News

VALPARAISO AIMS FOR THIRD STRAIGHT GYMNASTICS TITLE
Top-ranked Valparaiso, looking for its third consecutive state championship, headlines those competing in Saturday’s 38th Annual IHSAA Gymnastics State Finals at Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis.

The opening ceremonies begin at 12:30 pm ET / 11:30 am CT with competition in four events beginning 30 minutes later.

A total of 28 schools are represented in the meet with eight – Carroll (Fort Wayne), Chesterton, Columbus East, Columbus North, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, Franklin Central, Roncalli, Valparaiso – in the running for the team title.

Valparaiso will be aiming for its third consecutive state title, something that hasn’t been done since Connersville completed its three-peat in 1989. The Vikings won their third straight regional competition last Friday and will compete in the state meet for the eighth straight year and a record 17th overall.

Roncalli and Columbus North, both tied for second in the state coaches poll, also won their respective regionals last week. Roncalli finished as last year’s state runner-up in its first appearance while Columbus North, competing for the team title for the fourth straight year, hopes to tack on a state championship to the pair it won in 1973 and 1974, the first two years of the state tournament.

 No. 8 Carroll (Fort Wayne) won its first regional crown last week at Huntington North and will compete in the state meet for the first time since 2004.

Two former state champions are entered in Saturday’s meet though none from last season. Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran’s Brannon Springer won the uneven parallel bars in 2007 and Lawrence Central’s Jessie Leko won the floor exercise in 2008.

The 38th Annual Gymnastics State Finals
Date: Saturday, March 20, 2010.
Time: Opening ceremonies at 12:30 p.m. ET; Competition at 1 pm ET.
Admission: $8.
Site: Perry Meridian High School, 401 W. Meridian School Road, Indianapolis | Website

Order of Participants: All-Around | Bars | Beam | Floor | Vault
Friday Warm-Up Schedule | Saturday Warm-Up Schedule

Media Information

Media Host: IHSAA Sports Information Director Jason Wille will be on hand to assist you in your coverage of the event.

Media Credentials: The 2009-10 IHSAA State Finals Media Credential issued previously this school year is accepted for admission. For those outlets without credentials and planning to cover the gymnastics state finals, please apply for credentials by e-mailing IHSAA Sports Information Director Jason Wille at jwille@ihsaa.org. Please include name of individual(s) to be credentialed. E-mail requests MUST originate from a recognized business account; e-mails from personal accounts (ie: yahoo.com, aol.com, etc.) will not be accepted. Approved requests may be claimed at the entrance to the gymnasium from the school’s east side entrance. Please have proper identification available.

Programs: Complimentary copies of the official state finals program will be available for members of the media and include the order of participants in each event as well as some history behind the event.

Working Space: Tables, chairs and electrical power will be available in the balcony area for use by the media. The school’s athletic office will have an available phone line for filing stories and photographs following the meet if needed.

Photographers: With the exception of the IHSAA’s Official Photographer from “Visual Sports Network”, all photographers should remain off the competition floor during the event. The lower level bleachers are available for your use. After the event, you will be welcome on the floor for the award ceremonies. Also, during the event, please use discretion when photographing the athletes as your camera strobe can pose a danger to the safety of the athletes during their performances. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Results: Copies of the official results will be distributed at the meet’s conclusion and will also be posted to the IHSAA website at www.ihsaa.org.

Facts & Figures

Teams Represented (28)
Carroll (Fort Wayne), Chesterton, Columbus East, Columbus North, Elkhart Central, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, Fort Wayne Concordia, Fort Wayne Northrop, Franklin Central, Hagerstown, Harrison (West Lafayette), Homestead, Huntington North, Jay County, Jeffersonville, LaPorte, Lawrence Central, Logansport, Marion, New Castle, New Palestine, Oak Hill, Portage, Roncalli, Seymour, Valparaiso, Western, Yorktown.

Competing for Team Championship (8)
Carroll (Fort Wayne), Chesterton, Columbus East, Columbus North, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, Franklin Central, Roncalli, Valparaiso.

Former State Champions in the Meet
Brannon Springer, 12, Fort Wayne Concordia (2007 Bars champion).
Jessie Leko, 12, Lawrence Central (2008 Floor state champion).

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SEMI-STATES FEATURE WHOLE NEW CROP OF TEAMS
For the first time in 20 years, the boys basketball state tournament had no repeat regional winners from the year before. The 1990 state tournament was the last time the 16 semi-state participants had a whole new look to them from the previous year.

Nine of the 16 teams have never advanced beyond this weekend and three – Southwood, Wheeler and North Central (Farmersburg) – won their first regional crown in school history last Saturday night.

Gary Wallace broke the longest drought winning its first regional championship since 1996. Danville, Jeffersonville and Warsaw each ended 10 year droughts.

Four sites will host a doubleheader on Saturday with the Huntington North and Southport semi-states beginning at 1 pm ET / 12 pm CT. The Lafayette Jefferson and Seymour sites will tip off at 4 pm ET / 3 pm CT. The winners of each game punch their ticket to the 100th State Finals at Conseco Fieldhouse on Saturday, March 27.

Results from each game will be posted to www.ihsaa.org on Saturday as scores become available.

Boys Basketball Semi-States
Date: Saturday, March 20, 2010.
Admission: $7.
Home Team: The second team listed in each game is the designated home team.

North

1. Lafayette Jefferson
Class 2A | Wheeler (25-1) vs. Southwood (18-6) | 4 pm ET / 3 pm CT.
Class 3A | Gary Wallace (18-4) vs. Fort Wayne Elmhurst (18-5) | To follow.

2. Huntington North
Class A | Bowman Academy (22-1) vs. Monroe Central (20-5) | 1 pm ET / 12 pm CT.
Class 4A | Warsaw (22-2) vs. Carroll (FW) (21-3) | To follow.
South

3. Southport
Class 3A | Danville (25-1) vs. Washington (21-3) | 1 pm ET / 12 pm CT.
Class 4A | North Central (Indpls.) (23-3) vs. Jeffersonville (22-3) | To follow.

4. Seymour
Class A | North Central (Farmersburg) (15-10) vs. Barr-Reeve (23-3) | 4 pm ET / 3 pm CT.
Class 2A | Park Tudor (14-10) vs. Forest Park (19-7) | To follow.

State Finals
Date: Saturday, March 27, 2010.
Site: Conseco Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis.
Conseco Fieldhouse | Seating Chart
Admission: Session $15.00; Season $25.00.
Reserved single session tickets may be purchased at the participating schools the week of the state finals. Contact participating schools for ticket distribution hours. Any remaining tickets will be available game day at the ticket office at Conseco Fieldhouse. Season tickets may be ordered through the IHSAA e-store.
Home Team: The winners of the north semi-states will be the designated home teams.

Brackets: 4A | 3A | 2A | A

Session I, 10:30 am ET
Session II, 6 pm ET

Facts & Figures

Seeking First State Finals Appearance
4A: Carroll (Fort Wayne).
3A: Danville, Gary Wallace.
2A: Park Tudor, Southwood, Wheeler.
A: Bowman Academy, Monroe Central, North Central (Farmersburg).

Seeking to Break State Finals Drought (Five or more years since last appearance)
15: Jeffersonville (1995).
14: Warsaw (1996).
7: Fort Wayne Elmhurst (2003).

Seeking to Repeat as Semi-State Champions
None.

Seeking First Semi-State Championship
4A: Carroll (Fort Wayne).
3A: Danville, Gary Wallace.
2A: Park Tudor, Southwood, Wheeler.
A: Bowman Academy, Monroe Central, North Central (Farmersburg).
Note: 1935-36 was the first year for semi-states.

Most Consecutive Semi-State Championships
4: Ben Davis (1993-96).

Top 10 All-Time Semi-State Championship Leaders
14: Marion
13: Muncie Central.
12: Lafayette Jefferson.
11: Anderson.
8: East Chicago Washington, New Albany.
7: Kokomo.
6: Elkhart Central, Evansville Bosse, Gary Roosevelt, Jeffersonville.
Note: 1935-36 was the first year for semi-states.

Best Records in the Field (Two losses or less)
4A: Warsaw (22-2).
3A: Danville (25-1).
2A: Wheeler (25-1).
A: Bowman Academy (22-1).

Current Winning Streaks
21: Wheeler.
15: Warsaw.
14: Jeffersonville.
11: Barr-Reeve.
9: Gary Wallace.
7: Bowman Academy, Danville, North Central (Indianapolis).
6: Monroe Central, Park Tudor.
5: Forest Park.
4: Carroll (Fort Wayne), Fort Wayne Elmhurst, North Central (Farmersburg), Southwood, Washington.

Ranked Teams Still Alive (State Coaches Poll)
2. North Central (Indianapolis), 7. Danville, 11. Warsaw, 14. Bowman Academy, 16. Carroll (Fort Wayne).

Ranked Teams Still Alive (AP Poll)
4A: 3. North Central (Indianapolis), 6. Warsaw.
3A: 1. Danville, 5. Gary Wallace, 6. Washington, 9. Fort Wayne Elmhurst.
2A: 2. Wheeler.
A: 1. Bowman Academy, 2. Barr-Reeve, 6. Monroe Central.

2009 State Champions Still Alive
None.

2009 State Finalist Teams Still Alive
None.

Former State Champions Still Alive (5)
5: Washington: 1930, 1941, 1942, 2005 (3A), 2008 (3A).
2: Forest Park: 2005 (2A), 2006 (2A).
1: Jeffersonville: 1993.
1: North Central: 1999 (4A).
1: Warsaw 1984.

First-Time Regional Champions
4A: None.
3A: None.
2A: Southwood, Wheeler.
A: North Central (Farmersburg).

Regional Championship Droughts Broken (Five or more years)
14: Gary Wallace (1996).
10: Danville, Jeffersonville, Warsaw (2000).
9: Carroll (Fort Wayne), Park Tudor (2001).
7: Fort Wayne Elmhurst (2003).

Repeat Regional Champions
None.

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BOYS BASKETBALL STATE FINALS MEDIA CREDENTIALS
The deadline for requests is Thursday, March 25, 4 pm ET/3 pm CT. Credentials will not be granted after that time. For media outlets intending to cover the boys basketball state finals, please apply for credentials by e-mailing your request to IHSAA Sports Information Director Jason Wille (jwille@ihsaa.org). E-mail requests MUST originate from a recognized business account; e-mails from personal accounts (ie: yahoo.com, aol.com, etc.) will not be accepted. Please include the name of individual(s) to be credentialed. Approved requests will be available for pickup at the state finals meeting on Monday, March 22, (please indicate your intentions to do so), otherwise they will be available at media will-call at Conseco Fieldhouse on game day. Credentials will not be mailed.

 

BOYS BASKETBALL STATE COACHES INTERVIEWS ON MONDAY
Coaches from the eight schools in the 2010 IHSAA Boys Basketball State Finals will gather Monday, March 22, at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for the pre-tournament administrative meeting with media interviews to follow. The school personnel meeting will be closed to the news media. At approximately 10:45 am ET / 9:45 am CT, the coaches will be available to answer questions from the media in a round-table setting in the media work room.

Members of the media should go to the Employee/Media Entrance off Delaware Street where Fieldhouse personnel will be on hand to escort you to the meeting area.

Updated statistics, rosters and other team information as submitted by the schools will be distributed at the interview session. For outlets that cannot attend, a special state finals information package will be available on the IHSAA website later that day. If you would like to pick up your state finals credentials at the press conference, please indicate that on your request.

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FORMER INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS IN NCAA TOURNEYS
A total of 44 men and 17 women who played high school basketball in the state of Indiana are on the rosters of teams that will participate in this week’s NCAA tournaments.

Thanks to IHSAA interns David Rusk and Drew DeHaven for compiling the following information from each respective university’s website.

Former Indiana High School Players in the NCAA Tourney
Men’s Tournament
Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Dominic Moore	6’10	Jr.	F	Fort Wayne/Fort Wayne North Side/Otero JC
Tyree Glass	6’7	Sr.	F	Fort Wayne/Fort Wayne Wayne
Butler
Alex Anglin	6’4	Sr.	G/F	Kokomo/Kokomo
Garrett Butcher	6’7	So.	F	Ellettsville/Edgewood
Zach Hahn	6’0	Jr.	G	New Castle/Chrysler
Gordon Hayward	6’8	So.	G/F	Brownsburg/Brownsburg
Matt Howard	6’8	Jr.	F	Connersville/Connersville
Emerson Kampen	6’9	So.	C	Yorktown/Yorktown
Grant Leiendecker	6’3	Sr.	G	Fort Wayne/Homestead
Nick Rodgers	6’1	Sr.	G	Noblesville/Noblesville
Chase Stigall	6’3	So.	G	New Castle/New Castle Chrysler
Andrew Smith	6’11	Fr.	C	Indianapolis/Covenant Christian
Clemson
Jonah Baize	6’6	Jr.	F	Evansville/North
Cornell
Errick Peck	6’6	Fr.	F	Indianapolis/Cathedral
Duke
Mason Plumlee	6’10	Fr.	F	Warsaw/Christ School N.C.
Miles Plumlee	6’10	So.	F	Warsaw/Christ School N.C.
East Tennessee State
Bruce Grimm	6’1	Fr.	G	Rochester/Rochester
Louisville
Kyle Kuric	6’4	So.	G	Evansville/Memorial
Stephan Van Treese	6’9	Fr.	F	Indianapolis/Lawrence North
New Mexico
Dairese Gary	6’1	Jr.	G	Elkhart/Concord
Notre Dame
Luke Harangody	6’8	Sr.	F	Schererville/Andrean
Scott Martin	6’8	Jr.	G	Valparaiso/Valparaiso
Ohio
Armon Bassett	6’2	Jr.	G	Terre Haute/Terre Haute South
Tommy Freeman	6’5	Jr.	F	Muncie/Central
Ohio State
Mark Titus	6’4	Sr.	G	Brownsburg/Brownsburg
Pittsburgh
Gary McGhee	6’10	Jr.	C	Anderson/Highland
Purdue
Chris Kramer	6’3	Sr.	G	Huntington/Huntington
Robbie Hummel	6’8	Jr.	F	Valparaiso/Valparaiso
JaJuan Johnson	6’10	Jr.	F/C	Indianapolis/Franklin Central
Mark Wohlford	6’0	Sr.	G	Columbus/Columbus East
John Hart	6’2	So.	G	Beech Grove/Beech Grove
E’Twaun Moore	6’3	Jr.	G	East Chicago/East Chicago
Stevie Loveless	6’5	Fr.	G	Frankfort/Frankfort
Bubba Day	6’0	So.	G	West Lafayette/West Lafayette
Kelsey Barlow	6’5	Fr.	G/F	Indianapolis/Cathedral
Dru Anthrop	6’0	Fr.	G	Lafayette/Lafayette Central Catholic
Kyle Coleman	6’4	Fr.	G	Tipton/Tipton
D.J. Byrd	6’5	Fr.	G	Crawfordsville/North Montgomery
Patrick Bade	6’8	Fr.	F	Indianapolis/Franklin Central
Richmond
Zak Estes	6’4	So.	G/F	Indianapolis/Brebeuf Jesuit
Robert Morris
Dallas Green	6’8	Sr.	F	Indianapolis/Northwest
UNLV
Todd Hanni	6’4	So.	G	Danville/Danville
Xavier
Joe Hughes	6’6	Jr.	F	Indianapolis/Cathedral
Jeff Robinson	6’9	Fr.	F	Indianapolis/Lawrence North
Women’s Tournament
Austin Peay
Darcie Warner	5’6	Jr.	G	French Lick/Springs Valley
Meghan Bussabarger	6’0	Fr.	G/F	Corydon/Corydon Central
Bowling Green
Chrissy Steffen	6’0	Fr.	G	Carmel/Carmel
Laura Bugher	6’1	Fr.	F	Greenwood/Indianapolis Lutheran
Danielle Havel	6’2	RS.	F	Carmel/Carmel
Connecticut
Kelly Faris	5’11	Fr.	G	Plainfield/Heritage Christian
Notre Dame
Ashley Barlow	5’9	Sr.	G	Indianapolis/Pike
Becca Bruszewski	6’1	Jr.	F	Valparaiso/Wheeler
Skylar Diggins	5’9	Fr.	G	South Bend/South Bend Washington
Melissa Lechlitner	5’7	Sr.	G	Mishawaka/South Bend St. Joseph’s
Tennessee
Briana Bass	5’2	So.	G	Indianapolis/North Central
Sydney Smallbone	5’10	Jr.	G	Granger/South Bend St. Joseph’s
Xavier
Amber Harris	6’5	Jr.	F	Indianapolis/North Central
Dee Dee Jernigan	6’0	Sr.	G	East Chicago/East Chicago Central
Sabrina Johnson	6’2	Jr.	C	Jeffersonville/Jeffersonville
Brittney Moore	6’3	Jr.	C	Merrillville/Merrillville
Ta’Shia Phillips	6’6	Jr.	C	Indianapolis/Brebeuf Jesuit

                                                                     

STATE STATISTICAL LEADERS

ATTENTION BASKETBALL COACHES / STATISTICIANS
Please be sure to report your final statistics of the season at DigitalSports.com upon your team’s elimination from the state tournaments so that your players will continue to appear in the weekly state leaders listings through the end of the state finals. The last compilation will follow the Tuesday after each sport’s state finals.

Girls Basketball Statistical Leaders | Boys Basketball Statistical Leaders

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NEWS & NOTES FROM AROUND THE STATE

Have an interesting note? A conference or school record, coaching milestone or something else of interest? Please e-mail IHSAA Sports Information Director Jason Wille at jwille@ihsaa.org for consideration.

Travis Carroll, a 6-10 center/power forward from Danville, has been named the 2009-10 Gatorade Indiana Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Top-ranked Danville (25-1) plays No. 6 Washington (21-3) at 1 p.m. Saturday in a Class 3A semi-state at Southport. A win puts the Warriors in the state finals March 27 at Conseco Fieldhouse. Carroll, who is headed to Purdue University after graduation, averages 19.7 points and 12.0 rebounds.

The Caston boys basketball team set a new school record with 11 three-pointers in their game against Winamac on Feb. 23. Alex Herd hit his seventh three-point field goal of the game with :01 to go to give the Comets the win, 49-47.

Columbus North girls basketball coach Debbie Marr has decided to retire from coaching after 17 years finishing 222-137.

Knox senior basketball player Kyle Sander scored his 1,000 point against Calumet in the first round of the Knox 3A sectional on March 2nd. Sander is the 10th boys basketball player in Knox history to achieve this feat.

Center Grove coach Jim Todd was named the Indiana High School Girls Swimming & Diving State Coach of the Year by the state coaches association. Todd led the Trojans to their state runner-up finish. Fishers coach Ken Stopkotte was named the Indiana High School Boys Swimming & Diving State Coach of the Year. Stopkotte led the Tigers to a fifth place finish at the IHSAA state meet in only the fourth year of the program.

From CNN.com: Washington, DC high school hires woman to coach varsity football team
http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/03/11/woman.football.coach/index.html?hpt=T2