Three to receive 2023 'Virgil Sweet Award' from IBCA Grossman, McClanahan, Lopresti to be honored by coaches' group for contributions to basketball 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 15).

Roger Grossman of WRSW Radio in Warsaw, summer basketball organizer Denise McClanahan of Indianapolis and longtime sportswriter Mike Lopresti of Richmond are the recipients of this year's awards. One person is honored from each IHSAA district -- Grossman in District 1, McClanahan in District 2 and Lopresti 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.

This is the 47th year that the IBCA has presented an award or awards for service to basketball beyond coaching. A single winner was named from 1975 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 2023 winners.

This year's awards will be presented on Thursday, April 20 as part of the 2023 IBCA Clinic 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 2023.

Roger Grossman

Roger Grossman has broadcast high school basketball and other sports in Warsaw and northern Indiana for more than 30 years. He now is completing his 32nd school year with WRSW Radio.

Grossman is a 1986 graduate of Argos High School, where competed in four varsity sports – three seasons in soccer, one season in basketball, four seasons in golf and, concurrently with golf, three seasons in baseball.

He went on to Butler University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in radio/television in 1991. He began broadcasting Butler men’s basketball, women’s basketball and football games in 1987 on WAJC Radio while a college student. He also played on the Bulldogs’ golf team for one season and served three seasons as a student manager for the Butler women’s basketball team.

Grossman began his professional career in June 1991 as a summer intern at WRSW, then stayed on as a football analyst that fall and provided play-by-play coverage for Warsaw girls’ basketball that winter. He added football and boys’ basketball play-by-play duties to his responsibilities in 2002.

Over 32 seasons, Grossman has broadcast nearly 2,800 contests in boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball, football, baseball, softball and soccer. He also hosts the “Tiger Talk” program on 35 Saturdays each school year.

He has been named the state Broadcaster of the Year three times by the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association. He also was recognized as the IHSBCA district Broadcaster of the Year four other times.

Grossman was honored in 2010 as a recipient of the IHSAA Distinguished Media Service Award, and his broadcast location in the southwest corner of the Tiger Den in Warsaw has been named “Roger’s Roost” in his honor. He also has been a licensed basketball official since 1986. Grossman and his wife, Holly, are parents to two children – Hannah, 13, and Oliver, 9.

Officials to receive 2023 Gardner and Ball awards

Coburn, Day to be honored by Indiana Basketball Coaches Association

Game officials Eric Coburn and Ron Day will be recognized with special awards in 2023 by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.

Coburn and Day will be honored as respective winners of the Roy Gardner and Mildred Ball awards as outstanding officials throughout long careers on the hardwood. The two officials are being cited for their work impacting the game floor, Coburn from 1985 to 2022 and Day from 1991 to the present.

Coburn officiated for 38 seasons, including five times in the boys' basketball State Finals and five times in the girls' basketball State Finals while a member of the Northern Officials Association of Indiana. The Leesburg resident received the IHSAA Award as Official of the Year in girls' basketball in 2007 and the IHSAA Award as Official of the Year in boys' basketball in 2015. He served as association secretary for 10 years, association president for eight years, has been an IHSAA clinician for 10 years and an IHSAA rules interpreter for 12 years. He also has mentored five officials who have gone on to work the IHSAA boys' and girls' State Finals.

Day, a Plymouth resident, just completed his 32nd season as an official. He has worked the boys' basketball State Finals five times and the girls' basketball State Finals five times. He has been a member of the Northern Officials Association of Indiana for 30 years and also the Lake County Association for 15 years. He has served as a clinician for a number of years and mentored many younger officials.

The Gardner Award is named after the late Roy Gardner, a Lawrenceburg native, Ball State graduate and former Batesville High School math teacher who worked three boys' basketball State Finals and officiated in the Big Ten from 1959-69. He passed away in 1977, and the IBCA has presented an award in his name since 1978. Gardner was inducted into the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1981 and the Ripley County Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.

The Ball Award is named after Mildred Morgan Ball, a graduate of Gary Roosevelt High School and Indiana University who served as an IHSAA assistant commissioner from 1977-97. During her time at the IHSAA, Ball was responsible for licensing and training of contest officials and also worked with the National Federation of High School Associations rules committee. The IBCA has presented an award in her name since 1997. Ball was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998, and she was the 2022 recipient of the Richard G. Lugar Award for Distinguished Service.

Coburn and Day each will receive his award during the IBCA's annual clinic on Thursday, April 20 at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville. For more information about the IBCA, go to in.nhsbca.org.
More information about each award winner follows. In addition, a list of previous winners for these awards follows the biography information.


* * *

2023 IBCA Roy Gardner Award
Congratulations to the Roy Gardner Award Winner: Eric Coburn

Eric Coburn of Leesburg is the winner of the 2023 Roy Gardner Award.

Coburn is a 1974 graduate of Wawasee High School, where he participated in football, basketball and track. He then went to Ivy Tech, where he earned a certification in aircraft maintenance. He was a Warsaw city police officer for 32 years and has been teaching Aviation Ground School at Warsaw High School for nine years.

Coburn started officiating in 1985 after providing a police escort for the Warsaw Tigers, who won the IHSAA boys’ basketball state championship that season. He and his long-time police partner and 20-year basketball officiating partner, Lance Grubbs, argued calls during that championship game. They both agreed to get licensed in basketball and started officiating together at the elementary level, then moved into middle school and freshman level.

After joining the Northern Indiana Officials Association and being mentored by many veteran officials and learning from several past winners of the Gardner Award, they started working junior varsity games. Coburn’s first boys’ varsity game came at Penn High School in the inauguration game of the new “Penn Palace” basketball court.

After 38 years, Coburn has worked in both the girls’ basketball and boys’ basketball state tournaments. For girls, he has worked 28 sectionals, 19 regionals, 11 semi-states and five State Finals. For boys, he has worked 21 sectionals, 13 regionals, nine semi-states and five State Finals. He also has officiated in three Hall of Fame Classic events in New Castle.

Coburn received the IHSAA Outstanding Girls’ Basketball Official Award in 2007 and the IHSAA Outstanding Boys’ Basketball Official Award in 2015.

As a member of the Northern Officials Association of Indiana, Coburn has served as secretary for 10 years and president for eight years. He has also been an IHSAA clinician for 10 years and an IHSAA rules interpreter for 12 years. Coburn has mentored five officials who have gone on to work the IHSAA boys’ and girls’ State Finals.

He enjoys golf, hunting and flying. He has been an Angel Flight pilot since 2006, providing no-charge airplane flights for people in need to hospitals or doctors.

Coburn is humbled to receive this recognition from the IBCA and would like to give credit to mentors Gene Butts, Frank DeSantis, Tim and Jay Smith, Clark Hamilton, and current partners Kirk Robinson, Trent Long, Brett Patrick, and many others with whom he has officiated.

He also would like to thank the athletic directors who had confidence in hiring him and to the coaches who made him get better in officiating. He also expressed gratitude to his wife of more than 49 years, Yvonne, daughter Erica and son Will, who did not realize what they had gotten into.



2023 IBCA Mildred Ball Award
Congratulations to the Mildred Ball Award Winner: Ron Day

Ron Day of Plymouth is the winner of the 2023 Mildred Ball Award.

Now in his 32nd as an official, Day began officiating in 1991 and has worked at least one State Finals’ game in each class for both boys and girls. Among those games, he called the 2009 Class 4A girls’ title game in Lucas Oil Stadium between Ben Davis and South Bend Washington, a game considered a mythical national title game as the teams were ranked first and second in national polls. It was among the best attended girls’ basketball games with a crowd of 13,449.

During his time as a official, Day has worked 26 sectionals, 16 regionals, seven semi-states, five State Finals (2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2021) for boys’ basketball as well as 26 sectionals, 18 regionals, eight semi-states and five State Finals (2006, 2009, 2012, 2015 and 2019) for girls’ basketball. He also called the 2004 girls’ Hall of Fame Classic in New Castle.

Day as been a member of the Northern Officials Association of Indiana for 30 years and also the Lake County Association for 15 years. Has served as a clinician for a number of years and mentored many younger officials.

A 1981 graduate of Plymouth High School, Day participated in basketball and track, was a two-time all-conference honoree in track and part of a 400-meter relay that held a school record for more than 25 years. He went on to Indiana University, where he was a 1986 graduate of the Kelley School of Business. He has been a self-employed contractor in a family business for 33 years.

Day and his wife, Lori, have two adult children – Katie (husband Brendan) and Eric (wife Kristen) – as well as two grandchildren with a third grandchild due in June. In his free time, Day enjoys spending time with family as well as traveling, reading, golfing and cheering the Minnesota Vikings.

As for officiating, Day said: “I was fortunate to have three excellent regular partners in officiating – Tim Filson, Brian Allen and Tom Hinz. They made it fun each and every night. Also, a shout out to my son, Eric, who attended hundreds of my games and is the best observer I ever had.”

East Central boys - Departing Coach David Disbro
ST. LEON, Ind. -- (Updated 3/16) Veteran Coach Disbro wraps-up 23 largely successful years at East Central. This season’s Trojans were 7-16, and dropped the 4A Columbus Sectional opener to Shelby in OT. Varsity Clubber reports that only about seven Trojans regularly saw varsity court time, and of them, two graduate. That being said, neither grad put much in the scoring column. Shooting guard Carson Pieczonka (15ppg) highlights a pretty solid jr-2-b group. A trio of 6-4’s provide the height of the program, although much of that will be taking on expanded and unproven roles. JV squad is below average. 8th grade described as a very nice group - finished regular season 13-3. 7th grade squad competitive. Eled only at this point, but more are expected, and also deserves mention that Varsity Cubber reports EC not opposed to lay coach.

Still receiving insight on these openings for write-ups. I at least wanted to get them listed while I work on them:

Carmel girls
East Noble girls
Crawfordsville girls
West Washington girls
Trinity Lutheran boys

Sadly there's only one team I'm rooting for this year: Ashland Blazer

The 22-11 Tomcats -- home of notable alum such as Wynonna and Ashley Judd, Cy Young Award winning twirler Brandon Webb and former game show host Chuck Woolery -- fell to Boyd County in the 64th District Championship, 74-67. But thanks to Kentucky's awesome double-elimination aspect in the district championship game, Ashland Blazer smashed Boyd County in the 16th Region final, 73-51, to earn a spot in Kentucky's Sweet 16 at Rupp Arena.

The Tomcats have a shot at making the Elite Eight as they'll face 19-10 Owensboro on March 15 at 8:30 p.m.

Kentucky Sweet 16 Bracket

Bill Zych at Pike posted resignation letter on Twitter today.

Our annual contest is through Yahoo again. Most of us are in a handful of different contests. Please feel free to throw your bracket in HickoryHusker.com’s! Opens with the tourney draw Sunday night

Crawfordsville girls - Departing Coach Tyler Smith
CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. -- (Updated 3/14) Athenians will have a new leader after AD announced they were not renewing Coach Smith’s contract after four seasons. Crawfordsville has been up against it in terms of talent for some time, and every coach that has been there has dealt with this as best they could. Cville has managed a .500 record only a handful of times in the past decade and a few of those seasons have been downright dismal. It hasn’t been since 2010 that the girls had enough talent to truly make some noise. Beyond that, it has been a struggle to be competitive. County schools and rivals 2A Southmont and (barely) 3A North Montgomery have caught and, in many instances, surpassed the once king of Montgomery County. One Varsity Club member emails that this is at the heart of much of the angst. This report alleges Crawfordsville still sees itself, in traditional county seat style, as superior to these small county schools. Trouble is they simply aren’t that much smaller anymore, and in some cases simply have better athletes. Still the unwritten standard of beating these schools applies. In an interview with the Crawfordsville Journal-Review, Coach Smith stated, “While I am still confused by this sudden decision…One of my goals was to bring some respectability back to the program, and I believe we did that.” Getting back to the roster, though, this most recent batch of Athenians (7-16) doesn’t lose a great deal. 5-10 sr-2-b post Taylor Abston (First team all-conference) is the only letterwinner that managed to hit double figures on a consistent basis (12ppg.) Four other underclassmen were regular varsity players, and that should help. Guard play will be an area that will need extra attention. JV will reportedly provide very little support as they were routinely blasted last go round. Not much better news on the feeder school front either. 8th grade was held scoreless in at least one game last year and 7th grade was routed several times as well.

East Noble girls - Departing Coach Shawn Kimmel
KENDALLVILLE, Ind. -- (Updated 3/15) Now official that Coach Kimmel will not be returning to the Knights’ sideline for a fourth season. Last year EN went 5-18, and a Varity Club email pints to simply the lack of scoring. Nobody had the ability to put points on the board in a consistent manner. Only two seniors depart from last year’s roster, but with that goes about 15ppg - roughly half of the already limited production. Report does glass half-full-it with two frosh that were in varsity rotation. Neither of the sophs-2-b lit it up, but did show signs of future varsity contribution. (Kate David specifically.) Not a ton of athleticism in the post, but enough height reported to defend and rebound. Turnovers were another major issue for the Knights last season, and that will likely continue to be a challenge for the incoming coach. One Varsity Club email projected them ahead of only New Haven in next year’s NE8 Conference production. Some help on the way though as Varsity Club member reports 6, 7, and 8 grade teams all very strong. $10,800 stipend. Openings include: Several Eled, HS Theater, Sped more expected

Carmel girls - Departing Coach Erin Trimpe
CARMEL, Ind. -- (Updated 3/14) A tweet from Carmel’s AD announced that Coach Trimpe will not be back for a fifth season. The Greyhounds struggled through a season of growing pains following huge graduation losses. In fact, last year’s 4-19 roster only loses one senior and about 8ppg, so incoming coach should (in theory) benefit from their on-the-job training. Paper being paper, a good varsity Clubber also reports there are several unseen undertows at play in Carmel. Yes, stipend and facilities are among the highest level in the state, but parent expectations and internal rivalries among players/families are also at a fever pitch. Good Varsity Clubber reports for that reason alone, X’s and O’s and typical administrative skills expected of a varsity coach are simply not enough to steer this gilded vessel. Talent-wise, Carmel has decent, but not great skill players. Varsity Clubber reports plenty of height and enough athleticism to be competitive, but hitting .500 with Carmel’s schedule (brutal) will still be a noteworthy accomplishment if they can pull it off next season. Internal interest expected, but Varsity Clubber predicts an outside hire. JV is about .500, but given that so many underclassmen were varsity contributors last go round, not a ton will be needed from the curtain raisers. Three very large middle schools feed into Carmel, so no shortage of players coming up in Hamilton County. Openings aplenty for Carmel-Clay Schools and more on the way: Several Eled, MS Math, Sped at multiple levels, HS Biology.

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He was on a Diversion Program for the earlier Public Intox charge. That will presumably be nullified and this OWI charge from last night could get enhanced to a felony. Plus he will be further prosecuted on the previous offense.

It is also my understanding that he had a previous similar alcohol related offense in prior years.

I hope Coach Hart gets some help - he obviously has an issue that can't continue.

Anderson Prep boys - Departing Coach B
ANDERSON, Ind. -- (Updated 3/14) APA is now officially listed. To say that things have been rough for the Jets would be an understatement. The Jets, at 1-22 last season, were everyone’s whipping boy. Even teams that were struggling themselves somehow got well when playing Anderson Prep. Just how bad has it been? Since APA started playing in the IHSAA tourney, they have gone 17-163 with exactly zero Sectional wins. It gets worse. A good Varsity Clubber has crunched the numbers and, of their eight sectional losses, the closest has been a 24 point loss to Southern Wells in 2019. Other first round tourney losses.. -41, -49, -39, -52, -46, -25, and -66. Yeah, it’s bad. Report does indicate only one senior departs, and two underclassmen that both went for about 10 a game last season are expected back. So there’s that. Plus JV did manage to go 8-6. Will it translate to more wins? Report says new coach had better have a “magnetic personality” when it comes to Anderson athletes, or else it will be more of the same. Eled is only opening at this. Stipend: $4000

South Spencer girls - Departing Coach Brent Mathew
ROCKPORT, Ind. -- (Updated 3/3) Word now that Coach Mathew has resigned after five seasons in Rockport. The Rebels enjoyed two consecutive successful seasons 17-6 and 18-7, but both ended short of a Sectional title. Six seniors graduate from that group including leading scorer (15ppg.) However, sr-2-b guard Molly Schulte should be back as a proven varsity contributor all over the floor. Varsity Club report indicates there are enough underclassmen that logged varsity time to likely fill out a competitive roster, but collectively a step back win-wise is realistic. Decent JV should also help. Varsity Clubber reports both 8th grade and 7th grade classes boast solid scorers that should contribute at varsity level down the road. Early name being mentioned is SS assistant coach and teacher David Hall.

Salem boys - Departing Coach Duane Malloy
SALEM, Ind. -- (Updated 3/14) After two rough years (5-17) & (1-22), the Salem Lions job is open. In addition to a turkey buzzard plague on the city square, (Yes, it’s true - town is actually using an air cannon to disperse the foul) reports of toxic combination of thin depth of talent combined with character issues among those that were depended upon to contribute. Without quality depth to push for playing time, things were tough to keep on the rails. When you consider this same roster finished the 2021-22 campaign on a 1-10 skid, this year’s 1-22 really begins to take on new meaning. The cupboard of attitude troubles will reportedly not be completely cleaned in May, but will be in a better state. Talent-wise, though, report states not much in terms of improvement. No world beaters coming-up from JV. Apps deadline 3/28. Salem was winless the last two years in the MidSouthern Conference: Austin (2A), Brownstown (3A), Charlestown (3A), Corydon (3A), Eastern (Pekin) (2A), North Harrison (3A), Scottsburg (3A), and Silver Creek (3A). No teaching jobs yet, but hiring of new superintendent may impact timeline.

Heritage Christian boys - Departing Coach Brandon Coffer (Interim)
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- (Updated 3/14) Interim Coach Coffer went 3-6 during his time leading the Eagles. The entire campaign finished at 11-12 a first round Sectional exit courtesy of Brebeuf. Varsity Club report predicts a step back for the Eagles next season, as shit ton graduates. A couple of underclassmen earned varsity minutes, but none were major contributors in any way. On the bright side, JV was pretty solid last season, but those guys will have to make that big step to varsity level. Despite Heritage Christian’s small enrollment, report states they field two teams in both 7th and 8th grade which helps. HC boasts one of the larger coaching staffs in the area, and while inside interest is expected, Varsity Clubbers states finding a dynamic outside candidate may be the goal of some in the hiring process. Report continues, “After all, no one grows up in the Heritage Christian school district dreaming of playing in blue. Every kid, every family has to choose to go here. That personality is a must.” Love it or hate it, that is probably very true. Only teaching gig at this point in the early spring is HS English. Not timeline yet

Twelve players have been selected to join IndyStar Indiana Miss Basketball Laila Hull of Zionsville for the 2023 IndyStar Indiana Girls' All-Stars, All-Stars game director Mike Broughton announced Tuesday (March 14).

Those chosen to the team 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.

Hull's selection as Miss Basketball was announced Monday (March 13). The players completing the 2023 Indiana Girls' All-Stars, listed alphabetically, are Ashlynn Brooke of Pioneer, Olivia Brown of Hamilton Southeastern, Cristen Carter of Ben Davis, Asia Donald of Hobart, Layla Gold of Cathedral, RaShunda Jones of South Bend Washington, McKenna Layden of Northwestern, Riley Makalusky of Hamilton Southeastern, Karsyn Norman of Bedford North Lawrence, Amiyah Reynolds of South Bend Washington, Saige Stahl of Columbus East and Amber Tretter of Forest Park.

Reynolds is injured and is not expected to play in the games.

The 2023 All-Stars include five players who have been a part of six state championship teams (Tretter with two; Brooke, Jones, Norman and Reynolds with one each), two IHSAA Mental Attitude Award winners (Norman and Tretter), five players who were named IBCA first-team Academic All-State (Carter, Hull, Layden, Norman and Tretter) and one player who was named IBCA honorable mention Academic All-State (Makalusky).

Kristi Ulrich of Penn has been named the head coach of the 2023 All-Stars. She will be assisted by Bryan Graham of Triton Central and Bob Lapadot of Garrett. Ulrich is 312-50 in 14 seasons at Penn, including the 2016 Class 4A state championship. Graham is 299-65 in 15 seasons at Triton Central. Lapadot is 193-91 in 12 seasons at Garrett.

The Junior-Senior exhibition game is set for June 7 at a site to be announced. The first game against Kentucky will be June 9 at the Owensboro Sportscenter in Owensboro, Ky. The final game against Kentucky will be June 10 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

All three dates will be doubleheaders with the IndyStar Indiana Boys' All-Stars, whose roster will be announced later. The roster for the Indiana girls' Junior All-Stars were announced March 8. The roster for the Indiana boys' Junior All-Stars will be announced later.

The Indiana Junior All-Stars will play two girl-boy doubleheaders this year -- June 4 against the Kentucky Junior All-Stars at Jeffersonville High School and June 7 against the Indiana seniors at a site to be announced.

The Indiana All-Stars program was founded in 1939 when the Indiana Boys All-Stars played the state champion Frankfort Hot Dogs. The series with Kentucky began in 1940, and the girls' portion of the All-Stars was added in 1976. The Junior All-Stars, boys and girls, were added in 1996. The All-Star senior girls have played Kentucky every year since 1976, except 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The All-Star senior boys have played Kentucky in all but three years since 1940 -- 1943 (World War II), 1944 (World War II) and 2020 (COVID-19 pandemic).

The Indiana Senior girls lead 52-40 in their series with Kentucky. The Indiana Senior girls lead 41-10 in games against the Indiana Junior girls. The Indiana Junior girls lead 10-1 in their series with Kentucky. The Indiana Senior boys lead 103-44 in their series with Kentucky. The Indiana Senior boys lead 41-10 in games against the Indiana Junior boys. The Indiana Junior boys lead 7-4 in their series with Kentucky.

The June 10 date also will include the inaugural IndyStar Indiana All-Star "Futures Games." The Futures Games will be a girls-boys doubleheader at Gainbridge Fieldhouse with Indiana-only squads of juniors, sophomores and freshmen in a North vs. South format. The girls' Futures Games lineups were announced on Feb. 16. The boys' Futures Games lineups will be announced later.

The Indiana portion of the All-Star Games is organized and produced by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association. The Indianapolis Star, with its IndyStar brand, is a title sponsor.

Miss Basketball is selected through a balloting process of coaches and media overseen by game organizers from the IBCA. The remainder of the team is finalized by Broughton after observing numerous games and events throughout the season, conferring with coaches, school officials and media across the state. Broughton also reviews votes submitted by coaches and media who each could recommend up to 10 players.

Those chosen as 2023 IndyStar Indiana Girls' All-Stars are listed below alphabetically. Hull will wear the traditional No. 1 as Miss Basketball. All other jersey numbers will be assigned later.


2023 IndyStar Indiana Girls All-Stars
Name, School, Height, Pos., PPG, College Choice

Ashlynn Brooke, Pioneer, 5-7, G, 23.8, Ball State
Olivia Brown, Hamilton Southeastern, 5-7, G, 6.9, Akron
Cristen Carter, Ben Davis, 6-3, C, 18.6, Miami (Ohio)
Asia Donald, Hobart, 5-9, G, 26.7, Indiana State
Layla Gold, Cathedral, 6-0, G, 21.9, Valparaiso
Laila Hull, Zionsville, 6-1, F, 23.2, North Carolina
RaShunda Jones, South Bend Washington, 5-8, G, 19.8, Purdue
McKenna Layden, Northwestern, 6-2, F, 21.6, Purdue
Riley Makalusky, Hamilton Southeastern, 6-2, F, 19.9, Butler
Karsyn Norman, Bedford North Lawrence, 5-6, G, 15.5, Butler
^ Amiyah Reynolds, South Bend Washington, 6-0, G, 15.2, Maryland
Saige Stahl, Columbus East, 6-1, F, 26.0, Indiana State
Amber Tretter, Forest Park, 6-1, F, 15.8, Miami (Ohio)

Head coach: Kristi Ulrich, Penn
Assistant coaches: Bryan Graham, Triton Central; Bob Lapadot, Garrett
^ injured; unable to play in All-Star games

Saturday marked a new, one-game Regional format for the IHSAA boys’ state tournament, and 64 teams statewide were whittled down to 32 by the end of the night. With an “Elite Eight” in each of the four classifications now headed into Semi-State play this coming weekend, we would like to highlight three players from last week’s action who stood out with their play.

John Glenn Senior Brycen Hannah, Wapahani Junior Isaac Andrews, and Jennings County Sophomore Carter Kent have been selected as recipients for March 6-March 11 in the recognition program coordinated by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association. Hannah stood out in District-1. Andrews is the winner for District-2. Kent earned honors in District-3.

The Falcons of John Glenn (17-10) entered the Regional with the task of taking on the South Bend Washington Panthers (18-6), ranked #9 in the Class 3A AP poll entering the state tournament. Behind the play of Senior Brycen Hannah, the Falcons emerged victorious, with a hard-fought, 58-54 outcome. Hannah, a 6-4 forward, scored 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the win. He was 7-12 from the floor, he knocked down a shot from long range, and he was an efficient 7-9 from the free throw line. The Senior forward also managed to chip in a pair of assists, a pair of steals, and he blocked a pair of shots. The Falcons will start their Semi-State run with a Saturday matchup against Delta (18-9).

Junior Isaac Andrews of Wapahani (25-1) posted a double-double in their 73-50 Regional win against the Carroll Cougars (22-5) of Flora, Indiana. The 6-1 guard was strong at both ends of the floor, scoring 21 points, pulling down 11 rebounds, and finding teammates with assists on six occasions. He also buried three shots from deep and was 6-8 from the charity stripe. The Warriors lost their opening game of the season by a mere two points, but they have rattled off 25 straight wins since. Andrews will now help lead Wapahani against Lewis Cass (19-7) this Saturday.

Of our three winners, Jennings County Sophomore Carter Kent was the only one to play two games last week, as the Panthers (24-2) had to first take care of some Sectional business last Monday due to a postponement. In that Sectional Championship game, a 51-39 triumph over New Albany (11-14), Kent scored 22 points on 7-12 shooting, he was 4-8 from deep, and he was 4-5 on free tosses. He added a pair of rebounds and a pair of assists. Saturday, in their 64-40 win over Evansville F.J. Reitz (19-7), the Sophomore guard was again a standout. Kent put up 16 points on 6-10 shooting, including a solid 4-6 from outside. He also added three each in rebounds, assists, and steals to his stat line. Jennings County will return to action this Saturday with a big Semi-State matchup against Brownsburg (21-4).

MONTICELLO, Ind. -- Countless players have taken long range jump shots since the inception of the three-pointer in 1987. However, no one has launched more skyward in a single season than Twin Lakes' Olivia Nickerson. She hits a bunch too..


Twin Lakes' Olivia Nickerson

Most 3 Pointers Attempted in a Season
(B) 315 Cooper Neese - Cloverdale 2015-16
(B) 293 Grayson Flittner - Tri-Central 2005-06
(B) 290 Luke Bumbalough - New Castle 2018-19
(B) 258 Gavin Herrema - Covenant Christian 2018-19
(B) 254 Danus Coffey - Indiana Math & Science 2015-16
(B) 252 Dusty Magee - Knightstown 2004-05
(B) 251 Josiah Rickets - North Posey 2019-20
(B) 250 Luke Brown - Blackford 2019-20
(B) 247 Dominique Smith - Lake Station 2015-16
(B) 238 Jaylen Minnett - TH South 2015-16
(G) 290 Olivia Nickerson 2022-23
(G) 288 Kelly Ratigan - SB St. Joe 2021-22
(G) 248 Ashlynn Brooke - Pioneer 2-21-22
(G) 267 Sydney Buck - Homestead 2012-13
(G) 246 Olivia Nickerson 2020-21
(G) 240 Rae Faur - Lakewood Park 2012-13
(G) 240 Lexi Riggles - Danville 2016-17
(G) 237 Natalie Nickless - University 2017-18
(G) 235 Olivia Nickerson - Twin Lakes 2021-22
(G) 231 Maggie Gutwein - Twin Lakes 2018-19

Most 3 Pointers Made in a Season
(B) 147 Andrew Graves - White River Valley 1994-95
(B) 127 Shane Meadows - Henryville 2003-04
(B) 122 Luke Bumbalough - New Castle 2018-19
(B) 112 Jason Holsinger - Lapel 2004-05
(B) 111 Cooper Neese - Cloverdale 2015-16
(B) 108 Gavin Herrema - Covenant Christian 2018-19
(B) 107 Travis Largent - Southmont 2003-04
(B) 106 Tommy Weakley - Edgewood 2007-08
(B) 104 Grayson Flittner - Tri-Central 2005-06
(B) 102 Mark Albers - Pendleton Heights 2015-16
(G) 137 Chasity Zellers - Glenn 1999-00
(G) 121 Aubrey Minix - Oregon-Davis 2008-09
(G) 119 Sydney Buck - Homestead 2012-13
(G) 117 Olivia Nickerson - Twin Lakes 2022-23
(G) 101 Courtney Swain - Zionsville 2001-04
(G) 100 Reganne Pate - Penn 2018-19
(G) 98 Ashlynn Brooke - Pioneer 2021-22
(G) 97 Olivia Nickerson - Twin Lakes 2020-21
(G) 96 Reganne Pate - Penn 2019-20
(G) 94 Nicole Rogers - Western 2011-12
(G) 94 Lexi Thompson - Lafayette Catholic 2018-19

Long time staple of Austin High School sports, Danny "Big Dan" Deaton passed last Friday in Florida. Dan had coached and worked in the Austin School system, for what seemed like, forever. I was blessed to have been coached by and coached alongside him in my early years in basketball. He was loved by all and will be sadly missed by the community of Austin.

Laila Hull has earned the top individual award in Indiana high school girls basketball.



Hull, a 6-1 guard-forward from Zionsville High School, has been named IndyStar Indiana Miss Basketball for 2023 in online voting of media and girls’ varsity coaches conducted by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association and All-Star game director Mike Broughton, it was announced Monday (March 13).

The Miss Basketball result means Hull will wear the No. 1 jersey for the Indiana All-Stars in their annual series with Kentucky. The Miss Basketball award goes to the top girls’ basketball senior in the state. The Miss Basketball and Mr. Basketball awards are part of the IndyStar Indiana All-Star program that dates to 1939. The Miss Basketball award, along with the girls All-Stars, was added to the All-Star program in 1976.

The remainder of the 2023 Girls' All-Star team will be announced later. The 2023 Mr. Basketball and the 2023 Boys' All-Star team also will be announced later. The 2023 girls' Junior All-Stars were announced on March 8. The boys' Junior All-Stars will be announced later.

Hull earned the girls' top honor after being named on 70 ballots submitted to Broughton in balloting that ran from Feb. 18 through March 1. RaShunda Jones of South Bend Washington was runner-up with 46 votes. Amiyah Reynolds of South Bend Washington placed third with 30 votes followed by Karsyn Norman of Bedford North Lawrence with 12 votes and Amber Tretter of Forest Park with 10 votes. In total, 19 players received at least one Miss Basketball vote.

A University of North Carolina recruit, Hull averaged 22.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.3 blocks while leading Zionsville to a 20-3 season that included the championship of the Franklin Community/Walt Raines Classic. She converted 52.3 percent on field goals (182 of 348), including 42.2 percent on 3-point attempts (27 of 64) for the Eagles. She also sank 82.2 percent on free throws (125 of 152).

For her career, Hull totaled a school-record 1,668 points as well as 754 rebounds, 196 assists, 227 steals and a school-record 125 blocks while Zionsville amassed an aggregate record of 57-33 over her four seasons (6-17, 15-6, 16-7 and 20-3). She is second in Zionsville career rebounds and also holds school records for rebounds in a game (18 vs. Carmel as a junior), blocks in a season (37 as a sophomore) and career free throws made and attempted (344 of 465).

Hull is the first Zionsville player to wear the All-Stars' coveted No. 1 jersey. She becomes her school's sixth All-Star selection. She joins three previous girls (Debbie Funkhouser, 1977; Rachel McLimore, 2017; Maddie Nolan, 2019) and two previous boys (Derrik Smits, 2015; Isaiah Thompson, 2019).

In becoming a Tar Heel, Hull is the second Miss Basketball winner and fifth owner of an Indiana No. 1 jersey to be headed to North Carolina for college. She joins a list that includes Brownsburg's Stephanie Mavunga, the 2013 Miss Basketball winner, as well as Mr. Basketball winners Dave Colescott of Marion (1976), Sean May of Bloomington North (2002) and Tyler Zeller of Washington (2008).

While in high school, Hull has been recognized as a four-time first-team all-Hoosier Crossroads Conference honoree, a two-time IBCA Underclass Supreme 15 selection, a 2023 IBCA Senior Supreme 15 choice, a 2022 Associated Press second-team All-State selection and a 2023 IBCA first-team Academic All-State choice. She also was a 2023 McDonald's All-American Game nominee and was named the 2023 Gatorade/Indiana Player of the Year.

Mr. Basketball and Miss Basketball traditionally wear No. 1 jerseys for the respective Indiana Boys All-Stars and Indiana Girls All-Stars in the annual series with Kentucky. The All-Stars will face the Indiana Junior All-Stars in an exhibition doubleheader on June 7 at a site to be announced. The All-Stars follow with their home-and-home doubleheaders with Kentucky -- June 9 at the Owensboro SportsCenter in Owensboro, Ky., and June 10 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

A list of Miss Basketball honorees follows.

Indiana Miss Basketball honorees
1976: Judi Warren, Warsaw
1977: Teri Rosinski, Norwell
1978: Chanda Kline, Warsaw
1979: LaTaunya Pollard, East Chicago Roosevelt
1980: Maria Stack, Columbus East
1981: Cheryl Cook, Indianapolis Washington
1982: Trena Keys, Marion
1983: Jody Beerman, Heritage
1984: Sharon Versyp, Mishawaka
1985: Jodie Whitaker, Austin
1986: Kim Barrier, Jimtown
1987: Lori Meinerding, Fort Wayne Northrop
1988: Vicki Hall, Brebeuf Jesuit
1989: Renee Westmoreland, Scottsburg
1990: Patricia Babcock, Culver Academy
1991: Jennifer Jacoby, Rossville
1992: Marla Inman, Bedford North Lawrence
1993: Abby Conklin, Charlestown
1994: Tiffany Gooden, Fort Wayne Snider
1995: Stephanie White, Seeger
1996: Lisa Winter, Huntington North
1997: Lisa Shepherd, Richmond
1998: Kelly Komara, Lake Central
1999: April McDivitt, Connersville
2000: Sara Nord, Jeffersonville
2001: Shyra Ely, Ben Davis
2002: Shanna Zolman, Wawasee
2003: Katie Gearlds, Beech Grove
2004: Jaclyn Leininger, Warsaw
2005: Jodi Howell, Alexandria
2006: Amber Harris, North Central
2007: Ta’Shia Phillips, Brebeuf Jesuit
2008: Brittany Rayburn, Attica
2009: Skylar Diggins, South Bend Washington
2010: Courtney Moses, Oak Hill
2011: Bria Goss, Ben Davis
2012: Jessica Rupright, Norwell
2013: Stephanie Mavunga, Brownsburg
2014: Whitney Jennings, Logansport
2015: Ali Patberg, Columbus North
2016: Jackie Young, Princeton
2017: Karissa McLaughlin, Homestead
2018: Amy Dilk, Carmel
2019: Jorie Allen, Bedford North Lawrence
2020: Sydney Parrish, Hamilton Southeastern
2021: Jayla Smith, Lawrence North
2022: Ayanna Patterson, Homestead
2023: Laila Hull, Zionsville

2023 IBCA Clinic itinerary
Mt. Vernon High School (8112 N. 200 W., Fortville, IN 46040)

Thursday, April 20, 2023
5:00 p.m.
Registration Opens
5:50-5:55 p.m.
Opening Remarks: IBCA president Craig Teagle, Huntington North High School
6:00-6:55 p.m.
Teri Moren, Indiana University
7:00-7:50 p.m.
Lin Dunn/Christie Sides, Indiana Fever
7:55-8:10 p.m.
Awards Program #1
>> Virgil Sweet Awards
>> Roy Gardner Award, Mildred Ball Award
>> Administrator of the Year Awards

8:15-9:10 p.m.
Matt Painter, Purdue University
9:30-11:30 p.m.
IBCA Social (at Twin Peaks, Castleton)


Friday, April 21, 2023
10:00 a.m.
Registration opens
10:30-10:55 a.m.
Issues & Answers: IHSAA assistant commissioners Brian Lewis and Janie Ulmer; also, IBCA directors Marty Johnson and Tom Beach
11:00-11:50 a.m.
Michael Lewis, Ball State University
11:55 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Kyle Rechlicz, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Vendor Break (pick up ticket for Door Prize drawing)
12:50-1:05 p.m.
Vendor Break (pick up ticket for Door Prize drawing)
1:10-2:00 p.m.
Jon Coffman, Purdue-Fort Wayne
2:05-2:15 p.m.
Door Prize drawings #1
2:20-2:30 p.m.
Awards Program #2
>> State Champion and State Runner-up Coaches
>> PGC Transformational Coach Awards
>> IBCA Assistant Coach of the Year Awards
2:35-3:25 p.m.
Josh Schertz, Indiana State University
3:30-3:45 p.m.
Jordan Green, Ballogy presentation
3:45-4:00 p.m.
Shoot-A-Way presentation
4:00-4:10 p.m.
Vendor Break (pick up ticket for Door Prize drawing)
4:15-5:05 p.m.
Mark Slessinger, University of New Orleans
5:10-5:20 p.m.
Awards Program #3
>> IBCA District Coach of the Year Awards
>> IBCA Century Awards
5:25-6:15 p.m.
Brad Brownell, Clemson University
6:15-6:30 p.m.
Door Prize drawings #2; clinic concludes

Celebrating Earl Mishler ETPearl at Palmer Funeral Home Cleveland Rd South Bend April 3 4-8 pm EST.