Indiana State University 59 Indiana University 58 !!

For the second season in a row , the Sycamores (3-1) of Terre Haute have slayed the Big Ten (2-3) Hoosiers .
Ironically , the diminutive Michael Menser's 14 points and last three pointer is what did the Hoosiers in.
The irony is that Menser (Batesville ) and 6-6 Matt Renn (Silver Creek) have both proven the past two seasons that they should have been recruited by Indiana University..
Both would have hitch hiked to Bloomington to wear the cream and crimson.
The Hoosiers loss is Royce Waltman's gain ..
The silver haired fiery leader (assisted by Dick Bender) has made yet another stride towards regaining the Magic Of The Larry Bird Era!!
If the Indiana University Board Of Trustees are only paying lip service to considering Head Coach Mike Davis for future employment , they should look no further than Terre Haute , Indiana...
Just imagine for a minute what Royce Waltman could do with a much larger pool of talent to recruit from??

Attention NCAA D-1 Midwestern Mid- High Majors !!
Gary,Indiana native 6-7 223 lb.(SF) Prentiss Gates has slowly become one of the better college prospects to have never played High School Basketball.
A late physical and academic maturer , Gates attended Gary Wirt and graduated in 1999..
Gates always played Summer basketball in his cousin Sam Gates program.
His 1999-2000 season was spent at West Hills JC in California..
His game has blossomed this 2000-2001 season at Chattanooga State JC in Tennessee..
Playing both the shooting guard and small forward position , Gates has averaged 19 ppg. and 7 rpg...
Strong and explosive off the floor , Prentiss states that ," I will consider all scholarship situations ."
Showing most interest in Gates at this time is , Tennessee , Middle Tennessee State , Oklahoma , Arkansas State , Lee University (TN) and Kentucky State..
We believe that Gates would prefer to play the next two seasons in the mid-west , somewhere relatively close to his family in Gary...
Stay Tuned !!

Wednesday November 29 , 2000

Eastern Greene's Levi Carmichael Update

Levi has averaged 21 ppg , 5 apg. , and 4.6 steals per game thus far in leading Eastern to a 2-0 record over Owen Valley (78-62) and Mitchell (56-35)..
Carmichael is a talented 6-0 combo guard that we have seen simply elevate his game to whatever the necessary level..
Regardless of the defensive pressure , if he is guarded by only one player-then he is always very consistent..
Athletically, his foot speed and quickness is NCAA D-1 Caliber and a steal for D-2 !!
His every possession disciplined focus reminds us of Michael Menser (ISU) and Indiana Legend Steve Alford..
Levi is a highly skilled "gamer" that just keeps coming after you !!
His summer travelling teams have always been solid but not ever possessing the 6-7 or larger posts that can compete nationally..
Levi is a target for opponents junk defenses so he is fortunate that 'mates Tyler Hash (15 ppg.) and Dustin Hayse(12 ppg.) are also stepping up large for Eastern..
Saturday Eastern hosts Rival Paoli.
In addition to Levi , Hash , Hayse and 6-6 275 lb.Eastern Soph. Clint Burris, recruiters and scouts will have the opportunity to evaluate Paoli's 6-2 Junior Shooter Evan Seacat...

Castle 79 Boonville 69
Boonville's 6-0 Junior sensation Brian Mckain was hampered this night with foul trouble.
Playing only a limited second half role , Mckain finished with only six points.
A bright spot in Boonville's loss was the 22 points (6 treys) from Matt Holland.

Fiery Castle Head Coach Steve Brunes turned playmaker 6-1 Dedrick Finn loose this evening and the talented NCAA D-1 Mid - Hi Major Finn responded with 36 POINTS !!..
Junior Guards 6-1 Ben Labhart and 6-1 Casey Elkins contributed 17 and 14 points respectively to Castle's Upset of Boonville..

First Weekend Of Southwestern Indiana Basketball

While Heritage Hills and Evansville Mater Dei were winning state pigskin championships for Southern Indiana in the RCA Dome this past weekend, the schedule for prep hoops was light for their roundball counterparts.
Powerhouse Boonville opened its season with an 81-63 victory over South Spencer behind the 32 points of Junior guard 5-11 Brian Mckain..

Meanwhile, Evansville North surprised Terre Haute North with a season opening 66-59 home win. The Huskies, who lost all five starters from a year ago , were paced by 6-4 forward Javon Terry's 17 points.

In other action , Northeast Dubois took the Southridge Tip Off Classic Championship with a 69-52 win over Heritage Hills.., which played without some of its key players who were on the state championship football team..
Shooting guard Jeremy Wolf led the Jeeps to the win with 19 points...
In the consolation game , Jasper defeated Southridge 58-45..

Tuesday November 28 , 2000

Just In- Monday Evening 10:15 PM
Cathedral Freshman 6-5 Robert " Darth "Vaden and 6-1 Desmond Gadis Choose Purdue University !!
The talented brothers have chosen Purdue University over offers from both Iowa and Notre Dame..
Apparently coach Keady is unable to be reached in New York at a Conference, so the brothers father (Dave Gadis) tells IBN that "they are verbally committing tonight to assistant coach Cuonzo Martin ..
" Purdue , Iowa and Notre Dame were all outstanding options " , Dave Gadis tells IBN..
"Basically , what this came down to was the familiarity of the program and the fact that both boys are momma boys," continued the elder Gadis.
" They have been at Mackey for games and camp since they were four years old .. We will have easy access to all Big Ten games and they will be only One hour from their mother ", continued father Dave..
Uncle Mack Gadis also committed early to Purdue during his Junior year at Indianapolis Pike High School..
Mack ran point at Purdue for Coach Keady from 1982 -1986 ..
Father Dave experienced a much different recruiting process than Mack..
Like younger brother Mack , Dave was an Indiana All Star at Pike High School..
Dave chose not to committ early and subsequently felt a great deal of college choice pressure his senior year...
Dave Gadis starred at Southern Methodist University for Coach Dave Bliss from 1980-1984...
Since his sons had three great early offers , we believe that father Dave is pleased that the two can now concentrate on academics and enjoy basketball without worrying about impressing scouts and recruiters....
" Coach Keady assured us that he will still be coaching at Purdue ",stated Dave Gadis..
"If coach is not their, then obviously the recruiting process begins all over again "-concluded Dave Gadis....
Obviously this recruiting situation is not common place but it is ocurring more and more often..
Evansville Senior prep Cris Brunson shocked hoosierland when as a frosh he committed to The University Of Southern Indiana ...
Brunson stayed loyal to USI this spring in spite of offers from the Mid American Conference...
However, the impetus for pressuring elite Freshman to committ all started when 6-9 280 lb. Kenneth Harris / Bishop Noll committed to Mid Con Power Valparaiso..
How would you react if you were a Purdue assistant and Valparaiso just beat you for the best Indiana College Prospect from the Sophomore Class ??
You might be shocked for a minute ( considering all Purdue assistants have nothing more than a one year contract )- but then you redouble your efforts to make sure that you are not embarrassed again by having an In State Mid- Major beat you again for elite underclassmen....
Kenneth Harris To Valparaiso shocked High Major Recruiters from their focus on Juniors and Sophomores...
Expect many more offers to Freshman in the elite rank of Robert Vaden and Desmond Gadis..

NEWS FLASH-Monday Evening 5:00 PM -Purdue University Head Coach Gene Keady Offers Cathedral Freshmen 6-5 Robert "Darth" Vaden and 6-1 Desmond Gadis..

Monday November 27 , 2000

IHSAA Benches Park Tudor's Lithuanian Foreign Exchange Students !!

This past Wednesday Park Tudor visited Beech Grove and went home a loser 62-59..
Apparently the Lithuanian Foreign Exchange students have not been approved by The IHSAA Ivory Tower.
Welcome to our Indiana Schools but we are not sure you are worthy to step on our sacred hardwood!!
We believe the Park Tudor delay is only a "smoke screen" formality that will go away once a precedent has been set that will appear as if Bierdiel has been treated just like the other Foreigners.
Park Tudor's 6-7 Vytas Danelius and 6-2 Marius Kliokys will probably play soon while Andrean's Bierdiel may have to " go the distance " to see time on the court..
The 6-7 Danelius is highly coveted by :
Notre Dame , Iowa , Wake Forest and North Carolina State University....
After Danelius unofficially visited Wake Forest ,they must be considered the early leader for his game....
Stay Tuned !!

Sunday November 26 , 2000

Carlton " Oudie " Baker Update
The 6-7 Barton County Junior College Sophomore and East Chicago native has led the Kansas JC to an 8-1 record..
With averages of 21.6 ppg , 10.5 rpg. ,2.5 steals ,1.5 blocks , and 5 assists per game -Baker has caught the eye of America's Major College Programs and The NBA ...
Colleges and Universities lining up for Baker's services include UAB , Auburn , LSU , Texas , Houston , Memphis and Hawaii to name the leaders..
Baker will graduate in June with an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts.
Barton travels to Coffeyville, Kansas this weekend where they are scheduled to meet Labette and Independence JC'S
Scouts from The Los Angeles Lakers and Vancouver Grizzlies will be in attendance to evaluate " Oudie " Baker and teammate 6-7 Travis Robinson (Mt. Zion Academy).

Carlton Baker's grade school friend 6-0 Ajabe Gillis is in his second year at Notre Dame Prep Academy.
Starting at PG for the 8-0 Academy , Gillis is averaging 9.5 ppg. , 5apg. and 3.4 steals per game.
Gillis has received serious recruiting from Weber State , Youngstown State , and UNC- Greensboro.
Youngstown State must be considered the leader as Gillis prefers to attend College close to home.

1998 Hammond High Grad 6-0 Batiste Haywood playmaked The Wildcats to two Sectional Championships.
'Tiste currently is in his Sophomore season at Northeast Junior College (Nebraska) where he is averaging 18 ppg. and 7apg.
According to The NCAA D-1 eligibility clock , Haywood appears to have two years remaining after he graduates from Northeast in June.
Stay Tuned !

Horace Mann Won The Game - Hammond Clark Was The Best Team !!

Clark Head Coach Larry Moore (1974 Indiana All Star /Hammond High) has done a masterful job in making his Pioneers competitive in spite of little individual talent ..
Offensively he picks your defense apart with his "flex like offense ".
Defensively, his hard nosed athletes smother you in their 3-2 zone.
Having no roster players larger than 6-0 , Clark actually led Mann in the first half before falling 56-44..Pioneer 6-0 Small College Prospect (2G) Pat Long finished with 18 hard earned points..
Horace Mann is loaded with individual talent but they stretch the patience of the Coaching Staff..
" They do not listen to directives " , Mann Assistant coach Charles Bly tells IBN after the game..
Basically , we went to the game to observe the progress of Mid- Major NCAA D-1 PROSPECT 6-7 220 lb.Nathan Carter
Progress ? In the first half Carter scored two points on 1-4 of shooting. He blocked one shot and grabbed two rebounds.
6-7 Nathan Carter was not even played in the second half ..
Hopefully the " Big Fella " will begin to work toward the potential that is equal to his athleticism.
Two points against 6-0 average athletes is inexcusable....
He can always be just another 6-7 Intramural player on some College Campus if that is what he so desires.
We hope Carter chooses to become an aggressive , respected College Prospect.
Gary Horace Mann has a roster of athletic slasher / dashers...
The best of the bunch is 6-2 Multi Sport Star David Gullett.. Gullett finished with 25 off the dribble points including one incredible " alley oop ".
Fellow Senior 6-4 Dion Adams has a chance to be a great player..
A triple threat to 22', Adams has a nice looking shot that was broke this day..
Once Coach Pulliam began his diamond and one press , Adams fell into his niche.
Very long armed at 6-4 Adams trapped and tipped many passes enroute to 10 points ,4 steals and the same number of Tomahawk Dunks.
Gary Horace Mann Juniors 6-4 Edward Fields and 6-3 Chris Williams are both athletic solid College prospects that possess both the natural physical and skill tools for College Basketball --if they desire to qualify academically....

Gary Roosevelt Wins East Chicago Central Holiday Classic!!

The tradition rich Panthers handed hostEC Central their worst defeat in years by thrashing the Cardinals 86-46..
Down 40-16 at the half , EC Central struggled to "find good looks" at the basket..
Much of that frustration was a result of the smothering Panther half court defense...
Panther Senior leaders 6-4 Danny Smith(15 points) , 6-5 Kenneth "Skooch" Lampley (14 points) , and 6-2 Akeem Clark(10 points) led Roosevelt.
Seldom used 6-2 Jr. Jerod Mohn came off the bench to deliver 10 points for 'Velt..
East Chicago's only bright spot of the game was the 12 points that 5-8 Freshman Tremayne "Bug" Cooley scored in a Cardinal reserve role.
In the consolation game , Gary Westside barely escaped an upset by defeating Gary Lew Wallace 69-66.
Westside Junior floor general Brandon Cameron Did not play due to a bout with the flu.
6-11 Jr Chris Hunter led (2-1) Westside with 22 points.
6-3 Donald "Skywalker" Richards threw down 15 points and 6-2 Brandon Terry chipped in 10 points for Westside.
Gary Lew Wallace was led in scoring by 6-4 Shooter Brandon Richardson's 23 points..
Fellow Hornet Seniors 6-4 Fred Robinson (16 points including 4 treys) and 6-6 Javon Joiner (11 points) also produced for Lew Wallace..

Saturday November 25 , 2000

East Chicago Thanksgiving Holiday Classic Round One Results

IBN # 9 Gary Roosevelt Dominates IBN # 4 Gary Westside

Game One:
Gary Roosevelt 77 Gary Lew Wallace 68
Gary Roosevelt's senior leadership coupled with Westside's "quick-cold" shot selection was the difference in this hotly contested "cross town battle".
'Velt Seniors led Panther scoring as 6-0 Shooter Chad Knight had 20 , 6-4 Dan Smith finished with 13 points /9 rebounds and Youngstown State signee 6-5 Kenneth "Skooch" Lampley muscled in 15 points while also snaring 12 rebounds.
Sophomore 6-0 Larry Upshaw (The Panther leader at point) scored 10 points ,threw 5 assists and had 4 steals.
6-6 Sophomore Naquan Jackson was strong off the bench for 'Velt as he threw in 7 points
6-2 Sr.Akeem Clark helped extend the Cougar defense by draining two threes and contributing 9 points.
Westside made a gallant effort with 90 seconds remaining to pull within five points, but the hole they dug earlier proved too big to dig out of.
Cougar Senior elevator man 6-3 Donald Richards finished with 13 points.
Junior All Staters 6-0 Brandon Cameron (12 points) and 6-11 Chris Hunter (11 points) struggled with their shot as 'Velt did a good job of containing the talented duo.
Junior 6-3 Dennis Gates played the best for the Cougars scoring 13 points and defending well.
Head Coach John Boyd is trying to find the eight player rotation that he can count on.
Playing 13 players this game , Once Coach identifies his Top eight , Westside will mesh into a very strong unit by March Tourney Time.
The Panthers and Westside meet during the season, in the Christmas tourney and in Sectional action.
GaryRoosevelt won the first battle!!
WHO WILL WIN THE WAR ??

Game Two: East Chicago Central 61 Gary Lew Wallace 51
Few have predicted much for the cards this season since they do not have the awesome individual talent of past teams.
What they had this day was a solid half court help defense that stifled the penetrating offense of The Hornets.
The team backbone are out of season football players 6-0 Keon Jackson and 6-4 James Braden.
Jackson at 180 pounds plays the three with authority and tenacity.
Not known to shoot the ball ,Keon drained the first three points of the Cardinal season.
Like Jackson , Braden contributed hard defense while also scoring 9 points.
The most naturally talented Cardinal is 6-4 Junior Joe Brand. Brand is very athletic at 175 pounds.
"A poor mans Carlton Baker " may be the best way to describe Brand..
Possessing a similar "hop" ,Brand attacks the offensive glass in " Oudie Baker tip dunk fashion."
Brand finished with 11 points...
Leading East Chicago this game was Sophomore 6-2 Dante Edwards's 17 points...
Edwards is the prototypical Region slasher ..Once he develops a consistent jumper he will be an outstanding College prospect..
East Chicago's leadership in the future is in the hands of 5-8 Freshman Tremayne "Bug" Cooley..
The playmaking Cooley scored four in his first game fresh from Junior High.
Cooley is very good and more than that he is very loyal to the School System that has invested time and weekends into his development.
He did not allow "street agents" to recruit him as an eighth grader from East Chicago Schools...
As good as Lew Wallace was Wednesday versus South Bend Washington, they were equally as bad versus East Chicago.
East Chicago's help defense had a great deal to do with Wallace scoring 45 fewer points this game..
Only Seniors 6-4 Brandon Richardson (17 points) and 6-8 Chris Wesby (16 points) were able to find open looks.
6-6 220 lb. Javon Joiner pulled 14 rebounds for The Hornets but he was smothered defensively..
The Cardinals may possibly become even better this week as 5-10 Seniors John Ryan , 6-4 Rodney Wash , and 6-2 Junior Shooter Mike Jernigan all become eligible.
However , The Cardinals most immediate concern is how they will win their own tournament (Nov.25th Saturday) at 2:00 PM versus the talented Panthers Of Gary Roosevelt.
The Consolation Game between Gary Westside and Gary Lew Wallace Tips off at 12:30 PM.

Hope To See You At The Game !!

Friday November 24 , 2000

East Chicago Thanksgiving Holiday Classic Tips Off Today At 12:30 PM

Game one features Gary rivals Gary Roosevelt Vs. Gary Westside

Game two between East Chicago Central and Gary Lew Wallace is scheduled for 2:00 PM

NEWS FLASH !
GARY LEW WALLACE UPSETS IBN #16 SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON !
BOTH SCHOOLS BOAST INDIANA'S SENIOR SURPRISES !!
Scroll Down For Thanksgiving Afternoon Player Updates !!

Thursday , November 23 ,2000

David Teague Is The Surprise Of The Season ???

YES ! IF YOU HAVE BEEN A COMATOSE "EXPERT" ON LIFE SUPPORT !!

Last night ,IBN favorite Teague was labeled that by talking radio heads .They have only six month interest in Indiana Basketball but they are foolish enough to repeat what insiders have known for months..
Teague and all Seniors have known that he is a huge shooting guard prospect since June..
The surprise of the matter to some is David Teague did not have to purchase $1000.00 Ads for Colleges to notice him..
Dave has offers from Eastern Illinois and Central Michigan..Weber State and Elon also want involved. Iowa also will be inspecting David Teague since they passed on Jaquan Hart of Michigan..
He will have many more offers by the end of this season..
Purdue should recruit him so to possibly prevent another debacle at the hands of Central Michigan.!!!
Pike 75 Muncie Central 61..
Too many horses for even Bill Harrell to harness...
No , David Teague has not been a surprise to anyone that supposedly knows Indiana Basketball !!
David finished with 19 points to support Tony Weedens 14 points and Mr.Basketball Candidate Chris Thomas's game high 26 points.

Warren Central 62 Franklin Central 47

The Flashes only glimmer of early hope was because of the benching of WC's Terren Wilson and Newcomer Aaron Patterson.
Yes ! Aaron Patterson's Haughville, Indiana game is eligible at the Far Eastside Indianapolis school that Washington Redskins Jeff George and Former Indiana University's Greg Graham made famous.
Most would think that a player of supposed top caliber like 6-9 Will (Xavier) Caudle , would have taken over in the absence of Wilson and Patterson..
In their first half absence , Caudle scored 2 points while Warren lost the half..
In the second half , Patterson's 21 points proved way to much for Franklin Central..

Gary Wallace 96 South Bend Washington 91

SB Washington controlled the game early and then got tired in second half..
Both teams have College Prospects from all grade levels but Seniors of note were
6-3 Shooter Brandon Richardson (GW) , 6-8 (C) Chris Wesby (GW) , 6-6 (220 lb.C) Javon Joiner (GW) , 6-2 Shooter Micah Williams (SBW) , 6-5 (PF) Jermaine Rogers (SBW) , 6-2 (SF) Jelani Perry (SBW) and 6-4 (SF)Fred Robinson (GW)..

Those Seniors are the Surprise Of The Indiana Basketball Season , not DAVID TEAGUE !!If David Teague surprises you then you have not been paying attention!!

The 6-4 Brandon Richardson led Lew Wallace with 28 points on 3 deep treys and several off the dribble mid range pullups.
Richardson is a "no brainer" MID-MAJOR D-1 PROSPECT and with strength to his lithe frame, a possible high major prospect..He played last season behind the always Senior "heavy" Wallace roster.
Unbelievably , the NWI Amateur Clubs of SYF , Spiece Northwest and 'GREBS did not ask him to "jump start" their "average seasons."
How does he compare to other Senior Shooters ??
Javon Joiner's description of him as being a "Leon Petty clone " is really accurate..
We have yet to see The Bowling Green Bound Leon this season but Brandon shares Petty's quick handle and explosiveness.
His jumper is better than Petty's but Leon definitely has an edge in strength and defensive toughness..

6-8 190 lb. Chris Wesby scored 10 points , grabbed 13 rebounds , blocked 4 shots and threw down 2 monstrous dunks in his first ever High School game..
The Long , thin Wesby is very raw offensively but his physical tools and "activeness" in the 'paint are unteachable skills ...
Wesby runs well ,has quick feet and aggressively "gets after" every play near the rim !!
His contesting of every shot down low changed nearly every shot South Bend Washington took. JUCO'S that can develop him with existing post talent should flock to Wallace for Wesby's signature.
Here's hoping he chooses to stay with the game !
Chris Wesby has the opportunity to use the ball for Higher Education and possibly even more..
6-4 200 lb. strong Fred Robinson transferred to Wallace from Gary Mann.. Somewhere between 5th street and 45th street , Mr. Robinson found some heart..
Always a good outside shooter , Fred is now playing with a reckless abandon that has elevated his game.
No wonder , play soft at Wallace and you do not play.
Fred is now very strong off the dribble which completes his trifecta threat to 22'.
JUCO'S needing a solid 2G / SF should follow Mr. Robinson..

South Bend Washington also boasts Underrated Seniors in 6-2 Shooter Micah Williams and 6-5 (PF) Jermaine Rogers..
Williams has physical tools similar to former SB Washington Star and current Ball State Player Cedric Moodie.
A Pure , Quick Releasing Jump Shooter to 23' , Williams poured in 17 (including 3 treys) Vs. Wallace..
Rogers is a shorter version of Wesby but incredibly blessed with a wing span nearly as long.
Very aggressive and raw, Rogers has huge college future if he will put the work in.

Wednesday, November 22, 2000

East Chicago Central Thanksgiving Holiday Classic

Friday, November 24:
Game 1-12:30 PMGary Westside versus Gary Roosevelt
Game 2-2:00 PM
EC Central versus Gary Law Wallace

College Recruiters Should Take Note of the Following Senior Prospects:
Gary Westside: 6-3 Donald Richards (JC), 6-0 Brandon Terry, 6-9 Bryson McKenzie
East Chicago: 6-4 James Braden, 6-5 Isaac Smith (JC), 6-0 Treymayne Peterson (JC), 5-10 Terrance Wallace (JC) 5-10 John Ryan (JC)
Gary Wallace: 6-8 Chris Wesby (JC), 6-4 Brandon Richardson, 6-6 Javon Joiner
Gary Roosevelt: 6-4 Danny Smith (JC), 6-0 Chad Knight, 6-2 Akeen Clark
Many outstanding underclass prospects completing will be Junior High Majors 6-0 Brandon Cameron and 6-11 Chris Hunter of Gary Westside.
East Chicago Junior 6-4 Joe Brand is a solid, developing perimeter player that must play post for the Cardinals.
Gary Roosevelt's special Junior 6-6 Donnell Franklin and super sophomores ,6-0 Larry "LA" Upshaw and 6-6 Naquan Jacksonplay major roles for 'Velt.
Saturday-November 25
Consolation Game 12:30 PM (Loser of Game 1 versus Loser of Game 2)

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 2:00 PM

Tuesday November 21 , 2000

IHSAA 1 Miguel Bierdiel 0

The 16 year old senior has been a participant of The IHSAA approved Foreign Exchange Program since the first day of school..
He has submitted all the necessary requested information that should of granted his approval to compete ..
Knowing that Andrean played on Monday , The IHSAA did not have the courtesy to even rule on his eligibility..
Phone calls requesting a ruling just fall on deaf ears..Andrean cannot even receive a return phone call from the non responsive fiefdom..
Does this group not serve Andrean and other members or does it exist only for the high paid IHSAA staff..
A sixteen year old student cannot even receive a return phone call to play for his first game.
Miguel's disappointment was obvious as he had to watch his team be mauled 72-59 by the slow starting Gary Roosevelt Panthers.
Content to play Andrean in half court the first half , 'Velt trailed 31-27 ..
Once Coach Broome went to full court second half defensive pressure , the game was all but over..
Sophomore Larry Upshaw got four quick steals and 8 points to ignite the attack..
Upshaw finished with 15 points in 16 minutes..
Danny Smith at 6-3 was explosive as a slasher around the rack finishing with a team high 20 points and two ferocious throw downs.
Still no sign of a perimeter game , Smith needs a situation in JC where he can slash and dash..
Ken Lampley / Youngstown State signee finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds..
Senior Chad Knight also scored 13 for The Panthers Of Gary Roosevelt..
Andrean Senior Rashad Pace finished with 16 points but he must be more assertive offensively ..Fellow senior Elliot Boarden must also take charge if Andrean is to repeat their state final 3A success..

Shenandoah's Jeremy Peckinpaugh Signs With New Orleans !!

The 6-4 Small Forward made the most of his limited July exposure by impressing New Orleans at the Kentucky Prep tournament this past July 10-13..
"They recruited me after they saw me play in Kentucky ", Peckinpaugh told IBN Monday evening.." They were the only NCAA D1 offer ", according to Jeremy..
Mid Western NCAA D1 Programs missed on the Guard/Forward playing "Peck"..
Yet, in the recruiters defense , if you blinked in July-you would have missed Jeremy Peckinpaugh..
His team did not compete the final 16 days of the July College Exposure Open Evaluation Period..
Jeremy is a quick shooting triple threat to 22'..
Blessed with long arms and nice leg spring ,the small schooler is a tremendous College Prospect that should blossom at the next level..
Jeremy tells IBN that, " Shenandoah will make a Big Run this season in 2A."
Last season ,Jeremy Peckinpaugh averaged 17 ppg. and 8 rpg. in leading Shenandoah to a 14-6 record..

Monday November 20 , 2000

Andrean's Miguel "Ali" Bierdiel Has Still Not Been Approved By The IHSAA !!

" Keep your fingers crossed that we will receive the approval Monday morning or Afternoon," is the message we received from Andrean Coach Clint Swan..
Unbelievably the 6-6 Puerto Rican playmaker has yet to receive his eligibility..
Miguel applied for eligibility in the summer..
He is participating in The IHSAA Approved Foreign Exchange Program.. What Gives ??
Miguel is a honor student with a 3.9 GPA ..
He desires to become a Medical Doctor ..
Since Miguel is a Puerto Rican , is that why he has not been approved ??
Miguel has been accepted into the IHSAA approved foreign exchange program long ago -but he still is seeking approval to play !!
If he was not eligible to enter the Exchange Program since Puerto Rico is an American "Commonwealth" - why was that not ruled at that time ??
Bierdiel did not enroll at Andrean just to play hoops..
He wanted to find a good academic institution that would challenge his potential for academic development..
The eventual IHSAA decision should be interesting !
Yes or No should have been explained long ago..
We can assure you that the People involved with Bierdiel will go the distance to see that Miguel Bierdiel is represented well..
The Bierdiel family relocated him with all expenses involved so he would have the opportunity to develop totally as a Student-Athlete in our State Of Indiana !!
The day of his first game in Indiana and he still has not been cleared to participate..
Welcome To Indiana Basketball !! Andrean Hosts Gary Roosevelt Tonight At Home
Spectators should arrive by the 6:30 JV Time if they want a decent seat..
Seniors (Gary Roosevelt) 6-3 Dan Smith and (Andrean) 6-0 Rashad Pace are outstanding prospects..
Smith is a guard/forward tweener that must prove he has some perimeter game..
Pace is an easy academic qualifier that the Naval Academy is pursuing...
The explosive Pace is also receiving interest from Evansville , Elon , Lehigh , University Of Indianapolis , Lewis and St. Joseph's College(In.)..
The biggest problem for Pace may be what position to play..
In Preps , he can play anywhere !!
At the College level he must define his game between playmaker , shooter or small forward..
We look forward to reporting on Rashaad Pace's progress because we feel Pace is going to take his game to another level !!

Frank Kendrick's CBA Gary Steelheads Sign Former Indiana State Prep Champions

The former Purdue asst. coach has wasted little time in signing a nucleus for The Steelhead's inaugural CBA season..
Former Indiana State Champs 6-2 Chad Austin / Richmond(92) / Purdue , 6-3 Jaraan Cornell / South Bend Clay(94) / Purdue and 6-7 Courtney James / Ben Davis(95) / Minnesota have signed to compete with the Gary , In. CBA entry..
Merrillville native 6-9 TJ Lux / Northern Illinois also signed with the Steelheads..Lux is rehabbing an injured knee at this time..
By signing with the CBA,Lux is apparently foregoing the large European Contract he signed with Italy..
Lux and his Merrillville Pirate mates finished second in 1995 to Courtney James and Ben Davis.
Yet Another Steelhead signee with an Indiana connection is former Indiana Hoosier SF Charlie Miller. Guard Ed Gray and 6-8 Terrance Shannon have also signed with The Steelheads.
Gray will make the team but Shannon is a "rail thin" sky walker that was ineffective in Try-outs..He was knocked all over the court..
Of the 80 athletes that plunked down $150.00 each for a chance to try-out ,only Shannon was signed..
Several of those that donated to the CBA Fundraiser have been invited to the November 30 Veterans Camp..
6-2 Marcus Lovett(Ft. Wayne) , 5-10 Lasalle Thompson (Indianapolis Pike) and 6-7 Milosh Pujo (Munster) should also make the Roster..

Sunday November 19 , 2000

Royce Waltman Reloads With Speed And Quickness !!

With the luxury of earning a Seven Year $130, 00 per annual contract , Coach Waltman is certainly not resting on his laurels..
What he has done since then is double his efforts in recruiting players that can take The Sycamores to the next level ..
Being the best in the Missouri Valley may be a "pipe dream" for some; but , Waltman is determined to bring Indiana State University back to the Larry Bird Final Four Days..
What Coach and Head Asst. Dick Bender do is non-stop recruit the entire Mid-West for all High Major prospects that have an interest in being recruited by their solid Program..
No stone was left unturned as they canvassed Illinois , Indiana , Missouri ,Wisconsin ,Iowa ,Kansas and Ohio for the preps with enough athleticism to improve the program..
Let's face it , the 2001-2002 ISU Freshman have big shoes to fill..
The Sycamores must replace Michael Menser , Matt Renn , Brian Giesen and chronically injured Chad Hunter..
Replace ? Waltman and Bender simply reloaded !! ISU reloaded with players of equal skill and a great deal more athleticism ...
The 2001-2002 signed student/ athletes are : 6-6 Darron Evans (SF) / Chicago St. Mel(Ill.)
5-11 (PG)Lamar Grimes / Gage Park (Ill.)
6-8 (PF) Jake Sams / Mt. Zion (Ill.) and
6-9 (PF-C) Jerod Adler / Adams Central (Indiana)
Most National Polls predict ISU to remain near the top of The Missouri Valley This 2000-2001 Season..
The Sycamores in 2001-2002 will be even better !!

Bob Pryor Of Bloomington Red Amateur Basketball Club Is Visiting Editor Of Indiana Basketball News !!
Truly, we are grateful for the latest EMAIL from Bloomington's 25 year Amateur Basketball Club Boss..
In four years of publishing a monthly hard copy newsletter that over 3000 Colleges , Universities ,Players ,Parents ,Prep Coaches and Fans have subscribed to-- we do not believe that we have ever erroneously ranked or omitted a deserving athlete....
We sure did this time as we did not edit what our typesetting service produced for the final draft of The Class Of 2002..
We take full blame for not editing the publication... We simply did not edit the transcript before production..
The letter omits a very talented prospect that is Top 20. in the Junior Class.. Subscribers should contact us if they want the rank of the player that was not typed in..
No , we are not Ford Motor Company ..
We will not be recalling the issue ..
If you do subscribe , what we will do is send you another Issue with the One Correction ...
That is ,if you contact us requesting the corrected issue..
Otherwise, Recruiters should call us if they do not understand the omission..

Saturday November 18 , 2000

Aaron "Boss " Hogg Signs With IUPUI

The 6-6 Hi-Soaring ,Deep Shooting Warren Central Graduate(1999) has returned home to play NCAA D1 Basketball for Coach Ron Hunter's Jaguars..
"Boss" played the 1999-2000 season at Vincennes JC but opted to complete his Associates Degree at IUPUI this school year..
Hogg will be an eligible MID-CON Jaguar in 2001-2002 while having three years of eligibility remaining..
IUPUI Also Signed 6-7 Danorriss Harvey Of Middle Georgia JC.
Harvey is the post presence The 'Jags need in 2001-2002..
Harvey averaged 14 ppg. and 8 rpg. in the rugged Georgia Junior College Athletic Association..
"Boss" Hogg and Dan Harvey are the fifth Junior College Athletes that IUPUI have signed in the last year..
Current Jaguars that were inked from the JUCO ranks last spring are Juniors 5-11 Lance Williams (Kankakee) , and 6-2 Sylvester Allen / 6-0 Maurice Williams both from Cincinnati State JC
The Jaguars Tip Their Season Off Today By Hosting Wilberforce !!!

Friday November 17 , 2000

Aaron Patterson Leads Warren Central To Victory Over 3A Plainfield !!

Sure, the 71-50 scrimmage game win was meaningless as The Plainfield Quakers were without their players from the state championship possible football team..
Most notable from that group is Quarterback Jake Wiltrout.
Obviously The Quakers missed his 26 ppg. average from last season..
Not to mention his State Championship Moxey that he displayed as a Sophomore when his 19 Championship Game Points were enough to defeat Muncie South .
With Wiltrout , Warren would have at least been hard pressed to guard the perimeter..
This Game Warren Central and Aaron Patterson Did Whatever they so desired..
Yes !! Patterson wore #44..
If you want fingerprints to determine if he is the same Aaron Patterson that was not allowed to try out at Ben Davis , then you will need to contact The IHSAA..
They are the organization that approved Patterson's transfer..
Furthermore, IBN will never print untruths or rumors !!
We have no interest in THAT !!
All our reports about Aaron Patterson have always been true..
" Patterson Haters" do not want him to possibly succeed somewhere that will actually allow him to compete..
The haters want Aaron to be punished for not being a scholar or for not "fitting their mold" for a student /athlete..
Purdue did offer him and would take him in a minute as a prop 48 redshirt freshman..
Even if Aaron does not graduate from Warren , he still can earn credit in the summer, night school or earn a GED..
Those routes are not failures but the paths that many other successful people have taken..
Rumors and LIES are for Chat Rooms. Visit them if that is your interest..
Do you Need an Indianapolis Star /News Report for a story confirmation ??
ENOUGH SAID !!! BYE !

Lonnie Randolph Signs With Drake University !

"Des Moines is the place for me ", the talented Merrillville guard tells IBN.
"I have the opportunity to play as a Freshman and also enter their Law School my fifth year. Business Law is my career choice ," Lonnie Jr. continued..
Football was also a scholarship option for Randolph..
" Most the BIG TEN Schools wanted me to play Cornerback ,"Lonnie stated.
Randolph will exclusively play Basketball at The Missouri Valley NCAA D1 institution..Boston University also offered Randolph for Basketball..
Averaging 15.9 ppg. and 6 apg. last season , Randolph helped lead The Pirates to The 4A Regional championship last season..
Lonnie predicts even bigger things for Merrillville this season.. That boast is largely due to the move-in of 6-6 230 lb. Alan Gavan from neighboring Gary Lew Wallace..
Merrillville will receive a huge test early when Indianapolis Warren Central
comes calling in the second annual " Hammond Civic Center Region Rumble."

IPFW Signs 6-7 Zach Reuter !

The Athletic Martinsville native has signed a National Letter Of Intent to play NCAA D1 College Basketball for Head Coach Doug Noll's Ft.Wayne ,In. Program..
The Reuter signing is the third Indiana Prep that IPFW has landed in the early signing period.
IPFW also signed early 6-7 Ric Wyand / Franklin Central and 6-0 Terry Collins / Ft. Wayne Snider (Class Of 2000)

Thursday November 16 , 2000

Valparaiso University INKS Two Junior College All Americans !!

Crusader Recruiter Scott "The Sheriff" Drew has once again proven that his "patrol" is not only thorough but also escape proof !!
Working 24 hours -7 days a week as father Homer Drew's Lead Recruiter , Scott turned disappointment into Success !!
Still not appealling to many mid-west Preps , Valparaiso (under Scott Drew's directive ) turned to the Junior College pool of talent for their next two years of Guard Play..
No Indiana Mid Major College has enjoyed more NCAA D1 Sucess the past five years than Valparaiso...
After recruiting hard both Illinois and Indiana for their guard needs , ironically , Valparaiso has signed two guards that are much better than their High School Recruiting Targets..
6-3 Stalin Ortiz / Twin Rivers JC has signed with Valparaiso ...
Ortiz averages 28 ppg. for his Junior College Team..
Valparaiso also signed another guard in Juco All American 6-4 Antonio Falu from San Jacinto , Texas JC ...
Both Falu and Ortiz are much better than any possible mid west prospects from the prep ranks....
Who recruits their situation better than Valparaiso ??

Wednesday November 15 , 2000

6-4 Aaron Patterson (formerly of Ben Davis) Has Been IHSAA Cleared To Play At Warren Central..

IBN Chief Associate Jim Kasberg reports that Patterson has had his transfer approved by The IHSAA ..
Patterson is expected to play without restriction..
IBN'S #7 pre-season Warren Central may now have enough to play for a State Championship...
Once you consider that Warren has a Top Notch NCAA D1 Prospect in 6-0 Terren Wilson and 6-9 Will Caudle(Xavier), any addition of similar caliber will have Warren boast of Three NCAA D1 Mid/Hi Major College Prospects...
Aaron Patterson was blindly offered by Purdue University in the Spring..
Hopefully Mr. Patterson will spend his senior season in the academic books....His academics have been anemic and he would have to turn all "A's" for even a remote chance at qualifying academically..
Who will now start for Warren Central ?
With Caudle , Wilson , and Patterson- Tyron Green, Randy Wells , Robert Boykin , Randy Wells and Rufus Robertson may be enough for a Championship season..
Warren will be hard pressed to be defeated in the tourney with the addition of Aaron Patterson !
Time Will Tell !!

Tuesday November 14 , 2000

Mr. Football Is Otis Shannon !!
No one has ever dominated Indiana's prep gridiron like Otis Shannon, Jr. of Indianapolis Cathedral High School...
Without ever carrying the ball as a freshman, Otis (In Three Years) still managed to set the State's All Time Career rushing mark at 7560 YARDS.
He also set the single game rushing record in 1999 with an incredible 489 yards vs. Cincinnati LaSalle.
His 1999 Season total of 3252 Rushing Yards is yet another Indiana High School Football Record..
Shannon is a very good Mid-Major College Basketball Prospect ..
We expect him to try both sports at Ball State or exclusively play football at Indiana University ..
Otis Shannon and Cathedral Basketball will be exciting to follow !!
Stay Tuned !!!

Attention IBN Subscribers !!
Volume 3 Issue 10 is being mailed this week so let us know if you have not received it by November 21..The issue ranks and evaluates the exciting Class Of 2002 (Juniors)

6-9 Babo Nyamsi Serge Christian (Arlington) To Ohio University !

After visiting Larry Hunter's MAC program this past weekend ,the Cameroon, Africa native has decided to play NCAA D1 College Basketball for Ohio University.
" They treated me real good on my visit and I really enjoyed myself ," Babo told IBN Monday evening.
" I signed The National Letter Of Intent today and mailed it to Africa for my parents to sign ,"continued Babo.
" They are committed to helping me achieve my degree. I will have five years to earn my Bachelors in Computer Science ," stated Nyamsi..
" I watched them play and they have no one with my big body and shot blocking ability ." They really need me ," concluded Mr. SergeChristian...
Babo chose Ohio University over Butler (Prep School First Please) and Marshall..

Babo's Golden Knights of Arlington High School received a huge blow to their City and State Title chances with the ineligibility of 6-2 Jr. Antwan Alexander..
Eligible by The IHSAA Standards but not by Indianapolis Public School standards , Alexander will not be eligible for participation until January 26 , 2001 !!
The absence of Alexander leaves Coach Larry Nicks with a great deal less outside shooting and a lot more practice time spent on zone offense.
One area that had better be strong is rebounding and low post scoring..
Few front lines in America can boast an inside game much stronger than the presence of 6-9 Babo SergeChristian , 6-8 Jr.Delco Rowley , 6-4 230 lb. Maurice Barr and 6-3 215 lb. "Hitman " Jason Bell

Monday November 13 , 2000

6-6 Andrew Laird (Penn) and 6-9 Bill Watson (Calumet )

Yearly NCAA D1 PROSPECTS are woefully under recruited because of minimal Exposure to College Recruiters.
Laird and Watson are perfect examples.
During the all important July 8-31 Open Evaluation period, neither prep was actively competing where College Head Coaches or assistants were evaluating.
Now as seniors , their window of opportunity to be seen is much more limited.
Both projected by IBN as having Mid Major D1 potential, they now must have very good senior seasons and Spring post season in order to achieve a D1 Scholarship.
Averaging 10ppg and 8rpg. as a Junior,Watson is being recruited only by Lewis University..
At 6-6 Laird is one of the state's purest shooters from deep while also possessing strong post up skill..Laird is a 3.8 GPA Student with a 1100 SAT.
Only St.Joseph's College (In.) and The University Of Chicago have sense enough to recruit Andrew Laird.
IBN will keep you updated on the progress of Andrew Laird , Bill Watson and other Seniors that are being Overlooked..
If you are a prep that is being under recruited for any reason, Click on the 2001 College Exposure Box and Sign Up Today for the April Exposure Shootout.

Otis Shannon Recruiting Update

"Mr. Football" and his Cathedral Irish were upset by the Jake Wiltrout led Beefy Plainfield Quakers in Football Tourney action.
Wiltrout is probably glad he chose to play football now.
All State in Basketball and a mid-major college prospect,Wiltrout seriously had contemplated foregoing his senior year of football to prepare solely for hoops..
Otis Shannon finished his football career as The State of Indiana's All Time Leading Rusher!!
"Ball State has offered him a full athletic scholarship with the possibility of playing both football and basketball at the MAC School, " Otis Sr. tells IBN. "Indiana wants Otis solely for football and Toledo also shows interest, "Continued Mr. Shannon.
"At this time he probably will play college football but he has always wanted to play both sports," Mr. Shannon reports.
" He needs to improve his SAT and become a true student/athlete, "Otis Sr. concluded.
The Cathedral hoops season with Otis,6-4 Leon Petty (Bowling Green) , 6-6 Mathias Kiawanuka, 6-9 Jeremy Trueblood, and 6-5 Super Frosh Robert "Darth " Vaden promises to be exciting in Class 3A .
Stay Up With All The Irish News and all Indiana Basketball News at INBNEWS.COM !!!

Saturday November 11,2000

Watch Out For Westfield High School In 3A Hoops !!

Optimism is very high at Wesfield High School as the Rocks return a very solid nucleus from the 2000 Lebanon sectional and conference runners-up team.
The Rocks, who will compete in the newly formed Hoosier Crossroads Conference could be one of the state's surprise this season in 3A.
J.R. Knight is a four-year starter. The 6'0 guard averaged 14.6 ppg.,2.7apg.,2.4 spg., 1.7rpg., and shot 41% from three point range. Knight has gotten stronger during the off season.
Jeremy Rice is a two-year starter. The 6'7" forward has made tremendous progress since last season.
Rice averaged 5.8ppg., 4.9 rpg., 1.3 blocks pg., and 1.2 spg.... Rice is currently being recruited by St. Joseph's , St. Francis , Wisconsin/ Parkside , SIU-Edwardsville , Huntington and Marian College..
Matt Webster started the last two games of his freshmen year.
The 6'6" soph. Forward averaged 4.8 ppg., 3.7 rpg., and 1.6 apg.
Chris Russo was a part time starter as a junior.
The 6'1" guard has gained size, strength and skill from a year ago when he averaged 5.9 ppg., 2.3 rpg., 1.9 apg., and 1.6 spg.
Matt Ferrell was a part time starter last season as well.
The 6'3" senior forward averaged 3.2 ppg., 3.3 rpg., 0.7 apg., 3.9 rpg., 1.0 apg., and 1.7 apg but the 5'11' junior guard who is a baseball standout may concentrate exclusively on that sport the next two years.
Matt Widmer a 5'11 senior forward averaged 2.5 ppg., 3.1 rpg., 0.3 apg., and 1.2 spg.
Brandon Richie a 6'0" junior guard moved in from Logansport High School where he was an All-North Central Conference player as a freshman and a sophomore.
Richie averaged 19.1 ppg., 6.3 rpg., 4.1 apg., and 3.3 spg.
Richie set a Logansport School record hitting (10) 3- pointers at Kokomo last season. Brandon is also ranked #1 in his class academically and carries a 4.0 GPA.
Richie is currently being recruited by Iowa , Indiana State , Bowling Green , Bradley , Wichita State , University Of Indianapolis , Wyoming , Wright State and Jacksonville State...
The Rocks continue to upgrade their schedule playing one of the toughest schedules in the state for 3A schools.
Coach Brad Lindsay's Rocks have a nice blend of experience, shooting, size and depth.
The "Rocks" should be an exciting team to watch this 2000-2001 Season !!!

Friday November 10 , 2000

Miguel " Ali " Bierdiel Update

We have learned that the Puerto Rican Foreign Exchange student has not yet been declared eligible for the 2000-2001 season at Andrean High School.
Since he is a member of an IHSAA approved Foreign Exchange program ,most observers thought that he would be declared eligible by now.
This delay leads us to believe that The IHSAA will not be granting the eligibility..
Their decision should be handed down soon.
Andrean kicks off their season November 20 at home vs. Gary Roosevelt.
The recruiting of Bierdiel at this point appears between Valparaiso and Boston College. Both programs want him to play point guard.
The Boston College offer was extended without ever seeing Bierdiel play..
The 6-6 200 lb. strong 16 year old senior is capable of playing all three perimeter spots..Utah and Marquette were turned down because they wanted him to play shooting guard.
Wisconsin wants to now recruit Bierdiel but they have yet to offer.
Bierdiel dsires to playmake at the next level, and at this time it appears that he will decide after the season.
Stay Tuned !!

Jay Dawson (Benton Central) and Andy Emberton (Eminence) Choose Marian College !!

Marian College Coach John Grimes got a huge jump on rival NAIA Schools with the committment of these two preps.
Dawson and Emberton are prototypical Indiana preps in that they are smart, highly skilled and fiery competitors..
No one in The NAIA works harder at recruiting than John Grimes..Annually, he can be seen evaluating Hoosier preps at all the spring/summer amateur club tourneys.
Projected as a shooting guard at Marian , the 6-5 Dawson averaged 12ppg , 6apg. and 5 rpg as a Junior..
The 5-10 Emberton averaged 17ppg. and 9apg. as a Junior for Eminence.

Thursday November 9 , 2000

Terry Collins (Ft. Wayne Snider 2000) Signs With IPFW.

After leaving Appalachian State University just five weeks into the school year , Terry Collins returned to his Ft. Wayne home in order to find a College that needs him to playmake..
Terry had to look no further than Hometown IPFW..
IPFW is now a NCAA D1 Program and Terry will have the ball in his hands to playmake next year and for the next four years.
The 6-0 Terry Collins has a chance to be a great player if he can condition his body and choose to make his teammates capable of winning Big Games.
Stay Tuned TO See IF Terry Collins Will Choose To Optimally Condition his body and lead IPFW to Championships..

Indiana State To Sign 5-11 Lamar Gaines / Gage Park / Chicago , Ilinois... Gaines reneged on his committment to Loyola Chicago once he was offered by ISU.
Gaines only received an offer to Indiana State when first choice Jeff Hawkins /Sumter Academy (Kansas City, Kansas) chose to accept the Kansas Offer.
Gaines Joins 6-7 Jake Sams (Mt. Zion ,Ill.) as they join The Indiana State Program ...

Wednesday November 8 , 2000

Senior 6-4 Shooter David Teague (Pike) To Choose College In April

The state's only available mid to hi major NCAA D1 shooting guard prospect in The Class Of 2001 has decided to" play his High School season out " before making his College Choice.
David has early offers from Central Michigan , Eastern Illinois and Ashland (Ohio)..
All his College interest was generated during the last week of July and at The IBN Top 100...
Remarkably before that time, clueless Amateur Clubs had David playing the power forward...
An academic qualifier , David is counting on his beloved Pike Red Devils to play deep in the state tourney so he can impress The High Majors....

6-4 210 lb. Kenneth Lampley Chooses Hoops At Youngstown State
The Lefty Small Forward disguised as a Low Post Scoring machine has chosen to play NCAA D1 Basketball in The Mid-Con versus pursuing a Big Ten football career..
Known as "Skooch", Lampley is the captain of a young but talented Gary Roosevelt team that is expected to possibly head for another final four...
More Later !!

Tough Decisions Face 6-6 Gabe Miller (Ft. Wayne Carroll )

The rangy small forward may decide this week between offers from Bethel , The University Of Indianapolis and Rollins College (Fla.)..
Miller's parents prefer that Gabe wait until the first of the year so this week will be a busy one in The Miller residence..
Gabe's mother tells IBN Tuesday evening that ,"Gabe has always wanted a Florida school. " So, if Miller chooses this week , we expect him to choose Rollins College ..
Stay Tuned !!

Tuesday November 7 , 2000

Head Coach John Hoover Reloads Gary Lew Wallace

One would think the 1968 Indiana All Star (Gary Tolleston) and former Northern Illinois Star would be reserved about the 2000-2001 season..
Let's face it, he lost five double figure scoring seniors to graduation.. Those five seniors scored 95% of the points for the talented 15-4 team ...
Only 6-6 220lb. Javon Joiner returns to the team with any experience..
Joiner's game has always been a solid rebounding , defending ,"blue collar" approach in the low post..
The past summer with Sam Gates Northwest Gym Rat Stars, Joiner has developed a solid low post scoring threat.
His continued development has attracted interest from Lewis , Army , and Indiana State ..
Joiner will anchor the Lew Wallace Low Post game while coach Hoover reloads his pressure offense with new players..
The best of the bunch is 6-4 Brandon Richardson.
Extremely athletic and skilled on the perimeter, Richardson's game is similar to that of Indianapolis Cathedral's Leon Petty.
Sleeper of the season is Richardson !! To place him in Petty's company is to label him worthy of mid-to high major.
Leon Petty will sign Wednesday with Dan Dakich's Bowling Green Program.
Equally exciting is another senior newcomer in 6-8 Chris Wesby.
Wesby stays above the rim and is blessed with an aggressive approach.
A High Major JC prospect , Wesby must prove this season that he has the mental attitude to cooperate in school and as part of a team..
The final senior figuring to contribute is 6-4 Fred Robertson. Fred transferred from Gary Mann. A good shooter to three , Fred must prove that he physically can handle the relentless Hornet style of play.
Two Juniors that coach Hoover is very excited about are 6-2 Raymond Gholson and 6-0 Shallun Culp.
Both Gholson and Culp are prototypical Hornets that guard you for 84' , drive the lane at will and are accurate off the dribble to 22'.
Talented underclassmen that are capable of contributing (if they can learn the value of academics and work) are 6-6 So. Dontae Williams and 6-6 Fr.Brian Campbell..
The Sleeper Team of the year may be the best way to describe Gary Lew Wallace ..
Capable Of Winning The Regional Or Capable Of Having Half The Team Ineligible , that is the early season outlook..
We will see what direction Coach Hoover's highly talented troops choose to take..
Former Hornets 6-4 Herman Ezell (Northern Illinois) and 6-10 Lonnie Jones (Ball State) both chose to accept Hoover's work ethic.
Hopefully , the aforementioned Hornets will still be on the active list when coach Hoover charters a bus to Dekalb, Illinois for the February 17 game between Ezell's NIU and Jones's beloved Ball State..
Time Will Tell !!

Monday November 6 , 2000

Recruiting At Gary Westside

College Recruiters have flocked to Gary Westside this fall ..
High Major Juniors 6-11 Chris Hunter and 6-0 Brandon Cameron are the target of The Nation's Elite College Basketball Programs.
"One day alone I received 78 phone calls inquiring about Brandon and Chris ", reports Head Coach John Boyd ..
" They are wide open to all suitors at this time.. They will play the season and summer circuit out before they make a decision next November , continued Boyd. "
Leaders for Chris Hunter at this time include Arizona , North Carolina , Depaul , Indiana , Notre Dame , and Purdue..
Leading the pack for the playmaking Brandon Cameron include : Duke , UCLA , USC , Stanford , Indiana , Purdue and Notre Dame.
The talented duo are also currently deciding what Amateur Basketball Club to travel with next summer.
Most elite juniors make this decision before their High School season so they are not bothered by recruiters.
Chris and Brandon travelled last summer with Bob Pryor's Bloomington Red NIKE program..
They may very well return to Bloomington but currently they are also considering Bill Hensley's Gym Rat Pistols Team ..
Summer team decision for the duo should be forthcoming within the next week. Both Cameron and Hunter have decided to return to the Adidas ABCD Camp next July.
Gary Westside also boasts two Seniors that are mid to high major caliber..6-3 Donald Richards will need a Junior College due to academic defencies..Athletically, Richards has few peers. His above the rim game may very well land atBarton County JC. next fall..
All High Level JC's should apply for Richards..
6-9 Bryson Mckenzie has developed a great deal in just the past six months. He will qualify academically .. Ball State , Northern Illinois , Southern Illinois ,David Lipscomb and St.Joseph's College (In.) have showed the most interest in Mckenzie.
Stay Tuned For Gary Westside Updates !!

Sunday November 5 , 2000

The Mike Crawford Transfer To Lawrence North

We have confirmed that Mike Crawford has indeed enrolled at the Indianapolis Northeastside High School.
The fact of the matter is that Crawford would academically not be eligible to participate this season until January 1 , 2000
Last spring , The IHSAA passed a new rule that states a student/athlete must pass 70% of their classes.
Pike High School has an eight class period day in a nine week grade report period.
Crawford did not meet the above mentioned IHSAA requirements at Pike.
Apparently , at Lawrence North , their academic day is seven class periods long and their grade reports are on a six week basis .
At LN, Crawford would have passed enough classes to be eligible..
Certainly, the IHSAA must rule on this transfer..
Should Mike Crawford be ruled eligible ??
We have no opinion on whether he meets IHSAA guidelines..
Our interest is the impact that Crawford will have at Lawrence North this year.
Even if he must wait until January 1 , his 6-4 205 pound abilities are well worth the wait.
He may very well be the best 6-4 player in Indiana..His strong forward game is the inside/outside post that LN does not have.
Lawrence North guards are premier with seniors Chris Hill, Jesse McClung and Akeem Abdullah.. You can also expect super sophomore 6-2 Brandon Evans to figure in the mix.
6-8 Angelo Smith and 6-7 Chaz Spicer are solid Big Forwards but there is no powerful small forward at LN of Crawford's stature..
Mike Crawford may be just enough to propel LN to the top of Indiana Basketball.
Stay Tuned For The Eligibility Ruling Of Mike Crawford. !

Saturday November 4 , 2000

LaPorte's Nick Otis Chooses Belmont University !!

Next Week, The 6-4 Lefty Marksman will sign a National Letter of intent to play College Basketball for The NCAA DI program.
Otis will be rejoined with former LaPorte Star Steve Drabyn at The Nashville , Tennessee University.
Adam Mark of Bremen is also (like Drabyn) a Freshman in the disciplined three point shooting, motion offensive oriented College Basketball Program.
Nick Otis also was considering Eastern Illinois ,University Of Chicago ,Central Michigan , and St.Josephs College.Scoring 15.5 ppg.,grabbing 7rpg. and throwing 3apg. last season , Otis had better produce even more this season for The Slicers if they are to have a chance at their Sixth Consecutive Sectional Championship..
Also winners of the last two Regionals, LaPorte Coach Joe Otis must have 6-5 Jr. Ian Mcgriff , 6-5 Sr. Kris Tanksley ,6-4 Sr.Chad Ullam and a host of other Slicers contribute a great deal more ..
Maintain Northern Indiana Excellence or Slip To Mediocrity ??
That is the question Nick Otis and his teammates must answer this season !!
Stay Tuned !!

Jake Howe To The University Of Southern Indiana
The Evansville Courier is reporting that the 6-8 Evansville Harrison Senior has chosen to play College Basketball for Bruce Pearl's NCAA D2 Powerhouse.
Pearl actually offered Howe after his sophomore season but Jake decided to explore all other interested Colleges.
Akron , Marist , David Lipscomb and IUPUI also offered Jake Howe a Full Athletic Scholarship.

Friday November 3 , 2000

The Indiana Basketball News Preseason Top 25 Boys Team Rankings !!
IBN Team Rankings can now be accessed by clicking on the Top 25 Button at the top of this news page.
Discuss the rankings , your favorite team and your favorite Indiana Preps at the newly created messageboard..

Currently,Indiana Basketball News is upgrading to a larger host server..
We appreciate your patience during this time of transition..
Stay Tuned !!

Wednesday November 1 , 2000

New Faces Renew Excitement At Bishop Noll Institute !

Eleven years ago Noll Head Coach Adam Patai was a member of Jack Gabor's BNI Warriors that reached The Final Four before losing to Concord and Shawn Kemp.
Since then , the talent surplus at the Hammond Private Institute had greatly diminished..
Until last season that is when 6-9 280 lb. Kenneth Harris (Gary) enrolled as a 14 year old Freshman.
In his first varsity game last season vs. Gary Wallace , Harris dropped in 25 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.
June 28 Harris shocked the College Basketball World by committing to Valparaiso University before visiting other programs..
With no consistency of support for Harris ,The Warriors finished the season at 7-14 ..
Support has arrived in grand fashion this season with the enrollment of Northwest Indiana's Three Top Freshmen .. The best of the trio is 5-10 playmaker Gary Patterson (East Chicago). For years in grade school basketball, Patterson has displayed tremendous court vision and the ability to pinpoint deliver assists.. He will direct The Warriors from Game One this Varsity Season..
Fellow East Chicago resident 6-1 Melvin Brown will play extensively from the wing for Noll once he adapts to Patai's system.
The third Freshman figuring to also log big varsity minutes this season is another wing in 6-2 Vince Johnson (Gary)..
Both Brown and Johnson are slashing scorers that can "really create havoc " at the defensive end.
The most interesting new Warrior to watch is foreign Exchange student 6-5 Sr. Nemanja Borovic (Yugoslavia ).
Nemanja is a big pure shooter who should extend defenses away from Ken Harris.
Borovic must improve foot speed for College Basketball
Two holdovers from last season that promise to contribute heavily to the Warriors sectional title hopes are Senior post 6-4 Sean McGough and Junior 6-0 Rashaad "G Street " Humes (East Chicago). Humes has been injury prone and he must stay healthy for the Warriors to possibly dethrone Calumet High in Sectional Tourney action.

This young nucleus of talent has excitement brewing at Hammond Bishop Noll Institute .
A sectional championship is very possible this season.
In a year or two this young crew may have the discipline and desire to bring back the excitement of Jack Gabor Basketball.
Stay Tuned !!