Fans,

Shown below are my 63rd annual state tournament predictions for Class4A. For 4A, I’ve shown my state champion selection, as well as the top five contenders from each of the two semi-state areas.

Again this year, I’ve hypothetically allocated $100 to each sectional. I then asked myself if I were to bet that amount of money on each sectional, how would I distribute this amount among the teams that I feel have any chance of winning. This provides a better measuring stick for more specifically differentiating the chances of each of the sectional contenders.

Tournament Prediction “History” ---last year I predicted 81% of the sectional games correctly. Sectional champions: I picked only 41 of 64 correctly. For the entire tournament, 2013 was my best year with 81.5% of all games being picked correctly. My worst year was my first year, 1962, when I only got 63.5% of the games correct.

And, as always, a big Thank You to John Harrell’s great website for providing so much useful data in such an easily retrievable format !

Enjoy the games!

Dan

CLASS 4A

Class Champion: Fishers

Top 5 Contenders From 1) Fishers; 2) Kokomo; 3) Noblesville;
the North Semi-State: 4) Westfield; 5) Carmel.

Top 5 Contenders From 1) Lawrence North; 2) Indpls.Cathedral; 3) Ben Davis;
the South Semi-State: 4) Center Grove; 5) Indpls.Attucks.

Here are my predictions for each sectional in 4A along with a few comments.

1. at EAST CHICAGO: East Chicago-$35; Lake Central-30; Merrillville-20; Munster-15.
Comment: An excellent group with five squads well above .500. East Chicago has not
won a sectional since 2017. Lake Central hasn't won since 2018. East Chicago is
playing at home and has beaten the other six teams here. So, I'm picking them.

2. at CHESTERTON: Crown Point-$35; Valpo-30; Chesterton-25; Portage-10.
Comments: Chesterton has won this sectional the last two years, but they're
struggling a bit this year. A semi-final game between Valpo and Crown Point
will likely determine the ultimate champion. CP won by 3 points at Valpo
just a couple of weeks ago.

3. at MISHAWAKA: S.B.Riley-$30; Mishawaka-25; Michigan City-20; LaPorte-15; S.B.Adams-10.
.
4. at ELKHART: Northridge-$35; Warsaw-30; Penn-20; Concord-15.

5. at EAST NOBLE: F.W.North-$35; Carroll-30; East Noble-20; F.W.Snider-15.
Comments: This is a fairly weak group compared to prior years.

6. at HOMESTEAD: F.W.Wayne-$40; Columbia City-35; Homestead-25.
Comments: Last year, Wayne edged Homestead and put an end to the domination that
Homestead had over this field. The latter had won sectionals in 8 of the last 11 years.
Wayne should be able to repeat and it won't be a surprise.

7. at LAFAYETTE: Kokomo-$100.
Comments: Kokomo has beaten all the other teams at this site by a least 15 points.
It's very doubtful that they will be challenged here.

8. at NOBLESVILLE: Fishers-$40; Noblesville-25; Westfield-20; Carmel-15.
Comments: An excellent group here with at least three state title contenders. I'm casting
a shaky vote for Fishers. The Tigers are the best team I've seen this year. On the other hand,
in their 17 years of tourney competition, they've only won 8 games!! So, not much tradition
here to draw upon. Fishers only loss amongst this group was to Carmel. But all the other teams
here have defeated the Greyhounds. Westfield has lost only to Fishers. Noblesville has lost only
to Fishers AND Westfield.

9. at GREENFIELD: Greenfield-$30; Anderson-25; New Palestine-20; Mt.Vernon-15; Richmond-10.
Comments:For many years this group was very weak. But now, this is one of the best sectionals
around when it comes to quality teams potentially playing extremely competitive contests. Greenfield get to play on their home floor this time, which should be a big advantage for them.

10. at LAWRENCE NORTH: Lawrence North-$40; Indpls.Cathedral-35; Indpls.Attucks-25.
Comments: Overall a nice group of teams. Realistically, however, the title will likely boil
down to games involving LN, Attucks, and Cathedral.

11. at SOUTHPORT: Ben Davis-$85; Franklin Central-15.

12. at TERRE HAUTE SOUTH: T.H.North-$35, Brownsburg-30; Plainfield-25, Avon-10.

13. at BLOOMINGTON NORTH: Center Grove -$85; Bloomington South-10; Bloomington North 5.

14. at EAST CENTRAL : Franklin-$40; Whiteland-35; Columbus North-25..

15. at SEYMOUR: Jeffersonville-$35; Seymour-30; New Albany-25; Bedford-10.
Comments: Since the inception of class basketball, the makeup of Sectional 15 has remained
exactly the same. The same 6 teams that started off in this sectional are the ones that are still competing.
Five of these six team have won at least two sectionals. Unfortunately the Seymour Owls have never
won this sectional--even though their arena has hosted most, if not all, of this sectional's battles.
That might change this year. The Owls enter tourney play with an 18-4 record--their best record in
at least 30 years. And they defeated 4 of the other teams in this sectional during the regular season--
losing only to New Albany in an overtime battle in late December. I'm not officially picking the Owls, but
believe this is their best shot in many years. They should be commended for the great season they have
had.

16. at EVANSVILLE NORTH: Evans.Harrison-$40; Jasper-35; Evans. Reitz-25.
,.

Fans

Shown below are my 63rd annual state tournament predictions for 1A and 2A. For each class, I’ve shown
my state champion selection, as well as the top five contenders from each of the two semi-state areas.

Again this year, I’ve hypothetically allocated $100 to each sectional. I then asked myself if I were to bet that amount of money on each sectional, how would I distribute this amount among the teams that I feel have any chance of winning. This provides a better measuring stick for more specifically differentiating the chances of each of the sectional contenders.

Tournament Prediction “History”-----last year I predicted 81% of the sectional games correctly. Sectional champions: I picked only 41 of 64 correctly. For the entire tournament, 2013 was my best year with 81.5% of all games being picked correctly. My worst year was my first year, 1962, when I only got 63.5% of the games correct.

And, as always, a big Thank You to John Harrell’s great website for providing so much useful data in such an easily retrievable format !

Enjoy the games!
Dan

===============================================================================

2024 CLASS 2A Predictions

Class Champion: Brownstown Central

Top 5 Contenders From 1) F.W.Luers; 2) F.W.Blackhawk; 3) Gary 21st Century;
the North Semi-State: 4) Tipton; 5) Wapahani.
Top 5 Contenders From 1) Brownstown; 2) Park-Tudor; 3) Providence;
the South Semi-State: 4) Linton; 5) North Posey.

Here are my predictions for each sectional in 2A.

33. at BOWMAN ACADEMY: Gary 21st Century-$45; Andrean-40; Bowman Academy-15..

34. at NORTH JUDSON: Hebron-$85; North Judson-10; LaVille-5.

35. at WESTVIEW: Westview-$50; Fremont-30; Central Noble-20..

36. at CASS: Wabash-$75; Cass-20; Winamac-5.

37. at BLUFFTON: F.W.Luers-$35; F.W.Blackhawk-30; Whitko-20; Adams Central-10; Manchester-5.

38. at LAFAYETTE CC: Lafayette CC-$55; Clinton Prairie-25; Carroll-20.

39. at TIPTON: Tipton-$100..

40. at ALEXANDRIA: Wapahani-$65; Lapel-35.

41. at HAGERSTOWN: Northeastern-$90; Shenandoah-10.

42. at TRITON CENTRAL: Triton Central-60; Eastern Hancock-20; Indpls.Scecina-15; Irvington-5.

43. at SHERIDAN: Park-Tudor-$80; University-20.

44. at GREENCASTLE: Parke Heritage-$40; North Putnam-35; Greencastle-25.

45. at SOUTH RIPLEY: South Ripley-$60; Hauser-30; North Decatur-10.

46. at SOUTHWESTERN (HANOVER): Brownstown-$55; Providence-25; Southwestern (Han.)-20.

47.at PAOLI: Linton-$40; Paoli-35; Sullivan-25.

48. at FOREST PARK: North Posey-55; Forest Park-45.


2024 CLASS 1A Predictions

Class Champion: Evansville Christian

Top 5 Contenders From 1) Ft.Wayne Canterbury; 2) Seton Cath.; 3) Liberty Christian;
the North Semi-State: 4) Morgan Twp.; 5) Triton

Top 5 Contenders From 1) Evansville Christian; 2) Barr-Reeve;
the South Semi-State: 3) Bethesda Christian; 4) Indpls.Tindley; 5) Orleans

Here are my predictions for each sectional in 1A.

49. at KOUTS: Morgan Twp.-$50; Kouts-45; Washington Twp..

50. at TRITON:: Triton-$65; Marquette Catholic-35.

51. at BETHANY CHRISTIAN: Bethany Christian-55; Elkhart Christian-45.

52. at CASTON:: Tri County-$85; Castonr-15.

53. at SOUTHERN WELLS: ; Ft.Wayne Canterbury-60; Southwood-40.

54. at FOUNTAIN CENTRAL: North Vermillion-$40; Rossville-35; Fountain Central-25. '

55. at TRI-CENTRAL: Liberty Christian-$55, Tri-Central-45..

56. at BLUE RIVER: Seton Catholic-$65; Tri-20; Blue River-15.

57. at WHITE RIVER VALLEY: Clay City-$40; Bloomfield-35; Shakamak-25.

58. at BETHESDA CHRISTIAN: Bethesda Chris.-$65; Indy Metro-20; International-15.

59. at INDPLS. LUTHERAN: Indpls.Tindley-$40; Indpls.Lutheran-35; Greenwood Christian-25.

60. at EDINBURGH: Jac-Cen-Del-$40; Edinburgh-35; Oldenburg Acad.-25.

61. at BORDEN: Christian Academy-$45; Borden-35; South Central-20.

62. at NEW WASHINGTON: Trinity Lutheran-$40; Shawe Memorial-35; Rising Sun-25.

63. at LOOGOOTEE: Barr-Reeve-$40; Orleans-35; Loogootee- 25.

64. at TECUMSEH: Evansville Christian-$85; NE Dubois-10; Wood Memorial-5.

Fans,

Shown below are my 63rd annual state tournament predictions for Class 3A . For 3A, I’ve shown my state champion selection, as well as the top five contenders from each of the two semi-state areas.

Again this year, I’ve hypothetically allocated $100 to each sectional. I then asked myself if I were to bet that amount of money on each sectional, how would I distribute this amount among the teams that I feel have any chance of winning. This provides a better measuring stick for more specifically differentiating the chances of each of the sectional contenders.

Tournament Prediction “History”-----last year I predicted 81% of the sectional games correctly. Sectional champions: I picked 41 of 64 correctly. For the entire tournament, 2013 was my best year with 81.5% of all games being picked correctly. My worst year was my first year, 1962, when I only got 63.5% of the games correct.

And, as always, a big Thank You to John Harrell’s great website for providing so much useful data in such an easily retrievable format !

Enjoy the games!

Dan

CLASS 3A

Class Champion: Guerin Catholic

Top 5 Contenders From 1) Mishawaka Marian; 2) So.Bend St.Joe;
the North Semi-State: 3) Hammond Noll; 4) Delta; 5) Bellmont.

Top 5 Contenders From 1) Guerin; 2) Brebeuf; 3) Evansville Memorial;
the South Semi-State: 4) Danville; 5) Scottsburg.

Here are my predictions for each sectional in 3A.

17. at CALUMET: Hammond Noll-$55; Griffith-45..

18. at TIPPECANOE VALLEY: Tippecanoe Valley-$40; Culver Academy-35; Glenn-25.

19. at SOUTH BEND: Mishawaka Marian-$55; South Bend St.Joseph-45.

20. at LAKELAND: Northwood-$40; Fairfield-35; Lakeland-25.

21. at WOODLAN: F.W.Concordia-$50; F.W.Dwenger-45; Leo-5.

22. at FRANKFORT: Twin Lakes-$45; West Lafayette-30; Benton Central-25.

23. at MISSISSINEWA: Bellmont-$40; Maconaquah-25; Norwell-20; Ol'Miss-10; N'western-5.

24. at NEW CASTLE: Delta-$40; Yorktown-35; New Castle-25.

25. at LEBANON : Danville-$90; Tri-West-10.

26. at OWEN VALLEY: Northview-$35; Indian Creek-30; West Vigo-25; So.Vermillion10.

27. at GUERIN CATHOLIC: Guerin $40; Brebeuf-35; Heritage Christian-25.

28. at BEECH GROVE : Indpls.Ritter-$40; Purdue Poly-35; Indpls.Washington-25.

29. at GREENSBURG: Greensburg-$40; Batesville-35; Lawrenceburg-25.
.
30. at SCOTTSBURG: Scottsburg-$70; Silver Creek-30.

31. at PRINCETON: Southridge-$30; Heritage Hills-25; Princeton-20; No.Daviess-15; Vincennes-10.

32. at BOONVILLE: Evansville Memorial--$45; Evansville Bosse-40; Mt.Vernon-15.

EAST CHICAGO, Ind. (WISH) — A teacher at a northwestern Indiana charter school was found dead in a second-story stairwell of the building early Friday, police say.

The teacher was identified as Craig Jones, 47, of Gary.

East Chicago Police Department officers were called to the East Chicago Lighthouse Charter School around 6:40 a.m. Friday for a death investigation. Maintenance workers led police to the stairwell where Jones was found. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Indiana charter school teacher found dead in school stairwell

A teacher at a northwestern Indiana charter school was found dead in a second-story stairwell of the building early Friday.

www.wishtv.com

Class of 2024 Top 60 Senior Girls

Audrey Annee, Center Grove
Madisyn Bailey, Bedford North Lawrence
Payton Benge, Plainfield
Aniyah Bishop, Lake Central
Allie Caldwell, Zionsville
Lexis Castator, Fort Wayne Northrop
Bradie Chambers, Linton-Stockton
Hailey Cole, Bellmont
Morgan Cross, Northridge
Mya Davis, Heritage Christian
Alivia Elmore, Jennings County
Lauren Foster, Indian Creek
Kennedy Fuelling, Norwell
Kenzie Fulks, Bethesda Christian
Ari Gerkin, Vincennes Lincoln
Chloey Graham, Gibson Southern
Emma Haan, Zionsville
Alli Harness, Carroll (Flora)
Talia Harris, Fishers
Rachel Harshman, Mooresville
Carrie Hiler, Scottsburg
Kyra Hill, Goshen
Kaitlyn Hoff, North Central (Marion)
Keylee Hudson, Eastern Greene
Denyha Jacobs, Warren Central
Sophie Johnson, Evansville Memorial
Ellie Kelleher, Westfield
Avery Kelley, Evansville Memorial
Lauren Klem, Franklin
Kaiden Kreinhagen, North Central (Marion)
Kayla Lacombe, Indianapolis Tech
Addisen Mastriano, Northeastern
Ava Melendez, Portage
Riley Milausnic, Lake Central
Kamara Mills, Lawrence North
Ellery Minch, Mt. Vernon (Fortville)
Sophia Morrison, Eastbrook
Olivia Nickerson, Twin Lakes
Maddie Nipper, Charlestown
Jordyn Poole, Fort Wayne Snider
Maddy Poynter, Lapel
Samantha Redinger, Argos
Mia Robbennolt, Bloomington North
Camryn Runner, Hamilton Heights
Molly Schulte, South Spencer
Addie Shank, Fort Wayne Luers
Kyndra Sheets, Columbia City
Ava Shoemaker, Noblesville
Joirdyn Smith, Fishers
Chloe Spreen, Bedford North Lawrence
Kendall Sterling, Seymour
Adrianne Tolen, West Lafayette
Taylor Turk, Roncalli
Madison Wagner, Carroll (Flora)
Lauren Walsh, Penn
Alexis Warren, Pike
Morgan White, New Prairie
Reagan Wilson, Noblesville
Rachel Wirts, Center Grove
Faith Wiseman, Indian Creek
Juliann Woodard, Jennings County
Ava Ziolkowski, Crown Point

SELECTED BUT UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE DUE TO INJURY
Destini Craig, Fort Wayne Northrop • Joh’nea Donahue, Fort Wayne Snider • Emma Sperry, Frankton

SELECTED BUT UNABLE TO ATTEND
Jayden Flagg, New Prairie • Isabel Scales, Caston • Zoe Willems, Bethany Christian
HOOSIER BASKETBALL MAGAZINE TABS TOP 60 SENIOR GIRLS
Attached is the list of Hoosier Basketball Magazine's Top 60 senior girls’ basketball players for 2023-24 as compiled by Hoosier Basketball Magazine. These girls were selected from approximately 1,400senior players statewide. Statistical evaluation, game observation and statewide research were conducted during the season and throughout the state tournament to determine Hoosier Basketball Magazine's Top 60.Two sessions of the 43rd annual Top 60 Senior Workout will be hosted by Hoosier Basketball Magazine in conjunction with the IHSAA and the IBCA on Sunday, March 3rd at Beech Grove High School in Indianapolis (5330 Hornet Avenue in Beech Grove).Half of the Top 60 girls, primarily from northern and southern Indiana, will participate in the first session (1:00-3:00 pm EST). The remaining players, primarily from central Indiana, will compete during the second session (3:30-5:30 pm EST).The Top 60 Senior Workout includes the state’s top four scorers— Samantha Redinger, Argos(29.8 ppg), Ava Ziolkowski, Crown Point (27.3), Camryn Runner, Hamilton Heights (26.9) and Kayla Lacombe, Indianapolis Tech (26.8).There are five players that will participate in the Top 60 Workout who are also from 2024 IHSAA state finalist teams— Aniyah Bishop and Riley Milausnic, from AAAA Lake Central, representing AAAare Kennedy Fuelling, Norwell and Chloey Graham, Gibson Southern along with Addie Shank, from AA Fort Wayne Luers.More than a dozen of the Top 60 selectees have signed with Division I Universities including the six players that were featured, front and center, on the 2023-24 cover of Hoosier Basketball Magazine. They are Alli Harness, Carroll-Flora (Western Michigan), Jordyn Poole, Fort Wayne Snider(Purdue). Chloe Spreen, Bedford North Lawrence (Alabama), Reagan Wilson, Noblesville (Iowa State),Faith Wiseman, Indian Creek (Indiana) and Juliann Woodard, Jennings County (Michigan State).Former state champion coach DeeAnn Ramey (North Central-Marion) will direct both sessions assisted by Amy Selk (Beech Grove). Other outstanding Indiana girls' high school coaches from the IBCA have been invited to join the 2024 Top 60 staff— Brad Bowsman (Twin Lakes), Brian Ferris(Indian Creek), Aimee Litka (New Prairie) and Stacy Mitchell (Warren Central). KnowYourBaller will be filming the Girls Top 60 Senior Workout again this year. They will provide summary videos with all pertinent clips for participating players.Both sessions are open to the public for admission fee of $8.00. Media can call (317) 925-8200if interested in credentials for one or both sessions. The Top 60 girls follow.

Local chatter is that Keegan Cherry has stepped down as Head Girls Basketball Coach.

Basketball historian John Ockomon offers-up his annual list of teams looking to break long standing Sectional droughts as well as their chances to shake that monkey off their back!



The annual boys sectionals start Feb 27th, Here are the schools who could end 10 or more years of no titles:

Class 4A Last title/chances of winning
Michigan City 1995 Marginal / Fair
Portage 01 Marg
Concord 14 Good
Fishers 1922!! Excellent
Greenfield 98 Exc
Anderson 09 Exc
Pendleton 13 Marg
Seymour 92 Fair
Evans Harrison 13 Exc

3A
Woodlan 14 Marg
Benton Central 02 Fair
Bellmont 05 Exc
Maconaquah 00 Exc
Purdue Poly NW Fair
Indpls Washington 95 Fair
Christel House NW Fair
Indpls Ritter 09 Fair

2A
Hebron 12 Exc
Adams Ctl 12 Fair
Manchester 95 Good
Clinton Prairie 92 Fair
North Posey 06 Good

1A
Morgan Twp 11 Exc
Westville NW Marg
Faith Christian NW Marg
Daleville 09 Fair
Tri Hi 05 Marg

Longest 12 droughts: Shoals (Never Won) 1913 ,Fishers 1922, Westville NW 1923, Washington Twp NW 1924,Indian Deaf 1941, Medora 1949, Vincennes Rivet NW 1950, Elwood 1960, Cambridge City 61, .Hagerstown 65, North Posey NW 68, West Noble 68 NW

2023 Drought enders were: Lake Station 1941 (The prize), Mishawaka 86, Fort Wayne Wayne 94 ,Indian Creek 00, John Glenn 05,Gibson Southern 05, Jennings County 05, Bethany Christian 09,South Bend Washington10, Noblesville 10,Columbus North 13, and finally Hammond Central a new Consolidation in 2021

New Career Leading Scorers at Bethany Christian, Bloomington North, Carroll, Eastern Greene, Faith Christian, Gibson Southern, Hamilton Heights, Hammond Central, Jennings County, Lawrence Central, Norwell, Park Heritage, South Adams, South Knox, Twin Lakes, and West Lafayette!

Career Leading Scorers Database: Updates!

INDIANA -- New Career Leading Scorers at Terre Haute North! Thanks to the research of good basketball steward, Pat McKee

hickoryhusker.rivals.com

Speedway is looking to fill multiple openings in our schedule for next season and beyond. We are graduating 5 starters and 32 PPG. We are seeking 1A, 2A, and 3A opponents to fill the schedule.

Please reach out to Head Coach, Joe Smith, if you are interested at: jsmith@speedwayschools.net

Keep the Sectionals a multi-class format, but have a quasi 1 class tournament Regionals (could be an NCAA tournamnet style baracket, since there's only 64 teams left after the Sectional Championship games) on: 4A Sectional Champs vs 3A Champs on one side of the bracket, 2A vs 1A on the other, and have the "Final 4" at Gainbridge on a Friday and Saturday. It wouldn't be the same as what we had, but it would satisfy some people (not all) on both sides, as there would be only 1 State Champion and guarantee a smaller school would be able to play for a state championship.

I was wondering if everyone got a email from the NFHS association. It’s a question survey regrading the 2025-2026. Basketball Rule Book. The survey was conducted by Survey Monkey. Some of the questions were absolutely ridiculous!

One of the questions that caught me off guard was this; Should the shot clock operator be seated at the scorer table?

Hmmm

This is all over my news feed this morning. Has anyone seen anything like this in indiana?

High school basketball game abandoned after trans player 'hurts girls'

A Massachusetts high school girls basketball team was forced to forfeit its game after a transgender player on the opposing team injured three players.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Why is the IHSAA so hung up on this? What are your thoughts? To me it seems like a good time for team bonding outside and finding some different competition.


I mean travel ball kids are going to Disney , Myrtle Beach, etc, etc,,,,, before they are 13 years old....

This past week many cheerleading squads, throughout the state of Indiana went to down to Orlando for competition; and also had some days to go to Disney or Universal. That seems like a great memory for them.........I know some of you are going to say cheerleading is not a sanctioned sport; but they are almost at every IHSAA home game and are an important piece to each schools athletic program.

I know we Indiana residents, love to brag about gym sizes of our high school teams to the whole entire population; but does anyone have any information, on who actually fills up their stands, during regular season and non-tourney games?

https://www.ihsaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2023-24%20Girls%20Basketball%20Preview.pdf

Jeffersonville girls - Departing Coach Taylor Sykes (Interim)
JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. -- Taylor Sykes (Closed 2/20)

What happens if an ineligible player plays in a game? Whether it is grades/transfer/no. of practices/ etc