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January, 2004
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| Friday, January 30 |
IUPUI
sophomore Brooke McAfee (left) of
Valparaiso made school history last weekend when she recorded a whopping 12
blocks in a 67-62 overtime win against Oral Roberts. The 6'2 McAfee
established a new Mid-Continent Conference record with the defensive
showing and broke her own school record of blocks in a single game (previously
9) and blocks for a season. The 12 blocks brought her season total up to 78,
beating her own IUPUI season record of 75 blocks last season. The 12 blocks are
also the fourth best individual game total in NCAA Division I history.
Currently, McAfee ranks second in the nation in blocked shots per game at 4.3.
More:
IUPUI's
McAfee sets school, Mid-Con blocked shots record - IUPUI website
As suspected, Wheeler
long-distance sharpshooter Ali
Roper (right) is out for the season with a torn ACL. The junior, who was averaging
12.2 points per game this season, will be missed by the Bearcats, who are 16-3
on the season and have basically clinched the LAC Blue Division title in their
first year in the league. The absence of Roper, who also shot an impressive .500
from the field and .303 from 3-point (30 treys), will demand more from first
year coach Tim Power's balanced arsenal if
they plan to go deep into the 2A tournament. Bearcat sisters
Alyse Bruszewski (10.8 ppg) and
Becca Bruszewski (15.7 ppg) will be relied
upon even more to pick up the slack. Senior Maggie
Schultz, who came up big with 10 points against rival Boone Grove,
will also need to expand her role. Wheeler is one of the most accurate shooting
teams in the area with four remaining players on the roster shooting .500 or
better from the field. It will be the job of 5'3 senior floor general
Danielle Geer (2.4 apg) to get those players
the open looks. Wheeler has yet to be tested without Roper in the lineup. Easy
wins over LAC opponents Lake Station (56-15) and Whiting (56-26)
were not challenging warm-ups for what could be a hotly-contested 2A sectional
that includes scrappy nemesis Boone Grove.
Speaking
of Becca Bruszewski (left), is there a
better freshman in Northwest Indiana? Wheeler's athletic and heady 6'1
all-purpose wing has been racking up some impressive first year numbers.
Averaging 15.2 points (.500) and 7.4 rebounds per game, Bruszewski can also
knock it down from the perimeter, having hit 18 of 50 attempts for .360 from the
arc. The frosh probably had her best outing against Whiting, when she
poured in 30 points to leader her team in the 56-26 win. She will be a force to
be reckoned with in the LAC for the next three seasons.
It is interesting to note that four of the top ten defensive teams in the state are in the Region, according to the statistics at Jim Harrell's Indiana Basketball. Valparaiso leads the defensive charge by limiting opponents to 30.22 points per game this season. They are followed by Merrillville at 32.89 points. Griffith logs in at No. 7 with 35.17 points per opponent and Wheeler is at No. 9 with 35.58 points. Only one team in NWI appears in the top ten for offensive output. Gary West Side ranks 10th at 64.72 points per game.
According to the
Kentucky website, former Jennings County standout
Jenny Pfeiffer has been sidelined for three
to six weeks with mononucleosis. A second-year starter for the Wildcats,
Pfeiffer has been averaging 10.5 points per game in 29.7 minutes per game of SEC
play. KY head coach Mickie DeMoss could have
used Pfeiffer's spark last night in a 81-72 loss to former boss
Pat Summit of No. 1 Tennessee. The
Lady Vols were ahead by only five points with two minutes left when
Shanna Zolman (Wawasee) buried a
3-pointer that essentially kept the Wildcats at bay. Zolman (23 pts) and
teammate Shyra Ely of Ben Davis (22
pts) led Tennessee in the winning effort. More:
Zolman shines in victory over Kentucky - Knox News
Zolman's 23 leads Vols over Kentucky - SB Tribune
Murray
State freshman Ashley Hayes (right)
of Kokomo had her first career double-double earlier this week, a
13-point 12-rebound effort in a victory at Ohio Valley Conference rival
Tennessee State. The 5'8 guard had the game-tying basket to send the game
into overtime, then scored five of the team's 15 points in the extra period.
We've added several listings to our prospects pages. Freshmen Megan King of Ft. Wayne Canterbury and Corie West of New Castle have been added to our new 2007 Prospects listings. Sunny Johns of Michigan City Marquette has been added to our 2005 Prospects listings.
Statistical leaders for NWI through January 29, as reported by The Times, are as follows:
|
Scoring 23.9 - Sharon Houston, Lew Wallace 22.2 - Shanee Butler, Horace Mann 16.9 - Cassie Pruzin, Crown Point |
Field Goal Percentage (50+ atts) .628 - Stephanie Boyle, Chesterton .621 - Tara Williamson, North Newton .578 - Julie DeMuth, Merrillville |
Rebounds 13.6 - Marian Smith, Hammond 12.7 - Sharon Houston, Lew Wallace 12.1 - LaTysha Sanders, Gavit |
|
Steals 6.1 - Dee Dee Jernigan, East Chicago 5.9 - Cassie Pruzin, Crown Point 5.3 - Kenya Randall, Horace Mann 5.3 - Mallory Gorski, South Central |
Assists 6.5 - Belinda Drake, Gary West Side 6.2 - Karissa Walter, Boone Grove 5.3 - Satrina Canaday, Lew Wallace |
Blocks 5.4 - Sharon Houston, Lew Wallace 3.0 - Antoinette Scott, Horace Mann 2.6 - LaTysha Sanders, Gavit |
Girls basketball notes & features:
Hanover's humble squad -
Post-Tribune
Indiana drill, part 1
- The Times
Girls Basketball NWI Top 10
- The Times
'The Renegade' NW Indiana High School Girls Poll - USA-365.com
Athlete of the Week Katy Stephenson of Madison-Grant - Chronicle-Tribune
Saying goodbye to a special Shelbyville senior class - Shelbyville News
Tarrh and Haehl are closing in on career records for points - Shelbyville News
Danville has lots of reasons for winning - Indianapolis Star
Center Grove defensive ace provides spark - Indianapolis Star
Clay's Gallant Athlete of the Week - South Bend Tribune
Dwenger's Sorg sharing the lead and load - FW News Sentinel
Northrop head coach blocking out the ties - FW News Sentinel
Ft. Wayne power polls - FW News Sentinel
Ex-star Brauman makes time to help home team - Indy Star
Insight is
hidden among the letters - Indy Star
Girls basketball buzz - Shelbyville News
Garrett sister trains Railroaders star - Journal Gazette
Adding a new twist for Blackford - News-Times
Area Girls' Basketball Leaders - Marion Chronicle-Tribune
Third time a charm
for Frankton - Herald Bulletin
Don't look now, but it's time for sectionals - Corydon Democrat
Charlestown junior becoming complete - Courier-Journal
Articles of interest:
Sharika Webb's got answers - Purdue website
Chasidy Myers not the only athlete in the family - Central Michigan website
BSU falls behind early in loss - Ball State Daily News
Berry bounces back for Indiana Wesleyan - Chronicle-Tribune
Quincy's Jenny Wisser's season in peril after leg injury - Chronicle-Tribune
Irish stun Hurricanes on the road - South Bend Tribune
Hall of Fame honors Burton on Silver Anniversary squad - Times Mail
Ball State to face Chippewas at home - Ball State Daily News
ISU women ravaged by SMS Bears 73-47 - Tribune Star
Effort yes, but win no (v. Purdue) - Wisconsin State Journal
Bruised Purdue squad approaching bye week - Gold & Black
| Tuesday, January 27 |
Former
Pike standout Nina Stone (right) laid
down the smack on No. 3 Texas Tech over the weekend, tallying 30 points
and 7 assists in a triple-overtime upset win for unranked
Oklahoma State. The 5'7 junior guard, who was a Kodak All-American at
Wabash Valley Junior College last season, is averaging 11.7 points, 4.4
rebounds and 3.9 assists per game as a starter for the Cowgirls. This win was
especially gratifying for OSU, as Texas Tech punished them in a 106-43 loss just
two weeks ago. (AP photo) More:
Lady Raiders fall in double OT - Yahoo! Sports
And then there were two. After previously undefeated 2A No. 2 North Knox fell to unranked Vincennes last Thursday, just Ben Davis and South Bend Washington remain undefeated in regular season play. The Giants managed two quality wins over tough competitors Avon and Center Grove last week, but 3A No. 1 Brebeuf looms at the end of the schedule on January 4. No. 7 Washington looks like the favorite to run the table with no real threat remaining on the regular season schedule.
Pairings for the 29th Annual Girls Basketball Tournament Series will be conducted in a blind draw on Sunday, February 1, at 12:00 noon (EST) at Galyan’s in Castleton Square in Indianapolis. The public is invited. The draw will be broadcast live over WIBC Radio (1070), Indianapolis, and on the following IHSAA Radio Network stations:
WAMW - Washington
WAWC - Syracuse
WBIW - Bedford
WCBK - Martinsville
WJOB - Hammond
WRSW - Warsaw
Upon completion, at 1:30 p.m., the entire draw will be placed on the IHSAA
website under
Girls Basketball. The tournament roster deadline is
tomorrow.
The much anticipated game tonight between nationally-ranked Candace Parker's Naperville Central team and South Bend St. Joseph's has been postponed due to the weather. The game has been rescheduled for February 2 at St. Joe's, the time of which is yet to be announced.
The
1A No. 5 Tri-Central girls basketball team has won it's second straight
Hoosier Hills Conference championship. That might not seem like a big
accomplishment for last season's 1A state champions, but before last season, the
Trojans had never won a championship in 32 years with the Hoosier Hills. Head
coach Kathie Layden is in the midst of her
fifth year with the TC program, and has it heading in the absolute right
direction. With a growing interest at the feeder level, good things seem to be
in store for Tri-Central in the future. The Lady Trojans clinched the conference
top spot with a 64-37 win over Carroll (Flora) on Saturday. Sophomore
point guard Meranda Burnett (left) had 27
points (7 treys) and 9 assists and senior center
Kristen Miller had 20 points and 9 rebounds in the deciding victory.
(Photo courtesy of
strempkagallery.com)
Clarksville senior and Butler recruit
Candace Bain reached 1,400 career points and set a Clarksville career
scoring record last Thursday night in a win over New Washington. Bain had 14
points in the 60-36 win to take her over the previous career mark of 1,395
points held by Tammy Logsdon. More:
Bain eclipses record as Clarksville rolls - New Albany Evening News
Coaches and players, mark your schedules. At its monthly meeting in January, the IHSAA Executive Committee approved the organization’s involvement as a co-sponsor of the IHSAA/IBCA/ICGSA Basketball Showcases, as well as the Hoosier Basketball Magazine’s Top 40 Workout, conducted in conjunction with the IHSAA and IBCA. The IHSAA/IBCA/ICGSA Basketball Showcase for girls is slated for Saturday, July 24, 2004, at Ben Davis High School. The Top 40 Workout for Senior girls will take place on Sunday, March 14, 2004 at Ben Davis High School. The Showcases will feature the top 100 underclass girls from member schools as selected by members of the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association and the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association. The Top 40 Workouts will display the top 50 senior girls as selected by Hoosier Basketball Magazine, with consultation from IBCA representatives.
Three
Indiana players have been nominated for consideration for the
WBCA
All-Star Game later this year at Tulane University in New Orleans.
Seniors Janese Banks (left) of Ben Davis,
Christina Cunningham of Perry Meridian
and Adrienne Squire of Indian Creek
were all nominees. You can view the complete list of nominees from all over the
nation at the
WBCA website.
(Photo from Flyer Group)
We have added Carroll (Ft. Wayne) forward Kelley Meiklejohn to our 2005 Prospects listings. Also, since we are mid-way through the season, we have added listings for 2007 Prospects. If you have a player you would like listed, please send her information to us at jwebster@regionroundball.com.
According to the Indianapolis Star, the high school basketball career of Lawrence North standout Robyn Stone has ended due to academic ineligibility. Stone, who missed critical classroom time due to a school suspension for a criminal charge that was subsequently dismissed, played in eight games since late December before she became ineligible. It is expected that Stone will continue her basketball career at a prep school or junior college.
High school girls basketball notes & features:
The great debate -
Post-Tribune
Highland emerges in
successful run - Post-Tribune
Moore depth on the bench for East Chicago - The Times
NWI Girls Basketball Top Ten - The Times
Teams tune up for tournament - Indianapolis Star
Lancers
regain respectability - Indy Star
At long last, Quakers find their way home - Indy Star
Cloverdale looks to finish about .500 - Banner Graphic
Sticking with game helped Connie Garrett achieve honor - Chronicle-Tribune
Girls basketball buzz - Shelbyville News
Junior does it all for Cathedral Irish - Indy Star
Starless Lawrence North team wins - Indy Star
Woodlan's Bradtmueller on the rebound - Ft. Wayne News Sentinel
Saluting a Valley girl (Tippy Valley) - SB Tribune
Brownstown Braves have work cut out - Courier-Journal
Wisser primes Marion for postseason - Chronicle-Tribune
Other articles of
interest:
VU's Gutowski on
a hot streak - Post-Tribune
VU serves half and half - The Times
Purdue Cal senior leads Lakers - The Times
Veteran player a reliable cog for Franklin - Indy Star
Former Rebel Moran at home of U of I - Reporter-Times
Third place Cards to face Toledo - Ball State Daily News
BSU's Roller wins No. 55 - Ball State Daily News
Big weekend, big games for BSU - Ball State Daily News
Reiter a double-double threat - South Bend Tribune
Cards aim to continue streak - Ball State Daily News
Terre Haute Southern connection at ISU - Tribune Star
Taylor comeback cut short against Indiana Wesleyan - Chronicle Tribune
Improvement shows for Irish - South Bend Tribune
Lindsay Secrest posting big numbers for Northern Illinois - Daily Citizen
Seymour's silver star - TribTown
Ancilla gets another conference W - Pilot News
Defiance dominates Anderson women - Herald Bulletin
Dad, sons call' em like they see 'em - Indy Star
Women's basketball needs more time on TV - Knox News
| Wednesday, January 21 |
In
a week full of surprises, Indiana girls basketball receives one more with the
very early commitment of South Bend St. Joseph's sophomore
Melissa Lechlitner (right) to Notre Dame.
The 5'7 point guard, who has always dreamed of playing for the Division I
program across the street from her high school, gave her commitment to head
coach Muffet McGraw Monday evening. McGraw
has had her eye on Lechlitner for several years and unlike some Hoosier players
in the past, this one was not going to get away from the top level coach. "Lech",
as she's called by her teammates and coaches, narrowed her choices to the Irish
and Purdue, while drawing fairly serious interest from Maryland
and Minnesota. Wanting to stay in Indiana, the Irish was the perfect fit
for Lechlitner and her family, who plan on attending many of her games. Notre
Dame's impeccable academic reputation was icing on the cake, as the sophomore is
an outstanding student and looks forward to hanging a Notre Dame diploma on her
wall. This commitment is especially gratifying for St. Joe's head coach
Mike Megyese, who is long time Irish fan and
has known Muffet McGraw for many years. More:
Lechlitner Notre Dame bound - South Bend Tribune
The Melissa Lechlitner file
Current Stats:
15.4 ppg, 6.0 apg, 4.0 spg, 4.4 rpg
.410 fgp, .860 ftp
Team leader in scoring, assists & steals
Team leader in free-throws attempted, made & percentage (.860)
Honors:
2003-04 1st team All-state selection by Hoosier Basketball Magazine
2003-04 Warsaw Holiday Tournament All-Tournament Team
2002-03 State Finals All-Tournament Team - Courier Journal
2002-03 South Bend Tribune All-Metro team
4A No. 5 Bloomington North fell to unranked Mooresville last night 60-54. The Pioneers, who began the preseason ranked No. 3 in 4A, has quietly been going about compiling at 13-4 record after being dropped from the 4A poll in mid-December. With their only losses coming from North Central (52-57), Martinsville (55-59), Zionsville (50-58) and Warsaw (51-63), the Pioneers could run the remainder of their schedule undefeated, although a tough Avon squad might have other ideas. Leading the way for Mooresville, who is on top of the Mid-State Conference with a 3-0 record, are seniors Rachel Kenney (17.0 ppg, 2.1 bpg) and Sarah Harper (12.5 ppg). These two combined for 33 points and 16 rebounds in last night's upset of the BN Cougars.
According to the Rochester Sentinel, Tippecanoe Valley standout Rebekah Parker is being evaluated for a knee injury in Indianapolis today. The Evansville signee was sorely missed in last night's 63-49 loss to Rochester in the highly-anticipated Three Rivers Conference matchup, which most likely determined the TRC champion. Rochester, who could claim their seventh straight TRC championship if they run the conference table, lost to Valley earlier this season in the South Bend Riley Shootout consolation round. Rochester All-Star candidate Courtney Felke, who has also signed with Evansville, averages 21.0 points per game for the Zebras.
| Tuesday, January 20 |
Dee
Dee Jernigan (right) attracted the attention of one of the country's
elite coaches when the talented sophomore had one of her best games in the
Chicagoland Classic on Monday. Tennessee head coach
Pat Summit was at the event to watch her top recruit,
Candace Parker of Naperville, in an
evening game. But arriving at the half of the East Chicago game, Summit
got an eyeful of one of the most talented players to come out of the Region in
some time. Jernigan, in a 26-point victory over Fremd, scored a game-high 23
points to go with seven rebounds and six assists. According to
The Times, Summit had a head-to-head with EC coach
Ron Edmonds after the game to discuss the
abilities of his athletic and acrobatic sophomore. Photo from the
Post-Tribune.
Almost everyone who has been involved with girls basketball knows of at least one player who is dealing with an eating disorder. In a brave move, Ft. Wayne Bishop Dwenger guard Abbie Kleber has shared her viewpoints about the disorder she is battling in the Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette. Although she is at a healthy weight today after going through a program which uses an unorthodox approach, Kleber still struggles at times with the disease. At one point in her illness, she weighed just 68 pounds. But she knows if she doesn't deal with her disease, she can't play the sport she loves, so she focuses on how far she has come to keep her mindset positive.
Indian Creek senior Adrienne Squire continues to lead the state in scoring at 29.8 points per game through January 17, according to the IHSAA website. Warsaw senior Jaclyn Leininger leads the state in total scoring so far this season at 508 points, breaking her personal season best of 491 points last season. Also, Amie Joyal of Cannelton leads the state in rebounding at 14.1 per game. Top ten leading scorers in the state are as follows:
.
|
PLAYER |
SCHOOL |
CLASS |
GRADE |
GAMES |
TOTAL PTS. |
AVG. |
HIGH GAME |
|
Adrienne Squire |
Indian Creek |
2A |
12 |
13 |
388 |
29.8 |
48 |
|
Allison Hughes |
North Vermillion |
1A |
12 |
14 |
394 |
28.1 |
42 |
|
Megan King |
FW Canterbury |
1A |
9 |
13 |
357 |
27.5 |
40 |
|
Jaclyn Leininger |
Warsaw |
4A |
12 |
19 |
508 |
26.7 |
37 |
|
Janese Banks |
Ben Davis |
4A |
12 |
17 |
437 |
25.7 |
39 |
|
Whitney Frame |
Randolph So. |
1A |
12 |
14 |
356 |
25.4 |
48 |
|
Ashley Cazee |
Martinsville |
4A |
12 |
16 |
382 |
23.9 |
33 |
|
Kylee Wood |
So. Vermillion |
2A |
12 |
14 |
324 |
23.1 |
36 |
|
Tara Dice |
Churubusco |
2A |
12 |
15 |
340 |
22.7 |
32 |
|
Tara Miller |
North Harrison |
3A |
11 |
15 |
318 |
21.2 |
42 |
Statistical leaders for NWI through January 15, as reported by The Times, are as follows:
|
Scoring 23.9 - Sharon Houston, Lew Wallace 16.9 - Karissa Walter, Boone Grove 16.4 - Leslie Rowan, Rensselaer |
Field Goal Percentage (30+ atts) .621 - Stephanie Boyle, Chesterton .612 - Brittany Ursery, Merrillville .606 - Karissa Walter, Boone Grove |
Rebounds 13.6 - Marian Smith, Hammond 12.7 - Sharon Houston, Lew Wallace 12.0 - LaTysha Sanders, Gavit |
|
Steals 6.1 - Dee Dee Jernigan, East Chicago 5.9 - Cassie Pruzin, Crown Point 5.3 - Mallory Gorski, South Central |
Assists 6.5 - Belinda Drake, Gary West Side 6.1 - Karissa Walter, Boone Grove 5.3 - Satrina Canaday, Lew Wallace |
Blocks 5.4 - Sharon Houston, Lew Wallace 2.6 - LaTysha Sanders, Gavit 2.4 - Cena Nasiloski, Hammond |
Coaches, the deadline is quickly approaching for the ICGSA Academic All-State nominations. If you have not yet submitted your players' nominations, you can get the nomination form on the ICGSA website. Deadline for submission is midnight on Wednesday, January 28.
Former North
Central point guard Omega Harrington
(left) has transferred from Duquesne to Cleveland State, according
to the
CSU website. She will be eligible to play for head coach
Kate Peterson after the completion of the
2004 fall semester and have two and one-half years of eligibility remaining.
According to the Johnson County Daily Journal, Franklin head coach Walt Raines recently logged his 200th career victory. The 16-year Cubs coach when asked, deflected credit for the success of his program to anyone but himself. Raines credits a strong talent pool, experienced assistant coaches, community backing and basketball resources for the long-time success of his program. Raines' co-workers and players credit the hard-working Franklin College alum for his approach to the game and caring for young people.
Indiana Wesleyan University head coach Steve Brooks picked up his 100th win at IWU in just his fifth season. The Lady Wildcats are coming off back-to-back 29-8 seasons and this year are currently 19-3 and ranked #12 in NAIA Division II.
With a 75-52 victory against IUPUI Monday evening, Valparaiso
University head coach Keith Freeman
became the Mid-Continent Conference coach with the league's all-time leader in
wins. Freeman picked up his 164th win as the Crusader's coach. More:
Freeman gets milestone victory - The Times
According to
The Times, three former local players are being honored as members
of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Silver Anniversary Team.
LaTaunya Pollard (East Chicago),
Normela Upshaw (East Chicago) and
Debbie Benak (Bishop Noll) will be
recognized at a dinner on April 24 in Indianapolis. Others being recognized as
part of the anniversary team are:
Susan Baas, Southport
JoAnn Brouillette, Benton Central
Tracey Sargent Burton, Bedford North Lawrence
Barbara Graves, Madison Heights
Kim Land, North Central
Debra McClurg, Wes Del
Barbara Skinner, Mt. Vernon (Fortville)
Cynthia Ocker, Blue River Valley
Jane Emkes Schlesinger, Seymour
Melinda Sparkman, Scottsburg
Karen Bauer Stenftenagel, Jasper
Susie Thrapp, East Noble
Lisha Robertson Wilson, Center Grove
More:
Hall of Fame honoree thankful for chance - Indianapolis Star
Pollard heads women's Silver Anniversary squad - Courier-Journal
Four with ECI ties on women's silver team - Star Press
Barbara Graves named to IHSAA anniversary team - Tribune Star
Girls basketball notes & features:
Wolves wrap up second straight PCC title - The Times
Record improves as Shamrocks try ignoring it - Indianapolis Star
Experience transfers well for HSE's Beth Marshall - Indianapolis Star
Rebuilding schedule on track in Lebanon - Indianapolis Star
Brownsburg girls enjoy health, wins - Indianapolis Star
Desire a common bond shared by statistical leaders - Journal & Courier
Underclassmen play pivotal role in West Lafayette's success - Journal &
Courier
Plenty of credit to go around for South Spencer -
Courier & Press
Charlestown Lady Pirates overcoming adversity - Courier-Journal
With girls' sectionals rolling around, teams have to-do lists -
Jeffersonville Evening News
Season or Game Previews:
New Prairie the team to be in 39th Bi-County Tournament - Herald-Argus
Battle for the NIC: Panthers vs. Riley - South Bend Tribune
This week in Plymouth area girls basketball - Pilot News
Articles of interest:
ISU defense dominates Evansville - Tribune Star
MVC honors ISU guard Melanie Boeglin - Tribune Star
Roller ties mark; Cards plow over Akron 81-62 - Ball State Daily News
| Monday, January 19 |
Bloomington North standout point guard Kiley
Jarrett (left) gave her early verbal commitment to Ball State head
coach Tracy Roller on Saturday. The 5'3
junior, who is averaging 15.2 points, 4.4 assists and 3.3 steals per game this
season, chose the Cardinals over other programs showing interest, including
Akron, Dayton, Evansville, Bowling Green, Northern
Illinois, Valparaiso and Indianapolis. Jarrett, who was
All-Conference Indiana last season as a sophomore, has helped her team and head
coach Steve Goddard to a No. 5 ranking in 4A
with a 12-2 record overall and 6-0 record in
Conference Indiana. Says Goddard about his sparkplug point guard, "I
think this is a big load off of Kiley. She has loved Ball State and the coaching
staff since her first visit. They have made it very clear they want her to be
their point guard of the future so I think everyone is happy. They're getting a
great player and an even better person." Jarrett becomes the fifth player from
the Hoosier
Class of 2005 to commit early.
The
Chicagoland Classic has not been a friendly environment for Hoosier
teams this season. So far Indiana representatives are 4-2 in the annual event, and two
more games are scheduled for today. Heritage Christian will take on
Fenwick at 2:30 p.m. and East Chicago Central will face Fremd at 5:30
p.m. Last season, Indiana came out ahead 4-2 in the series. Over the weekend
Kokomo fell twice in close 2-point games to Fenwick and Niles North, while 4A No. 1
Hamilton Southeastern suffered a 22-point loss to Wilmette Loyola.
Warsaw came away 1-1 with a 2-point loss to Neuqua Valley and a 7-point win
over New Trier. Miss Basketball candidate Jaclyn
Leininger of the Tigers put on a show in Chitown, scoring 32 points
and 37 points in the Tigers' two Classic games. More:
Steady senior lifts Fenwick over Kokomo - Chicago Tribune
Loyola routs Indiana power Hamilton Southeastern - Chicago Tribune
McDonald's Classic roundup - Chicago Tribune
Whiting
senior Becca Papach (right) pulled off a
rare basketball stat line on Saturday, scoring 15 points, pulling down 11 rebounds, dishing
out 10 assists and nabbing 10 steals for a quadruple double. This exceptional
performance helped her 10-5 Oilers defeat Michigan City Marquette 57-28.
Photo courtesy of
strempkagallery.com.
There are only three undefeated teams left in the state with less than one month left in regular season play. Ben Davis (17-0), North Knox (15-0) and South Bend Washington (14-0) have all managed to keep unblemished records up until this point, but rough waters could lie ahead for all three. Before it's all said and done, Ben Davis will have to face 3A power Brebeuf Jesuit at the beginning of February, while North Knox will take on tough Vincennes and Washington Catholic teams this week. South Bend Washington will be tested on Friday by an improving South Bend Riley team that almost pulled off a huge upset over tough Brebeuf over the weekend in a 54-56 loss. If they can stay full speed ahead, it is possible that all three teams could enter the IHSAA tournament undefeated.
The Porter County Conference Tournament gets underway this week, and NWI's highest-ranked 2A team Boone Grove will enter this hotly contested annual event as the favorite. The Wolves are currently leading the PCC pack with an unblemished conference record. No team in the PCC has come closer than 15 points (Kouts) against The Grove in conference play and their PCC record margin of victory is 26.3 points. Watch out for an improved Hebron team, though, that took Boone Grove to the limit in a two-point thriller in the South County Tournament in December. The Wolves are led by Junior All-Star candidate Karissa Walter, who is leading the PCC in scoring (16.9), shooting percentage (.606), assists (6.1) and steals (5.0). Regional Radio Sports (at 89.9 FM and on the Internet) will be broadcasting the tournament final from host school Boone Grove beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.
As tournament season approaches, it is interesting to view the
Sagarin Ratings by Sectional to see who the favorites are in each
sectional grouping. In Northwest Indiana, favorites in each sectional at this
point in time, according to Sagarin, are:
Sectional 1 - East Chicago Central
Sectional 2 - Valparaiso
Sectional 17 - Calumet
Sectional 18 - Gary Wallace
Sectional 33 - Wheeler
Sectional 49 - Hebron
There is a new Mini-Poll on our home page relative to the Miss Basketball race. Results from our previous Mini-Poll have been added to our archives.
We have added New Albany guard Trisha Bennett to our 2005 Prospects listings. If you have a player you would like listed, please send her information to us at jwebster@regionroundball.com.
Photographer Rick Welton has amassed a number of photo galleries from college and high school basketball. You can view his work at http://www.homelandsports.com/photos.html.
Girls basketball notes & features:
Indiana Miller's college choice - Courier-Journal
Adams Central Natalie Young playing on the big floor - FW News
Sentinel
Learning to lead (FW South Side's Jana Reese) - FW News Sentinel
Articles of interest:
Rutgers' Shalicia Hurns plays for redemption - Courier News
Crusaders women make big plays late
- The Times
Honegger stands tall among MAC rebounders - Journal & Courier
Irish can't dwell in post-upset glow - South Bend Tribune
This can't be the same ND team - South Bend Tribune
Vincennes Lady
Blazers finally get by Kennedy-King - Sun Commercial
BSU
women respond to Akron run - Star Press
| Saturday, January 17 |
I apologize for the lack of news updates this week. I was seated to the jury
of a one-week murder trial on Monday, which prevented me from keeping up with
coverage. RRR coverage should resume to normal this coming week.
North Harrison junior standout Tara Miller
(right) has given an early commitment to Indiana head coach
Kathi Bennett. Miller, who was averaging
20.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 3.2 steals per game nine games into
this season, was also receiving interest from Penn State, Minnesota,
Ball State, Butler, Indiana State, Florida and other
Division I schools. The 5'10 guard is a two-year All-Sectional and
All-Mid-Southern Conference selection, and recently scored a career-high 42
points, including eight treys, against Perry Central. Miller currently
ranks in the Top 10 in scoring in the state, as reported on the
IHSAA website. Miller is the fourth player from Indiana's talented
Class of 2005 to give an early verbal commitment,
all to Hoosier State schools. More:
Indiana Miller's college choice - Courier-Journal
Photo from the
Tara Miller page courtesy of "Sports Guy"
Mooresville senior Carley Wright has signed with D-II Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee. The 5'9 guard averaged 7.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game as a junior, and has helped the Pioneers and head coach Mark Hurt to a 12-4 record and a current first place ranking in the Mid-State Conference.
Former
Noblesville and Cathedral standout,
Rachel Brockman (left), has enrolled at Murray State and will play
for the Lady Racers after the 2004 fall semester. According to the
Murray State website, Brockman, who left the Vanderbilt women's
program earlier this season, is excited about joining the team and about the MSU
staff. The 6'3 McDonald's All-American Top 100 finalist will have three and
one-half seasons of eligibility with the Racers. Brockman is the highest ranked
player for MSU's 33-year program and for head coach Joi
Williams. More:
NHS grad to sit out year after transfer - Noblesville Ledger
Crown
Point head coach Tom May (right)
logged his 400th career victory Friday night in a hard-fought 54-49 win over DAC
opponent Lake Central. The 400th career win for the two-time Indiana
All-Star head coach and two-time state champion (1983, 1984) had eluded May in
losses to Portage and Chesterton last week. His charges finally
delivered at home in a back-and-forth battle against coaching rival
Tom Megyesi. Leading the way for the
Bulldogs was Junior All-Star candidate Cassie Pruzin,
who came through with game highs of 16 points, 7 assists and 6 steals. May, who
has coached six Indiana all-stars (including Ball State head coach
Tracy Roller), two All-Americans and an
IHSAA Mental Attitude Award winner at Crown Point over the past 24 years, sits
on a 400-143 (.737) career record. According to May in the Post-Tribune,
"Even though the kids and parents have changed, I
haven’t changed in terms of my approach to the game. I think that is why we have
had so much success here at Crown Point." More:
Black and white
- The Times
May gets 400th victory in thriller - Post-Tribune
One for the record books - The Times
(Photo courtesy of
strempkagallery.com)
Tom May's
former player, Tracy Roller (left), is
approaching a milestone of her own. The third-year
Ball State head coach will tie the all-time
winningest coach in Cardinal history if her team can log a win against Akron
today. That win would tie Roller with the win column of BSU former coach
Robyn Markey, who compiled a 54-127 record
during her tenure, according to the
Ball State Daily News. Roller's record currently stands at 53-25 (.679).
Seven women were named to the
Indiana Basketball
Hall of Fame Monday, including the late Bernita
Atkins, who logged a 218-98 record as the successful head coach at
Portage from 1963 to 1987. Also named to the induction group, who will be
honored in a ceremony on April 24, are current Clinton Prairie coach
Connie Garrett, 1978 Miss Basketball
Chanda Kline of Warsaw, Indiana
All-Stars and former Indiana State players
Shelly Newell ('76 Rochester) and Dru
Cox Pearcy ('77 Plainfield), Indiana All-Star
Cindy Piet Cruz ('77 Scottsburg) and
former Terre Haute North coach Florida Lowery
(1971-1989). More:
More:
Portage's Adkins inducted into hall
- The Times
Prairie's Garret selected to Basketball Hall of Fame - Frankfort Times
Clinton Prairie's Garrett honored - Journal & Courier
According to the Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis Scecina head coach Emily Steinmetz has relinquished her position for personal reasons. Varsity assistant and reserve head coach Steve Burke will step in as acting head coach for the remainder of the season.
Bloomington North junior Whitney Thomas returned to the line-up for Cougars last Saturday, scoring 17 points and pulling down 9 rebounds as North moved to 5-0 in Conference Indiana with a 54-45 win. Thomas has been away from the competitive basketball floor since she tore an ACL last July.
Joliet
Junior College sophomore Kelly Pero is having another great season after being
named a JC All-American as a freshman. The 5'7 guard is making a name for
herself on the JC circuit, with hopes of continuing on at the next level. A
tireless worker, Pero was a pleasant offensive surprise for head coach
Tony Giese, who had recruited Pero for her
defensive work ethic on the high school floor.
Pero having another outstanding season for the Wolves - Herald News
Girls basketball notes & features:
Wheeler sister act improves
teamwork - Post-Tribune
Crown Point's Pruzin performs,
meets challenge - Post-Tribune
Girls' basketball buzz - Gretchen Hael - Shelbyville News
10-game run puts Valpo in first
- The Times
Indiana girls Basketball Top Ten
- The Times
'The Renegade' NW Indiana Poll - usa-365.com
Playing with dad in mind
(Vanita Gary, Hammond Noll) - The Times
Kids get schooled in Hysteria - Indy Star
South Putnam tops WCC standings - Banner Graphic.
Daleville girls
team losing streak hits 89 games - Ft. Wayne News Sentinel
Goins is fine with new role Southwestern (Shelbyville) - Shelbyville News
Defense is the name of Scottsburg center's game - Courier-Journal
Goal-driven Elwood rolling along - Herald Bulletin
Leo duo
is driven to succeed - FW News Sentinel
Blocking not as big with girls defenses - FW News Sentinel
Litka chooses Crusaders
- The Times
Oak Hill sisters achieved rare feat by taking the court
together - Chronicle-Tribune
Martinsville guards form a strong duo - Indianapolis Star
Goodbye Mr. Chips
(Larry Pringle, Triton Central) - Shelbyville News
AC's Natalie Young tops Reinking for county scoring title - Daily Democrat
Luers marches closer to conference crown - FW News Sentinel
Royals are up
to challenge again - Indy Star
Mississinewa's Mellor inspires Indians - Chronicle-Tribune
Wes-Del
Warrior works hard on glass - Star Press
Salem senior seeking her mom's mark - Courier-Journal
'Slash' Richie doing it all for Central
- Courier & Press
Subs provide the spark for Jackets - Indy Star
Leadership comes naturally to sophomore - Indy Star
Website
offers audio keepsakes to Hendricks County girls - Flyer Group
Arabians look for consistency - Indy Star
Mooresville athletes of the week - Reporter-Times
Class A girls' basketball title contenders hard to find - Shelbyville News
South Bend Athletes of the Week - South Bend Tribune
Plainfield needs a victory soon - Indianapolis Star
Games rescheduled after student dies in traffic accident - Indianapolis Star.
Season or Game Previews:
No. 6 Jeff girls want to play another 'best' game against No. 4 Castle -
Courier-Journal
ACAC tourney starts on Tuesday - FW News Sentinel
Area teams
work hard to be on top - Indy Star
Rochester, TV ready for marquee matchup - SB Tribune
Articles of interest:
Yudt's collegiate career ends with injury
- The Times
IUPUI's McAfee returns to lineup, ARC
- The Times
Rose-Hulman
splits with DePauw - Tribune Star
Crusaders team up on Jags
- The Times
Jessy Verhoff decides not to return to ISU team - Tribune Star
Indiana State freshman Stephanie Lisch honored by MVC - Tribune Star
Greyhounds' stretch run enough to end USI Eagles' winning streak at 5 -
Courier & Press
New sport facilities lack flair or history - Shelbyville News
Franklin College women earn first HCAC victory - JC Daily Journal
Endress has
stepped up scoring output for Ball State - Indy Star
Heckman tallies 17 for Manchester
- Daily Democrat
ISU
women buried early in loss at Creighton - Tribune Star
Merrill leads Miami to win with career-high 28 - Noblesville Ledger
Martin powers
Goshen College - Elkhart Truth
Toledo
women whip BSU - Star Press
Cards fall to Toledo in weekend game - BSU Daily News
Valpo falls to UMKC
- The Times
Road
woes for ISU - Tribune Star
BSU bounces back, beats Bobcats - BS Daily News
NCAA delays decision on 3-point arc and free throw lane - News Sentinel
For a moment, a return to glory for ND - South Bend Tribune
UConn Jacqued! - South Bend Tribune
Sycamores glad to be home again - Tribune Star
Love of the game drives Ely siblings - Indianapolis Star
Ely eases into college role - Indianapolis Star
Tournaments thrive in Shelby County - Indianapolis Star
| Tuesday, January 6 |
South
Bend St. Joseph's junior standout Aimee Litka
(left) has made an early verbal commitment to Coach
Keith Freeman of Valparaiso University. The 5'10 guard is
currently averaging 15.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.2 steals for a
team that has four players averaging double figures. In her last outing, Litka
scorched the nets with 26 points and pulled down 12 rebounds while dishing out
four assists in a triple-overtime thriller against Lawrence North.