Plymouth High School's Pilgrims, sparked by the near-record performance of senior guard Scott Skiles, outlasted Gary Roosevelt to win the 1982 Boys Basketball Tournament 75-74 in a thrilling double overtime contest. Skiles, who scored 39 points in the title game, hit the tying basket with one second left to send the game into overtime. The first extra period ended in a 65-65 tie, which set up the first multiple
overtime since 1913.
Roosevelt's Panthers, coached by Ron Heflin, were paced by Renaldo Thomas and Anthony Stewart with 19 and 18 points respectively and Ronnie Bradley with 14. Coach Jack Edison's Pilgrims led by 5 points, 30-25, at the end of the first half. Roosevelt came on strong at the start of the second half and gained a slim lead for the first time. By the end of the third quarter they had upped their lead to 45-38, outscoring Plymouth 20-8. Less than two minutes into the fourth quarter, the lead was trimmed to 45-43 , and regulation play ended with a 60-60 deadlock.
Both afternoon games were as exciting as the final tilt. Indianapolis Cathedral and Plymouth, both making their initial appearances in the Final Four, battled to a 62-59 finish with Irish center Ken Barlow scoring 22 points for the losers. The Irish led early, 12-6, but fell behind by 10 points and then fought back to lead four times by a single point. Skiles scored 30 in this game, giving him a total of 69 for the day.
Gary Roosevelt beat Evansville Bosse in the second game on a layup by Thomas with one second left to play. Bosse led only twice in the game, 26-25 in the first half and 57-56 on a basket by Derrick Dowell with five seconds left to play. Thomas then took the inbounds pass at midcourt and drove to the basket for the winning tally. Myron Christian contributed 23 points and Dowell 18 in the 58-57 contest.
Phillip Wendel, who scored 16 points for Plymouth's first-ever champions in the final game, was the winner of the coveted Arthur L Trester Mental Attitude Award. The 72nd tournament was marked by suspense and excitement during all three games and will be remembered for the outstanding displays of sportsmanship and team spirit by all those participating.