Triton falls to Barr-Reeve in 1A boys basketball state championship

Suffice it to say, the final two quarters of Korben Boyd’s career are forever cemented in the minds and hearts of Daviess County basketball fans.

One of only two seniors on Barr-Reeve’s team, the 5-foot-11 Boyd came off the bench to score 11 of the Vikings’ final 18 points in a 50-37 victory over Triton in the Class 1A state championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Pretty heady stuff for a player averaging 2.5 points per contest.

“We’re not here without this young man,” said first-year Barr-Reeve coach Heath Howington of Boyd, who added to his monster day by being named the winner of the prestigious Ray Craft Mental Attitude Award. “Everything he does, he does it the right way. In the classroom, in the weight room, in the hallways.

“He’s everything that we want our program and our school to represent. Every drill, he sprints to it. Everything he does, he goes full throttle. One-hundred percent, and guys like that deserve to shine on a stage like this.”

And shine Boyd did.

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The score was tied at 30-30 until the Vikings took what would be the lead for good on a steal near mid-court and layup by sophomore guard Jaylon Graber with 1:35 remaining in the third quarter.

Boyd splashed a 3-pointer from the left wing 34 seconds later, and then accounted for his team’s first five points of the final stanza on a mid-range baseline jumper and another triple from essentially the same spot as his first.

“It always helps to see one go in,” said Boyd. “When it’s a state championship, you’re locked in, and you shoot the open ones. To see one go in, I knew I could make more.”

Triton coach Jason Groves called timeout with 5:32 remaining, but the Trojans, much as they tried, couldn’t reverse the momentum. The combination of the Vikings’ defense and Triton’s inability to make a basket never got Triton closer than nine points the rest of the way.

With no seniors in its starting lineup, Barr-Reeve, possibly suffering from a case of jitters, started slow, trailing, 6-0, early and 13-6 at the outset of the second period before settling in.

Sophomore forward Josh Miller’s left-handed runner at 6:31 of the second began what would start a 14-7 Vikings’ scoring run that tied the score at 20-20 at halftime.

Triton’s final bucket of the third quarter was a layup from senior forward Jayden Overmyer at the 2:39 mark. It wouldn’t score again until 3:57 of the fourth when senior guard Julian Swanson made good on a mid-range jumper.

“I thought we got out to a great start. I knew we were going to have to hit shots because (Barr-Reeve) is really good defensively. They contain so well,” said Groves. “I felt like we had some opportunities to knock down some shots. Just didn’t do it.

“Our kids battled. Barr-Reeve is a really good team. Give them some credit.”

Barr-Reeve (28-1) made 18 of 31 field goal attempts (.581) compared to the Trojans’ 16 of 39 (.410), and outrebounded Triton, 23-16, with Miller collecting a game-high nine boards. The Trojans made only two of their 15 3-point tries.

The Trojans entered the game shooting a solid .338 from behind the arc.

“We shoot really well from 3-point range, which we have been all year, but it kind of came down to what can we do from here,” said Triton senior guard Landon Patrick. “How can we score and how can we defend without hitting the 3s? We didn’t do as good of a job as we should have today.”

Miller led the Vikings in scoring with 13 points with Boyd and Graber tallying 11 apiece. Triton Central, which finished 28-4, saw Swanson produce a game-high 16 points and Overmyer contribute 10 of his own.

Boyd, who grew up watching Barr-Reeve teams celebrate success whether it was the state championship squads of 2015 and 2021 or the program’s runners-up in 2014 and 2019, was happy to say he did his part helping the Vikings secure a third title.

“It’s amazing. I can’t put words to it that this team gets to put its own stamp on the program,” said Boyd. “Just to watch all those games, and now it’s my turn to put the jersey on and to compete in the State Finals.”

Barr-Reeve's Korben Boyd receives Ray Craft Mental Attitude Award

Members of the IHSAA Executive Committee named Korben Boyd of Barr-Reeve High School as the winner of the Arthur L. Trester Mental Attitude Award in Class 1A Boys Basketball.

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

Korben is a four-year participant in both basketball and baseball for the Vikings. A team captain, he is a three-time recipient of the Viking of the Year award, a member of three Blue Chip Conference championship basketball teams and has been recognized on the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Honors Court. Academically, he ranks among the top students in his class and is actively involved in Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Student Government, SADD, and BETA Club.

In baseball, Korben contributed to a 2024 State Championship team and a 2023 State Runner-Up finish. Beyond his athletic and academic commitments, he is dedicated to serving his community; volunteering with Viking Youth Basketball through workouts and ticket-taking, as well as supporting Champions Together initiatives.

He is the son of Kory and Kerri Boyd of Montgomery, Indiana and he is planning on attending Olney Central Junior College to study engineering and continue his baseball career on a scholarship. He is also the second Viking athlete to earn an IHSAA mental attitude award this school year joining classmate Addison Jones who was presented the 2A award in girls volleyball on this court last November.

The Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever, the presenting sponsors of the IHSAA Boys Basketball State Tournament, presented a $1,000 scholarship to the general scholarship fund at Barr-Reeve High School in the name of Korben Boyd. 

The award is named in honor of the former IHSAA Associate Commissioner Ray Craft, who served at nearly every level of Indiana secondary education and interscholastic athletics during his career from 1983 to 2008.

IHSAA’s Champion of Education Award, presented by Ivy Tech Community College

This award recognizes teachers and faculty who go above and beyond to challenge students to reach their full potential. As an organization that emphasizes keeping education at the forefront of high school athletics, the IHSAA is proud to shine a light on two honorees in this year’s class. On behalf of Ivy Tech Community College, presenting sponsors of the IHSAA Champion of Education Award, the IHSAA will award $250 to the classroom of each recipient.

Presenters: Dr. Marty Pollio, President of Ivy Tech Community College

Mark Holt has dedicated 43 years to Barr-Reeve Middle/High School, teaching a wide range of math courses while building lasting relationships with many of his students. He goes beyond just teaching math by truly knowing his students, taking interest in their lives, and creating a classroom where they feel valued and motivated. He has also been a trusted mentor to younger teachers, leading by example with his commitment and care. Mark's influence has shaped generations of students and strengthened school culture in so many meaningful ways!

Joel Grindle teaches Business at Triton Jr./Sr. High School. Whether he’s teaching, coaching, mentoring in the weight room, or leading student clubs, Mr. Grindle is a positive role model who shows up for students in every way. In just two years, he has already become a valued and appreciated member of the Triton community!