Amber Feldman sank a three-pointer as time expired in overtime to give Triton a 57-54 victory over Rising Sun in the Class A state championship game on Saturday at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Feldman, a 5-7 sophomore guard, received a pass from teammate Tommi Kreiter along the top right side and drilled the shot from about 20 feet to give the unranked Trojans (20-7) their first state championship in any team sport. It was Feldman's only field goal attempt and points of the game.

Like Triton, who was coached by Mark Heeter, fourth-ranked Rising Sun was also making its first appearance in the girls basketball state finals and seemingly had the game in control with more than a minute to play in the extra session.

The Shiners, coached by Mark Fette, took a six-point lead at 54-48 after Jessica Brock sank two free throws with 1:08 to play. But Triton's Melissa Nifong nailed three-pointers on two consecutive trips down the floor to tie the game at 54-54 with 44.2 to go.

After a Rising Sun miss and a Triton rebound, the Trojans began setting up the final play with about 25 seconds remaining which resulted in Feldman's game-winner.

Triton owned a 28-20 lead at halftime and 38-33 after three periods, but the Shiners were able to rally and force overtime. Down 44-36 with 5:20 to play, Erin Turner and Dawn DeDreu each hit one of two free throws. Turner then dropped in a three-pointer to cut the lead to 44-42 and Jessica Brock's two free throws tied the game at 44-44.

Mary Messer gave the Shiners a brief 45-44 lead hitting the latter of two free throws with 2:04 remaining in regulation. Brandie Ganshorn then hit a jumper as Triton regained a one-point lead before Jennifer Brock hit her second free throw to tie the game again at 46-46.

Rising Sun's Jessica Brock led all scorers with 21 points and pulled down 13 rebounds. Sister Jennifer finished with 21 points and a Class A championship record 15 rebounds. Nifong finished with 17 points to pace Triton while Ashli Senff added 14. Elizabeth Salyer pulled down 12 boards for Triton.

Melissa Nifong of Triton High School was selected as the recipient of the Patricia L. Roy Mental Attitude Award by the IHSAA Executive Committee.

Nifong, a 5-11 senior forward for the Class A state champion Trojans led her team in scoring during the season and hit two clutch three-pointers in overtime to tie the game at 54-54. She finished the game with 17 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots. She also played volleyball for the Trojans all four years of high school.

Academically, Nifong currently ranks fourth in her senior class and serves as Vice-President of the National Honor Society and Student Council. She is the president and founder of Triton's Big Buddy Program which pairs older successful high school students with academically and socially deprived elementary students.

Farm Bureau Insurance, the corporate partner of the Indiana High School Athletic Association, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Triton High School in the name of Nifong.

"Unbelievable finish to an unbelievable game. Rising Sun deserves a lot of credit. They really took us out of our offense the second half with that trapping defense. We obviously haven't seen that kind of press before in the half court."

"I really feel it would have been a different game and wouldn't have to go overtime if we had blocked out in the first place."

"When they took it up six on those free throws I looked at Missy and said we've got to start shooting some threes."

"We made a great defensive stop and the end of the game and Amber hit an incredible shot. We like for her to shoot more."

"What an incredible feeling. This is a team. Any time one of these girls can contribute. That's what your bench is supposed to do."

(On Amber Feldman's shot) "I'll just say she was the second option."

"I just had to shoot because there wasn't enough time. I watched it go in and I was stunned.

"I've dreamed about it before I never thought it would happen."

(On first of critical threes) "I couldn't see the basket."

(In the second overtime) "We had all the momentum and it was there."

"It was one of those things where somebody was looking down on Triton today. When we got up six I thought we were in pretty good shape. They banked one in, they rattled one in …. Two threes like that. What can I say, it was one of those games where some things are meant to be and I guess Triton was meant to win the state title this year."

(On reaching two state finals in volleyball and basketball) "If I could relive it I would."

"I just turned around and looked to see what was on the clock and there wasn't any time."

Team Rebounds: 8

Team Rebounds: 2

Officials: Norm Delph, Doug Bauman.