s been me and him and Mark White being here last year that’s helped our team a lot. The experience and wanting to win, knowing what it takes, I feel like it’s helped us out a lot.”