Bedford North Lawrence Stars vs Lawrence North Wildcats - 1989 Boys Basketball Hall of Fame Classic

The championship game of the 1989 Hall of Fame Classic (December 26, 1989) featured Bedford North Lawrence's star senior and IU recruit, Damon Bailey, against Lawrence North's star senior and UNC recruit, Eric Montross. The headlining stars delivered earlier in the day as Bailey went for 31 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals in a 65-60 opening win over the Pike Red Devils. Montross overwhelmed the New Castle Trojans with a 16 point, 17 rebound performance in a 72-58 victory to set up the anticipated championship matchup between the two frontrunners for Mr. Basketball. In front of an event-record 10,716 fans, the championship game went back and forth. Lawrence North held a 23-21 halftime lead despite a running 30-foot shot from Bailey to beat the horn at the half. By the close of the third period, the Wildcats had a 37-33 edge. Enduring leg cramps, Bailey hit a three-pointer that gave the Stars a 44-41 lead. With 46 seconds left in the game, Lawrence North appeared to take control with a 50-45 lead only to see it evaporate 16 seconds later at the hands of another Bailey three and a pair of free throws. With the game tied at 50 and only 4 seconds remaining, Montross hit a free throw to put his team up one to secure the 51-50 victory. Bailey had 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals in the title game (57 points, 20 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals on the day) en route to tournament MVP honors. Montross recorded 16 points and 14 rebounds in the championship, which totaled 32 points and 31 rebounds for the tournament.