Top-ranked Pike held off a valiant effort by DeKalb, winning the Class 4A state championship game, 65-52. Pike remained undefeated, joining seven other teams to complete that task, including Cass who won the Class 2A state championship earlier in the day.
Pike, coached by Larry Bullington, finished 29-0 on the season, while fourth-ranked DeKalb finished with a 26-2 record. The Barons were coached by Cliff Hawkins.
Pike and DeKalb played close for the first three quarters though the Red Devils held their largest advantage of nine points at 32-23 with about two minutes remaining before halftime. After closing to within four at halftime at 32-28, DeKalb grabbed the lead midway through the third quarter. After two consecutive DeKalb steals that resulted in points, the Barons enjoyed a pair of one-point leads at 38-37 and 40-39. Pike’s decisive blow came on a 13-2 run that bridged the third and fourth quarters. DeKalb drew within six points with 3:23 left in the game, but Pike made 7 of 10 from the free throw stripe down the stretch to secure the victory.
Pike claimed its third 4A state championship in the win to go along with crowns in 1998 and 2001. This was the first appearance in a boy’s basketball state championship game for DeKalb.
DeKalb’s Alex Kock led all scorers with 25 points and also added 12 rebounds. Pike was led by Robert Vaden with 21 points. Also contributing for the state champions was Justin Cage with 15 points and 15 rebounds, and Courtney Lee with 15 points. Zach Christlieb scored 10 points in his effort for DeKalb.
Alex Kock of DeKalb High School was named winner of the Class 4A 2003 Boys Basketball Tournament Arthur L. Trester Award for Mental Attitude. Members of the IHSAA Executive Committee present the award to the outstanding senior participant in each classification of the boys basketball state finals. The recipients of this award, who were nominated by their principals and coaches, must excel in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and
athletic ability in basketball. Farm Bureau Insurance, IHSAA corporate partner, presented a scholarship check for
$1,000.00 to DeKalb High School in the name of Alex Kock.