1968 IHSAA State Championship: Gary Roosevelt 68, Indianapolis Shortridge 60

The fifty-eighth annual high school basketball championship was
won by Gary Roosevelt High School. It was the first state basketball championship for Gary Roosevelt.

The championship game between Gary Roosevelt and Indianapolis
Shortridge was touch and go through more than three quarters. It was only in the last minute and one-half of the game that the
Panthers broke it open and won 68-60. Shortridge led 15-11 at the
first quarter stop, but at the mid-way point the score was all
tied up at 32 all. By the third stop the Panthers had worked to
a 47-44 hard-earned lead, and did not break away until the final
minute of the hard fought contest. Great outside shooting by Aaron Smith in the early going kept the Panthers in the running. The final story was told by the great defensive board work done by Smith, McFerson and Nelson.

In the first afternoon game, Gary Roosevelt defeated Vincennes
Lincoln 65 -48. The Panthers led through most of the game although the Alices several times really challenged the winners. The score at the end of the fir st quarter found Gary Roosevelt leading 15-11. The low scoring first half found Gary Roosevelt ahead 24-22. At the third stop they led 43-35 and widened the gap in the final quarter to a 65-48 score.

The second afternoon game saw one of the most spectacular finishes witnessed in the state tournament for several years. With the score tied at 56 all, and one second showing on the clock, Oscar Evans of Indianapolis Shortridge let go with a long side jump shot that found its mark to defeat Marion High School 58-56. As it dropped through at the final buzzer, it killed a great comeback by the Marion Giants. Marion led 18-14 at the first quarter stop. Indianapolis Shortridge had edged ahead 24-23 at half-time. Shortridge led 38-33 at the third quarter stop and then led 58-56 by Evans' great shot at the end of the game.

The Board of Control unanimously selected James Nelson of Gary
Roosevelt as the recipient of the Arthur L. Trester coveted Award
for Mental Attitude.

Consolidation again reduced the number of high schools participating in the sectional tournaments. This year 488 participated as compared to 512 last year. Gross receipts were $1,505,269.60 and the total attendance was 1,013,687.