[Gene Hackman wasn't the first choice to play "Hoosiers" coach Norman Dale.

Jack Nicholson agreed to play the fictitious Hickory High School basketball coach for three months in the 1980s until a lawsuit prevented him from being a part of what many consider to be the No. 1 sports movie of all-time.]

'Hoosiers' movie: What you may not know about the No. 1 sports movie of all-time

Jack Nicholson, not Gene Hackman, was the original coach cast and other things you might not know about 'Hoosiers' and how it was inspired by the 1954 Milan High School basketball state champions.

www.wcpo.com

So many NCAA bracket challenges! Still, feel free to drop yours in our annual bragging rights contest as well. Based on the college basketball I’ve seen, this could be a tourney unlike most. Truly a wide open affair. Still hoping the Sycamores can sneak in there! Brackets available later this evening.

Barr-Reeve only public school standing in 1A.. The other seven 1A Semi-state contenders:

Marquette Catholic
Liberty Christian
Elkhart Christian
FW Canterbury
Greenwood Christian
Bethesda Christian
Evansville Christian

Wood Memorial girls - Departing Coach Johnnie Bartley
OAKLAND CITY, Ind. -- (Updated 3/15) Twenty-six year Coach Bartley has decided to step away citing time with family. By all accounts this Wood Memorial lifer has earned it. Oakland City has become a true small school power. Multiple Varsity Club reports point to a few points of common ground. 1 Following such a Trojan legend will be a challenge for anyone as would be expected. 2 Long time varsity assistant Joe Robinson will be stepping down with Coach Bartley, so he will not be an heir apparent. Looks like the job process will be wide-open. No teaching positions yet.

Linton-Stockton girls - Departing Coach Jared Rehmel
LINTON, Ind. -- (Updated 3/15) Coach Rehmel has reportedly met with team and informed them he is resigning as coach after ten seasons with the Miners. It’s been a fairly ridiculous run during his time there including two state titles and most recently a 20-7 season culminating in a Regional championship. Very little on this one as yet, but I wanted to at least get it listed. Teaching jobs confirmed as HS English, HS Biology and Eled so far.

Good morning. Shown below are my predictions for tomorrow's semi-state games along with some
comments. For each site, I've placed a number, from 1 to 4, to the left of each team's name. This is
a ranking of each team's likelihood of winning that particular semi-state.

For last week's regionals, I correctly picked 25 of the 32 games that were played (78%)

And, as always, thanks to John Harrell's great website for supplying great historical information.

Enjoy the games.



CLASS 4A (ALL TIMES EASTERN)

at Elkhart

(1)Fishers (26-1) over (2)Crown Point (20-5) 10:00 am

(3)Ft.Wayne Wayne (22-3) over (4)Mishawaka (20-7) 11:45 am

Fishers the winner 7:30 pm

Comments: This will be Fishers initial semi-state in school history. Crown Point

has been in a semi only once--1998. The Wayne Generals, currently on a 14 game
winning streak, are appearing in only their 3rd semi. They lost at this level last
year to Kokomo. And Mishawaka is in only their 3rd semi-state. They last appeared

way back in 1955 ! Fishers and Crown Point have played much stronger schedules
than the other two squads here. Fishers was my pre-tourney #1 choice to win this
semi-state.

at New Castle

(2)Ben Davis (21-5) over (3)Center Grove (21-4) 10:00 am

(1)Lawrence North (25-3) over (4)Jeffersonville (19-7) 12:00 pm

Lawrence North the winner 8:00 pm

Comments: Defending 4A state champion Ben Davis has won 11 of their
last 12 games. Included in this streak is a 7 point win at Lawrence North. BD
has won 7 of the 10 semi-states that they've played in. Speaking of hot streaks,
Center Grove has won 15 games in a row. Included in their streak is a 16 point
win against Jeffersonville in early February. CG will be playing in just their 3rd

semi. They haven't won one. Jeff is also on a roll, winning 12 of their last 13.
They have not played in a semi since 2013 and have not won one since1995.
Lawrence North is in a mild slump, having lost three of their last eleven games.

They'll be playing in their 8th semi-state, having gone 5-2 in the previous seven.
All four of these squads have played strong schedules. LN was my pre-tourney
#1 choice to win this semi-state.

CLASS 3A

at Logansport

(1)So.Bend St. Joseph (18-9) over (3)Peru (16-10) 10:00 am

(2(Delta (22-6) over (4)Fairfield (20-6) 12:00 pm
South Bend St. Joseph the winner 8:00 pm

Comments: This will be St.Joe's sixth semi-state appearance. They

are 2-3 in their five previous appearances. Peru will be playing in their

fourth semi-state and first since 1998. They've never won one. Delta
has won their last nine games--their longest streak of the year. They lost

a semi match last year to ultimate 3A champ Northwood. Fairfield is

playing in a semi for only the second time in their history--the first time
being in 2007. Delta plays the toughest schedule of this group, Fairfield the
weakest. St.Joe was my #2 pre-tourney choice to win this semi-state.



at Seymour

(1)Guerin Catholic (21-7) over (2) Danville (22-3) 10:00 am

(3)Scottsburg (22-5) over (4)Evansville Bosse (15-10) 12:00 pm

Guerin the winner 8:00 pm

Comments: Guerin has won all three semi-states they have played
in previously, including last years. This will also be Danville's fourth
semi-state but they've not won one yet. This will be Scottsburg's 7th
semi appearance. They've not yet won a semi-state. Last year they
lost by 16 points to Guerin. Speaking of history, Bosse will be playing
in their 19th semi-state. They've won eight times previously. Bosse

and Guerin have played much stronger schedules than Danville and
Scottsburg. Guerin was my pre-tourney choice to win this semi-state.



CLASS 2A

at Lafayette Jeff

(2)Wapahani (24-2) over (4)North Judson (21-6) 10:30 am

(1)Ft,Wayne Blackhawk (21-6) over (3)Wabash (21-5) -12:30 pm

Ft.Wayne Blackhawk the winner 7:30 pm

Comments: This is Blackhawks 4th semi-state in the last six years.

They went ahead and won a class state title in the previous three years.
Wapahani has been a regional participant in four of the last five years.

Last year was the first time they advanced to the semi-state round. They

lost to Cass in a mild upset. North Judson will be playing in their first-ever semi-state.
Sort of hard to believe given that NJ has been a tourney participant for over a hundred

years. Wabash is semi-state bound for only the fifth time in school history--their first time

since 1956. They've never won one. Blackhawk plays a much tougher schedule than the
other three schools while North Judson plays the weakest. Blackhawk was my #2 pre-tourney

choice to win this semi-state.



at Southport

(1)Brownstown Central (25-4) over (2)Park Tudor (20-5) 10:00 am

(3)Parke Heritage (23-5) over (4)Forest Park (18-9) 12:00 pm

Brownstown the winner 8:00 pm

Comments: Park-Tudor defeated Parke Heritage by 19 points in early December. This will be

Brownstown's 2nd straight semi-state and 4th in school history. They were defeated by Linton

last year. Park-Tudor is playing in a semi for the first time since 2015. PT won five semi-states

in the period of 2010-2015. Parke Heritage will be playing in their third semi-state. They won

at this level in 2021. Forest Park has won four of their previous six semi-state appearances.

Brownstown has played by far the toughest schedule of this quartet--Parke Heritage the weakest.

Brownstown was my pre-tourney choice to win this semi-state.





CLASS 1A

at Michigan City

(2) Liberty Christian (17-9) over (3)Marquette Catholic (12-15) 11:00 am

(1)Ft.Wayne Canterbury (16-9) over (4)Elkhart Christian (17-9) 1:00 pm

F.W.Canterbury the winner 8:30 pm

Comments: This is Liberty's fifth semi-state. They won the 2016 semi on
their way to the Class 1A state title. Elkhart defeated Marquette 56-51 on Dec.18.

This is Marquette's sixth semi-state appearance. The won a semi in both 2014
and 2015. This is Canterbury's fourth semi-state. They have never won at this level.

This is Elkhart's first-ever semi-state. Canterbury and Liberty have played far
tougher schedules than the other two schools here. Canterbury was my pre-tourney
choice to win this semi-state.



at Washington

(3)Bethesda Christian (24-2) over (4)Greenwood Christian (18-7) 10:00 am

(1)Evansville Christian (24-2) over (2)Barr-Reeve (24-2) 11:45 am

Evansville Christian the winner 7:30 pm


Comments: Bethesda won at Greenwood Christian 40-26 on Feb.6th. This is the first
semi-state appearance for Bethesda, Greenwood, and Evansville. This is Bar-Reeve's
10th semi-state appearance. They have won 7 seven semi-states in their previous history.
Evansville and Bethesda have played far tougher schedules than the other two schools.
Evansville was my pre-tourney choice to win this semi-state.

Madison boys - Departing Coach Adam Stotts
MADISON, Ind. -- (Updated 3/14) Coach Stotts has announced his resignation via Facebook after three seasons. Last year the Cubs finished 7-17, bowing out to Silver Creek in the 3A Sectional opener. Varsity Club report indicates four seniors depart, but some firepower is expected back. 5-11 sr-2-b guard Quinvy Roberts is expected back along with his team leading 15PPG and 5RPG. Fellow classmate Mason Davis (10PPG) is also expected to return to the backcourt. 6-1 forward Landon True (9PPG) is another in the sr-2-b class that’s sure to figure. Soph-2-b Gabe Fife also showed flashes as a varsity frosh. Not much in terms of proven height though, and post defense will be tough given the Cubs’ schedule. Teaching jobs are lean: Eled, HS Biology, HS Family Consumer Science is it right now.

Hagerstown girls - Departing Coach Chris Oliger
HAGERSTOWN, Ind. -- (Updated 3/14) Lifetime Coach Oliger has led the Tigers for over twenty seasons and wracked up 270 wins in the process. Times have been tough recently though as Hagerstown had zero wins last season and finished the season with only seven healthy players in the program. No JV team the last two years. Varsity Clubber reports good numbers in the middle school classes. Can't close this one just yet, but good Varsity Club member reports heavy front runner: Brad Catey will be new head coach at Hagerstown. Been an assistant there for several years.

North Central boys - Departing Coach John Ladson
FARMERSBURG, Ind. -- (Updated 3/13) The Thunderbirds are coming off a competitive season that saw them finish 11-13. However, good Varsity Club member reports a great deal of optimism in Farmersburg. Only two seniors graduate, and nearly 50PPG are on paper to return. A pair of srs-2-b will likely anchor next year’s effort: 6-2 guard/forward Ethan Willis (16PPG, 9RPG) and Trashaun Cockrell (11PPG, 5APG.) Several other sr-2-b classmates fill important roles and were all good for about 6 an outing last year. Varsity Club member reports a couple of challenges for new coach. One being lassoing an incoming senior class of 8-9, and getting them to fly in the right direction. The second being their conference has been tough as nails. North Central is a member of the Southwestern Indiana Conference: North Daviess, Linton, Clay City, Shakamak, Eastern Greene, Bloomfield, and WRV. Still waiting to hear about feeder teams. Farmersburg job openings include HS/MS Math, HS/MS PE & Health, and Eled Sped.

Those games are:

Crown Point (20-5) vs Fishers (26-1)
Fort Wayne Wayne (22-3) vs Mishawaka (20-7)
Peru (16-10) vs South Bend St. Joseph (18-9)
Delta (22-6) vs Fairfield (20-6)
Evansville Bosse (15-10) vs Scottsburg (22-5)
North Judson (16-9) vs Wapahani (24-2)
Park Tudor (20-5) vs Brownstown Central (25-4)
Forest Park (18-9) vs Parke Heritage (23-5)
Evansville Christian (24-2) vs Barr-Reeve (24-2)

Speedway GBB is seeking a scrimmage opponent for 24-25 and beyond.

We are looking at Nov. 2 for the 2024-2025 season.

Please reach out to the following if interested.

Head Coach, Joe Smith- jsmith@speedwayschools.net

Athletic Director, Dan Maple- dmaple@speedwayschools.net

Zionsville girls - Departing Coach Andy Maguire
ZIONSVILLE, Ind. -- (Updated 3/13) Coach Maguire resigns after an incredibly successful double stint at Zionsville. He oversaw a complete evolution in the program that now sees them as a regular in the state rankings. Good Varsity Club member reports a ton leaves due to graduation this spring, but there is optimism around a strong soph-2-b class led by 5-6 guard McKenzie Chapman. Post defense and rebounding were largely handled by committee last season, but much of that effort were impactful seniors. 5-11 Sr-2-b frontliner Caroline Sampson is the only proven frontliner back. Nice size in the underclasses though. Varsity Club member indicates reaching last year’s win total of 16 might be tough going given the Eagles’ schedule, but this is a program that should be competitive year-in and year-out. Two reports of Zionsville teacher and assistant coach Bronson Lickliter as likely replacement.

Bosse girls - Departing Coach Garland Copeland
EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- (Updated 3/11) It’s been ten long years since the 3A Bulldogs posted a winning record, and the last five have been as bad as it gets. Only six wins spread across the last five seasons and more blowouts than any set of jerseys should endure. Pocket City Varsity Club member reports only one senior dotted the roster, and she only contributed a handful of points each outing. Trouble is, nobody else did either. JV is just as hapless of varsity. Report continues that at this point, there is no one in the program that could be counted on for 5 points vs. a conference opponent. Last year’s two Bulldog wins came vs. 1A Washington Catholic and Cannelton. If there is a positive, zero expectations in the win column come with contract. However, it takes a special kind of person to deal with all the negativity that comes with the losses and all that Bosse job brings to the table. 100% rebuild without a feeder program, and a school as rough as it gets in Evansville. HS Building trades and HS Spanish is al in the building at this time. However, there are several middle and elementary openings within the EVSC. $7100 stipend.

Tech boys - Departing Coach Ryan Mulcrone
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- (Updated 3/11) Coach Mulcrone stepped in for the last eight games (6-2) after IPS stated they were “exploring a personal matter with former coach Damon Turner. At the time the school district would only say Coach Turner had not been terminated. Coach Turner had previously been suspended for the entirety of the 2022 IHSAA tourney for violation of the past-link rule. Varsity Club member reports that Tech presently has a very good jr-2-b class that has already proven themselves at the varsity level, but goes on to state that what Tech had on its roster last year really means very little. “Given the state of matter in Marion county and especially IPS right now, one must have two hands and both feet in the AAU circuit to field a team that will compete. Tell your readers that unless they consider themselves a part (and a big part) of that world, don’t even apply.” Do I even bother to list teaching positions here? Nah. Interim Coach Mulcrone-Former assistant at Eureka College and current Tech SS teacher and Midwest Prospect Academy strong frontrunner to retain position.

Eastbrook boys - Departing Coach Greg Allison
MARION, Ind. -- (Updated 3/11) Coach Allison will not be back for a seventh season with the Panthers. Eastbrook has had a rough go of it as they have not seen the topside of .500 in almost ten years, and have not sniffed a Sectional title since 1998. Things might be trending in the right direction for this 2A program though. Good Varsity Club member reports that although three seniors graduate this spring, only two of them were regulars, and they were only good for a couple of buckets a game. In fact over 40PPG are on paper to return including top two leading scorers and rebounders. An underclass backcourt is expected back, and Eastbrook faithful are excited about a strong soph-2-b class. Not a ton of height as a couple of 6-2’s do it for the frontline, but overall the season goals are shifting for this program with what’s in the pipe right now. No won/loss record was included in report, but there was an emphasis on the frosh-2-b group being very solid as well. HS Math only position in the district right now, but more likely. Also worth mentioning girls job also open. Good Varsity Club member reports admin would like to pair with HS Math, HS Science, HS Ag.

Game 1: Elkhart Christian (white uniforms) vs Tri County

Game 2: Fairfield vs Bishop Noll

Game 3: Delta vs Fort Wayne Concordia

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Faith Christian Girls - Departing Coach DJ Layton
LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- (Updated 3/5) Word today that longtime Coach DJ Layton will not be returning for an eighth season. Unconfirmed reports that top two players have decided to transfer. No names given, but if one of those happens to be Coach Layton’s daughter - 5-9 PG jr-2-b Maya Layton (25PPG, 5RPG, and 4APG) all bets are off. So incoming coach should just consider this a rebuild. Faith Christian has been a Sectional Tourney participant since 2013, but has yet to advance to Regionals. Although they did advance to the title game in 2023, the Eagles have been in the lowest of lows. A zero win season, a 1-20, and another 2-19 go round that saw Fatith get blown out bo 30-40+. However, the class that surrounds Coach Layton’s daughter has put those times behind them. Now, with coach’s departure, and most likely her daughter as well, how many of those will seek greener pastures as well? Considering tuition is $7900 a year (err, $1800 with what is now being called a “Choice Scholarship” - courtesy of Indiana State House,) incoming coach would seem to need what some would call a magnetic personality to have prospective student athletes choose the Eagles. Since there is presently no NIL money at the high school level yet, that could be a challenge. Good Varsity Club member reports the pretty standard two sets of private school athletes. One: Families that have attended since grade school Two: Trophy hunters. New coach will have to deal with both and the respective challenges that go with each. FC is in the Midwest Athletic Conference: West Central, Tri-County, Demotte Christian, Frontier, North White, North Newton, and South Newton. Several teaching positions expected at all levels 1-12, but pay is well below public school counterparts.

Good afternoon. Shown below are my picks for tomorrow's regional games.

Last week, i picked 41 sectional winners correctly (64%). For all games played last week, I picked

270 games correctly and missed 69 (80% correct).

Enjoy the games.
Dan



Class 1A



Site________________ Teams

NORTH JUDSON Elkhart Christian [16-9] over Tri-County [14-11]

SO.BEND WASH. Marquette Catholic [11-15] over Demotte Christian [19-7]

NEW CASTLE Seton Catholic [19-7] over Liberty Christian [16-9]

FRANKFORT Ft.Wayne Canterbury [15-9] over North Vermillion [15-10]

MARTINSVILLE Greenwood Christian [17-7] over Oldenburg Acad. [13-11]

WASHINGTON Bethesda Christian [20-7] over Clay City [21-5]

LOOGOOTEE Barr-Reeve [23-2] over Christian Academy [22-4]

LOOGOOTEE Evansville Christian [23-2] over Trinity Lutheran [14-11)



Class 2A

TRITON Westview [20-5] over Wabash [20-5]

NORTH JUDSON Gary 21st Century [20-6] over North Judson [15-9]

LAPEL Tipton [24-2] over Wapahani [23-2]

FRANKFORT Fort Wayne Blackhawk [20-6] over Lafayette CC [17-8]

LEBANON Park Tudor [19-5] over Irvington Prep [16-9)

MARTINSVILLE Parke Heritage [22-5] over vs. Northeastern [18-7]

SEYMOUR Forest Park [17-9] over Switzerland County [15-10]

WASHINGTON Brownstown Central [24-4] over Sullivan [21-5]



Class 3A

TRITON Hammond Noll [20-7] over Fairfield [19-6)

SO.BEND WASH. South Bend St. Joseph [17-9] over John Glenn [13-13]

LOGANSPORT West Lafayette [19-6] over Peru [15-10]

LAPEL Delta [21-6] over vs. Fort Wayne Concordia [14-12]

GREENFIELD Guerin Catholic [20-7] over Indpls.Washington [14-12]

LEBANON Danville [21-3] over Northview [14-11]

SEYMOUR Scottsburg [21-5] over Batesville [20-5]

SOUTHRIDGE Evansville Bosse [14-10] over Southridge [19-6]



Class 4A

MICHIGAN CITY East Chicago Central [22-4] over Mishawaka [19-7]

MICHIGAN CITY Crown Point [19-5] over Warsaw [19-5]

NEW CASTLE Fishers [25-1] over Kokomo [25-3)

LOGANSPORT Fort Wayne Wayne [21-3] over Fort Wayne North [19-8]

GREENFIELD Lawrence North [24-3] over Avon [15-10]

SOUTHPORT Ben Davis [20-5] over New Palestine [22-5]

SOUTHRIDGE Jeffersonville [18-7] over Evansville Harrison [20-4]

SOUTHPORT Center Grove [20-4] over Franklin [18-4]

Tipton vs Wapahani


Kokomo vs Fishers


New Palestine vs Ben Davis


Switzerland County vs Forest Park


Peru vs West Lafayette


North Vermillion vs Fort Wayne Canterbury


Liberty Christian vs Seton Catholic


Southridge vs Evansville Bosse


Northeastern vs Parke Heritage


Batesville vs Scottsburg


Marquette Catholic vs Demotte Christian


Brownstown Central vs Sullivan


Wabash vs Westview


Delta vs Fort Wayne Concordia


Fort Wayne North Side vs Fort Wayne Wayne


Lafayette Central Catholic vs Fort Wayne Blackhawk

Morgan Twp girls - Departing Coach Rick Budka
VALPARAISO, Ind. -- (Updated 3/8) Coach Budka ends a long tenure with the Cherokees after finishing Sectional champions and with a 17-8 record last season. MT looks at what could be another solid season, as they are on paper to return almost 35 points a game. Good Varsity Clubber reports just two seniors and only 13 PPG to graduate. 5-7 sr-2-b guards Madi Lemmons and Josie Lemmons should be back along with their 20PPG. Several other experienced underclassmen are exected back as well. Morgan gets to play in the historic Porter County Conference. Report that feeder teams (both 8th and 7th) have advanced to the PCC tourney finals this season. Currently zero teaching positions at Morgan.

Clinton Central Boys - Departing Coach Derek Davis
MICHIGANTOWN, Ind. -- (Updated 3/7) Coach Davis has stepped down after three seasons with the Bulldogs. Most recently the undermanned squad finished just 3-20. Good Varsity Club member reports they graduated leading scorer and several other starters. No real height. JV only won a few games. 8th grade was good against county teams and most teams their size. Varsity Club reports points out the real issue is there is a very involved grandparent of one of the 8th graders. No teaching as of right now, but some anticipated include: HS Ag, Eled, and MS Math