Scott, Lane each named a 2024 IBCA Assistant Coach of the Year

Long-time aides for Barr-Reeve boys, Jennings County girls recognized by Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Dean Scott of Barr-Reeve and Bill Lane of Jennings County will receive special awards from the

Indiana Basketball Coaches Association, it was announced Wednesday (March 27). Scott, a long-time boys' assistant coach, and Lane, a long-time girls' assistant coach, each will be recognized as a 2024 IBCA Assistant Coach of the Year.

This is the seventh year that the IBCA is recognizing assistant coaches with an award.The awards are going to two coaches who have contributed in a significant way to their respective schools' athletic programs.These awards will be presented during the 2024 IBCA Clinic on April 25-26 at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville.

Previous IBCA Assistant Coach of the Year honors have gone to Roger Bowling of Union County in 2018; Clark Miles of Jeffersonville and Danny Pierce of Crawfordsville in 2019; Jim Brothers of North Putnam and J.R. Moffatt of Hamilton Heights in 2020; Hassan Abdullah of Penn and Jim Higdon of Edinburgh in 2021; Ray Weatherford of Eastern (Pekin) and Scott Reid of Crown Point in 2022; and J.D.Miller of Connersville and Stephanie Richie of Evansville Central in 2023.

NT.

Dugger Union boys - Departing Coach Clint Roesler
DUGGER, Ind. -- (Updated 3/25) Can now confirm that Coach Roesler has reigned after two seasons with the Bulldogs. Last year Dugger was 5-17, but that record is a bit deceiving. Good Varsity Clubber reports several injuries laid this team low. Only seven dressed for Sectional. Same Varsity Club report details that only one senior to graduate. However, Dugger’s best player, 6-8 Andy Colvin, has entered the high school equivalent of the transfer portal and will leave to play at a prep school in Arizona. Might even have classes out there too. I’m unsure as I’m unfamiliar with how prep ‘schools’ operate out west. Incoming coach will unfortunately inherit a now undermanned roster. But Varsity Club member reports they are a hard working group of kids. No head-toppers as 6-1 is it. Eled opening. Apps deadline 5/3.

South Knox boys - Departing Coach Jim Farris (Interim)
VINCENNES, Ind. -- (Updated 3/25) Bit of an odd one here. The South Knox School Board had named junior varsity coach Jim Farris interim coach at South Knox. Farris took over from head coach David Burkett who was initially suspended for two years by the IHSAA for violations of their practice regulations. Just a week or so ago, Coach Burkett filed suit against South Knox and the IHSAA citing, well, a lot.. https://www.vincennespbs.org/2024/03/06/suspended-coach-files-lawsuit-against-south-knox-ihsaa/ Regardless, it’s safe to say that Burket will not be violating the limited contact rule on multiple occasions on behalf of South Knox anymore. (Allegedly.) Varsity Club members report two vastly different scenarios. One has South Knox casting a typical net to hire a potential coach as has been the case in the past. Another suggested that admin is sick of dealing with these types of issues and will re-sign 11-year JV coach and current interim coach Farris who finished 11-14 last go round. More to come for sure.

Eastern Hancock girls - Departing Coach Shari Doud
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Ind. -- (Updated 3/25) Coach Doud will not be returning for the very successful Royals next season. Last season saw them fall just one game short of the State Finals, fishing 25-2. According to a good Varsity Club report, EH loses a core group of seniors which included five players that contributed heavily. However, report continues that EH played a lot of girls, and several returners saw substantial time last season. Chief among them is 5-8 soph-2-b PG McKenzie Koch who led the team in scoring as a varsity frosh (18PPG.) She also chipped in 5RPG, 3APG, and 3SPG. The underclassmen referenced above didn’t hit the scorebook to hard, and even with the flashy Koch returning, another deep tourney is likely out of reach. Koch is described as a true difference maker, but she will need some help. 5-9’s is it for height. JV is described as very strong. Won conference and lost just a couple of contests. Routinely routed competition. 8th grade: 10-12, 7th grade: 16-6, 6th grade: 12-3. Early teaching positions open include Eled and HS World Language. Internal interest expected. No timeline yet.

North Knox boys - (Updated 3/25) More insight now from a couple of Varsity Club members. One report that Coach was told contract would not be renewed and was told the board did not want to sit down with him. Reportedly some parents wrote letters to the board and that led to the decision to non-renew. Many supportive parents/people were caught off guard and have voiced their displeasure with the process. Another email states the last three coaches (Houchin, Crabtree, and Hall) all had unhappy parents, some of whom have been the same parents or families all three times. Reports indicate there is no respect for chain of command at North Knox. Parents know they can go to the board and bypass administration and coach. North Knox only offers 1-year contracts for all coaching positions. This should really demand pause on the part of applicants especially considering the current parent climate and eager ears of the board. Feeder teams: 8th grade: 6-13 (fairly weak class,) 7th grade: 13-5 (solid class; mostly close losses,) and 5th and 6th grade: both around .500 (6th grade record was hindered by multiple injuries to team’s best player.) One report details: Good classes coming up for what NK has mostly had the last couple of decades. Potential to be competitive and successful is there for the next several seasons. Good opportunity and great kids.

Taylor girls - Departing Coach Jill Shimer
KOKOMO, Ind. -- (Updated 3/22) It is now official that the Taylor job is open. Although oddly the job is listed on corp as open April 5(?) Regardless, to say the Titans have struggled the last two seasons would be an understatement. Coach Shimer really never stood a chance, as good Varsity Club member reports she didn’t really ever have enough talent to be able to game plan. 0-22 a year ago with a squad that averaged just 12PPG and more recently 1-22 bumping their offensive output all the way up to 28PPG. Still, Taylor was rarely in most games beyond the opening minutes. Classic good news/bad news that runs through here about once a year. Good news is virtually the entire team comes back. That’s also the bad news. Only sr-2-b Jallainah Harris was able to average double digits last season, and although her teammates will be a year more experienced, the growth needed to truly compete with the Titans’ schedule simply not probably there. Besting last season’s lone win is more than realistic, and if you are looking at baby steps, Varsity Club member insists that getting five W’s is possible. MS Math and HS Math currently open

Southern Wells boys - Departing Coach Joel Roush
PONETO, Ind. -- (Updated 3/22) The Raiders’ job is now official, and although no timeline is in place, school is accepting apps. The incoming 1A Raider coach will likely take over a roster that returns all of 8PPG. That’s because a good Varsity Clubber reports five seniors from last year’s 8-15 squad did nearly all the work. In fact only 6-1 sr-2-b SG CJ Reber (7PPG) hit for more than a bucket an outing last season. Two sophs-2-b suited-up for varsity and appeared in some low leverage situations, but really without much contribution. With this much leaving, maybe more import is assigned to last year’s JV, but, unfortunately, that group is reported to be without any shining stars either. Varsity Club member states that scoring points is going to be a true uphill battle in Poneto next winter. Varsity Club email wraps-up with this: I hate to be all doom and gloom but the junior high teams aren’t much better. The Raider Dome is a great gym, and can get rowdy with a good team, but it is going to be a while before SW can compete. Stipend: $8000 Current teaching openings exist in JH science, JH/HS art, and Sped

Fifteen seniors and 15 underclass boys' basketball players have earned IBCA/Franciscan Health "Supreme 15" All-State honors for 2023-24, it was announced Friday (March 22). The IBCA also named Large School All-State teams (15 seniors, 15 underclass) and Small School All-State teams (15 seniors, 15 underclass).

The "Supreme 15" is the top honor awarded, and players were voted to that group without regard to school size. The Large School and Small School all-state teams are secondary accolades -- the Large School group including players from Class 3A and Class 4A schools and the Small School group including players from Class A and Class 2A schools. Players who make the Supreme 15 are not considered for Large School or Small School honors.

In addition, 90 more seniors and 90 more underclass players were selected honorable mention all-state. The honorable mention laurels are awarded without regard to school size. In total, 270 players -- 135 seniors and 135 underclass players -- were recognized on the 2024 IBCA boys' basketball All-State teams.

Those voted to the 2024 IBCA/Franciscan Health Supreme 15 Senior boys' team are, listed alphabetically: Isaac Andrews, Wapahani; Jack Benter, Brownstown Central; Flory Bidunga, Kokomo; Kobi Bowles, Lawrence North; Trey Buchanan, Westfield; Micah Davis, Franklin Community; Aaron Fine, Noblesville; Keenan Garner, Fishers; Evan Haywood, Brebeuf Jesuit; Jevon Lewis, Fort Wayne Wayne; Malachi McNair, Evansville Harrison; Tyler Parrish, Chesterton; Ron Rutland III, Indianapolis Attucks; Jacob Smith, Lake Central; and K.J. Windham, Ben Davis.

Those voted to the 2024 IBCA/Franciscan Health Supreme 15 Underclass boys' team are, listed alphabetically: Dezmon Briscoe, Indianapolis Attucks; Julius Gizzi, New Palestine; Damien King, Anderson; Brady Koehler, Indianapolis Cathedral; Chase Konieczny, South Bend St. Joseph; Braylon Mullins, Greenfield-Central; Dominique Murphy, East Chicago Central; Kellen Pickett, Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian; Steven Reynolds, South Bend Washington; Azavier Robinson, Lawrence North; Tre Singleton, Jeffersonville; Trent Sisley, Heritage Hills; Jack Smiley, Valparaiso; Jaymen Townsend, Marion; and Mark Zackery IV, Ben Davis.

The IBCA/Franciscan Health All-State teams are selected through a process organized by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association and presented by Franciscan Health Sports Medicine.

All IBCA-member head coaches have the opportunity to nominate players. A panel of 22 IBCA coaches -- 16 from the current regional areas plus six district representatives (two each from IHSAA Districts 1, 2 and 3) and the committee chairman -- then meet to review the nominations, vote and finalize the selections. The committee chairman, former West Lafayette coach David Wood, presided over the meeting but did not vote.

Those on the IBCA boys' all-state committee for 2024 included Chris Benedict of Whitko and Alaa Mroueh of East Chicago Central from District 1, Daniel Cox of New Castle and Tyler Scherer of McCutcheon from District 2 and Kyle Simpson (for J.R. Holmes) of Bloomington South and Fonso White of Floyd Central from District 3.

Completing the voting panel were Mike Hackett of Munster, Ryan Osborn of Carmel, Chris Hawkins of Indianapolis Attucks and Nathan Fleenor of Evansville Harrison in Class 4A; Aaron Wolfe of NorthWood, Matt Kostoff of Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, Bobby Allen of Guerin Catholic and Gene Miiller of Washington in Class 3A; Kent Chezem of North Judson, Matt Luce of Wapahani, Mark James of Triton Central and David Benter of Brownstown Central in Class 2A; and Kevin Krieger of Morgan Township, Cory Dunn of Rossville, Remus Woods of Indianapolis Lutheran and Josh Thompson of Barr-Reeve in Class A.

Franciscan Health Sports Medicine is making a financial contribution to the IBCA Scholarship Fund as the presenting partner of the IBCA All-State Teams. As part of the partnership, Franciscan Health Sports Medicine will provide plaques to Supreme 15 honorees and certificates to players receiving Large School All-State, Small School All-State or Honorable Mention All-State recognition. Those items will be made available to each recipient's coach during April, allowing his coach to present the award to each player prior to the end of the 2023-24 academic year.

The IBCA thanks Franciscan Health Sports Medicine for being a partner in this annual project.

The complete 2024 IBCA/Franciscan Health Senior All-State and 2024 IBCA/Franciscan Health Underclass All-State teams for girls basketball are listed below.

The 2024 Spring edition of the Rosy Round-up Basketball Luncheon is Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Stookie's Steakhouse in Thorntown, Indiana. This gathering of active, retired, officials, coaches, media people, and just plain basketball junkies, who talk all basketball. The gathering begins at around 11:15 a.m., with our luncheon beginning at 12:00 noon. The IHSAA Commissioner, Paul Neidig, will once again, be one of our guest speakers, to get us up to date at the ever changing IHSAA.

Our main speaker will be the former Purdue Boilermaker and College Basketball Coach, Mr. Dave Schellhase. Mr. Schellhase will talk about his new book, The Schellhase Story.

Meal cost is $ 20.00.

Please, you must R.S.V.P. me, Jeff ( Sweet Lou ) Luzadder, by Monday, April 22 , 2024, calling me at 765-418-7088

Do not miss being at the 2024 Spring Rosy Round-up Basketball Luncheon.

I hope to see you at the Round-up. And, please bring a friend with you.

Earlham College is hosting a shootout on Friday, June 8 and Saturday, June 9.

Teams have options of competing on both days or just one. See this link for full registration information: register.ryzer.com/camp.cfm?sport=4&id=271460

Contact Assistant Coach Brian Bennett (bennebr1@earlham.edu) with any questions.

Week-20 of the IBCA/Franciscan Health Player of the Week Program Swept by Small School Semi-State Stars

If the alliteration in the title wasn’t enough, the ‘Small School Semi-State Stars’ were on full display Saturday afternoon, as they helped position their teams one step away from hoisting the State Championship trophy in their respective classes. All-in-all, eight teams advanced to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and we’d like to take this time to congratulate Ben Davis, Bethesda Christian, Brownstown Central, Fishers, Fort Wayne Canterbury, Scottsburg, South Bend St. Joseph, and Wapahani for this program-changing accomplishment.

We will now take time to honor three individuals from those teams for their accomplishments this past weekend. Fort Wayne Canterbury Senior Devon Lewis, Wapahani Senior Isaac Andrews, and Brownstown Central Senior Jack Benter have all been selected as Players of the Week in their respective districts for Mar. 11-Mar. 16 in the recognition program sponsored by Franciscan Health and coordinated by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association. Lewis collects honors for District-1, Andrews is the representative for District-2, and Benter is the recipient for District-3.

Fort Wayne Canterbury is making their first trip to the State Finals, and they seem to be peaking at the right time. Following a 2-7 start to the season, the Cavaliers are now 18-9, riding an eight-game winning streak heading into March 30th’s action. A big reason for their success has been Senior Devon Lewis, and he came up big for them Saturday in the Semi-State. With a 60-51 overtime win against Elkhart Christian, followed by a narrow 56-53 victory against Liberty Christian in the evening finale, the

5-10 point guard was much-needed. On the day, Lewis scored 38 points, including 3-7 from long range, and 9-11 from the charity stripe. The playmaker also added a consistent 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 7 steals, as the Cavaliers are now set to take on Bethesda Christian in the Class A title game at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 30.

Wapahani is also celebrating its first State Finals appearance, plus they have now won two consecutive Regionals…the first two in program history. Following a comfortable 48-28 victory against a good North Judson-San Pierre team, and a 60-49 overtime win against a historically good Blackhawk Christian team, the Raiders seek their first Class AA State Championship. Senior Isaac Andrews has cemented himself as one of the best Raiders ever in program history, and he continued adding to his legacy Saturday with a 29-point performance against Blackhawk Christian that included him scoring 11 of his team’s overtime points. Additionally, on the day, the 6-1 guard finished with 46 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals, plus he buried 9 of 14 shots from 3-point range. Wapahani will face off against Brownstown Central at approximately 12:45 p.m. on March 30 for the Class AA title.

Speaking of Brownstown Central, they come in riding an 18-game winning streak, with nine of those victories coming against bigger schools. They find themselves making their third Class AA State Finals appearance (2004, 2009), though they seek their first crown. Additionally, the Braves boast their own star carrying plenty of accolades in Senior Jack Benter. In a nail-biting, 50-49 win against Park Tudor, the 6-6 wing was limited on his touches, but he still nearly posted a triple-double, scoring 12 points, handing out 10 assists, and collecting 9 rebounds. In the evening game, a 66-56 triumph against Parke Heritage, he let loose, pouring in 38 points on 11-20 shooting. He was 5-9 from deep, and he made 11 of 13 on his free tosses as well. Benter again managed to contribute in other ways, dishing out 8 assists and pulling in 6 caroms. The Senior wing has signed to play at Purdue University next season.

Terre Haute South boys - Departing Coach Maynard Lewis
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- (Updated 3/20) Rick Semmler of WTHI in Terre Haute is reporting that Coach Lewis is stepping down after eight seasons with the Braves. Job has not yet officially posted on Vigo County Schools. Last year South was 11-13, highlighted by a runner-up finish in the prestigious mid-year Wabash Valley Tourney. Good Varsity Club member reports a true roster anomaly. Last year’s roster was entirely made up of juniors and a lone senior, leading scorer Zayvion Baker (20PPG.) That loss will be felt (especially ball handling,) but the rest of the Braves (seven srs-2-b) all played extensive minutes in a platoon-type system. Post play should be stronger and several of the seven were flirting with double figures on a regular basis points-wise. Height comes in the form of a handful of 6-4’s and 6-5’s. HS SS is only teaching job posted this early.

John Peckinpaugh of Kokomo has been named head coach for the 2024 IndyStar boys' Indiana All-Stars, games director Mike Broughton announced Wednesday (March 20).

Peckinpaugh will be assisted by Brandon Hoffman of Silver Creek and Josh Thompson of Barr-Reeve. Hoffman was a Junior All-Star assistant in 2015, and Thompson was a Junior All-Star assistant in 2021.

Players chosen to the 2024 boys' All-Stars will play three games in June -- one exhibition game against the Indiana Junior All-Stars as well as home-and-home contests against the Kentucky All-Stars.

Peckinpaugh directed Kokomo to a 25-4 record in 2023-24, including championships of the North Central Conference, the Kokomo/Phil Cox Memorial Invitational and the Lafayette Jefferson Sectional. In three seasons with the Wildkats, his teams are 68-17, including a Class 4A state runner-up finish in 2023. In five seasons as a high school varsity coach, he is 90-41.

A 2008 graduate of Muncie Central, Peckinpaugh played on Class 4A state runner-up teams for the Bearcats in 2005 and 2006. He went on to Purdue-Fort Wayne, where he played four seasons for the Mastodons and earned a bachelor's degree in organizational leadership and supervision in 2012.

Peckinpaugh began his coaching career as an assistant at Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne in 2012-13. He was a graduate assistant at Purdue-Fort Wayne in 2013-14 before compiling a 54-40 record as head coach at Indiana Tech over three seasons from 2014-17. He assisted again at Purdue-Fort Wayne in 2017-18, then was head coach at Wheeling Jesuit University in 2018-19, finishing 9-21 at the West Virginia school. He was head coach at Noblesville High School for two seasons, going 22-24 with the Millers, before accepting the assignment at Kokomo.

Hoffman is 239-108 in 14 seasons as coach at Silver Creek, his alma mater, including a 14-10 mark this past season. His tenure includes seven sectional titles plus regional, semi-state and Class 3A state championships in 2019 and 2021. It may have been three titles in a row if not for the 2020 season being truncated because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A 1998 graduate of Silver Creek, Hoffman was a three-year varsity player for the Dragons. He attended Hanover College, was a four-year letterman for coach Mike Beitzel and received a bachelor's degree in exercise science in 2002. After graduation, Hoffman returned to Silver Creek as JV coach for seven seasons. He then became the Dragons' varsity coach in the fall of 2010.

Thompson has compiled a 134-29 record in six seasons at Barr-Reeve, including a 25-3 ledger this past season. His Vikings have won four sectionals, three regionals, two semi-states and the 2021 Class A state title. In 17 seasons as a head coach, Thompson has a 244-185 overall record with six sectional crowns. He previously went 30-80 in five seasons at Springs Valley, 53-51 in four seasons at Wood Memorial and 27-24 in two seasons at Vincennes Lincoln.

A 1999 graduate of Bloomfield High School, where he played on a Class A state runner-up team in 1998, Thompson played one season at Hanover College and completed his bachelor's degree in education at Indiana University in 2003. He earned a master's degree from Olivet Nazarene University in 2005 and an administrator's license from Oakland City University in 2006. He began his coaching career as an assistant at Bloomfield, then assisted at Loogootee for four seasons before becoming a head coach in the fall of 2007 at Springs Valley.

Lebanon girls - Departing Coach Candace Huckstep
LEBANON, Ind. -- (Updated 3/18) Good Varsity Club member reports Aaron Vaughn as the potential inside person at Lebanon.

Every year I spend 20 minutes trying to found where the NCAA games are being shown on my TV. This year I'm actually getting a jump on it. For those that are idiots like me..

March Madness First Four TV schedule:​

Tuesday, Mar. 19 (First Four in Dayton, Ohio)
(16) Wagner vs. (16) Howard: 6:40 p.m. (truTV)
(10) Colorado State vs. (10) Virginia: 9:10 p.m. (truTV)

Wednesday, Mar. 20 (First Four in Dayton, Ohio)
(16) Grambling vs. (16) Montana State: 6:40 p.m. (truTV)
(10) Colorado vs. (10) Boise State: 9:10 p.m. (truTV)

North Knox boys - Departing Coach Aaron Hall
BICKNELL, Ind. -- (Updated 3/18) Now official that Coach Hall will not return to the Warriors for an eleventh season. Last year NK went 7-17, dropping their Sectional opener to Eastern Greene. Two seniors graduate from last year’s roster, but there is a full oyster of underclassmen that garnered varsity time last go round. Varsity Club reports nobody really blew up the scoreboard last year, but there are a handful that appear ready to take the next step. Report indicates that the Warriors are in a place to be competitive even without a huge scorer. No word on middle school teams yet. Also nothing on potential teaching openings.

NEW CASTLE, Ind. -- With another high-profile lineup on both the girls’ and boys’ sides, two great days of basketball are sure to be had at the 2024 Henry Community Health Hall of Fame Classic on Friday, December 27 and Saturday, December 28 at the New Castle Fieldhouse.

The prestigious event, spotlighting the best in Indiana high school basketball, will be held for the 41st time for girls and it will be the 48th edition for the boys.

2024 Girls’ Raymond James Hall of Fame Classic
New Castle Fieldhouse - Friday, December 27, 2024

11:00 a.m. (ET) Lawrence Central vs Homestead
to follow South Knox vs Hamilton Southeastern
6:00 p.m. Consolation Game
to follow Championship Game

2024 Boys’ Raymond James Hall of Fame Classic
New Castle Fieldhouse – Saturday, December 28, 2024

11:00 a.m. (ET) Warsaw vs Fishers
to follow Greenfield Central vs Heritage Hills
6:00 p.m. Consolation Game
to follow Championship Game

Washington Twp girls - Departing Coach Doug Godbolt
VALPARAISO, Ind. -- (Updated 3/18) Word now that Coach Godbolt has been relieved of his duties after three seasons (17-6,) (20-7 Regional Champs,) and most recently (11-12.) Still waiting on circumstances surrounding this admin move given his success there. Last year’s .500 regular season was almost entirely in the hands of a sr-2-b roster. In fact six of the seven leaders were all juniors last season. The seventh player getting the most playing time was a varsity frosh. A couple in that lineup were able to hit for about 12 an outing and another dropped in a consistent 8-10. Everything considered, all ingredients should return that resulted in last year’s mark. Given all the above, more than a few questions arise about Coach’s removal. More to come on the dynamics of all this soon I hope. JV described as more than competitive within the Porter County Conference. Less so when WT steps out into larger competition. All girls coaching positions are currently listed as open varsity-6th(?) TEaching jobs at WT only include Eled and HS SS