CLASS 2A #1 RANKED MONROVIA HIGH SCHOOL

The 1999 semistate finalists are determined to not commit the same silly turnovers that hurt them last season.Their heart and soul Jason Standeford graduated last year but brother John remains and he has been on fire!Averaging 25.3ppg..7.4rpg.,4.2apg and shooting 61% from the field,the Purdue football wide receiver signee is a can't miss Indiana All Star.....The team backbone remains 5'10" Matt Walls.At 140lbs. the fierce Walls always "locks up" the opponents best scorer while scoring 14 ppg.,4.5apg.,and shooting a remarkable 65% on 105 field goals.Walls is being pursued by Marian and Bethel Colleges....Possibly Monrovia's best hoop prospect since Standeford chooses Football is 6"1" 160lb. Jr. DREW GORE. The COMBO guard type is equally adept at leading an offense as shooting the ball as a 2G.Gore competes at a level that is rare for preps!Never playing with many great players,Gore pushes his teammates to their maximum like a coach on the floor.He scores at 13.2ppg. and delivers 5.2apg. Gore has attracted a great deal of early NCAA D1 interest.Expect the tourney experienced Bulldogs to reach the FINAL FOUR this year under the tutelage of coach Chris Sampson!

Monday,February 28, 2000

WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN?

Eric Richardson helped lead Scottsburg High School to the '92 and '93 Madison Sectional championships. He played college basketball at Milligan College in Johnson City,Tennessee for Rick Scruggs.Upon graduation he took a job with coach Scruggs at NCAA Division 2 Gardner-Webb.Since then Richardson has returned home to scour Hoosierland for the talent that has kept GW in the top 20 nationally.5'10" James Colwell(Scottsburg),6'5" Bruce Fields(Mooresville)and 6'8" Matt Poynter of Lafayette Jeff are all key players for the North Carolina power.Gardner Webb is moving to division one next season so Richardson has been home again to evaluate Indiana preps.Eric and "the Webb" hope to sign Warsaw's Chris Wiggins and Evansville Memorial's Aaron Brothers and possibly a post player.Eric Richardson proves you can be successful returning to your native home! We wish Gardner-Webb all the best in their transition to NCAA division one athletics!

6'8" 210 (SF-PF) MATT BOLING

The 1999 Indpls. Lawrence North graduate was an academic qualifer out of High School but chose to attend Jr. College at New Mexico JC for strength gain.Gaining 20lbs. of muscle since then,Boling was always springy as evidenced by his 36" vertical and 50 second 400 meter dash on LN'S track team.His DR. tells Matt he has more inches of vertical growth remaining in his broad shouldered frame.New Mexico JC is freshman dominated with a deep bench.Playing 14-16 minutes per game,Boling is scoring 6ppg. and 5rpg.Skillwise he has perimeter handles and a nice jumper to 18'.He now desires a transfer this spring to a midwestern scholarship granting institution.All recruiters should directly contact Matt Boling's father Bruce.MATT BOLING is a tremendous mid-major prospect that is very similar to Taylor High's Josh Grant who signed with WINTHROP. The difference is Boling has better SF skills!

Sunday,February 27, 2000

LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC PREPARES FOR THIRD TITLE RUN IN THREE YEARS

Now that super soph. 6'7" (SF) Tyler Best is nearly 100% recovered from his eye injury, LCC at 14-5 is primed for their third CLASS A final four run in three years. Shooting 45% from 3pt. and 50% from the field, Best is scoring at 14.5 per game. Adding 9 RPG and 3APG., Best is drawing early interest from Purdue, Syracuse, Cincinnati, Iowa and Iowa State. Fellow super soph., Russell Trudeau has moved in from South Newton. The 6'4" swingman has contributed 16.5PPG and 8RPG. LCC's best pure shooter is 6'3" frosh. Kristoff Kendrick. Son of former Purdue coach and current Purdue scapegoat Frank Kendrick, the long armed Kristoff has a nose for the ball-averaging 5RPG. and 8PPG. in only 15 minutes per game. The CLASS A tourney figures to be a war with Tecumseh, Milan and Blue River Valley all battling Lafayette Central Catholic for the Crown.

Saturday-February,26 2000

6'4 SHOOTER ANDREW WHITE-PENN HIGH SCHOOL

Football dynasty Penn at 14-4 is having their best basketball season in school history.Winning their conference at 8-0,the Kingsmen are led by NCAA division one prospect Andrew White.The 6'4" bomber has played some forward this season in order to put the best Penn lineup on the court.A triple threat to 25',no one plays harder or is a more positive team leader than White.His handles imporove each season and at 200 lbs. of muscle,he is physically ready for mid-major pounding.At 16.6ppg.,6.5rpg.,3steals-game and 3apg.,White does it all for Penn.White is also the state current leader in field goal % at 66! His treyball % is a consistent 45.Ashland has offered a full scholarship and Bethel also covets Andrew.Desirous of the division one,White is willing to travel anywhere in America to prove his game is worthy.Andrew White has jump shot and will travel!! IBN will keep you updated!

IBN PRESENTS JARED JEFFRIES

Before the Bloomington North-Southport game ,IBN awarded senior Jared Jeffries their first annual John Stewart award in memory of the Lawrence North star who tragically lost his life last year playing basketball. The award annually will honor that senior who improves the most from his 9th grade to senior season in the same manner that big 7'0" John Stewart did.Mr.Jeffries has matured from a skinny 6'4" frosh. to a first team all-american!! IBN salutes Jared Jeffries!! His team defeated Southport 48-31 and improved their record to a perfect 18-0. Next Saturday at home they will finish the season undefeated at 19-0 and unanimously #1 ranked in the state as they enter the Class 4A tournament.The tourney statewide draw is tomorrow afternoon!

Friday, February 25, 2000
EAST CENTRAL INDIANA COLLEGE PROSPECTS

6'2" 180 lb. combo Mark Fowler (Northeastern High School}
We first saw Mark's flashy playmaking, quick feet, pull up jumpers in AAU last summer at Brownsburg. Definitely a strong D2 to D1 prospect, University of Indianapolis Assistant Ian Brown first brought him to our attention. They are interested in Mark as is Chadron College, Eastern Wyoming JC, Otero JC, and Sheridan College. With a 2.2GPA, 820 SAT and desire for Division one, we expect Mark to attend JC. His 22PPG, 4APG, and 5RPG has helped Northeastern to a 10-6 record.

6'8" 250 lb. Post George Wilder, Mississinewa High School,
The big fella has been out 8 games due to a severely sprained ankle. Since he has been back playing, George has averaged 10RPG and 4 blocks per game. His GPA is average but he has scored an impressive 1110 on SAT. Anderson University, Johnson Co. JC, and Thomas More show most interest.

6'3" Lance Crow (2G) Randolph Southern,
Both Tyler Clevenger and Kyle Cox tell IBN that Crow is a very athletic aggressive prospect that has been overlooked. Early this season he scored 24 points and grabbed 17 boards in a win over 2A power Winchester. Averaging 19PPG. and 8RPG, the schools all time leading three point shooter--Lance is a can't miss D2 prospect with most interest thus far from Hanover College and Cardinal Stritch. Academically strong, Lance Crow has a 3.8 GPA and 1080 SAT.

Thursday-February 24, 2000
JARED JEFFRIES #1 RANKED BLOOMINGTON NORTH

At 17-0, BN is the best team in the state since both Marion and Jeffersonville got upset respectively by Muncie Central and Jennings County.Yesterday evening we spoke with 6'9" Jared Jeffries about his recent play.As always when we ask about his game ,he begins "rambling on " about the exploits of his teammates.At 26 ppg. Jared is a man amongst boys within that schedule and he seemed truly despondent that his IU brothers lost to OSU and Illinois- when he knows he could have been the difference --if he was a college frosh.Talking to Jared gets "sidetracked" because all he wants to do is "sing the praises" of Kelvin Boatner, frosh.Eric Shurr,SOPH. 6'8" TOUGH GUY Sean May ;and ,if you want a dissertation ask him about the play of 6'3" versatile senior Mike Bridgewaters.......On any other team Jared claims big "Mike would be a 2G ,"so we look forward to following his development in the junior college ranks.You will not find a physically tougher banger than Mike Bridgewater !!! With Southport Friday and Manual next Saturday,you can mail in Bloomington North's regular season record at 19-0!!.......IBN will be in attendance Friday night and hope to again see all our Monroe County friends!!!..........SEE YOU AT THE GAME!!

Wednesday-February 23,2000

6'3" WARSAW GUARD CHRIS WIGGINS TALKS TO IBN

Monday evening we asked Chris about the Michigan State and Purdue rumors.He stated ,"he has heard nothing from Purdue and MSU has not offered but they send mail and have been to practice.Hurt early in the season ,Chris is now strong and averaging 13ppg.,5apg. and 3 steals per game.Always rated at least a mid-major by IBN, Chris says only Lafayette College,University of Chicago and Western Michigan show consistent interest.Helping the Tigers to a 14-4 record,Chris states "I hope the state tourney will generate more college interest--especially after we beat Marion!"

Tuesday-February 22, 2000
JUNIOR "JUMPING" JOHNNY MILLER RISING FAST THRU THE RANKINGS!
How about 70 year old Bill Harrell returning to the Muncie Central Bearcat bench after a 9 year retirement!Johnny Miller Sr.tells IBN THAT,"COACH HARRELL is teaching the boys how to play the game and how to win."And win they did big Friday night over USA TODAY'S #3 RANKED Marion Giants by the score 69-54.Coach Harrell masterfully designed his trademark combination zone defense in order to "bottle up"All American Zach Randolph-holding "Zeebo" to 15 points and 10 rebounds.Surprised? Why?Hall of Famer Harrell won two state titles previously at Central with Ball State coach Ray McCallum and another one with European Pro Chandler Thompson.Before that Harrell won two state titles in Kentucky!He coaches his players each year to their strengths -not rigidly in a one dimensional system that will not work for all teams.He realizes his players are different each year so he identifies their talents and coaches towards those talents!Defensively no one has ever been better at taking their opponent out of their game plan.Years ago we remember Harrell telling Sam Long before they were to battle NBA star Shawn Kemp for the state title,"Sam you will be the key tonight since Kemp will mainly hang around the rim on defense.You will be open all night from the hi-post-so like a pool shooter you must relax and shoot a steady stick."End result -- Long was indeed open all night.Sam Long shot straight and scored all night and the Bearcats won the state over Kemp's Concord!!As great a coaching legend that Bill Harrell is,he will be the first to tell you that it takes talent to win.No one in all his teams has had more talent than current Bearcat Junior Johnny Miller.Johnny has always blocked shots and dunked on larger opponents since Jr.High but now he is becoming a pure 2G prospect.Shooting 52% from the field and scoring 17 ppg.,Johnny has trmendously improved his "handles" and jump shooting.Against the #3 nationally ranked Marion,Johnny scored 23 points and snatched 9 boards.He has led Muncie Central to 14-4 record while generating serious interest from Iowa,Ball State,Bowling Green,Marquette,Indiana State,Michigan State and now recently Butler.With the mediocre seasons of Indiana's top junior shooting guard prospects,6'2" JOHNNY MILLER may end up by July sitting at the TOP OF THE CLASS!!STAY TUNED!

Monday-February 21,2000
TYLER CLEVENGER VS. KYLE COX

Tomorrow evening at Winchester High School is a golden opportunity for college recruiters to evaluate these two outstanding sophomore prospects.
The sophomore class is deep and Clevenger-Cox are two of the better guard prospects.6'3" Clevenger is scoring at 19ppg. and crashing the boards at 9 per game.With Scott Study,Tyler has helped lead Winchester to a 14-4 record.A tremendous athlete who has been dunking since the 7th grade,Tyler's forte has always been slashing to the rack but now his treyball is a consistent 45%.On a national level he has led his AAU team to a national championship.Basketball runs deep in the Clevenger genes as dad Bruce starred for Winchester in the seventies and brother Derrick is a starting guard for Hanover College.Tyler's favorite colleges that show the most interest are Iowa,Ohio State,Purdue,Kentucky and Ball State.
#1 RANKED BLUE RIVER VALLEY in Class A is now directed by new coach Barry Huckeby.The former New Castle prep and collegian at Miami-Ohio,Boston University has rode the talents of 6'6" post -junior Phil Griffith and the scoring of Kyle Cox to a 16-1 slate.Preseason IBN ranked the 5'10" combo COX as the #22 point guard but since then his rank is soaring to the top!!Against Lapel he explodes for 59 points on 14-20 field goals and 5-8 treys.More remarkably he hit 26-27 freebies not at BRV but in Lapel's gym.That must also be a record for non bias by referees towards visiting teams.The 59 is the most scored in one game by an individual in 12 years!Lapel's PG Matt Storm tells IBN that their "pressing defense was picked apart as BRV deftly found Cox open on the wing." Storm further added that "Cox could only set shoot last season but now is also very good off the dribble!!"His averages are now 27ppg., and 6 assists per ballgame.Of Those showing the most interest in him that he lists as favorite possible future college choices are Kentucky,Utah,Marquette and St.Joseph's (Pa.)
We hope all college recruiters will review their NCAA manuals and contact sophomores "by the book" through the mailings until they can be legally phoned as Juniors!! Apparently some of you do not understand the rules or you are unable to read; or, you just C...T!!!

Sunday-February 20, 2000
BOBBY SMITH LEAVES VILLANOVA
After 4 high schools in 5 years(Chicago Carver-East Chicago-Gary Roosevelt-East coast prep)it is not surprising that Smith is looking for another school.January 7th IBN predicted Smith would leave the BIG EAST program but we thought he would at the end of the semester not just three weeks into his coursework.Withdrawing with all W's Bobby's academic status is intact and he will have two years of eligibility remaining after he does not play next season.His calling card has always been pressure defense and superb playmaking penetration off the dribble.His adviser James Dye tells IBN that "Bob never felt comfortable in "NOVA'S half court oriented offense."Playing time was not an issue as he played 30 mpg.,scored a modest 7ppg.,with 4apg. and 3 steals per game.The Wildcat faithful were in awe of his "make things happen" abilities but were vocally critical of his streaky shooting and tendency for turnovers.Hence,Smith's desire for a program that traps on defense and plays uptempo where his open court athleticism will flourish.He is open to all levels of programs that are uptempo.His only preference is that the school is within a 4-6 hour drive of his Gary,Indiana home.

Saturday-February 19, 2000
6'3" Shooting Guard Nate Ritchie of Lake Central High School has verbally committed to play basketball at Western Michigan University. Scoring 24 pts per game for the Indians this season,Ritchie has been hobbled much of the year with a leg injury. Nate Ritchie's game is a natural for Bob Donewald's motion offense program. BOBBY SMITH update real soon.

MERRILLVILLE'S MARVELOUS MARVIN SMITH!!
Thursday we reported on the many talents of Marvin Smith.Thursday evening he put an exclamation mark on our comments with one of the best all around games of this Indiana prep season as he led his Pirates to a 56-52 victory over the always aggressive East Chicago Central.Scoring 15 points and snaring 9 rebounds,Smith also had the task of trying to slow down the explosive COREY STOKES.Shadowing Stokes the entire game,Smith held Stokes to 11 points and 9 rebounds! As good as Smith was this evening,Stoke's Cardinals were equally poor in screening to free their star.Easy to double team is their "stand around and watch Corey's isolation plays". MID- MAJORS should flock to Northwest Indiana to sign both Marvin Smith and Corey Stokes!!!

Friday-February 18, 2000
6'8" BOSKO KALINIC of UNION(Modoc,In.)
Andrew Thorpe of The Muncie Star Press alerted us to East Central's best senior prospect.Mr. Thorpe rated him a mid to high major prospect so we were eager to investigate the big fella's game.Mr. Thorpe was right on the money with his prognostication because at 6'8" 180lbs.-BOSKO KALINIC is very good!A pure perimeter player Bosko actually plays PG for Union and is highly skilled in all facets of offense.Like all Europeans his defense is matador like only since it was not stressed before he met coach Everret Gates.He has all the tools for defense as he actually plays the top of Union's diamond press.At that position he creates havoc with his long arms and feisty pursuit of steals.A triple threat to three-BOSKO is a steal SF prospect for the MAC or MO VALLEY type mid-majors!Academically his core GPA is 4.0 and he takes the SAT in April.Never really serious about the game before he met coach Gates--His 18ppg. 9rpg. and 4 steals per game has inspired him to now pursue college basketball.Recruiting has been non existent to this point because before Mr.Thorpe contacted IBN-Bosko Kalinic was unknown outside of East Central Indiana.Very homesick at this point,Bosko will visit his family in Croatia before begining his college career in America.Coach Gates states that he has coached 10 NCAA division one players in his lengthy career and none had more skill and athleticism than 6'8" BOSKO KALINIC of Union H.S.- in tiny Modoc,Indiana.

Thursday-February 17,2000
Merrillville vs. East Chicago Central was annually a preview to the regional title but since John Todd resigned the Cardinals have not even won a sectional.TONIGHT that losing habit may end as senior COREY STOKES is leading a much better team oriented approach.The Pirates are led by 6'0"155lb. PG-SF senior MARVIN SMITH.....Smith is the Pirates best player and only plays SF because juniors Randolph and Borom are too good to not play.Ironically both Borom and Randolph are East Chicago natives...MARVIN SMITH is awaiting SAT score but he tells IBN that his "CORE GPA is 2.7"... Quick-explosive and having mid-major skills,Marvin drains treys -has a 39" vertical-bangs the boards over bigger players and is a demon on defense with his long arms...Playing no summer NCAA evaluation ball has greatly hurt his recruiting in the same manner as North Newton's DAVID HANGER...Marvin averages 12 ppg.,4apg. and 7rpg..Small colleges Franklin and Chicago North Park are only schools now involved.YOU HEARD IT AT IBN FOR THE FIRST TIME!!.MARVIN SMITH IS MAC OR MISSOURI VALLEY POINT GUARD CAPABLE if given the opportunity!!!All programs of this caliber are fools not to evaluate MARVIN SMITH!!

Wednesday-February 16,2000
...IBN is pleased to announce that our previously reported Babo SergeChristian of Indpls. Arlington has now a stable home host.They report "they are taking good care of Babo and he needs no other future home. Furthermore,Babo is a very articulate and academic oriented student-athlete.Being academic is good as he needs his college education." We expect this support academic environment to assist Babo in his pursuit of America's education.The guy is strong explosively but his raw skill is what will be evaluated if he can or can not deliver as a prospective athlete.Education is his host group's theme so we hope he will go small college and receive the private education that only The top Academicians receive!!!!Babo Sergechristian will finish his prep career in hoosierland!

Tuesday-February 15,2000
Talk about a prep program with college prospects!!Midwestern recruiters should annually shop Gary Westside for their player needs.This season's roster is 15 deep and all 15 have potential for college basketball.The two high major prospects are only sophomores.6'0" pg Brandon Cameron is the best all around soph. guard in the state.Many can do several aspects of the game well but none have his total game.The 6'9" rail thin Chris Hunter gets better every game!!Highly skilled on offense-Big Chris only post peer in the class is 6'8" Sean May of Bloomington North.Chris is very physical in the paint but his lack of mass enables 6'4" posts to move him under the rim.Westside's JV team has 8 more athletes that also are sophs.- with college potential in two years.Their junior class has potentially the best shooting guard prospect in the state by the name of 6'2" Donald Richards.Strong at 180-Don has all the tools to score from three and is an excellent ballhandler.A big time athlete,Richards is an alley oop threat whenever the ball crosses mid-court.His problem is lack of experience as he has never played school ball before this season and now he is caught up in a 13 player rotation.Recruiters can catch his game this July on Sam Gates's GYM RATS team.6'8" very thin Bryson Mckenzie is also a Westside junior with big potential but also is woefully lacking court time due to the long bench.Very long-rangy and active in the post,Mckenzie would start on 80% of other Indiana teams.The best of Westside's seniors is 6'0" Jamel Travers.The catlike quick penetrator and defender has interest from Wichita State,Charleston and Wabash College.Two long and relentless post battlers are also seniors-6'6" Kevin Davis and 6'7" lefty James Booyer.James is the better of the two as he has a nice shot to 15'.Both also need mass gain and after JUCO could be division one prospects.Lastly,5'10" shooter Eric Boone is a very good small college prospect because of his good solid combo skill.We expect Westside to become much more of a statewide power with new coach John Boyd.What Boyd lacks in experience,he will make-up for in youthful enthusiasm!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!! IBN hopes your love for family and friends is far greater than the passion we share for INDIANA'S GAME.
BIG MEN SEEK NEW PROGRAMS....Two 1999 prep graduates seeking new college programs are 6'8" 230 lb. Matt Goodin(Lawrence North) and 6'8" 250lb. Eric Shuttz (Frontier). With strength and development, the agile-mobile Goodin can compete in NCAA Division 1. He left Spartanburg JC because the coach went AWOL. He currently is just taking classes at IUPUI. The wide body red headed Shuttz is a "bear on the boards". He scores down low with a number of nifty post step thru moves. He left Manchester College after he learned their roster was 20 deep. Shuttz is an outstanding small college big man prospect. All interested parties may inquire through IBN. See you at the games !!!!

Sunday-February 13,2000
Two Seniors attracting NCAA DIVISION 1 interest are 6'2" PG Aaron Jillson(Munster)and 6'8" 205 lbs. PF John Gergely(Speedway). Jillson has high academics and scores at 25.3 ppgs. The solid division 1 prospect has interest from Evansville, Lafayette, Northern Arizona, St. Joseph's and University of indianapolis. Marian has offered Aaron a grant in aid. The rangy Gergely scores to 17'and is averaging 16ppg and 9rpg for his Speedway sparkplugs. He has strong 1190 SAT and has had no problems with his exercise induced asthma. John has offers from Manchester, Taylor, DePauw and Indiana- Purdue, Fort Wayne. Bucknell University is making a visit with John this Thursday the 17th.

Saturday-February 12,2000
The NCAA was quick to seek positive media headlines by granting 6th year Northwestern athlete Evan Eschmeyer extra eligibility.Do you think poor 'ole Luke Recker's appeal will take priority in their ivory tower? PUHLEEZE!Yet, when lesser knowns like Eric Joshua attempt to have their NCAA status clarified,for 2 years he cannot even get a response!!Eric Joshua of Gary Lew Wallace(1994) and Otero Jr.College graduate(1997)now appears ready to move on to the best possible small college scholarship situation.At age 23 Eric has 3 years eligibility remaining at NAIA level since he only played one year of hoops at Otero.How good is he?We are only reporting because he is can't miss MAC type guard now seeking the NAIA!...As a prep at Wallace he averaged 22ppg. next to Thomas Cooper(Depaul).Eric scored 12ppg. and threw 5apg. in his one season at Otero. If he was 2000 H.S. PREP recruiters would liken his scoring ability to C.J. Hill(BenDavis) and his defense to IU recruit Andre Owens.At 6'2" and 180lb. strong,Eric is catlike quick with drop step dunking explosive abilities.Playing everyday,his game is stronger all the time thanks to competition in the rugged Gary industrial leagues.He is willing to travel and try-out for all top NAIA programs.Serious scholarship granting programs may contact IBN for more information!!!!

Friday-February 11,2000
ATTENTION ALL HIGH MAJOR JR. COLLEGES!!All those division one jr. colleges needing a PG and 2G should look no further than Ft.Wayne Snider's current 10-5 program.The 6'1" 190lb. PG Terry Collins has been well documented by IBN since 1997.His only combo guard peer in Indiana is Iowa bound Brody Boyd.The story at Snider this season is the emergence of 6'1" 195lb. shooter Demetrick Gamble.Averaging 23.9ppg. and 9rpg.,the powerfully built athletic hopping Gamble has 23' range and has hit as many as 6 treys in one game.Gamble will need an academically special support program and his game has attracted interest from Paris,Lincoln Trail,Central Florida and Hutchinson Jr. Colleges.All our reports indicate Gamble is a great young man!! Log on daily for the only daily recruiting source of Indiana boys preps!!! www.inbnews.com ....

Thursday-February 10,2000
BROWNSBURG HIGH SCHOOL is 11-5 currently due to the solid play of college prospects 6'5" 195lb. SF Todd Patterson and 6'8" 190LB. PF Chad Browne.Patterson is a versatile inside out scorer and a treyball threat as his 35 treys attest to.Averaging 16.9ppg. and 8rpg.,Todd has offers from Hanover,Franklin and Taylor with serious interest from Lafayette and Univ. of Indpls.The lanky Browne has a 3.2 GPA and 940 SAT.In serious need of weight gain Chad has D2 potential as he in spurts can be a strong paint presence.Averages 11ppg. and 7rpg., his serious interest has been from Anderson,Hanover,Taylor,Tri-State,Depauw,and Marian.Visit us daily for the latest in college prospect news!!!

Wednesday-February 9,2000
Indiana Hall of Fame coach Ron Heflin(Gary Roosevelt) had one son that he had the pleasure to coach and that is Ron Heflin,Jr.(1997 GRAD.)In 15 years of being involved with amateur basketball,we have never met a nicer or more personable youth than Ronnie Heflin,Jr.Since biddy ball Ron could always shoot the long ball and he could always handle the ball well.His only problem was always being young physically at every grade level.As a senior he looked like a 6'4" 160 lb. 12 year old and struggled on the court with his rapidly growing body.Upon graduation he redshirted at Albany State(Ga.)in order to gain strength.Last year he returned to Gary to help his father recover from throat cancer.In the meantime he sprouted to 6'7" and 200 lbs.Ashland asst. coach Linc Darner helped him enroll at Blackhawk Jr. college in Kewanee,Ill.At 9-15 the program is struggling to say the least but it has enabled Heflin to compete and develop into a solid D1 prospect.Ron graduates this spring and his 16ppg.and 9rpg. average is drawing interest from Western Illinois,Eastern Michigan,Nebraska and Univ.-Missouri at Kansas City.East Central Indiana college prospect news is coming soon!!!

Tuesday-February 8,2000
INDIANA'S BEST AVAILABLE SENIOR FORWARD PROSPECT is 6'6" 235lb. SF-PF BRANDON WEBB OF KNOX H.S (Knox,In.)A can't miss NCAA mid major division one prospect,Webb has the size-strength to defend bigger players and the skill to play wing.His most valuable asset is his quick trigger downtown jumper!! Talk about extending defenses!Webb is a legit. triple threat to 28 feet.His perfect rhythmic treyball is a live chapter from Dick Baumgardner's shooting series.The Hall of Famer coach from Richmond could write his next book by simply explaining various pictures of Webb's shooting mechanics.The drive to Knox is well worth it for all recruiters needing a scoring threat after the ball crosses mid-court.Averaging 27.1ppg. and 8rpg.,Brandon has led the Class 2A school to a 9-2 record.Serious interest is now from Tulsa,Oklahoma,Baylor,Western Michigan.Offers are from St.Josephs and Bethel.Brandon is open to all interested schools and plans to visit them all with a late spring decision.More Top Sr. prospect information Wednesday!!

Monday-February 7,2000
ELWOOD'S 6'5" 185LB. SR. (SF) HAS CHOSEN THE ARMY!!! Bryan Crossman has verbally committed to play NCAA division 1 basketball at The United States Military Academy at West Point.Bryan tells IBN that "he essentially will be earning his degree and officers commission while playing the game he loves for his country".His current 13ppg. and 8rpg. has helped Class 3A Elwood to a 11-2 record.IBN salutes BRYAN CROSSMAN for his desire to serve our great country!!................................................... #1 RANKED BARTON JR. COLLEGE LOST THEIR FIRST GAME of the season to Seward,JC. Apparently top frosh. Carlton Baker(East Chicago)was ejected for defending himself in a fight; and, Barton could not step up their game in his absence.At 22-1 BARTON is still favored for the national crown behind "oudie" Baker and Jamaal Davis(Merrillville-Purdue)We believe Davis is headed for #1 ranked Cincinnati Bearcats but he now wants to visit other schools.Baker is only a freshman but UMASS,Michigan,Louisville,Iowa and Wyoming are his favorites...............Class 2A Eastern Hancock new coach Aaron Spaulding has his work cut out for him as he breathes new life into a dormant program..If anyone should be able to predict a preps prospective college ability it should be Spaulding.He played at Warren Central with two future pros:Greg Graham(Indiana University-NBA-CBA-Sweden)and RonBayless(Iowa State-Norway).Collegiately he witnessed good NAIA hoops as a player at Olivet-Nazarene.As a JV Warren Central coach he saw Terren Wilson develop into a top 3 point guard in the junior class.He now tells us he has a great small college prospect in 6'4" 200lb.SF Daniel Hubert.Quick,agile with treyball threat-Hubert is averaging 17.2ppg. and 8rpg.His college exposure participation during the NCAA evaluation periods has been zero.A small college sleeper worth watching.Coach Aaron Spaulding will transport Hubert to any College willing to give Daniel Hubert a tryout.Expect to also see small school Eastern Hancock making some noise the next few years in Class 2A HOOPS.......

Sunday-February 6, 2000
TWO NCAA DIVISION 1 power forward prospects with similar physiques but contrasting scoring styles are 6'7" 220lb. SCOTT FISHER(Bloomington South) and 6'8" 230lb. LINDSAY HENDERSON(Hammond Morton).Both are very physical,banging prep posts that "get after it". The academically brilliant Fisher(1450SAT)has a variety of textbook low post moves while Henderson has a "deadeye" turnarond jumper from the Hi Post.Fisher is averaging 13ppg. and 9rpg. on his top 5 South squad.Cornell seems a "lock" for the MENSA like Fisher but he plans to also visit Brown.Henderson avgs. 17ppg. and 10rpg.while facing many double teams on the very average Morton team.Bucknell,Rider,Morehead State,IPFW and Jamie Matthew's strong Manchester program have all offered the big fella from the Hessville area of Hammond,In. ...........VISIT IBN DAILY FOR THE HOTTEST RECRUITING NEWS!!!

Saturday-February 5,2000
TWO SMALL SCHOOL SENIOR POINT GUARDS THAT HAVE DEVELOPED INTO OUTSTANDING NCAA 2 PROSPECTS ARE: 5'11" Matt Storm-Lapel and 5'9" Scott Study-Winchester. Storm is an explosive athlete that will dunk on you in a second if you give him the drive.Above average academic qualifier,he averages 17ppg.,5apg.,and 5rpg.His Class 1A team is 11-5 largely due to his leadership and ability to"make things happen on the court."Franklin,Wabash,Taylor,and Rockford(ILL.) are all calling for his services. Study on the other hand is a "study" in flawless playmaking.Defenders cannot "rip" him and he can dribble thru any trap.Very strong physically,he along with super soph. Tyler Clevenger have led the Class 2A power to a 13-4 record.Scott also easily qualifies academically.His 20ppg and 5 assists per game have drawn interest from Hanover,Wabash,Mt.Vernon(Ohio),Franklin and Taylor.We expect both these outstanding prospects to sign late with the best scholarship opportunity.

Friday-February 4,2000
6'8" 190 LB.COLE HAYS of Class 2A Prairie Heights and 6'7" 195 LB. TROY WEISHAUER of Avon are both outstanding NCAA PROSPECTS. Hays of Orland,In. in Steuben Co.is academically the school valedictorian with a 3.99 GPA and 1280 SAT. A TRIPLE THREAT to 15 feet,Cole has crafty low post moves and an Ivy league coaching mentality on the court. The 7-5 Praire team is led by his 18ppg.,9rpg. and 2 blocks per outing.His college exposure has been limited on an average summer team but he truly is a solid D2 or IVY LEAGUE type talent.Currently he has Depauw,Rose Hulman, Wabash,Kalamazoo and Missouri at Rolla all wanting his services.Weishauer is an above average academic qualifer and has offers from Olney and Glen Oaks Jr. Colleges.D2 Univ. of Indpls. and Gardner-Webb also have interest. Troy dreams of the biggest school possible so we expect him to go the JUCO route in order to add muscle mass.His 4A Avon Orioles are 10-3 largely due to his versatility on offense. Connecting on 30 treys this season,Troy recently hit 3 and 30 points in a win over a good Mooresville team.His averages are 15ppg., 7rpg. and 2 steals per contest.LOW MAJORS should investigate both COLE HAYS and TROY WEISHAUER!More and more senior prospect news each day at IBN! The missing piece to your college program may be next;or,your favorite hometown hero may be next --So log on daily at inbnews.com!!!!!

Thursday-February 3,2000
6'0" Brian Claybourne of Evansville Reitz has signed a national letter of intent to kick the football at Western Kentucky University.Like other two sport Indiana preps he also desires to play basketball in college but that may very well be a longshot.Merrillville native and Barton County JC All American 6'8" 230lb. Jamaal Davis is feeling the pressure of once again being recruited.We still believe he is a lock for Bobby Huggins #1 Cincinnatti program ;but,he now tells IBN that he wants to visit several schools before he makes a final decision.Very interesting to say the least!!...... Two outstanding senior NCAA division one prospects having excellent seasons are point guards 6'2" Lathaniel Staten(Andrean) and 6'0" David Hanger(North Newton).Staten's 59ers are expected to make the class 3a final four.Averaging 19.2 ppg.,6rpg.,5apg.,and 3 steals per game-"Late" has most interest from Loyola,Southern Illinois,Northern Illinois,Valpo,New Hampshire,Gardner-Webb and Bowling Green.He scores to help his team win but his real strengths are his playmaking,court vision and long armed pressure defense.......David Hanger on the other hand is the most underrated and overlooked player in the state with really no one to blame than his advisors.The kid is truly a 3 sport star but he chose to never play during the open NCAA evaluation periods.Routinely held,punched and double teamed-David still score at 24.3 per game.Evansville and Indiana State were involved but most interest is now from D3 North Park and St.Xavier with D2 St.Josephs also offering.Pete Trgovich would love to have him at Loyola but Coach Farmer favors other local Chicago preps.We have said it before and now will say it again "Hanger is another Austin Parkinson BUT with a better jump shot" A flat out steal for mid to hi majors that need a playmaker.Especially when you consider David is ready now at a strong 170lbs.A school will not have to develop his game!! Tragically DAVID HANGER is the textbook example of why athletes must play summer basketball if they want to play Division one.

Wednesday-February 2,2000
WITHERSPOON CHOOSES NOTRE DAME! Faced with dozens of NCAA Division one offers in both football and basketball,Jovan Witherspoon(Ft. Wayne Bishop Luers) has chosen to utilize his wide receiver skills for Notre Dame's world class education.Jovan chose the Irish over dozens of high major schools including Purdue,Kentucky,Northwestern and Michigan State IBN expects Jovan to eventually also wear a BIG EAST basketball jersey.His dad Roosevelt Barnes played both sports at Purdue from 1979-1981 as a linebacker and point guard.Jovan has indicated he also wants to play both sports and in Rosey's own words "it is much easier to go from wide receiver to wing forward than from linebacker to point guard"..........Two senior NCAA Division 1-2 prospects having fine seasons are 6'6" 180 lb.Mike Shelton of Jeffersonville and 6'5" 200 lb. Scott Williams of Martinsville."Long,lanky with quick hop and jumper to 15'"-Shelton has qualifying academics and interest from Siena,Samford,Bellarmine and Univ. of Indpls.His tough Jeff squad should be final four bound.His college decision will be in April.........Scott Williams is also an outstanding football prospect so he also has several options.On the hardwood,Scott is a triple threat to 18' with a variety of quick post moves over bigger players.Very tenacious on D, he has recorded 15 steals the past 2 games.Averaging 17 pts.,8rebs. and 4steals per game-Scott also has 3.2GPA and 980 SAT.Elon,Gardner-Webb,Depauw and Earlham have shown the most interest....

Tuesday-February 1,2000
6'8"240 LB. jr. BABO SERGECHRISTION OF ARLINGTON HIGH(INDPLS.) Without a question, IBN'S biggest find thus far this season is Babo Sergechristion. The only question here is whether or not the Cameroon,African native will be able to remain in America.To begin his soap opera saga-he came to the United States with three other ahletic members of his village under the impression they would all be placed on a NBA team!! Unbelievable to say the least but apparently con artists prey on these athletes with the promise that they can be the next Hakeem Olajuwon.For $2,500 they are promised a NBA roster spot by these flesh peddlers.The young men tragically did not know they were conned until they arrived at the Michigan airport and no one arrived to pick them up! Luckily for the young men they knew of other Cameroon natives living in Indianapolis who were able to find them host families.Babo was the only one landing in Indiana as the other three are high school graduates.He would like to develop his game next season at Arlington but he feels obligated to pay back the loans he took from the Tribe-- So he could make the trip.Granted limited eligiblty status by the IHSAA fiefdom-Babo has been terrorizing Arlington JV opponents.He is "the real deal" according to varsity player Jason Bell."The big fella dunks in traffic and runs the court like a gazelle."Coach Larry Nicks says "Babo is raw but very aggressive with huge potential." Hopefully the 6'8" BABO SERGECHRISTION can find a permanent sponsor family in Indiana so he can receive the greatest competition in America.Mark BABO SERGECHRISTION down as yet another great INDIANA prospect that IBN was first to nationally report on! We will keep you updated on his future status in Hoosierland.More senior prospect information tomorrow.........