The 2023 Raymond James Hall of Fame Classic will feature a star-studded field in New Castle.

The prestigious event will celebrate its 40th year of girls basketball games on Dec. 29 and the 49th annual boys tournament will follow on Dec. 30 at the New Castle Fieldhouse.

Selecting from the best teams in the state, the girls tournament has included 20 teams that went on to win a state championship that season.

The 2023 girls field features Columbia City taking on Indian Creek and Lake Central battling Jennings County in semifinal contests.

Columbia City finished 20-3 and has its entire team returning in 2023-2024. The Lady Eagles were led by Addison Baxter (19.8 ppg) and Kyndra Sheets (15.2 ppg).

Coming off a 27-2 season, Indian Creek return a talented roster for the 2023-2024 season.

A pair of juniors led the way for Indian Creek. Lauren Foster averaged 18.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Faith Wiseman, a six-foot, four-inch center committed to Indiana University, averaged 16.1 points and 9.4 rebounds per game last season.

Lake Central has no seniors graduating from a 23-6 regional championship team. No player averaged over 10 ppg last season but five players averaged at least 7 ppg. Expected to return are Aniyah Bishop (9.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg), Riley Malausnic (9.4 ppg) and Ayla Krygier (8.4 ppg).

Jennings County will look to improve on a 16-6 season with a roster that includes its top junior scorer and a major contributing freshman.

Leading the Panthers this past season were junior Julian Woodard (22.8 ppg, 12.5 rpg) and freshman Mollie Ernstes (12 ppg).

The boys tournament has featured 19 teams that have gone on to win a state championship, including the 2023 Class 3A and Class 4A state champs.

In the 2023 semifinal games, Kokomo, this year’s 4A state runner-up, will meet Crispus Attucks in the first semifinal. The second pairing has Brownstown Central facing Brownsburg.

Kokomo will graduate four seniors from a team that finished 24-5 but will return 6-10 junior Flory Bidunga, ranked as the No. 3 player in the country. Bidunga averaged 20.2 ppg and 13.8 rpg for the Wildkats.

Crispus Attucks returns a majority of its roster from an 18-8 campaign.

Ron Rutland III led Attucks averaging 18 ppg. Also returning will be Dezmon Briscoe (15.6 ppg) and Deandre Lott-Hancock (8.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg).

This will be Crispus Attucks first appearance in the Hall of Fame Classic.

Brownstown Central returns all but three players from a 24-5 squad that won a regional title. The Braves feature 6-5 Purdue commit Jack Benter (30 ppg, 7 rpg).

Brownsburg finished 22-5 and lost in the semistate to eventual state champion Ben Davis this past season. The Bulldogs return eight juniors, three sophomores and a freshman including Purdue commit Kanon Catchings (17.5 ppg, 5 rpg).

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The All-TRC boys basketball team has been released.

Rochester's Paul Leasure was named an all-conference selection.  Leasure led the Zebras in scoring at 11.8 ppg.  He was third in rebounding at 3.2  / game and topped the team with 3.6 assists per game.

Leasure finished with over 1000 career points.

Wabash

Izaak Wright

Trevor Daughtry

Northfield

Eli Kroh

Peru

Matthew Roettger

Alex Ross

Maconaquah

Bauer Maple

Josiah Ball

Whitko

Kyler Krull

Southwood

Cole Winer

Nathan Lehner

Tippecanoe Valley

Tayde Kiser

Nolan Cumberland

Manchester

Ethan Hendrix

Gavin Betten

Honorable Mention

Wabash-Kolton Wilson.            

Northfield-Dillon Tomlinson.      

Peru-Gavin Eldridge

Maconaquah-AJ Kelly.            

Southwood-Jason Oprisek.      

Rochester-Luke Hunting

Tippecanoe Valley-Kyler Johnson.        

North Miami-Landen Hunt

Manchester--Tyler McLain

The votes are in, and Indiana’s basketball fans have spoken! The 24 finalists for the Hoosier Historia arts project, an artistic celebration of Indiana high school basketball as part of NBA All-Star 2024 in Indianapolis, have been selected, the NBA All-Star 2024 Host Committee announced Friday.

The project, initially announced last October, is a partnership with the Indy Arts Council and the Marion County Capital Improvement Board, to celebrate and promote Indiana artists, engage Hoosiers across all counties in the All-Star 2024 effort, and celebrate Indiana’s love affair with Hoosier Hysteria and high school basketball. Over the last 30 days, fans were asked to select their favorite high school basketball stories from a pool of 50, a list determined by a committee of sports journalists, members of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, former coaches and players, former administrators, and other experts.

The top 24 vote-getters will be turned into world-class art in the form of large basketball sculptures upon which Indiana artists will paint their interpretations of these stories. The sculptures themselves will be on display in downtown Indianapolis throughout NBA All-Star 2024 and then permanently displayed at the Indiana Convention Center.

“There is an important intersection between arts and culture and NBA All-Star, and our intent was to create art that is as recognizably Hoosier as NBA All-Star 2024 here in Indianapolis will be,” said Mel Raines, President of the NBA All-Star 2024 Host Committee and President and Chief Operating Officer for Pacers Sports & Entertainment. “We wanted to capture the passion fans feel about the game, their community and school pride, and our unmatched basketball history and tradition, and the 24 stories that fans selected are going to make for some incredible, diverse artwork.”

The committee was tasked with sorting through hundreds of unforgettable moments, legendary players and coaches, and iconic venues to give fans an inclusive, comprehensive list from which to choose. 

The final 24 Hoosier Historia stories are:

(In alphabetical order)

• 1971 East Chicago Washington: “Once in a Generation!”
• 1985-1987 Marion Giants Dynasty
• Ben Davis Girls Basketball Tallies Longest Winning Streak in History
• Crispus Attucks and a Culture Shift in Indiana Basketball
• Evansville’s Lincoln High School Becomes A National Power in the Face of Segregation
• Historic Hinkle Fieldhouse: Built for the High School State Tournament
• Iconic Indiana Gyms
• Indiana’s Class Basketball Debate
• Indiana’s Family Dynasties
• Indiana’s Title IX Legacy
• Muncie Central’s Unmatched Record of Success
• New Castle and Seymour Race to Be the Nation’s Largest Gym
• One of the Very Best Ever: George McGinnis, Steve Downing, and the 1969 Indianapolis Washington Champions
• Rick Mount Makes the SI Cover
• The First Indiana Mr. Basketball is Named
• The Franklin Wonder Five
• The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in New Castle
• The Indiana State High School Basketball Tournament
• The Milan Miracle
• The Wizard of Westwood was First the Magician of Martinsville
• Unique High School Mascots
• Warsaw’s Judi Warren Wins the First Ms. Basketball in 1976
• “We Grow Basketball Here”: Indiana’s Pipeline to the Pros

An open call inviting artists throughout Indiana to apply to participate will be released March 29 by the Indy Arts Council. Interested artists should follow @artscouncilindy for updates.

For more information on Hoosier Historia or NBA All-Star 2024, visit pacers.com/HoosierHistoria.

North Miami and Caston are ranked in the 1A Softball Coaches Association of Indiana’s preseason poll.

Tecumseh is the top-ranked team with Rossville preseason number two in the 1A poll followed by North Miami and Caston in the top four. 

Rossville defeated North Miami (19-10 last season) in the semistate semifinal last season, 3-2. Rossville then dropped a 4-3 decision in the Class A north semistate championship game against No. 5 South Central.

Caston (19-5 last season) lost to North Miami in the sectional championship, 5-3.  Caston  won the Hoosier North with a perfect 7-0 record.

Rounding out the 1A top 10 are Clay City, Rising Sun, Barr-Reeve, West Central and Riverton Parke.

Whitko was voted #8 in the preseason 2A poll.  At number one is Eastside followed by North Posey, North Newton, South Vermillion, Madison-Grant, Eastern Hancock, and Hauser.  Eastern (Greentown) and Boone Grove are ranked ninth and tenth, respectively.

Whitko was 10-14 last season but advanced to the 2A semistate semifinal before losing to North Newton in five innings, 12-2.

Tri-West Hendricks is No. 1 in the 3A poll followed by Leo, Corydon Central, Yorktown, Kankakee Valley, Pike Central, Franklin County, New Prairie, Gibson Southern and Hanover Central.

Roncalli, the two-time defending state champion, is ranked No. 1 in Class 4A ahead of Center Grove, Bedford North Lawrence, Mooresville, Lake Central, Penn, New Palestine, Pendleton Heights, Columbus North and Harrison (West Lafayette).

Friday morning, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in conjunction with the Milan ’54 Museum, unveiled the first bobble of the historic Milan Water Tower in Milan, Indiana.

The bobble, which also features a replica of the 1954 State Championship Trophy, honors the high school’s historic 1954 State Basketball Championship.

The limited-edition bobble is being released to celebrate the anniversary of the title, which was on March 20, 1954, as well as the 113th Indiana High School Athletic Association Boys State Basketball Tournament. One of the oldest state high school basketball tournaments in the U.S., the tournament will hold its State Finals in four classes on Saturday, March 25th at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each bobble benefit the Milan ’54 Museum in Milan, Indiana.

The bobble features a replica of the Milan Water Tower along with a replica of the 1954 state championship basketball trophy positioned on a circular base. Painted black with white lettering, the water tower reads “STATE CHAMPS 1954,” and the top part of the water tower bobbles.

The bobbles are only available through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store and the Milan ’54 Museum. The bobbles, which just arrived and ship now, are $30 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order. The bobbles are also available for purchase in person at the Milan ’54 Museum, which is located at 201 W. Carr St. in Milan. They are open Wednesday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

In 2019, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled a limited-edition series of bobbleheads commemorating the 1954 Milan state championship team that inspired the movie “Hoosiers.” Celebrating the 65th anniversary of the improbable state title, the series features all 12 of the team’s players holding a replica championship trophy and commemorative basketball. A limited number of bobbleheads featuring the players are still available through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum and Milan ’54 Museum for $25 each or $250 for a complete set.

Constructed in 1924 and located just outside of Milan’s downtown district, the most famous water tower in Indiana has proclaimed Milan’s improbable high school boys basketball state championship since the mid-1950s. Built next to the Milan Furniture Company, in case the business ever caught fire, the water tower was painted black with white lettering reading “STATE CHAMPS 1954” to honor the state championship won by the Milan Indians, otherwise known as the Milan Miracle of 1954. In 2018, the water tower, which was acquired by the town seven years earlier, received a much-needed facelift thanks to a $30,000 grant. Restoration efforts were launched by the town and the Milan ’54 Hoosiers Museum. Prior to the most recent rejuvenation, the water tower was last painted in 1969. In addition to the new paint job, the tower is now lighted nightly.

Milan High School, with an enrollment of only 161, defeated powerhouse Muncie Central High School, which had an enrollment of 1,662, by a score of 32-30 in the state championship game at Butler University’s Butler Fieldhouse (now Hinkle Fieldhouse). With the game tied at 30, the team’s leader, Bobby Plump, hit a 14-footer from the right side as time expired to win the championship and deny the Bearcats a fifth state title. Forty thousand people descended on Milan, which had a popular of only 1,150, the following day as the team returned home from Indianapolis, lining State Road 101 for 13 miles to congratulate the Indians. Milan is the smallest school to win a single-class state basketball title in Indiana and finished the season with a 19-2 regular season record and 28–2 overall record.

The Milan 54 Hoosiers Museum said, "The player bobbleheads have been a great success and a fun item for our players and supporters, so we are excited to add the iconic Water Tower Bobblehead to our collection. The tower was painted immediately following the 1954 win, and for many, it has stood as a beacon for nearly 70 years. To those of us who have grown up in Milan, the Water Tower has been a symbol of HOME. No matter where we go, as we return to Milan and see the Water Tower welcoming us to town, we know we are home. We are proud to be able to share it with all in such a fun way."

"The incredible story of Milan’s improbable state title is known by millions of people across the globe, and this new bobble is a great way to celebrate the remarkable feat,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “The iconic Milan Water Tower is a great celebration of the 1954 title and a reminder that anything is possible. We think fans will enjoy having a replica bobble version of the water tower to show off.”

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.

About the Milan 54 Hoosiers Museum:

The Milan '54 Hoosiers Museum is located on West Carr Street in the quiet rural town of Milan, IN. It houses memorabilia from the 1954 championship game between Milan and Muncie Central...a David and Goliath story. It also has a large collection of artifacts from the movie HOOSIERS on display. The museum strives to keep our local history alive and to capture a bit of Hoosier Hysteria. Please come visit and find out more at www.milan54.org or email milan54@frontier.com. The Milan 54 Hoosier Museum can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Indiana High School Athletic Association is considering a new classification proposal that would look to close the gap between the smallest 4A schools and the largest in the state.

The Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association has delivered a four-class proposal with fixed classifications. The new proposal reduces the gap in the largest class, keeps schools in the same class for all four-class sports, and ensure schools will not move to a higher class without an increase in enrollment.

The proposal would not eliminate the IHSAA’s “success factor” program that bumps schools to a higher class based on postseason success at its current class.

The fixed four-class alignment would fill Class 4A with schools with 1,400 students or more; 3A with enrollment figures between 600 and 1,399; 2A between 325-599; and Class A schools with 324 students or less.

The new proposal would assign 68 schools to 4A and between 99 and 117 schools in the other three classes based on participation levels in each sport.

Hoosier Basketball Magazine's Top 60 senior boys’ basketball players for 2022-23 were selected from approximately 1,500 senior players statewide.

This event will be at Marian University in Indianapolis on Sunday, March 26, 2023.

Hoosier Basketball Magazine's Top 60 Senior Workout is highlighted by 10 players who will participate in the 2023 IHSAA State Finals including— Clay Butler, Zane Doughty and Sheridan Sharp of Ben Davis and Zavion Bellamy, Kokomo from AAAA; Cade Brenner and Ian Raasch from AAA NorthWood; Josh Furst and Gage Sefton of Fort Wayne Blackhawk along with Joey Hart and Logan Webb from Linton-Stockton representing AA. Unfortunately, due to spring break conflict, Kamea Chandler from AAA Guerin Catholic is not able to attend.

There are 20 players who averaged more than 20 ppg this season who are part of the Top 60 Senior Workout this year topped by the state’s leading scorers— Tyler Myers, Evansville Day (31 ppg) and Markus Burton, Penn (29.7).

Featured Top 60 players who will stay in the Hoosier State as Division I recruits include Burton (NOTRE DAME), Jermaine Coleman, Park Tudor (FORT WAYNE), Myles Colvin, Heritage Christian (PURDUE), Doughty, (VALPARAISO) and Mason Jones, Valparaiso (BALL STATE).

More Division I talent will be on display at the Top 60 Workout with Hart, (Central Florida), Logan Imes, Zionsville (Penn State), Sam Orme, Carmel (Belmont), Nick Richart, Zionsville (UNC - Charlotte), JQ Roberts, Bloomington North (Vanderbilt) and Sharp (Nicholls State). Of Note: Xavier Booker, Indianapolis Cathedral (Michigan State) was selected, but can not attend due to travel for the McDonald’s All-American game.

Statistical evaluation, game observation and statewide research were conducted throughout the season to determine Hoosier Basketball Magazine's Top 60. Two sessions of the Top 60 Senior Workout will be hosted on Sunday, March 26, 2023 by Hoosier Basketball Magazine, in conjunction with the IHSAA and the IBCA, at Marian University in Indianapolis (3200 N. Cold Spring Road).

Boys primarily from northern and southern Indiana will participate in the first session (1:00-3:00 pm EST). The remaining players, mostly from central Indiana, will compete during the second session (3:30-5:30 pm EST).

Coach Christopher Hawkins (Indianapolis Attucks) will direct both sessions. Four other outstanding IBCA coaches— Donnie Bowling (Anderson), Brent Dalrymple (North Daviess), Greg Dean (Fountain Central) and Ryan Miller (Providence)— have been invited to assist with on-court coaching.

KnowYourBaller will be filming the Boys Top 60 Senior Workout again this year. They will provide summary videos with all pertinent clips for participating players.

Both sessions are open to the public for admission fee of $8.00 ($5 for elementary age students).

The Top 60 boys include:

Weston Aigner, Castle

Jeremiah Alexander, Beech Grove

Luke Almodovar, Noblesville

Marcus Ankney, Center Grove

Matthew Arthur, New Washington

Anthony Ball, Decatur Central

Zavion Bellamy, Kokomo

Landon Biegel, Oak Hill

Peyton Bledsoe, Loogootee

Cade Brenner, NorthWood

Darrion Brooks, New Haven

Joey Brown, North Central (Marion)

Markus Burton, Penn

Clay Butler, Ben Davis

Ahmere Carson, Anderson

Jermaine Coleman, Park Tudor

Myles Colvin, Heritage Christian

DaJohn Craig, Lawrence Central

Nolan Cumberland, Tippecanoe Valley

AJ Dancler, Southport

Caleb Dewey, Edinburgh

Zane Doughty, Ben Davis

Cooper Farrall, Culver Academies

Aidan Franks, Wapahani

Josh Furst, Fort Wayne Blackhawk

Josh Gatete, Penn

Arlondo Hall, Tindley

Joey Hart, Linton-Stockton

Andrew Hedrick, Columbia City

Ben Henderson, Harrison (West Lafayette)

Jamie Hodges Jr., Michigan City

Jalen Hooks, Warren Central

Dayton Hoover, Frontier

Cooper Horn, Columbus North

Logan Imes, Zionsville

Mason Jones, Valparaiso

Casey Kaelin, Providence

Kyron Kaopuiki, Homestead

Mason Larkin, Fountain Central

Nickens Lemba, Southport

AJ Lux, Crown Point

Keegan Manowitz, Jennings County

Luke McBride, Norwell

Willie Miller, Lake Station

Dylan Moles, Greenfield-Central

J.J. Morris, Argos

DJ Moss, Gary 21st Century

Jaylen Mullen, North Daviess

Tyler Myers, Evansville Day

Sam Orme, Carmel

Cole Pride, Batesville

Ian Raasch, NorthWood

Nick Richart, Zionsville

JQ Roberts, Bloomington North

Alex Romack, Westfield

Luke Saylor, Heritage

Gage Sefton, Fort Wayne Blackhawk

Sheridan Sharp, Ben Davis

Jacob Spaulding, Eastern Hancock

Silas Spaulding, Eastern Hancock

Ian Stephens, New Palestine

Deaglan Sullivan, Mishawaka Marian

Jaron Tibbs, Indianapolis Cathedral

Logan Webb, Linton-Stockton

Gavin Welch, New Castle

Spencer White, Carmel

Ashton Williamson, Gary 21st Century

Gavin Wisley, Bloomington South

Devon Woods, Pike

SELECTED BUT INJURED and UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE

Jaxson Gould, Warsaw

Jordan Woods, Hammond Central

SELECTED BUT UNABLE TO ATTEND

Chase Bachelor, Prairie Heights

Xavier Booker, Indianapolis Cathedral

Kamea Chandler, Guerin Catholic

Jacob Cherry, Eastern (Pekin)

Drew Cook, Northview

Austin Cripe, West Noble

Jake Davis, Indianapolis Cathedral

Elhadj Diallo, Brownsburg

Owen Duff, Carroll (Flora)

Tyson Good, Lewis Cass

Brycen Hannah, Glenn

Isaac Higgs, Evansville Reitz

Isaiah Malone, Prairie Heights

Bauer Maple, Maconaquah

Kaden Oliver, Silver Creek

Brandon Trilli, Munster

Caleb Washington, Floyd Central 

The Three Rivers Conference will be represented at the IHSAA boys basketball state championships Saturday. 

It will be by a team that eight games ago was 7-12 on the season.

The Southwood Knights built double-digit leads in each game of the Lafayette Jeff semistate and then held on down the stretch for wins over #2 Fountain Central in the semifinal and #10 Marquette Catholic in the championship game.

Southwood (15-12) has won five postseason games and eight in a row overall.

In the semifinal, Southwood forced 13 Fountain Central turnovers in the first half to build a 31-19 lead.

Fountain Central (23-5) rallied to a one-possession game but never took the lead as the Knights held on for a win, 63-57.

Nathan Lehner and Cole Winer each scored 21 for the Knights.

In the championship, the Knights opened up a 13-point lead in the third quarter before Marquette Catholic (21-8) connected on three consecutive three-point field goals to pull within one, 57-56. But Southwood made 15-of-22 free throws in the fourth and prevailed, 64-56.

Southwood will play #8 Indianapolis Lutheran (19-7) for the 1A state title Saturday morning at 10:30 am.

It’s Southwood’s first trip to the 1A championship since 2018 when the Knights Lost to Morristown 89-60.

Hunter Education classes are being scheduled all over the state in preparation for the spring turkey season.

To register simply visit: https://www.register-ed.com to sign up.

3/17 6:00pm, Shoals High School, Shoals, IN

3/17 5:30pm, Sawyer's Country Edge, Syracuse, IN

3/17 6:00pm, Fulton County Coon Hunters Club, Rochester, IN

3/24 6:00pm, Silver Lake Farmers and Conservation, Silver Lake, IN

4/1 9:00am, Izaak Walton League of America - Cass County, Logansport, IN

4/14 6:00pm, Hoffman Lake Campground INC., Warsaw, IN

4/14 6:00pm, B&M Builders, Bremen , IN

Hunter Education classes are being scheduled all over the state in preparation for the spring turkey season.

To register simply visit: https://www.register-ed.com to sign up.

3/17 5:30pm, Sawyer's Country Edge, Syracuse

3/17 6:00pm, Fulton County Coon Hunters Club, Rochester

3/24 6:00pm, Silver Lake Farmers and Conservation, Silver Lake

4/1 9:00am, Izaak Walton League of America - Cass County, Logansport

4/14 6:00pm, Hoffman Lake Campground INC., Warsaw

4/14 6:00pm, B&M Builders, Bremen 

Game officials Eric Coburn and Ron Day will be recognized with special awards in 2023 by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.

Coburn and Day 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, Coburn from 1985 to 2022 and Day from 1991 to the present.

Coburn officiated for 38 seasons, including five times in the boys' basketball State Finals and five times in the girls' basketball State Finals while a member of the Northern Officials Association of Indiana. The Leesburg resident received the IHSAA Award as Official of the Year in girls' basketball in 2007 and the IHSAA Award as Official of the Year in boys' basketball in 2015. He served as association secretary for 10 years, association president for eight years, has been an IHSAA clinician for 10 years and an IHSAA rules interpreter for 12 years. He also has mentored five officials who have gone on to work the IHSAA boys' and girls' State Finals.

Coburn is a 1974 graduate of Wawasee High School, where he participated in football, basketball and track. He then went to Ivy Tech, where he earned a certification in aircraft maintenance. He was a Warsaw city police officer for 32 years and has been teaching Aviation Ground School at Warsaw High School for nine years.

Coburn started officiating in 1985 after providing a police escort for the Warsaw Tigers, who won the IHSAA boys’ basketball state championship that season. He and his long-time police partner and 20-year basketball officiating partner, Lance Grubbs, argued calls during that championship game. They both agreed to get licensed in basketball and started officiating together at the elementary level, then moved into middle school and freshman level.

After joining the Northern Indiana Officials Association and being mentored by many veteran officials and learning from several past winners of the Gardner Award, they started working junior varsity games. Coburn’s first boys’ varsity game came at Penn High School in the inauguration game of the new “Penn Palace” basketball court.

After joining the Northern Indiana Officials Association and being mentored by many veteran officials and learning from several past winners of the Gardner Award, they started working junior varsity games. Coburn’s first boys’ varsity game came at Penn High School in the inauguration game of the new “Penn Palace” basketball court.

After 38 years, Coburn has worked in both the girls’ basketball and boys’ basketball state tournaments. For girls, he has worked 28 sectionals, 19 regionals, 11 semi-states and five State Finals. For boys, he has worked 21 sectionals, 13 regionals, nine semi-states and five State Finals. He also has officiated in three Hall of Fame Classic events in New Castle.

Coburn received the IHSAA Outstanding Girls’ Basketball Official Award in 2007 and the IHSAA Outstanding Boys’ Basketball Official Award in 2015.

As a member of the Northern Officials Association of Indiana, Coburn has served as secretary for 10 years and president for eight years. He has also been an IHSAA clinician for 10 years and an IHSAA rules interpreter for 12 years. Coburn has mentored five officials who have gone on to work the IHSAA boys’ and girls’ State Finals.

He enjoys golf, hunting and flying. He has been an Angel Flight pilot since 2006, providing no-charge airplane flights for people in need to hospitals or doctors.

Coburn is humbled to receive this recognition from the IBCA and would like to give credit to mentors Gene Butts, Frank DeSantis, Tim and Jay Smith, Clark Hamilton, and current partners Kirk Robinson, Trent Long, Brett Patrick, and many others with whom he has officiated.

Day, a Plymouth resident, just completed his 32nd season as an official. He has worked the boys' basketball State Finals five times and the girls' basketball State Finals five times. He has been a member of the Northern Officials Association of Indiana for 30 years and also the Lake County Association for 15 years. He has served as a clinician for a number of years and mentored many younger officials.

Now in his 32nd as an official, Day began officiating in 1991 and has worked at least one State Finals’ game in each class for both boys and girls. Among those games, he called the 2009 Class 4A girls’ title game in Lucas Oil Stadium between Ben Davis and South Bend Washington, a game considered a mythical national title game as the teams were ranked first and second in national polls. It was among the best attended girls’ basketball games with a crowd of 13,449.

During his time as a official, Day has worked 26 sectionals, 16 regionals, seven semi-states, five State Finals (2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2021) for boys’ basketball as well as 26 sectionals, 18 regionals, eight semi-states and five State Finals (2006, 2009, 2012, 2015 and 2019) for girls’ basketball. He also called the 2004 girls’ Hall of Fame Classic in New Castle.

Day as been a member of the Northern Officials Association of Indiana for 30 years and also the Lake County Association for 15 years. Has served as a clinician for a number of years and mentored many younger officials.

A 1981 graduate of Plymouth High School, Day participated in basketball and track, was a two-time all-conference honoree in track and part of a 400-meter relay that held a school record for more than 25 years. He went on to Indiana University, where he was a 1986 graduate of the Kelley School of Business. He has been a self-employed contractor in a family business for 33 years.

Day and his wife, Lori, have two adult children – Katie (husband Brendan) and Eric (wife Kristen) – as well as two grandchildren with a third grandchild due in June. In his free time, Day enjoys spending time with family as well as traveling, reading, golfing and cheering the Minnesota Vikings.

As for officiating, Day said: “I was fortunate to have three excellent regular partners in officiating – Tim Filson, Brian Allen and Tom Hinz. They made it fun each and every night. Also, a shout out to my son, Eric, who attended hundreds of my games and is the best observer I ever had.”

Veteran head boys basketball coach Bill Zych has decided to retire from the sidelines.

After a 469-361 record over a 36-year head coaching career, including the past 13 at Pike, Zych announced he was retiring from teaching and coaching. Zych, 67, was 214-110 at Pike.  He led the Red Devils to six sectional titles and an appearance in the 4A state championship in 2012.

Zych’s final season ended with a loss to top-ranked Ben Davis.  That’s actually the way his first head coaching season ended years ago.

Zych was a student and player at La Porte High School and went on to play at Manchester University.  He then was hired as an assistant and freshman coach at Winamac in 1978. 

Zych took over as head coach in the 1983-84 season.  That season, Winamac defeated West Central, Culver and Oregon-Davis to win the program’s first sectional since 1970.  The Warriors season ended in the regional with a 101-79 loss to the state’s top-ranked team, Michigan City Rogers, led by co-Mr. Basketball Delray Brooks who scored 29 points.

Zych went on to Rensselaer Central in 1989.  In the ’91 season, he led the Bombers to their first sectional title in 22 seasons and the program’s only regional title.

Zych also head coaching stops at Jay County, Center Grove, Shelbyville and Perry Meridian. He worked two years as an assistant coach at the University of Indianapolis.

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The 2023 Indiana All-Stars squad has been announced one day after Zionsville’s Laila Hull was named Indiana Miss Basketball.

Penn’s Kristi Ulrich was previously named head coach of the 2023 All-Stars with Triton Central’s Bryan Graham and Garrett’s Bob Lapadot to serve as assistant coaches.

Hull was chosen Miss Basketball after averaging 22 points and eight rebounds at Zionsville her senior season. She is the girls basketball program’s career rebounding leader and will play college basketball at the University of North Carolina.

Also named Indiana All-Stars were:

• Pioneer’s Ashlynn Brooke – the Ball State commit averaged 24 points, six assists and five steals this season. She holds Pioneer’s career records for assists and steals and is No. 2 in career points.
• Hamilton Southeastern’s Olivia Brown – The Akron-bound point guard averaged 6.9 points and 7.5 assists her senior year. She leaves HSE as the program’s career leader in assists and steals.
• Ben Davis’ Cristen Carter – The six-foot, three-inch Miami of Ohio commit set a school record with 355 rebounds this season. She also averaged 18.6 ppg.
• Hobart’s Asia Donald – The Indiana State commit averaged a double-double this past season at 26.7 ppg and 10.9 rpg.
• Cathedral’s Layla Gold – The Valparaiso commit averaged 22 points and nine rebounds her senior season.
• South Bend Washington’s Rashunda Jones – Committed to Purdue, Jones averaged 19.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists for a team that was ranked No. 1 all season.
• Northwestern’s McKenna Layden – Also committed to Purdue, Layden averaged 21.6 ppg and topped 1,600 career points at Northwestern.
• Hamilton Southeastern’s Riley Makalusky – The Butler commit finished her career as HSE’s sixth-leading scorer after averaging 20 ppg in her final season.
• Bedford North Lawrence’s Karsyn Norman – The Butler commit led the Stars to the Class 4A state championship while averaging 15 ppg.
• South Bend Washington’s Amiyah Reynolds – The Maryland commit suffered an injury late in the regular season that will not allow her to play in this year’s all-star series. She averaged 15.2 points and 8.1 rebounds before the injury.
• Columbus East’s Saige Stahl – The Indiana State commit averaged career bests in points (26 ppg) and rebounds (9.9 rpg) this season.
• Forest Park’s Amber Tretter – The Miami of Ohio commit led the Rangers to their second straight Class 2A state championship this season. She averaged 15.8 points and nine rebounds per game.

The Indiana All-Stars will play a girls-boys doubleheader against the Kentucky All-Stars in Owensboro, Ky., on June 9 followed by a doubleheader on June 10 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

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A veteran Indiana boys basketball coach will not get the opportunity to lead his team in Saturday’s Southport Semistate.

Joseph G. Hart, head coach at Linton-Stockton High School, was remanded into custody of the Shelby County Jail Monday night on the charge of Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated (OVWI).

Linton-Stockton, the top-ranked team in Class 2A, is scheduled to face Parke Heritage at approximately noon Saturday in the second semifinal of the Southport Semistate.

“Linton-Stockton High School Boys Basketball Coach, Joey Hart, has been suspended indefinitely,” according to a press release by Linton Stockton Schools Superintendent Dr. Kathy Goad. “Assistant Coach Noah Hawkins will take over head coaching duties immediately and until further notice.”

This is the second suspension for Hart (photo) this season. He was suspended in January for public intoxication after being arrested by the Clay County Sheriff’s Department.

On Monday, the Shelbyville Police Department (SPD) was notified of a possible intoxicated driver on West State Road 44 nearing Shelbyville. The vehicle was observed crossing the center line and swerving.

Officers responded to the area, according to a SPD media release, and located the vehicle on W. McKay Road turning into the Clearview subdivision. The vehicle disregarded a stop sign at Swinford and Theobald streets.

Once the vehicle was stopped, officers noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from inside the car. It also was noted there was a restaurant style cup in a cup holder with no lid. The liquid inside the cup smelled like beer.

At that time, Hart was asked for his driver’s license. He fumbled his wallet while attempting to retrieve it.

Hart was asked to exit the vehicle. He had poor balance and his speech was slurred, according to the media release. He was asked where he was going and he advised Clay City.

When asked if he knew where he was, he said, “Clay City.” He was then advised he was in Shelbyville.

Hart refused to perform field sobriety tests and a Portable Breath Test. He was advised there was probable cause to believe he was operating while intoxicated and was offered to take a chemical test at the police department. Hart refused that test as well.

In 13 seasons as head coach at Linton-Stockton, Hart is 275-72 and has led the Miners to nine sectional titles and two appearances in the Class 2A state championship game – losses to Bowman Academy, 86-73, in 2013 and to Andrean, 59-54, in 2019.

In 25 years overall, Hart is 421-200.

Laila Hull has earned the top individual award in Indiana high school girls basketball.

Hull, a 6-1 guard-forward from Zionsville High School, has been named IndyStar Indiana Miss Basketball for 2023 in online voting of media and girls’ varsity coaches conducted by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association and All-Star game director Mike Broughton, it was announced Monday (March 13).

The Miss Basketball result means Hull will wear the No. 1 jersey for the Indiana All-Stars in their annual series with Kentucky. The Miss Basketball award goes to the top girls’ basketball senior in the state. The Miss Basketball and Mr. Basketball awards are part of the IndyStar Indiana All-Star program that dates to 1939. The Miss Basketball award, along with the girls All-Stars, was added to the All-Star program in 1976.

The remainder of the 2023 Girls' All-Star team will be announced later. The 2023 Mr. Basketball and the 2023 Boys' All-Star team also will be announced later. The 2023 girls' Junior All-Stars were announced on March 8. The boys' Junior All-Stars will be announced later.

Hull earned the girls' top honor after being named on 70 ballots submitted to Broughton in balloting that ran from Feb. 18 through March 1. RaShunda Jones of South Bend Washington was runner-up with 46 votes. Amiyah Reynolds of South Bend Washington placed third with 30 votes followed by Karsyn Norman of Bedford North Lawrence with 12 votes and Amber Tretter of Forest Park with 10 votes. In total, 19 players received at least one Miss Basketball vote.

A University of North Carolina recruit, Hull averaged 22.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.3 blocks while leading Zionsville to a 20-3 season that included the championship of the Franklin Community/Walt Raines Classic. She converted 52.3 percent on field goals (182 of 348), including 42.2 percent on 3-point attempts (27 of 64) for the Eagles. She also sank 82.2 percent on free throws (125 of 152).

For her career, Hull totaled a school-record 1,668 points as well as 754 rebounds, 196 assists, 227 steals and a school-record 125 blocks while Zionsville amassed an aggregate record of 57-33 over her four seasons (6-17, 15-6, 16-7 and 20-3). She is second in Zionsville career rebounds and also holds school records for rebounds in a game (18 vs. Carmel as a junior), blocks in a season (37 as a sophomore) and career free throws made and attempted (344 of 465).

Hull is the first Zionsville player to wear the All-Stars' coveted No. 1 jersey. She becomes her school's sixth All-Star selection. She joins three previous girls (Debbie Funkhouser, 1977; Rachel McLimore, 2017; Maddie Nolan, 2019) and two previous boys (Derrik Smits, 2015; Isaiah Thompson, 2019).

In becoming a Tar Heel, Hull is the second Miss Basketball winner and fifth owner of an Indiana No. 1 jersey to be headed to North Carolina for college. She joins a list that includes Brownsburg's Stephanie Mavunga, the 2013 Miss Basketball winner, as well as Mr. Basketball winners Dave Colescott of Marion (1976), Sean May of Bloomington North (2002) and Tyler Zeller of Washington (2008).

While in high school, Hull has been recognized as a four-time first-team all-Hoosier Crossroads Conference honoree, a two-time IBCA Underclass Supreme 15 selection, a 2023 IBCA Senior Supreme 15 choice, a 2022 Associated Press second-team All-State selection and a 2023 IBCA first-team Academic All-State choice. She also was a 2023 McDonald's All-American Game nominee and was named the 2023 Gatorade/Indiana Player of the Year.

Mr. Basketball and Miss Basketball traditionally wear No. 1 jerseys for the respective Indiana Boys All-Stars and Indiana Girls All-Stars in the annual series with Kentucky. The All-Stars will face the Indiana Junior All-Stars in an exhibition doubleheader on June 7 at a site to be announced. The All-Stars follow with their home-and-home doubleheaders with Kentucky -- June 9 at the Owensboro SportsCenter in Owensboro, Ky., and June 10 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. 

A list of Miss Basketball honorees follows.

Indiana Miss Basketball honorees

1976: Judi Warren, Warsaw

1977: Teri Rosinski, Norwell

1978: Chanda Kline, Warsaw

1979: LaTaunya Pollard, East Chicago Roosevelt

1980: Maria Stack, Columbus East

1981: Cheryl Cook, Indianapolis Washington

1982: Trena Keys, Marion

1983: Jody Beerman, Heritage

1984: Sharon Versyp, Mishawaka

1985: Jodie Whitaker, Austin

1986: Kim Barrier, Jimtown

1987: Lori Meinerding, Fort Wayne Northrop

1988: Vicki Hall, Brebeuf Jesuit

1989: Renee Westmoreland, Scottsburg

1990: Patricia Babcock, Culver Academy

1991: Jennifer Jacoby, Rossville

1992: Marla Inman, Bedford North Lawrence

1993: Abby Conklin, Charlestown

1994: Tiffany Gooden, Fort Wayne Snider

1995: Stephanie White, Seeger

1996: Lisa Winter, Huntington North

1997: Lisa Shepherd, Richmond

1998: Kelly Komara, Lake Central

1999: April McDivitt, Connersville

2000: Sara Nord, Jeffersonville

2001: Shyra Ely, Ben Davis

2002: Shanna Zolman, Wawasee

2003: Katie Gearlds, Beech Grove

2004: Jaclyn Leininger, Warsaw

2005: Jodi Howell, Alexandria

2006: Amber Harris, North Central

2007: Ta’Shia Phillips, Brebeuf Jesuit

2008: Brittany Rayburn, Attica

2009: Skylar Diggins, South Bend Washington

2010: Courtney Moses, Oak Hill

2011: Bria Goss, Ben Davis

2012: Jessica Rupright, Norwell

2013: Stephanie Mavunga, Brownsburg

2014: Whitney Jennings, Logansport

2015: Ali Patberg, Columbus North

2016: Jackie Young, Princeton

2017: Karissa McLaughlin, Homestead

2018: Amy Dilk, Carmel

2019: Jorie Allen, Bedford North Lawrence

2020: Sydney Parrish, Hamilton Southeastern

2021: Jayla Smith, Lawrence North

2022: Ayanna Patterson, Homestead

2023: Laila Hull, Zionsville

If 112 years of state high school basketball tournaments have proven anything, it’s that unbelievable moments and legacies can’t possibly be in short supply.

This being Indiana, they aren’t.

Now, thanks to Hoosier Historia, residents can vote for the top moments, players and deafening postseason environments that through the generations have gradually constructed our collective passion for high school hoops that is recognized globally.

Hoosier Historia is one of the many elements associated with Indianapolis hosting the 2024 NBA All-Star game next February.

Votes can be cast on pacers.com/HoosierHistoria.

The website offers a total of 50 selections; the final 24 will be made into the type of eye-catching artwork to be on display once the All-Star game gets closer. This is being done through a partnership with the Indy Arts Council and the Capital Improvement Board.

“Fans are going to pick out what 24 stories turn to art. It’s significant because these are things that are going to be on display All-Star weekend,” said Danny Lopez, Vice President of External Affairs and Corporate Communications at Pacers Sports & Entertainment. “After All-Star Weekend, they’ll live in the convention center, or some of them will go back to their own hometowns.

“This is something that in a state like ours, it seemed like a logical way to get people excited about what’s to come, and what that weekend will look like visually.”

The 50 options were selected by the 15-person Hoosier Historia Subcommittee comprised of former coaches, referees, players and longtime journalists, the latter having spent decades covering the boys and girls tournaments.

The final 24 selections will be announced on March 24, prior to the IHSAA Boys Basketball State Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

At that point, the Indy Arts Council will solicit concepts from artists across Indiana who will paint their interpretations of these players, places and moments on six-foot tall basketball sculptures to be displayed in downtown Indianapolis.

Maybe it’s the Milan Miracle that gets your vote, or the legendary game that wouldn’t end (Swayzee’s nine-overtime victory over Liberty Center). Then again, the filming of “Hoosiers” or the Damon-led Bedford North Lawrence Stars winning state in front of 41,046 spectators inside the now-extinct Hoosier Dome are more your preference.

The state’s legendary high school gymnasiums are also included, deservedly so. Also among the options is the state’s controversial transition from a one-class system to four classes, a process that, in many ways, divided supporters of the sport in the middle- and late 1990s.

Add it all together, and it’s uniquely Indiana.

“I thought it was great that the (Indiana) Pacers started this,” said Matt Martin, Executive Director of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. “I thought it was real neat to focus on high school basketball. It’s what makes Indiana … Indiana. Nobody has the basketball we do, and it starts at the high school level.

“And the stories seem to continue. They live on because that connection is always there.”

For the first time in the boys tournament history, the Indiana High School Athletic Association drew the semistate pairings live mid-tournament in a special show streamed on IHSAAtv.org.

Semistate games are scheduled for Saturday at eight different sites with two semifinal games during the day and the championship game in the evening. The winners will advance to their respective state championship games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis on March 25.

The North host sites are Michigan City, Elkhart, Logansport and Lafayette Jefferson. The South host sites are New Castle, Seymour, Southport and Washington.

In Class 4A at the Wolves Den in Michigan City, Fort Wayne Wayne (21-4) opens against No. 5 Kokomo (22-4). The second semifinal pits No. 2 Penn (27-1) against No. 3 Hammond Central (26-1).

In the South semistate at New Castle, No. 8 Brownsburg (21-4) drew No. 9 Jennings County (24-2) while No. 1 Ben Davis (30-0) follows against Bloomington North (19-5).

At Elkhart in the 3A semistate, Delta (18-9) takes on Glenn (17-10) in the first game with No. 1 NorthWood (25-2) following against Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (13-13).

At Lloyd Scott Gymnasium in Seymour, No. 11 Scottsburg (21-5) begins the 3A semistate against No. 6 North Daviess (24-5), the reigning Class 2A state champion. In the second semifinal, No. 12 Guerin Catholic (18-8) faces No. 14 Beech Grove (17-6), the defending 3A state champ.

At the Berry Bowl in Logansport, the 2A semistate begins with No. 7 Gary 21^st Century (21-5) against No. 3 Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian (24-3). The second semifinal pits No. 2 Wapahani (25-1) against Lewis Cass (19-7).

At Southport, No. 5 Brownstown Central (23-4) opens against Indianapolis Scecina (18-6). The second 2A semifinal features Parke Heritage (19-9) and No. 1 Linton-Stockton (27-1).

The Marion Crawley Center at Lafayette Jefferson is the host site for a Class A semistate. The opener has Southwood (13-12) against No. 2 Fountain Central (23-4) while No. 10 Marquette Catholic (20-7) follows against Kouts (17-9).

And in the Class A semistate at the Hatchet House in Washington, No. 8 Indianapolis Lutheran (17-7) battles No. 4 Loogootee (20-7) in the first semifinal. Jac-Cen-Del (18-9) follows against Rock Creek (11-14).

The Rochester Youth Baseball League is offering online registration at www.rybleague.com . 

On April 2, a $25 late fee will be imposed.

Assessment will be held on April 2.  Time is still to be determined.

All players that are moving up from Pony to Major will need at attend Assessment Day.  Also, any new players that did not attend Rochester Youth League (Pony) last year.

All teams in the Major league in 2023 will be redrafted.

All players moving up from T-ball to Pony will need to attend Assessment Day along with any players that did not attend Pony last year. All teams in Pony league in 2023 will be redrafted.

If your child will be playing T-ball, they do not need to attend assessments.

Assessment times will be announced via the organization's social media.

Opening night for Major, Pony and T-ball will be Friday, May 5.

Just under a year ago Austin Foust was named the new offensive coordinator for the Culver Cavaliers.

Now he’s the new head coach.

Foust replaces Mike Zehner who decided to step away from the sidelines while continuing his work as Culver’s athletic director and dean of students.

Foust came to Culver last spring after spending five seasons as head coach at John Glenn High School. Foust also serves as Social Studies & STEM teacher at Culver Community.

Foust was 16-32 in his five seasons as head coach at John Glenn.

Fans and teams had to wait until Monday night due to the postponement of Friday night’s games to see who would win Sectional 36 at Rochester High School.

The Lewis Cass Kings and the Wabash Apaches battled it out in front of a packed RHS gym.

A high-scoring first quarter had Wabash with an early lead of 16-15. Wabash added a point to that for a 26-24 advantage at the halftime break.

Coach Kyle Johnson and the Kings made some adjustments at halftime that sparked an 18-8 period and a Kings lead, 42-34.

Wabash (17-7) used a run in the fourth to forge a tie Wabash midway through the period. It was back in forth until the end when the Kings' Luke Chambers made 3-for-4 at the free throw line in the final minute to lead the Lewis Cass Kings to the championship, 61-56.

Chambers finished with 26 points for Lewis Cass (18-7).

The Wabash Apaches were led last night by Grant Ford with 21.  Izaak Wright chipped in 15 and Trevor Daughtry had 11.

There were 51 total free throw attempts in the game.  Wabash was 16-for-23 from the free throw stripe while Lewis Cass was 21-for-28.

The last Lewis Cass sectional title was in 2013-2014 when they went on to win the regional and lost to Westview in the semi-state game.

Lewis Cass will travel to 11th-ranked North Judson (23-3) on Saturday to play the host Blue Jays in the one-game 2A regional. 

It looked good through three quarters for Rochester in Saturday’s sectional semifinal. 

The Zebras held a 32-27 lead going into the final eight minutes.  That was when Lewis Cass turned up defensive pressure and dominated the final quarter by a 6-11 margin on the way to a win, 54-43.

The Kings (17-7) were led by shooting Tyson Good’s 17 points. Cass connected on 14-for-19 free throws in the final period.

Cass outscored Rochester 19-7 at the free throw line.

Rochester’s Paul Leasure was held without a field goal and didn’t score until two free throws in the fourth period.  Aidan Smith picked up the slack with a team-high 15 points.

Rochester ended the season with an 11-10 record.

Lewis Cass advanced to Monday’s sectional championship game at Rochester to play Wabash (17-6). In Friday’s other semifinal, the Apaches jumped on Winamac for a 14-3 first quarter lead and cruised to the win, 48-15.

Grant Ford topped Wabash with 11 points.

The winner of Monday’s Rochester 2A sectional championship will advance to the North Judson regional and play the 11^th-ranked Bluejays (23-3) on their home floor.