Austin boys - Departing Coach Randy Edwards
AUSTIN, Ind. -- (Updated 3/8) Now confirmed that Coach Edwards will not return for an eighth year in Austin. The Eagles were 7-17 last season finished and 7th in the 9-team Mid-Southern Conference. Good Varsity Club member reports there was some unfounded optimism regarding them improving their record from the past year, but a combination of attitudes and inconsistency finished this team with pretty much the same record as the year before. From that group, reportedly three key contributors graduate. JV described as average. Looking way down the line, 8th grade described as below average. However, 7th grade went 23-0 this past season, and a Varsity Club member reports some kid dropped 50+ in one of their games. 6th and 5th grade decent. Community pressure to win in this town is legit. No teaching jobs at this time.

Providence girls - Departing Coach Brad Burden
CLARKSVILLE, Ind. -- (Updated 3/7) Now official that well respected Coach Burden has resigned after 16 seasons leading the Pioneers. Good news first: Varsity Clubber reports that, at least on paper, plenty of talent coming back and coming in. Providence has a new state of the art weight facility and tons of success across the board athletically. Bad news: Politics galore. Another Varsity Club member reports a very overactive group of parents and an admin that gives them voice. Both reports underline the fact that basketball must compete with volleyball and soccer. For those brave enough to apply at a potential B.E.S.T. candidate school, current openings at Providence include HS French, HS English, HS Math, HS Spanish, HS Science, and a Theology position. Editorial comment - Wonder what the theology is regarding creating a work environment that would make a successful career coach want to leave?

Since there's so much excitement for the eclipse next month, thought I'd drop this fun fact: Edwin Hubble, namesake of the Hubble telescope, coached New Albany to an undefeated regular season in 1913-14.

Tell City boys - Departing Coach Greg Hollinden
TEL CITY, Ind. -- (Updated 5/7) Coach Holinden’s position is officially posted on the TC school corp cite. To say it has been a rough couple of years for the Marksmen would be too kind. 1-23 and most recently 2-22. The undermanned teams were really up against it talent-wise. For the second year in a row, only 1 or 2 seniors dotted their young roster. 5-11 Sr-2-b guard Byron Meserve has hit for double figures several times, and will again likely lead a limited cast. 6-0 sr-2-b Talon Jennings is expected back after two seasons at point. There are a handful of 6-2 and 6-3 kids that will likely rotate in the front court, but that’s it for height. The 13-team Pocket Athletic Conference has been murder for the Marksmen, and will still be an uphill fight. A handful of well placed muffins on the schedule, should provide for W’s long term, but very little is easy in these difficult times. Varsity Club member reports that next season should see a slight bump in the W/L column due to experience and some other teams losing players etc. However, 6-7 wins would be considered a great step. VA position also listed as open at TC. Varsity Club report goes onto mention no world beaters in 8th grade group, but the team is competitive against Pocket Conference member schools. One of the cooler old gyms around, and solid traditional following Also home of the finest pretzels on the planet.

Mt. Vernon girls - Departing Coach Kendra Steinhart
MT. VERNON, Ind. -- (Updated 5/7) Coach Steinhart departs after four seasons with the Wildcats. Last season was another rough one for the offensively challenged Posey County squad, going just 3-21. Good Varsity Club member reports that barring move-ins, matching last year’s 3-win total might be a challenge. Varsity Clubber emails that although only two seniors graduate, one of them was their leading scorer (9PPG) and rebounder (8RPG.) Beyond that only about 15PPG returns, and it is spread across a roster of 8-9 players that logged varsity time last season. It was so bad last season, that report points to several games where Wildcat turnovers outnumbered their total points on the scoreboard. It will be a true rebuild, and patience will be needed. MOre of the same from a JV squad that won 6 games and put up about 25 game while wracking-up nearly as many TO’s. Given the current talent level at the high school, even more emphasis falls on what the junior high squads have coming-up and as yet, I have been unable to field that report. I have several emails out. No timeline on this hire. HS Math, HS Music, and Eled are it right now.

Seventy-six Indiana high school seniors -- 38 boys and 38 girls -- have been chosen as first-team Academic All-State for 2024 by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association, it was announced Tuesday (March 5).

In addition, 218 more boys and 204 more girls were recognized as honorable mention Academic All-State for 2024, IBCA executive director Marty Johnson said. In total, 498 players received some level of recognition in this year's IBCA Academic All-State program.

The IBCA Academic All-State program is one where academic prowess and athletic prowess both are considered in the selections. Items such as grade-point average, academic class rank and SAT or ACT scores are considered along with athletic performance in areas such as points per game, rebounds per game and assists per game.

"The quality of these student-athletes shows that success in academics and success in athletics are not separate entities," Johnson said. "Rather, in many cases, a player's success in the classroom directly contributes to his or her success on the floor."

IBCA-member head coaches from schools across the state may nominate their senior student-athletes who meet criteria that include a 3.50 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale, a class rank in the upper 25 percent of one's class and either an SAT score of 1100 (on the reading and math sections) or an ACT composite score of 24. Once nominations were received, an IBCA committee reviewed the information and determined awards for first team and honorable mention.

Those selected will receive certificates from the IBCA for their honor. Plans are for certificates to be distributed in PDF form to coaches via e-mail during April for the coach to print. The coach then may present the certificate to each honored player sometime before the conclusion of the 2023-24 academic year.

The IBCA has selected an Academic All-State team for boys since 1973. The program was expanded to include a girls' Academic All-State team in 1980.

Boys' first-team players for 2024 are: Isaac Andrews, Wapahani; Jaskirat Banwait, Whiteland; Sam Essegian, Whitko; Ashton Federspiel, Norwell; Grant Ford, Wabash; Evan Gagnon, North Newton; Cayden Gehlhausen, Evansville North; Noah Godlevske, Bedford North Lawrence; Nolan Hackleman, North Putnam; Aiden Hibbard, Elkhart Christian Academy; Lowell Hillis, Lewis Cass; Clayton Hull, Madison-Grant; Drew Kegerreis, Roncalli; Nolan Kinsella, Munster; Kyler Krull, Whitko; Caleb Lehrman, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger; Jamison Lewis, Southwestern (Hanover); Bryson Luter, Lawrence Central; Dylan Maxwell, East Central; Micah McClure, Adams Central; Jackson McGee, Leo; Drew McKaig, Pioneer; Jack Miller, Scottsburg; Mason Moulton, Yorktown; Zach Nash, Huntington North; Connor O’Guinn, Bloomington North; Grant Porath, Brownsburg; Spencer Proctor, Anderson; Brady Rife, Wheeler; Trever Roy, Hebron; Joey Schmitz, Center Grove; Carter Snepp, Southwestern (Shelby); Robert Sorensen, Guerin Catholic; Colin Taylor, New Castle; Kaden Temple, Eastern (Pekin); Kieran Tewari, Yorktown; Ethan Wolfe, NorthWood; and Ethan Zeiser, Maconaquah.

Girls' first-team players for 2024 are: Madisyn Bailey, Bedford North Lawrence; Allie Boyer, Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian; Kaleigh Butts, Perry Meridian; Mary Cox, Monrovia; Morgan Cross, Northridge; Alexandra Cutka, Wheeler; Alexandra DeLisle, Speedway; Skylar Ferry, Hanover Central; Lauren Foster, Indian Creek; Daniella Galvez, Speedway; Becca Gerdt, Valparaiso; Sarah Gick, Benton Central; Rachel Harshman, Mooresville; Emma Hart, New Castle; Carley Higgins, Paoli; Peyton Honchar, Morgan Township; Grace King, Indianapolis Lutheran; Taylor Lewis, Indianapolis Cathedral; Victoria Mann, Bloomington Lighthouse Christian; Elle Marble, Jeffersonville; Nicole Mears, Franklin County; Ellery Minch, Mt. Vernon (Fortville); Josie Page, Wood Memorial; Sara Parkison, Clinton Central; Abagail Rousey, Bloomington Lighthouse Christian; Camryn Runner, Hamilton Heights; Mary Ryan, Oldenburg Academy; Emma Schipp, Jasper; Molly Schulte, South Spencer; Alyssa Simpson, Rising Sun; Emma Sperry, Frankton; Kendall Sterling, Seymour; Rachel Tolen, Benton Central; Taylor Turpin, Shoals; Kate Weber, Oldenburg Academy; Hope Welsh, South Central (Union Mills); Ruby White , Eastern Hancock; and Ava Wilson, Shelbyville.

Here's 20 minutes of Sectional games that came down to last second shots to decide a winner.

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Andrews out as Taylor men's basketball coach

The Taylor University Athletic Department announced via press release on Tuesday it has started a search for a new leader for its men’s basketball program.

www.chronicle-tribune.com

I had the idea of making the Regional round on a quasi single class bracket, that would end up with 1 state champion while still giving the small schools a chance to play for a championship. Here's how I would set up the bracket.

Three individuals with significant ties to Indiana high school basketball will be recognized with Virgil Sweet Awards from the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association in 2023, it was announced Wednesday (March 6).
Angelo Di Carlo of WHME-TV and Pulse Radio in South Bend, Craig Lyon of Charlie Hughes Basketball and Rick Semmler of WTHI-TV in Terre Haute are the recipients of this year's awards. One person is honored from each IHSAA district -- Di Carlo in District 1, Lyon in District 2 and Semmler in District 3.

Virgil Sweet Awards are presented to those who have provided meritorious service in the promotion of basketball across Indiana. The award is named in honor of Sweet, a former Valparaiso High School basketball coach and executive director of the IBCA from 1974 through 1984. Sweet passed away on June 7, 2023.

This is the 49th year that the IBCA has presented an award or awards for service to basketball beyond coaching. A single winner was named from 1974 through 1979. Multiple winners have been named from 1980 to the present, although no winners were named in 1991 (no clinic was held that year) or 2021 (when the 2020 winners were honored because of the COVID-19 pandemic).

A list of winners from over the years -- plus a bio of Virgil Sweet -- are beneath the biographies of the 2024 winners.

This year's awards will be presented as part of the 2024 IBCA Clinic on April 25-26 at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville, Ind. For more information about the IBCA, go to in.nhsbca.org.

Here is more information about each Sweet Award honoree for 2024.

This from Indiana basketball steward, Pat McKee:

It now is the South Bend Saint Joseph "Huskies"; the school had no nickname for the fall and winter of 2023-24 after dropping "Indians" in May 2023.

BNL Athletics

@BNLAthletics1

Footsteps of legends: BNL’s Jeff Allen steps down as head coach of Stars after 10 seasons https://wbiw.com/2024/02/14/footsteps-of-legends-after-a-decade-of-excellence-allen-steps-down-as-head-coach-of-the-stars/… @BNLAthletics @IHSAA1 @HoopsHall @indallstars @ChloeSpreen @jorieann33 @jennaal33 @MadisynBailey24 @KarsynNorman @Brian_Haenchen @KyleNeddenriep

Best 3 Point % in a Career (min. 200 attempts)
(B) 51.1% (202/395) Rob Robbins - Delta 1996-99
(B) 48.2% (109/226) Doug Jones - Paoli 1986-89
(B) 47.2% (168/356) Drew Busick - Greensburg 2021-24
(B) 47.0% (144/305) Jeffery Moore- Sullivan 2001-04
(B) 45.7% (147/322) Jake Biddle - Corydon 1991-1994
(B) 45.1% (162/359) Mark Hisle - Terre Haute North 1987-90
(B) 45.0% (94/209) Levi Cross - Winchester 2006-09
(B) 44.5% Artie Pepelea - Anderson 1986-89
(B) 44.2% Jordan Bragg - Marion 2005-07
(B) 44.2% (134/303) Dominique Neely - Westview 2009-11
(G) 49.5% (137/277) Jennifer Donner - North Posey 1993-96
(G) 48.8% (269/551) Maura Muensterman - Mater Dei 2011-14
(G) 48.5% (99/204) Carrie Davidson - Jeffersonville 1990-93
(G) 44.9% (149/332) Sara Nord - Jeffersonville 1996-2000
(G) 44.6% Lauren Becthold - Hebron 1999-02
(G) 43.2% (291/674) Sydney Buck - Homestead 2010-14
(G) 43.2% (111/257) Amy Loveland, Jeffersonville 1991-94
(G) 42.0% (186/443) Rachel Jennings - Logansport 2010-13
(G) 41.7% Ella Collier - Danville 2017-20
(G) 41.0% (261/644) Kaydence Mellott - Tippecanoe Valley 2020-23

Speedway GBB is seeking the following for the 24-25 season and beyond.

1. Scrimmage (ideal date would be Nov. 2)
2. Regular Season Game (looking at Jan. 4 or 30, but open to discussing other dates)

Please reach out to the following if interested.

Head Coach, Joe Smith- jsmith@speedwayschools.net

Athletic Director, Dan Maple- dmaple@speedwayschools.net

Courtesy of basketball gentleman, John Ockomon!

Nineteen teams tried to end long sectional droughts Saturday. Only six did it.

Fishers 1922, Indpls Washington 1995, Evansville Christian 1982, Irvington Prep never won 2010, Switzerland County 2013 and Evansville Harrison 2013.

Fishers H S. was closed 1967-2006.. ..40 years ! Shoals sadly kept their winless string alive .. 111 years.

Now the regionals.... 28 teams are back from last year. 13 will be defending.

Going for their first title are: Crown Point 1915, New Pal 1917, Avon 1917 West Lafayette 1914, Switerland 1969, Northview 0968, Demotte 1965, Tri County 1972, Northeastern 1968, several new schools.

Previous winners but long droughts are:Mishawaka 1955, Fishers 1922, Franklin 1997, Peru 1998, Wabash 1956, North Vermillon 1969.

Looks like it’s officially open.

Found this today!

New IHSAA athletic conference to consist of 7 Marion County schools The conference will consist of Arsenal Tech, Crispus Attucks, Christel House Manual, George Washington, Herron, Purdue Polytechnic Englewood and Tindley.
https://www.wthr.com/mobile/article...dley/531-d8ca666f-efe3-41bd-865b-df7c7c6dfe5b

Boys 10 years droughts plus and their chances

Class 4A
Martinsville 13 Big underdog
Roncalli 11 Big dog
Fishers 1922 fav but tough game vs Noblesville
Greenfield 98 Fav but tough game
Evansville Harrison 13 big fav
East Central 08 big dog

3A
South Bend Clay big dog
Indpls Washington 95 even money
Christel House NW even money


2A
Hebron 12 slight fav
North Put 02 slight underdog
North Posey 66 tough match vs Forest Park
Switzerland County 13 slight dog
Taylor 06 big dog
Irvington Prep NW big dog

1A

Westville NW even money
Northfield13 big dog
South Central (Eliz)l 02 slight dog
Evansville Christian NW big fav