I will qualify this by stating I am not a fair weather fan. See my Reds status. Quite the contrary, in fact, as I am more than willing to be done with some wins if it means we are also done with the five-star recruits and their attitudes. I’m done with the blue chippers, Woodson, and all that goes with it. There is nothing Hoosier about this team. Nothing. IU has sold its soul to the idea of chasing another banner and in the process lost what made it great.

Give me five Indiana kids that play hard, and I’ll take the outcome that goes with it.

Saying this, I realize there is no putting the genie back in the bottle. I am a minority, and the IU fan$ of today want a winner at all costs - even if we now look like Kentucky in red jerseys.

I attended the Hall of Fame’s grand re-opening the other day, and it was beyond great. 6000 sq feet addition is more than worth the drive for any good Hoosier. Several new exhibits, and they have redone some of the classics too. Plus admission is now free to everyone forever thanks to a sponsorship by Henry County Health. It is a true gem, and the only one like it in the entire country.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Ben Davis girls 40-38 win over Roncalli in the Marion County Tourney was even more historic than it was dramatic. Their 18-point comeback, after being down 26-8 at halftime, is the 5th biggest ever!


Largest Come From Behind Victory
(G) Down 22 - Tipton (54) vs. Delphi (52) 2010-11
(G) Down 20 - Greenwood (52) vs. Franklin (48) OT! 2009-10
(G) Down 19 - Huntington North (67) vs. Kokomo (60) 1999-00
(G) Down 19 - Tri-County (51) vs. West Central (44) 2010-11
(G) Down 18 - Ben Davis (40) vs. Roncalli 38 2024-25
(G) Down 18 - Knox (50) vs. Calumet (45) 2009-10
(G) Down 18 - Borden (47) vs. Paoli (39) 2010-11
(G) Down 16 - Brownsburg (62) vs. Lafayette Jeff (57) 2004-05
(G) Down 16 - Roncalli (65) vs. Lawrence North (55) 2012-13

Class 1A No. 2 Borden 30, Class 2A No. 7 Lanesville 29 ... or is it?

With 43.4 left, Borden leads 29-25. Borden player misses first free throw and hits the second (30-25). Lanesville's Hadley Crosier buries a three (30-28) at the other end, but scoreboard incorrectly counts it as a two (30-27).

Borden inbounds the ball and player misses a layup; Lanesville gets the rebound.

Lanesville comes down and hits a long two with :06 left and scoreboard corrects the earlier "two" to a three on the shot, making it 30-30, which is what it should have been.

Borden inbounds and time expires with a 30-30 score showing. Officials say, nope. It's 30-29. Ball game over.

Officials check the book before the game and they are known to come to the scorer's table during the game. It's my understanding that scoring errors can be addressed until the officials leave the confines of the court so on something like this, a visit was warranted. Books had it 30-30.

It's a shame the game ended on a controversial note because it was two gritty clubs in a tourney atmosphere in mid-December.

Three 40-point scorers headline this week’s group of honorees in the IBCA/Franciscan Health Player of the Week program for 2024-25.

Columbus East junior Keaton Lawson, Greenfield-Central senior Braylon Mullins and Evansville Central junior Maddy Shirley each scored 40 points or more in a game during the week of Dec. 2-7. Thus, Lawson, Mullins and Shirley along with Michigan City senior Anthony Murphy, Marquette Catholic junior Laniah Davis and Avon senior Aniah Smith have been selected as winners in the recognition program coordinated by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.

Also, the Warsaw boys’ team and the Lawrence Central girls’ team each has been cited as an IBCA/Ballogy Team of the Week in a new portion of the IBCA recognition program for 2024-25.

Players of the Week are chosen by IHSAA district – Murphy and Davis for District 1, Mullins and Smith for District 2 and Lawson and Shirley for District 3. A single for each gender from the entire state is cited as a Team of the Week in the new part of the recognition program. Players and teams are recognized based on all performances in a Monday through Saturday week.

The 6-5 Lawson averaged 31.5 points, 14.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 4.5 steals and 2.5 blocks in leading Columbus East (3-0) to a pair of victories. First, he poured in 44 points with 15 rebounds, one assist, four steals and four blocks while hitting 18-of-27 shots, 3-of-4 3-pointers and 5-of-6 free throws in an 83-61 triumph over Trinity Lutheran. He followed by netting 21 points with 13 rebounds, six assists, five steals and one block as the Olympians defeated Southwestern (Hanover) 71-55. For both games, Lawson was 26-of-42 from the floor, 4-of-6 from deep and 9-of-11 on freebies.

Mullins shined as then-Class 4A No. 3 Greenfield-Central prevailed in its only game of the week, a 57-52 decision over then-4A No. 9 Ben Davis. The 6-6 guard tallied 41 points with six rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block as the Cougars moved to 2-0 for the season. The University of Connecticut signee was efficient in his scoring, hitting 13-of-18 shots, 5-of-7 3-pointers and 10-of-11 free throws.

The 6-2 Murphy produced a double-double with 28 points and 12 rebounds as Michigan City outlasted Gary West Side 79-74 in its only contest of the week. Murphy added four assists, three steals and two blocks. He also converted 10-of-15 field goals, 2-of-2 from distance and 6-of-10 charities as the Wolves improved to 2-0.

Shirley surpassed 1,000 career points in one game and set a school record with 40 points in another as she averaged 27.3 points and 11.7 rebounds in a 2-1 week. The 6-1 forward opened with 29 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks as then 3A No. 9 Evansville Central blasted Evansville Harrison 66-26. She followed with 40 points, seven rebounds, five assists, one steal and two blocks in a 75-74 setback to Avon. Shirley then tallied 13 points, 16 rebounds, one assist and three blocks in a 44-39 win over Jasper to move her career scoring total to 1,080 points. For the week, Shirley connected on 31-of-65 from the field, 2-of-3 3-pointers and 18-of-21 free throws for the week as the Bears improved to 7-3. Those shooting totals included 12-of-23 from the floor and 16-of-18 from the line in 40-point game, which topped the previous school record of 39 points by Zuri Sanders against Vincennes Lincoln on Feb. 5, 2015.

The 5-7 Davis became the first repeat Player of the Week winner for 2024-25 as she averaged 24.0 points, 13.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 5.0 steals as 1A-No. 3 Marquette Catholic moved to 6-2 by beating Oregon-Davis 65-25 and Mishawaka 59-18. Against O-D, Davis totaled 21 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and four steals. Against Mishawaka, she produced 27 points, 17 rebounds, four assists and six steals. For the week, Davis was 21-of-35 from the field, 3-of-6 from deep and 3-of-5 on freebies.

Smith set two school career records while averaging 22.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 5.3 steals as Avon went 3-0 for the week to improve to 8-3 for the season. The 5-3 guard opened with 18 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and steals in a 57-54 upset of then-4A No. 5 Plainfield. The Jacksonville University commit followed with 32 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and eight steals as the Orioles topped then-3A No. 9 Evansville Central 75-74. She then tallied 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists and five steals as Avon defeated Lebanon 63-36. During the week, Smith was 27-of-67 on field goals, 4-of-16 on 3-pointers and 9-of-14 on free throws while setting school marks for career points (1,364) and career steals (305). Smith passed the respective marks of 1,322 points by 1989 graduate Heather Farrell and 296 steals set by 1993 graduate Kami Phelps in moving to the top of the two Orioles’ lists.

Warsaw (3-0) was selected boys’ Team of the Week after the 4A No. 8 Tigers beat then-3A No. 19 Columbia City 62-53, knocked off Homestead 62-60 in overtime and topped Huntington North 77-53 for coach Matt Moore. Senior Brandt Martin tallied 15 points and five rebounds, while classmate Carson Gould provided 11 points, five rebounds, eight assists and six steals against the Eagles. Martin netted 18 points, senior Robbie Finlinson added 17 points, senior Luke Bricker had 15 points and junior Mydin Burgher netted nine points – including the game winner – against the Spartans. Martin provided 18 points and 12 rebounds, Finlinson 17 points, Bricker 15 points, senior Parker Justice 11 points and Gould 10 assists in the triumph over the Vikings.

The Lawrence Central girls (8-0), Indiana’s defending 4A state champions and currently ranked first in 4A, defended state bragging rights by defeating two Kentucky traditional powers in the Hoops 4 Harvest Showcase at Edgewood, Ky. With senior Jaylah Lampley scoring 23 points, junior Lola Lampley netting 16 points, junior Aniyah McKenzie notching 15 points and senior Laila Abdurraqib providing 11 points and 10 assists, the Bears knocked off four-time defending Kentucky state champion Sacred Heart Academy 69-49 in matchup of 2024 state winners. Coach Jannon Lampley’s crew followed that performance as it defeated Mercy Academy 81-43. In the latter game, Jaylah Lampley tallied 33 points and 12 rebounds, Lola Lampley netted 18 points and nine rebounds and Abdurraqib totaled 13 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.

Happy Holidays, everyone! Since you have participated in our annual College Bowl pick’em in the past, I wanted to send you an invite for this year’s contest. Beginning again December 14, there will be at least one college bowl nearly every day until after New Year’s.

If you’re looking for a reason to give a hoot about the Duke’s Mayonnaise Bowl, this is your ticket. 36 bowls this year. Plus we also get to add the 12-team playoff to our game this year!

If you know of someone that would enjoy playing, feel free to forward this along to them. All are welcome. The rules are the same as past years.

1. Entry fee is $20, winner takes all. Feel free to Venmo me if I won’t see you in person. @Leigh-Evans-13

2. Pick the winner of each Bowl Game and then rank each with confidence points, 1-36. Winning the 12 point game would earn you 12 points. The 36 point game would earn you 36 points etc. Use each point value only once.

3. Tourney new this year! In addition, the tourney bracket at the bottom will be scored much like March Madness. First round games will be worth 20 points each, second round quarterfinal games worth 30, 3rd round semifinals worth 40, and championship worth 50. All tourney points will be added to regular bowl games to determine each player’s total score.

4. Print out the attached entry form, fill it out with old school pen/pencil, and text me a photo of your entry form. 317-224-7150

Deadline to complete your picks is Saturday, December 14 by 12 noon (EST) as that is the kickoff of the first game with the not-so-prestigious Cricket Celebration Bowl. I will text updated standings as in days of old..

Past Winners:
2024 ???
2023 Kenny Knartzer
2022 Greg Scudder
2021 Kenny Haupt
2020 Quin Schneider
2019 Quin Schneider
2018 Chris Bauer
2017 Kailey Evans

Merry Christmas!
Leigh Evans
317-224-7150

Here’s the link to entry form to print - Good luck!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14dVvQBbK4ecTJ_ArE88i2R5ofzJNntKe6MdZ0XbKs_8/edit?usp=sharing

NEW CASTLE, Ind. – Girls’ and women’s basketball in Indiana historically has seen a number of the top players in the nation. The 2025 Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame induction class is no different. The board of directors of the Hall proudly announces its 23rd women’s induction class, to be honored in ceremonies on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Seventeen people are in the class, including 1998 Indiana Miss Basketball Kelly Komara of Lake Central. The class also includes former Indiana All-Stars Carrie (Mount) Roelle of Bedford North Lawrence and Anderson High School teammates Sarah Armington and Melina Griffin, seven other players, five coaches and one contributor – Martha Randel of Zionsville – as the Indiana Pacers/Indiana Fever Silver Medal winner. The Silver Medal is presented to a person who contributed to Indiana high school basketball in a role other than as a player or coach.

Four of five posthumous inductees are from the 1920s and 1930s era of Indiana girls’ basketball. They are Ruth (Hutchins) Parker of Griffith, Doris “Bill” (Smyers) Richards of Wabash, Sarah (MacGregor) Ward of Mt. Vernon (Posey)and coach Marcia Snow, who guided Wabash teams from 1926-35. A fifth posthumous inductee is Tom Earlywine, coach at Mt. Vernon (Fortville) from 1979-91.

The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame’s 23rd Women’s Awards Banquet is planned for Saturday, April 26, 2025. The day’s events will include a reception at the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Museum in New Castle that afternoon with a banquet that evening at the Primo Banquet Hall in Indianapolis.

Ran across this and had to share. Ad in an Indiana Pioneer era Newspaper

“Any gal that got a calico dress, coffee pot and skillet, knows how to sew britches and can make a hunting shirt, knows how to take care of children can have me as husband till death do us part.”

[KNIGHTSTOWN — Medora made a long and memorable trip on Friday night, turning back the clock to play on an historic playing surface in Indiana. The Hornets made the trip to Knightstown to face Lighthouse Christian Academy at the Hoosier Gym for a Southern Roads Conference matchup.

The team made the most of the experience, topping the Lions by 19 points, led by Kade Wright’s 25 and Jaxon Nugen’s 21 points. Medora secured the victory 76-57, improving to 2-1 on the 2024-25 regular season.]

LAPEL, Ind. -- Lapel's 53-38 home win over University this past weekend saw a white hot Taylor Mroz knock down 5 five three pointers in the first quarter. Although she would go scoreless the remainder of the contest her historic first quarter places her name among some of the best shooters our state has ever seen. The 5-7 multisport senior Lapel moved to 5-5 on the year. University, playing their third game in five days, dropped to 3-4.


Lapel's Taylor Mroz

Most 3 Pointers in a Quarter
(G) 7 Jodi Howell - Alexandria vs. Madison-Grant 2004-05
(G) 6 Annmarie Keller - Kouts vs. LaCrosse 2007-08
(G) 6 Jessica Norris - Center Grove vs. Perry Meridian 2014-15
(G) 6 Tori Packwood - West Washington vs. Crawford County 2012-13
(G) 6 Shae Hines - Jeffersonville vs. Floyd Central 2013-14
(G) 5 Jenna Blakely - University vs. Scecina 2018-19
(G) 5 Corie West - New Castle vs. Muncie South 2003-04
(G) 5 Amy McLaughlin - Brownsburg vs. Pike 1990-91
(G) 5 Taylor Mroz - Lapel vs. University 2024-25
(G) 5 Angie Enders - Brownsburg vs. Tri-West 1994-95
(G) 5 Abbey Kirchner - Jennings Co. vs. Brownstown 2003-04
(G) 5 Olivia Nickerson - Twin Lakes vs. Tri-County 2023-24
(G) 5 Abby Pliett - Central Noble vs. Lakeland 2023-24
(G) 5 Cortney Smith - Muncie South vs. Wapahani 2009-10

Poll Results - DECEMBER 8, 2024 POLL

Rank School Total Points Record 1st Place Votes

1 Fishers 440 4-0 (22)
2 Attucks 412 5-0
3 Carmel 361 3-0
4 Greenfield-Central 356 2-0
5 Jeffersonville 322 2-1
6 Lawrence North 287 1-1
7 Cathedral 276 2-2
8 Warsaw 267 3-0
9 Crown Point 249 1-0
10 New Palestine 211 2-0
11 Anderson 205 3-0
12 St. Joe 160 2-0
13 East Chicago 136 3-1
14 Noblesville 133 2-1
15 Ben Davis 129 1-2
16 Pike 99 3-0
17 New Albany 90 2-0
18 Northridge 72 4-0
19 Westfield 55 2-1
20 Luers 48 1-0


Other Schools Receiving Votes (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)
Avon (3-1), BNL (2-1), Brownsburg (1-1), Brownstown Central (2-0), Columbia City (3-1), Danville (4-0), Reitz (1-0), EV Harrison (1-1), EV Memorial (0-0), Blackhawk (3-1), Wayne (1-1), Gary West Side (2-3), Guerin (4-0), Homestead (2-1), Lutheran (0-0), Leo (2-1), Mt. Vernon (F) (3-1), North Central (Indianapolis) (1-1), NorthWood (3-0), Parke Heritage (4-0), Plainfield (2-2), Portage (2-0), Princeton (4-0), Silver Creek (4-0), Riley (3-0), Southridge (2-0), Valpo (0-3), Wapahani (3-0), Warren Central (1-1), Zionsville (1-3), 21st Century Charter School – Gary (3-0)

2024-25 IBCA girls basketball poll – Week 5 (Dec. 8, 2024)
Rank School (FPV) Points Record
1 Lawrence Central (20) 436 8-0
2 Homestead (2) 408 9-0
3 Hamilton Southeastern 403 10-0
4 Center Grove 365 8-0
5 Warsaw 360 9-0
6 South Bend Washington 315 8-1
7 Northridge 289 8-1
8 Greensburg 282 10-0
9 McCutcheon 252 9-1
10 Plainfield 222 7-1
11 South Knox 218 11-0
12 Silver Creek 197 7-1
13 Brownsburg 191 7-2
14 Noblesville 120 5-3
15 Columbia City 118 7-2
16 Floyd Central 104 7-0
17 Bloomington South 103 8-1
18 Fishers 49 8-3
19 Pike 42 6-1
20 Lawrence North 34 4-3

Others receiving votes (listed alphabetically):
Alexandria (10-0),
Austin (8-0), Avon (8-3), Brownstown Central (8-0), Danville (6-2),
Eastern Hancock (8-0), Evansville Central (7-3), Evansville Reitz (8-0),
Franklin Central (5-4), Gibson Southern (5-4), Northeastern (10-0),
Norwell (7-3), Penn (5-3), Washington (7-2).