The Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) announced a three-year presenting partnership renewal with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts to continue in support of Indiana high school football.

This marks the 15th year of the agreement first struck in 2009 when the Colts organization began its support of the entire football state tournament, ensuring that the state championship games would continue to be played at Lucas Oil Stadium. At that time, the Colts became the first professional sports franchise in the country to partner with a high school association for this type of sponsorship.

“The IHSAA is so excited and grateful to continue this partnership with the Indianapolis Colts,” said IHSAA Commissioner Paul Neidig. “Without the Colts and their support, Indiana high school football wouldn’t be as spectacular as it is on Friday nights in the fall.”

“We love and appreciate the values, like preparation, discipline, teamwork and inclusion, that football teaches, so we are honored to support youth and high school football at every level in our state,” said Mike Prior, Colts Football Development Commissioner and former Colts great. “This partnership with the IHSAA continues our commitment to growing the game of football in Indiana and opening opportunities in the sport to all.”

The Colts and IHSAA also have partnered on other initiatives, most notably girls high school flag football. In 2023, the Colts started the Girls Flag Football Pilot League, fueled by Gatorade, with eight high school girls teams representing Indianapolis and South Bend. They also have hosted clinics, jamborees, and other events, with the long-term goal of developing girls flag football as a sanctioned varsity sport in Indiana.

For more info, visit Colts.com/Flag.

USA Basketball announced that Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton was named a member of the 2024 USA Basketball Men’s National Team, which will compete at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, set for July 26-Aug. 11.

The team was selected by USA Basketball Men’s National Team managing director Grant Hill and approved by the USA Basketball Board of Directors.
“We want to congratulate Tyrese and we’re thrilled that he has been selected to represent our country and the Pacers organization as a member of the 2024 USA Basketball Men’s National Team,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard. “We are incredibly proud of Tyrese for all he’s accomplished in his career thus far, which includes being an integral part of our success this season, and we can’t wait to see him shine on the international stage among the best players in the world at the upcoming Summer Olympics.”
In addition to Haliburton, the 2024 USA Men’s National Team features Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers), Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns),  Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers), Jrue Holiday (Boston Celtics), LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers), Kawhi Leonard (L.A. Clippers) and Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics).
“It’s an honor to introduce the 2024 USA Basketball Men’s National Team,” Hill said. “I’m grateful to these 12 men for their commitment to represent USA Basketball. The United States is home to some of the best basketball players in the world and I appreciate the vast interest in being part of this roster. These decisions weren’t easy, but it was a pleasure to go through the process and reach this outcome.
“We have the utmost respect for the level of competition we will face this summer. The Olympics represent the pinnacle of sport and the world will be watching the USA as we play in the toughest basketball tournament in history.”
Haliburton is one of six players who has competed at the World Cup, including Curry (2010, 2014), Davis (2014), Durant (2010), Edwards (2023), James (2006), and Tatum (2019). Haliburton and Edwards competed at the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup in Manila, helping to secure the United States’ Olympic bid.
USA Basketball will commence training camp on July 6 in Las Vegas. Following the game vs. Canada, the Americans will embark on an international training window that begins when the USA hosts Australia and Serbia on July 15 and 17, respectively, at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Australia and Serbia will also face off on July 18 in Abu Dhabi.
The USA Basketball Showcase continues at London’s O2 Arena when the USA men take on the national teams of South Sudan on July 20 and Germany on July 22, followed by a tilt between the USA women and Germany on July 23.
The USA Basketball Showcase features a series of games that help the USA Basketball National Teams prepare for major competitions, including the Olympic Summer Games and FIBA World Cup. For more information on the USA Basketball Showcase and to purchase tickets, click here.
The USA officially qualified for the Paris Games as one of the top two nations from the FIBA Americas zone at the 2023 FIBA World Cup in September. The American men will compete for their fifth straight – and 17^th overall – Olympic gold medal.
As part of Group C, the American men will face Serbia on July 28, South Sudan on July 31 and the winner of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Puerto Rico on Aug. 3 in the first round of the Olympic tournament. The 5-on-5 Olympic basketball group phase will take place in Lille, France, before the tournament moves to Paris for knockout and medal rounds.  
In total, USA Basketball will be represented by four teams at the 2024 Olympic Summer Games, including 5-on-5 men and women and 3x3 men and women. The USA are reigning Olympic champions in 5-on-5 men and women and 3x3 women, with 3x3 men set to make their Olympic debut this summer. More information about all four USA Basketball teams will be announced at a later date.

The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled a limited-edition Bob Knight Career Accomplishments Bobblehead honoring the legendary college basketball coach.

The special edition bobblehead is being produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in conjunction with Knight Legacy. Founded by Coach Knight’s son, Pat Knight, Knight Legacy’s mission is to honor, promote, and preserve the Coach Knight Legacy and the footprint that Hall of Fame Coach Bob Knight made in the history of basketball.

Coach Knight passed away at his home in Bloomington surrounded by his family on November 1, 2023, at the age of 83.

Standing on a rectangular basketball court base with BOB KNIGHT and THE GENERAL on each side of an outline of the state of Indiana across the front, the Knight bobblehead is wearing a red sweater and navy pants and pointing to give instructions to his team. The framed backing of the base, which features one of his memorable quotes, “Mental is to physical as four is to one,” also includes a sketch of Knight, replica banners of the three national championships won under Coach Knight, a numerical rundown of Knight’s career accomplishments, and a replica of Knight’s autograph.

The bobbleheads, which will be individually numbered, are only available through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store and at BobKnight.com. The bobbleheads are available for $40 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order. They are expected to ship in August.

In his coaching career, Knight finished with an overall record of 902-371. The 902 NCAA Division I victories was a record at the time of his retirement, and currently ranks fifth all-time. He is best known for winning three national championships as the head coach of Indiana in 1976, 1981 and 1987. In addition to coaching the Hoosiers from 1971 to 2000, he was also the head coach at Army from 1965 to 1971 and Texas Tech from 2001 to 2008. Other career highlights include 28 NCAA Tournament appearances, five trips to the Final Four, 11 Big Ten regular-season championships, and three Big Ten Coach of the Year awards.

Known as one of college basketball’s most successful and innovative coaches, having popularized the motion offense, Knight also won a National Invitation Tournament championship and 11 Big Ten Conference championships along with his three national titles. Knight received National Coach of the Year honors four times. In 1984, he coached the USA men’s Olympic team to a gold medal, becoming one of only three basketball coaches to win an NCAA title, NIT title and an Olympic gold medal. Knight was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991 and was a member of the founding class of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. He was also inducted into the Army Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Indiana Hoosiers Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009.

When asked about the bobblehead, Pat Knight said, “Knight Legacy is excited to be partnering with the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame again to launch this one of a kind bobblehead highlighting my father’s career achievements and preserving his legacy. Being the last team to go undefeated in 1976 is something talked about at this time every year and something Coach was very proud of for this team reaching their full potential and accomplishing their goal.”

"We’re thrilled to be teaming up with Knight Legacy to add this very special bobblehead of Coach Knight to the collection,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “One of the most successful coaches in history, ‘The General’ has a list of career accomplishments worthy of a special bobblehead, and this bobblehead will be a must-have for fans!”

The Bob Knight Career Accomplishments Bobblehead is the latest featuring the Hall of Famer. Other previously released bobbleheads include one of a standing Knight wearing his signature red sweater, and another commemorating his infamous chair-throwing incident that occurred during a game in the 1984-85 season. The red sweater bobblehead is sold out, while the chair-throwing bobblehead is still available.

RHS golfer Ava Thomas said golf has been something that she's been interested in since she could walk.

The daughter of RHS golf coach Chad Thomas says golf has always been a key part of her life. 

Despite being just a junior at Rochester High School, the 2025 graduate is already setting plans for her next step in education. On Friday, Grace College women's golf coach Denny Duncan met with Thomas in the Rochester High School gym to sign her national letter of intent for the school. 

Thomas said she knew as a sophomore that Grace was the college she wanted to attend. The decision to sign on Friday was not a hard one.

As for her plans after college, Thomas said she hopes to eventually start a career in teaching. 

..

Tecumseh stood in Caston’s way for a 1A state softball championship last spring at Bittinger Stadium.

The 1A defending state champion Braves are in Caston’s way again.

Three of the four 2023 IHSAA softball state champions debut at No. 1. Penn (Class 4A), New Prairie (3A), Eastside (2A) and Tecumseh (A) are the No. 1 teams in their respective classes. Only Eastside, who lost to Andrean in the 2023 semistate championship game, is not a defending state champion.

Caston is second in the 1A poll to begin the season.

Caston, making its first-ever state finals appearance in any sport, lost 6-0 to Tecumseh to conclude a 22-5 season last spring.

Tecumseh finished last season with a 25-9 record after starting the season splitting the team’s first 16 games.

Rossville is third in the 1A preseason poll followed by Barr-Reeve and Cowan in the top five.

North Miami, 22-5 last season, is ranked ninth in the 1A poll.

The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame’s 62^nd Men’s Awards Banquet is Wednesday.

The City of Rochester has a special event planned for Wednesday in conjunction with that event as one of the city’s own will be honored at that banquet, 1979 graduate Pete Smith.

Rochester Mayor Trent Odell.

Smith’s coaching history includes time as an assistant at Rochester, South Bend Adams, and Warsaw before becoming head coach at Manchester, Noblesville, Penn, Carmel, and Guerin Catholic. Smith started the basketball program at Guerin Catholic in 2004, where he won state titles in 2012 and 2015.

Smith amassed 389 wins in his career, and a winning percentage of 61%.

Smith has earned numerous honors from the IBCA including District Coach of the Year.  Smith had the honor of being an assistant coach twice for the McDonald’s All-American game, Director of the IN/KY All-Star Series, and a director of 5-Star Summer Basketball Camps for 24 summers. 

The ceremonies on Wednesday include a reception at the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Museum in New Castle that afternoon with a banquet that evening at the Primo Banquet Hall in Indianapolis.

With Wabash and Peru boys basketball seasons coming to a close in Saturday's semistates the TRC has released its All-TRC boys basketball team for the 2023-24 season.

Wabash (21-6) lost in the semifinal round of the 2A Lafayette Jeff semistate to sixth-ranked Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian, 55-51. Blackhawk lost in overtime in the championship game to #2 Wapahani, 60-49.

Wapahani reached the championship with a semifinal win over North Judson, 48-28.

In 3A, Peru (16-11) lost a semifinal shootout to #13 South Bend St. Joseph, 88-80. St. Joseph was then able to survive a triple-OT thriller to get by Delta in the championship game, 44-41.

All-TRC boys basketball team

Kyler Krull---Whitko

Sam Essegian---Whitko

Bryce Wilcox---Southwood

LJ Hillis---Lewis Cass

Josiah Ball---Maconaquah

AJ Kelly---Maconaquah

Matthew Roettger---Peru

Gavin Eldridge---Peru

Alex Ross---Peru

Ethan Hendrix---Manchester

Gavin Betten----Manchester

Izaak Wright---Wabash

Trevor Daughtry---Wabash

Grant Ford---Wabash

Tanner Reinartz---Rochester

Honorable Mention

Jaylen Gibson---Whitko

Will Winer---Southwood

Carter Rodgers---Northfield

Bryce Rudd---Lewis Cass

Ethan Zeiser---Maconaquah

Ian Potts---Peru

Gavin Martin---Manchester

Kaden Vogel---Wabash

Drew Bowers---Rochester

Jake Riley---North Miami

Game officials Scott Arthur and P.J. Pitts will be recognized with special awards in 2024 by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.

Arthur and Pitts will be honored as respective winners of the Roy Gardner and Mildred Ball awards as outstanding officials throughout long careers on the hardwood. The two officials are being cited for their work impacting the game floor, Arthur from 1992 to the present and Pitts from 1995 to the present.

Arthur is in his 32nd season as an official, including four times in the boys' basketball State Finals and four times in the girls' basketball State Finals while a member of the Southwestern Indiana Officials Association. The Loogootee resident served as the SWIOA basketball chairman for four years and was an IHSAA certification clinician for eight years. He also has been a baseball umpire for 23 years and worked four State Finals in that sport.

Pitts, a Bridgeton resident, is in his 29th season as an official. He has worked the boys' basketball State Finals four times and the girls' basketball State Finals five times. He has been a member of the Wabash Valley Officials Association for 29 years and the Western Indiana Officials Association for two years. He served four years at WVOA president and eight years as a board member. Pitts also has been a football official, twice working the State Finals, and a volleyball official.

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

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

Arthur and Pitts each will receive his award during the IBCA's annual clinic on April 25-26 at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville. For more information about the IBCA, go to in.nhsbca.org.

2024 IBCA Mildred Ball Award 

P.J. Pitts of Bridgeton is the winner of the 2023 IBCA Mildred Ball Award.

Now in his 29th season as an official, Pitts began officiating in 1995 and has extensive state tournament experience for boys’ basketball and girls’ basketball. For boys, he has worked 20 sectionals, 14 regionals, seven semi-states and four State Finals (2009, 2013, 2016 and 2020). For girls, he has called 23 sectionals, 16 regionals, nine semi-states and five State Finals (2009, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2022).

Pitts, a 29-year member of the Wabash Valley Officials Association and a two-year member of the Western Indiana Officials Association, also has worked as a football official and volleyball official, and he has been a part of crews that twice called the football State Finals (2015 and 2018). He has served as president of the WVOA for four years and eight years as a board member.

In 2019, Pitts was selected as the IHSAA’s Official of the Year in boys’ basketball. Officials receiving this honor are selected by a committee representing the 24 officials associations in Indiana and have gone above and beyond to serve their community and the IHSAA.

In receiving the Mildred Ball Award, Pitts expressed thanks to the late Don Corey, his officiating mentor and 2005 IHSAA Official of the Year in girls’ basketball, as well as 29-year partner Mark Hopper, the 2018 IHSAA Official of the Year in girls’ basketball, the 2022 IHSAA Official of the Year in boys’ basketball and the 2022 NFHS Section 4 Official of the Year.

A 1994 graduate of West Vigo High School, Pitts played basketball for the Vikings and coach Steve DeGroote. He went on to earn an associate’s degree in business management from Ivy Tech Community College in Terre Haute in 1996.

Professionally, Pitts has been the supervisor of transportation for the Vigo County School Corporation for the past five years. He previously worked as operations manager at Heavy Duty Truck in Terre Haute. He also has been an active volunteer in the community over the years for programs including West Terre Haute Brush Up and Clean Up the Community Environmental Day.

Pitts and his wife, Ashley, are parents to five children – Lexi, 19; Kayleigh, 17; Kenzie, 15; Jackson, 11; and Ryleigh, 10. In his free time, Pitts enjoys fishing, hunting and spending time with family.

2024 IBCA Roy Gardner Award

Scott Arthur of Loogootee is the winner of the 2024 IBCA Roy Gardner Award.

A 1989 graduate of Loogootee High School, Arthur competed in cross country, basketball and baseball – teams that won one basketball regional and two baseball sectionals. He initially went to Hanover College, then transferred to the University of Evansville, earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1994.

Arthur began officiating in 1992 while a college student. Over the years, he has worked 27 sectionals, 18 regionals, seven semi-states and four State Finals (2011, 2014, 2017 and 2022) in boys’ basketball as well as 22 sectionals, 13 regionals, seven semi-states and four State Finals (2011, 2014, 2017 and 2022) in girls’ basketball. He also has worked four Hall of Fame Classic tournaments, two for boys and two for girls.

A member of the Southwestern Indiana Officials Association for 31 years, Arthur also has been a baseball umpire for 23 years and worked four State Finals in that sport (2004, 2007, 2012 and 2013). He served as the SWIOA basketball chairman for four years and its baseball chairman for five years. He also has operated as an IHSAA certification clinician for eight years.

Arthur was recognized with the IHSAA’s Official of the Year in 2019 for baseball and in 2023 for girls’ basketball. Officials receiving these honors are selected by a committee representing the 24 officials associations in Indiana and have gone above and beyond to serve their community and the IHSAA.

Professionally, Arthur has worked as a project lead for night-vision equipment at Naval Warfare Center Crane for 25 years. In addition, he is in his sixth season as the varsity baseball coach at Loogootee. He also enjoys to play golf, travel and to attend sporting events in his free time.

Arthur and his wife, Marci, are parents to two adult children – Dylan and Shealyn.

 Thirteen players have been selected for the 2024 IndyStar Indiana Girls' All-Stars.

Those chosen to the team will play three games in June -- one exhibition game against the Indiana Junior All-Stars as well as home-and-home contests against the Kentucky All-Stars.

The players comprising 2024 Indiana Girls' All-Stars are Audrey Annee of Center Grove, Emma Haan of Zionsville, Alli Harness of Carroll (Flora), Talia Harris of Fishers, Ellery Minch of Mt. Vernon (Fortville), Jordyn Poole of Fort Wayne Snider, Camryn Runner of Hamilton Heights, Chloe Spreen of Bedford North Lawrence, Lauren Walsh of Penn, Reagan Wilson of Noblesville, Faith Wiseman of Indian Creek, Rachel Wirts of Center Grove and Juliann Woodard of Jennings County.

The 2024 IndyStar Indiana Miss Basketball will come from among the above players and be announced later.

The '24 girls' All-Stars have two players who have been a part of state championship teams (Spreen, 2023 4A, and Wilson, 2022 4A), two players who were named IBCA first-team Academic All-State (Minch and Runner) and three players who were named IBCA honorable mention Academic All-State (Annee, Haan and Wilson).

Andy Maguire of Zionsville has been named head coach of the 2024 All-Stars. He will be assisted by Jason Simpson of Greensburg and Lauren Votaw of Fishers. Maguire is 330-240 in 26 seasons as a varsity coach, including 256-209 in 21 years at Zionsville. Simpson is 180-65 in 10 seasons at Greensburg. Votaw is 131-44 in seven seasons at Fishers.

The Junior-Senior exhibition game is set for June 5 at Kokomo. The first game against Kentucky will be June 7 at a site to be announced. The final game against Kentucky will be June 8 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

All three dates will be doubleheaders with the IndyStar Indiana Boys' All-Stars, whose roster will be announced later. 

The Indiana Junior All-Stars will play two girl-boy doubleheaders this year -- June 2 against the Kentucky Junior All-Stars at Scottsburg and June 7 against the Indiana seniors at Kokomo.

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

The Indiana Senior girls lead 53-41 in their series with Kentucky. The Indiana Senior girls lead 41-11 in games against the Indiana Junior girls. The Indiana Junior girls lead 11-1 in their series with Kentucky. The Indiana Senior boys lead 104-45 in their series with Kentucky. The Indiana Senior boys lead 41-11 in games against the Indiana Junior boys. The Indiana Junior boys lead 7-5 in their series with Kentucky.

The second IndyStar Indiana All-Star "Futures Games" doubleheader will be June 3 at Hamilton Southeastern. The Futures Games will be a girls-boys doubleheader with Indiana-only squads of sophomores and freshmen in a North vs. South format. The Futures Games' lineups will be announced later. In the inaugural Futures Games, the North girls prevailed 73-63 and the South boys won 100-96.

The Indiana portion of the All-Star Games is organized and produced by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association. The Indianapolis Star, with its IndyStar brand, is a title sponsor. Hoosier Shooting Academy is a presenting partner of All-Star Week, and Energy Systems Group is a presented partner of the June 8 All-Star doubleheader at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

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

2024 IndyStar Indiana Girls All-Stars

Name, School, Height, PPG, College Choice

Audrey Annee, Center Grove, 5-9,13.2, Army

Emma Haan, Zionsville, 5-7, 15.6, Vermont

Alli Harness, Carroll (Flora), 5-8, 20.8, Western Michigan

Talia Harris, Fishers, 5-8, 14.8, Mercer

Ellery Minch, Mt. Vernon (Fortville), 6-2, 14.2, DePaul

Jordyn Poole, Fort Wayne Snider, 5-7, 16.9, Purdue

Camryn Runner, Hamilton Heights, 5-9, 26.9, Evansville

Chloe Spreen, Bedford North Lawrence, 5-10, 20.4, Alabama

Lauren Walsh, Penn, 5-7, 12.5, undecided

Reagan Wilson, Noblesville, 5-8, 16.1, Iowa State

Faith Wiseman, Indian Creek, 6-4, 18.2, Indiana

Rachel Wirts, Center Grove, 6-3, 12.1, Villanova

Juliann Woodard, Jennings County, 6-0, 17.3, Michigan State

2024 IndyStar Indiana All-Star key dates

Sunday, June 2 — Indiana Juniors vs. Kentucky Juniors at site TBA — girls, 2:00 p.m.; boys, to follow; admission, $10 per person at the door (adults, school-aged students; pre-school children are free).

Monday, June 3 – Indiana All-Stars “Futures Games” doubleheader at Hamilton Southeastern – girls, 6:00 p.m., boys, to follow; admission, $10 per person at the door (adults, school-aged students; pre-school children are free).

Wednesday, June 5 — Junior-Senior All-Star game at Kokomo — girls, 6:00 p.m.; boys, to follow; admission, $10 per person at the door (adults, school-aged students; pre-school children are free).

Friday, June 7 — Indiana at Kentucky at TBA — girls, time, TBA; boys, to follow, time TBA. Ticket information, TBA.

Saturday, June 8 — Indiana vs. Kentucky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis — Senior girls, 5:00 p.m.; Senior boys, to follow (about 7:30 p.m.). Ticket information, TBA.

Youth hunters (under age 18 on the day of the hunt) may apply for reserved turkey hunts during the special youth wild turkey hunting season on DNR properties from Monday, March 18 through Thursday, March 28.
The 2024 youth turkey season is April 20-21. In order to provide quality hunts for participants, a limit will be placed on the number of youth hunters allowed to hunt a respective property on each hunting day. Interested hunters or an adult representing them must register in person or by phone during the normal office hours for the property they wish to hunt. Hunters are allowed to register for only one property.
Participating Fish & Wildlife areas include Atterbury, Chinook, Crosley, Deer Creek, Fairbanks Landing, Glendale, Goose Pond, Hillenbrand, Hovey Lake, Jasper-Pulaski, Kingsbury, LaSalle, Pigeon River, J. E. Roush Lake, Sugar Ridge, Tri-County, Wabashiki, Willow Slough and Winamac. Two reservoir properties, Mississinewa and Salamonie lakes, will also take part in the hunts.
Those wanting to sign up for the Chinook or Wabashiki hunts may register at Deer Creek FWA. Those wanting to sign up for Fairbanks Landing or Hillenbrand hunts may do so at Goose Pond FWA.
A drawing will be held on Monday, April 1 at properties where the number of registered hunters exceeds the spots available. A youth hunter may be drawn for either or both hunt days, depending on the number of applicants. All applicants will be notified of drawing results by mail.
Applicants must possess a 2024 Youth Consolidated Hunting & Trapping License, a 2024 Nonresident Youth Spring Turkey License with a game bird habitat stamp privilege, or Lifetime Comprehensive Hunting License. Apprentice hunting licenses of the types named above also may be used.
Hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon at properties in the Central Time Zone, and one-half hour before sunrise until 1 p.m. on properties in the Eastern Time Zone.
Youth hunters who are selected for the hunt may check in at any time each day until the end of legal hunting hours for that property. Properties will not have a daily "no-show" drawing. Hunters interested in possible unfilled quotas at a property should call that property for more information before showing up.
Youth hunters can harvest one bearded or male wild turkey. The youth must be accompanied by someone 18 or older.
The youth hunter may use any legal shotgun, bow and arrow or crossbow. The adult accompanying the youth hunter must not possess a firearm, bow and arrow or crossbow while in the field. The accompanying adult must be licensed if they are assisting by calling or if the youth is using an apprentice license.
To register a youth for one of the hunts, the following information is needed:

Hunter's name
Type of license and license number
Date(s) in which applying
Mailing address
Phone number
Parent or guardian’s name, address, & phone number

For property contact information, visit on.IN.gov/dfwproperties. To purchase a license, visit on.IN.gov/inhuntfish. 

Today, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled two limited-edition bobbleheads of legendary college basketball coach Bob Knight.

The first bobblehead features Knight wearing his signature red sweater, while the second bobblehead commemorates Knight’s iconic chair-throwing incident. The special edition bobbleheads are being produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in conjunction with Knight Legacy. Founded by Coach Knight’s son, Pat Knight, Knight Legacy’s mission is to honor, promote, and preserve the Coach Knight Legacy and the footprint that Hall of Fame Coach Bob Knight has made in the history of basketball.

Standing on a circular base bearing his name, the first Knight bobblehead is wearing a red sweater and dark pants. The top of the base features a facsimile of Coach Knight’s autograph. Standing on a replica hardwood floor base bearing his name, the second Coach Knight bobblehead is wearing a red and white striped short-sleeved shirt like the one worn during Indiana’s game vs. rival Purdue on February 23, 1985, when Knight threw a chair across the Assembly Hall court objecting to a call. The chair throwing incident which has come to be known as “The Chair Game” is still remembered and even celebrated today on its anniversary and when the Hoosiers face Purdue. Knight, who apologized for his actions the next day, joked about throwing the chair since the incident, saying that he saw an old lady standing on the opposite sideline and threw her the chair so she could sit down.

The standing bobblehead is individually numbered to 2,023 while the chair-throwing bobblehead is numbered to 19,850. The bobbleheads are currently available for pre-order exclusively through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store. The standing Knight bobbleheads are $30 each, while the chair-throwing bobbleheads are $40 each, plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order. A set of two is available for $65 and both bobbleheads are expected to ship in December.

In his coaching career, Knight finished with an overall record of 902-371. The 902 NCAA Division I victories was a record at the time of his retirement, and currently ranks fifth all-time. He is best known for winning three national championships as the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers in 1976, 1981 and 1987. In addition to coaching the Hoosiers from 1971 to 2000, he was also the head coach at Army from 1965 to 1971 and Texas Tech from 2001 to 2008.

Known as one of college basketball’s most successful and innovative coaches, having popularized the motion offense, Knight also won a National Invitation Tournament championship and 11 Big Ten Conference championships along with his three national titles. Knight received National Coach of the Year honors four times and Big Ten Coach of the Year honors eight times. In 1984, he coached the USA men’s Olympic team to a gold medal, becoming one of only three basketball coaches to win an NCAA title, NIT title and an Olympic gold medal. Knight was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991 and was a member of the founding class of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. He was also inducted into the Army Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Indiana Hoosiers Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009.

Born in Massillon, Ohio, on October 25th, 1940, the only child of Pat and Hazel Knight grew up in nearby Orrville. His life in athletics began as a tall first baseman for the Mizer Tykes. He switched to basketball in the sixth grade and became a local star. An excellent student, Knight once won the Orrville Library’s competition for what child could read the most books between June and September. Knight went on to Ohio State where he played for Hall of Fame coach Fred Taylor. He was a reserve forward on the 1960 NCAA championship team that featured future Hall of Famers John Havlicek and Jerry Lucas. The Buckeyes lost in each of the next two NCAA championship games, of which the sharpshooting Knight also played a part of off the bench. One year after graduating from Ohio State with a degree in history and government in 1962, Knight enlisted in the United States Army and served two years of active duty. Knight, who was a private first class, also served nearly four years in the Army reserves. While in the service, Knight was an assistant coach for the Army Black Knights basketball team. As a 24-year-old in 1965, he was named Army’s head coach and compiled a record of 102-50 in six seasons there before going to Indiana.

When asked about the bobbleheads, Coach Knight’s son and Founder of Knight Legacy, Pat Knight said, “We’re thrilled to be honoring my father’s legacy with these limited edition bobbleheads in collaboration with the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum. I think these bobbleheads are a great tribute to my dad’s legacy and the passion that he had for basketball and life.”

"We’re excited to team up with Knight Legacy to create these bobbleheads celebrating the legendary coach,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “One of the most successful coaches in the history of college basketball, and we think fans will love these new bobbleheads!”

About the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum:
The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, which is located at 170 S. 1st St. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, opened to the public on February 1st, 2019. The HOF and Museum also produces high quality, customized bobbleheads for retail sale as well as organizations, individuals, and teams across the country. Visit us online and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Line judges will be required to change sides of the court between sets when teams remain on the same bench. The change in officiating procedure highlights the 2024-25 high school volleyball rules changes.

In all, four rules changes were recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Volleyball Rules Committee at its annual meeting January 7-9. All rules changes were reviewed and approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

Rule 5-9-2b, which outlines line judge responsibilities, includes the new note requiring that they switch sides of the court when, by state association adoption, teams remain on the same bench throughout the match. The corresponding item on the state association adoption chart was also amended to add the requirement, which was added to promote fair officiating.

“Since the pandemic many state associations have adopted the rule to require teams to remain on the same bench throughout the match,” said Lindsey Atkinson, NFHS Director of Sports and liaison to the Volleyball Rules Committee. “The unintended consequence of this adoption is that the same line judge officiates the same lines for the same teams throughout the match. This change allows teams to see both line judges and promote equity in officiating.

In other rules changes, Rule 11-4-1b now allows teams to substitute for a replacement player during a referee’s time-out when the libero is injured or ill, allowing the team to avoid playing the replacement out of position.

Two rules dealing with uniforms and rosters were amended to address when a uniform is damaged or has blood on it. Rule 4-2-3 Note was added to allow a player to change uniforms and for the roster to be adjusted accordingly with no penalty when a uniform is bloodied or damaged. Rule 7-1-1 Note was also changed to specify that blood on or damage to the uniform are acceptable reasons to change uniforms.

The first referee’s responsibilities were modified in Rule 5-4-3c(1) to direct players to the end lines prior to the first set and then direct starting players onto the court for play. Previously, only starting players were directed to the end lines for prematch announcements. The rule now allows but does not require teams to include more team members in the prematch ceremony.

Language in the 2024 NFHS Football Rules Book will be changed in an effort to ensure consistent interpretation of the rule regarding requirements for home team uniforms in high school football. Next season, all home team jerseys must be the same dark color(s) that clearly contrasts with white. 

This uniform change in Rule 1-5-1b(3) was recommended by the NFHS Football Rules Committee at its January 14-16 meeting in Indianapolis and subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors. The Football Rules Committee is composed of one member from each NFHS member state association that uses NFHS playing rules, along with representatives from the NFHS Coaches Association and NFHS Officials Association.

Previously, the rule regarding home team jerseys stated that the jerseys of the home team “shall be a dark color that clearly contrasts to white.” The revised rule will state that the jerseys of the home team “shall all be the same dark color(s) that clearly contrasts to white.” 

“We kind of had a loophole in the rule that we didn’t specify that everyone on the home team had to wear the same color dark jersey,” said Richard McWhirter, chair of the NFHS Football Rules Committee and assistant executive director of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association. “Even though you didn’t see a major issue with it, it was a loophole in the rule that could possibly be a major issue in the future if it wasn’t corrected.”

McWhirter noted that while this was the only rules proposal that was approved by the committee, there was considerable discussion related to the other eight proposals that advanced to the full committee. He said there was considerable discussion dealing with sportsmanship, particularly unsporting acts in dead-ball situations.

“There was solid agreement by the committee that the rules of the game are in good shape,” McWhirter said. “There was great discussion regarding the need for consistent enforcement of the existing rules specifically in regard to equipment and sportsmanship. Several proposals garnered substantial interest and discussion and may merit further consideration in future committee meetings.”

Three Points of Emphasis were identified by the committee for the 2024 season, including Player Equipment and Enforcement, Sportsmanship and Protocols, and Formation Requirements.

 A complete listing of the football rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Football.”

22 wins.

The program’s second ever sectional title.

And first regional title.

But the hope of extending the Caston Lady Comets historic run came to a close in the semi-state semifinal at Frankfort’s Case Arena. Seventh-ranked Marquette Catholic took a three point lead into the fourth quarter and then held Caston to just four points over the final eight minutes to end the Comets season, 41-34.

Head coach Josh Douglass said his team fought until the end but couldn’t overcome Laniah Davis. The sophomore guard scored 26 to pace Marquette Catholic.

Isabel Scales was Caston’s only double digit scorer with 13.  Annie Harsh scored nine points on three shots from beyond the arc.

Caston struggled from the field shooting 14-of-46 (30%). Free throw shooting also hampered the Comets scoring efforts finishing 4-of-12.

Douglass says there’s pain with the end.  But it’s a special memory that will bring more smiles than tears.

Marquette Catholic (24-4) went on to defeat second-ranked Clinton Central in dramatic fashion in the semi-state championship, 72-70. Freshman Marissa Pleasant sank a three-pointer with 1.1 second remaining to seal the win.

The Blazers will play top-ranked and defending state champion Lanesville in the 1A state championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Rochester sophomore Brant Beck came up one win short of reaching the state championship wrestling match Saturday at the Ford Center in Evansville.

Beck, competing at 165 pounds, scored decision wins over Cowan’s Levi Abbott, 5-1, and Bloomington South’s Evan Roudebush, 4-3, to reach the semifinal round.

Warren Central sophomore Waylon Cressell knocked Beck out of state title contention with a 13-5 victory. Cressell went on to win the state title. 

Beck returned to the mat and defeated Crown Point’s Anthony Rinehart in the third-place match. Beck finished the season with a 46-2 record.

Rochester senior Brady Beck closed out his career with a fifth-place finish at the state finals. He scored a 7-3 win Friday night over Leo’s Isaiah Coolman in the opening round matches at 285 pounds.

On Saturday, Beck was defeated by Center Grove’s Nate Johnson, who went on to capture the state title. Beck rebounded to get wins over Heritage Hills’ Hayden Smith and Bluffton’s Juan Cruz to secure fifth place in the bracket.

Beck went 46-2 this season.

Three more Rochester wrestlers lost opening round matches Friday in Evansville. Freshman Grant Holloway was defeated by Delta’s Jensen Boyd at 106 pounds. Sophomore Layne Horn lost to Jay County’s Cody Rowles at 126. And senior Alex Deming’s career ended with a loss to Cathedral’s Jackson Weingart.

The Indiana High School Athletic Association announced the sectional pairings Sunday for the 114^th Annual Boys Basketball State Tournament.

Sectional games will be played Feb. 27-28 and March 1-2.

Regional championship games follow on March 9. Teams will be assigned to one of eight regional sites following the conclusion of the sectional round.

Northern regional host sites this season are Michigan City, Logansport, South Bend Washington, New Castle, North Judson-San Pierre, Lapel, Triton and Frankfort.

The semistate semifinal and championship games are March 16.

The state championship games will be played a week later this year due to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, site of the IHSAA championship games, hosting the NCAA Men’s Basketball First and Second Round tournament games.

The 2024 IHSAA state champions will be crowned on March 30.

Lewis Cass Sectional

Rochester (8-11) drew the only team in the Class 2A, Sectional 36 field with a winning record in the tournament opener. The Zebras face Wabash (16-5) on Feb. 27. The winner advances to take on Pioneer (8-12) in the semifinal round on March 1.

In the other half of the six-team bracket, North Miami (3-18) gets Winamac (10-11) in the other quarterfinal matchup. The winner gets the host, Lewis Cass (8-11), in the semifinal round.

The sectional championship game is March 2.

Tippecanoe Valley Sectional

The host Tippecanoe Valley will wait until March 1 for its first sectional game.

On Feb. 27 in the Class 3A, Sectional 18 opener, Culver Academy (7-12) takes on John Glenn (10-11), with the winner returning March 1 to face Bremen (8-12) in the semifinal round.

In the other semifinal, Tippecanoe Valley (14-7), the only team in the sectional with a winning record, will battle Knox (6-13) for a spot in the March 2 championship game.

Triton Sectional

Class A, Sectional 50 features seven teams competing at No. 8-ranked Triton.

In the sectional opener on Feb. 27, Trinity Greenlawn (6-13) faces Marquette Catholic (8-13). The winner advances to meet Oregon-Davis (4-16) in the semifinal round on March 1.

On Feb. 28, quarterfinal games are Triton (14-5) taking on Culver (8-11) and Argos (10-10) battling Westville (10-12). The winners return March 1 for a semifinal contest.

The championship game is March 2.

Caston Sectional

The host Comets drew a bye in Class A, Sectional 51. Caston (9-11) will take on either West Central (3-16) or North White (5-16) in a semifinal round contest on March 1.

In the other quarterfinal, South Newton (3-17) opens against Tri-County (10-11). The winner meets Frontier (6-14) in the semifinals on March 1.

The sectional championship game is March 2.

The NBA, in partnership with Pacers Sports & Entertainment, has commissioned a statue to honor Indianapolis Crispus Attucks legend and Naismith Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced at The Tip-Off at Bicentennial Unity Plaza.

The Commissioner welcomed Robertson to the stage and shared the news before thousands of fans celebrating the official beginning of NBA All-Star 2024.
From design to completion, the statue will take approximately one year until it is unveiled to the public. Once finished, it will be permanently placed at Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis and will be unveiled during a ceremony in 2025.
“Oscar Robertson’s legendary basketball journey began in Indianapolis where he led Crispus Attucks High School to the first state championship in the country won by an all-Black team,” said Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner.  “We are thrilled to join the Pacers in commissioning a statue in recognition of Oscar’s extraordinary impact on the game and his hometown.”
Indianapolis artist Ryan Feeney has been commissioned to create the statue, which depicts Robertson in his NBA All-Star jersey atop a basketball-shaped base made by scanning the actual 1955 Crispus Attucks State Championship Trophy. The metal for the bronze piece was sourced from Casting Art & Technology in Cincinnati, where Robertson was a three-time NCAA All-American at the University of Cincinnati and where he began his professional career with the Cincinnati Royals.
Robertson, widely considered one of the NBA’s all-time great players, is the first Indiana high school basketball player to be named an NBA All-Star. He was selected to the All-Star team 12 straight times during his 14-year career, earning All-NBA honors 11 times and winning the League MVP for the 1963-64 season. Robertson has also been credited with revolutionizing the point guard position, holding the record for most triple-doubles in League history until 2021 and being the first-ever NBA player to average a triple-double for an entire season.
For many Hoosiers, Robertson’s most significant legacy is the important impact he and his Crispus Attucks teammates had on Indiana high school basketball history. In 1955, the Tigers became the first all-Black team in the country to win a state championship, following it up with a second-consecutive IHSAA state championship in 1956. Robertson was named Indiana Mr. Basketball and the ’56 team was the first in state history to finish undefeated, posting a 31-0 record with a 22-point championship game victory over Lafayette Jefferson High School.
“It is important to immortalize the impacts Oscar has had on the court and well beyond the game of basketball, and this wonderful tribute will ensure generations to come can celebrate his remarkable legacy,” said Rick Fuson, PS&E’s Chief Executive Officer. 
The Robertson statue adds to an impressive list of commissioned pieces Feeney has created for landmarks throughout Indianapolis and beyond, including the impressive 9-foot sculpture of Indianapolis Colts Hall of Famer Peyton Manning that sits outside Lucas Oil Stadium. His other works include the bronze eagle atop the Indianapolis 9/11 memorial, the metal piano for the Hoagie Carmichael statue on Indiana University’s Bloomington campus, and the bronze cast of a sheriff deputy located outside the front doors of the Sheriff’s Department.
“It is an honor to have been chosen to sculpt a lasting tribute of the greatest basketball player ever to come from Indianapolis, Oscar Robertson,” said Feeney. “My hope is to make Mr. Robertson and the city of Indianapolis proud.”

The Pairings Show, hosted by Bob Lovell and Greg Rakestraw, will stream exclusively at IHSAAtv.org and air on affiliates of the IHSAA Champions Network which includes the GIANT fm radio station in Rochester (92.1 FM or the GIANT fm app).

Rochester will be part of the six-team Class 2A sectional at Lewis Cass. In the field are Wabash (15-5), Pioneer (7-11), Lewis Cass (8-11), Rochester (8-10), Winamac (9-11) and North Miami (2-17).

Wabash is 3-0 against teams in Sectional 36.

The Zebras’ last sectional title came in 2021.

In Class 3A, Sectional 18, Tippecanoe Valley is the host school for the five-team sectional that includes the host Vikings (13-6), John Glenn (10-10), Culver Academy (7-11), Bremen (7-12) and Knox (6-11).

The Vikings are 3-0 against potential sectional foes. They last cut down the sectional championship nets in 2019.

In the Class A Caston Sectional (52), the Comets (9-10) will battle Tri-County (10-9), Frontier (6-13), West Central (3-15), North White (4-15) and South Newton (3-16).

Half of Tri-County’s wins this season are against teams in Sectional 52. Frontier is 4-1 against sectional teams.

The Comets are seeking their first sectional title since 2021.

Argos will travel to Class A, Sectional 50, hosted by Triton. The seven-team field features No. 8 Triton (14-4), Marquette Catholic (7-13), Argos (9-9), Culver (7-10), Oregon-Davis (4-15), Westville (10-11) and Trinity Greenlawn (6-12).

Triton is 4-0 against potential sectional opponents.

Argos’ last sectional championship came in 2020.

The Caston Lady Comets had to wait until mid-afternoon Sunday for the IHSAA draw to find out where, who and when they would play at this Saturday’s girls basketball semistate.

On Saturday, Caston didn’t allow for much mystery or drama in defeating Bethany Christian, 44-29.

Caston’s defense dominated the defending 1A state runners-up. Senior leading scorer Zoe Willems reached her season average of 20 points but she got little offensive help.  Fellow senior Mariah Stoltzfus scored six and Morgan Chupp made a late-game three pointer to round out the Bruins scoring.

Caston held Bethany Christian to 9-of-38 shooting from the field (23%) and outrebounded the Bruins by 10, 29-19. 

Up by ten at halftime, Caston increased the lead to 18 at the end of the third quarter, 37-19.

Caston head coach Josh Douglass said after holding down the Bruins offense the fourth quarter became a game of keep-away.

Douglass won a regional at Riverton Parke in 2012. He said winning the regional at Caston is extra special.

Addison Zimpleman led the seventh-ranked Comets (22-3) with 14 points. Madisyn Douglass scored 11 and Isabel Scales added 10.

On Sunday, Caston was slotted into the 1A brackets at Frankfort’s Case Arena for Saturday’s semistate. The Comets will play in the second semifinal and will face fifth-ranked Marquette Catholic (22-4).

The first semifinal at Frankfort will feature second-ranked Clinton Central (24-1) and Union City (14-12).

The Caston Lady Comets have had a week to get back to work after capturing the program’s second ever sectional title last Saturday at South Newton High School.

Now, the defending 1A girls basketball runner-up is coming to town to play the Comets for a berth in the semistate.
Seventh-ranked Caston (21-3) will host Saturday’s 1A regional against #15 Bethany Christian (18-6). Last year, the Bruins made their first state championship game appearance and lost to top-ranked Lanesville, 60-41. The 24-4 season by Bethany Christan provided the program with its first sectional title since 2016 and first ever regional title.

The Bruins defeated Tri-County at the Caston regional, 38-30.  Caston just edged Tri-County by a point last Saturday to win the program’s only other sectional title since 1985.

Caston was scheduled to play Bethany Christian near the end of the regular season but it was canceled by weather. Comets head coach Josh Douglass isn’t disappointed that game failed to happen.

Bethany Christian returns its top scorer from last season, 5’7” senior Zoe Willems.  Willems has upped her scoring average from just over 17 points per game last season. Now, Willems averages 20.6 ppg to go with 9.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists.

Senior Mariah Stoltzfus is the only other double-digit scorer at 11.5 ppg.

Bethany Christian won the Caston Regional last season but it was a neutral court game. This time, it’s expected to be anything but.

Comets head coach Josh Douglass.

Caston senior Addison Zimpleman.

Caston senior Isabel Scales looks forward to being on the home floor but does realize some pressures.

Even though this is a first for this class of Caston basketball players, several comparisons have been drawn to the softball run to the state championship last season. Coach Douglass says this offers some different daily challenges.

GIANT fm Sports WROI coverage of Saturday’s regional begins at 6:30 p.m. The game is scheduled to tip at 7 p.m.

At 4 p.m., the Caston gym will host a 3A regional between #7 Benton Central (25-3) and #2 Norwell (20-4). It’s the first meeting between the programs since a Norwell regional victory over Benton Central in 2021.

A 70^th anniversary celebration of Milan High School’s legendary 1954 Indiana Basketball State Championship will be held on Saturday, March 23 in the town of Milan.

Festivities will take place in the Milan High School gymnasium beginning at 11 a.m. and admission is free and open to the public.

The celebration will include remarks from dignitaries and feature a panel discussion with the Milan players. Greg Rakestraw, of the ISC Sports Network in Indianapolis and the 2023 “Indiana Sportscaster of the Year”, will moderate the discussion.

Following the formal ceremony, the Milan players and actors from the movie Hoosiers will sign autographs and food trucks will be on hand. Merchandise from the Milan ’54 Hoosiers Museum will be available for purchase and the museum, located at 201 West Carr Street, will be open to the public prior to ceremony from 8 - 10 a.m. and then following the ceremony from 2 - 4 p.m.
 

*Note, those planning to attend must RSVP via the following link:
https://forms.gle/WQGtzm2jMnfWCB9D7

 
On March 20,1954, the Milan Indians became the smallest school in Indiana history to capture the state championship. With time running out, Milan guard Bobby Plump hit the game-winning shot to defeat powerhouse Muncie Central by a score of 32-30. The following day, 40,000 people descended on Milan (population: 1,150) as the team returned home from Indianapolis, lining State Road 101 for thirteen miles to congratulate the Indians.

In 2016, the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association and Indiana Sports History Properties LLC – unveiled the 25 greatest stories in Indiana sports history. The “Milan Miracle” ranked number one on the list. In 1986, Milan’s state championship run was portrayed in the movie Hoosiers which is regarded as one of the best sports films ever made.
“As someone who was born and raised in Milan, Indiana, I find it hard to believe that we will be celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Milan Indians’ iconic victory in the 1954 Indiana State High School basketball championship game. We hope to have a tremendous crowd on hand to honor the team on March 23 in the Milan High School gymnasium. Featuring remarks from several dignitaries and interviews with players and actors from the movie Hoosiers, this day will also be a historic one for the town of Milan.  We welcome all who have a love for the "Milan Miracle", the movie Hoosiers, and Indiana basketball and look forward to seeing you on March 23!” said Tom Kohlmeier, Board Chairman of the Milan ’54 Hoosiers Museum.
 
 
“Indiana and basketball go hand-in-hand, and the sport is forever ingrained in our rich, historic proud past. The Milan Miracle of 1954 was key in solidifying Indiana’s reputation as the state that grew the game. From Bobby Plump to Bobby Knight, Oscar Robertson to George McGinnis and Larry Bird to Reggie Miller, Indiana’s history is full of Hoosier legends. While many theories exist on what is a Hoosier, to me the word Hoosier will always be tied a deep love and respect for the game,” said Eric Holcomb, Governor of the State of Indiana.
 “Growing up, I can recall that each year, prior to the state tournament, our local newspaper would pull out the story of the mighty Milan Indians vanquishing the Muncie Central Bearcats. No doubt our paper was not unique in this regard. Most other small or medium-sized towns were doing the same to inspire the local team that they, too, could pull off a miraculous tournament run. Of course, that game would become the core story representing the special relationship between the people of Indiana and basketball. As Milan’s mythic journey has inspired countless players and coaches in the past 70 years, it too inspired me 40 years ago to write the movie Hoosiers. I look forward to celebrating the 70th anniversary of the greatest game in Indiana high school history with the very special members of that team,” said Angelo Pizzo, Screenwriter for the movie Hoosiers.
"It's hard to believe that it's been 70 years since we achieved our goal of winning the Indiana State High School Basketball Championship. My teammates and I are thrilled to reunite in Milan on March 23rd to relive so many great memories and celebrate with our family members, friends, dignitaries, and others who appreciate our story and the rich history of Indiana basketball. It's most meaningful that the celebration will occur in Milan-it's where our journey began and remains a place that we hold dear to our hearts."  Bobby Plump, Guard on the 1954 Milan Indians team
For more information on the Milan ’54 Hoosiers Museum, please visit the website at https://milan54.org/

Last week, more than 390 girls’ basketball programs around the state began postseason play in hopes of something as simple as a single victory, or as complicated as a state title. By the time the dust settled late Saturday night, just 64 teams remained as sectional champions.

Meanwhile, in between the boys were entertaining as well, and below we will celebrate a 50-point outing, a 45-point outing, plus several records being set. All in all, seven hoopers have been selected as the Week-14 IBCA/Franciscan Health Players of the Week.

Maconaquah Junior Josiah Ball, Marquette Catholic Sophomore Laniah Davis, Wapahani Senior Isaac Andrews, Kokomo Senior Flory Bidunga, Eastbrook Senior Sophia Morrison, Providence Senior Noah Lovan, and Bedford North Lawrence Senior Madisyn Bailey have been selected For Jan. 29-Feb. 3 in the recognition program coordinated by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association. Ball, a boys’ winner, and Davis, a girls’ winner, represent District-1. Andrews and Bidunga share boys’ honors, while Morrison picks up girls’ honors, in District-2. Lovan is the boys’ recipient, and Bailey is the girls’ recipient in District-3.

Maconaquah Junior Josiah Ball has put together an outstanding season, and it continued last week in a 98-78 victory over Western. The 6-5 forward erupted for 50 points on 19-35 shooting, which included a 4-8 performance from deep and an 8-10 outing from the free throw line. In addition to his explosive scoring effort, the Junior forward also managed to pull down 9 rebounds, he handed out a pair of assists, and he collected a pair of steals at the defensive end of the floor.

Sophomore Laniah Davis has been an explosive scorer for two seasons now, and last week she scored her 900^th point in just the 48^th game of her career. Additionally, the 5-8 guard helped Marquette Catholic to a Sectional 50 crown. Tuesday, Marquette took care of host Culver Community by an easy margin, Friday it was Oregon-Davis, 66-44, and while Saturday was a bit tougher, they knocked off Triton, 52-39. For the week, the youngster averaged 23.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 5.7 steals per game, with a double-double against Oregon-Davis and 30 points versus Triton.

Wapahani Senior sharpshooter Isaac Andrews has been strong all four years of his career, and last week he set the school’s single-game scoring record with a 45-point effort in their hard-fought, 81-73 triple overtime win against Cowan Thursday night. The 6-1 guard added 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals, plus a blocked shot to his effort. Saturday, in an easy victory over Union (Modoc), Andrews managed another 30 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals in limited time.

 In his only game last week, Kokomo Senior Flory Bidunga reached the 1400-point plateau, plus he collected his 1000^th rebound, joining the rare 1000-point/1000-rebound club. Even more impressive, the 6-10 University of Kansas commit has done it in just three seasons. The Wildkats won their eighth game in a row by defeating Cathedral, 91-74. Bidunga finished 9-10 from the field, he scored 23 points, pulled down 17 rebounds, handed out 5 assists, and blocked 5 shots in the triumph.

Senior Sophia Morrison helped Eastbrook to their second consecutive Sectional 39 title, but it wasn’t all easy for the Panthers. Tuesday, they knocked off the host Elwood Panthers with ease. Friday, in the Sectional Semi-Final, it was more of the same against Madison-Grant. But in Saturday’s title game, it took Eastbrook four overtimes…yes, four…to avenge a loss to Blackford from the week prior, 62-58. All in all, Morrison, a Grace College commit, was outstanding, averaging 25.7 points, 2.3 assists, and 5.0 steals per game. She poured in 32 points versus Blackford, plus she surpassed the 1400-point mark.

Providence Senior Noah Lovan was critical for the Pioneers in a pair of games last week, but none more so than a 30-point performance in a 67-34 win over now 12-5 South Central (Elizabeth) on Thursday night. Lovan buried 14-19 shots, including knocking down two of his three 3-point attempts. He followed that Saturday with a 28-point outing in a 75-40 success against Henryville. The 6-3 guard was highly effective at the charity stripe this time, making 11-12 shots from 15-feet. He added 9 rebounds and 6 assists in the win, helping move the Pioneers to 14-3 on the year.

The Bailey name is synonymous with Bedford North Lawrence basketball, and last week Senior Madisyn Bailey helped the Lady Stars to a huge upset and a Sectional 15 crown. The Stars began their week Wednesday night with a 58-24 win against New Albany. It continued Friday, as they took care of a very good Silver Creek program, 60-41. But Saturday was the big one, as Bedford avenged a 17-point loss from earlier this season, this time using key defensive stops to knock off IBCA #6 Jennings County, 43-39. The 5-9 Bailey was a huge catalyst each game defensively, often defending the other team’s best player, limiting them to single digits. Additionally, the Marian University commit averaged 18.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 3.7 steals per game,plus she was 19-29 from the field and an impressive 8-11 from downtown.

This is the 16^th season for the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Week program, andthe fourth 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.

Rochester advanced in opening round girls basketball sectional action and set up another meeting with rival Tippecanoe Valley.

Bremen’s win over John Glenn Tuesday avenged a November 21 regular season 13-point loss.

At South Newton, #7 (1A) Caston defeated West Central, 62-37.  Addison Zimpleman scored 24 points to go with five rebounds and five assists.  Isabel Scales added 12 points and eight steals. Caston also had Madi Douglas iin double figures with 12.

In Tuesday’s other quarterfinal, Tri-County dominated Frontier, 62-13.

In 2A at North Miami, Winamac head coach Tony Stesiak earned his 275 coaching win and a berth in the semifinal by getting by Wabash, 52-46.  Maggie Smith led Winamac with 15 while teammates Kandace Kroft and Marisa Iverson each scored 11.

Wabash was led by 10 points each from Bryleigh Boggs and Kierra Wilson.

At Culver, the home team saw its season end at the hands of the fifth ranked team in 1A.  Marquette Catholic advanced by defeating Culver, 59-19.

Rochester placed ten wrestlers into the finals of 14 weight classes at the Plymouth sectional and claimed six individual titles as the Zebras captured the team title Saturday.

Rochester's 256.5 points was good enough for the program's fourth consecutive team title.

Plymouth was second with 238.5 followed by third place Warsaw with 205.

Rounding out the field:

Winamac, 166.5

Triton, 104

Bremen, 81

Culver Acad., 75

North Judson, 66

Caston, 58

Culver Community, 6

Rochester individual championships included

126: Layne Horn (38-0)

165: Brant Beck (37-0)

175: DeClan Gard (32-3)

190: Colin Weiand (32-6)

215: Alex Deming (38-0)

285: Brady Beck (37-0)

Also qualifying for the Penn Regional from Rochester:

106: Grant Holloway (15-3) - lost in championship

157: Ethan Amezquita (22-14) - lost in championship

150: Wyatt Davis (27-4) - lost in championship

144: Kale Shotts (21-10) - won 3rd place

132: Devin Basham (28-11) - lost in championship

For Caston, freshman Jackson Robbins (106) and senior Pete Duvall (190) both placed third and advanced to the regional. Robbins is 27-6 on the season with Duvall 22-7.

For the seventh consecutive year, Jordan Brand will outfit the league’s stars for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis, which will be available for purchase beginning tonight on NBAStore.com, Nike.com, and through select retailers around the country, following the NBA All-Star Starters  announcement on TNT at 7pm ET.

The Jordan Brand NBA All-Star 2024 uniforms, which feature Nike Dri-FIT ADV technology, will make  their on-court debut at the 73rd NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. ET in Indianapolis  airing on TNT in the United States and reaching fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more  than 50 languages.

In the return of the East vs. West format, the uniforms celebrate the league and rich basketball history of  Indiana. The 2024 NBA All-Stars will also be outfitted in Jordan Brand old-school, Hoosier-inspired  warm-ups.

Designed from the idea that basketball was raised in Indiana, the uniforms are rooted in a nostalgic,  heritage look that feature a tonal twist on the classic red and blue uniforms with cream lettering. The  pinstripes are inspired by the iconic Pacers uniforms in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Design details include the following: 

• The 2024 NBA All-Star logo is featured prominently on the front of the jersey under “All-Star,”  which weaves in racing stripes to pay homage to the host city. 
• The five stars on each side of the jersey represent the five players on each team playing on the  court at any given time.
• The logo is also featured on the side of the short with a large circle around it, honoring downtown  Indy’s Monument Circle which surrounds the proud Soldiers and Sailors Monument at the center  of the “Circle City.” 
• The six stars rotating the NBA All-Star logo on each side of the short represents the 12 All-Stars  on each roster. 
• “73rd Annual” is highlighted on the jersey as the anthem graphic above the black jock tag. 
• The “ASG” ligature mark on the belt buckle is inspired by the graphical origins of basketball.