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

[Gene Hackman wasn't the first choice to play "Hoosiers" coach Norman Dale.

Jack Nicholson agreed to play the fictitious Hickory High School basketball coach for three months in the 1980s until a lawsuit prevented him from being a part of what many consider to be the No. 1 sports movie of all-time.]

'Hoosiers' movie: What you may not know about the No. 1 sports movie of all-time

Jack Nicholson, not Gene Hackman, was the original coach cast and other things you might not know about 'Hoosiers' and how it was inspired by the 1954 Milan High School basketball state champions.

www.wcpo.com

So many NCAA bracket challenges! Still, feel free to drop yours in our annual bragging rights contest as well. Based on the college basketball I’ve seen, this could be a tourney unlike most. Truly a wide open affair. Still hoping the Sycamores can sneak in there! Brackets available later this evening.

Barr-Reeve only public school standing in 1A.. The other seven 1A Semi-state contenders:

Marquette Catholic
Liberty Christian
Elkhart Christian
FW Canterbury
Greenwood Christian
Bethesda Christian
Evansville Christian

Wood Memorial girls - Departing Coach Johnnie Bartley
OAKLAND CITY, Ind. -- (Updated 3/15) Twenty-six year Coach Bartley has decided to step away citing time with family. By all accounts this Wood Memorial lifer has earned it. Oakland City has become a true small school power. Multiple Varsity Club reports point to a few points of common ground. 1 Following such a Trojan legend will be a challenge for anyone as would be expected. 2 Long time varsity assistant Joe Robinson will be stepping down with Coach Bartley, so he will not be an heir apparent. Looks like the job process will be wide-open. No teaching positions yet.

Linton-Stockton girls - Departing Coach Jared Rehmel
LINTON, Ind. -- (Updated 3/15) Coach Rehmel has reportedly met with team and informed them he is resigning as coach after ten seasons with the Miners. It’s been a fairly ridiculous run during his time there including two state titles and most recently a 20-7 season culminating in a Regional championship. Very little on this one as yet, but I wanted to at least get it listed. Teaching jobs confirmed as HS English, HS Biology and Eled so far.

Good morning. Shown below are my predictions for tomorrow's semi-state games along with some
comments. For each site, I've placed a number, from 1 to 4, to the left of each team's name. This is
a ranking of each team's likelihood of winning that particular semi-state.

For last week's regionals, I correctly picked 25 of the 32 games that were played (78%)

And, as always, thanks to John Harrell's great website for supplying great historical information.

Enjoy the games.



CLASS 4A (ALL TIMES EASTERN)

at Elkhart

(1)Fishers (26-1) over (2)Crown Point (20-5) 10:00 am

(3)Ft.Wayne Wayne (22-3) over (4)Mishawaka (20-7) 11:45 am

Fishers the winner 7:30 pm

Comments: This will be Fishers initial semi-state in school history. Crown Point

has been in a semi only once--1998. The Wayne Generals, currently on a 14 game
winning streak, are appearing in only their 3rd semi. They lost at this level last
year to Kokomo. And Mishawaka is in only their 3rd semi-state. They last appeared

way back in 1955 ! Fishers and Crown Point have played much stronger schedules
than the other two squads here. Fishers was my pre-tourney #1 choice to win this
semi-state.

at New Castle

(2)Ben Davis (21-5) over (3)Center Grove (21-4) 10:00 am

(1)Lawrence North (25-3) over (4)Jeffersonville (19-7) 12:00 pm

Lawrence North the winner 8:00 pm

Comments: Defending 4A state champion Ben Davis has won 11 of their
last 12 games. Included in this streak is a 7 point win at Lawrence North. BD
has won 7 of the 10 semi-states that they've played in. Speaking of hot streaks,
Center Grove has won 15 games in a row. Included in their streak is a 16 point
win against Jeffersonville in early February. CG will be playing in just their 3rd

semi. They haven't won one. Jeff is also on a roll, winning 12 of their last 13.
They have not played in a semi since 2013 and have not won one since1995.
Lawrence North is in a mild slump, having lost three of their last eleven games.

They'll be playing in their 8th semi-state, having gone 5-2 in the previous seven.
All four of these squads have played strong schedules. LN was my pre-tourney
#1 choice to win this semi-state.

CLASS 3A

at Logansport

(1)So.Bend St. Joseph (18-9) over (3)Peru (16-10) 10:00 am

(2(Delta (22-6) over (4)Fairfield (20-6) 12:00 pm
South Bend St. Joseph the winner 8:00 pm

Comments: This will be St.Joe's sixth semi-state appearance. They

are 2-3 in their five previous appearances. Peru will be playing in their

fourth semi-state and first since 1998. They've never won one. Delta
has won their last nine games--their longest streak of the year. They lost

a semi match last year to ultimate 3A champ Northwood. Fairfield is

playing in a semi for only the second time in their history--the first time
being in 2007. Delta plays the toughest schedule of this group, Fairfield the
weakest. St.Joe was my #2 pre-tourney choice to win this semi-state.



at Seymour

(1)Guerin Catholic (21-7) over (2) Danville (22-3) 10:00 am

(3)Scottsburg (22-5) over (4)Evansville Bosse (15-10) 12:00 pm

Guerin the winner 8:00 pm

Comments: Guerin has won all three semi-states they have played
in previously, including last years. This will also be Danville's fourth
semi-state but they've not won one yet. This will be Scottsburg's 7th
semi appearance. They've not yet won a semi-state. Last year they
lost by 16 points to Guerin. Speaking of history, Bosse will be playing
in their 19th semi-state. They've won eight times previously. Bosse

and Guerin have played much stronger schedules than Danville and
Scottsburg. Guerin was my pre-tourney choice to win this semi-state.



CLASS 2A

at Lafayette Jeff

(2)Wapahani (24-2) over (4)North Judson (21-6) 10:30 am

(1)Ft,Wayne Blackhawk (21-6) over (3)Wabash (21-5) -12:30 pm

Ft.Wayne Blackhawk the winner 7:30 pm

Comments: This is Blackhawks 4th semi-state in the last six years.

They went ahead and won a class state title in the previous three years.
Wapahani has been a regional participant in four of the last five years.

Last year was the first time they advanced to the semi-state round. They

lost to Cass in a mild upset. North Judson will be playing in their first-ever semi-state.
Sort of hard to believe given that NJ has been a tourney participant for over a hundred

years. Wabash is semi-state bound for only the fifth time in school history--their first time

since 1956. They've never won one. Blackhawk plays a much tougher schedule than the
other three schools while North Judson plays the weakest. Blackhawk was my #2 pre-tourney

choice to win this semi-state.



at Southport

(1)Brownstown Central (25-4) over (2)Park Tudor (20-5) 10:00 am

(3)Parke Heritage (23-5) over (4)Forest Park (18-9) 12:00 pm

Brownstown the winner 8:00 pm

Comments: Park-Tudor defeated Parke Heritage by 19 points in early December. This will be

Brownstown's 2nd straight semi-state and 4th in school history. They were defeated by Linton

last year. Park-Tudor is playing in a semi for the first time since 2015. PT won five semi-states

in the period of 2010-2015. Parke Heritage will be playing in their third semi-state. They won

at this level in 2021. Forest Park has won four of their previous six semi-state appearances.

Brownstown has played by far the toughest schedule of this quartet--Parke Heritage the weakest.

Brownstown was my pre-tourney choice to win this semi-state.





CLASS 1A

at Michigan City

(2) Liberty Christian (17-9) over (3)Marquette Catholic (12-15) 11:00 am

(1)Ft.Wayne Canterbury (16-9) over (4)Elkhart Christian (17-9) 1:00 pm

F.W.Canterbury the winner 8:30 pm

Comments: This is Liberty's fifth semi-state. They won the 2016 semi on
their way to the Class 1A state title. Elkhart defeated Marquette 56-51 on Dec.18.

This is Marquette's sixth semi-state appearance. The won a semi in both 2014
and 2015. This is Canterbury's fourth semi-state. They have never won at this level.

This is Elkhart's first-ever semi-state. Canterbury and Liberty have played far
tougher schedules than the other two schools here. Canterbury was my pre-tourney
choice to win this semi-state.



at Washington

(3)Bethesda Christian (24-2) over (4)Greenwood Christian (18-7) 10:00 am

(1)Evansville Christian (24-2) over (2)Barr-Reeve (24-2) 11:45 am

Evansville Christian the winner 7:30 pm


Comments: Bethesda won at Greenwood Christian 40-26 on Feb.6th. This is the first
semi-state appearance for Bethesda, Greenwood, and Evansville. This is Bar-Reeve's
10th semi-state appearance. They have won 7 seven semi-states in their previous history.
Evansville and Bethesda have played far tougher schedules than the other two schools.
Evansville was my pre-tourney choice to win this semi-state.

Madison boys - Departing Coach Adam Stotts
MADISON, Ind. -- (Updated 3/14) Coach Stotts has announced his resignation via Facebook after three seasons. Last year the Cubs finished 7-17, bowing out to Silver Creek in the 3A Sectional opener. Varsity Club report indicates four seniors depart, but some firepower is expected back. 5-11 sr-2-b guard Quinvy Roberts is expected back along with his team leading 15PPG and 5RPG. Fellow classmate Mason Davis (10PPG) is also expected to return to the backcourt. 6-1 forward Landon True (9PPG) is another in the sr-2-b class that’s sure to figure. Soph-2-b Gabe Fife also showed flashes as a varsity frosh. Not much in terms of proven height though, and post defense will be tough given the Cubs’ schedule. Teaching jobs are lean: Eled, HS Biology, HS Family Consumer Science is it right now.

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.

North Central boys - Departing Coach John Ladson
FARMERSBURG, Ind. -- (Updated 3/13) The Thunderbirds are coming off a competitive season that saw them finish 11-13. However, good Varsity Club member reports a great deal of optimism in Farmersburg. Only two seniors graduate, and nearly 50PPG are on paper to return. A pair of srs-2-b will likely anchor next year’s effort: 6-2 guard/forward Ethan Willis (16PPG, 9RPG) and Trashaun Cockrell (11PPG, 5APG.) Several other sr-2-b classmates fill important roles and were all good for about 6 an outing last year. Varsity Club member reports a couple of challenges for new coach. One being lassoing an incoming senior class of 8-9, and getting them to fly in the right direction. The second being their conference has been tough as nails. North Central is a member of the Southwestern Indiana Conference: North Daviess, Linton, Clay City, Shakamak, Eastern Greene, Bloomfield, and WRV. Still waiting to hear about feeder teams. Farmersburg job openings include HS/MS Math, HS/MS PE & Health, and Eled Sped.

Those games are:

Crown Point (20-5) vs Fishers (26-1)
Fort Wayne Wayne (22-3) vs Mishawaka (20-7)
Peru (16-10) vs South Bend St. Joseph (18-9)
Delta (22-6) vs Fairfield (20-6)
Evansville Bosse (15-10) vs Scottsburg (22-5)
North Judson (16-9) vs Wapahani (24-2)
Park Tudor (20-5) vs Brownstown Central (25-4)
Forest Park (18-9) vs Parke Heritage (23-5)
Evansville Christian (24-2) vs Barr-Reeve (24-2)

Speedway GBB is seeking a scrimmage opponent for 24-25 and beyond.

We are looking at Nov. 2 for the 2024-2025 season.

Please reach out to the following if interested.

Head Coach, Joe Smith- jsmith@speedwayschools.net

Athletic Director, Dan Maple- dmaple@speedwayschools.net

Zionsville girls - Departing Coach Andy Maguire
ZIONSVILLE, Ind. -- (Updated 3/13) Coach Maguire resigns after an incredibly successful double stint at Zionsville. He oversaw a complete evolution in the program that now sees them as a regular in the state rankings. Good Varsity Club member reports a ton leaves due to graduation this spring, but there is optimism around a strong soph-2-b class led by 5-6 guard McKenzie Chapman. Post defense and rebounding were largely handled by committee last season, but much of that effort were impactful seniors. 5-11 Sr-2-b frontliner Caroline Sampson is the only proven frontliner back. Nice size in the underclasses though. Varsity Club member indicates reaching last year’s win total of 16 might be tough going given the Eagles’ schedule, but this is a program that should be competitive year-in and year-out. Two reports of Zionsville teacher and assistant coach Bronson Lickliter as likely replacement.