In what will go down as one of the most exciting state final games in recent history (and maybe ever), Cody Zeller and the Washington Hatchets knocked off Gary Wallace, 65-62 in overtime, to win the Class 3A state title.
Zeller scored a team-high 20 points and grabbed 26 rebounds, tying the 3A title game rebounding record set by Gerry Hall of Muncie South in 1999. The 6-9 junior hit just 4 of 15 field goals, but made 11 of 17 free throws.
The win gave Washington its third state title this decade.
Branden Dawson, a junior wing for Wallace with an offer from IU, scored a game-high 22 points to go along with 11 rebounds, but missed two 3-pointers in the closing seconds that would have tied the game.
Video of Dawson and Zeller from the postgame press conference after the jump.
Here’s what we’ve been able to piece together from Saturday’s Elite Camp that took place at Assembly Hall:
With the summer evaluation period set to begin next week, Scout.com 
With roughly two and a half years to recruit before the early signing period in November of 2010, the fruits from the Indiana staff’s recruiting efforts for the 2011 class could be plentiful. The only catch? The uncertainty of the scholarship situation. A quick look at the 
Despite reports that he is Purdue’s to lose, Gary Lew Wallace rising junior Branden Dawson isn’t counting out the basketball program in Bloomington.
Observations from the 100th Indiana State Finals
+ Faces in the crowd: Tom Crean, accompanied by his son Riley, was in the house for the evening session. Decked out in crimson IU gear, Crean was positioned on the baseline and was easy to spot. Among the other coaches in attendance: Tubby Smith, Bruce Weber, Matt Painter, Roy Williams and Ohio State assistant coach Brandon Miller.
+ Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell, Park Tudor (pictured): This was actually my first time watching Ferrell, a sophomore, and I was particularly interested in getting a good read given the recent scholarship offer by Indiana. Ferrell struggled from the field (7 of 21), but was still the most talented player in the 2A game, which Park Tudor lost to Wheeler 41-38. At 5-10, 160 pounds, size must be taken into consideration when evaluating Ferrell’s ceiling, but he did appear capable of playing in the Big Ten. He’s more of a scorer than a pure point guard, is stronger than he looks, makes intelligent decisions and has a really nice handle. In other words, I liked him. I’ll be interested to get another look at Ferrell this spring and summer when he’s not attacked by constant double teams.
+ Cody Zeller, Washington: The 6-9 junior forward continues to improve every time he steps on the court. Gary Wallace had no answer for Zeller on the glass, evidenced by the 26 rebounds he corralled, tying a 3A state finals record. Zeller has excellent hands and if he can continue to get stronger, he’ll be a handful on the boards at the next level. Offensively, he didn’t shoot particularly well, but was able to get to the foul line all evening. I continue to hear Butler, Indiana and North Carolina as three schools in solid standing with Zeller, but nothing to indicate he’s leaning in any particular direction.
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