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Latest college player updates:
   

Shenandoah junior standout Teran Warner has verballed to Ball State head coach Tracy Roller.  Warner, a 6'1 power forward/center, helped lead her 2A Raiders to their second consecutive IHSAA state finals appearance this past season.  Warner averaged 8.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game as a junior.  More than her numbers, Warner is known as an excellent post passer, an all-around workhorse in the paint, and a very capable defender.  (See photo at right.)  More in the Anderson Herald Bulletin.
   
Standout Northrop junior guard Kelsey Corbin has also verbally committed to Ball State, according to the Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette.  Corbin averaged 14.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists as a junior and is considered a very strong all-around player.  She chose Ball State over Indiana, as well as giving consideration to Illinois, Toledo and Miami (Ohio).
   
Danville swing player Megan Bess (5'11) has been invited to walk on at Valparaiso after committing to a four-year academic scholarship at the highly regarded university.  Bess, who endured serious physical problems last summer which hampered her exposure during a critical recruiting period, will most likely be used at the shooting forward position by the Crusaders.  Bess received several offers from Division II, Division III  and JUCO schools, but was impressed with the academic program and campus at VU.
   
Kokomo guard Heather Turner has signed with Ancilla College.  Although the senior did not receive a tremendous amount of playing time with the Kats, the 5'6 guard was known as a very good outside shooting threat.
   
According to the Lafayette Journal & Courier, Crawfordsville guard Britney Froedge will be playing both basketball and softball at Indiana Wesleyan next season.  Froedge is a three-sport athlete who maintains a 4.21/4.0 GPA.
   
According to the Peru Tribune, Peru senior Emily Parkman has signed with Division III Albion College in Michigan.  The Miami County Co-Player of the Year, averaged 12.0 points and 8.0 rebounds this past season despite an injury-plagued senior outing.
  
Hammond Gavit senior Leslie Tyburski made it official this past week when she signed her LOI to Georgetown University, as announced on the GU Hoyas website.
   
Former Indiana All-Star Kristi Koselke (North Newton) has decided to transfer out of the Valparaiso University women's basketball program, according to The Times.  Although playing in 25 games her freshman year at VU with two starts, Koselke played sparingly for the Crusaders this past season.  She plays the guard position behind VU standout Jeanette Gray (Valparaiso), a junior.  Koselke indicates in The Times article that she is looking for a situation other than a Division I school so she will not have to sit out a year.

According to the Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette, four-year Northrop coach Phil Ginder has retired from his coaching position.  Ginder, who is also retiring from 39 years as a math teacher, compiled a 56-38 record as head coach, and also coached for 18 years at Northrop as an assistant under former head coach Dave Riley.  No replacement for Ginder has been announced as of yet.

The Bloomington Herald Times reports on the success of Hoosier Jill Chapman (Blackford) in her quest to reach the WNBA.  Chapman was drafted in the second round by the Detroit Shock, and went as  the second highest player from the Big Ten in the draft.

The Peru Tribune has a report on Ruth Riley (North Miami/Notre Dame) as she enters her second season with the Miami Sol.

According to the Northwest Arkansas Times, Arkansas senior Amy Wright (Northeastern ) was picked up by the Detroit Shock as a free agent.  Wright is the all-time assists leader (717) at Arkansas, and averaged over 6.0 assist per game her senior season.

Here are the latest college commitments and signings:
   

According to a post on our Message Board by her parents, Valparaiso guard Brittany Landreth will be playing at Division III Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, next season.  The 5'6 senior was a catalyst for the Vikings this past season and led her team in several statistical categories.   
   
According to the Terre Haute Tribune Star, Terre Haute South state champion defensive specialist Darci Rector will play for St. Mary of-the-Woods College near Terre Haute on an athletic scholarship next season.  The 5'6 defensive sparkplug averaged 7.0 points, 4.4 assists and 3.4 steals per game.  Also, according to the Terre Haute Tribune Star, A. J. Smith of Terre Haute North, will be joining Rector at St. Mary-of-the-Woods.  Smith, a 5'8 G/F, averaged 14.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game her senior season.  Both Rector and Smith have an opportunity to contribute early with only two players from last year's team returning to the lineup for the Pomeroys.
   

Ashley Hughes from the 1A State Champion North Vermillion Falcons has verbally committed to St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer.  According to the Terre Haute Tribune Star, Hughes, a 5'6 guard, averaged 14.9 points, 5.8 assists and 4.0 rebounds her senior year.  Hughes was also recruited by Butler and Evansville, but chose St. Joe's due to the size of the campus and academic offerings.  Hughes is the valedictorian of her graduating class and intends to study biology and chemistry.  Currently, St. Joseph's is in the process of hiring a replacement for head coach Lynn Plett, who stepped down after 8 years and a 94-122 record with the Pumas.
   
Khristina McKillop (6'0 C) and Melanie Hopkins (5'11 F), both of Riverton Parke, have signed to play next year at Danville Area Community College. These two join a 2002 recruiting class for head coach Lyle Hicks that already includes four other Indiana players reported here earlier.
   
According to the South Bend Tribune, Penn 5'10 guard/forward Ashlee Woodlee will continue her basketball career at Vincennes University.  Woodlee led the Kingsmen in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals her senior season and was named to the Northern Lakes Conference First Team.
   
Ft. Wayne North Side senior Genevieve Murdock has signed with Division I Indiana-Purdue-Ft. Wayne.  The 5'11 forward/center averaged 20.3 points and 9.4 rebounds for her team this season, according to the Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette.
   
Trista Engle of Peru has signed a LOI to play at Ancilla Junior College, according to the Peru Tribune. The 5'8 guard was a Miami County First Team honoree.
   
We had earlier reported that Hobart point guard Amanda Stoops will be attending St. Joseph's in Rensselaer to run track, however, the Post-Tribune (one-day link) reports today that Stoops will also play basketball for the Pumas next season.
    

Still mulling over her choices, Kelly Pero (Hobart/Merrillville) has narrowed down her colleges of interest to Indiana University Northwest and Joliet Junior College.  She had also been offered athletic scholarships to Purdue Calumet, South Suburban College and Kaskaskia College in Centralia, Illinois.

The big news in state high school basketball the past week has been the unexpected transfer of 6'6 Terre Haute South state champion center Reicina Russell to Lawrence North in Indianapolis.  According to the Indianapolis Star and Terre Haute Tribune Star, Russell's family is moving to Lawrence Township to help her grandparents after her grandmother suffered a debilitating stroke around the Christmas holidays.  Russell will bring a great deal to the Lawrence North team that posted a 20-2 record last season and was ranked as the No. 2 team in 4A at the end of the season.  LN coach Jodie Whitaker, although losing several solid seniors, including Division I guard Devin Reed (Valparaiso), returns top junior-to-be point guard Robyn Stone and a very strong supporting cast, making the Wildcats the likely favorite for a 4A state title next season.  More:
   
Russell move to Indy surprises many - Terre Haute Tribune Star
Rebuilding A Champ - Terre Haute Tribune Star

Student Sports, Inc. recently named its All-American Girls Basketball Teams.  Shanna Zolman of Wawasee received Second Team honors, while junior Katie Gearlds of Beech Grove and freshman Jodi Howell of Alexandria received Underclass All-American honors.  Howell was just one of five freshmen named from across the nation to the list.  SSI also published its final 2002 FAB 50 Rankings, labeling the 2001-2002 Terre Haute South 4A State Champion as the 25th best team in the nation.   

Several recent post-season all-star events were conducted during the past week.  
   
According to the Indianapolis Star, the 11th Annual Super Shootout All-Star Girls Basketball Game, pitting senior players from Marion County against players from Indianapolis City proper, took place on Saturday at Butler's Hinkle Fieldhouse.  The County team came out on top in a lopsided 84-63 win, led by Purdue-bound Ashley Mays of Lawrence Central (15 points, 8 rebounds), Ball State signee Dana Collins of Decatur Central (14 points, 4 assists) and Denver recruit Amber Johnson of Ben Davis (10 points, 10 rebounds).  Big Ten recruits Sharika Webb (Purdue) and Jessica Wright (Illinois), both from Cathedral, unfortunately had off nights with a combined 3-20 shooting in the game.  Shanda Smith of Indianapolis Arlington led the City team in scoring with 11 points (and 13 rebounds), followed by Webb with 9 points (7-8 free throws).  Denver-bound Johnson was named the game MVP and North Central sharpshooter Whitney Wood won the 3-point shooting contest.
   
The annual Ft. Wayne area Border Wars/Nancy Rehm All-Star Classic, pitting local all-stars from Indiana and Ohio against one another, resulted in a thrilling win for Indiana in a 103-101 victory.  According to the Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette, the game included 20 lead changes, 16 ties and a last second breakaway layup for the win.  That last bucket was scored by Ft. Wayne Snider senior Amy Hayden, who was one of five players who scored 15 or more points in the game for Indiana.  Game MVP Lindy Carey of Leo (18 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists) shared game-high scoring honors with Geneva Murdock of Ft. Wayne North Side.  Megan Dossen of Luers and Jenny Conkle of Concordia also scored 15 points apiece in the win.  Indiana's team was coached by Teri Rosinski of Luers, and Shanna Zolman, although unable to play in the game due to post-season participation limits during the school year, was awarded the Nancy Rehm Award.
   
According to the Bedford Times-Mail, the Hoosier Basketball Coaches Association held its 2002 All-Star Classic this past Sunday.  Although this article is 95% about the boys games, there is some excellent girls coverage of the event on our Message Board.  Two girls games were played with the District 2 team beating District 4 in a 77-76 win and District 1 team dismantling District 3 by a score of 113-73.  Leading the way for the West team was Ashley Nelson of Gibson Southern with 15 points.  In the District 1 win, Melanie Boeglin of Terre Haute South and Blooming South senior Laura Quilter racked up 21 points apiece in their dominating win.  Both Nelson and Boeglin were named MVPs of their respective games.  A complete list of HBCA All-Star Classic participants can be found in the Louisville Courier-Journal.

Facing an $8.3 million shortfall for the upcoming school year, South Bend School Corporation is considering a drastic measure to recoup funds for the deficit -- eliminate all athletic programs at its five city high schools.  According to the South Bend Tribune, the idea for the possible cuts came from Superintendent Joan Raymond who says that the school corporation could save approximately $1.4 million over the next two years by eliminating athletics.  Current plans also on the table call for the closing of South Bend LaSalle High School.

According to the Indianapolis Star, former Kokomo state champion coach Mike McCroskey was appointed as the head coach at Northwestern (22-3) last night.  McCroskey led the Kokomo Kats to consecutive state championships in 1992 and 1993.  He replaces Jeff Hoover at Northwestern, who stepped down as head coach after 11 successful seasons.
   
According to the Lafayette Journal & Courier, Benton Central has named Brad Acton, a guidance counselor at the school, as its new girls basketball coach.  Acton, who was a boys coach at Crawfordsville, West Central and Eastern Hancock, observed the team over the past season and liked what he saw.  The Bison have all but two seniors returning from this season's roster.
   
Due to a dispute with a parent, Perry Central coach Gary Hanan has threatened to quit his head coaching position unless he receives support from the school board in the matter.  According to the Perry County News, the methods of the first -year head coach, who also served as an assistant for eight years, were called into question by a disgruntled parent in a public school board meeting.

Franklin guard Jenny Cooper (Connersville) received more bad news this past week after missing most of her freshman season due to a freak leg injury.  Unknown at the time of the initial injury, Cooper had also sustained a broken wrist in the fall and will most likely undergo surgery within a couple of weeks.  The rising sophomore showed great promise as a frosh, but will be facing three months of rehabilitation for the injured wrist this spring.

Butler, which has seen three coaching changes in the past four years, has hired 13-year Division II Presbyterian College head coach Beth Couture.  Couture, who replaces departing coach Wendy Gatlin, amassed a 258-117 record at Presbyterian, including eight 20-win seasons.  More at Fans Only.

Local girls basketball celebrity Kelly Komara (Lake Central) received unbelievably good news this past week when she was drafted by the WNBA Indianapolis Fever.  Komara, who was this year's Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, was selected as the second pick in the third round of the draft and will join former Purdue teammate Stephanie (White) McCarty (Seeger) and former Purdue coach Nell Fortner.  Although Komara was never coached by Fortner at Purdue, she was recruited by the up-and-rising coach her junior year of high school.
   
Fever draft Purdue's Kelly Komara - Indianapolis Star
Indiana selects Komara in third round of WNBA draft - Boiler Station
Komara drafted by Indiana Fever - Purdue Women's Basketball
Komara gets another chance to play for Fortner - Boiler Station

A few more signings, commitments and transfers have come to our attention:
   
   Indianapolis Brebeuf junior standout Carrie Smith has verbally committed to Indiana University.  The highly-regarded center was recently named to the Indiana Junior All-Stars Core Team.  The 6'2 center averaged averaged 15 points and 9 rebounds per game, shooting 54% from the field, and 85% from the free throw line. Smith had narrowed her choices down to Texas and IU before choosing the Hoosiers.
    
Indiana University South Bend has signed 5'6 point guard Stacy Spurgeon from Kankakee Valley and 5'11 forward Megan Parker from Logansport (and formerly of KV) to play basketball next season. IUSB has also signed Stephanie Campbell, a 5'6 guard and 2001 Muncie Central grad who is transferring from Findlay University after one year. The feisty and athletic Spurgeon broke her school's career assists record this past season.  IUSB head coach Mary Wisniewski is hoping to sign a few more players in the next few weeks.
    
Southwestern forward Brianna Howard, the winner of the Pat Roy Mental Attitude Award winner at the 2A State Tournament this season, will be playing for the Boilermakers of Purdue University next fall.  According to the Madison Courier, the 5'8 scoring dynamo received a four-year academic scholarship to attend PU and was then invited to be on the team.
    
Ancilla College has signed four players for next year.  Tiffany Johnson of Frankton, Christy Joseph of Knox, Trista Engel of Peru and Lindey Roe of Tri-County will all play for head coach Dave Liverance.
    
Christie Day from Decatur Central, Ashley Houston from Eminence, and Mary Swearingen from Crawfordsville will play for the Lady Jaguars at Danville Area Community College next fall. These ladies join Danielle Vieira (Cascade) and Molly Williams (South Putnam) as well as six all-area players from throughout Illinois for the Danville 2002 recruiting class.  Houston averaged 22.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.4 steals per game this past season. Day averaged 8 points and had 8 rebounds per game for the senior laden Decatur Central Hawks, while Swearingen averaged 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists per game in her one year at Crawfordsville.
    
According to the South Bend Tribune, 5'8 guard Dana Roberts of Columbia City has signed a NLI to play at Bethel College.  Roberts led her team in assists for the past two years and was named All-NHC. 
   
The Ft. Wayne Journal-Gazette reports that former East Noble standout Ashley Powell ('01) will transfer from IPFW to St. Francis University in the fall.  The 5'7 guard averaged 2.7 points in 24 games for IPFW this past season.

The Reebok North/South All-Star Classic was held this past Sunday at New Albany High School, and the North breezed to an 86-72 victory over the South.  The South, which featured six Indiana All-Stars, received big numbers from three of them -- Sharika Webb of Cathedral (20 points), Brianna Howard of Southwestern (16) and Cyndi Valentin of Bloomington South (13) -- but the scoring dropped dramatically from there.  The North team, which included four Indiana All-Stars in Candace Dark of Fountain Central (15 points), Brigett Branson of Turkey Run (10), Cindi Merrill of Noblesville (9) and Megan Dossen of FW Luers (8), put together a well-balanced, team-oriented attack with seven players scoring between 15 and 7 points.  The South's Webb wowed the crowd with some really nice moves and creative scoring, while Decatur Central point guard Dana Collins, who finished with 12 points and 8 assists, directed the offensive attack for the North.  NWI representatives Alex Webster of Crown Point (8 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block), Lauren Bechtold of Hebron (7 points, 2 assists) and Brooke McAfee of Valparaiso (2 points, 6 rebounds) played a big part in helping the North in the double-digit win.  The North, coached by Jill Meerman of Decatur Central, led from the first basket to the last.  The South, coached by Indiana All-Stars head coach Donna Cheatham of Southwestern, made several runs, coming as close as one point late in the game, but the North rallied with an answer to each South run to maintain the lead.  Online coverage about the game can be found in The Madison Courier, Louisville Courier-Journal, and Indianapolis Star.
   
We have a few pictures of the game in our Reebok North/South Classic (Mini) Photo Gallery.

The Northwest Indiana Classic was also held over the weekend, with the West winning over the East 54-50 at East Chicago Central High School.  According to The Times, Hammond Gavit star and Georgetown signee Leslie Tyburski led the attack for the East with 16 points and 14 rebounds, together with Valparaiso signee Jamie Gutowski of Andrean, who also had 16 points.  The West was led by Horace Mann senior JaLeeLah Campbell, who put up 15 points, including 7 in the fourth quarter, to garner the Most Outstanding Player award in the game.   The West team was coached by Horace Mann's Mike Protho, while the East was coached by Ken Markful of Andrean.  East Chicago Central sharpshooter Rayna Hare won the halftime 3-point contest.

Nationally recognized as America's Sunday magazine, Parade Magazine recently named Shanna Zolman First-Team All-American in its latest Sunday edition.  Zolman was not the lone Hoosier representative receiving honors.  Junior Katie Gearlds of Beech Grove was named Third-Team All-American.

All-Stars coach Donna Cheatham took the opportunity to pull most of the All-Star team together at the North/South Classic over the weekend to lay out some strategy for the summer.  Plans include 4-hour practices beginning as early as June 1 for the team.  The All-Stars have a better idea of who their competition will be in June as the Kentucky All-Stars were announced this past weekend.  Although we weren't able to find the complete list, there were a few articles online about some of the players that were selected.  Looks like they will be small (outside of one 6'5 player), but fast and athletic.
     
Stockton, Hallman win awards (KY Miss Basketball) - Courier-Journal
Kentucky Stars choose for height (boys & girls) - Courier-Journal
Boothe, Jackson join all-star Hallman - Cincinnati Enquirer
Jackson pulls a surprise - Kentucky Post

The Bloomington Herald-Times takes a look at the IU women's team for next season with losses in the post.  The Hoosiers are expecting big things from returning frosh Jenny DeMuth (Highland).   Also Kristen Bodine (Martinsville) who sat out this past season after and ACL tear, returns to the lineup, and Lisa Eckart (Center Grove) who sat out this past season after transferring from Evansville, should help boost the Hoosiers lineup.

Two former Indiana high school players were recented recognized by womenscollegehoops.com in its recent All-American Underrated Team, which points out players who did not make any of the high national post-season honors, but who are deserving of recognition.  On the First Team is Amy Waugh (Homestead) of Xavier, who averaged 16.5 points and 6.26 assists per game.   Second Team honors went to Sara Nord (Jeffersonville) of Louisville, who averaged 10.4 points and 4.2 rebounds along with 73 steals and a whopping 235 assists on the season.

Former Elkhart Central standout Amy Saal has been named a tri-captain for next year's Army basketball team, according to the Elkhart Truth.  Saal, who averaged 8.5 points and 4.5 rebounds this past season,  was also awarded the Army 2002 Hustle Award.  

The Austin (TX) American-Statesman had an interesting editorial about the warnings that women's collegiate sports might be heading toward the current state of affairs that dictate men's collegiate sports.  An interesting read.

What was girls high school basketball like in the early part of the 20th century?  The South Bend Tribune has an archive article about girls basketball in local venues from the early 1900's through the 1930's.

The NCAA late signing period began yesterday, and news of several new signings have come our way.
  
According to the Post-Tribune, North Judson towering center Kelly Boyd has committed to Indiana-Purdue-Ft. Wayne.  The 6'5 shot blocker and rebounder also considered DePauw and IUPUI.  Along with fellow 2002 recruit Ashley Elmore (6'2 C) of Jennings County, the IPFW frontcourt should be in good shape for the next four years.
   
According to the Central Michigan women's basketball website, Columbia City standout Chasidy Myers is headed to Central Michigan.  The 6'1 forward/center averaged 13.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
  
According to the Lafayette Journal & Courier, three seniors have committed to the JUCO program at Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Illinois.  Jenni Wheeler of Frankfort, Erin Trees of Clinton Central and Amanda Engleking of Tri-County will all be playing for the two-year junior college program, with hopes of moving on to a higher level beyond that.  Engleking, a 5'4 point guard, averaged 23.7 points per game this past season.  Wheeler, a 5'8 point guard, averaged 8.6 points and 3.5 assists for her 16-7 team, while Trees, a 6'0 center, averaged 14.7 points and 9.0 rebounds per game.
   
South Putnam senior Molly Williams (5'10 F/C) and Cascade senior Danielle Vieira (5'11 G) have both signed a Letter of Intent to attend Danville Area Community College, according to the Plainfield Banner Graphic.  Williams, who is the first women's basketball signee in the history of the South Putnam program, averaged 13.4 points and 11.9 rebounds per game this past season.
   
Former Ben Davis student Sultra Harding, cousin of All-American Shyra Ely now at Tennessee, has signed with Louisiana Tech.  Although she had earlier verballed to Purdue University, Harding did not meet PU's academic requirements but is eligible at Louisiana Tech.  More at the LA Tech women's website.
  
More news on already-announced signings:
(Jamie Gutowski) signs with Valpo - The Times

The Post-Tribune reported earlier this week that several area players are narrowing down the list for a college choice.  Brianne Harwood of North Newton has Purdue Calumet and others on the radar screen, while silky smooth shooter Jillian Martin of Munster is looking at Bridgeport and St. Francis.  Hobart's most versatile player, Lisa Matie, is considering Lake Michigan College and Joliet Community College.

The Post-Tribune recently named its All-Area teams and POY.  Lauren Bechtold of Hebron was named Player of the Year and dad/coach Jerry Bechtold was named Coach of the Year.  The first three teams were listed as follows:

More on Shanna Zolman's appearance in the McDonald's and WBCA All-American games:
  
National stage suits Zolman - SB Tribune
Zolman called best shooter (boy or girl) of all-stars - GoVols

With the season over and players and coaches evaluating what took place over the last seven month, it was not a real big surprise that Tennessee point guard and 1999 Miss Basketball, April McDivitt (Connersville), has decided to transfer out of the Lady Vols program.  According to the Associated Press, McDiviitt stated that "my senior season would be best pursued at another program."  Although McDivitt started over 15 games for UT this season, Coach Pat Summit experimented throughout the season, all the way into the NCAA tournament, with starting lineups and playing time.  McDivitt is rumored to be looking at Indiana, Stanford or Duke.  McDivitt is not alone in her departure, as frosh teammate Michelle Munoz has also elected to transfer.  McDivitt and Munoz are the latest two of 16 player transfers out of head coach Pat Summit's program since 1974.

Ball State frosh Kate Endress (Evansville Memorial), the only freshman on Cardinals' roster, has been named to the Mid-American Conference All-Freshman Team.  Endress is the third straight BSU freshman on the team and the eighth in school history.   Johna Goff (Franklin) was named to the team in 2001.
   
Also, Ball State first-year head coach Tracy Roller (Crown Point), who became the winningest first-year coach in Ball State history, has been named the 2002 Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year.  Ball State finished the 2001-2002 campaign with the best record in the 27-year history of the program at 24-8 overall.  BSU also captured the school's first Mid-American Conference Championship in women' s basketball with a 13-3 league slate.  The Cardinals shared the overall league crown with Kent State, while winning the outright MAC West Division Championship. Ball State's two games in the Women's National Invitation Tournament also marked the first time in the history of the program that a BSU team advanced to postseason play.

Some conferences are looking at new configurations as the end of the current school season approaches:
   
NIC moves closer to including St. Joe, Marian - SB Tribune
Schools look for a league that fits - Indianapolis Star

Several in-state players have been invited to the WNBA training camp:
    

Austin Invited To WNBA Pre-Draft Camp (Evansville) - FansOnly
Komara And Meadows To Participate In WNBA Pre-Draft Camp (Purdue) - FansOnly
IU's Chapman, Cassady invited to WNBA camp (Indiana) - Herald-Times
Blackford graduate invited to WNBA Pre-Draft Camp (Indiana) - Muncie Star Press

Four Region area players were named to the first three All-State teams in Louisville Courier-Journal's annual post-season honors.  Five other NWI players were named Honorable Mention All-State.  Named to the C& J  All-State First Team was Crown Point senior Alex Webster (Southern Mississippi), while seniors Lauren Bechtold of Hebron (Valparaiso) and Michelle Jones of Gary West Side (Chicago State) were named C&J  Second Team All-State.  Leslie Tyburski of Hammond Gavit (Georgetown) was named Third Team All-State.  Making the Honorable Mention list were Melinda Bunkowfst of North Judson, Amanda DeVries of Kankakee Valley, Jamie Gutowski of Andrean, Brianne Harwood of North Newton and Brooke McAfee of Valparaiso.  2002 Miss Basketball Shanna Zolman of Wawasee topped the balloting of all girls players in the state. 

With the season over and the late period (April 11 thru May 15) drawing near, we should be seeing an influx of signing announcements over the next few weeks.  Recently, it was announced in The Times that Hammond Noll senior Lynette Diaz (5'5 G) has committed to Indiana University Northwest. Diaz was a critical component to the success of the improving Noll program this season.  Also, Angie Bennett (6'0 ) of Norwell has signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Indiana University-South Bend beginning next year.

Miss Basketball Shanna Zolman did the Hoosier State proud this past week, putting in outstanding performances in the two top national senior showcase events for the season.  Zolman racked up Co-MVP honors (21 pts, 7 stls, 5 asts) in the first ever McDonald's All-American Game for girls basketball and performed extremely well in the WBCA All-American High School Game.  The prolific scorer also won the 3-point shooting contest in the McDonald's event, getting lots of props from the guys there who were impressed with her uncanny shooting ability from beyond the arc.  (She even out shot the winner in the boys 3-point event.)  More coverage:
  

Zolman stars in 1st McDonald's girls game - Indianapolis Star
Zolman Co-MVP of the Garden - Goshen News
Zolman in New York, wins 3-point crown - Goshen News
A Broadway beauty - South Bend Tribune
Strother Finds Range To Power West - Student Sports
All-Stars in heaven - Washington Post

According to the Louisville Courier-Journal, the Associated Press released its All-State picks last week, and in a near reflection of the 2002 Indiana All-Star Team revealed several days earlier, 12 seniors and three juniors were named to the first three AP teams.  Locally, Lauren Bechtold of Hebron, Julie DeMuth of Highland, Alex Webster of Crown Point and Brooke McAfee of Valparaiso were named AP Honorable Mention.   Also receiving votes from NWI was Melinda Bunkowfst of North Judson.
  

The Muncie Star Press recently awarded its top honors in high school girls basketball for the East-Central portion of the state.  Alexandria frosh Jodie Howell (5'11 G) captured Player of the Year honors with a sizzling 25.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 4.2 steals per game.  First teamers also named were Howell's teammate Jackie Closser, Winchester guard Laramie Smith, Shenandoah forward Amanda Norris, and Delta forward Sarah McGill.  Second and Third Team honors, as well as local Honorable Mention can be found in the article. 

The Goshen News has a roundup of area college athletes, including notes about former high school standouts Missy Stults (Goshen) of New England, Natalie Will (NorthWood) of Northwestern, Amy Zercher (NorthWood) and Jessica Reiter (Penn) of Ball State, Lydia Carpenter (Wawasee) of Findlay, and Amy Saal (Elkhart Central) of West Point.

If you haven't been following along on our message board, there have been some high-profile coaching changes the past week that include coaches with Indiana ties.  Orlando Miracle coach Carolyn Peck, who led Purdue to a national title several years ago, has moved back into the college ranks by taking the opening at Florida.  Also, former Ball State coach Brenda Olfield, who left the Cardinals last year to take the head coaching job at Minnesota, has left some very disappointed Golden Gophers behind to take the head coaching job at Maryland, which nearly doubles her annual salary.  Currently, the head coaching position at Butler is open, as Wendy Gatlin did not have her contract renewed.  Butler has not yet announced a replacement.  The Indianapolis Star has an excellent article about how the top women's coaching jobs are no longer going to men anymore.  More: 
    
Division I coaching changes - ESPN
Women's hoops now seeing job-hopping among coaches - Kansas City Star
Out with the Old(field):  Coach freedom unfair - Hutchinson Leader

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