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Junior guard Josh Whack scored seven points in overtime (all on free throws) to lift Carmel to a 51-46 win over Lawrence North in a battle of Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference entries in the Class 4A championship game.

With the game tied at 38-38 after regulation time, Carmel opened the extra session with a 3-pointer by Connor Gioia, then scored its final 10 points from the free throw line. Whack’s first free throw broke a 42-42 tie and the Greyhounds (26-2) never trailed again.

The title is the second straight for Carmel, which also won the 4A title in 2019. Coach Ryan Osborn’s squad also was a finalist in 2018. It gives the program its fifth state title, joining Marion, Muncie Central and Washington as the only schools in the state to win as many state championships.

Lawrence North was also seeking its fifth title – all under long-time head coach Jack Keefer. The Wildcats were 4-0 in their previous state championship appearances.

Lawrence North (28-3) will be left lamenting its free throw shooting as they missed seven of their first eight attempts, finished 5-of-13 in regulation time and 6-of-17 for the game.

Brian Waddell led Carmel with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Whack finished with 11 points. C.J. Gunn led LN with 18 points.

Class 4A State Championship Records
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Carmel’s Connor Gioia receives Trester Mental Attitude Award
Following today’s game, the IHSAA Executive Committee named Carmel’s Connor Gioia as the recipient of the Arthur L. Trester Mental Attitude Award in Class 4A Boys Basketball.

The award is annually presented to a senior, who is nominated by his principal and coach, and has demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability during his four years of high school.

He is the son of Anthony Gioia and Christine Bednar of Carmel. Connor has excelled in the classroom and is also a member of Carmel’s baseball team.  He plans on studying business after high school but is undecided on where he will attend college.

The Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever, presenting sponsors of the IHSAA Boys Basketball State Tournament, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Carmel High School’s general scholarship fund in the name of Connor Gioia.