I had my first trip to Mexico this past week and just got in last night about 1:30. Will not be my last - so fun. However, I'm full on in catch-up mode now. I was supposed to have North America plan through Verizon, but either they or the budget all-inclusive I was at somehow didn't get that memo. I was pretty much out of touch the whole time. Here we go!

North Judson girls - Departing Coach Bayley Goodman
NORTH JUDSON, Ind. -- Whitney Combs (Closed 6/27)

Just read that Chuck Negron, lead singer of the 60's rock group 3 Dog Night, was a high school basketball star in California and played at Hancock Junior College in Santa Maria, California in the early 60's. One of his teammates at Hancock was John Dampier, who along with Ron Bonham led Muncie Central to the state final game in 1960 (defeated by East Chicago Washington). Dampier played his last two years with Rick Barry at Miami (Fla.). Negron left basketball and went on to fame and fortune with 3 Dog Night only to fall victim to alcohol and drug abuse in the 70's, literally losing a fortune and almost his life.
After Miami Dampier ended up back in Muncie and passed in 2014. Negron is in California, still living but in poor health with COPD.
Sometimes hoops lead to some strange matchups.

IHSAA Executive Committee votes for 20 - 25 - 25 - 30 enrollment cutoffs for classes beginning 2024-25 season.

Knightstown’s boys job is open. Not sure who they will be looking at to fill the opening.

Keith Witty leaves Edinburgh for Greenwood.

Marlowe and my long time Hickory Husker friend Rockman co-published the Indiana Basketball Handbook (the little orange books that contained the schedules for all the high school and college teams in the state that usually banks, insurance agencies, and small hometown businesses gave away. It was the way we knew who played who and where before John Harrell built his great website. Almost all of us had a copy of the handbook and it was a wealth of information.)

I did not know Mr. Marlowe - I probably met him but didn't interact with him regularly. Our game certainly will miss this gentleman who helped many of us feed our Basketball addiction every winter.

Rest easy Basketball gentleman.

I had a girl sign up for an All-Star game that is happening tomorrow. But she nor I have heard anything else about. She and I both have email the guy, but no response. There are no times or locations on the paper he has and my school email has been purged. Does anyone have any insight on this?

Bloomington North girls - Departing Coach Jeff Turmail
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- (Updated 6/16) The Herald-Times is reporting Coach Turmail announced his resignation as girls' basketball coach/assistant AD. Last year’s Cougars were 17-7, and word from good Varsity Clubber reports that while four seniors depart, a trio of underclassmen led the scoring last year and are expected back. 5-10 sr-2-b guard Ava Reitmeyer (10PPG,) 6-0 sr-2-b forward Mia Robbennolt (12PPG,) and 5-11 jr-2-b forward Kenli Sullivan (9PPG.) HS Latin, HS Sign Language, several MS openings as well as Eled.

Bedford North lawrence boys - Departing coach Jeff Hein
BEDFORD, Ind. -- (Updated 5/15) WBIW is reporting that coach Hein has resigned after four seasons with the Stars. Last season BNL went 16-7, but a good Varsity Clubber reports lean times may be ahead for new coach. Next year’s Stars will reportedly be minus a shit ton of seniors, and will boast almost zero height. Given their Hoosier Hills schedule, it might get pretty bleak in Lawrence County next winter. If there was ever a need for a solid JV, this would be it, and thankfully a Varsity Clubber reports BNL had a very good one last year going 18-3. Looking further down the pipe, Bedford 8th finished 12-3 and 7th was 8-7. Confirmed openings at this point include: MS PE/Health, MS Science, HS Sped, Eled, HS Math, HS Biology, and HS English.

Lakeland girls - Departing Coach Dale Gearhart
LaGRANGE, Ind. -- (Updated 6/15) Last year’s Lakers went 13-11 and three varsity contributors have departed. Good Varsity Clubber reports Lakers still have something in the tank though. Three varsity regulars are expected back, and although 10PPG is the biggest offensive threat of the three, this core has the potential to remain very competitive and a 500 mark is an achievable goal. JV not so hot (5 or 6 wins.) However, some underclass leaders were already logging varsity time from this group. 5-9 is about it for post players, but schedule is comparable. Teaching areas are few and far between at this point.

Edinburgh girls - Departing Coach Amy Schilling
EDINBURGH, Ind. -- Dennis Smith (Closed 6/15)

Delphi girls - Departing Coach Tod Winlan
DELPHI, Ind. -- Dave Gilbert (Closed 6/15)

West Noble girls - Departing Coach Jeff Burns
LIGONIER, Ind. -- Haley Richardson (Closed 6/13)

Elkhart girls - Departing Coach Will Coatie
ELKHART, Ind. -- Ken Hunt (Closed 6/13)

Snider boys - Departing Coach Jeremy Rauch
FT. WAYNE, Ind. -- Josh Riikonen (Closed 6/13)

Mississinewa boys - Departing Coach James Reed
GAS CITY, Ind. -- Josh Brooks (Closed 6/13)

Peru boys - Departing Coach Eric Thompson
PERU, Ind. -- Travis Smith (Closed 6/13)

Coach Ramon Buruato has become a friend of mine down in Uvalde. He needs at least one assistant for next year and is afraid he's going to have to take a warm body.
I told him I would let everyone up here know.
You would be living in a great, but still hurting community in Uvalde where a mass shooting happened just over a year ago.
They have "a lot" of teaching openings.
My cell is 502 445 6311 (Coach Perry Hunter) you are interested, or know someone who might be interesting in moving down there and helping. Send me a text, and I will put in contact with Coach.
If I were retired, I'd be down there in a minute!

South Spencer boys - Departing Coach Matt Britton
REO, Ind. -- (Updated 6/5) Coach Britton departs to take over the Linton program. Last year’s Rebels had a remarkable regular season going 22-1 with just one mid-season set-back - a 2 point, double OT loss to Warrick County country seat Boonville. However, the tourney was a different story as they dropped the Sectional opener to North Posey, a squad that SS had previously handled earlier in the season. (Incidentally the same first round Sectional reversal happened to the Rebels the year previously.) After sweeping the Pocket Athletic Conference last season with a spotless 11-0 mark, good Varsity Club member reports landscape will look vastly for incoming coach. A shit ton of seniors depart including several multi-year starters. Jr-2-b PG Ty Brown should be back as well as a couple of other minor contributors, but Varsity Clubber underlines the 20-win seasons are over for awhile. Last year’s JV checked in at 500.

Cass boys - Departing Coach Kyle Johnson
WALTON, Ind. -- Eric Branz (Closed 6/10)

Frankfort boys - Departing Coach Dave McCollough
FRANKFORT, Ind. -- (Updated 6/5) Coach McCollough has resigned and is headed to Connersville. Last year the Hotdogs went 11-13, and a good Varsity Club member resorts five seniors graduate. However, short time good news is that a trio of srs-2-b are due back - all of whom were solid contributors last season. Short term for sure because after next season it gets dark. JV only won 7 games last year, and 8th and 7th combined for a 2-32 year.. MS ELL, MS Spanish, HS ELL, HS English, HS Science, HS PE, HS Sped, HS Media, HS&MS Sped, Eled openings.

Greencastle girls - Departing Coach Doug Greenlee
GREENCASTLE, Ind. -- Jessica Lenihan (Closed 6/9)

Heritage boys - Departing Coach Adam Gray
MONROEVILLE, Ind. - Kyle Sovine (Closed 6/9)