Kelly Robbins scored a Class 3A game record 38 points to power unranked Delta to a 65-54 triumph over Harding for its first basketball state championship.

Robbins, a 6-3 senior forward who averaged 19.6 points per game, made 10 of his 20 attempts from the field, including three three-pointers, and connected on all 15 free throws. Robbins’ 38-point effort was the eighth-best output in the 92-year history of the state finals.

The Eagles finished as the state runner-up in 1997, their only other appearance in the state finals. This championship also marked the second of the year for the Muncie-area school, which captured the Class 3A volleyball title and finished as the runner-up in Class 4A football in November. It was the school’s seventh state championship in all sports.

Seniors Brad Wilson and Ryan Rhoades chipped in 11 and 10 points respectively for Delta.

(Class 3A) Fourth-ranked Harding, last year’s Class 2A state champ, jumped out to a 6-0 lead right off the bat, but Delta grabbed the lead for good in early in the second period on a three-pointer by Kelly Robbins that put the Eagles on top 19-16. They never trailed again.

Delta was able to extend the lead to seven points late in the third but could never put away Harding for good until hitting its free throws at the end. Delta led 52-49 before the Eagles were sent to the line and made 13 of its 14 free throws over the last 2:51 of the game. Delta set a Class 3A team record for free throw percentage (.955) by connecting on 21 of 22 from the stripe.

Seniors Adrian Greene and Courtney Reese led Harding with 15 points each and classmate David Tubbs added 13.

Delta, guided by 10th year head coach Paul Keller, finished a 22-6 campaign. Harding finished its season 23-5 under 12th year head coach Al Gooden.

Brian Wright of Delta High School was selected as the recipient of the Arthur L. Trester Mental Attitude Award by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee. Farm Bureau Insurance, the corporate partner of the IHSAA, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Delta High School in the name of Brian Wright.

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