March, 2005 S M T W T F S     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31     Important Upcoming Dates:	Region Roundball Review March, 2005 News & Updates    REFRESH to See Latest Updates Report News | Archives

It's been a long time coming for Chesterton's Jack Campbell, but the highly regarded coach couldn't be more pleased.  Getting a taste of the All-Star experience as a member of the Junior All-Stars coaching staff a few years ago, Campbell, who has headed up the girls program at Chesterton for the past 17 years, will get the full experience as the head coach of the Indiana All-Stars this summer. His first duty will be to attend the Top 40 workout today at Ben Davis High School to evaluate the senior class for the 2005 All-Star squad.

The Indiana All-Stars could have a region flavor this summer, as Valparaiso's Cassie Kerns is considered a lock on the squad as a bona fide Miss Basketball candidate. Also, Top 40 participants from the Region -- Ashley Gates and Isabell Rhenwrick of Gary West Side, Cassie Pruzin of Crown Point and Karissa Walter of Boone Grove -- should get a strong look from the All-Star coaching staff.

Campbell named girls All-Star coach - The Times
Campbell tapped as coach of All-Stars - Post-Tribune
Campbell answers state's call - Indy Star
Coddens will assist stars - South Bend Tribune

Photo courtesey of strempkagallery.com

Junior Castle standout Maria Olsthoorn (right) has committed Indiana State University. The 6'1 forward/center made an early verbal commitment to Coach Jim Wiedie of the Sycamores on Saturday afternoon, March 5, prior to ISU’s final home game against Illinois State. Oolsthorn received early offers from Ball State and Evansville, and was also being recruited by Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Xavier, Miami (Ohio), Western Kentucky, and others. After making multiple unofficial visits to various schools, Olsthoorn was most impressed with ISU. The coaches and players, the fans, campus, focus on academics, and short distance from her home in Newburgh, were all key factors in her decision.

From Olsthoorn’s freshman year at Castle she started every game until January 15 of this year, when a torn ACL sidelined her for the rest of the season. As a sophomore and junior, Olsthoorn led Castle in both scoring and rebounding. This season she averaged 17.4 points and 8.6 rebounds in the 15 games before her injury. The 6th ranked Knights reached the semi-state finals where they lost to eventual state champion Indianapolis North Central. Olsthoorn will join current teammate Leah Phillips on the Sycamore roster when she arrives on campus for the 2006-07 season. Photo from the Warrick News.
 
Castle's Olsthoorn chooses Sycamores - Courier-Press

Olsthoorn chooses Sycamores - Warrick News

Wiedie already getting future commitments for ISU - Tribune-Star

Ten of the country’s top female high school basketball players were named as finalists for the Naismith Trophy, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced this week. North Central junior Amber Harris, who just led her team to the 4A State Championship, has been named as a finalist, as announced in the Indianapolis Star. The Naismith Trophy is the most prestigious national award presented annually to the male and female high school players of the year. The top 10 list was compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Selectors, comprised of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country. The board based its criteria on player performance this season.  These 10 candidates will go to the final ballot in March, when the Board of Selectors will vote to select the player who has distinguished herself as the best in the nation. The player of the year will be recognized at the Naismith Awards Banquet on April 8 in Atlanta. The finalists for the Naismith Trophy, listed in alphabetical order, are as follows:

Photo courtesy of strempkagallery.com.

Oakland City University head coach Clint Weddle has announced the acquisition of a very strong contingent from the Class of 2005.  Besides already-signed Karissa Walter of Boone Grove, Weddle has received verbal commitments from and Natosha Guy of Washington, Shenandoah standout guard Chelsea Miller, center Molly Maack of Noblesville and forward Allison Jackson of Silver Creek. Guy, a 5'9 guard, averaged 18.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.0 steals per game as a senior. Miller, who recently led her team to the 2A State Championship, averaged 13.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists as a senior. Last summer, she played on the Indiana Junior All-Star Team.  Maack, a 6'1 center, averaged 12.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Jackson, a 6'0 forward averaged 14.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, while garnering First Team All-Conference and Clark County Player of the Year honors. All four players were recently named to the Hoosier Basketball Magazine Top 100 and Miller was selected to participate as an alternate in this weekend's Top 40 Workout.

Four other 2005 players have committed or signed with Indiana college programs.

Tanika Mays of Marion (right) has committed to IUPUI. The 6'1 forward was the Chronicle-Tribune Player of the Year in 2004 and was recently invited to the Top 40 Workout. She averaged a double-double on the season with 19.9 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. Photo from the Chronicle-Tribune.

 Kendra Stumler, a 6'1 center  from Charlestown, has signed with Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Head coach Aaron Ballenger says about Stumler, "We are excited to have Kendra as a part of our program next season. She comes from a very strong program and has all the tools to become a successful player at the next level. Her size and strength will give us much needed help in the post area. We want to thank Kendra's family and the Charlestown Coaching Staff, for all of their support towards Kendra and our basketball program."

Breanne Miller of Huntington North has signed with Indiana Wesleyan University. The 5'11 guard/forward ranked 5/500 academically and was a North Junior All-Star last summer. She was All OAC in 2004, best team defensive player in 2003 and 2004. As a senior she averaged 10.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.8 steals per game.

Ashley Moralas, a 5'10 forward for Mt. Vernon (Fortville) has verballed to head coach Dave Liverance at Ancilla Junior College.

Former South Bend Riley standout Crystal Norman, who has played for the past two years at Cincinnati State Community College, will be playing with former Riley teammate Suntanna Granderson at Xavier University next season.

For those of you interested in high school coaching openings for next season, please visit our Coaching Changes page. The listings are being compiled and monitored by Mike Cronkhite of South Newton. If you should have any information to add to the Coaching Changes page, please send it to Mike at cronkhitem@newton.k12.in.us. Recent coaching news:

K.V. going through changes - The Times

Sanders bids farewell to Fillies - The Times

Jacoby resigns as Benton Central girls coach - Journal & Courier

Richmond coach stepping down - Pal-Item

In case you haven't yet had a chance to view them, be sure and drop by strempkagallery.com for a great group of photos from the IHSAA State Finals.

Indiana high school girls basketball news of interest:

She brings out teammates' best - Indianapolis Star

Broken bone can't stop her - Indianapolis Star

Barlow's best on offense - Indianapolis Star

Area's top player grew into a leader - Indianapolis Star

Panthers 'three-peat' is hot topic - Indianapolis Star

West Central sweeps top MWC honors - Herald Journal

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS - News Sentinel

Abrupt ending - News Sentinel

Howell head All Madison County girls basketball team - Herald Bulletin

Boilermakers rank in Smallbone's top four - Gold & Black

College women's basketball news of interest:

Saint Francis women advance to 2nd round - Tribune Star

ISU women's team heads to MVC tournament - Tribune Star

ISU women have matured to level of MVC champions - Tribune Star

Bethel upset opens tourney - South Bend Tribune

UE wants to keep playing - Courier-Press

Four outstanding games provided a great day of basketball for fans at the IHSAA state finals this season. State tournament experience certainly seemed to factor into the winners' profiles. 1A Tri-Central and 4A North Central repeat as state champs, while Shenandoah picks up its second state championship in four tries over the past five years.  Last year's 3A runner-up South Bend St. Joseph's make it to the top of the podium for the first time, overpowering Corydon with a star-studded cast.  State finals coverage:

4A
Agony of repeat - The Times
West history - The Times
Familiar voice calls West Side game - The Times
Repeat sweet for N. Central - Indianapolis Star

3A
Megyese doesn't need respect - SB Tribune
St. Joe girls win 3-A state crown - SB Tribune
St. Joe's stars shine brightest - SB Tribune
Corydon girls fall 70-57 in final - Courier-Journal

2A
Bluejay inspires with her resilience - SB Tribune
Bluejays' wings clipped in final - SB Tribune
Lady Raiders a family affair - Herald Bulletin
Big day at Finals for Keesling - Herald Bulletin
Shenandoah wins 2A girls title once again - Herald Bulletin
'Comeback kids' win state - Muncie Star Press
Raiders deliver card, prayer to opponent - Star Press
Mental attitude award caps career - Star Press

1A
Tri-Central shows it’s the class - Kokomo Tribune
Jeeps battle to very end - Courier-Press

Recent news:

Invitees named for annual Top 40 Workout - HBM
Scharlow still shining - New Albany Tribune
Law school next for Gebisa - Lafayette Journal & Courier
Winning for Kate: BSU women honor seniors - Muncie Star Press
SCAC tournament begins, DPU women look to repeat - Banner Graphic
Batteast, Borton leave legacy in chemistry - South Bend Tribune
Strong schedule boosts Purdue's chance for NCAA bid - Boiler Station