This is a very underreported category simply because most statisticians don't even keep this. However, the ones listed are all confirmed. Two additions already this season.

Most Dunks in a Game
(B) 11 Flory Bidunga - Kokomo vs. McCutcheon 2022-23
(B) 8 Greg Oden - Lawrence North vs. Ben Davis 2005-06
(B) 6 Jack Benter - Brownstown vs. Salem 2022-23
(B) 6 Dominic James - Richmond vs. Plainfield 2004-05
(B) 6 Zach Odum - Terre Haute South vs. EV North 2007-08
(B) 6 Zach Odum - Terre Haute South vs. Rockville 2007-08
(B) 4 Gary Harris - Hamilton Southeastern vs. North Central 2010-11
(G) 1 Amber Harris - North Central vs. Kokomo 2005-06

The opening two weeks of pairings have been announced for the 48th Annual IHSAA Girls Basketball State Tournament presented by the Indiana Fever and Indiana Pacers. Sectional games are scheduled to begin Tuesday, Jan. 31, and run through Saturday, Feb. 4 with regionals on Saturday, Feb. 11.

https://www.ihsaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/012223.GBB%20Pairings.pdf

I really hate how blockouts, especially at the free throw line, have basically become offensive line play. The offensive rebounder just pushes as hard as he can so the defensive rebounder is under the hoop and has zero chance. Jason Kelce would be proud. This needs to be called. Anyone else agree?

Do you remember the commercials in the 1980s titled “You make the call”?

I think they were IBM advertisements.

They were usually short snippets of a play in football that was somewhat confusing. It may be a partially blocked punt and whether the ball can be advanced by the kicking team. Or some other scenario that may come up once or twice in a season. They would show the play and describe the situation then say, “You make the call.”

After a short commercial, the announcer would come back on and give you the proper decision made by the referee. In other words, there are a lot of rules that the officials must know and interpret during a game.

Well, apparently all the fans, players, and coaches can make the call right 100% of the time. Just go to any game and you will soon find out what I am talking about.

It doesn't matter what school or level of play.

Many fans seem to know every rule and interpret them exactly right every single play of every single game.

As a coach over the years of multiple sports, I thought it was best to pick and choose your spots to argue with a call or voice your displeasure. Now, it seems the crowd along with many coaches have decided to complain on every single call.

As an athletic director, I am often in the front row with a great view of many calls made by officials. And you will find this hard to believe, but the officials are correct the majority of the time.

By the way — believe it or not — the officials are certainly not there to cheat your team from winning. There is not a single ref I know working a game thinking, ‘how can I cheat this team?.’ I want this team to win, and I want this team to lose.

Now, are they human and make calls in a game that are wrong or don’t make a call at all?

Of course, they make mistakes like everyone else does.

The berating of officials in basketball has to be the worst, in my opinion. In football, the refs are far enough away from the crowd that they can’t hear as much. But in basketball where the coaches and fans are right on top of them, it can get carried away in a hurry. I often think about how loud and boisterous fans can be towards refs.

Do you yell at your players/sons/daughters when they miss a Free Throw?

“How can you miss that? The goal is right in front of you, and nobody is guarding you?” “That’s terrible!”

As I watched a lot of missed free throws in the Sullivan and North Central Girls’ game the other night, I didn’t hear anyone screaming about the several missed freebies I witnessed.

However, if a referee misses a call, we are sure to let them know about it! Officials miss calls just like a player misses a wide open layup sometimes.

Imagine this scenario: A basketball player is on the line for two Free Throws. They miss the first one and the coach from the bench is screaming at them, “That’s awful. How can you miss that?” Now a few voices from the crowd join in, “C’mon. You gotta make that. Nobody is even guarding you.” And another, “What are you even looking at?”

Shot number two goes up and misses again … “You gotta be kidding me! That’s two you’ve missed!” “You need my glasses so you can see?”

An angry fan stomps down the bleachers and walks out of the gym and shouts, “You’re terrible! I can’t watch this anymore!”

Point is the coaches and crowd typically do not do this to a player and they shouldn’t do it to an official. When a player misses a shot or makes a mistake, their teammates and coaches are often giving them a fist bump and saying, “Let’s go. You’ll get the next one. Don’t worry about it.”

They are encouraging the player to move on from the mistake. But as soon as we perceive the slightest error from a ref, we are certainly not encouraging them to forget about it and move on.

The key is our biased perception of the call being made. One side of the floor thinks the call is correct and the other side doesn’t the majority of the time. Even if it is the correct call, we often argue to call it both ways. Instead of just letting the official make the correct call — as he/she sees it — we have the tendency to let them know that they missed that same call earlier.

“Call it both ways,” we shout from the sidelines.

Has a referee ever come over to a coach during a game and said, “I can’t believe you are sticking with man to man defense. These guys are killing you. You are an awful coach!”

Or better yet, when is the last time a referee shouted up in the crowd at an angry dad, “You are a terrible father! Your son on the team wishes you weren’t even here to watch him play because you are embarrassing him in front of everybody.”

Or “You are an awful lawyer. You are a terrible doctor. You are the worst coal miner in the state.”

Insert any occupation you want here as angry fans come from all walks of life.

If we constantly yell and scream and harass the refs, we will get to the point where none of them will want to come back. The officiating shortage is real and not improving with poor sideline decorum from coaches and abusive language from the fans. Some schools in the state have started officiating classes as part of their PE curriculum to combat the shortage. The IHSAA has started this program to encourage young people in high school to start working some youth games so that maybe when they get out of high school they will work their way up the ranks from youth to JV to varsity eventually.

It is sad to say but these young folks need a part of the class to be like a drill sergeant at boot camp calling you every name in the book for an hour or two to prepare them for the onslaught of fans at their first game!

We have to improve on our behavior and enjoy the experience of high school and youth sports. Parents and coaches need to lead the way for our players to see good sportsmanship and how to handle adversity and stressful situations by keeping our composure in tough moments. Too often, our student-athletes respond to tough times by blaming the refs. They pick this up from us and our fan base as well.

If I had a nickel for every time I have heard someone tell me the reason we lost is because of the refs, then I would be retired by now.

There is a public service announcement that I have seen where the parent is yelling and screaming at the umpire at a youth baseball game. He goes on and on about how bad the guy behind the plate is. He asks the older lady sitting next to him who she is there to watch and she replies her son.

“What number is he?” he asks.

She replies, “He is the umpire behind the plate!”

The angry Dad decides to find a new seat.

The next time you attend a game, please think for a moment before you yell at the official. You may be sitting next to his mom. Or better yet, grab your whistle, put on your striped shirt, and get your officiating license to help education-based athletic programs in your community.

Trent Olson is a former basketball and football coach who is currently the athletic director at North Central High School in Farmersburg, IN.

This guest column is special to IHSAA.org and originally appeared in the Sullivan Daily Times on January 12, 2023.

I was at the Colts game the last two games. During the games they have a kick a field goal to win cash.

During the last two games a HS kicker won money, yesterday he won $1000. I was under the understanding that high school athletes could not accept prizes of value using the skill from their sport to win.

We were even told players could not shoot for a pop at halftime if they pay to shoot nor could they shoot a half court shot for money. Several years ago, there was an IU recruit that won a half court shot at a local youth league gym and IU told her she had to return the money and we had to write a notarized letter stating what happened and she returned it.

[A college basketball program is under massive fire and scrutiny after a "rigorous workout" reportedly resulted in five players being sent to the hospital.

According to the Associated Press via ESPN, Concordia University Chicago - a Division III program in Illinois - has postponed all games and temporarily removed head coach Steve Kollar from his position as a result of the incident.]

5 College Basketball Players Reportedly Hospitalized After Workout

A college basketball program is under massive fire and scrutiny after a "rigorous workout" reportedly resulted in five players being sent to the hospital.

thespun.com

Rob Brown to receive IHSAA Distinguished Media Service Award

https://www.ihsaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/011723.Rob%20Brown.pdf

Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Online Top 20 Coaches Poll
Poll Results - January 15, 2023 Poll

Rank School Total Points Record 1st Place Votes

1 Ben Davis 400 18-0 20
2 Brownsburg 356 14-1
3 Indianapolis Cathedral 355 9-2
4 Penn 349 10-1
5 Center Grove 321 14-1
6 Mishawaka Marian 268 13-1
7 Kokomo 254 10-4
8 Hammond Central 219 15-1
9 NorthWood 218 11-2
10 New Palestine 216 12-0
11 Carmel 203 9-5
12 Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian 197 14-1
13 Westfield 120 9-2
14 Linton-Stockton 119 13-1
15 Jennings County 111 13-1
16 Homestead 106 12-3
17 Lawrence North 88 10-3
18 Noblesville 79 9-4
19 Harrison (W Lafayette) 58 12-1
20 Greenfield-Central 34 10-1

Other Schools Receiving Votes (Listed Alphabetically)
Anderson (9-3), Bloomington North (9-3), Brownstown Central (9-3), Castle (7-5), Chesterton (8-4), Connersville (10-3), Indianapolis Attucks (7-5), Lawrence Central (10-5), Munster (12-2),
North Daviess (13-2), Norwell (12-2), Pike (9-4), Providence (8-3), Scottsburg (12-2),
South Bend Washington (12-2), Tippecanoe Valley (10-3), University (11-1), Wapahani (12-1), Warren Central (9-6), Zionsville (7-5), 21st Century Charter School – Gary (12-3)

This is merely my observation and I would love the forum's take on it. I am not going for a hot take and my experience is limited due to regional and age. Here is my hypothesis:

Indiana High School basketball is excellent at the top. Maybe the top 20-25 teams are as excellent and competitive as they have been in the last 25 years. The bottom is still bad and probably not significantly worse than it has been historically. However, I feel like the middle is very soft and overall teams are riding small waves of talent that are just okay but vault them to the "top" of the middle class of basketball that has zero chance of competing with the elite or the historic middle class.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Parent was ejected but refused to sit out two games. Does the team get penalized for the games he's at

Just saw a posting already. Columbus East girls.

County Tourney Winners Headline Week-10 of the IBCA/Franciscan Health Player of the Week Program

With January well underway, many of Indiana’s 92 counties are hosting their county tournaments in both boys’ and girls’ basketball. Six players were selected as the Week-10 IBCA/Franciscan Health Players of the Week, one boy and one girl from each of the three districts. Of those six players, three of our Week-10 recipients were consistently strong all week in helping their high schools to their respective county tournament titles.

Crown Point Senior A.J. Lux, Brownsburg Junior Kanon Catchings, Batesville Senior Cole Pride, Central Noble Senior Madison Vice, Zionsville Community Senior Laila Hull, and Gibson Southern Junior Chloey Graham have been selected as winners for Jan. 2-Jan. 7 in the recognition program coordinated by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association. Lux and Vice are the boys’ and girls’ winners, respectively, in District-1. Catchings takes home boys’ honors, while Hull takes home girls’ honors, in District-2. Pride is the boys’ recipient, and Graham is the girls’ recipient in District-3.

Crown Point got started off on the right foot in Duneland Athletic Conference play last Friday night, taking care of Michigan City at home, 64-53. The Bulldogs feature stellar Senior A.J. Lux, and the 6-5 wing was on target all evening, scoring an outstanding 38 points in the contest. The Bellarmine University commit used a perfect 15-15 effort from the free throw, to go along with 10-17 shooting from the field and 3-7 from deep to achieve his scoring total. In addition, the Senior wing added six rebounds and three assists, helping the Bulldogs to get back above .500 at 6-5.

The Central Noble Lady Cougars remain perfect on the season at 17-0, and Senior Madison Vice has been a big part of that success. Tuesday, the Lady Cougars hosted Bremen, winning by a comfortable 59-37 margin. In that game, Vice scored 25 points on 8-16 shooting, she knocked down a pair of triples, and she was 7-9 from the charity stripe, helping her to eclipse the 1000-point mark. Additionally, she contributed 11 rebounds, posting a double-double, to go along with eight assists and four steals.

Friday evening, Central Noble traveled to Garrett for a Northeast Corner Conference game, with the Lady Cougars coming out on top once again. Vice, a 5-6 guard, was again big in success, making 7-9 shots from the field, 1-2 from deep, and 3-4 from the line, scoring 18 points in total. She also snagged five rebounds, handed out a pair of assists, and collected five steals. The Senior is committed to play at Siena Heights University next year.

Brownsburg Junior Kanon Catchings helped the Bulldogs to three wins last week, earning them the Hendricks County Tournament crown. The Bulldogs began their week on Tuesday, easily defeating Cascade in the first round. In limited minutes, Catchings was perfect from all spots, scoring 16 points on 7-7 shooting, 1-1 from 3-point range, and 1-1 from the free throw line. He also added two rebounds, an assist, and a steal in the lopsided win.

Friday night, Brownsburg played at Avon High School, where the Bulldogs took care of the Orioles, 61-40. Catchings continued his hot shooting, burying 7-10 shots, 1-2 from deep, and 4-4 from the line, scoring 19 points in this easy victory. The 6-7 wing added seven rebounds, two assists, and three steals to his stat line.

Saturday, in the championship game at Danville High School, Brownsburg beat a tough Plainfield squad for the title, 69-54. The Junior wing saved his best for last, scoring 30 points for the Bulldogs, as he was 10-17 from the floor, 2-5 from outside, and 8-12 from the stripe. Catchings, already a Purdue University commit, grabbed a pair of caroms, dished out four assists, and stole the ball three times in the county title game.

The Zionsville Lady Eagles are a perfect 17-0 and #2 in the state at the moment, with a lot of credit going to the play of Senior Laila Hull. Wednesday evening, in their first contest of the week, the Lady Eagles headed to West Lafayette, where they knocked off a nice Harrison program, 68-37. Hull was accurate, making 10-14 shots, one from deep, and one from the free throw line, scoring 22 points in the game. Hull also chipped in with six rebounds, four assists, four steals, and a pair of blocked shots.

Friday, the Lady Eagles hosted Pike, again winning by several points. In this contest, the 6-1 Hull scored 29 points on 11-18 shooting, 3-5 from 3-point range, and a perfect 4-4 on charity tosses. The Senior forward, committed to the University of North Carolina, also added four rebounds, three steals, and a blocked shot in the convincing win.

Batesville Senior Cole Pride helped the Bulldogs to a pair of wins last week, leading to the Ripley County tournament title. Wednesday, the Bulldogs defeated Jac-Cen-Del at South Ripley, 64-42. Pride was an impressive 12-14 from the field, 5-7 from deep, and 2-2 from the free throw line, scoring a whopping 31 points in the victory. He also contributed eight rebounds, two steals, and three blocked shots, providing some frontline defense for Batesville.

Saturday, the Bulldogs finished their week at host South Ripley in the county championship game, and Pride was once again instrumental in the narrow, 67-64 title game win. The 6-8 post scored 18 points on 7-12 shooting, plus he was 4-6 from the charity stripe, and he posted a double-double with his 18 rebounds. Toss in three assists, a pair of steals, and three blocked shots, and he again helped in many facets of the game.

Gibson Southern had as strong of a week as any, as the Lady Titans rattled off five consecutive wins over a six-day span, winning two games at the Gibson County Classic, as well as three Pocket Conference games. Monday morning, the Lady Titans defeated Sullivan, 66-53. Junior Chloey Graham began her week with a 23-point performance on 11-21 shooting, including a made 3-pointer, plus she added three rebounds, an assist, and five steals to the cause.

Later that afternoon, Graham and Gibson Southern beat a good Barr-Reeve group, 48-40. In this matchup, the 5-8 wing scored 25 points, including the 1000th point of her career. In doing so, she knocked down five triples and was a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line. She also managed to grab 10 rebounds, helping her to post a double-double, plus she collected six steals in their second victory of the day.

Tuesday, the Lady Titans’ success continued, as they traveled to Mount Vernon (Posey) for a Pocket Conference game, winning by a wide margin. The Junior wing was 6-9 from the field, 4-5 from deep, and scored 17 points in limited minutes. She added three rebounds, a steal, and a blocked shot to her stat line.

Gibson Southern was back at it Thursday, hosting Pocket Conference rival Boonville. This time Graham and the Lady Titans won again, but by a narrower 57-46 tally. Again, the Junior came up big in the game, scoring 23 points, she was 10-16 from the field, 2-4 from long range, and she added a free toss to her total. She also stole the ball four times in the big conference win.

Finally, the Lady Titans concluded their week on Saturday, posting their fifth win of the week, a 73-43 outcome at Pocket Conference foe Tell City. Once again, Graham was a key factor in the contest, scoring 21 points, making 9-14 shots, while posting her second double-double of the week with 10 rebounds. She also chipped in three assists and a pair of steals in success. On the week, the 5-8 Junior scored 109 points…roughly 1/10 of her current career total.

A Northeast Indiana sports broadcast icon for decades, Fred Inniger of WAWK The Hawk in Kendallville will be presented the 2022-23 Distinguished Media Service Award for District 1.

Inniger’s contributions to education-based athletics will be recognized in Kendallville on Friday night when the East Noble Knights host Northeast 8 Conference rival Huntington North in boys basketball. IHSAA Assistant Commissioner Chris Kaufman and Sports Information Director Jason Wille will make the presentation.

Fred’s recognizable voice has been heard over the local airwaves for more than 50 years covering Indiana high school sports and East Noble High School in particular.

Inniger was first hired by the East Noble School Corporation in 1966. During his career, he has served as a mathematics and physical education teacher, guidance counselor and the head coach in boys basketball, girls basketball, baseball and softball for a combined 32 years. He’s the only coach in school history to have won a sectional championship in four different sports.

His job behind the microphone came early in his career and in random fashion. While supporting the school at a road football game in 1969, he was asked to help spot tacklers for the radio broadcast on WAWK. The following week, he became the new color commentator which continued for the next nine seasons. In 1977, he began announcing play-by-play for East Noble football and basketball games and later added baseball play-by-play in 1987. He continues in all three roles to this day.

In 2010, as the new sports director at WAWK, Fred began hosting his own weekly sports talk show which focuses primarily on East Noble athletics and includes regular interviews with athletic director Nick David as well as Knights coaches and student-athletes.

In addition to being a long-time Kendallville Lions Club member, Inniger has been the recipient of numerous awards over the years for work in broadcasting and coaching. He has been inducted into the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame, the Indiana Softball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and the East Noble Athletic Hall of Fame. He also was a recipient of the prestigious Virgil Sweet Service Award from the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.

Inniger, 78, is a 1962 graduate of Berne High School and went on to earn a B.S. degree in Education from Manchester College in 1966. He received two Master’s degrees from St. Francis University in Education and Guidance and Counseling.

Fred and his wife of 48 years, Vicki, have an adult son – Brian (Tricia) – and two granddaughters.

This is the 36th year the IHSAA has recognized outstanding members of the Indiana news media from each of its three legislative districts for excellence in the coverage of high school sports. District 1 covers 22 counties across northern Indiana.

IBCA girls' basketball poll -- Week 10 (Jan. 8)​

Rk School Points Record FPV
1 South Bend Washington 399 18-0 19
2 Zionsville 380 17-0 1
3 Fishers 337 15-2
4 Fort Wayne Northrop 320 14-1
5 Noblesville 314 15-3
6 Hamilton Southeastern 303 15-2
7 Bedford North Lawrence 286 16-3
8 Homestead 235 14-2
9 Twin Lakes 229 18-0
10 Indian Creek 206 18-0
11 Columbia City 187 15-2
12 Evansville Memorial 162 16-0
13 Lake Central 127 14-4
14 Warren Central 119 13-4
15 Warsaw 103 13-4
16 Northridge 93 16-4
17 Valparaiso 88 16-1
18 Center Grove 69 14-4
19 Lawrence Central 67 14-3
20 Norwell 42 14-3

Other schools receiving votes:
Bellmont (14-2), Ben Davis (11-7), Blackford (16-0), Brownsburg (11-7), Carroll-Fort Wayne (10-6), Caston (18-0), Central Noble (17-0),
Corydon Central (16-2), Fairfield (14-2), Forest Park (16-2), Fort Wayne Snider (13-4), Franklin Community (10-5), Huntington North (13-2), Jay County (15-1), Jennings County (10-5), Lafayette Central Catholic (11-6), Lanesville (17-2), Lawrence North (11-7), Mishawaka Marian (13-5), Mooresville (14-5), North Knox (18-1), Tri (16-0), West Lafayette (13-4).

[Bidunga, who finished with 26 points, 16 rebounds and four blocked shots, tied the state record of 32 consecutive made field goals according to records compiled by Leigh Evans of Hickory Husker. Dale White of Covington set the record in 1975-76.]

He can't miss! Flory Bidunga ties IHSAA basketball record with 32 straight field goals made

The highly-sought after recruit made 32 straight field goals, tying the Indiana state mark set by Dale White of Covington in 1975-76.

www.indystar.com

Anyone else see he won a car on todays show.

GAS CITY,Ind. -- Madison-Grant senior guard Jase Howell knocked down 12/15 3FGA on his way to 42 points in the Argyle's recent, 90-40, Grant Four consolation round victory over Eastbrook. Howell's 12 3FG's is the third most ever recorded in a game.


Madison-Grant's Jase Howell

Most 3 Pointers Made in a Game
(B) 14 Matt Carter - Perry Central vs. Orleans 1996-97
(B) 14 Sam Alley - Bethesda Christian vs. TH Holy Cross 2003-04
(B) 13 Jack Townsend - North Daviess vs Rivet 2019-20
(B) 12 Joe Biesel - Henryville vs. West Washington 1994-95
(B) 12 Matt Broughton - Pendleton Hts vs. Knightstown 1991-92
(B) 12 Colton Brown - Covington vs. Delphi 2018-19
(B) 12 Roy Etnyre - Columbus North vs. Indian Creek 1988-89
(B) 12 Jase Howell - Madison-Grant vs. Eastbrook 2022-23
(B) 12 Landon Newnum - Rockville vs. Dugger 2015-16
(B) 12 Andy Ottenweller - FW Canterbury vs. White's 2008-09
(B) 12 Steve Ruckman - Rochester vs. Northfield 1988-89
(G) 13 Jill Reynolds - New Harmony vs. Palestine, IL 1995-96
(G) 12 Lyla Muhlenkamp - Jay County vs. Blackford 2015-16
(G) 12 Cameron Tabor - New Castle vs. Shelbyville 2016-17
(G) 11 Katelynn Hall - Frontier vs. 21st Century 2017-18
(G) 11 Suzi Hammel - Lebanon vs. North Montgomery 1999-00
(G) 11 Samantha Underwood - New Castle vs. Shelbyville 2015-16
(G) 10 Theresa Alvey - Cannelton vs. EV Day 1999-00
(G) 10 Jodi Howell - Alexandria vs. Lapel 2004-05
(G) 10 Jodi Howell - Alexandria vs. Madison-Grant 2004-05
(G) 10 Brandi Hollingsworth - Carmel vs. Frankton 2000-01
(G) 10 Melanie Hughbanks - Scottsburg vs. Madison Shawe 1990-91
(G) 10 Taylor Means - Scottsburg vs. Clarksville 2015-16
(G) 10 Jordan Ogle - Columbus East vs. Jeffersonville 2008-09
(G) 10 Alyssa Pruitt - Indiana Creek vs. Herron 2019-20
(G) 10 Claire Rauck - Providence vs. Lanesville 2014-15
(G) 10 Bayley Sharp - Clarksville vs. Medora 2013-14

INDIANA — The latest renewal in one of the longest-running series in Indiana boys high school basketball is Friday night.

New Albany and Jeffersonville are still as fierce of rivals as they were in the first game which was in 1909.

Hear from both teams coaches in the player up top.

Friday marks the 165th meeting between the two teams. New Albany holds a slight lead in the series, 84-80, but Jeffersonville has won the last two matchups.

The Bulldogs enter the game with a 7-3 record while the Red Devils sit at 5-4. But both coaches realize records and numbers go out the window when the ball is tipped.

Jeffersonville hosts the Bulldogs Friday at 7:30 p.m.

https://www.wlky.com/article/jeffersonville-new-albany-high-school-basketball-rivalry-game-indiana/42401044

There has been a mid-season coaching change for the 21st Century (Gary) girls basketball.
The new coach is Keon Viverette. Not sure if this is interim or permanent. Switch was made December 22.

Former coach Jermel Nelson coached the team's first nine games, going 2-7.
Coach Viverette has coached the three most recent games, going 1-2.

The IBCA/Franciscan Health Player of the Week Program Sees Sophomores Shine in Weeks 8 & 9

Happy New Year to all! After a one-week hiatus, the IBCA/Franciscan Health Player of the Week program is back with our first winners of 2023. The weather caused a little havoc in schedules during December 22nd and 23rd, so we considered the best performances from a two-week span this time around. The youngsters shined brightly, as a Senior, four Sophomores, and one Freshman stood out amongst the nominees, and there were plenty of other underclassmen to choose from as well.

West Noble Senior Austin Cripe, Lawrence North Sophomore Azavier Robinson, Evansville Memorial Sophomore Luke Ellspermann, Penn Sophomore Jessa Troy, Noblesville Sophomore Meredith Tippner, and Boonville Freshman Emily Parker have been selected as winners for Dec. 19-Dec. 31 in the recognition program coordinated by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association. Cripe is the boys’ recipient, while Troy is the girls’ recipient, in District-1. Robinson is the boys’ honoree and Tippner is the girls’ nominee in District-2. Ellspermann and Parker are the boys’ and girls’ winners, respectively, in District-3.

West Noble got off to a hot start, winning their first seven games of the season. On Wednesday, December 21st, they handed Prairie Heights their first loss of the season in a 57-49 overtime thriller, and a Northeast Corner Conference matchup. Senior guard Austin Cripe was a standout for the Chargers, pouring in 34 points on 12-22 shooting, 5-10 from deep, plus he knocked down 5-6 of his charity tosses. The 6-3 guard added six rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a blocked shot to his effort, while also becoming the school’s all-time leading scorer in that contest.

In a pair of games last week, Penn Sophomore Jessa Troy helped the Lady Kingsmen to two wins over a couple of quality opponents. Tuesday, they hosted previously unbeaten Valparaiso, handing the Lady Vikings their first loss of the season, 56-36. The 5-6 guard shot lights-out, making 7-10 field goals and a blistering 6-8 from 3-point range, for 20 points. She chipped in six rebounds, an assist, and a steal in the huge win.

Two nights later, the Lady Kingsmen hosted Carmel. In a much closer matchup, Penn knocked off the Lady Greyhounds by a 50-43 margin. The Sophomore guard was again vital, scoring half of their points in victory, and she did it with a 10-12 performance from the free throw line. Troy again helped in other ways, adding four rebounds, an assist, and two steals to the effort.

Lawrence North Sophomore Azavier Robinson helped the Wildcats to three wins and a tournament championship last week, as Lawrence North moved to 7-1 on the year. Tuesday, the Wildcats attended the Connersville Holiday Tournament. In their morning matchup, they took care of Fort Wayne Concordia, 66-49. Robinson was 13-19 from the floor, he knocked down a 3-pointer, and he was 5-6 from the line, scoring 32 points in success. He added 12 rebounds for the double-double, plus he handed out three assists, stole the ball three times, and he blocked a shot.

Later that evening, Lawrence North won the one-day tournament with a tight, 53-49 win against host Connersville. This time out, Robinson scored 21 points on 7-10 shooting, he made another 3-pointer, and he was 6-7 from the charity stripe. The 6-0 guard also contributed seven rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a blocked shot.

Friday night, Robinson and the Wildcats hosted Marion, knocking off the Giants, 78-64. The Sophomore guard had another fine outing, scoring 20 points, making 6-10 shots from the field, 2-4 from deep, and 6-8 from the free throw line. Robinson also managed to add six rebounds, a pair of assists, and a pair of steals in the final game of their perfect week.

Noblesville Sophomore Meredith Tippner has had a fine season, and the Lady Millers are out to a 13-3 start on the year. Last week, she was instrumental in their wins over two strong opponents, helping them win the prestigious Raymond James Hall of Fame Classic. In their first game of the day, Noblesville took down East Central rather comfortably, 62-37. Tippner scored 16 points in the contest, but she also added eight rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a blocked shot in limited minutes.

Later that evening, Tippner helped the Lady Millers knock off Bedford North Lawrence for the second time in two weeks, this time by a nail-biting 69-67 mark in double overtime. While the game was exhilarating throughout, the 5-10 guard managed to post a huge double-double with 23 points and 15 rebounds. She was also involved in facilitating as well, as she handed out five assists in the big win. The Evansville Memorial boys have jumped out to a 7-1 start, winning five games in a row. Sophomore guard Luke Ellspermann was impressive in their win over the Forest Park Rangers last Wednesday in Ferdinand, as the Tigers secured an 82-59 victory. The 6-0 point guard was electric, scoring 38 points on 15-21 shooting. He was a scalding 5-6 from downtown, and he knocked down all three of his free throw attempts. The youngster added six assists and five rebounds to his stat line.

Boonville Freshman Emily Parker is a name to get to know. The rookie has helped the Lady Pioneers win three of their last four games, and she should be a staple in the lineup for the next few seasons. On Tuesday, December 20th, the 5-10 wing posted a double-double in a hard-fought, 45-41 win against Evansville Christian. Again, just a Freshman, Parker impressively scored 32 of her team’s 45 points, she made 5-9 shots from deep, and she was a perfect 11-11 from the charity stripe. Additionally, she grabbed 13 rebounds, handed out an assist, collected two steals, and blocked a shot.

This is the 15th season for the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Week program, but just the third season it is being presented by Franciscan Health, a corporate sponsor of the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.

Player of the Week winners are chosen each week from each of the IHSAA’s three districts. Girls winners will be chosen through the Monday following the IHSAA Girls State Finals. Boys winners will be chosen through the Monday following the IHSAA Boys State Finals.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The opening round of the Roncalli Holiday Tourney produced no less than three Record Book qualifying marks all from the 3PT line. University's 67-49 win over host Roncalli saw the Trailblazers and Royals combine for 14 three's!



Most 3's Made in a Quarter
(B) 9 Chesterton vs. Crown Point 2005-06
(B) 9 New Castle vs. Pike 1999-00
(B) 8 Corydon vs. Madison 2009-10
(B) 8 North Knox vs. South Knox 2013-14
(B) 7 Benton Central vs. Attica 2020-21
(B) 7 Evansville Harrison vs. Floyd Central 2011-12
(B) 7 Mississinewa vs. Marion 2011-12
(B) 7 University vs. Liberty Christian 2018-19
(B) 6 Blackford vs. Winchester 2019-20
(B) 6 TH South vs. Lawrence North 2009-10
(B) 6 TH South vs. Mooresville 2009-10
(B) 6 Tipton vs. Sheridan 2009-10
(B) 6 Winchester vs. Blackford 2019-20
(G) 6 University vs. Roncalli 2022-23
(G) 7 Brownsburg vs. North Mont 1998-99
(G) 7 Eastern (Pekin) vs. New Washington 2015-16
(G) 7 Northridge vs. Knox 2015-16
(G) 7 Providence vs. Clarksville 2016-17
(G) 6 Cascade vs. South Putnam 2013-14
(G) 6 Kokomo vs. Lafayette Jeff 2005-06
(G) 6 Northridge vs. Concord 2011-12
(G) 6 Providence vs. Clarksville 2016-17
(G) 6 Providence vs. North Knox 2015-16
(G) 5 Eastern Hancock vs. Northeastern 2013-14
(G) 5 Greenwood vs. Center Grove 2010-11
(G) 5 Greenwood vs. Franklin 2009-10
(G) 5 Greenwood vs. Roncalli 2011-12
(G) 5 Marquette vs. Oregon-Davis 2018-19
(G) 5 Northridge vs. Portage 2011-12
(G) 5 Northridge vs. Elkhart Central 2011-12
(G) 5 Providence vs. Brownstown 2009-10
(G) 5 University vs. Indiana Deaf 2018-19

Most Combined 3's Made in a Half
(B) 17 Frankton vs. Alexandria 2015-16
(B) 16 University (14) vs. Liberty Christian (2) 2018-19
(B) 15 Providence vs. New Washington 1999-00
(B) 15 South Knox vs. North Knox 2013-14
(B) 14 University (10 vs. Roncalli (4) 2022-23
(B) 12 Tipton vs. Sheridan 2009-10
(G) 12 Delta (7) vs. Pendleton Heights (5) 2020-21
(G) 12 Marquette (9) vs. Oregon-Davis (3) 2018-19
(G) 12 Providence vs. Austin 2015-16
(G) 12 Providence (6) vs. Brownstown (6) 2009-10
(G) 11 Greencastle vs. Cascade 2010-11
(G) 11 Kokomo vs. Northrop 1993-94
(G) 11 Brownsburg (10) vs. North Montgomery (1) 1998-99
(G) 11 New Washington (10) vs. Bordon (1) 2007-08

Most 3's Made in a Half
(B) 14 University vs. Liberty Christian 2018-19
(B) 12 Cloverdale vs. Monrovia 2005-06
(B) 12 Cloverdale vs. Rockville 2005-06
(B) 12 Corydon vs. Madison 2009-10
(B) 11 Crawfordsville vs. Cloverdale 2000-01
(B) 11 TH South vs. Mooresville 2009-10
(B) 10 Benton Central vs. Attica 2020-21
(B) 10 Frontier vs. Faith Christian 2009-10
(B) 10 Eastern Hancock vs. Lapel 2010-11
(B) 10 University vs. Roncalli 2022-23
(G) 11 Greencastle vs. Cascade 2010-11
(G) 10 Brownsburg vs. North Mont 1998-99
(G) 10 New Washington vs. Borden 2007-08
(G) 9 Greenwood vs. Franklin 2009-10
(G) 9 Lawrence North vs. Cathedral 2015-16
(G) 9 Marquette vs. Oregon-Davis 2018-19
(G) 9 Northridge vs. Concord 2011-12
(G) 9 Providence vs. Clarksville 20116-17
(G) 9 University vs. Indiana Deaf 2018-19