INDIANAPOLIS – It is officially over.

The Zeller era of Indiana high school basketball came to a resounding and emphatic end March 26 in Conseco Fieldhouse as Class 3A top-ranked Washington won its second consecutive state title with a 61-46 victory over No. 18 Culver Academies.

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Cody Zeller, his older brothers Luke and Tyler, and the many teammates of the Zellers’ who have donned the Hatchets’ black and gold have left an indelible mark of greatness in the annals of Indiana high school basketball tradition.

Washington (24-4) owns two of the past three 3A titles and four of the last seven. The latest triumph ties Washington with Marion for the second-most titles (seven) of all time, just one behind Muncie Central. 

“It’s a tremendous time for Washington basketball, that’s for sure,” said sixth-year Hatchet coach Gene Miiller. “It has meant a lot to our community and our school, and the Zellers have been great players and great people. 

“But I think the other thing you’ve got to look at is the other players.

Miiller said that while the Zellers have done a lot, he always thinks about those other guys who helped along the way. 

“Seth Coy, Tyler Price, Ethan Huntsinger, and these guys sitting up here (Dylan Ervin, Robert Pittman, and Kurtis Anthony). Not only were (the Zellers) great players, but they had great players around them. I think those guys meant a lot, too, and I think each one of the Zellers would say that as well.

“You’ve got to have those other guys to compliment your great players. As great as they, are they couldn’t win it by themselves – they needed these other guys to get here and get it done. It’s a time for us all to celebrate.”

Washington’s win over Culver Academies (19-7) was case in point for what Miiller described. Zeller was matched against the Eagles’ fellow senior, 7-foot-1 center and New Mexico recruit Chier Ajou, and was also the target of many double teams throughout the contest. 

So he often deferred to his supporting cast, and the Hatchets responded.

Ervin, a junior guard, poured in 18 points and grabbed six rebounds. Anthony, a senior guard, added 10 points and four assists, while senior forward Pittman chipped in nine points and collected six rebounds.

Ervin’s play was particularly important in the second quarter, when the Hatchets began to assume control of the game.

Trailing 18-17 after the first quarter, Ervin darted in front of a Culver pass and took the ball length of the floor for a layup that gave the Hatchets a lead they would never relinquish. That play was the flash point for a 9-0 run that staked Washington to a 26-18 advantage.

By halftime, the Hatchets had extended the lead to 35-24. The Eagles closed their deficit to 39-30 with 3:36 to play in the third quarter, but Anthony answered with a 3-pointer – on an assist from Zeller, no less – as Washington maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the way. 

Washington’s defense limited Culver Academies to just 38 percent shooting (20 of 53), while the Hatchets were 22 of 43 (51 percent) from the field.

 

“Dylan made a couple big keys in that stretch, and that got us going,” Miiller said. “The last two years, he has been one of our best defensive basketball players – always making big plays on the defensive end of the court. 

“Overall defensively, we picked up everything after the first quarter – they only scored 28 points (the final three quarters).”

Despite the size of his counterpart in the middle and the extra attention he received, Zeller’s presence and performance assured he would finish his career going out on top.

The versatile 6’11” Indiana university recruit scored 12 of his game-high 20 points in the first half, then went the second half without a field goal. But Zeller owned the backboards in the second half, collecting 13 of his game-high 18 rebounds in the final 16 minutes. 

Culver collectively had 21 rebounds in the contest.

“(Zeller) was a big influence in this game, but that is the type of player he is,” said Culver Academies first-year coach Mark Galloway. “He’s able to do so many things, things that go unnoticed sometimes.

“The way he handles the ball and extends you out … his basketball IQ is very, very high. He’s a 6-11 guy that can run the floor and extend the defense, not only by shooting and scoring but handling the ball and passing. He may not make the pass that leads to a basket, but a pass that’s going to get someone else open.”

Zeller capped his triumphant night and illustrious career by winning the Trester Mental Attitude Award, joining brother Luke in earning that honor.

Culver’s appearance in the state finals was also historical. The Eagles arrived on the big stage just three weeks after capturing the school’s first-ever sectional championship. Though the outcome was obviously disappointing, Culver’s run to Conseco was filled with many good memories and capped an outstanding season.

“As coaches we’re so proud of the guys, but it’s difficult,” Galloway said. “We're upset, and it stings. We’ve come a long way and I’m so proud of them – what they’ve done in classroom and what they’ve done on court.

“I think back to the season’s first practice and we talked about being in a state championship. I know how hard we’ve had to work, how far we’ve come. I’m proud of the team, proud of the leadership. I’m also respectful for how good Washington is and how good Cody Zeller is.”

The Eagles were led by junior standout Jermaine Myers, a 6’1” point guard who scored 17 points and handed out four assists. Senior forward Juwan Brescacin added 12 points and five rebounds, while Ajou finished with 10 points before fouling out with 2:14 remaining.