And Plump and Butcher became early poster children for bracket-busting in Indiana. The next year, Oscar Robertson led Indianapolis Crispus Attucks to the state title — a first an all-Black team in the U.S. The Lions beat Columbus North 50-27 in a semifinal earlier in the day only to struggle that night against powerhouse Marion in the title game. “It’s so cool to do a state tournament where you combine all the classifications,” said Gonzaga coach Mark Few, whose team hoped to become the first unbeaten NCAA champion in 45 years. Gone were the days of cramming of 41,046 fans into a state title game as Damon Bailey’s Bedford North Lawrence championship team did in 1990.

Source: thestar April 03, 2021 07:57 UTC