Hamilton girls - Departing Coach Andrew Baker
HAMILTON, Ind. -- (Updated 5/9) Last season the Marines managed just a 3-21 docket (3-13 vs. varsity teams and 0-8 vs. JV teams.) Good Varsity Club member reports nearly every facet of the game was a challenge, but especially scoring. Three seniors depart, and with them goes much of the 25PPG the team averaged. Put simply, this is a unique situation. Low numbers and low expectations when it comes to wins. Good kids, good community, good admin all reported. Just not a lot of athletic success. Building enthusiasm and creating an environment where the team can enjoy the sport in spite of being outmanned in nearly every outing may be the goal here. Next year will be another rough one, however, Varsity Clubber reports two factors on the horizon that might alter the Marine landscape in the coming years. Number one the middle school team went 6-7 last year, and while that may not see like great guns, it is a far cry better than typical feeder teams of the past. Plus, and this is not to be understated, this record was compiled against real schools and their ‘A’ teams. The fact that this group held its own against a regular docket of teams is something to build upon. The number two issue is that Hamilton will begin play in the Hoosier Plains Conference next fall. Schools include Bethany Christian, Elkhart Christian, Lakeland Christian, South Bend Career Academy, and Trinity Greenlawn. All things considered, it will take a dedicated individual to command these Marines. Teaching jobs are limited - HS English and Eled

Cambridge City Lincoln girls - Departing Coach Garry Laymon
CAMBRIDGE CITY, Ind. -- Dylan Miller (Closed 5/9)

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. (Updated 5/9) Brad Catey name headed to board.

Eastbrook girls - Departing Coach Jeff Liddick
MARION, Ind. -- Alicia Griffin (Closed 5/9)

Morton boys - Departing Coach Aaron Abram
HAMMOND, Ind. -- Larry Upshaw (Closed 5/9)

Hobart girls - Departing Coach Alaina Richter
HOBART, Ind. -- (Updated 5/8) Hobart struggled last season to a 6-18 finish. Good Varsity Club member reports last year’s squad was led in scoring by three different players itching going for just over 8PPG. Hobart was a tough team to prepare for, but two of those are set to graduate this spring. 5-11 old school post Riley Weber is expected back as a jr-2-b. Her 9PPG and 7RPG led last year’s squad. Ball handling will be a legit concern as turnovers plagued Hobart last season, and Varsity Club member reports the best of their backcourt is gone. To compound issues, Varsity Clubber reports last year’s JV was terrible. Last year’s 8th grade even worse. Getting to last year’s six wins might well be considered a huge accomplishment given what’s on the table. One report quote: “Hobart looking uphill at rest of Northwest Crossroads Conference.” No teaching jobs reported. One text indicating some internal interest. Apps deadline 5/24

Delphi boys - Departing Coach Austin Cowley
DELPHI, Ind. -- (Updated 4/3) Coach Cowley has led the Oracles for the last four years, but report received indicates he will ‘be replaced’ next season. Last year Delphi managed a respectable 11-13 campaign. Good Varsity Club member reports only two seniors graduate and just one was a starter (leading scorer & rebounder 18PPG, 7RPG.) The other five regulars last season were all underclassmen, and should return. All told the Oracles should bring back about 40PPG including second leading scorer, 6-0 sr-2-b guard Walker Jones (17PPG, 5RPG.) JV reportedly average - finished 7-11. Last year’s 8th grade finished 11-5. 7th went 9-8. Way down the line, Delphi 6th was 2-6 last year. Report states that front line will likely top out at about 6-2. Conflicting reports on internal interest. MS ELA, MS Math, HS Ag, HS Math, HS Science and Eled openings confirmed. (Updated 5/5) Good Varsity Club member reports Delphi Boys is down to two: one is rumored to be the boy's mom. Reportedly they will interview with the board and superintendent this week.

Madison boys - Departing Coach Adam Stotts
MADISON, Ind. -- Danny Gibson (Closed 5/9)

David Campbell reports Gibson graduated from Madison in 2002 and is believed to be the first former Madison player to coach the Cubs in over 80 years.
https://twitter.com/CampbellSports/status/1788364802412163201/photo/1

Greensburg boys - Departing Coach Shaun Busick
GREENSBURG, Ind. -- (Updated 5/8) Now official that Coach Busick will not return for a second year at Greensburg. The Pirates were 18-8 last season and captured an Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference title. Four seniors graduate, and all reportedly saw a lot of varsity time. 6-3 sr-2-b guard/forward Jack Mckinsey is set to return as last year’s leading scorer (15PPG) and rebounder (5RPG.) 6-2 classmate Reese Beaver also expected back, and Varsity Club member reports he also played a substantial role last time around. After that, new coach will likely need to call upon last year’s 11-10 JV to fill out next season’s roster. Report points to some unproven height among underclassmen. Chief among them is 6-9 jr-2-b Jonah Hellmich. Looking farther down the line, 8th grade finished 16-8 and 7th was 9-10. Apps deadline 5/17. Report expected internal interest.

Seeking help tracking down a photo of Herbon's Jennifer Bursley. I need a photo as she is a State Record holder for Most Blocks in a Game.

(G) 22 Jennifer Bursley - Hebron vs. LaCrosse 1990-91

I'm trying to find a photo for every state record holder, both boys and girls, for each statistical category. It doesn't have to be from that particular year, but ideally of player in their high school uni. Does anybody have a connection to her or access to a 1991 era Hebron yearbook?
My typical sources for photos are yearbooks or Newspaper.com articles. So far I've turned-up nothing on her.

Here is link to what will be a mobile device friendly version complete with photos. I'm about 1/3 through the new formatting.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JI1aXAPEtosjJS_yEMNqcbDgXltHtHhv1Zl26Gb8_Wg/edit

I'm beginning the process of reconfiguring the HH Book of Indiana High School Basketball Records so that it can be more easily read on a mobile device. The end result for the desktop version will look a lot more linear and maybe not as well laid-out, but it will keep mobile viewers from having the Record Book distorted.

I just feel that it makes more sense to have this resource in peoples' hands so they can more easily access on the go or at games. I'm also in the process of trying to find photos of both the boys' and girls' leader in each category.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JI1aXAPEtosjJS_yEMNqcbDgXltHtHhv1Zl26Gb8_Wg/edit

Email came advertising Rensselaer as open. What do we know about this one?

Floyd Central girls - Departing Coach Randy Gianfagna
FLOYDS KNOBS, Ind. -- Jerry Hickey (Closed 5/8)


Salem girls - Departing Coach Jerry Hickey
SALEM, Ind. -- (Updated 5/8) Coach Jerry Hickey departs Salem after 11 seasons with the Lions to take over at Floyd Central. Report states a ton of seniors leave along with Coach Hickey. The days of Salem dominance also seem to have left the building. Jr-2-b forward Sidney Burton is expected to return, and varsity Clubber underlines that she is a true scoring threat and very solid rebounder. She will likely finish her career as a four-year starter. Outside of Burton though, the roster looks pretty thin. There are a few pieces, but virtually all scoring contributors are history. Report states there are several players in the lower grades that will most likely be quality high schoolers, but are still a way off and will not be any help to Burton and the current Lion efforts. Besting last season’s 6-18 record will be a challenge even if Burton is able to hit for 25 a night. Both 8th grade and 7th grade middle school teams reported as strong. Solid feeder program already in place with Lady Lions Cubs. Eled, MS Science, MS Digital Citizenship(?) Good Varsity Club member reports already an early front runner - Wade Tomlinson

I am not sure tihs is going to be a good thing. I have not seen this being an issue and now we are going to have the officials have to judge one more thing. THe issue I see is they do not know these kids and how strong or weak they are. I understand falling before contact or when there is no contact but the rest they can't judge that.

There are to be more rules about officials not more for them to enforce or determine.

I saw this job posted on the DOE site. Will this not be the fourth straight year of getting a new coach?

I really think with all the short stays, it is starting to show players, parents, school boards, or all three are taking a toll on younger coaches and they are getting out before they get in too deep. Not saying that is the case here, but I feel like young coaches are not sticking around long.

I recently heard about a friend, an officiating partner, an official I had work for me and call my games. He was a truly great friend and an even better person. He had a fun goofy side to him that just made him likable. He could make a mistake and it was hard to yell at him. He was not one of those officials who had a chip on his shoulder or was out to get you. He truly was there for his passion for the game and the players. I met him back in the mid 90's and I always looked forward to him doing our games. You could get on him, and he would look at you with that crappy grin and say, "oh come on, did I miss that"? He was truly a great one and I will miss seeing him at clinics, meetings, and on the courts and fields.

RIP Kevin Fetterman

Angola boys - Departing Coach Brandon Appleton
ANGOLA, Ind. -- (Updated 4/18) The Angola Herald-Republican is reporting that Coach Appleton was terminated by school officials just before their recent spring break. The reason given, according to the paper, was lack of winning and lack of development of the Hornet boys basketball program. The Hornets went 35-60 during his four years there. Most recently Angola was 8-16. Angola admin must have forgotten that Coach Appleton had previously gone 114-40 including a Sectional title as the Angola girls coach previously. Also probably worth noting that perhaps Angola admin has their program confused with one of a perennial winner. Instead the Hornets have managed just three Sectional titles in the last 40 years. Looking at the immediate situation, Varsity Club member reports only two of the top seven players graduate. Most of the scoring leaves with, but there are three underclassmen that went for about 7PPG each. In a best case scenario those three take the next step and become 12-15 each. Post defense will also be a challenge as the tallest in the program tops out at about 6-2. If only Coach Appleton had developed that height more. Angola does find itself in the rare position of having a head coaching opening and a pretty good JV (17-7.) That combo is a statewide rarity for some reason. Angola assistant coach Steve Helm mentioned as a potential candidate. Varsity Club report quote from Helm’s Trine University bio page: “I own and direct a youth basketball development program in the local area and coach boys' varsity basketball at Angola High School.” If admin would like to ‘develop’ the program from within and from without, Varsity Clubber surmises this might be a way to develop that height. Additional info: HS English, HS French, HS Math, HS Science, Eled. Stipend $8800 (Update 4/24) Good Varsity Club member reports Mike McBride from norwell has turned from whispers to a very real thing. (Updated 5/6) Hold the phone on McBride. Good Varsity Clubber reports McBride no longer in the picture for Hornets. Now word of a Coach Weber.

Brownsburg girls - Departing Coach Debbie Smiley
BROWNSBURG, Ind. -- (Updated 4/12) Coach Smiley has resigned after nine years at Brownsburg (151-82.) Last season saw the Bulldogs go 13-12, and Varsity Clubber reports much of that roster should be back. Chief among them is 6-6 sr-2-b post Avery Gordon (22PPG, 10RPG.) Backcourt graduate a great deal, but there are a few that report states could fill those voids if there is some growth. The schedule does no favors as it is regularly nails. Plus the Hoosier Crossroads Conference could make an argument as one of the toughest top to bottom in the state - Five teams in state top 25 last season. (Franklin Central, Fishers, Westfield, Zionsville, HSE, Avon, Noblesville.) Brownsburg teaching gigs include MS Health/PE, HS Math, HS Science, MS Science, HS, SS, HS Spanish, Eled, MS ELA, HS French. (Updated 5/6) Good Varsity Club member reports Michael Menser was slated - reportedly was offered last week, accepted pending school board approval but allegedly pulled out shortly after. Now reportedly in scramble-mode.

Frankfort boys - Departing Coach Rick Scholl
FRANKFORT, Ind. -- (Updated 4/12) Frankfort continues the turnstyle as they will be hiring their fourth coach in as many years. Coach Scholl’s Hotdogs were 10-15 during his only season there last year. Four seniors graduate and all four were starters and heavy contributors. Varsity Clubber reports the only 6-0 sr-2-b PG Alex Farley (16PPG) is the only holdover of consequence. Three other underclassmen saw varsity time on a regular basis, but were most definitely in the backseat. A typical JV should help fill out roster. Current conference - Sagamore Athletic Conference (2024 – 25) (Crawfordsville, Danville, Lebanon, North Montgomery, Southmont, Tri West, Western Boone.) However, beginning with the 25-26 school year, Frankfort will be joining the Monon Athletic Conference (Cascade, Crawfordsville, Greencastle, North Montgomery, North Putnam, Southmont, Western Boone.) Varsity Club member reports to emphasize this info - Although Frankfort has decent enrollment numbers, so many of the student population do not play basketball that their classification in terms of other schools is critically distorted. 3A on paper, but more like a 2A athletically when it comes to participation. More expected but at present the only teaching openings are MS Sped, MS Science, MS Media, Eled, and HS Auto. (Updated 5/6) Good Varsity Club member reports Derek Davis is in the mix, formerly of Clinton Central.

Tri-Township girls - Departing Coach Chris McGowen
WANATAH, Ind. -- (Updated 5/5) Now official that Coach McGowan won't return for a 7th season with the Tigers. Last season was one to remember, until it wasn’t. The Tigers stormed through the regular season going, 21-1. However, a Sectional opening 36-34 stumble of epic proportions to conference rival Morgan Twp spoiled an otherwise remarkable run. To make matters worse, Tri had downed Morgan by 16 just two weeks before. Varsity Club member reports the core should be back. Points to returning leading scorer and rebounder, 5-9 sr-2-b forward Jayde Pryor (15PPG, 8RPG.) Fellow 5-9 post jr-2-b Addison Hendrixonson (8PPG, 9RP) is also expected back and their presence inside should prove impactful again vs. Tri’s schedule. Report states that while a number of underclassmen logged varsity time last year, the challenge will be to find a primary ball handler among them. Nothing coming from JV. Report states potential internal interest. Also no teaching positions at this time.

North Putnam girls - Departing Coach Curtis Lawrence
ROACHDALE, Ind. -- (Update 2/20) Not sure what’s in the water at North Put, but can now confirm the Cougars will have their fourth new coach in as many years. LAst season North Put was 9-14 and competitive in most contests. That’s been the case for the most part throughout this run of new leaders. Sometimes we see a program that simply struggles and because of all the losing, it’s difficult to maintain consistent head coaching, but that is not the issue in Roachdale. A good Varsity Clubber reports that on paper next season appears to be more of the same from a talent standpoint. The negative first - Five seniors graduate including leading scorer (12 PPG.) However, same report emphasizes a pretty decent jr-2-b class and a collective group of underclassmen that logged plenty of varsity time last campaign. The bulk of the ball-handling should be back as are three regulars that netted about 7-8 an outing. 5-10 sr-2-b Rose Haste led the team in rebounding (8 RPG) without playing a true post. Incoming coach will likely deal with conference change on the horizon: Western Indiana Conference for next season, but New Conference starting 2025/26 School Year: South Put, Greencastle, Crawfordsville, Southmont, North Montgomery, Frankfort and Webo - Conference not yet named. Varsity Clubber reports a possible name as North Put asst Kelly Windmiller (teaches elementary within the North Put system) She handled substitutions last season. Current openings include: HS Math, Counseling Position, Eled, and Sped. More expected (Updated 5/5) Good Varsity Club member reports Kelli Windmiller pulled her name out before interviews. They offered it to someone, and he ultimately turned it down. They did not feel any of the other candidates met what they needed, and they reached back out to Windmiller. In the end, Windmiller interviewed and will be the next coach for North Putnam girls.

Hamilton Heights girls - Departing Coach Keegan Cherry
ARCADIA, Ind. -- Erin Trimpe (Closed 5/3)

Floyd Central girls - Departing Coach Randy Gianfagna
FLOYDS KNOBS, Ind. -- (Updated 3/13) Now official that Coach Gianfagna will not be returning to the Highlanders after six seasons with the Hoosier Hills Conference school. Several reports of red flags here. While the consensus opinion reports a very strong basketball squad expected to return, many also point to a political firestorm. One report even points to an alleged player walk-out (or at least the threat of one) deep into the season. Coach Gianfagna is well respected within the coaching ranks as a professional, and his departure has raised eyebrows within the Indiana basketball community. What awaits an incoming coach in Floyds Knobs? That’s a great question, and it makes what would normally be a very attractive position one that rightfully will draw pause before applying. Varsity Club member reports seem to agree this roster is ready to take the next step. Question is will they allow a coach to take them there. No shortage of teaching openings expected at numerous levels. (Updated 5/2) Good varsity Club member reports Jerry Hickey (Salem girls) heavy front runner now to be head coach of Floyd Central

South Vermillion boys - Departing Coach Vince Marietta
CLINTON, Ind. -- (Updated 4/29) Now official Coach Marietta will not return to Clinton for a third season. Good Varsity Club members report five contributing seniors graduate from last season’s 14-9 squad. A couple fo sr-2-b holdevers expected back, but the consensus is a less potent roster for incoming coach. All emails point to 5-10 sr-2-b Aden Wallace (11PPG) is arguably the best of the vets. His ball handling (4APG) will likely be a rare area of experience coming back. 6-1 sr-2-b Dominic Garzolini (8PPG) should provide some toughness - also plays quarterback for the Wildcats football team. Not much height returning. An additional Varsity Clubber texts that a decent JV should help. No world beaters reported in middle school. Way down the line, 6th grade group considered stronger. Teaching jobs at present include: HS SS/Econ, MS SS, and MS Math. (Updated 5/2) WTHI’s Marty Ledbetter offers this - Point of clarification: Marietta is still employed at South Vermillion and could potentially still be brought back next season. Good Varsity Clubber truthfully adds, “This makes it worse, somehow.”