Indiana Basketball News
“State’s Largest Prep-College Newsletter”
Volume. 3 Issue 2
e-mail: INDBASKETBALNEWS@aol.com
Oct., 1999
Jared Jeffries chooses Indiana University after committing to visiting USC, Iowa, Duke, Florida State,
Notre Dame and neighbor Indiana. Jeffries has chosen Indiana. Attending Duke’s midnight madness via a
charter jet was certainly an impressionable experience while his parents even drove the 12 hours to also
visit Duke. After the visit Mrs. Jeffries told IBN that Jared was staying with his late October
announcement. When asked if she wanted him to stay home at Indiana she replied, “That is not true, that is
Jared’s decision.” The 6’9”big fella handled his recruiting in the most mature manner of any teenager in
years. 6’8” Josh Grant---Taylor High School has chosen Division One Winthrop in South Carolina. No
senior in Indiana has more potential than Josh and we expect him to be incredibly talented by his
sophomore season. 6’4” Braden Bushman of Mississinewa High School has chosen to be part of the
Indiana contingent that attempts to revitalize the underachieving Wright State. Bushman joins former
Indiana preps John Watkins, (Dekalb), Venard Hollins (Ft. Wayne) and Marcus May (North Central) at the
Midwest Collegiate Conference Men’s Basketball program. Laporte-s 5’11” combo Steve Drabyn has
chosen Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee over IUPUI. Rarely have we seen a more perfect fit as
the treyball specialist is perfect for the screening motion offense. Belmont plays in the rising Mid-Con
conference. 6’8” Lefty Corey Seegers of Columbus North has taken his power forward game to Kyle
Macy’s Morehead State University program in Kentucky. (Remember Dick Flick?) Indiana legend Macy
out witted a dozen mid majors for Seeger’s services. 6’5” versatile (SF) Michael Bennett of Brebeuf High
School (Indpls.) has chosen to stay close to home and suit up for Ray McCallum’s Ball State Cardinals.
6’7” Tyray Pearson, Hammond High School and sophomore at Kankakee Jr. College has officially
announced to join 6’4”Shane Power at Iowa State. Pearson and Power are perfect slashers for the
transition oriented Iowa State. The most interesting commitment to date has been 6’4” John Hamilton’s
(Greenfield) announcement for Weber State University. Spurning offers from Big Ten Purdue, Illinois
State, Miami (Ohio) and interest from Louisville, Ohio State, Temple and Notre Dame. Jump shooting
Johnny has taken his pure treyball to the Utah school that upset North Carolina in NCAA’S last March.
Weber’s Indiana connections run deep as head coach Joe Cravens and assist. Kirk Earlywine and John
Stroia all are Hoosierland hoop products. Recently hired Stroia of Munster, Indiana is the former exiled
Youngstown State head coach . Earlywine of Mt. Vernon actually played for John Hamilton Sr. and then
learned his college craft under Rick Majerus. Unbelievably the up and coming Weber State program some
2,000 miles from Indiana will start four Indiana residents next season--6’0” Jermaine Boyette, Hammond,
6’4” John Hamilton, Greenfield, 6’9” Pat Danley, Gary Westside and 6’4” Chris Woods of East
Chicago. 6’4” shooter John Standeford, Monrovia has decided to take his All State Football skill to Big
Ten Purdue. John was considering many mid major hoop offers until he visited Purdue’s football game
with Notre Dame. That incredibly exciting experience at Ross Ade Stadium would sway any hard working
prep to join Joe Tiller’s program. IBN looks forward to following John’s final season of prep hoops. 6’8”
Adam Mark of Bremen visited his final three choices of Belmont, Elon and Campbell with-Belmont
emerging the victor for Adam’s services. With physical development we expect him to have a “TJ Lux”
type NCAA division one career.
SENIOR RECRUITING NEWS
6’3” Jovan Witherspoon-Ft. Wayne Bishop Luers, Big East Pittsburgh has now joined Toledo and
Bowling Green in offering both football and Hoops.
6’9” Ross Mcgregor, Ft. Wayne North-offers: Indiana, Purdue Ft. Wayne and Akron.
6’9” Ronald Dokes, offers: Ball State, Central Michigan, So. Illinois and Ohio Univ. -decision Nov. 10th
6’3”Chris Wiggins-Warsaw, offers: Univ. of Chicago, Lafayette and Yale, decision in March. He desires
big school.
6’6” Matt Backs, Marion--he will decide in early Nov. between Central Florida, Univ. of Indpls.,
Youngstown State and Elon.
6’7” Aaron Thomas, Northridge--Bucknell and Robert Morris lead but late decision includes Colgate,
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Central Florida and Dartmouth.
6’6” Brandon Webb, Knox-deep shooter has St. Joe offer, Oregon State, widespread LM
6’0”David Hanger-North Newton-the combo who drained a state record 57 in one game has Evansville,
Indiana State and Notre Dame with St. Josephs as D2 favorite.
6’2” Mickey Mcgill, Rossville, athletic small schooler will decide Nov. 10th between Winthrop and Univ.
of Indianapolis
6’8”John Gergely, Speedway--has offer from Indiana, Purdue Ft. Wayne and interest from Colgate, Yale,
Dartmouth and Harvard.
6’6” Scott Fisher, Bloomington South--Rhodes scholar type “fish”seeks Donald Trump economics major
and has visited Columbia, Cornell, Brown and also likes Yale and University of Chicago.
6’4” Ricky Gooden, Michigan City, SF Rim Rattler likes South Illinois and Ill. State with Bethel and
Depauw.
6’3” Sean Gillespie, Arlington, Indianapolis, best player tells us only St. Josephs and Paris Juco show
interest. He is determined to qualify academically. IUPUI and Ashland also covet Sean.
6’11” 230 lb. Josh Wittgren-Union Dugger--Indiana’s most intriguing prospect has strong interest from
Indiana, Illinois and Wright State. He states his core GPA ;is 3.0 and that his doctor believes Josh will
grow to 7ft.5.
6’0” 190lb. combo Terry Collins, Ft. Wayne Snider,Bowling Green and Dayton lead, Collins must raise
grades.
6’2” Lathaniel Staten, Andrean-Bowling Green has “cooled down on late” but he has offers from Tenn.
Tech, Charleston, New Hampshire, Lewis.
6’7” Traver Griffin-Pendleton Heights-If qualifies academically, he has Bowling Green and Western
Michigan offers with Indiana State interest.
6’0”Bryant Northern-Jeffersonville,--partial qualifier academically at this time. He has offers from
Murray State, Morehead State, Ball State, Ind. State and Clemson.
5’10”Jon Owens--Indianapolis Brebeuf--3.34GPA, 1020 SAT. Desires Div. One. Offers from: No.
Colorado, West Florida, Depauw, Hanover, Wabash, Rose Hulman.
6’4” SF Brad Gulick, Dekalb--needs core work-wants S.W.Mo. State
6’5” SFBlake English-Evansville North--favors Indiana Purdue Ft. Wayne but likes Depauw, Wabash,
Hanover.
6’4”2G Jeremy Smith,Ft. Wayne North-3.0GPA, 1200 SAT, will miss 5 games as finishing ACL rehab.
6’4” Antonio Lisenbee,Ben Davis--Due to personal reasons he will join team in January.
1999-2000 BOYS PREP SEASON
WHAT A DIFFERENCE THE TOURNEY MAKES!
by
Jim Kasberg--Chief Associate
Not long ago October was the time when Indiana high school basketball fans began debating about which
team would most likely be contending for the State Championship in March. With practice beginning on
October 15 and non football schools starting to play in November, the season seemed just around the corner
long before the hardwood forests performed their annual duty of coloring the landscape. The crown jewel
of the season of course was the state tournament. Today all of this appears as a faded memory. Practices
begin November 1st, the start of the season has been kicked by the pigskin heads into December, and the
magnificence of March-mayhem has been relegated to class cookie cutter status by the Indiana High School
Athletic Association. Saddest of all, fewer and fewer fans can be found spinning their forecasts for the
upcoming year. Lets face it--Indiana prep hoops is in a state of decline.Under the leadership of former
commissioner Gene Cato the current decade began with 80,000 fans attending the traditional four-team,
three game single class finals in March of 1990. Last season a crowd of only 29,000 witnessed the eight
team four game state finals directed by present commissioner Bob Gardner and his cookie cutter multi class
creation. In dollars and cents, conservative estimates suggest the new format has already cost the IHSAA
over one million dollars. Never again will a Hoosier small school be allowed to defy all odds and defeat a
big city power in the state finals. Sadly Miracle Milan’s Coach Marvin Wood recently died at age 71. The
architect of Hoosier Hysteria, Coach Wood utilized the “cat and mouse” four corners and trapping defenses
before Dean Smith and John Wooden “hung their hats” on those strategies. Bone cancer killed coach Wood
but multi class basketball saddened him. Marvin Wood was Indiana Basketball.
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PUBLISHER PICKS
Player of the Year: ZACH RANDOLPH
FIRST TEAM
6’8” Sr. Zach Randolph--Marion
6’9” Sr. Jared Jeffries-Bloomington
6’8” Sr. Brett Buscher-Chesterton
6’0” Jr. Chris Thomas-Pike (Indpls.)
5’10” Sr. Brody Boyd-Union Dugger
THIRD TEAM
6’6” Sr. Matt Backs-Marion
6’8” Sr. Corey Seegers-Columbus North
6’4” Sr. John Hamilton-Greenfield Central
6’0” Sr. David Hanger-North Newton
6’3” Sr. Jovan Witherspoon-Ft.Wayne Bishop
FIFTH TEAM
5’10” Steve Drabyn-Laporte
6’3” Sr. Chris Wiggins-Warsaw
6’7” Jr. Andre Patterson-Ft. Wayne Con.
6’8” So. Sean May-Bloomington North
6’7” So. Tyler Best-Laf. Cen. Catholic
SECOND TEAM
6’8 Sr. Ronaald Dokes--South Bend Riley
6’7”Jr. Sean Kline-Huntington North
6’2” Sr. Andre Owens-Perry Meridian
6’6” Sr. Myron Hodge-Evansville Bosse
6’4” Sr. Shane Power-Andrean
FOURTH TEAM
6’6” Sr. Brandon Webb-Knox
6’2” Sr. Gerry Hall-Muncie South
6’4” Sr. John Standeford-Monrovia
6’1” Sr. Terry Collins-Ft. Wayne Snider
6’5” Jr. Dennis Coutee-Jeffersonville
SIXTH TEAM
6’7” Sr. Aaron Thomas-Northridge
6’1” Sr. Derek Yoder-Westview
6’8” Sr. Adam Mark-Bremen
6’2” Sr. Aaron Brothers-Evansville Memorial
6’5” Sr. Blake English-Evansville North
5’10” Sr. Austin Parkinson-Northwestern
TOP 25 TEAMS
The business of Indiana Basketball News is primarily to report on the talents of hoosierlands top
prospects.We hope to identify and describe all scholarship worthy athletes to our nationwide clientele of
colleges and Universities. We base our team rankings on experience, talent, depth, coaching, quickness and
size. Hoop spin doctors can prognosticate why their local team is top 25. We expect outstanding seasons
from IBN’s Top 25!!
1. BLOOMINGTON NORTH “Jeffries, May and Coach McKinney”
2. MARION “Zach, Backs, McClung and depth!”
3. BEN DAVIS “witty factor plus perpetual 6’2” studs!”
4. MERRILLVILLE “Randolph and Justin Johnston won’t choke this time”.
5. WARSAW “Wiggins and Coach spell big year!”
6. FT. WAYNE CARROLL “Great junior Class!”
7. LAWRENCE NORTH “America’s best transfers!”
8. JEFFERSONVILLE “Coutee, Shelton and Northern”.
9. MUNCIE SOUTH “Experience and Gerry Hall.”
10. PIKE (Indianapolis)”Chris Thomas, Darner and Athletes!”
11. CATHEDRAL “Petty and Shannon!”
12. ANDREAN “Powerhouse driven by Staten”
13. LAPORTE “Drabyn deep treys and wily Otis”
14. EVANSVILLE BOSSE “Myron Hodge has support”
15. SOUTH BEND LASALLE “McKnight and big John Collins”
16. MONROVIA “Coach, Matt Walls and Standeford”
17. WESTVIEW “Experience and Nation of Yoder”
18. MICHIGAN CITY “Polish Post Paul and Rick Gooden”
19. FT. WAYNE SNIDER “Collins, Gamble, Champ Sims”
20. UNION--Dugger, Ind.”Brady’s Pure Magic”
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TECUMSEH “Experience
LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC “Best”
ARLINGTON (Indianapolis) “Gillespie and Rowley”
HUNTINGTON NORTH “Kline”
NORTHRIDGE “Big shoulders of Aaron Thomas”
IN STATE SCHOOLS LAND TOP OUT OF STATE PROSPECTS
Indiana’s mid major trio of Ball State, Indiana State and Evansville have all received commitments from top
out of the state nationally ranked prospects. Evansville has landed 6’2” combo Stetson Hariston
from Belleville Illinois East High School. A Nike All American camp participant Hairston also considered
St. Louis, So. Illinois and Indiana State. The Purple Aces reportedly are now actively pursuing 6’0” PG
David Hanger of North Newton. Ball State University in addition to Brebeuf’s 6’5” Michael Bennett has
also signed 6’6” PGRawle Marshall from Detroit Mackenzie High School. He creates off the dribble,
passes easily over defenses and drains the jumper. Marshall is a 3.7 student and was also considering
Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green, Loyola-Chicago and Notre Dame. Cardinal recruiting would be easier if
the administration extends Coach Ray McCallum’s contract. Indiana State also have recruited a top
Midwestern point guard in 5’0” 160lb. Barry Welsh of Arlington, Illinois. Welsh was class A first team
all state player as a junior with averages of 21PPG, 8APG and 3.5 steals per. Coach Jim Youngman of
Abington describes Walsh as a perfect fit for Royce Waltman’s ;system as he makes the right decisions, he
sees the court well and expertly shoots. IBN saw Welsh as he traveled with the Illinois Warriors and
Barry’s game is similar to current Sycamore Mike Menser and North Carolina’s Jon Holmes. Talk about
creative recruiting!!! New Notre Dame coach Matt Doherty transported the entire team 90 miles to
Huntington North High School for practice. YES1 The same Huntington North that top Jr. 6’7” Sean
Kline attends. Sure schools have used this strategy before but in this case the entire Irish squad was
wearing Kline’s trademark headband! Needless to say, Notre Dame is high on Kline’s list with reportedly
Indiana, Purdue and Michigan State.
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1999-2000 PREP PROGRAMS WITH NEW HEAD COACHES
SCHOOL
CITY
NEW COACH
FROM
Blue River Valley
Mt. Summit
Barry Huckaby
Muncie
Boonville
Boonville
Jeff Hein
Farmersburg
Carroll
Flora
Jeff Irwin
Staff
Clarksville
Clarksville
Steve Hatton
Staff
Columbus East
Columbus
Victor Bush
Asst. Warren Central
Concord
Elkhart
Ryan Culp
Staff
Decatur Central
Indianapolis
Brad Dickison
Asst. Law. Central
East Central
St. Leon
Dave Disbro
Staff
Eastern Hancock
Charlottesville
Aaron Spaulding
Asst. Warren Central
Edgewood
Edgewood
Brad Dickey
Asst. Perry Meridian
Forest Park
Ferdinand
Tom Beach
Staff
Fountain Central
Veedersburg
Joe Luce
Ham. Southeastern
Garrett
Garrett
Marty Beasley
Gary Westside
Gary
John Boyd
Staff
Goshen
Goshen
Brian Bectel
Garrett
Griffith
Griffith
Jack Gabor
Kankakee Valley
Hamilton S.East.
Fishers
Larry Bullington
Madison
Highland High
Highland High
Mike Wade
Blue River Valley
Lake Station
Lake Station
Scott Baker
Asst. Hobart
Mishawaka Marian
Mishawaka
Keith Kurowski
South Bend Adams
North Harrison
Ramsey
Rick Snodgrass
Danville
Norwell
Ossian
Ty Platt
Columbus East
Portage
Portage
Tom Wells
Griffith
Rensselaer
Rensselaer
Mike Feagans
Assit. West Laf.
River Forest
New Chicago
Jason Quiqq
Staff
Tri-County
Wolcott
Joshua Kendrick
Union County
Liberty
Barry Kennedy
Staff
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Washington Twp.
Wawasee
West Vigo
Whitko
Connersville
Danville
Homestead
Kankakee Valley
Madison
North Central
South Mont
Southport
Washington Catholic
Western Boone
Winamac
Adams Central
North Newton
Scecina
Silver Creek
Muncie Central
Valparaiso
Syracuse
Terre Haute
South Whitley
Connersville
Danville
Ft. Wayne
Wheatfield
Madison
Farmersburg
Crawsfordsville
Indianapolis
Washington
Thorntown
Winamac
Monroe
Lake Village
Indianapolis
Silver Creek
Muncie
Kevin Duzan
Rob Berger
Jon Compton
Steve Pickett
Rodney Klein
Brian Barber
Chris Johnson
Tom Black
Kyle Hobbs
Brian McCammon
Dave Williamson
Joe Cantou
Jon Howell
Brent Miller
Brian Williams
Aaron McClure
Tim Lochmiller
Greg Weimer
Joe Ledbetter
Bill Harrell
Staff
Mish. Mar.
Staff
Ft. Wayne Carr.
Dwenger
Lake Central
Staff
Former state
champ
IHSAA SANCTIONED “SHOWCASE TOURNEY
EAST CHICAGO THANKSGIVING CLASSIC--Nov. 26-27 12:30 and 2:30P.M. both days at
Central High School. Teams include: East Chicago, Providence St. Mel (Ill.) Gary Roosevelt, Gary
Lew Wallace
REGION ROUNDBALL RUMBLE--Dec. 3-4 at Hammond Civic Center. Newly remodeled
legendary hoops hall will match Hammond vs.Michigan City, Merrillville vs. Huntington North,
Chesterton vs. Cathedral and Andrean vs. Union Dugger.
HALL OF FAME CLASSIC AT NEW CASTLE HIGH SCHOOL--Chrysler Arena Dec. 29th The
world’s largest prep arena will play host to Marion vs. Monrovia and Westview vs. Union Dugger.
SUPER HOOPS BIG 8 AT FRANKFORT HIGH SCHOOL--Dec. 29-30 and Jan. 1. Teams
competing are: Frankfort, Winchester, Jennings Coounty, Benton Central, Lafayette Catholic,
Columbus East, Brebeuf Jesuit and South Bend Adams
PIZZA HUT DOUBLEHEADER--Jan. 14 at Terre Haute Hulman Center. A local affair includes
Terre Haute North vs. West Vigo and Terre Haute South vs. Northview.
MARION COUNTY TOURNEY (INDPLS.) Jan. 10-15 at Southport
EVANSVILLE CITY TOURNEY (Evansville) Jan. 11-15 TBA
INDIANAPOLIS CITY TOURNEY--Jan. 18-24 at Tech
FT. WAYNE CITY TOURNEY == Dec. 28-30 TBA
GARY CITY TOURNEY--Dec. 27-29 at Gary Westside
HIGH SCHOOL COACH SPOTLITE
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Indian Creek High School enjoyed their first winning season (15-7) in eleven years this past season under
the direction of first year coach Dan Carmony Sr. A four starter at Manchester College, Dan was team
captain as a Jr . and Sr. Coaching highlight was his 1998 Morristown team ranked #1 in State that won
school’s only regional championship. Dan’s career record is 49-18. With wife Doris, Dan is the proud
parent of Dan Jr. Weston, Keegan and Stedman.
Shaun Busick has assisted at Warsw, Lebanon and Kankakee before starting his head coaching career at
Argos High School in 1992. Later he coached North Knox to a #5 clan 2A state ranking and conference
title. Last season at Belmont, Coach Busick finished with a 14-8 record and New Haven sectional
championship.
BUZZER BEATER......Bloomington North got the guard they needed in 6’2” Kelvin Boatner--an all
Stater from Michigan. Peru’s all state jr. two sport star Brandon Jones has reportedly committed to Purdue
football. ATT: JUCOS--Top prospect C.J. Hill of Ben Davis correct phone number is:
317-686-9429
The IHSAA quickly cleared top-sophomore Russell Trudeau’s transfer to Lafayette Central Catholic from
South Newton. This ruling was in spite of huge central Indiana protest. In contrast, the IHSAA worked
overtime to rule for Jason Carter and then against Jason. They stripped Jason of their eligibility gift once
they learned he did not attend summer school as promised. What he did was travel two weeks in July
playing AAU with the Gary running rebel tutoring program team. YES! Believe it or not -- a supposed
program for academics would actually persuade the academic deficient Jason Carter to skip school for
hoops!
ISSUE 3 REPORTS ON THE STATE’S TOP
SOPH./FROSH/PROSPECTS.
PLEASE RETURN PLAYER PROFILES IMMEDIATELY.
SEE YOU AT THE GAMES!!!!!!
EDITOR/PUBLISHER: REG TISDALE
PRODUCTION: MARLANE RAE
ASSOCIATE: JIM KASBERG
SECRETARY: MARIA RIOS
IBN IS PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT LAWS. IT IS THEFT TO XEROX OR SHARE IBN
WITH A THIRD PARTY.
Indiana Basketball News
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Highland, Ind. 46322-3742
Fax/Phone: 219-392-1586
e-mail: INDBASKETBALNEWS@aol.com
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