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South Bend Washington used a 27-0 run in the first half to take command and roll to a 93-35 win over Silver Creek, avenging a loss to the Dragons in in the 2021 Class 3A title game.

Washington led, 16-10, before freshman Monique Mitchell hit a 3-pointer from the right corner at the buzzer of the first quarter. Before Silver Creek scored again (with just under two minutes left before halftime), the top-ranked Panthers had built up a 43-10 lead and the outcome wasn’t in doubt.

The Panthers (27-3) led, 51-16, at halftime and 72-22 after three quarters.

The game was the first-ever rematch in a Class 3A championship. A year ago, Silver Creek topped the Panthers, 54-48, in the championship contest.

Senior Mila Reynolds led the scoring parade for the winners, netting 21 points, while freshman Kira Reynolds had 17 points and a whopping record 24 rebounds. Rashunda Jones and Kira Reyholds finished with 17 points and Monique Mitchell 14.

Kynidi Mason Striverson led the Dragons with 10 points.

With the win, Washington, coached by Steve Reynolds, claimed its second state title -- with the first coming by the Skylar Diggins-led, 2007 squad that made its second of four-straight state finals appearances.

Coach Scott Schoen’s Dragons finish at 26-3.

Class 3A State Championship Records

Most Points in a Half: 51 by South Bend Washington (first half)

Most Points in a Quarter: 32 by South Bend Washington (second quarter)

Largest Margin of Victory: 58 by South Bend Washington (overall record)

Most FG Made: 35 by South Bend Washington

Most FG Attempted: 66 by by South Bend Washington

Most Points Scored: 93 by South Bend Washington

Most Rebounds: 24 by Kira Reynolds (overall record)

Silver Creek’s Emme Rooney named Mental Attitude Award winner
Following the game, members of the IHSAA Executive Committee named Emme Rooney of Silver Creek High School as the winner of the Patricia L. Roy Mental Attitude Award in Class 3A Girls Basketball.

The award is presented annually to a senior participant in each classification who was nominated by her principal and coach and has demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability.

Academically, Emme ranks at the top of her senior class, is president of the Silver Creek Career Academy Program, vice-president of the National Honor Society, and is a Student Athlete Council Representative. She is also one of 15 National Youth Ambassadors for the National Psoriasis Foundation. Along with her high school diploma, Emme will graduate with an Associate’s Degree in General Studies from Ivy Tech Community College in May.

She is the daughter of Dave and Tracy Rooney of Sellersburg, IN and plans to study Global Health while playing basketball at DePauw University.

The Indiana Fever and Indiana Pacers, the presenting sponsor of the IHSAA Girls Basketball State Tournament, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Silver Creek High School in the name of Emme Rooney.

The award is named in honor of the late former IHSAA assistant commissioner Patricia L. Roy, who oversaw the girls basketball state tournament from its inception in 1976 until her retirement in 1999.