Blackford girls - Departing Coach Mitch Waters
HARTFORD CITY, Ind. -- (Updated 4/26) Now official that Coach Waters will not be returning after five years with the Bruins. Last year Blackford enjoyed a very successful season (20-4) before being knocked off once again by Sectional nemesis, Tipton. Last year’s roster sported 3 seniors that will genuinely be missed, but Varsity Club report points to an intriguing group of 8 srs-2-b. That group composed a big chunk of scoring and ball handling. However, the holdovers should keep the Bruins competitive. JV reported as very good. Internal interest expected: Erick Noland-Blackford JV & director of AAU program. HS/MS Science and Eled.

Northrop boys - Departing Coach Rod Chamble
FT. WAYNE, Ind. -- (Updated 4/26) The FW Journal-Gazette is reporting Coach Chamble is out now after 8 seasons with the Bruins. Last season Northrop finished 5-19, and good varsity Clubber reports four seniors, including two leading scorers and virtually all post play, graduate. Put simply it’s bare bones again for incoming Bruins’ coach. 6-2 Sr-2-b forward Dallas Lawrence was good for about 7-8ppg last year, and that’s about it for proven varsity scoring. Report suggests there are some athletes in the building that aren’t in the program, but it will take a special touch to make that work - especially long term. JV described simply as not good, but a couple of 6-4 jrs-2-b will likely have to contribute down the line simply because there’s just not much going in terms of height. Assistant coach and teacher Shane Merryman mentioned as possible. HS Math open

Bluffton girls - Departing Coach Eric Mounsey
BLUFFTON, Ind. -- Doug Curtis (Closed 4/26)

Garrett girls - Departing Coach Bob Lapadot
GARRETT, Ind. -- John Bodey (Closed 4/26)

Fairfield girls - Departing Coach Brodie Garber
GOSHEN, Ind. -- (Updated 4/26) Coach Garber resigns after a ridiculously successful run at his alma mater. The caution here is that there really is no place to go but down, and considering how very much the 3A Falcons graduate, it’s simply the reality. How understanding will the community be, even though everyone expects this, remains to be seen. Another Varsity Clubber underscores this with an email reporting you can not overstate how huge the graduation losses are here. That being said, admin is reported as being supportive (Although in fairness it is pretty easy to support the success the Falcons have enjoyed the last few years) and facilities are solid. Last season’s JV is reported as being top notch and should provide some help. Solid middle school groups moving through the system as well. Eled only openings at this time. Fairfield teacher and assistant Coach Troy Sands' name mentioned as possible, but his interest is not yet known.

Greensburg boys - Departing Coach Stacey Meyer
GREENSBURG, Ind. -- Shaun Busick (Closed 4/25)

Anderson Prep boys - Departing Coach Corey Scott
ANDERSON, Ind. -- Ryan Fathauer (Closed 4/25)

Daleville girls - Departing Coach Ashley Fouch
DALEVILLE, Ind. -- Brandon Hanshew

Delta girls - Departing Coach Andy Lewman
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ty'Ronda Benning (Closed 4/25)

Winamac boys - Departing Coach Cameron Bennington
WINAMAC, Ind. -- (Updated 4/25) Coach Bennington departs to take over the program at Western. Last year’s Warriors were 9-16, and good Varsity Clubber reports likely four letter winners will be back next season for new coach. Best of the batch is last season’s leading scorer and rebounder in 6-2 sr-2-b guard John Malchow (15ppg 6 rpg.) Also of interest is 5-10 jr-2-b backcourt mate Brendan Hines. He went for about 9ppg last year as a varsity soph as well as handling PG duties at times. Trouble comes on the frontline, where height is just not there from top to bottom. The previously mentioned guard, Malchow at 6-2, is it. After that it’s 5-10 land. Average JV reported. Varsity Club member does report good news in the form of two very solid groups in last year’s 7th and 8th grade middle school teams. Both were winners. One possible name mentioned is Justin Ruff-JV Coach. Teaching openings reported as HS English, HS PE/HEalth, Eled and MS Sped. Coach Bennington’s HS Econ will likely also be in play, but not yet confirmed.

Perry Meridian boys - Departing Coach Mark James
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- (Updated 3/17) The Indy Star is reporting Coach James has submitted his retirement paperwork from teaching and resigning from his coaching position with the Falcons. The HOF worthy career James has had is nothing short of remarkable. The same as 600 wins during a career that has stretch over 40 years place James in rare air among those that have paced the sidelines in our great state. As far as Perry goes, the talent just hasn’t been there, especially last season as the Falcons stumbled to a 4-18 finish after graduating five seniors the previous season. This might have been James’ most offensively challenged group in a long, long time. A southside Varsity Clubber reports it will likely not be any better next year either. Maybe worse. Only two falcons managed to hit double digits on a regular basis (about 10 ppg,) and both graduate. What is expected back may be one of the most limited rosters among Marion County teams. Not exact totals here as report admits these are rounded numbers, but collectively the program is expected to bring back about 8ppg at the varsity level. Not to pile on, but it also deserves mention that all letter-winning height above 6-1 also departs. Report ends with this: Put simply, Perry will be putting a JV squad on the floor next season, and may be the weakest team in 4A. Report also states both 7th and 8th grade teams were first round Marion County Tourney casualties. Incoming coach, good luck. Several Eled openings, HS business, HS FACS, and HS PE.

Expected to name Winamac Boys Basketball Coach Cameron Bennington as new boys basketball coach at school board meeting Tuesday night according to Tweet from @ValTsports.

University girls - Departing Coach Justin Blanding
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Lisa Pryor (Closed 4/24)

Union County boys - Departing Coach Bobby Jones
LIBERTY, Ind. -- (Updated 4/24) Union County boys now open. Coach Jones reportedly resigned in response to the principal/superintendent letting the girls coach go. Coach Jones is expected to be announced as the new girls coach at New Castle. Before too many red flags fly here, it is being reported that the main characters involved in the girls coach ousting are no longer in the picture. For new coach, four seniors depart from an offensively challenged roster. Optimism lies in 6-3 soph-2-b Nick Watterson who tied for leading scorer honors last season with 8ppg. However, plenty of upside to this athlete. Also to be counted on is sr-2-b guard, Gavin Davis. Varsity Club member questions whether these two are enough to better last season’s 3-win mark. A 2-win JV will not offer much support. MS Sped, MS Science, MS Math.

New Castle girls - Departing Coach Molly Bates
NEW CASTLE, Ind. -- (Updated 4/24) Good Varsity Club member reports solid front runner now in Bobby Jones-Union County boys

Floyd Central boys - Departing Coach Greg Walters
FLOYDS KNOBS, Ind. -- (Updated 3/9) Now official that the Highlanders’ job is open. Coach Walters will not be returning after one season (7-16.) Coach Walters served as assistant at FC for five seasons before taking over for Todd Sturgeon. Walters inherited a team that had graduated six seniors, and this year’s version of the Highlanders showed that at times. They were largely competitive, but came up short in several close games. Incoming coach will have a bit more experience returning but lose two key contributors - Starting without the services of graduating 6-5 forward Caleb Washington who flat out did some damage last season for the Highlanders. They will also be without Tevi Ali in the backcourt. Three pretty consistent starters are expected back, but without big numbers. 6-5 jr-2-b Brock Conrad and fellow 6-1 sr-2-b backcourters Tre Walters and Austin Caldwell expected to return. Multiple job openings expected, but this early in the spring they are pretty limited. Good Varsity Clubber reports that Superintendent opening as well as New Albany coaching opening may impact hiring timeline. Also worth noting is the underscored fact that New Albany and Floyd share the same school corp, and reportedly everything (down to minute details) are expected to be equal in terms of sports programs. Obviously not a deal breaker, but something prospective coaches need to be aware of. HS Spanish, MS Social Studies, more coming. (Updated 4/17) AJ Moye now confirmed as name in the mix for Highlanders (Updated 4/24) Hold the phone on that. Good Varsity Club member now reports AJ Moye not going to Floyd Central. He was hired to be recruiting coordinator at Valparaiso University.

Lake Central boys - Departing Coach Dave Milausnic
ST. JOHN, Ind. -- Ryan Sexson (Closed 4/24)

West Central boys - Departing Coach Bernard White
FRANCISVILLE, Ind. --Brad Odom (Closed 4/24)


Rossville girls - Departing Coach Chad Geheb
ROSSVILLE, Ind. -- Jennifer Jacoby (Closed 4/24)

Heritage boys - Departing Coach Adam Gray
MONROEVILLE, Ind. - (Updated 4/24) Coach Gray departs to take over the Bluffton. Good Varsity Club member reports the Patriots lose 4 out of 5 starters - Including the school’s all time leading scorer, 2nd in rebounds, 1st in steals, 4th in assists (Luke Saylor) from a 13-12 team. Return 2nd team all ACAC player Kobe Meyer. Also return juniors D’Vontaye Washington (6’5 F), Noah Redmon (6’3 F), sophomore Landon Lybarger (6’ G)- all logged significant varsity minutes. JV was 15-4 last year. Report continues that the feeder program had 86 kids in K-2 league and a 9 team 3-5 grade league. Administration reportedly very supportive. No teaching positions official yet, but several will be available as East Allen in a larger district serving multiple schools.

The boys job at White River Valley is now open. The Greene County newspaper reported it.

r/GC

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South Vermillion girls - Departing Coach Matt Payne
CLINTON, Ind. -- (Updated 4/21) Good Varsity Clubber reports front runner now is former player and current assistant coach, Halea Chubb.

Burton voted Indiana Mr. Basketball for 2023

Star guard is Penn's first boys' All-Star, third Mr. Basketball to go to Notre Dame

Markus Burton has earned the top individual award in Indiana high school boys basketball.

Burton, a 6-1 guard from Penn High School, has been named IndyStar Indiana Mr. Basketball for 2023 in online voting of media and boys’ varsity coaches conducted by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association and All-Star game director Mike Broughton, it was announced Wednesday (April 19) as part of the IndyStar Indiana Sports Awards program.

The Mr. Basketball result means Burton will wear the No. 1 jersey for the Indiana All-Stars in their annual series with Kentucky. The Mr. Basketball award goes to the top boys’ basketball senior in the state. The Mr. Basketball and Miss Basketball awards are part of the IndyStar Indiana All-Star program that dates to 1939. The Miss Basketball award, along with the girls' All-Stars, was added to the All-Star program in 1976.

The complete 2023 boys' All-Star team was announced on April 4. The complete 2023 girls' All-Star team was announced on March 14. Laila Hull of Zionsville previously was announced as Miss Basketball for 2023.

Burton earned the boys' top honor after being named on 171 ballots submitted to Broughton in balloting that ran from March 14 through March 29. Xavier Booker of Cathedral was runner-up with 20 votes. Zane Doughty of Ben Davis and Joey Hart of Linton-Stockton each received six votes. Myles Colvin was fifth with five votes followed by Mason Jones of Valparaiso with three votes. In total, 16 players received at least one Mr. Basketball vote.

A Notre Dame recruit, Burton averaged a state-best 30.3 points as well as 5.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 3.6 steals while leading Penn to a 28-2 season that included Northern Indiana Conference, Elkhart Sectional and Michigan City Regional championships. He converted 58.2 percent on field goals (348 of 598), including 42.5 percent on 3-point attempts (65 of 153) for the Kingsmen. He also sank 87.1 percent on free throws (148 of 170).

For his career, Burton totaled a school- and St. Joseph County-record 2,273 points as well as 533 rebounds, 512 assists and 329 steals while Penn amassed an aggregate record of 74-31 over his four seasons (10-14, 12-12, 24-3 and 28-2). He also holds the school record for points in a season (909 as a senior) and produced a triple-double of 14 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists in this year's sectional opener against Elkhart on Feb. 28.

Burton is the first boys' player and the eighth overall player from Penn to be named an Indiana All-Star. Those chosen as All-Stars previously from Penn, all girls, are Jessica Reiter (2000), Lily Svete (2009), Alex Morton (2012), Taylor Lutz (2013), Caroline Buhr (2014), Camryn Buhr (2016) and Kaitlyn Costner (2021). Also, Penn's Kristi Ulrich is the head coach of the 2023 girls' All-Stars.

In going to Notre Dame, Burton joins Chris Thomas of Pike (2003) and Luke Zeller of Washington (2005) as Mr. Basketball honorees to join the Irish program. Burton, Thomas and Zeller are among 24 Indiana All-Stars to play for the ND men's basketball program.

Burton also is the third Mr. Basketball winner from St. Joseph County. He follows John Coalmon of South Bend Central in 1957 and David Magley of South Bend LaSalle in 1978. Burton also becomes the third Mr. Basketball recipient coached by Al Rhodes. The Penn mentor also guided 1985 winner Jeff Grose and 1996 winner Kevin Ault while he was the coach at Warsaw.

While in high school, Burton has been recognized as 2021 IBCA Large School All-State, 2022 IBCA Underclass Supreme 15, 2022 AP third-team All-State, 2023 IBCA Senior Supreme 15 and 2023 AP first-team All-State. He also was named the NIC's most valuable player in 2022 and 2023 after earning honorable mention all-NIC accolades in 2021.

Mr. Basketball and Miss Basketball traditionally wear No. 1 jerseys for the respective Indiana Boys All-Stars and Indiana Girls All-Stars in the annual series with Kentucky. The All-Stars will face the Indiana Junior All-Stars in an exhibition doubleheader on June 7 at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis. The All-Stars follow with their home-and-home doubleheaders with Kentucky -- June 9 at the Owensboro SportsCenter in Owensboro, Ky., and June 10 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

A list of Mr. Basketball honorees follows.

Indiana Mr. Basketball honorees
1939: George Crowe, Franklin
1940: Ed Schienbein, Southport
1941: John Bass, Greenwood
1942: Bud Brown, Muncie Burris
1943: not awarded (World War II)
1944: not awarded (World War II)
1945: Tom Schwartz, Kokomo
1946: Johnny Wilson, Anderson
1947: Bill Garrett, Shelbyville
1948: Bob Masters, Lafayette Jeff
1949: Dee Monroe, Madison
1950: Pat Klein, Marion
1951: Tom Harrold, Muncie Central
1952: Joe Sexson, Indianapolis Tech
1953: Hallie Bryant, Indianapolis Attucks
1954: Bobby Plump, Milan
1955: Wilson Eison, Gary Roosevelt
1956: Oscar Robertson, Indianapolis Attucks
1957: John Coalmon, South Bend Central
1958: Mike McCoy, Fort Wayne South
1959: Jimmy Rayl, Kokomo
1960: Ron Bonham, Muncie Central
1961: Tom VanArsdale, Indianapolis Manual, and Dick VanArsdale, Indianpolis Manual
1962: Larry Humes, Madison
1963: Rick Jones, Muncie Central
1964: Dennis Brady, Lafayette Jeff
1965: Bill Keller, Indianapolis Washington
1966: Rick Mount, Lebanon
1967: Willie Long, Fort Wayne South
1968: Billy Shepherd, Carmel
1969: George McGinnis, Indianapolis Washington
1970: Dave Shepherd, Carmel
1971: Mike Flynn, Jeffersonville
1972: Phil Cox, Connersville
1973: Kent Benson, New Castle
1974: Steve Collier, Southwestern (Hanover), and Roy Taylor, Anderson
1975: Kyle Macy, Peru
1976: Dave Colescott, Marion
1977: Ray Tolbert, Anderson Madison Heights
1978: David Magley, South Bend LaSalle
1979: Steve Bouchie, Washington
1980: Jim Master, Harding (Fort Wayne)
1981: Dan Palombizio, Michigan City Rogers
1982: Roger Harden, Valparaiso
1983: Steve Alford, New Castle
1984: Delray Brooks, Michigan City Rogers, and Troy Lewis, Anderson,
1985: Jeff Grose, Warsaw
1986: Mark Jewell, Lafayette Jeff
1987: Jay Edwards, Marion, and Lyndon Jones, Marion
1988: Woody Austin, Richmond
1989: Pat Graham, Floyd Central
1990: Damon Bailey, Bedford North Lawrence
1991: Glenn Robinson, Gary Roosevelt
1992: Charles Macon, Michigan City Elston
1993: Maurice “Kojak” Fuller, Anderson
1994: Bryce Drew, Valparaiso
1995: Damon Frierson, Ben Davis
1996: Kevin Ault, Warsaw
1997: Luke Recker, DeKalb
1998: Tom Coverdale, Noblesville
1999: Jason Gardner, North Central
2000: Jared Jeffries, Bloomington North
2001: Chris Thomas, Pike
2002: Sean May, Bloomington North
2003: Justin Cage, Pike
2004: A.J. Ratliff, North Central
2005: Luke Zeller, Washington
2006: Greg Oden, Lawrence North
2007: Eric Gordon, North Central
2008: Tyler Zeller, Washington
2009: Jordan Hulls, Bloomington South
2010: DeShaun Thomas, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers
2011: Cody Zeller, Washington
2012: Gary Harris, Hamilton Southeastern
2013: Zak Irvin, Hamilton Southeastern
2014: Trey Lyles, Indianapolis Tech
2015: Caleb Swanigan, Homestead
2016: Kyle Guy, Lawrence Central
2017: Kris Wilkes, North Central
2018: Romeo Langford, New Albany
2019: Trayce Jackson-Davis, Center Grove
2020: Anthony Leal, Bloomington South
2021: Caleb Furst, Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian
2022: Braden Smith, Westfield
2023: Markus Burton, Penn

Warren Central boys - Departing Coach D'Andre Davis
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Criss Beyers (Closed 4/20)

Lawrence Central boys - Departing Coach Al Gooden
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Phil Washington (Closed 4/20)

Columbus East girls - Departing Coach Danny Brown
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Kaitlyn Phillips (Closed 4/20)

Speedway has 2 openings in its basketball program. We are in search of a head coach for our 7th Grade and our 8th Grade Teams. Anyone interested should apply at: https://www.applitrack.com/speedway...rform.Url=&category=Extracurricular+Positions

Any questions you have should be directed to Head Coach, Joe Smith at: jsmith@speedwayschools.net

Let me know if you have any other questions!

Union County girls - Departing Coach Scott Gray
LIBERTY, Ind. -- (Updated 4/18) Red flags are flying high over Union County. Ten year coach Scott Gray (133-99) with back-to-back Sectional titles has been informed his contract will not be renewed. Last year’s Patriots were another of Coach Gray’s over-achieving clubs, going 16-10 including a 9-2 run after New Year’s that culminated in the surprise Sectional. Coach Gray also served as softball coach, and reportedly he has not been renewed in that capacity either. Four of last year’s seven main contributors are expected to return on the hardwood, but that may be the least important aspect of this job at this point. Multiple reports of parents bending ear of admin that allegedly caved. One parent even kept a notebook to keep track how often she was offended etc. Lay coaches at UC are year-to-year contracts and typically renewed in June. So that timeline may or may not impact the hiring/opening process. MS Sped, MS Science, MS Math.