Greenwood girls - Departing Coach Justin Bennett
GREENWOOD, Ind. -- (Updated 4/10) Coach Bennett has announced his resignation after five seasons with the Woodies. He is reportedly heading to Tri-West. Last season GWood was 8-15. Greenwood has been an afterthought in Sectional play. Currently their enrollment is about 1200, and few would benefit as much from the proposed Sectional realignment as much as Greenwood. Since class basketball, the Woodmen have been in tournament play with schools twice their enrollment, and it has not gone well. Traditionally Greenwood has historically struggled in tournament play. The 4A Woodies have only won one Sectional title ever (2012.) The other issue that keeps growing worse is Greenwood’s longstanding membership in the Mid-State Conference. As time has passed, GW finds itself a distant last in enrollment among member schools. This only grows worse for landlocked Gwood every decade that goes by. Most want to see the Mid-State rivalries continue, but it is arguably simply not sustainable forever. Looking at the roster, Varsity Club report shows that six seniors graduate from last year’s 8-win season. About 12ppg is expected back, but trouble comes as that is evenly spread over 8 different players. This was a roster already having trouble scoring points, and that only gets tougher next season. Another area of struggle last season was ball handling, and what little GW had graduates as well. Varsity Club report points out this ominous note. Woodmen return as many turnovers a game as they do points, 12. JV is decent and will be required to help flesh out next season’s varsity roster. One aspect that does make Greenwood appealing is that is stability where coaching is concerned. It is a rare occurrence indeed that a Gwood coach is fired strictly on W/L's. One name already getting mentioned is Gwood JV Coach Zach Machie. One report backs this up by pointing out that the GW teacher is already going to be running basketball camp next week.

This has got to be the worst hosing by officials I have ever seen in my entire life. I was living in Terre Haute at the time and me and a buddy drove down to the Hatchet House for the game. Sullivan had an All Star that year by the name of Maria Stockberger. Bedford was a powerhouse back then and the Sullivan girls were really good.

Bedford trailed by one point with seconds remaining and a gal by the name of Marla Trout shot one from the left wing and missed. The horn sounded, the Sullivan girls ran to the center of the floor to celebrate, and the Sullivan fans ran out onto the floor to celebrate with them.

About two seconds after the horn sounded a Bedford player picked up the ball in the lane and puts it in. The referees ran to the scorers bench to confer with the alternate official. About 30 seconds later they blew their whistle and signaled the last shot by Bedford was good. Bedford won the game by one point. The Sullivan fans, players, coaches, etc, had no idea what had just transpired. They were all out on the floor celebrating.

So, the PA announcer made the announcement that the final shot was counted and Bedford had won the game. He asked the Sullivan fans to leave the floor but they refused. About 15 minutes went by and the Sullivan fans were still on the floor, refusing to leave. Police were called in to line up between the Sullivan fans on the floor and the Bedford cheering sections. Finally the Sullivan principal came down and announced on the PA that they had to get off the floor and that they would meet back at the school to see what could be done to resolve this.

It was the worst screwing I have ever seen in my entire life.

r/GC

Tri-West girls - Departing Coach Nathan Marquis (Interim)
LIZTON, Ind. -- (Updated 4/6) Coach Marquis took over for Sam Terrell a few games into the season. (Updated 4/7) Good Varsity Clubber reports Coach Marquis allegedly thought he had done enough as interim to merit the head job. However, the story is that he was told to reapply. He chose not to. The cupboard was quite bare last season. Coach Gliva had left along with a strong class in Spring 2021. Best player in the program last year was Atta Garnet, who was ineligible until the tournament after transferring from Brownsburg. She's a senior next year. They also had another junior playing JV due to transfer. They were young - only one senior. Still don't know that there is a lot there, but that program has been good for too long to stay down for very long. (Updated 4/7) Good Varsity Club member reports a strong front runner now in Justin Bennett-Currently at Greenwood.

Griffith girls - Departing Coach Ken Anderson
GRIFFITH, Ind. -- (Updated 4/6) Can now confirm that Coach Anderson’s job is posted open after three seasons (33-31.) Last season the Panthers stumbled to a 4-19 docket. Good Varsity Club member reports that was do in large part to the inability to score. Five seniors graduate and with that go just 14ppg. Report continues that 4-5 letter winners expected back, but the most impactful of these underclassmen only went for a couple of buckets a game. Nothing coming from what report calls an abysmal JV squad. 8th grade and 7th grade both competitive but just average. Looking ay down the line, last year’s 6th grade undefeated. For what it’s worth, Griffith also posting JV and Frosh jobs on the girls side as well. Unsure if this is related, but one email points to a lack of character among HS rostered, and lack of support from admin when dealing with. HS Spanish, MS Math, HS Tech, HS/MS PE, Eled, and HS Sped.

2023 IHSAA/C. Eugene Cato Memorial Scholarship Recipients

Trinity Britton - South Spencer
Riley Broshears - Evansville Central
Braylee Brown - North Vermillion
Adam Cox - Southmont
Isabelle Ellis - Fort Wayne Canterbury
Alexander Emenhiser - Lebanon
Ella Garvin - New Castle
Beth Graber - Barr-Reeve
Ellie Jones - Plymouth
Kaleigh Kelley - Mt. Vernon
Jasmine King - Gary West Side
Molly Moriarty - Tippecanoe Valley

Martinsville girls - Departing Coach Dave Dorsett
MARTINSVILLE, Ind. -- (Updated 4/6) Coach Dorsett will not be back for a fourth season with the Arties. Last year was a brutal one for Martinsville, going 0-25. $10,000 stipend. 1st rnd intvs 5/1, 2nd rnd 5/7, name to board 5/7-5/10. (Updated 4/7) Good Varsity Clubber offers the following insight: Coach Dorsett resigned allegedly due to several complaining middle school parents. 0-25 for him and his staff was not an easy task to complete. A big red flag on this position as parents at Martinsville seem to be controlling the administration in the last couple years. Coach Dorsett moving on with his career looking for a new path. To make matters worse, the Cupboard is bare. Middle school players are not as good as they think they are. 7th grade went 7-18 and 8th grade was 12-8. None are likely to be able to make an immediate impact. Several teaching openings as teachers leaving Martinsville by the droves. Returning players made very little impact. Graduated two seniors who were the leading scorers for the Varsity averaging 19 points together of the 22.6 team average for the year. Rumor is that some players not playing next year due to the resignation of Coach Dorsett. This is a coaches beware job that might not get told by the upper management of the school.

South Central boys - (Updated 4/6) Down to three candidates. Intvs 4/7 and 4/13.

Trinity Lutheran boys - (Updated 4/6) Good Varsity Club member reports Trinity Lutheran girls coach Mike Lang front runner now for boys job.

Westville boys - Departing Coach Ken Pepper (Interim)
WESTVILLE, Ind. -- (Updated 4/6) Coach Pepper took over for Drew Eubank just before Sectional. Word now that Westville will open for intvs.

Southridge boys - Departing Coach Tim Lagrange
HUNTINGBURG, Ind. -- (Updated 4/6) Tim Lagrange has stepped down after 1 season as the Raiders Coach. He is also the superintendent of schools at SW Dubois schools.


Southmont boys - Departing Coach Jake Turner
CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. -- (Updated 4/6) Jake Turner resigned as Southmont boys basketball coach last night. Coach has been there for six years and had a record of 64-67, but they were 15-8, 19-7 and 11-10 the last three years. Varsity Clubber’s report continues the Mounties lose two starters. Will be decent next year with three starters and a good JV team. Play in the rugged Sagamore Athletic Conference. Won the school’s second sectional two years ago (2 in 52 years).

Northeast Dubois boys - Departing Coach Terry Friedman
DUBOIS, Ind. -- (Updated 4/6) WBDC is reporting Terry Friedman has resigned after 17 seasons at the helm of his Alma mater. Friedman will continue to serve as the athletic Director at NE Dubois.

New Washington boys – Departing Coach Torrey Winchester (Interim)
NEW WASHINGTON, Ind. – (Updated 4/6) Coach Winchester took over for Blake Snodgrass during the season.

Elwood boys - Departing Coach Ryan VanSkyock (Interim)
ELWOOD, Ind. -- (Updated 4/6) Ryan VanSkyock is the AD and coached the team when they never hired a coach. Varsity Club report indicates he wants to be AD only. Looking for a professional coach with organizational experience.

So much happening - Thanks to all submitting info. Working on all of these confirmed openings. Tomorrow will be a big day of updates. If you can offer any insight, please drop me an email HickoryHusker@yahoo.com

Boys
Beech Grove
Elwood
New Wash
Southmont
Southridge
Westville

Girls
Cascade
EV Mater Dei
Gary 21st
Tri-West
Westville

Hearing that the Putnam counties schools (previously WIC) Montgomery county schools Sagamore) maybe forming their own conference. Heard rumors of Western Boone, possibly Frankfort joining. But the first 7 seem like a real good bet. Not sure what that does for Danville, Tri-West, and Lebanon.

Monrovia girls - Departing Coach Kevin Rounds
MONROVIA, Ind. -- (Updated 2/15) Bulldog girls job now officially open. Coach Rounds will not return for an eighth season. Monrovia has gone 70-90 during his time there including a 15-7 season last go round. Good Varsity Clubber reports Bulldogs do lose their leading scorer (15 ppg,) but that is their only graduation loss. Much of their varsity production game from soph class including PG play. Decent post play reported as well among underclassmen. JV is as you’d expect given so many underclassmen contributing at the varsity level. 8th grade above .500 and last year’s 7th grade was undefeated. Assistant Coach Jennifer Baylor mentioned a probable name from inside. Monrovia is a member of the Indiana Crossroads Conference: Ritter, Triton Central, Cascade, Speedway, Lutheran. Scecina, and Beech Grove. Teaching openings include HS Physical Education (possible Social Studies & Business). Stipend: $5500

Eastern Hancock Boys - Departing Coach Aaron Spaulding
Charlottesville, Ind. -- (Updated 4/3) Word now that Coach Spaulding has announced his retirement after a terrific career and 300 wins, all at Eastern Hancock. Last year’s Royals went 19-7 before dropping Sectional games to Scecina. Varsity Clubber emails that five seniors graduate, and with them goes the heart of last year’s effort. There are letter-winning holdovers that should help keep EH competitive, but competing for a Sectional title may be a bit out of reach for incoming coach. Prospective name already getting much attention is JV Coach/Social Studies teacher Brett Bechtel.

Boone Grove girls - Departing Coach Michael Coslet
VALPARAISO, Ind. -- (Updated 4/3) School corp is now listing this position as open (JV as well.) $7000 Stipend. Openings for Sped and HS Science. More coming!

Seems like I remember the NFHS giving the states their choice on whether to use the shot clock or not. And doesn't this come into play starting next year with the 23-24 school year?

Any word on this? Any rumors floating out of Meridian Street?

r/GC

Marian girls - Departing Coach Steve Scott
MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- (Updated 4/1) Coach Scott has resigned after six seasons in charge of the Knights. He was 126-32 in those six years, including the program's only sectional titles in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2023. To say the last few years have been successful would be an understatement. However, a good Varsity CLub member reports the gravy train of talent is finally coming to an end. Six seniors graduate along with just about all varsity contributions. Three holdovers are expected back, but the underclass trio combined for only about 5-6ppg collectively. Now that’s not to say that others won’t appear on the roster as did one of this year’s stars Shayla Alexander - formerly of South Bend Clay. However, no help expected from an abysmal JV. Internal interest reported. Teaching openings at this point include: HS Math, HS Science, HS Guidance, and HS English.

Woodlan girls - Departing Coach Gary Cobb
WOODBURN, Ind. -- Dave Randall (Closed 4/1)

Adams girls - Departing Coach Dawn Huff
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- (Updated 4/1) Coach Huff departs to focus on her AD duties. Last season the Adams Eagles went 11-12. Six seniors graduate, and although there are enough underclassmen on varsity to field a decent roster next season, getting to .500 is a real stretch. Sr-2-b guard Taylor Warbington leads the pack as a returning all-conference player. Varsity Club member also adds that last year’s JV was horrible. Internal interest expected. Teaching openings include HS FACS, Eled, HS Guidance, HS Earth Science, Several MS openings as well.

University girls - Departing Coach Justin Blanding
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- (Updated 3/31) Coach Blanding departs to accept the boys job. Good Varsity Club member reports 47 ppg graduates including 1000 pt scorers Payton Seay and Kelsey DuBois. Junior to be Taylor Seay returns along with srs-2-be Alex Feeney and Keira Bright who were rotation pieces. JV had a winning record against tough schedule with some promising frosh class that needs to develop. Internal interests

Greensburg boys - Departing Coach Stacey Meyer
GREENSBURG, Ind. -- (Updated 3/31) Coach Meyer has resigned now at Greensburg. Coach put together 17 seasons at Greensburg, Meyer’s teams won 11 sectional championships, 3 regional championships, 2 semi-state championships, and 2 Class 3A State Championships (2013 & 2014.) The Pirates are coming off a 20-7 Sectional championship season, with 3 starters are expected back. That’s the good news. Trouble is that all leading scores depart, and while there are starters coming back, they were not those driving the bus. Greensburg will be hard pressed to touch last year’s win total. Not much going on with a losing JV team last year. Apps deadline is 4/12.

2023 Indiana Boys' Junior All-Stars named

18 players selected to face Kentucky Juniors, Indiana Seniors in June games

Eighteen players have been selected for the IndyStar Indiana boys Junior All-Stars for 2023, All-Stars games director Mike Broughton announced Friday (March 31).

Those selected to the six-player Core Group are Jack Benter of Brownstown Central, Flory Bidunga of Kokomo, Kanon Catchings of Brownsburg, Micah Davis of Franklin Community, Tyler Parrish of Chesterton and K.J. Windham of Ben Davis.

In addition to the core group, six players each were voted to squads labeled Red Group and Blue Group.

The Red Group players are Sabien Cain of University, Camron Casky of Pike, Josiah Dunham of Evansville Christian, Taray Howell of Evansville Bosse, Ron Rutland III of Indianapolis Attucks and Justin Sims of Chesterton.

The Blue Group players are Isaac Andrews of Wapahani, Trey Buchanan of Westfield, Aaron Fine of Noblesville, Brauntae Johnson of Fort Wayne North, Jaelyn Johnson of Portage and Jevon Lewis Jr. of Fort Wayne Wayne.

Aaron Wolfe of Class 3A state champion NorthWood will be head coach for the 2023 boys' Junior All-Stars. He will be assisted by J.B. Neill of Bloomfield. Both coaches were voted IBCA district Coaches of the Year.

Wolfe is 281-110 in 16 seasons at NorthWood, including a 28-2 record this past season. He previously was an assistant coach for the 2016 Indiana All-Stars. Neill has a 208-115 ledger in 13 seasons as a boys’ varsity head coach. That total includes a 24-4 finish this past season and a 74-30 aggregate in four seasons at Bloomfield. He also went 75-54 in six seasons as the girls' head coach at Eastern Greene.

The Junior All-Stars will play one game against the Kentucky Junior All-Stars on Sunday, June 4 at Jeffersonville High School. The Junior All-Stars also will play one game against the Indiana All-Star senior girls on Wednesday, June 7 at a site to be announced. Both games will be doubleheaders with the 2023 Indiana girls' Junior All-Stars, whose rosters were announced on March 8.

The boys Junior All-Star head coach will be Zach Newby of Class 2A state runner-up Lapel. He will be assisted by Brodie Garber of Class 3A state champion Fairfield. Newby has led Lapel to an 82-42 record in five seasons, including a 22-8 finish in 2022-23. Garber is 180-89 in 11 seasons at Fairfield, including a 28-2 record this past season. Both coaches also were 2023 IBCA district Coaches of the Year.

The boys' players listed as Core Group players each will play in two games. The players listed in the Red and Blue groups each will play in one game, the Red Group on June 4 against the Kentucky Juniors and the Blue Group on June 7 against the Indiana Seniors.

The Indiana senior All-Stars will play the Kentucky senior All-Stars on June 9 at the Owensboro Sportscenter in Owensboro, Ky. The Indiana senior All-Stars will play Kentucky's seniors again on June 10 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The June 10 date also will include the inaugural IndyStar Indiana All-Star "Futures Games." The Futures Games will be a girls-boys doubleheader at Gainbridge Fieldhouse with Indiana-only squads of juniors, sophomores and freshmen in a North vs. South format. The girls' Futures Games rosters were announced on Feb. 16. The boys' Futures Games rosters were announced on March 21.

The 2023 Indiana boys' Junior All-Star team was selected through a process that allows all IBCA-member head coaches to nominate players through the IBCA all-state process. The IBCA 20-member Indiana Basketball Coaches Association all-state committee reviewed and voted on players for the 2023 IBCA/Franciscan Health boys' All-State teams that were released March 22.

The 20 all-state committee members also provided input to a six-person IBCA subcommittee appointed by IBCA executive director Marty Johnson and chaired by Brandon Bradley of Kankakee Valley. Bradley, Broughton plus coaches Don Carlisle of Ben Davis, Mark Rohrer of Gibson Southern, Marc Urban of Chesterton and all-state committee chairman David Wood, former coach at West Lafayette, finalized the selections for the 2023 boys' Junior All-Stars.

The Indiana Junior All-Star program was founded in 1996 by former Indiana All-Star games director Patrick Aikman. In most years, 18 players have been chosen to the Junior All-Stars. In five years (2005, 2006, 2007, 2018 and 2019), 24 players were chosen to the Junior All-Stars. In 2021, just 12 players were chosen to the Junior All-Stars.

In games from 1996 through 2022 (with no games in 2020 because of COVID-19), the Indiana Senior girls lead the Indiana Junior girls 41-10 and the Indiana Senior boys lead the Indiana Junior boys 41-10. In five years of games against the Kentucky Juniors, the Indiana Junior girls lead 10-1 and the Indiana Junior boys lead 7-4. Games against the Kentucky Juniors previously have been played in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019 and 2022.

A list of those chosen as 2023 boys' Junior All-Stars follows.

2023 IndyStar Indiana Boys Junior All-Stars

BOYS CORE GROUP (playing on June 4 and June 7)
Name, Ht., Pos., PPG, High School, College Choice
Jack Benter, 6-5, G, 28.7, Brownstown Central, Purdue
Flory Bidunga, 6-10, F, 20.2, Kokomo, undecided
Kanon Catchings, 6-8, F, 17.5, Brownsburg, Purdue
Micah Davis, 6-2, G, 17.3, Franklin Community, undecided
Tyler Parrish, 6-3, G, 20.7, Chesterton, undecided
K.J. Windham, 6-3, G, 8.6, Ben Davis, undecided

BOYS RED GROUP (playing on June 4 vs. Kentucky Juniors)
Name, Ht., Pos., PPG, High School, College Choice
Sabien Cain, 6-3, G, 20.4, University, undecided
Camron Casky, 6-4, G, 13.8, Pike, undecided
Josiah Dunham, 6-1, G, 24.6, Evansville Christian, undecided
Taray Howell, 5-8, G, 23.2, Evansville Bosse, undecided
Ron Rutland III, 6-2, G, 18.0, Indianapolis Attucks, undecided
Justin Sims, 6-6, F, 16.5, Chesterton, undecided

BOYS BLUE GROUP (playing on June 7 vs. Indiana Seniors)
Name, Ht., Pos., PPG, High School, College Choice
Isaac Andrews, 6-1, G, 18.1, Wapahani, undecided
Trey Buchanan, 6-0, G, 14.3, Westfield, undecided
Aaron Fine, 6-3, G, 13.8, Noblesville, undecided
Brauntae Johnson, 6-4, G, 20.8, Fort Wayne North, undecided
Jaelyn Johnson, 6-7, F, 10.7, Portage, undecided
Jevon Lewis Jr., 5-10, G, 16.6, Fort Wayne Wayne, undecided
Head coach: Aaron Wolfe, NorthWood
Assistant coach: J.B. Neill, Bloomfield