Most local teams have sectional championship aspirations. A few believe they can accomplish even more.
GIRLS
BOYS Borden Charlestown Christian Academy Clarksville Floyd Central Henryville
2 20 16 10 24 4
Jeffersonville New Albany New Washington Providence Rock Creek Silver Creek
6 13 5 9 22 18
Borden Charlestown Christian Academy Clarksville Floyd Central Henryville
3 21 17 11 15 4
Jeffersonville New Albany New Washington Providence Rock Creek Silver Creek
7 14 5 8 22 19
2 | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 | BASKETBALL
BORDEN BRAVES 2015-16 SCHEDULE Nov. 24
Eastern
7:30 p.m.
Nov. 28
Shoals
7:30 p.m.
Dec. 4
at Lanesville*
7:30 p.m.
Dec. 5
Southwestern
7:30 p.m.
Dec. 11
at South Central*
7:30 p.m.
Dec. 12
Crothersville*
7:30 p.m.
Dec. 18
First round+
TBA
Dec. 19
First round+
TBD
Dec. 22
at Trinity Lutheran
7:30 p.m.
Dec. 29
at Switzerland Co.
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 2
Paoli
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 8
at New Washington*
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 9
at Silver Creek
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 15
Austin
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 16
Eastern Greene
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 23
at Henryville*
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 29
Orleans
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 30
at Charlestown
7:30 p.m.
Feb. 6
at Springs Valley
12:30 p.m.
Feb. 9
West Washington
7:30 p.m.
Feb. 19
at Clarksville
7:30 p.m.
Feb. 26
Salem
7:30 p.m.
BORDEN BRAVES
SHOOTING FOR PERFECTION Nash, Braves have lofty goals heading into 2015-16
March 1-5 West Washington Sectional * Southern Athletic Conference Game + Washington County Invitational
BY GREG MENGELT
greg.mengelt@newsandtribune.com
2015-16 ROSTER No. Name
Ht.
Grade
3
Julien Magallanes
5-8
12
4
Chad Arnett
5-11
11
11 Reilly Gray
6-0
12
21 Nathan Bachman
5-11
11
22 Brandon Thompson
5-9
11
24 Noah Franklin
5-9
10
31 Lucas McNew
5-11
10
32 Nathaniel Knollenberg
6-0
12
33 Noah Hart
6-0
11
34 Kamden Hurst
5-7
12
35 Caleb Hart
6-0
11
2014-2015 RESULTS (13-10) Nov. 25
at Eastern
L, 53-61
Nov. 29
at Shoals
W, 73-53
Dec. 5
Lanesville
W, 64-55
Dec. 6
at Southwestern
W, 42-30
Dec. 12
South Central
W, 52-45
Dec. 13
at Crothersville
W, 65-54
Dec. 19
Salem
L, 50-55
Dec. 20
at West Washington
L, 50-57
Dec. 30
Switzerland Co.
W, 46-40
Jan. 3
at Paoli
W, 62-56
Jan. 9
New Washington
W, 66-52
Jan. 10
Silver Creek
Jan. 16
at Austin
W, 53-49
Jan. 23
at Christian Academy
L, 22-51
Jan. 24
Henryville
W, 43-25
Jan. 30
at Orleans
L, 42-56
Jan. 31
Charlestown
L, 42-46
Feb. 7
at Rock Creek
L, 49-61
Feb. 14
Springs Valley
W, 33-31
Feb. 26
Clarksville
W, 58-50
Feb. 27
Salem
Mar. 3
Rock Creek*
W, 45-42 (OT)
Mar. 6
New Wash*
L, 47-50 (2OT)
L, 25-45
L, 33-41
* Sectional game
PAST 10 YEARS Coach: Doc Nash • 2014-15: 13-10 (SAC Champions) • 2013-14: 16-5 (SAC Champions) • 2012-13: 24-3 (SAC Champions, Sectional Champions, Regional Champions, Semistate Champions, State Champions) • 2011-12: 22-2 (SAC Champions, Sectional Champions) • 2010-11: 14-9 (SAC Champions) • 2009-10: 6-13 • 2008-09: 19-6 (SAC Champions, Sectional Champions) • 2007-08: 20-6 (SAC Champions), Sectional Champions, Regional Champions) • 2006-07: 11-10 Coach: Mike McBride • 2005-06: 17-6
POSTSEASON HISTORY • Sectional championships (4): 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013. • Regional championships (2): 2008, 2013. • Semistate championships (1): 2013. • State championships (1): 2013.
BORDEN — Doc Nash knows what it’s like to win a state championship. Nash led Borden to the 2012-13 Class A state title. While he isn’t sure yet that this year’s team is capable of duplicating that feat, he wants his team to shoot for perfection. “I want them to buy into winning,” he said. “That’s always our goal, every year. We start with three goals: go undefeated, win our sectional and win a state championship. That’s our goal every year and we’ve reached two of them. Is it likely we ever go undefeated? Probably not. But if you don’t reach for the stars, you’re never going to get there.” Senior Nathan Bachman’s brother, Cody, helped lead the Braves to the state championship. He believes it’s his and his teammates’ turn to leave their mark on the program. “There are a lot of expectations,” the younger Bachman said. “It makes you want to work harder to achieve something. Borden’s Nathan Bachman drives toward the basket during the Braves’ 58-50 win over I think this team’s capable of a lot.” Clarksville in Borden last season. | STAFF PHOTO BY TYLER STEWART If the Braves are going to be successful this postseason, they’re going to have to take a different route. The IHSAA moved Borden from the sectional that it hosted for years to West Washington, where the host Senators, Trinity Lutheran and Orleans join the Braves as preseason sectional Spinal injuries can restrict range of motion, reduce strength, slow favorites. reflexes, shorten endurance, and decrease performance. Chiropractic care “It’s going to be different. I’m always for these types of injuries has become increasingly popular. Professional going to feel we have a chance,” Nash said. “I think four teams can win it. I think sports teams, Olympic trainers, and competitive athletes are employing [West Washington] is the team to beat. chiropractic doctors – because they demand results. They have the most talent, top to bottom.” “[West Washington] I think is definitely the biggest competition,” senior Caleb Hart agreed. “I don’t think the sectional is as tough as the one we were in, but [the Senators are] definitely the biggest competition in there.” Borden has won the Southern Athletic Conference five years in a row and seven of the last nine seasons. The Braves have won 15 consecutive conference games, as well. Winning it again won’t be easy. Standing in the way could be New Washington, which eliminated the Braves from last year’s postseason with a 50-47 double-overtime upset in the Borden Sectional semifinals. Borden will meet the Mustangs — Nash’s alma mater — on Jan. 8 in New Washington Nash believes the Braves and Mustangs are among four teams — along with Lanesville and Henryville — that can win the 2016 title. “It’s a goal,” he said. “I think our conference is as balanced as it possibly can be. New Washington has to be the favorite. They kicked our tail in the sectional in The lumbar spine is the most frequently injured area of the spine. every asset of the game. Henryville was extremely young and Coach [Jared] Hill Sports injuries among youngsters are often ignored as “growing does a fantastic job and I think they’ll be up there.” pains.” Regular chiropractic checkups can help avoid problems Bachman said it’s the first of many goals seen later in adults. the Braves hope to accomplish. “It’s big,” he said. “You want to keep it rolling. You don’t want to be the team that Help prevent sports injuries by proper stretching, warm-up and ends it. It’s always a goal at the start of the cool-down exercises, and by staying fit. season to win conference.” While he hopes Borden wins another league crown, Nash said, “If we win conProper spinal function is essential for peak performance at work ference and lose in the sectional, in my or play. opinion, it’s a bad season. We want to win in March.” Call for your Complimentary Consultation. One of the expected weaknesses again in 2015-16 will be lack of size. Noah Hart — Caleb’s younger brother — is the only Most insurance accepted including personal injury, Brave listed at taller than 6 feet. auto accidents, Medicare & Medicaid “We’ve got no size at all,” Nash said. “Noah Hart says he’s 6-1. That’s if he’s stepping on his tip-toes. The roster says he’s 6-1. He might be 5-8, but we’ll need him to play l like he’s 6-7.” “We’ve got to play hard, do everything correctly and box out,” Caleb Hart said. Borden returns three starters from last year’s 13-10 squad. Caleb Hart is the leading returning scorer at 11 points per game. 2652 Charlestown Road, New Albany, Indiana 47150 Bachman added 11 and Noah Hart 7.5 per HOURS: M,W&F 9A-12P & 2P-6P • T 9A-12P & 2P-5P • TH 2P-5P game a year ago.
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CHIROPRACTIC, LLC 812.949.2273 (care)
SEE BRAVES, PAGE 3
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BASKETBALL | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 | 3
BORDEN BRAVES 2015-16 SCHEDULE Nov. 14
at Clarksville
Nov. 17
at Crothersville*
W, 61-49 L, 55-57
Nov. 20
Eastern
L, 27-76
Nov. 25
at Trinity Lutheran
Nov. 28
at Christian Academy
Dec. 1
New Washington*
7:30 p.m.
Dec. 5
at Shoals
1:30 p.m.
Dec. 10
Lanesville*
Dec. 12
South Decatur
Dec. 17
at Madison Shawe
Dec. 19
at Medora
12:30 p.m.
Jan. 2
Salem
12:30 p.m.
Jan. 7
Silver Creek
Jan. 9
at Paoli
12:30 p.m.
Jan. 14
Orleans
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 16
at Seymour
1:30 p.m.
Jan. 19
at South Central*
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 21
Henryville*
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 26
West Washington
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 28
Springs Valley
7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 7 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
Feb. 2-6 Borden Sectional * Southern Athletic Conference Game
2015-16 ROSTER No Name
Pos.
Ht.
Grade
12
Taylor Streander
G/F
5-7
11
20
Amanda Goodridge F
5-6
11
21
Kate Gertin
G
5-7
11
22
Madison Owens
G
5-2
9
23
Josie Voyles
F
5-5
10
24
Natalie Ruedinger
G/F
5-9
12
32
Hannah McKinley
F
5-6
9
34
Shelby Abel
F
5-5
12
40
Isis Magallanes
F
5-6
9
42
Cassy Goodridge
F
5-7
12
44
Kaelan Harmes
C
5-10
12
2014-2015 RESULTS (16-8) Nov. 18
Crothersville
Nov. 21
at Eastern
W, 78-54
Nov. 29
Christian Academy
W, 71-34
Dec. 2
at New Washington
W, 58-40
Dec. 6
Shoals
W, 59-11
Dec. 11
at Lanesville
W, 54-36
Dec. 13
at Mitchell
Dec. 18
Madison Shawe
W, 65-48
Dec. 20
Medora
W, 67-21
Jan. 3
at Salem
L, 41-42
Jan. 8
at Silver Creek
L, 42-59
Jan. 10
Paoli
W, 60-51
Jan. 15
at Orleans
W, 49-28
Jan. 17
Seymour
Jan. 22
at Henryville
Jan. 24
Trinity Lutheran
W, 62-33
Jan. 27
at West Washington
W, 82-36
Jan. 31
South Central
W, 69-49
Feb. 3
Clarksville
W, 66-25
Feb. 5
at Springs Valley
Feb. 10
Lanesville*
W, 63-20
Feb. 13
at South Central*
W, 62-34
Feb. 14
Christian Academy*
W, 78-36
Feb. 23
Springs Valley+
L, 19-49
L, 52-54
L, 48-58 L, 71-72 (OT)
L, 36-68
L, 35-49
* Sectional game + Regional game
PAST 10 YEARS Coach: Terry Rademacher • 2014-15: 16-8 (SAC Champions, Sectional Champions) • 2013-14: 17-3 (SAC Champions, Sectional Champions) • 2012-13: 13-7 • 2011-12: 18-7 (SAC Champions, Sectional Champions) • 2010-11: 15-9 (Sectional Champions) Coach: Charlie Gardener • 2009-10: 8-13 • 2008-09: 13-8 • 2007-08: 6-16 Coach: Michelle Agnew • 2006-07: 7-14 • 2005-06: 6-15
POSTSEASON HISTORY • Sectional championships (12): 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 2002, 2003, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015. • Regional championships (0): None. • Semistate championships (0): None. • State championships (0): None.
BORDEN BRAVES
STILL OPTIMISTIC
Borden expecting big things this season in spite of slow start BY GREG MENGELT
greg.mengelt@newsandtribune.com
BORDEN — The 2015-16 season hasn’t begun how Borden expected or how its come to expect. Through three games, the Braves are 1-2 with a Southern Athletic Conference defeat at the hands of Crothersville and a 49-point home defeat to rival Eastern last Friday. Veteran coach Terry Rademacher said the losses haven’t infected his outlook for the season. “We have good players and we’re going to have a good team,” he said. “The process is just going to be a little bit slower than in years past.” After losing three starting guards from last year’s SAC and sectional championship team, senior Natalie Ruedinger and junior Taylor Streander will be called upon to shoulder much of the load. That’s particularly the case for Ruedinger, who averaged 17.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.5 steals as a junior. “She’s one of the better players in Southern Indiana,” Rademacher said of Ruedinger. “I believe in using your best player. Sure we’re going to lean on her.” Streander, who was named All-SAC following her sophomore year when she averaged 9.4 points per game, will play a different role in 2015-16. With the three guards no longer around, she will have to be a ball-dominant player. “She’s a good shooter and she has excellent basketball savvy,” Rademacher said of Streander. “She’s a very good basketball player with a variety of skills.” Cassy Goodridge, Kaelen Harmes and Josey Voyles are all newcomers to the Borden starting lineup. The trio had combined for one start coming into the season. Still, Rademacher believes they can contribute to a successful campaign. “I think they can play, but it’s a different role for them,” he said. Another development occurred in the spring when Borden was moved from Class A Sectional 62 to Sectional 61 with Orleans, Crothersville, West Washington, Trinity Lutheran and Medora. Rademacher said he doesn’t feel there’s much difference between the two sectionals. The Braves have always played Orleans, Medora, West Washington and Trinity Lutheran in the past and Crothersville is an SAC opponent. “It’s just trading one 1A sectional for another,” he said. “It wasn’t that big of a change.” Borden will be the host in its first year in Sectional 61. Springs Valley, which moved out of the sectional, was scheduled to host it, so the IHSAA awarded it to Borden. The sectional will
Junior Natalie Ruedinger is expected to be Borden’s leader again in 2015-16. | STAFF PHOTOS BY GREG MENGELT
Head coach Terry Rademacher has led the Braves to four sectional titles and three Southern Athletic Conference titles since he returned to Borden five years ago.
rotate between Borden, West Washington and Orleans. Since Rademacher returned to Borden, the Braves have won four sectionals and three SAC titles in five seasons. Despite the new venue, he believes his team has a shot at continuing the domination. “I think we have a decent enough team to win the sectional,” he said. “Our sectional, there’s going to be five teams that could win it. They could also all lose the first night because they’re going to be playing each other.”
The Braves will have to overcome an 0-1 hole to win the conference championship for the third year in a row. Henryville, which is 7-0 and tied Borden for the SAC crown last year, is considered the early favorite to win it again in 2016. Borden hosts the Class 2A No. 8 Hornets on Jan. 21. Ruedinger said she believes her team is still in the SAC race. “I believe we are,” she said. “We can still pull together as a team. It depends on what kind of night we’re going to have.”
BRAVES: Borden banking on balance, depth this season CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
Senior Julien Magallanes, a star runner for Borden, also will help the Braves with balance and depth. The future Louisville Cardinal finished eighth in the state in cross country last month. “He gives us more athleti-
cism,” Nash said. Another star athlete is Lucas McNew, who helped lead the Borden baseball team to a sectional championship in the spring. “He’s been a big-time surprise for us,” Nash said of the sophomore. “He’s been playing ex-
tremely well for us.” Senior Reilly Gray missed all of last year and is currently out with a concussion. Seniors Kamden Hurst and Nathaniel Knollenberg, juniors Chad Arnett and Brandon Thompson and sophomore Noah Franklin will give
Nash added balance and depth. “We want balance,” Nash said. “Opposing coaches can guard one player. We can guard one player. That’s pretty easy. I don’t care who shoots it. We just want to take high-percentage shots.” Borden will open its season
Tuesday when it hosts Eastern. The Musketeers beat the Braves 61-53 in Pekin to begin last season. Other dates of interest include its SAC opener Dec. 4 at Lanesville and will make a trip to Silver Creek on Jan. 9.
4 | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 | BASKETBALL
HENRYVILLE HORNETS 2015-16 SCHEDULE Nov. 24 Silver Creek 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 Paoli 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 Charlestown 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at Austin 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at Lanesville* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22 First round+ TBA Dec. 22 Final round+ TBD Jan. 2 Indpls. International 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at South Decatur 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9 Trinity Lutheran 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at New Washington* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 Medora 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at Providence 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 Borden* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 South Central* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 Eastern 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 Crawford Co. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at Salem 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at West Washington 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at Crothersville* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at Clarksville 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at Christian Academy 7:30 p.m. March 1-5 Class 2A Paoli Sectional * Southern Athletic Conference Game + Henryville Holiday Tournament
2015-16 ROSTER No. 1 10 14 20 22 24 30 32 34 42 50
Name Braxton Robertson Elijah Weeks Jacob Janek Kade Badgers Kendal Dunn Kasey Robertson Nick Walker Kevin Hollis Thomas Green Trevor Badger Charlie Dieterlen
Pos. F G G G G G G F F G F
Ht. 6-4 5-10 6-0 5-9 5-9 6-1 6-2 6-4 6-3 5-9 6-0
Grade 11 12 12 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 11
HENRYVILLE HORNETS
2014-2015 RESULTS (9-13) Nov. 25 at Silver Creek Dec. 5 at Paoli Dec. 9 at Charlestown Dec. 12 Austin Dec. 19 Lanesville Dec. 20 at Southwestern Dec. 23 Crothersville Dec. 23 Madison Shawe Jan. 3 at Indpls. International Jan. 9 South Decatur Jan. 10 at Trinity Lutheran Jan. 16 New Washington Jan. 23 Providence Jan. 24 at Borden Jan. 30 at South Central Feb. 6 Crothersville Feb. 7 at Crawford Co. Feb. 12 at Eastern Feb. 24 Clarksville Feb. 25 at Jeffersonville Feb. 27 Christian Academy Mar. 3 Providence* * Sectional game
L, 42-58 W, 54-51 L, 49-56 L, 47-49 L, 50-62 W, 41-36 W, 57-44 W, 53-37 L, 42-44 W, 53-38 L, 48-58 W, 55-44 W, 41-38 L, 25-43 L, 48-50 W, 63-41 L, 48-57 L, 51-69 W, 55-49 L, 54-73 L, 35-55 L, 28-46
PAST 10 YEARS Coach: Jared Hill • 2014-15: 9-13 Coach: Dan Carmony • 2013-14: 3-18 • 2012-13: 0-20 Coach: Perry Hunter • 2011-12: 9-12 • 2010-11: 5-16 • 2009-10: 12-11 • 2008-09: 15-8 (SAC Champions) • 2007-08: 9-13 (SAC Champions) • 2006-07: 12-11 • 2005-06: 10-11
POSTSEASON HISTORY • Sectional championships (2): 2004, 2005. • Regional championships (0): None. • Semistate championships (0): None. • State championships (0): None.
POSITIVE TREND Henryville finally feels like a contender BY GREG MENGELT
greg.mengelt@newsandtribune.com
HENRYVILLE — A onceproud Henryville basketball program went through some lean seasons in 2012-13 and 2013-14. In those two years, the Hornets won a combined three games. However, over the past two years, the Hornets win total has grown from zero to two to nine last year in former Hornet star Jared Hill’s first season as the head coach. With three starters returning and plenty of talent throughout its roster, the positive trend should continue in 2015-16. “I think the guys are used to me, I’m used to them,” Hill said. “First year wasn’t bad. I think we all learned a lot last
year. I think if we apply what we learned, it will make a big difference this year.” “It was kind of down two years ago,” sophomore guard Nick Walker said. “We brought it back up. [The wins] keep increasing.” “We have the experience from the years we’ve played,” senior Elijah Weeks said. “Our underclassmen are starting to become upperclassmen. We’ve gotten a lot more intense. It’s all or nothing for the seniors.” Walker, 6-foot-4 junior Braxton Robertson and a fouryear starter in Weeks return to the starting lineup. Jacob Janek, who Hill said gave the Hornets a spark every time he entered the game last year,
6-1 Casey Robertson and 6-3 Thomas Green will gave the Hornets depth. “I think we’ll be better at scoring than we were last year,” Hill predicted. “It’s a year of maturity and guys have gotten better.” Walker was an instant star as a freshman, averaging nine points. Hill said he expects him to bloom as a sophomore. “Nick made some really big strides,” Hill said. “He played well last year, but he’s gotten better. He’s put on a lot of weight, as far as muscle goes.” One of the more talented players on the Henryville roster is sophomore forward Kevin Hollis. He has size at 6-foot-4 and an excellent shooting stroke.
“We’re bringing him along slowly,” Hill said. “He’s made a great deal of improvement. He might be one of the best shooters we have.” There’s little question the Hornets should contend in the Southern Athletic Conference and the Class 2A Paoli Sectional. That’s quite a statement just three years removed from a winless season. “I think we’re a contender for both,” Hill said. “We didn’t do as well in conference last year as we should have.” Walker didn’t mince words. He believes his team is ready to win championships. “We’re going to win it,” he said. Which one? SEE HORNETS, PAGE 12
HENRYVILLE HORNETS 2015-16 SCHEDULE Nov. 3 at Rock Creek+ W, 65-21 Nov. 5 Medora+ W, 83-17 Nov. 6 Clarksville+ W, 56-17 Nov. 7 Orleans+ W, 40-19 Nov. 13 Crawford Co. W, 62-50 (OT) Nov. 20 New Washington* W, 66-25 Nov. 21 Brownstown W, 63-60 Dec. 3 at Lanesville* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at Paoli 12:30 p.m. Dec. 8 Charlestown 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at Providence 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 Silver Creek 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at South Central* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29 First round# TBA Dec. 30 Final round# TBD Jan. 5 at Crothersville* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9 Orleans 12:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at Madison Shawe 7 p.m. Jan. 14 Southwestern 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at Christian Academy 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at Borden* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at Clarksville 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 Eastern 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2-6 Henryville Sectional * Southern Athletic Conference Game + Henryville Tipoff Tournament # Washington County Invitational
2015-16 ROSTER No. Class 11 13 15 21 23 25 31 33 35 41 45
HENRYVILLE HORNETS
Hornets 7-0 to start new season BY GREG MENGELT
HENRYVILLE — Henryville faced some adversity early in the 2015-16 season. The Hornets were coming off a disappointing sectional loss that ended last year’s successful 18-6 campaign. On top of that, a good portion of the Henryville lineup had its mind on something else in the fall, helping lead the Hornets to sectional and regional championships in late October. Despite the late arrivals of stars Emily Hollis and Haley Huddleston, the Hornets are off to their best start ever at 7-0. They’re ranked eighth in the state after Saturday’s
impressive 63-60 win over Brownstown Central. “I’ve like our attitude,” sixth-year Henryville coach Josh Conrad said. “They’ve picked up things quickly, which they should because they’re juniors and seniors. We still have a lot of things we need to work on, but the girls are taking big steps forward each week and that’s what matters right now.” In fact, Conrad said, he believes the volleyball success will have a positive effect on his squad. “Those kids have won at that level now and now they have that confidence,” he said. “They want to do the same
thing in basketball. I think it’s been good for them.” “I think it’s motivated us to do the exact same thing,” senior point guard Emily Hollis added. “The feeling of going to semistate was just crazy. I’d like to do that again in basketball.” Henryville was co-Southern Athletic Conference champions with Borden a year ago. The Hornets beat the Braves 72-71 in overtime to claim a share of the title. They still haven’t won a sectional since their lone crown in 1994. Conrad believes that this team has an opportunity to be remembered alongside those Silver Creek Sectional
Pos.
Haley Huddleston G/F Reagan Hensley G Natalie LaMotte G Peyton Ottersbach F Emily Hollis G Abby Robertson F Hannah Nunn G Emma Hendricks F Darian Nipper G Becca Hunt F Hannah White C
Ht. Grade 5-9 5-2 5-2 5-7 5-7 5-9 5-7 5-8 5-5 5-5 5-10
12 11 12 11 12 12 11 12 10 12 11
2014-2015 RESULTS (18-6)
HOT IN HENRYVILLE
greg.mengelt@newsandtribune.com
Name
champions. “With the team we have coming back, I think the sky’s the limit with this group,” he said. With Borden having already suffered a conference loss, Henryville looks like the prohibitive favorite to repeat as conference champions, but Conrad said recapturing the title won’t be easy. “I think it’s a really good conference this year compared to years past because I don’t think there’s a weak team in it,” he said. The ultimate goal for this team, however, is the sectional championship. The sectional, SEE HENRYVILLE, PAGE 12
Nov. 11 Irvington Prep W, 73-6 Nov. 13 at Medora W, 55-28 Nov. 14 at Clarksville W, 48-25 Nov. 15 Providence W, 61-54 Nov. 21 at New Washington W, 56-34 Nov. 29 Charlestown L, 45-51 Dec. 4 Lanesville W, 58-28 Dec. 6 Paoli L, 39-44 Dec. 12 Providence W, 43-39 Dec. 16 at Silver Creek W, 46-35 Dec. 18 South Central W, 65-27 Dec. 27 at Eastern L, 46-63 Dec. 27 Salem L, 44-50 Jan. 6 Crothersville L, 51-54 Jan. 10 at Orleans W, 36-24 Jan. 15 at Southwestern W, 42-33 Jan. 20 Christian Academy W, 77-40 Jan. 22 Borden W, 72-71 (OT) Jan. 27 Clarksville W, 56-24 Jan. 29 at Eastern W, 48-41 Feb. 3 Madison Shawe W, 53-32 Feb. 5 at Crawford Co. W, 43-41 Feb. 10 Eastern* W, 54-34 Feb. 13 Crawford Co.* L, 41-58 * Sectional game + Henryville Tipoff Tournament
PAST 10 YEARS Coach: Josh Conrad • 2014-15: 18-6 • 2013-14: 11-10 • 2012-13: 14-10 • 2011-12: 13-10 • 2010-11: 13-10 Coach: Brian Guernsey • 2009-10: 11-14 • 2008-09: 10-13 • 2007-08: 16-8 • 2006-07: 12-12 • 2005-06: 9-14
POSTSEASON HISTORY • Sectional championships (1): 1994. • Regional championships (0): None. • Semistate championships (0): None. • State championships (0): None.
BASKETBALL | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 | 5
NEW WASHINGTON MUSTANGS 2015-16 SCHEDULE Nov. 24 at Charlestown 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 Rock Creek 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 Christian Academy 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at Southwestern 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 Rising Sun 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at Crothersville* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28 First round+ TBA Dec. 29 Final round+ TBD Jan. 2 Eastern 2:30 p.m. Jan. 8 Borden* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9 at Clarksville 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 Henryville* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Madison Shawe 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at Austin 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at Switzerland Co. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at Medora 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at Trinity Lutheran 1:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at Silver Creek 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 Lanesville* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 Charlestown 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 South Central* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 Providence 7:30 p.m. March 1-5 Class A New Washington Sectional * Southern Athletic Conference Game + Northeastern Tournament
2015-16 ROSTER No. 5 10 14 20 22 24 40 44
Name Caleb Elison Brandon Gill Andrew House Brandon Horton Jacob Hudnall Hunter Lind Zach Moore Stevie Mack
Grade 11 11 11 11 12 11 11 11
Ht. Pos. 5-9 G 5-9 G 6-0 G 5-10 G 6-3 C 6-0 G 6-3 F 6-7 C
2014-2015 RESULTS (10-15) Nov. 26 at Charlestown L, 39-69 Nov. 29 Silver Creek L, 32-70 Dec. 5 at Rock Creek L, 44-53 Dec. 6 at Christian Academy L, 38-67 Dec. 12 Southwestern W, 33-19 Dec. 16 Crothersville W, 64-51 Dec. 19 at Rising Sun W, 54-42 Dec. 29 at Union Co. W, 42-30 Dec. 30 Monroe Central L, 58-59 (OT) Dec. 30 Lawrenceburg W, 62-59 (2OT) Jan. 2 at Eastern L, 52-67 Jan. 9 at Borden L, 52-66 Jan. 10 Clarksville W, 68-65 (OT) Jan. 16 at Henryville L, 44-55 Jan. 17 Madison Shawe L, 48-54 Jan. 23 Austin L, 56-70 Jan. 30 Switzerland Co. W, 68-60 Feb. 6 at Lanesville L, 52-68 Feb. 7 Trinity Lutheran L, 61-72 Feb. 12 Medora W, 78-52 Feb. 23 Charlestown L, 55-69 Feb. 26 at South Central W, 60-47 Feb. 27 at Providence L, 32-33 Mar. 6 at Borden* W, 50-47 (2OT) Mar. 7 Christian Academy* L, 49-63 * Sectional game
PAST 10 YEARS Coach: Jon May • 2014-15: 10-15 • 2013-14: 6-16 • 2012-13: 9-13 • 2011-12: 1-21 • 2010-11: 4-18 • 2009-10: 7-15 (SAC Champions) • 2008-09: 14-11 • 2007-08: 4-17 Coach: John Howell • 2006-07: 11-11 • 2005-06: 2-19
POSTSEASON HISTORY • Sectional championships (4): 1988, 1989, 2000, 2001. • Regional championships (1): 2001. • Semistate championships (0): None. • State championships (0): None.
NEW WASHINGTON MUSTANGS
UPWARD SWING
Mustangs expect more success after small taste last year BY MITZI THOMPSON
sports@newsandtribune.com
NEW WASHINGTON – After a string of dismal and disappointing seasons, New Washington appears to be on the uphill swing and ready to put some marks in the win column this year thanks to a roster full of players who have talent, drive and a small taste of success from last year still lingering on their tongues. The Mustangs had a hotand-cold couple of months during last year’s 10-15 campaign, but it’s the end of the season that’s still on their minds. “It’s kind of bittersweet, but now it’s given us motivation,” said junior guard Caleb Ellison, who helped the Mustangs knock off reigning champion and host Borden in last year’s Class A sectional.
A day later, they took eventual champion Christian Academy to the wire in the title game. “It was really special to be able to go to the sectional championship, and we’re eager to get back to it,” Ellison continued. “Winning that championship is the goal. If we don’t do it, we’re underachieving. At least that’s the way I look at it.” That may seem like awfully big talk, especially for a team that hasn’t put a winning season together in six years and has won only 24 percent of its games since 2000-01. Add in the fact that New Washington graduated seven seniors, including its two leading scorers — guards James Clemons and Logan Miles — and three big postmen — Jake Zimmerman, James Seals and Matthew Wilson — and it doesn’t real-
ly look like 2015-16 year has the recipe for success. The Mustangs are pretty confident in the group they have returning. Joining Ellison — a quick and gritty guard who averaged a couple points and a couple assists playing behind Miles and Clemons last season — are juniors Stevie Mack, who is a strong inside force who led the team in rebounds last year at nearly seven per game, and Zach Moore, a versatile big man who can shift seamlessly from the post to the perimeter. “We lost a couple guys who were extremely good teammates and worked to get some of the younger kids where they needed to be at and help them along,” May said. “We lost our best playmakers, but that’s part of it. We really feel good about the guys we have coming back
and the experience that they gained last year. We’re pretty excited about this year. We look for these guys to fill their roles quickly and continue to move forward and not take any steps backward.” Andrew House and Brandon Horton, who are both junior guards, put in a significant amount of varsity time last season, averaging six and four points, respectively. They will be expected to play major roles this season. Junior guards Brandon Gill, Hunter Lind and big senior forward Jacob Hudnall will also likely be contributors after leading the junior varsity team to Southern Athletic Conference championships the past two seasons. “We lost a whole lot but we got a lot back,” Ellison said. “Zach and Stevie have really stepped up this off-season SEE MUSTANGS, PAGE 12
NEW WASHINGTON MUSTANGS 2015-16 SCHEDULE Nov. 5 Silver Creek L, 45-63 Nov. 13 New Albany L, 22-92 Nov. 14 Christian Academy L, 54-59 Nov. 17 Austin L, 49-81 Nov. 20 at Henryville* L, 25-66 Nov. 21 Madison Shawe L, 47-60 Nov. 24 at Charlestown 6 p.m. Dec. 1 at Borden* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 Rock Creek 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at Madison 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 Southwestern 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 Charlestown 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 Lanesville* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at Eastern 7:30 p.m. Jan. 2 at Jeffersonville 7:30 p.m. Jan. 5 at Scottsburg 7:30 p.m. Jan. 12 Providence 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at Trinity Lutheran 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Switzerland Co. 2:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at Brownstown 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 South Central* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at Crothersville* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2-6 Class A New Washington Sectional * Southern Athletic Conference Game
2015-16 ROSTER
NEW WASHINGTON MUSTANGS
ADJUSTMENT YEAR
Mustangs adapting to varsity level, tough schedule BY MITZI THOMPSON
sports@newsandtribune.com
NEW WASHINGTON – Rebuilding years are so cliché that most coaches shy away from the term altogether. First-year head coach Kirsti Holloway is no exception, though she does acknowledge the fact that growth and adjustment will play a major role in this season’s New Washington campaign. With her young team, eager for and receptive to a new era of Mustangs basketball, Holloway anticipates lots of developing with a few growing pains throughout the year. “We have kids who aren’t used to playing significant minutes who will have to step into roles that need to be filled,” said Holloway, who took over the helm at her alma mater this season,
replacing 16-year head coach Terry White. “We have a couple of freshmen who will be immediately put into those positions, but we have other underclassmen who – as the season progresses – will be able to help too.” New Washington, which strung together quite a bit of success in recent history — with two sectional titles and eight winning seasons in the past nine years — suffered a lull last year after graduating a wealth of talent from the 2013-14 squad. This season only two major contributors return from last year’s 6-18 campaign, so the focus for Holloway has been patience and teaching. “We as coaches have to be patient, and the kids have to be patient with each other,” she said. “So far, they’ve all been really receptive. It’s
been exciting.” The Mustangs lost nearly all their post presence from last season, including the graduated Shelby Haymaker, who led the team in rebounds with nearly seven per game. Also lost to graduation is guard Emilee Holloway, who scored 5.6 points per game and provided solid team leadership. Returning, however, is last year’s leading scorer, junior guard Haley Tye, who averaged just over 14 points per outing. Gracie Krouse, another junior guard, is also back after scoring eight points and three steals per game last season. “We’ve lost a lot but we’ve gained a lot, too,” Tye said. “We’ve got a group this year that works harder than any team I’ve ever been a part of.” Macie McCarty, a 5-foot-7 junior, and 5-5 senior Bailey
Crace are the only other returners who played significant varsity minutes last season. “The rest are learning what it’s like to play at that level, and so every day we have to remind ourselves that it might take some time,” said Holloway. “It’s not going to happen overnight.” The incoming freshman class does bring some size and strength to the table, with Emma Graebe and Madison Fields standing at 5-10, and Kamran Miles, Hope Griffith and Lexie Matthews – while not conspicuously tall at 5-8, 5-5 and 5-5, respectively – are gritty, tough and not afraid to get into the thick of things. “Being a freshman and going straight to the varsity level is an adjustment, but it’s a goal we have,” said Holloway. “We would like to be SEE NEW WASH, PAGE 12
No. 10 11 15 20 22 24 32 33 34 40 42 44
Name Haley Tye Macie McCarty Bailey Crace Samantha Crace Gracie Krouse Jodi Davidson Hope Griffith Natalie Harrod Emma Graebe Madison Fields Kamran Miles Lexie Matthews
Pos. G G/F G G G F G F F G/F F G
Ht. Grade 5-4 11 5-7 11 5-5 12 5-3 10 5-3 11 5-4 12 5-5 9 5-10 11 5-10 9 5-10 9 5-8 9 5-5 9
2014-2015 RESULTS (6-18) Nov. 15 at Christian Academy Nov. 18 at Austin Nov. 21 Henryville Nov. 22 at Madison Shawe Nov. 25 at Charlestown Dec. 2 Borden Dec. 4 at Rock Creek Dec. 9 Madison Dec. 11 at Southwestern Dec. 13 Charlestown Dec. 18 Eastern Jan. 3 Jeffersonville Jan. 6 Scottsburg Jan. 13 at Providence Jan. 15 Trinity Lutheran Jan. 17 Switzerland Co. Jan. 20 Brownstown Jan. 22 at Silver Creek Jan. 24 at South Central Jan. 27 Crothersville Jan. 29 at Lanesville Feb. 3 at New Albany Feb. 10 Rock Creek* Feb. 13 Christian Academy* * Sectional game
W, 60-51 L, 24-67 L, 34-56 L, 37-52 L, 28-82 L, 40-58 W, 61-29 L, 37-63 L, 51-53 L, 35-75 L, 53-57 L, 25-71 L, 46-69 L, 25-88 L, 50-66 L, 42-66 L, 52-84 L, 25-64 W, 76-65 W, 57-51 W, 50-45 L, 35-70 W, 50-27 L, 54-61 (OT)
PAST 10 YEARS Coach: Terry White • 2014-15: 6-18 • 2013-14: 12-9 • 2012-13: 20-3 (SAC Champions, Sectional Champions) • 2011-12: 13-9 • 2010-11: 13-10 • 2009-10: 12-10 • 2008-09: 17-5 (SAC Champions) • 2007-08: 15-6 (SAC Champions) • 2006-07: 18-9 (Sectional Champions) Coach: Michelle Ricks • 2005-06: 13-11
POSTSEASON HISTORY • Sectional championships (6): 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2007, 2013. • Regional championships (4): 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001. • Semistate championships (1): 1999. • State championships (0): None.
6 | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 | BASKETBALL
JEFFERSONVILLE RED DEVILS 2015-16 SCHEDULE
Nov. 25 at Southport 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 Louisville Trinity 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 Ev. Bosse 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at Seymour* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 Madison* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 Silver Creek 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at Clarksville 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29 New Haven+ 2 p.m. Dec. 29 Lake Central+ 6 p.m. Dec. 30 Third round+ TBD Dec. 30 Final round+ TBD Jan. 2 at Louisville Manual 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at New Albany* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at Floyd Central* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 Providence 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 Columbus East* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 Bedford NL* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at Ev. Harrison 1:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at Ev. Reitz 8 p.m. Feb. 13 at Jennings Co.* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at Corydon 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at Louisville Ballard 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 Charlestown 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 Castle 8 p.m. March 1-5 Class 4A Seymour Sectional * Hoosier Hills Conference Game + Columbia City/Huntington North Tournament
2015-16 ROSTER No. 5 11 15 20 21 22 23 24 33 34 41 42 55
Name Dechaun Lewis Tommy Luce Dominique Hunter Demarre Sims Brendan Benning Brandon Coleman Gerrin Moore Bailey Falkenstein Cory Merritt Joe Burke Treyton Dickerson Kooper Falkenstein Michael Minton
2014-2015 RESULTS (8-14)
Dec. 2 at Louisville Trinity Dec. 5 at Ev. Bosse Dec. 12 Seymour Dec. 13 at Madison Dec. 19 at Silver Creek Dec. 20 Clarksville Dec. 27 at Christian Academy Dec. 30 Southport Jan. 3 Louisville Manual Jan. 9 New Albany Jan. 16 Floyd Central Jan. 17 at Providence Jan. 24 at Columbus East Jan. 30 at Bedford NL Jan. 31 at Fairdale (Ky.) Feb. 3 Louisville Ballard Feb. 6 Ev. Reitz Feb. 7 Ev. Harrison Feb. 12 Jennings Co. Feb. 24 at Charlestown Feb. 25 Henryville Mar. 6 Bedford NL* * Sectional game
Ht. Grade 6-5 12 5-10 12 6-1 12 5-11 12 6-4 12 6-0 12 6-6 10 6-2 10 6-1 12 6-3 12 6-2 12 6-2 12 6-4 11
ALL BUSINESS
Luce begins process of turning around Red Devils BY KEVIN HARRIS
kevin.harris@newsandtribune.com
L, 38-77 L, 55-61 W, 57-45 L, 61-75 L, 58-66 W, 72-60 L, 33-60 L, 59-86 L, 61-79 L, 36-78 L, 54-64 W, 34-33 W, 50-42 L, 49-72 W, 54-51 L, 70-83 L, 67-124 W, 89-75 L, 44-59 W, 63-44 W, 73-54 L, 60-63
PAST 10 YEARS Coach: Matt Pait • 2014-15: 8-14 • 2013-14: 12-11 Coach: Chad Gilbert • 2012-13: 24-4 (HHC Champions, Sectional Champions, Regional Champions) • 2011-12: 20-4 (HHC Champions, Sectional Champions) Coach: Tim LaGrange • 2010-11: 13-8 • 2009-10: 22-5 (Sectional Champions, Regional Champions) • 2008-09: 18-5 • 2007-08: 11-12 Coach: Jimmy Just • 2006-07: 8-14 • 2005-06: 23-2 (HHC Champions, Sectional Champions)
POSTSEASON HISTORY
JEFFERSONVILLE RED DEVILS
• Sectional championships (37): 1924, 1927, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013. • Regional championships (18): 1934, 1935, 1953, 1954, 1958, 1968, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1982, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2000, 2010, 2013. • Semistate championships (6): 1972, 1974, 1976, 1992, 1993, 1995. • State championships (1): 1993.
JEFFERSONVILLE — Demarre Sims knows one thing about Joe Luce — his third head coach in his career at Jeffersonville. His new boss means business. What more would you expect from a man who has a 270-112 record in his 17 years as a coach in the Hoosier State and is the defending USA Today Indiana Coach of the Year after guiding Richmond to a 26-4 record last season? “He pushes us to be better. He expects a lot out of us,” Sims said of Luce. If there is one player who knows what it is like playing for Joe Luce, it is his son Tommy. The Red Devil senior guard was the sixth man on Richmond’s Class 4A Final Four team from a year ago. “He’s pretty intense,” the younger Luce said. “He’ll get on us in practice if we’re not going hard, and we’ve got to go hard all the time. That’s the only way we’re going to get better. His practices are pretty intense.” Jeff players and fans hope Joe Luce can return the Red Devils to prominence after they went 20-25 the last two seasons under former head coach and ex-Jeff standout guard Matt Pait. Last year, Jeff posted an 8-14 record last season, which was its first losing record since 2007-08. However, the elder Luce thinks it is going to take a little bit of time before he can get the Devils back on track. Right now, he is evaluating the players on his roster and determine who is going to get some playing time this season. “We’re just trying each day to keep it competitive. We’re trying each day to make sure to let them know that any guy can get those minutes,” he said. “As practice continues to move forward, I think we’ll see more and more lineups change.” Sims is expected to be one of the Red Devils’ leaders this season. The senior guard
New Jeffersonville head coach Joe Luce is evaluating his new players right now for the 2015-16 season. | FILE PHOTO
is Jeff’s top returning scorer at 7.7 points per game. Sims also averaged four rebounds and 2.5 assists a contest in 2014-15. Other returning players who are expected to make some contributions are senior guard Dominique Hunter, junior forward Michael Minton, sophomore guard Bailey Falkenstein and sophomore forward Gerrin Moore. The Red Devils also welcome back two seniors who did not play last season in guard Brandon Coleman and forward Dechaun Lewis. “We have a lot of seniors and I expect two or three of those guys to be a part of our starting lineup and get a lot of minutes,” Coach Luce said. “I also think we’ll get quite a bit from our sophomores in Gerrin Moore and Bailey Falkenstein. Dechaun Lewis gives us a different look and a different athleticism. He’s a project in the works, but he’s a guy that’s developing each and every day.” Tommy Luce is the top newcomer on the squad. He averaged seven points and two assists a contest in 201415 at Richmond. “He’s done a good job of being a good teammate and he’s done a good job of communicating,” Joe Luce said of his son. “He has the capa-
bility of being a scorer and also has the capability of being a good role player.” One area where the Red Devils must improve on is on offense. Last year, Jeff averaged 56.2 points per game and scored 50 points or less seven times. “I think the biggest thing with our scoring and with our ability to improve is knowing what types of shots we can make,” Coach Luce said. “You have to establish yourself as a guy that can make certain shots and those are the shots you have to take. If you’re taking shots that are not ones you make consistently, then you’re going to struggle scoring. You don’t want to be a team that goes on runs. You want to be a team that’s consistent throughout. Shot selection is going to be huge.” The Red Devils’ non-conference schedule is very challenging. They will start the season Wednesday with a trip to Class 4A No. 1 Southport, followed by their home opener next Tuesday at Louisville Trinity, which is ranked 10th in Kentucky. The non-conference slate also includes Class 4A No. 4 and defending 4A runner-up Evansville Reitz and Kentucky perennial power Louisville Ballard. In addition, Jeff will compete in the Colum-
bia City/Huntington North Tournament Dec. 29-30. As for the Hoosier Hills Conference, archrival New Albany is the favorite to win the league this season. The Class 4A No. 2 Bulldogs have claimed the last two conference championships. “It is definitely a competitive conference that New Albany has had a strong hold on here [recently]. There’s no doubt that they’ve been very good and coached well,” Joe Luce said. The Devils’ first-year coach is not concerned with Jeff’s schedule. He is expecting his team to improve each day. “The most important thing is worrying about us and worrying about getting better,” he said. “We do play some very good competition that hopefully will give us a chance to expose some of our weaknesses and give us a chance to improve as we get into the conference season and ultimately play our best basketball at the end of the year. I’ve enjoyed getting started and working with [the Red Devils] in the short period of time we’ve had to work with them. They’ve worked extremely hard and played very well. We’ll just continue to improve, I think.”
BASKETBALL | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 | 7
JEFFERSONVILLE RED DEVILS 2015-16 SCHEDULE
Nov. 6 at North Harrison Nov. 10 Austin Nov. 14 Bloomington South Nov. 20 at Silver Creek Nov. 21 at Bedford NL* Nov. 24 Jennings County* Nov. 28 Pike# Nov. 28 Greenfield-Central or Providence# Dec. 3 at Floyd Central* Dec. 4 at Madison* Dec. 10 Sacred Heart (Ky.) Dec. 12 at Columbus East* Dec. 17 Corydon Central Dec. 22 at Carmel Dec. 29 Mooresville+ Dec. 30 Elk. Central or Columbus North+ Dec. 30 Final round+ Jan. 2 New Washington Jan. 9 Castle Jan. 16 at Jasper Jan. 19 Seymour* Jan. 22 at New Albany* Jan. 26 Scottsburg Feb. 2-6 BNL Sectional * Hoosier Hills Conference Game # Jeffersonville Hoopsgiving + Columbus North Tournament
JEFFERSONVILLE RED DEVILS
FOLLOWING THE PLAN
Devils hope they are HHC, sectional contenders by January BY KEVIN HARRIS
kevin.harris@newsandtribune.com
L, 48- 49 W, 47- 36 W, 51- 41 W, 45- 30 L, 27-36 7:30 p.m. 10 a.m. TBD 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 10 a.m. TBD 7:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
2015-16 ROSTER No. 3 4 5 12 13 14 15 21 23 24 25 32
Name Jaylynn Brown Tori Handley Jasmine Lilly Jacinta Gibson Taylor Sykes Kelsey Luce Hailey Lacy Jhala Henry Jaelyn Lee Asia Williams Amanda McKinney Chelsea Gibson
Pos. G G G G G G F G F F F C
Ht. Grade 5-8 10 5-7 9 5-5 9 5-10 10 5-5 12 5-7 11 5-8 12 5-7 11 5-9 11 5-10 12 5-9 12 6-1 9
JEFFERSONVILLE — Head coach Mike Warren 2014-2015 RESULTS (15-11) has a simple, yet challengNov. 14 North Harrison W, 48- 43 ing plan for his JeffersonNov. 15 at Bloomington South L, 50- 62 ville Red Devils this season. Nov. 18 at South Central W, 54- 42 For the majority of the Nov. 21 Silver Creek W, 48- 40 regular season, the thirdyear boss plans on getting Nov. 22 Bedford NL L, 24- 35 his team ready for the latter Nov. 28 at Jennings Co. L, 40- 41 portion of his team’s schedDec. 4 Floyd Central W, 57- 41 ule and the postseason. Dec. 5 Madison L, 43- 48 Then once the final couDec. 11 at Sacred Heart (Ky.) W, 52- 50 ple of weeks of January arDec. 13 Columbus East W, 58- 42 rives, he expects the Red Dec. 18 at Corydon W, 60- 21 Devils to be prepared for a run at the Hoosier Hills Dec. 29 Penn L, 27- 46 Conference and Class 4A Dec. 30 Merrillville L, 43- 51 Bedford North Lawrence Dec. 30 Crown Point W, 42- 33 Sectional championships. Jan. 3 at New Washington W, 71- 25 To do that, Warren must Jan. 8 at Charlestown L, 44- 46 work with a roster that has Jan. 10 at Castle W, 50- 39 a mix of veterans and capaJeffersonville junior Jhala Henry drives to the bucket during the Red Devils’ 49-48 loss at Jan. 17 Jasper W, 53- 41 ble young players. “I expect us to hopeful- North Harrison on Nov. 6. | STAFF PHOTO BY GREG MENGELT Jan. 20 at Seymour L, 34- 36 ly get better every single Jan. 23 New Albany L, 28- 43 During the first five going to make a big dif- schedule we can get. Hopegame we play,” he said. Jan. 27 at Scottsburg L, 37- 45 ference. I think there are games, Warren has been fully, that will pay off in “We’re young, but we have Feb. 3 Ballard (Ky.) W, 54- 53 probably about four or five playing some of his inexthe long run,” Warren said. seniors. We have a couple Feb. 5 at Providence W, 54- 41 of juniors that have played perienced players a lot. teams in our conference “I’m from the school of Feb. 10 Jennings Co.* W, 61- 50 in the past. Youth is not go- Those Jeff players have that I think can legitimately thought that to be the best, ing to be an excuse for us, been sophomore guard win the conference. On any you’ve got to go out and Feb. 13 Floyd Central* W, 51- 41 but we do have quite a few Jacinta Gibson, freshman given night, you’ve got to play the best.” Feb. 14 Bedford NL* L, 35- 48 kids that are learning how guards Jasmine Lilly and bring your best effort.” Williams thinks the * Sectional game The remainder of Jeff’s to play varsity basketball Tori Handley and freshman tough non-conference conand learning how to con- center Chelsea Gibson. An- non-conference schedule tests will get Jeff ready for PAST 10 YEARS tribute on the varsity level. other sophomore who has will be a stiff test. On Sat- the postseason. It’s going to be a process gotten some playing time urday, the Red Devils will Coach: Mike Warren “If we can get beat those this year is sophomore host their first-ever Jeff with us, for sure. • 2014-15: 15-11 Hoopsgiving tournament. teams, we can beat any“Of course, we want guard Jaylynn Brown. • 2013-14: 17-6 Leading those young The other three squads in body in our sectional beto try to win every game Coach: Matt Pait we play, but we’re smart players is Sykes, who is the four-team tourney con- cause those teams are exsist of Class 4A No. 6 In• 2012-13: 7-14 tremely good,” she said. enough to realize that’s not considered one of the top dianapolis Pike, 4A No. 10 players in Southern IndiCoach: Jana Costner Jeff is currently 3-2 going to happen. We’re Greenfield-Central and 2A ana. Sykes has averaged • 2011-12: 9-11 going to take some lumps with victories over Ausalong the way, but if by 14.2 points per game so far No. 5 Providence. Coach: Chad Gilbert Jeff will have several tin, Bloomington South January we’re playing this season. and Silver Creek. The Red • 2010-11: 28-2 (HHC Champions, Sectional Champions, “This year, I hope we all non-conference challengour best basketball, that’s Regional Champions, Semistate Championship, State Devils’ two losses have play together and we share es in December. The Red where we want to be.” Champions) been by single digits. They Senior guard Taylor the ball,” Sykes said. “We Devils will host perenni• 2009-10: 20-2 (HHC Champions) fell to North Harrison 49Sykes thinks the Red Dev- need to pass up good shots al Kentucky power Sacred • 2008-09: 23-4 (HHC Champions, Sectional Champions) Heart Academy from Lou- 48 in the season opener ils have a great chance of for great shots.” • 2007-08: 15-6 isville on Thursday, Dec. Nov. 6. Last Saturday, Jeff Sykes is joined by three winning conference and 10. Jeff will travel to 4A • 2006-07: 21-4 (HHC Champions, Sectional Champions) lost its HHC opener at Bedsectional if they can grow other seniors in Williams No. 6 Carmel on Tuesday, • 2005-06: 22-2 (Sectional Champions) a n d f o r w a r d s A m a n ford, 36-27, but it led with during the regular season. “I think this team is ca- da McKinney and Hailey Dec. 22. Then on Dec. 29- 90 seconds remaining. pable of winning the sec- Lacy. Two juniors have 30, the Devils will play in “I’m happy to be above POSTSEASON HISTORY tional and the conference,” already gotten some min- the Columbus North Invi- .500,” Warren said. “I • Sectional championships (14): 1976, 1977, 1979, tational, which features deshe said. “The teams that utes this year in guard Jhala think we kind of let one 1980, 1989, 1991, 1994, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, fending 4A state champion Henry and Jaelyn Lee. Jeff we’re playing against in the 2009, 2011. slip away that first game Columbus North, 4A No. 3 sectional are all talented also has a newcomer in juagainst North Harrison. But • Regional championships (3): 1977, 1998, 2011. teams. It’s going to [come nior guard Kelsey Luce, the Penn and 3A No. 6 Evans- that’s going to happen with • Semistate championships (1): 2011. ville Memorial. down to] whoever brings it daughter of new Red Devil young kids. I think we’ve “I’ve done everything • State championships (1): 2011. and who wants it more. For boys’ coach Joe Luce. I can to get us the best gotten better each game.” Warren thinks the HHC us, we’re going to have to be more physical and more title chase is any team’s mentally tough than the ballgame this season. Bed- Make holiday gatherings more festive with Zaxby’s Catering! ford has won the last four other teams.” Senior forward Asia Wil- conference championships liams also has high hopes along with the previous four Class 4A sectional tifor this season. “We want to definitely tles. “Our conference is wide win a sectional because the seniors have been driven open,” he said. “Bedford [to accomplish that] since obviously has had a great we’ve been here. That’s run and they’re still going 2870 Technology Ave. where we want to go,” she to have a good team, but 2740 Allison Ln. 450 Patrol Road Jeffersonville, IN 47130 New Albany • 812.725.7484 Jeffersonville • 812.920.0080 said. “We want to make it they don’t have three In812-503-3154 | www.centra.org © 2015 Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. “Zaxby’s” is a registered trademark of Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. diana All-Stars, which is as far as possible.”
GO RED DEVILS
812-283-8219 2005 E. 10TH ST. JEFFERSONVILLE, IN
812 E. 10th Street Jeffersonville, IN 812.283.3108 Plumbing license (PC81061526)
8 | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 | BASKETBALL
PROVIDENCE PIONEERS 2015-16 SCHEDULE Nov. 10 at Lanesville
W, 56-15
Nov. 17 Madison Shawe
W, 62-25
Nov. 20 New Albany
W, 46-43
Nov. 21 at Eastern
L, 35-51
Nov. 25 South Central
7:30 p.m.
Nov. 28 Greenfield-Central* Nov. 28 Final round* Dec. 4
Noon
6 or 7:30 p.m.
Salem
7:30 p.m.
Dec. 11 Henryville
7:30 p.m.
Dec. 17 at Christian Acad. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22 First round+
TBA
Dec. 23 Final round+
TBD
Dec. 29 First round#
TBA
Dec. 29 Second round#
TBD
Dec. 30 Final round#
TBD
Jan. 8
at Clarksville
6 p.m.
Jan. 12 at New Washington 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at Switzerland Co. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at Charlestown
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 20 Rock Creek
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 23 Austin
2:30 p.m.
Jan. 26 at Crawford Co.
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 28 Floyd Central
7:30 p.m.
Feb. 2-6 Henryville Sectional * Jeffersonville Hoopsgiving + Charlestown Holiday Tournament # BNL Tournament
2015-16 ROSTER No. Name
Pos. Ht. Gr.
PROVIDENCE PIONEERS
BACK FOR MORE Pioneers want more success following
2
Mikaila Heavrin
G/F
5-7
12
3
Brinley Prather
G/F
5-8
11
4
Cheyenne Brooks G
5-6
11
5
Olivia Jenkins
G
5-7
11
10 Sydney Milliner
G/F
5-7
11
sports@newsandtribune.com
11 Brooke Hayden
G
5-6
11
12 Marissa Hornung F
5-9
10
15 Hannah Wolford G
5-9
10
23 Claire Rauck
5-9
11
CLARKSVILLE — Providence had its most successful season in program history last season, finishing 22-6 and advancing to the Class 2A semistate. It’s possible that the person least surprised at that result was coach Brad Burden. In his eight seasons at Providence, Burden’s teams have never finished with a worse won-loss record than the previous season. That’s going to be a tough accomplishment to match after last year’s march through the postseason. “The group we have now is one we knew had the potential to do great things for a while,” he said. “Now that they’ve gotten really close. Can they get better? They can. They’re competitive enough. They like playing with each other. They’re unselfish. I like what we see, but we play an extremely tough schedule and anything can happen. At some point, there’s going to be adversity. I like our chances.” Providence lost one senior starter from last year, guard/
F
24 Lexie Libs
F
5-10 11
30 Riley Quinn
C
6-0
11
33 Mia Fougerousse C
5-11 11
43 Ally Tandy
6-1
C
11
2014-2015 RESULTS (22-6) Nov. 11 at Crothersville
W, 69-47
Nov. 13 at Madison Shawe W, 61-29 Nov. 14 Rock Creek
W, 70-24
Nov. 15 at Henryville
L, 54-61
Nov. 18 at Madison Shawe W, 49-35 Nov. 21 at New Albany
L, 44-56
Nov. 22 Eastern
W, 49-29
Nov. 26 at South Central
W, 44-42
Dec. 5
W, 54-45
at Salem
Dec. 12 at Henryville
L, 39-43
Dec. 18 Christian Academy W, 46-28 Dec. 22 Silver Creek
L, 33-45
Dec. 23 Clarksville
W, 73-22
Jan. 2
Switzerland Co.
W, 47-34
Jan. 9
Clarksville
W, 84-37
Jan. 13 New Washington W, 88-25 Jan. 16 Charlestown
W, 55-38
Jan. 21 at Rock Creek
W, 68-26
Jan. 24 at Austin
W, 54-45
Jan. 27 Crawford Co.
W, 51-29
Jan. 29 at Floyd Central
W, 59-58
Feb. 3 Lanesville
W, 75-36
Feb. 5 Jeffersonville
regional championship
BY JON REITER
Providence forward Claire Rauck is embraced by teammates on the bench after leaving the game in the fourth quarter of the Pioneers’ 66-44 triumph over Crawford County in last year’s Class 2A Paoli Sectional final for the Pioneers’ first sectional championship in school history. | STAFF PHOTO BY TYLER STEWART
forward Michaela Hoke (five points, four rebounds per game), and a reserve Sara Gryboski. Burden’s squad re-
L, 41-54
Feb. 13 at Paoli*
W, 69-60
Feb. 14 Crawford Co.*
W, 66-44
Feb. 23 North Knox+
W, 68-47
Feb. 24 Switzerland Co.+ W, 49-42 Feb. 28 Heritage Christian# L, 41-61 * Sectional game + Regional game # Semistate game
PAST 10 YEARS Coach: Brad Burden • 2014-15: 22-6 (Sectional Champions, Regional Champions) • 2013-14: 13-9 • 2012-13: 11-11 • 2011-12: 9-13 • 2010-11: 7-13 • 2009-10: 7-14 • 2008-09: 6-14 Coach: Ty Anderson • 2007-08: 4-18 • 2006-07: 3-20 • 2005-06: 1-22
POSTSEASON HISTORY • Sectional championships (1): 2015. • Regional championships (1): 2015. • Semistate championships (0): None. • State championships (0): None.
Providence’s Cheyenne Brooks drives to the basket during last season’s Clarksville City Championship game. The Pioneers defeated crosstown-rival Clarksville, 84-37. | PHOTO BY JOE ULLRICH
turns everyone else. With only one senior on the roster — forward Mikalia Heavrin — there is an assortment of riches on the Pioneer roster. Forward Claire Rauck, a junior All-State candidate, is Providence’s leading returning scorer. The 5-foot-9 Rauck averaged almost 20 points per game last season and chipped in nearly five rebounds. She’s joined by sophomore point guard Hannah Wolford (14 points per game), sophomore guard/forward Marissa Hornung (10 ppg) and 5-9 junior guard Lexis Libs (four points, six rebounds). Junior Cheyenne Brooks, who averaged more than eight points per game last season, slides into the spot vacated by Hoke. The defensive ace played starter’s minutes last season. “I think we’re deep. We play well together and we’re hungry for more,” Rauck said. “Last year we got a taste of what winning was really like, and all of us have been working harder to try and get back there again this season.” They also know when to step up and fill a void when necessary. Last season, as Rauck was nursing an injury and was out against Henryville, Wolford poured in 30 points in only her fourth varsity game as a Pioneers. “A lot of our players are versatile and can play a lot of different positions,” Wolford said. “It’s important if one of us isn’t having a good game, or if someone’s hurt, to be able to take on their responsibility. That’s what makes a good team.” Riley Quinn, a 6-0 junior center, and Mia Fougerousse,
a 5-11 junior, add size and depth, and Olivia Jenkins, another junior, adds another experienced skilled player at the guard position. Hornung, Libs and Fougerousse were integral parts of the Pioneers’ volleyball squad that recently won its third consecutive state championship, so there may be a little bit of early-season assimilation that will need to take place. “We’re ready,” said Hornung, who is also the squad’s returning leading rebounder at eight per game. “There’s a little bit of a transition from volleyball to basketball, but I know as soon as our volleyball season was over, we took a little bit of a break and we were ready to get started.” There’s already been a little bit of blip in the road during early season play. The Pioneers, who were ranked No. 1 in Class 2A, were knocked off their perch Saturday — decisively in fact — by possible sectional-rival Eastern. Add 7-0 Henryville into the sectional mix and it’s not going to be an easy road for the Pioneers. Burden feels that chances are good his squad will live up to the hype. “As long as they keep working hard and playing together, the sky is the limit for this team,” he said. “We’ve got size, experience, competitive spirit ... all the ingredients are there for a special team. We just have to keep getting better and approaching each game as a must-win.”
BASKETBALL | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 | 9
PROVIDENCE PIONEERS 2015-16 SCHEDULE
PROVIDENCE PIONEERS
PIECES IN PLACE
Pioneers appear ready to challenge for championships again BY JON REITER
sports@newsandtribune.com
CLARKSVILLE — It was just two years ago when Juston Betz entered the Providence High School basketball program as a 5-foot-9 freshman who may have been 120 pounds dripping wet. Two years later, it’s almost startling to recall Betz from the 2013-14 season. Now a junior, he’s 6-2 and has gained 40-50 pounds that have translated into muscle. “It’s important to put the work in on the court but in the weight room, too,” said Betz, who averaged 10 points a game for the Pioneers last season and is their second-leading returning scorer. “When you play a schedule like ours, and you’re taking on 3A and 4A schools, you’ve got to be ready to take the pounding.” The team’s leading scorer, Griffin Libs, also gained an inch over the offseason and stands 6-6. Despite adding 20-30 more pounds, he hasn’t sacrificed his leaping ability, throwing down alley-oops and reverse slams during the team’s recent public exhibition at the Larkin Center. “As a team, I think we’re a lot more explosive and another year has made us stronger and better,” said Libs, who averaged 11 points and six rebounds last season. “Another year together with us and Coach [Andrew Grantz] has made us more confident and we’re ready to get the season started.” Grantz, a Providence graduate and former assistant coach at Indiana University Southeast and for the Team Southern Indiana AAU program, is in his second year at the helm at the school. Grantz is also the founder of the Attack And React offense, a series of sets that have gained the coach a lot of attention in coaching circles. The Pioneers were 9-12 last season in Grantz’s first year after taking over from Lou Lefevre, but it was obvious to most observers that the team improved quite a bit throughout the season. There’s an opportunity for the Pioneers to make some noise this season. While their schedule includes local powers Jeffersonville, New Albany, Floyd Central and Silver Creek, the Class 2A sectional at Paoli appears to be winnable this year and the Pioneers seem as ready as anyone to take the crown. Grantz challenged his squad to take 15,000 shots over the course of the summer, wherever they could — at the gym, at a park, at their home.
Nov. 27 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 8 Dec. 12 Dec. 18 Dec. 19 Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Jan. 8 Jan. 9 Jan. 16 Jan. 19 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 29 Feb. 4 Feb. 12 Feb. 16 Feb. 19 Feb. 20 Feb. 26
Indpls. Metropolitan at Austin at Madison at Meade Co. (Ky.) Scottsburg Floyd Central Charlestown First round+ Final round+ at Clarksville at Madison Shawe at Jeffersonville Crawford Co. Henryville Silver Creek at Christian Academy at South Central New Albany at Rock Creek North Harrison at Brownstown at New Washington
March 1-5
Class 2A Paoli Sectional
7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. TBA TBA 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
* Silver Creek Holiday Tournament
2015-16 ROSTER No.
Name
3 5 10 11 12 21 23 24 31 35 53
Juston Betz Max Leist Eli Coker Sam Conrad Cullen Ebert Sean Morris Landon Sprigler Alex Judd Hunter Byerley Griffin Libs Dawson Mitchell
Pos.
Ht.
G G G G G F G F C F C
6-2 5-10 6-1 6-0 5-8 6-1 5-8 6-2 6-3 6-6 6-5
Grade
11 12 11 11 10 11 9 11 12 12 11
2014-2015 RESULTS (9-12)
Andrew Grantz led the Pioneers’ to a 9-12 mark in his first season as the Providence head coach. | PHOTOS BY JOE ULLRICH
“People will notice our size, but I think what people will notice this season is our confidence,” he said. “I asked them to take that many shots, and at that point when you see the ball go through the basket that many times, your confidence can’t help but grow.” Joining Betz and Libs in the starting lineup will be junior forward Alex Judd, a hard-nosed, 6-2 player who averaged six points and almost seven rebounds last season. Junior guard Sam Conrad, who averaged four points per game, is also back. One gaping spot that needs to be filled is the void of 6-5 junior center Dawson Mitchell, a tight end for the football team who suffered a knee injury during sectional play and is out for the season. Two players Grantz believes can help fill the void is 6-3 senior Hunter Byerley and 6-1 junior forward Sean Morris. Morris missed 17 games with a broken Providence’s Griffin Libs puts up a shot during last season’s hand last season, and Byer- Clarksville City Championship game against Clarksville. ly dealt with a nagging hip injury last year. have a lot of pieces ready personal responsibility for “Talk about kids who to make an impact, which their own playing time,” have been tested and put is how Grantz wants it. he said. “The way these through the ringer,” Grantz “We don’t have anything kids have been working in said. “It’s great to have set in stone, and what we practice, it’s tough to figthem back.” want is these guys to take ure out a top 5.” Joining Betz and Conrad in the backcourt will be seniors Max Leist, who also saw his playing time limited due to the injury bug last season, sophomore Cullen Ebert and junior Eli Coker. Coker didn’t get a lot of fire & water restoration services, llc. playing time last year, but he “has grown, matured 1225 Bringham Drive, Sellersburg and really gotten better,” Grantz said. So the Pioneers appear to
GO PIONEERS
(866) 272-4003
Nov. 28 Dec. 5 Dec. 6 Dec. 13 Dec. 19 Dec. 20 Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Jan. 9 Jan. 10 Jan. 17 Jan. 20 Jan. 23 Jan. 27 Jan. 30 Feb. 6 Feb. 12 Feb. 20 Feb. 27 Mar. 3 Mar. 6
Indpls. Metropolitan Austin Madison at Scottsburg at Floyd Central at Charlestown at Silver Creek Clarksville Clarksville Madison Shawe Jeffersonville at Crawford Co. at Henryville at Silver Creek Christian Academy at New Albany South Central at North Harrison New Washington Henryville* at Crawford Co.*
L, 55-64 W, 46-40 L, 47-50 L, 55-68 L, 45-48 W, 43-37 L, 32-55 W, 49-47 W, 49-36 W, 56-49 L, 33-34 W, 58-49 L, 38-41 L, 36-53 L, 46-52 L, 36-61 W, 54-28 L, 56-69 W, 33-32 W, 46-28 L, 37-42
* Sectional game
PAST 10 YEARS Coach: Andrew Grantz • 2014-15: 9-12 Coach: Lou Lefevre • 2013-14: 15-7 • 2012-13: 17-4 • 2011-12: 22-4 (Sectional Champions, Regional Champions) • 2010-11: 17-5 • 2009-10: 13-8 • 2008-09: 18-5 • 2007-08: 13-8 • 2006-07: 22-4 (Sectional Champions, Regional Champions) • 2005-06: 19-5 (Sectional Champions)
POSTSEASON HISTORY • Sectional championships (7): 1956, 1957, 1965, 1984, 2006, 2007, 2012. • Regional championships (2): 2007, 2012. • Semistate championships (0): None. • State championships (0): None.
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10 | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 | BASKETBALL
CLARKSVILLE GENERALS 2015-16 SCHEDULE
CLARKSVILLE GENERALS
A FRESH OUTLOOK
Generals should be improved after going 3-20 last season BY JON REITER
sports@newsandtribune.com
CLARKSVILLE — A year after advancing to the semistate and winning 23 games in 2013-14, the Clarksville boys’ basketball squad started a rebuilding effort last season, notching a 3-20 record. There are ample resources for the Generals to improve on that mark this season and things are looking much brighter for the program after last season’s tough road. “We seem pretty athletic. We’re long and we have some kids who are pretty quick,’ said Coach Brian McEwen, who is in his second year at the helm. “But the biggest thing I see is that the chemistry has been pretty good. These kids are willing to play together, which I think is huge. They’re willing to play for each other, which is huge, when you’re willing to do whatever it takes to win for the guy you’re playing next to.” “We’ve built a bond through practice already and playing through the summer,” said senior guard Cody Leonhardt, the Generals’ returning leading scorer. “Things have been smooth and we’ve been working really hard every day to get better.” Leonhardt, who averaged almost eight points a game, and 6-foot-4 senior forward Bryce Hale are the two returning starters for the Generals. Hale averaged almost seven points and five rebounds per game for the Generals last season. Hale, an experienced inside-outside player, said he believes the Generals will attempt to play an up-tempo style that befits all the pieces and athleticism that are in place. “If we run the floor like we should, we’ll end up getting some easy buckets,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of speed to go along with our size, and our versatility is going to be an advantage for us.” In addition to Leonhardt and Hale, McEwen said he’s expecting some big things out of three of his other inside players, 6-6 junior Alex Taylor, 6-4 forward Nathan Ludwick, and 6-3 junior Bennett McEwen. They were almost afterthoughts last season, but another season of
Clarksville went 3-20 in the first season for Brian McEwen as the Generals’ head coach. His team is expected to be improved in 2015-16.
Nov. 24 at Rock Creek 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 Floyd Central 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 Silver Creek* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at Charlestown* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 Eastern* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Crawford Co. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 Jeffersonville 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29 First round+ TBA Dec. 30 Final round+ TBD Jan. 8 Providence 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9 New Washington 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at Corydon* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Austin* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at Scottsburg* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 Lanesville 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at Southwestern 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 Brownstown* 2:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at Salem* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at Madison 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at North Harrison* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 Borden 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 Henryville 7:30 p.m. March 1-5 Class 2A Paoli Sectional * Mid-Southern Conference Game + Silver Creek Holiday Tournament
2015-16 ROSTER No. 4 5 10 12 15 20 22 24 32 34 44
Name Murphy McEwen Charles VanWinkle Kordell Sowers Tyler Martin Cody Leonhardt Seth Hamilton Benett McEwen Bryce Hale Nathan Ludwick Christian Stewart Alex Taylor
Ht. Grade 5-10 10 5-8 10 5-11 12 6-0 11 5-11 12 6-1 10 6-3 11 6-1 12 6-3 11 6-2 10 6-6 11
2014-2015 RESULTS (3-20)
Clarksville senior Cody Leonhardt moves the ball across the court during the Generals’ game at Floyd Central last season. | STAFF PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER FRYER
practice, conditioning and experience have boosted their confidence and skills, Coach McEwen said. In particular, Taylor, seems to “be growing all the time” and has vastly improved his ball-handling, the Generals’ head coach said. Murphy McEwen — the coach’s son — and Charles Van Winkle are sophomore guards who are “bulldogs” Coach McEwen said, “who have a real opportunity to be really good players for us, like some of the ones we’ve had play for us in the past.” Christian Stewart, a sophomore is new to the program and Kordell Sowers, a senior who should become eligible in the second half of the season, will also be pieces added to the mix. While his squad had a disappointing campaign last year, Coach McEwen said he watched last year’s ju-
nior varsity team with a lot of optimism. “They had a great yea, and it’s going to really help us in terms of depth,” he said. “Last season, we’d see a bit of a drop-off after we go to 6-7, and this season, we’re going to have some pieces we can rotate in and out that will give us a much deeper team.” There are two other familiar faces who can be seen on the practice court: former stars Aidan McEwen and Calvin McEwen, who led the program to two consecutive sectional championships, have been helping out. “The addition of those two have been huge,” Coach McEwen said. “These kids look up to them, respect them. ... I can walk off the practice court or help a kid individually and I know they’ll be in good hands.”
Nov. 25 Rock Creek Dec. 2 at Floyd Central Dec. 5 at Silver Creek Dec. 12 Charlestown Dec. 13 at Eastern Dec. 17 Crawford Co. Dec. 20 at Jeffersonville Dec. 29 Charlestown Dec. 30 Providence Jan. 9 at Providence Jan. 10 at New Washington Jan. 16 Corydon Jan. 17 Austin Jan. 23 Scottsburg Jan. 24 at Lanesville Jan. 31 Southwestern Feb. 6 at Brownstown Feb. 12 Salem Feb. 14 Madison Feb. 23 North Harrison Feb. 24 at Henryville Feb. 26 at Borden Mar. 6 Eastern* * Sectional game
L, 52-61 L, 41-62 L, 33-68 L, 40-54 L, 67-69 L, 51-62 L, 60-72 L, 47-64 L, 47-49 L, 36-49 L, 65-68 (OT) L, 36-64 W, 58-53 L, 51-70 L, 55-56 W, 51-42 L, 55-88 L, 49-61 L, 67-82 W, 71-50 L, 49-55 L, 50-58 L, 61-65
PAST 10 YEARS Coach: Brian McEwen • 2014-15: 3-20 Coach: Jason Connell • 2013-14: 23-3 (MSC Champions, Sectional Champions) • 2012-13: 18-6 (Sectional Champions) • 2011-12: 18-3 (MSC Champions) • 2010-11: 10-12 Coach: Scott Matthews • 2009-10: 9-12 • 2008-09: 7-14 • 2007-08: 8-14 • 2006-07: 12-9 • 2005-06: 14-7
POSTSEASON HISTORY • Sectional championships (5): 1978, 1979, 1986, 2013, 2014. • Regional championships (1): 2014. • Semistate championships (0): None. • State championships (0): None.
GO GENERALS
| PHOTO BY JOE ULLRICH
1351 Veterans Parkway, Clarksville, IN 47129 1-800-232-2642 | www.centra.org
BASKETBALL | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 | 11
CLARKSVILLE GENERALS 2015-16 SCHEDULE
Nov. 3 Medora+ W 76-17 Nov. 5 at Rock Creek+ W 55-42 Nov. 6 at Henryville+ L, 17-56 Nov. 7 Crothersville+ L, 45-63 Nov. 13 at Corydon* L, 30-40 Nov. 14 Borden L, 49-61 Nov. 17 at Rock Creek W, 62-43 Nov. 21 Christian Academy L, 45-58 Dec. 2 Silver Creek* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 Crawford Co. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at Shoals 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 Eastern* 6 p.m. Dec. 15 at Brownstown* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 Austin* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22 First round# TBA Dec. 23 Final round# TBD Jan. 8 Providence 6 p.m. Jan. 12 at Salem* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 North Harrison* 2:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at Lanesville 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 Henryville 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at Charlestown* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2-6 Class 2A Henryville Sectional * Mid-Southern Conference Game + Henryville Tipoff Tournament # Charlestown Holiday Tournament
Clarksville senior Bailey Sharp drives to the basket during last year’s Clarksville City Championship game at Providence. | PHOTO BY JOE ULLRICH
2015-16 ROSTER No. 3 4 11 13 20 21 23 24 32 33 34 40
Name Pos. Ht. Grade Courtney Holmes F 5-10 12 Aly Weber G 5-0 10 Amber Grier G 5-0 12 Morgan Eversole F 5-6 12 Eliana Maglione F 5-7 11 Makayla Dare G 5-1 12 Ciara Early F 5-3 12 Bailey Sharp G 5-5 12 Kaelyn Gibson F/C 5-5 11 Destiny Givings F 5-7 11 Brittney Andres F 5-4 11 Dee Baker C 5-8 12
CLARKSVILLE GENERALS
BUSTING BARRIERS Experience should help Clarksville get more than four wins BY JON REITER
2014-2015 RESULTS (4-21)
Nov. 11 at Medora Nov. 13 Irvington Prep Nov. 14 Henryville Nov. 15 Crothersville Nov. 18 Rock Creek Nov. 22 at Christian Academy Dec. 3 at Silver Creek Dec. 6 at Crawford Co. Dec. 9 Shoals Dec. 13 at Eastern Dec. 16 Brownstown Dec. 18 at Austin Dec. 22 at Charlestown Dec. 23 Providence Jan. 8 Scottsburg Jan. 9 at Providence Jan. 13 Salem Jan. 17 at North Harrison Jan. 22 Lanesville Jan. 27 at Henryville Jan. 29 Charlestown Feb. 3 at Borden Feb. 5 Corydon Feb. 7 Crothersville Feb. 10 at Paoli * * Sectional game
sports@newsandtribune.com
W, 41-36 W, 70-20 L, 25-48 L, 28-47 W, 56-19 L, 39-49 L, 14-53 L, 27-54 W, 57-37 L, 29-59 L, 16-89 L, 16-69 L, 28-72 L, 22-73 L, 18-60 L, 37-84 L, 29-57 L, 10-60 L, 29-43 L, 24-56 L, 20-68 L, 25-66 L, 47-64 L, 34-62 L, 31-76
PAST 10 YEARS Coach: B.D. Ledbetter • 2014-15: 4-21 • 2013-14: 4-18 • 2012-13: 4-19 • 2011-12: 4-19 Coach: Troy Mitchell • 2010-11: 5-16 • 2009-10: 3-18 • 2008-09: 4-18 • 2007-08: 7-14 • 2006-07: 10-13 • 2005-06: 13-10
POSTSEASON HISTORY
• Sectional championships (3): 1984, 1986, 1987. • Regional championships (0): None. • Semistate championships (0): None. • State championships (0): None.
CLARKSVILLE — The four-win plateau has been more like a barrier for B.D. Ledbetter’s Clarksville Generals over the last four years. That’s how many games Ledbetter’s troops have won in each of the previous three seasons, but the Generals are a good bet to best that mark this year with the most deep and experienced team the school has fielded in years. “Defense has been a big thing for us so far this season,” said Ledbetter, whose Generals have already notched three wins against four losses early this season. “They’re learning how to play defense without wearing themselves out, and not chasing everyone around. When you get a more experienced team, they learn how to play smarter. Smarter doesn’t always mean harder.” The Clarksville scoring attack is led by two guards, senior Bailey Sharp and sophomore Aly Weber, who are averaging more than 14 points and 11 points, respectively. Sharp, a three-year starter, has actually “been playing a little more inside this year,” according to Ledbetter, who says he likes his senior star’s versatility. She was the team’s leading scorer last season and was second on the team as a sophomore. “We’ve got 4-5 girls who are 5-[foot]-7 and they can mix it up inside as well as play inside,” Ledbetter said. “Bailey is someone who we can lean on. She’s been our rock for a long time. Having someone around like her helps our other kids get better.” Including Sharp, this is Ledbetter’s most experienced
Ciara Early is one of several veterans who should help Clarksville surpass the fourwin barrier in 2015-16. “Ciara has come into her own this year,” Clarksville coach B.D. Ledbetter said. The Generals have won exactly four games apiece in all four of Ledbetter’s four seasons on the Clarksville bench. | PHOTO BY JOE ULLRICH
squad to date. The Generals are blessed with six other seniors, many of whom start or see significant playing time. They include guards Amber Grier and Ciara Early and forwards Morgan Eversole and Courtney Holmes. Holmes is Clarksville’s tallest player at 5-10, and her and Eversole constitute their inside presence. At 5-6, Eversole may appear undersized but she paces Clarksville with more than six rebounds per game. Greer and Early are among those who operate outside for the Generals, and Ledbetter says their defensive presence and quickness has been caus-
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ing trouble for their opponents. “Ciara has come into our own this year. She didn’t play as a freshman, but she’s giving us a lot. We’ve been able to create a few more fastbreak opportunities, and that all starts with our defense,” he said. “Hopefully we can continue to run a good transition offense and that can help us get our confidence going in the half court.” While he may have more weapons at this point than he’s had during his tenure at Clarksville, Ledbetter said he’s keeping goals modest ... for now. He said he’s learned quite a bit about the Generals not
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just by how they’ve won, but how they’ve lost. In two losses this season to Borden and Corydon — teams they were blown out by last season — they were hanging around in the fourth quarter, which tells him the squad could be close to turning a corner. “We haven’t won either a conference game or a sectional game for a lot of years and I’m not even sure how far back that goes,” he said. “These are small steps, but if you can actually get to that point, you can start to look ahead and set bigger ones. “The girls are capable. They just have to keep growing as a team and remain confident.”
505 Marriott Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 812-283-4411
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12 | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 | BASKETBALL
HENRYVILLE: Seniors Huddleston, Hollis off to fast starts CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
which will be played at Henryville, is one of the toughest 2A sectionals in Indiana. It features three ranked teams and the Wolfpack squad that eliminated the Hornets last year and pushed them into overtime on Nov. 13. “They’re going to throw the ball up and you have to go play,” Conrad said. “I think we can control what happens this year and that’s always a good thing.” “If we work hard, we’ll be fine,” Huddleston said. Senior Haley Huddleston, who is leading the Hornets at 13.7 points per game through seven contests, said last year’s loss in the sectional refocused the team on its ultimate goal. “We’ve matured a lot,” Huddleston said. “The Crawford loss really put things into perspective.
A lot more people are stepping up and becoming leaders.” Last week, Providence earned the No. 1 ranking in Class 2A. Eastern then toppled the Pioneers and is up to No. 9 in the poll, one spot behind Henryville. “I think it’s too early in the season to tell anything,” Hollis said. “The rankings are basically from last season. You don’t worry about that. You just have to go out and play.” Hollis, who is averaging 13.5 points, 4.1 assists and 2.7 steals early in the season, said there’s no doubt in her mind Henryville will have a successful 2015-16 campaign. This season, though, will mostly be measured on how the Hornets play in February. “We have seven seniors, so winning a sectional I think would be huge,” she said.
Henryville’s Haley Huddleston drives to the basket during the Hornets’ loss against Crawford County at the Class 2A Paoli Sectional last February. | STAFF PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER FRYER
HORNETS: Walker believes Henryville can win SAC, sectional CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
“Both,” he said. “We’re going to win both. We have the talent this year to do it.” Eastern is the defending sectional champion but is dealing with an injury to star Grant Newcomb. Providence and Clarksville each return the nucleuses of their teams, and Paoli and Crawford County are always contenders. “I think the sectional, it’s wide open,” Hill said. “A lot of teams lost some components. Us and Providence and Clarksville didn’t lose a ton. It should be a really fun sectional this year.” The Hornets will open the season Tuesday at home against rival Silver Creek. “They lost a lot of kids from last year,” Hill said. “I know their [junior varsity] was successful and Brandon [Hoffman] is one of the best coaches around. I know he’ll have them ready to go.” The Dragons have beaten Henryville 13 straight times. “It really gets our guys ready,” Hill said. “There’s always a little added incentive. It’s a fun time.”
Henryville guard Braxton Robertson goes up for a shot during the Hornets’ home game against Eastern last season. | STAFF PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER FRYER
MUSTANGS: New Wash opens its season Tuesday at Charlestown CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
and put in some work. As for me, I feel like my job is to get them shots. As long as they’re scoring points, we’re going to win games.” The Mustangs also look forward to doing something this year that they’ve not ever been a part of — getting to host the sec-
tional. Borden, which previously hosted the Class A sectional every year due to its large-capacity gymnasium, moved to the West Washington Sectional this season. New Washington’s James Matthews Gymnasium is now the largest in the six-team tournament with a capacity of nearly 2,000.
“We’re excited for that,” Ellison said. “It’ll be special to be able to play in our own gym and on our own floor.” Even with the loss of Borden from the tournament, the field is still talented and will provide a challenge. Christian Academy, Lanesville, Rock Creek and sectional rookie Madison Shawe
will likely be contenders. “There are several teams that could win it,” said May, who doesn’t count his team out of the running either. “I feel like, just getting that taste of the sectional championship and experiencing the atmosphere of that, they want to be there. They’re really motivated. I can see a difference in
them this year. Hopefully that experience will be able to benefit us.” The Mustangs open their regular season with a trip to Class 3A Charlestown on Tuesday, then host back-to-back games against potential sectional opponents Rock Creek and Christian Academy on Dec. 4 and 5.
NEW WASH: Mustangs have gotten off to rough start this season CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
able to rotate in and out and not lose anything on the floor. We’re going to try to get them as much experience as we can through the season so that by the end of the year we’ll have an established group of 10 to 12 players that we hesitate to in the game. That’s what we’re working toward.” At 5-10, junior Natalie Harrod will be called upon to grab some rebounds this year after playing in only four varsity games last season. Sam Crace, a quick sophomore guard, and senior Jodi Davidson round out the early-season varsity roster. Holloway, while uncertain of the number of wins and losses this year’s team will put in the book in her first year, is sure of one thing: Her Mustangs are focused, and they’re buying in. “We’re teaching a lot of things that, in terms of offensive and defensive systems that they’re not used to, and that requires patience, but it also that kind of puts the returning players on an even keel with the others because it’s new for them as well,” said Holloway, who is implementing a read-and-react, cut-anddrive game. “But it’s a good thing because we’re
all starting and moving forward at the same time.” “I love basketball and I know basketball,” Tye said, “but I’m learning a lot this year already. [Coach Holloway] motivates us every day to want to do our best and give 100 percent.” New Wash opened its season 0-6, including a 9222 home-court thumping by big, athletic 4A New Albany, but the Mustangs have never shied away from a tough schedule. In fact, of their 22 regular-season games, eight are against schools class 3A or higher. “We may take licks,” Holloway said, “but we play a tough schedule for a reason. Once the tournament rolls around, we’ll have played teams that’ll have us prepared for whatever situation we may come across. We want to be challenged, and some seasons that may translate to an ‘L’ on the scoreboard, but we’ve been a part of seasons around here where we’ve given those 3A and 4A teams a run for their money. We’ll be back there again. It takes buy-in and we all have to believe it, but I’d like to think that we’ll be back to having years like that again very soon.” The Mustangs are also looking forward to hosting
Sectional 62 this season, which looks a little different with the loss of lastyear’s champion Borden to Sectional 61 and the addition of Shawe Memorial. “It’s a comfort, to me, to be able to play at home, and not having to travel is priceless, especially if you have to travel two or three times in the same week,” Holloway said. As for the Southern Athletic Conference crown, which was shared last year by Henryville and Borden, Holloway foresees another competitive year. “Borden and Henryville both have a good core player who can really take over a basketball game if you let them. Crothersville also has some athleticism and can do damage, and I don’t ever count out South Central and coach (Randall] Schoen. The conference will be competitive,” she said. “For us, it’s having the mindset that inexperience doesn’t matter when you walk out on the floor if you’re ready to compete and make your opponent play to their weaknesses.” So while the players may have their own goals for victories, titles and bringing hardware back to New Washington, Holloway has her sights set on growth – both on and off
the hardwood. “What we want to do more than anything is to train good habits and train them to think for themselves on the court. When you’re training a habit, it may not happen right away. It may not happen
by the end November. It may be December, or it may be January before things fall into place,” she said. “But I hope that what people see when they watch us is a team that truly and genuinely loves being on the floor
playing together, having that excitement to just get to lace up and go out and play basketball. I hope people see our energy and see us picking each other up when we do encounter those bumps that will inevitably come along.”
GOOD LUCK
to Coach Luce and the Red Devil Basketball Team during the 2015-2016 Season! From the Jeffersonville Parks and Recreation Team
500 Quartermaster Ct. Room 205, Jeffersonville 812-285-6440 • www.jeffparks.org
BASKETBALL | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 | 13
NEW ALBANY BULLDOGS 2015-16 SCHEDULE Nov. 28 at Bloomington South Dec. 5 Ev. Harrison Dec. 11 at Floyd Central* Dec. 12 Pike+ Dec. 18 Seymour* Dec. 19 at Carmel Dec. 29 at Ev. Bosse Dec. 30 Ev. Reitz Jan. 8 Jeffersonville* Jan. 9 Lexington Dunbar# Jan. 15 at Madison* Jan. 16 Scottsburg Jan. 19 Charlestown Jan. 22 at Silver Creek Jan. 29 Ev. North Jan. 30 Jasper Feb. 4 at Jennings Co.* Feb. 6 Columbus East* Feb. 12 at Providence Feb. 13 at Ev. Central Feb. 19 Bedford NL* Feb. 26 at Bloomington North March 1-5 Class 4A Seymour Sectional * Hoosier Hills Conference Game + At Southport # At Frankfort, Ky.
7:30 p.m. 8 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 5 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 8 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 8 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 8 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
2015-16 ROSTER No. 1 3 5 11 13 22 23 25 33 35 40
Name Romeo Langford Adrian Pratt-Thomas Sean East Peyton Martin Rondale Moore Isaac Hibbard Michael Maxwell Josh Jefferson Kameron Guess Blake Murphy Seth Short
Pos. G/F G G G G G F/C G F F F/C
Ht. Grade 6-4 10 5-11 12 5-10 10 5-11 11 5-9 10 6-0 11 6-3 12 6-1 12 6-2 10 6-4 10 6-5 11
2014-2015 RESULTS (23-3) Nov. 29 Bloomington South Dec. 5 at Columbus East Dec. 6 at Ev. Harrison Dec. 12 Floyd Central Dec. 13 Corydon Dec. 19 at Seymour Dec. 20 Carmel Dec. 27 Ev. Bosse Jan. 2 at Ev. Reitz Jan. 3 Castle Jan. 9 at Jeffersonville Jan. 16 Madison Jan. 17 at Scottsburg Jan. 20 at Charlestown Jan. 23 Silver Creek Jan. 30 at Ev. North Jan. 31 at Jasper Feb. 6 Providence Feb. 7 Jennings Co. Feb. 14 Ev. Central Feb. 26 at Bedford NL Feb. 27 Bloomington North Mar. 3 at Seymour* Mar. 6 Floyd Central* Mar. 7 Bedford NL* Mar. 14 Ev. Reitz+ * Sectional game + Regional game
W, 73-56 W, 59-49 W, 78-68 W, 80-67 W, 77-63 W, 67-41 L, 37-38 W, 71-51 L, 51-81 W, 64-42 W, 78-36 W, 69-42 W, 61-58 W, 95-46 W, 69-55 W, 72-50 W, 51-42 W, 61-36 W, 55-41 W, 70-55 W, 65-51 W, 60-40 W, 55-32 W, 63-43 W, 79-33 L, 59-64
PAST 10 YEARS Coach: Jim Shannon • 2014-15: 23-3 (HHC Champions, Sectional Champions) • 2013-14: 18-7 (HHC Champions, Sectional Champions) • 2012-13: 15-8 • 2011-12: 14-8 • 2010-11: 16-8 (Sectional Champions) • 2009-10: 19-3 (HHC Champions) • 2008-09: 23-1 (HHC Champions, Sectional Champions) • 2007-08: 26-1 (HHC Champions, Sectional Champions, Regional Champions) • 2006-07: 21-4 (HHC Champions, Sectional Champions) • 2005-06: 16-6
POSTSEASON HISTORY • Sectional championships (50): 1925, 1926, 1929, 1930, 1932, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1946, 1948, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1973, 1975, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015). • Regional championships (16): 1936, 1948, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1955, 1956, 1959, 1960, 1967, 1973, 1980, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2008). • Semistate championships (8): 1950, 1952, 1955, 1959, 1973, 1980, 1994, 1996. • State championships (1): 1973.
NEW ALBANY BULLDOGS
MORE EXPECTATIONS
Bulldogs hope to make deep tournament run BY KEVIN HARRIS
kevin.harris@newsandtribune.com
NEW ALBANY — When a program loses four seniors that helped win 20-plus games, a conference championship and a sectional title in the previous season, the expectations within the team and outside it are usually lower for the upcoming campaign. It is the exact opposite at New Albany this season. The Bulldogs have their sights set on matching last year’s accomplishments, which included a 23-3 record, a second consecutive outright Hoosier Hills Conference championship and a second straight Class 4A Seymour Sectional title — and perhaps doing a little bit more. The statewide media thinks New Albany has a good shot of achieving more this season, as the Bulldogs rank second in The Associated Press Class 4A preseason poll. “We’re ranked No. 2 right now, so that’s a pretty good
ranking,” New Albany senior guard Josh Jefferson said. “We’re just going to go out and play and show that we deserve to be up there and work our way to No. 1. We’re going to take it one game at a time right now.” Sophomore forward and reigning News and Tribune Player of the Year Romeo Langford thinks the goal is simple for the Bulldogs in 2015-16. “It’s the same as it is every year — try to win state,” he said. “Every night we’ve got to come out and play hard and play as a team. We have to play defense because defense wins games.” Junior guard Isaac Hibbard agrees with his teammate on the goal of a state title. “The team’s expectations this year are a state championship — nothing less,” he said. “We came up short the past couple of years, but this year we’re feeling better than we ever have at the start of the season. This should be
a great year for us. We just have to play our best basketball when the tournament starts. Everything has got to click.” Head coach Jim Shannon, who is in his 18th season at New Albany with a 304-96 record, is unsure if he thinks his team can make a deep run in this year’s state tournament. He does say that he likes coaching this version of the Bulldogs. “I think we’ll know more by Christmas. But it’s so early,” he said of the potential of how good this team can be. “I know we’re ranked really high — No. 2 or whatever. I know that’s a good ranking, but to me, rankings don’t mean a thing. We need to play first and then I can let people know what I think. I don’t know right now, I really don’t. I think we can be as good as this team wants to be. They’re a lot of fun to coach. They’re coachable. They play well together. They play hard and their basket-
ball IQ is pretty high. When you have those attributes, you don’t ever want them to graduate. You want them to stay.” When you think New Albany in 2015-16, you automatically think of Langford. Last season as a freshman, he averaged 17.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, three blocked shots and two steals per game. Langford has received scholarship offers from five NCAA Division I schools: Indiana, IUPUI, Purdue, UCLA and Vanderbilt. He also is being recruited by Butler, Louisville and Ohio State. Shannon is looking for his star to step up his leadership role on the team this season. “We expect him to be more of a vocal leader,” Shannon said. “The thing about him is he led us in five [statistical] categories, so I don’t really expect any more out of him than [producing] in those five categories. He’s improved. I think he’ll be even more difficult for teams to stop. I think SEE BULLDOGS, PAGE 23
14 | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 | BASKETBALL
NEW ALBANY BULLDOGS 2015-16 SCHEDULE Nov. 7
at Ev. Bosse
W, 72- 35
Nov. 10
Columbus North
Nov. 13
at New Washington
W, 92- 22
Nov. 14
Silver Creek
W, 79- 28
Nov. 20
at Providence
Nov. 21
at Corydon
W, 68-47
Nov. 25
Eastern
7:30 p.m.
Dec. 3
North Harrison
7:30 p.m.
Dec. 5
Bedford NL*
1:30 p.m.
Dec. 10
Scottsburg
7:30 p.m.
Dec. 12
at Jennings Co.*
1:30 p.m.
Dec. 17
at Switzerland Co.
7:30 p.m.
Dec. 19
Castle
1:30 p.m.
Dec. 29
First round#
TBA
Dec. 30
Final round#
TBD
Jan. 2
at Ev. Harrison
2:30 p.m.
Jan. 7
Madison*
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 9
at Floyd Central*
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 16
at Columbus East*
1:30 p.m.
Jan. 19
at Charlestown
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 22
Jeffersonville*
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 28
Seymour*
7:30 p.m.
Feb. 2-6
Class 4A BNL Sectional
L, 32- 39
L, 43-46
* Hoosier Hills Conference Game # North Central Tournament
2015-16 ROSTER No.
Name
Pos. Ht. Gr.
3
Alayasia Douglas
G
5-6
9
10
Megan Thevenow
G
5-6
12
15
Jenna Shine
G
6-0
12
20
Chyna Anthony
F
6-1
11
21
Sadie Meyer
G
5-8
11
23
Marissa Jones
G
5-5
11
24
Aaliyah Bell
G
5-8
12
25
Ashley Lyninger
F
5-10 12
32
Earlean Davis
G
5-6
11
34
Savanna Pinkston
F
5-9
10
35/33
Marrisia Ray
G
5-6
11
42
Julyen Condra
G
5-11 10
44
Kelsy Taylor
F
6-0
10
2014-2015 RESULTS (14-9) Nov. 15
at Silver Creek
W, 56-49
Nov. 21
Providence
W, 56-44
Nov. 22
Corydon
W, 59-39
Nov. 26
at Eastern
W, 40-29
Dec. 4
at North Harrison
Dec. 9
Bedford NL
Dec. 11
at Scottsburg
W, 64-46
Dec. 13
Jennings Co.
W, 67-64
Dec. 18
Switzerland Co.
W, 53-45
Dec. 20
at Castle
W, 56-42
Dec. 29
at North Central
L, 45-59
Dec. 30
Hamilton SE
L, 33-39
Jan. 2
Ev. Harrison
W, 58-45
Jan. 8
at Madison
L, 47-57
Jan. 10
Floyd Central
W, 49-42
Jan. 13
at S. Oldham (Ky.)
W, 55-54
Jan. 17
Columbus East
W, 64-51
Jan. 20
Charlestown
Jan. 23
at Jeffersonville
Jan. 29
at Seymour
L, 37-58
Jan. 31
Ev. Bosse
L, 53-58
Feb. 3
New Washington
Feb. 10
Bedford NL*
L, 42-46 L, 26-57
L, 55-60 (OT) W, 43-28
W, 70-35 L, 29-50
* Sectional game
PAST 10 YEARS Coach: Tammy Geron • 2014-15: 14-9 • 2013-14: 8-13 • 2012-13: 9-12 • 2011-12: 16-6 Coach: Amanda Carmichael • 2010-11: 13-8 • 2009-10: 10-11 • 2008-09: 12-8 Coach: Todd Satterly • 2007-08: 11-10 • 2006-07: 6-15 • 2005-06: 7-15
POSTSEASON HISTORY • Sectional championships (12): 1976, 1977, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002. • Regional championships (5): 1981, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000. • Semistate championships (1): 1999. • State championships (1): 1999.
NEW ALBANY BULLDOGS
A FASTER PACE Athletic New Albany averaging 64.3 points so far in 2015-16 BY KEVIN HARRIS
kevin.harris@newsandtribune.com
NEW ALBANY — New Albany wants to play one style during the 2015-16 season — up-tempo. Just ask the Bulldogs’ Ashley Lyninger. “I’ve always wanted to play a fast tempo, but this is finally the time where we can actually mentally handle it and physically excel at it,” she said. So far, the Bulldogs’ fastpaced system has helped them start the season with a 4-2 record. They are averaging 64.3 points per game, ranking 29th in the state. In its four victories, New Albany has scored 77.8 points per contest. The Bulldogs also have used their overall quickness in making their defense more stifling, as they allowed 36.2 points a game. “There isn’t a team in Indiana that can keep up with us for four quarters with our transition,” Bulldog point guard Marissa Jones said. “It’s a great feeling to know we’re putting as many points as we are.” New Albany’s solid start has it thinking about making a run at both the Hoosier Hills Conference and Class 4A Bedford North Lawrence Sectional championships. “I see us going a lot further than sectional, just because there are very few teams right now that can keep up with us for four quarters. I truly believe that,” Jones said. “We’re so family oriented. We don’t want to lose this [rapport]. We want it to go as far as it can. Sectional is what we want and conference.” Bulldogs’ head coach Tammy Geron says her players definitely have their sights set on capturing the program’s first sectional title since 2002. “I think our sectional is wide open. I think we can all compete with each other on any given night. I think sectional is a goal for this group and beyond,” Geron said. “We’ve got some pretty high goals for ourselves, but we want to look to improve every day and every game. We want to keep a high level of energy. That’s a big focus for us and something we feel like that is hard to compete with. I think this team has the ability to put together a very good year in the win-and-loss column just because of their competitive nature.” The Bulldogs have four seniors who are expected to play key roles in a potential winning campaign. Three of those four are guards in Jenna Shine, Aaliyah Bell and
New Albany junior Marissa Jones tries to evade the pressure during the Bulldogs’ 39-32 loss to Columbus North earlier this season. | STAFF PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER FRYER
Megan Thevenow. The other senior is Lyninger, who is a 5-foot-10 forward. Three juniors currently in New Albany’s rotation are Jones, 5-6 guard Earlean Davis and 6-1 forward Chyna Anthony. Sophomores Julyen Condra and Kelsy Taylor and freshman Alayasia Douglas could see some playing time. “Our team is more than our starting five. We’ve got a solid bench,” Lyninger said. Geron says Seymour is the favorite to win the HHC. But she thinks the conference race is wide open, as she expects Jeffersonville, Columbus East, Jennings County and Bedford to be very competitive. “Seymour I think is the favorite right now. You’ve got Seymour, you’ve got Columbus East, you’ve got Jeff and you’ve got us. Jennings is always hard-nosed. They’re guard-dominant this year,” Geron said. “Night-in and night-out, it’s just going to be a battle between conference teams. I think that it’s going to be very important for teams to come out and be ready to play.” The Bulldogs have already lost to two tough non-conference opponents in defending Class 4A state champion Columbus North (39-32) and archrival Providence (46-43), which was ranked No. 1 in the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association Class 2A poll last week. Other challenging foes in New Albany’s non-conference slate are on the horizon in Eastern and North Harrison. The Bulldogs also will play in the North Central tournament in Indianapolis Dec. 29-30, featuring the host Panthers and Hamilton Southeastern.
New Albany senior Ashley Lyninger drives to the basket during the Bulldogs’ 39-32 loss to Columbus North at the Doghouse.
“We have a pretty tough out-of-conference schedule. We’ve got some big schools here and there throughout the schedule,” Geron said. “We go up to North Central, and North
Central and Hamilton Southeastern are both in that tournament. They are both powerhouses. It gives us an opportunity to see how we compare to other big schools in the state.”
Good Luck Teams!
BASKETBALL | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 | 15
FLOYD CENTRAL HIGHLANDERS 2015-16 SCHEDULE
Nov. 7 at Columbus East* Nov. 19 at Scottsburg Nov. 21 Castle Nov. 24 at Seymour* Nov. 28 at Bloomington North Dec. 1 Madison* Dec. 3 Jeffersonville* Dec. 10 at S. Oldham (Ky.) Dec. 12 at North Harrison Dec. 16 at Charlestown Dec. 19 Salem Dec. 21 at Ev. Harrison Dec. 28 Vincennes Rivet# Dec. 28 Corydon or Ev. Mater Dei# Dec. 29 Final round# Jan. 7 Meade County (Ky.) Jan. 9 New Albany* Jan. 16 at Bedford NL* Jan. 23 at Corydon Jan. 26 Jennings County* Jan. 28 at Providence Jan. 30 Presentation (Ky.) Feb. 2-6 Class 4A BNL Sectional * Hoosier Hills Conference game # Vincennes Rivet Tournament
FLOYD CENTRAL HIGHLANDERS
EXPERIENCED & FORMIDABLE
Floyd hopes talent, depth overcomes lack of scoring BY CHRIS STONER
FLOYDS KNOBS — Floyd Central comes into the 2015-16 season looking for its first winning campaign since 2012. The Highlanders lost six of their nine games that were decided by single-digits last year and will look to five seniors and a host of talented underclassman to reverse that trend. “This team has good unity,” fifth-year head coach Kirk Hamsley said. “They are close, especially our five seniors. We have more depth this season than in any of my previous four years. We just need to take care of the ball better and learn how to win those close ones this year.” Gone is Madison Kaiser who led Floyd in scoring and rebounding last season. Despite Kaiser being one of the best players in the area last year, the Highlanders still had their troubles at the offensive Floyd Central senior Maddie Probus is one of several returning Highlanders with experiend. That is again a con- ence in 2015-16. | STAFF PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER FRYER cern of Hamsley. “Our scoring could cershe didn’t beat around the cept we’re trying to put in shooting, they’re going to tainly be better than it is bush when talking about her defensively. We’re taking rebound.” right now,” Hamsley said. team’s struggles in the final a step in the right direcThe Hoosier Hills Con“We should have more balminutes of close games. tion, but there still needs to ference and sectional will ance this year but we need “There is no doubt be some sacrifices by ceragain be ultra-competitive, to find more scoring. Madbut Probus was quick to ison did so much for us last that we need to execute tain players.” Floyd will have formi- point out what the team year, and now this year, we much better at the end of games,” Probus said. “We dable frontcourt this sea- goal is and that she feels have girls that need to figlost a lot of games last season, led by Brianna Roth it’s very attainable this ure out they need to look to son by single digits. They and newcomer Gracie season. score more.” “Our team goal this Floyd’s always tough were all winnable but we Hale. The mention of the schedule begins even hard- just didn’t execute what Highlanders presence in year is to win sectional,” the paint brought a smile she said. “I think now that er than normal this season and when we needed to.” With the obvious void to the face of senior guard the Div. I players aren’t with five of its first six on the floor with no MadMorgan Wagner. at Bedford anymore, the games on the road. “It’s comforting to me playing field has definitely “We’ll see how tough ison Kaiser this season, we are here early and I’m Floyd spent a lot of time as a shooter to have our been leveled. We have five sure what we don’t do well on its offense in the offsea- big post players in there” experienced players who will be exposed,” Hams- son. However, the defen- Wagner said. “I know if have played a lot together, ley said. “We played well sive end has always been I’m having an off night so I think we can do it.” against Columbus East [in Hamsley’s top priority the season opener], did while on the Highlander some things really well, sidelines and this year will but we just didn’t close be no different. “The summer was good things out. It was tied with 2:05 left and then we had and the kids worked hard,” two empty possessions and he said. “We worked on shooting a lot, so that that hurt us.” Thirteen of Floyd’s 26 should be improved this losses over the last two season. But the girls have seasons have been by nine to buy in defensively to be points or less. Senior guard able to compete for a sec- 710 Pillsbury Lane, New Albany, IN 47150 Maddie Probus has been tional title. The team has to 1-800-232-2642 | www.centra.org around for all of those and get on board with the con-
GO BULLDOGS
Good Luck Teams!
Good Luck Teams!
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2015-16 ROSTER No. 3 4 10 12 14 15 23 30 32 45 50
Name Kailey Price Morgan Wagner Sophia Gianfagna Gracie Fitzgerald Maddie Probus Chennaniah Clark Carmen Cox Mackenzie Hashem Gracie Hale Kristen Burger Bri Roth
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2014-2015 RESULTS (10-15)
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L, 49- 53 L, 39- 51 1:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 8 p.m. 10 a.m. TBD TBD 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m.
Nov. 14 Ev. Harrison Nov. 20 Scottsburg Nov. 22 at Castle Nov. 25 Seymour Nov. 29 Bloomington North Dec. 2 at Madison Dec. 4 at Jeffersonville Dec. 11 S. Oldham (Ky.) Dec. 13 North Harrison Dec. 17 Charlestown Dec. 20 at Salem Jan. 2 at Greenfield-Central Jan. 2 Hamilton Hts. Jan. 3 Noblesville Jan. 8 at Meade Co. (Ky.) Jan. 10 at New Albany Jan. 13 Louisville Central Jan. 17 Bedford NL Jan. 24 Corydon Central Jan. 27 at Jennings Co. Jan. 29 Providence Feb. 3 Columbus East Feb. 5 at Presentation (Ky.) Feb. 13 at Jeffersonville* * Sectional game
W, 43- 29 W, 60- 42 L, 45- 49 (OT) L, 32- 47 W, 47- 32 L, 34- 70 L, 41- 57 L, 53- 54 L, 53- 56 (OT) W, 58- 53 (OT) W, 71- 51 L, 45- 61 W, 66- 39 L, 38- 80 W, 49- 44 L, 42- 49 L, 60- 65 L, 36- 73 W, 74- 42 L, 54- 69 L, 58- 59 L, 50- 66 W, 56- 53 L, 41- 51
PAST 10 YEARS Coach: Kirk Hamsley • 2014-15: 9-15 • 2013-14: 9-11 • 2012-13: 12-12 • 2011-12: 12-10 Coach: Joe Voelker • 2010-11: 8-14 • 2009-10: 25-2 (HHC Champions, Sectional Champions, Regional Champions) • 2008-09: 20-3 • 2007-08: 15-8 • 2006-07: 14-8 • 2005-06: 7-14
POSTSEASON HISTORY
• Sectional championships (6): 1978, 1982, 1990, 1992, 1993, 2010. • Regional championships (1): 2010. • Semistate championships (0): None. • State championships (0): None.
Good Luck to All Area Teams This Season!
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16 | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 | BASKETBALL
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY WARRIORS 2015-16 SCHEDULE Nov. 24 Floyd Central 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28 Scottsburg 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 Switzerland Co. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at New Washington 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at Rock Creek 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 Paoli 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 South Central 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23 Indpls. Lighthouse+ Noon Dec. 29 First round* TBA Dec. 30 Final round* TBD Jan. 2 at Covenant Christian 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at CAL 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9 West Washington 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 Lanesville 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Charlestown 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at Louisville Manual 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 Providence 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at Madison Shawe 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 Trinity Lutheran 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at Southwestern 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 Henryville 7:30 p.m. March 1-5 Class A New Wash Sectional + At Indianapolis Manual * South Ripley Tournament
2015-16 ROSTER No. Name Pos. 0 Stephen Cook G 1 Noah Williams G 5 Nathan Paris F 10 Bradley Gay G 11 Matt Hamby G 20 Patrick Fitzgibbon C 30 Riley Linnehan F 32 Nic Reed G/F 45 Braden Renfro F
Ht. Grade 6-2 10 5-9 10 6-2 10 6-1 11 5-11 11 6-6 11 6-2 11 6-5 12 6-1 12
2014-2015 RESULTS (21-5) Nov. 24 at Floyd Central L, 56-59 Nov. 29 at Scottsburg L, 67-68 (OT) Dec. 5 at Switzerland Co. W, 63-47 Dec. 6 New Washington W, 67-38 Dec. 9 Salem W, 65-45 Dec. 12 Rock Creek W, 61-57 Dec. 13 at Paoli W, 57-47 Dec. 19 at South Central W, 52-19 Dec. 27 Jeffersonville W, 60-33 Dec. 29 South Dearborn W, 70-43 Dec. 29 Knightstown W, 53-48 Dec. 30 Bloomington North L, 50-52 (OT) Jan. 3 Covenant Christian W, 59-46 Jan. 9 Christian Academy (Ky.) W, 45-33 Jan. 10 at West Washington W, 47-45 Jan. 16 at Lanesville W, 59-38 Jan. 17 Charlestown L, 28-68 Jan. 23 Borden W, 51-22 Jan. 30 at Providence W, 52-46 Feb. 6 at Trinity Lutheran W, 67-53 Feb. 12 Madison Shawe W, 66-36 Feb. 20 Southwestern W, 49-28 Feb. 27 at Henryville W, 55-35 Mar. 6 Lanesville* W, 64-49 Mar. 7 New Washington* W, 63-49 Mar. 14 Barr-Reeve+ L, 33-49 * Sectional game + Regional game
PAST 10 YEARS Coach: Steve Kerberg • 2014-15: 21-5 (Sectional Champions) • 2013-14: 15-5 • 2012-13: 11-10 • 2011-12: 10-11 Coach: Curtis White • 2010-11: 2-19 Coach: Joshua Hutchinson • 2009-10: 3-19 • 2008-09: 7-15 Coach: David Scott • 2007-08: 14-7 Coach: Alan Butts • 2006-07: 6-14 Coach: Joe McKay • 2005-06: 10-12
POSTSEASON HISTORY • Sectional championships (3): 1998, 1999, 2015. • Regional championships (2): 1998, 1999. • Semistate championships (0): None. • State championships (0): None.
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY WARRIORS
CONTINUED ASPIRATIONS CAI looks to repeat as sectional champions, advance further in 2016 BY CHRIS STONER
sports@newsandtribune.com
NEW ALBANY — After winning its first sectional championship since 1999, Christian Academy begins this season ranked fourth in Class A. The Warriors return two regulars from a team that won 21 games a year ago. “Losing three starters from last year will make us adjust some things, but we have a really good player in Nic Reed back and we have some really good young talent around him,” fifth-year head coach Steve Kerberg said. “Those guys have worked hard this summer and I think if they play within themselves and play their roles, then having a player like Nic on the floor can make them all better.” Although a 49-33 loss to eventual state champion Barr-Reeve at regional was disappointing, Kerberg said the sectional crown was a springboard into a productive offseason for his Warriors. “I thought we had a good summer,” he said. “We got to play a lot of really good basketball teams from Louisville and from all over Indiana. I think playing good competition over the summer the last couple of years has really helped us. That has given us a good idea of where we’re at and what we need to work on.” CAI’s schedule has gotten stronger each year since Kerberg’s arrival in 2011. The Warriors have 11 opponents Class 2A or bigger on the slate this season, not including what should be a very competitive holiday tournament at South Ripley. “Our goal with a younger team like this is to get better every day throughout the season,” Kerberg said. “Our ultimate goal is to win another sectional. We feel like we’re in the mix again to win it. Playing good competition will help us achieve our goals at the end of the season. We’ve added Louisville Manual to the schedule and we’re playing in a showcase in Indianapolis. Our schedule gets tougher every year, that’s good for our program and our kids, and it pays off during the tournament.” Despite a relatively young team, Kerberg remained optimistic that a good blend of experience from last season’s success with the youth of this year will pay dividends for Christian Academy in March. “We’ve got some good young guards that we think are going to contribute and get better during the season,” Kerberg said. “Riley Linnehan improved a lot over the summer. Patrick Fitzgibbons, our big guy, has gotten a lot stronger and we need him to have a big year for us.” With two-thirds of its starting front court and a four-
Christian Academy forward Nic Reed is the top returning player from the Warriors’ sectional championship team in 2015. | STAFF PHOTO BY TYLER STEWART
Steve Kerberg helped lead Christian Academy to its first sectional championship in 16 years when the Warriors won the Borden Sectional in 2015. | FILE PHOTO
year starting point guard gone, CAI has some holes to fill. Kerberg isn’t sure if the number four preseason ranking is deserved, but likes what he has seen so far from his squad. “We have a lot of young
guys that haven’t been through some of the battles yet at the varsity level,” he said. “However, if we take care of the basketball this season and can find rebounding from new spots, I think we can play with anybody
on our schedule. I feel like we have enough talent to cut down nets again this year, but I think this group will be one that develops significantly throughout the season and gets tougher by the end of the season.”
BASKETBALL | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 | 17
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY WARRIORS 2015-16 SCHEDULE Nov. 14 at New Washington
W, 59-54
Nov. 17 at West Washington
L, 54-63
Nov. 19 at Lanesville
W, 57-30
Nov. 20 South Ripley
L, 31-67
Nov. 21 at Clarksville
W, 58-45
Nov. 23 at Orleans
7:30 p.m.
Nov. 28 Borden
12:30 p.m.
Nov. 30 at Scottsburg
7:30 p.m.
Dec. 5
7:30 p.m.
Switzerland Co.
Dec. 15 Rock Creek
7:30 p.m.
Dec. 17 Providence
7:30 p.m.
Dec. 18 South Central
6 p.m.
Jan. 5
at Trinity Lutheran
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 7
Crothersville
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 12 at Southwestern
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 16 Eastern
1:30 p.m.
Jan. 19 Henryville
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 21 at Springs Valley
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 23 at Charlestown
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 25 at Medora
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY WARRIORS
UPWARD TREND Warriors appear to have strongest team in years
BY CHRIS STONER
sports@newsandtribune.com
Last season, Christian Academy notched its first sectional win since 2003. The Warriors aim to build on that milestone in 2015-16. “This team’s positioned to continue our upward trend,” fourth-year head coach Mike Baird said. “I’ll be disappointed if we don’t hit double-digit wins this season. I’m thinking 12 or 13 wins is very doable. This team has it in them and they showed it in the opener [at New Washington].” CAI had lost 14 straight to traditional Class A-power New Washington before its sectional win over the Mustangs last season. The Warriors then opened this season with a 59-54 win at New Wash on Nov. 14th, marking the first time in program history to have beaten the Mustangs in consecutive games. “New Washington has had a lot of success, and for us to now have beaten them two straight, says a lot about where our program is headed,” said Baird, who is looking to guide CAI to its first winning season since 2009. “When we play teams that have continually beaten us like they had been doing, it does something to you mentally. Our first game this season, winning at their place, was another big mental obstacle that our girls overcame.” The Warriors have four players that were members of the Class A volleyball state champions. Baird can already see the intensity and winning drive those athletes have brought to the basketball court. “Those girls simply hate to lose,” he said. “They can’t stand losing. I think they have everyone bringing a different swagger to the court.” One of the CAI volleyball standouts that is new to the basketball program is 6-foot-1 Alli Stumler. The sophomore set a state championship record with 34 kills and brings things a special skill set to the basketball court, according to Baird. “Aly is 6-1 and maybe the fastest player on the team,” Baird said. “That’s stuff you can’t teach.” Offense was a focus and concern coming into the season after last year’s bunch had 11 games in which it scored less than 40 points. However, senior Cortney Baird doesn’t see putting the ball in the hoop as a problem. “Offense is definitely one of our strengths this year,” the coach’s optimistic daughter said. “Personally, I think
6 p.m.
Feb. 2-6 New Washington Sectional
2015-16 ROSTER No. Name
Pos. Grade
1
Danielle Summitt
G
11
3
Alli Stumler
F
10
11
Hannah Beckley
G
10
12
Brittany Moffett
C
12
15
Lizzie Hilburn
F
12
20
Kye Jenkins
C
11
21
Audrey Graham
F
11
22
Cortney Baird
F
12
23
Kendra Mahan
F
12
24
Hailey Jones
G
11
30
Avery Furnish
G
12
40
Clara Koch
G
12
2014-2015 RESULTS (8-16)
Christian Academy’s Hailey Jones drives to the basket during the Warriors’ 58-45 victory at Clarksville last Saturday. | PHOTOS BY JOE ULLRICH
our defense is pretty good too, but over the summer we did a lot of shooting and ball handling stuff.” Every coach will tell you that a good offense starts on the inside and works its way outside. Senior Brittany Moffett likes what she sees of her team’s interior players. “Our post play is definitely our biggest strength right now,” she said. “We have a bunch of tall girls this year, and in past years, we haven’t really had that. That should help us with one of our main goals, which is coming to compete in every single game that we play this year. Last year, there were a few games where we didn’t show up to play and we got creamed. So this year, we want to compete every night, and of course, we want to win the sectional championship.” The Warriors return four starters from last season and will rely on that experience to weather a brutal first part of their schedule. CAI has six of its first eight games on the road. The Warriors again have a challenging schedule that includes traditional powers Borden, Providence, Scottsburg, and Charlestown. “We are going to find out a lot about where we are early,” Baird said. “We have two solid leaders in Brittany Moffett and Cortney Baird. They pushed the team in the summer workouts and continue to do that now that the season has started.”
Nov. 15
New Washington
L, 51-60
Nov. 18
West Washington
W, 54-52
Nov. 20
Lanesville
L, 43-48
Nov. 21
at South Ripley
L, 42-64
Nov. 22
Clarksville
W, 49-39
Nov. 24
Orleans
W, 46-44
Nov. 29
at Borden
L, 34-71
Dec. 6
at Switzerland Co.
L, 21-64
Dec. 9
at Louisville Collegiate L, 40-68
Dec. 16
at Rock Creek
W, 53-22
Dec. 18
at Providence
L, 28-46
Dec. 19
at South Central
L, 31-41
Dec. 23
Scottsburg
L, 38-57
Jan. 6
Trinity Lutheran
L, 36-53
Jan. 8
at Crothersville
W, 40-36
Jan. 9
CAL
L, 37-77
Jan. 13
Southwestern
L, 34-49
Jan. 17
at Eastern
L, 33-56
Jan. 20
at Henryville
L, 40-77
Jan. 22
Springs Valley
L, 35-53
Jan. 26
Medora
W, 66-39
Feb. 2
South Dearborn
W, 48-42
Feb. 13
New Washington* W, 61-54 (OT)
Feb. 14
Borden*
L, 36-78
* Sectional game
PAST 10 YEARS Coach: Mike Baird • 2014-15: 8-16 • 2013-14: 5-15 • 2012-13: 5-14 Coach: Emy Lorigan • 2011-12: 8-13 Coach: Tim Coomer • 2010-11: 6-17 • 2009-10: 13-9 • 2008-09: 8-15 • 2007-08: 7-15 Coach: Alan Strickland • 2006-07: 5-15 Coach: Jo Bachman • 2005-06: 1-20
POSTSEASON HISTORY • Sectional championships (0): None. • Regional championships (0): None. Christian Academy’s Alli Stumler puts up a shot during the Warriors’ 58-45 victory at Clarksville last Saturday.
• Semistate championships (0): None. • State championships (0): None.
18 | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 | BASKETBALL
SILVER CREEK DRAGONS 2015-16 SCHEDULE
Nov. 24 at Henryville 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 Charlestown* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Clarksville* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 Jennings Co. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 North Harrison* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at Columbus East 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at Jeffersonville 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at Bedford NL 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29 First round+ TBA Dec. 30 Final round+ TBD Jan. 8 at Eastern* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9 Borden 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 Brownstown* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 New Albany 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at Providence 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 Madison 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 Salem* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 New Washington 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at Scottsburg* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at Austin* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at Corydon* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 Seymour 7:30 p.m. March 1-5 Class 3A Charlestown Sectional * Mid-Southern Conference Game + Silver Creek Holiday Tournament
SILVER CREEK DRAGONS
GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS Despite losing seven seniors, Dragons think they can have solid year BY KEVIN HARRIS
kevin.harris@newsandtribune.com
SELLERSBURG — There is good news and bad news for Silver Creek entering the 2015-16 season. The bad news for the Dragons is they graduated seven seniors from last year’s 23-3 team that won the outright Mid-Southern Conference championship and its second consecutive Class 3A sectional title. The good news is Silver Creek welcomes back NTSPY Player of the Year finalist center Christian Reed and has several talented players on its roster from last season’s 21-1 junior varsity team. “I think our culture is the same. It’s just different players,” sixth-year head coach Brandon Hoffman said. “We lost a ton of guys from last year obviously. We lost a lot of leadership, but the guys are working hard and the guys have been in our system for a while. I really think we can surprise a lot of people.” Reed will be looked upon as the Dragons’ leader this season as he enters his fourth year as a varsity player. The 6-foot-6 senior led Silver Creek last season in scoring (14.6 points per game) and rebounding (8.9). Reed shot 57 percent from the field in 201415. He will play college basketball next season at Lawrence Technological University, an NAIA school in Southfield, Mich., near Detroit. “He’s the only one coming back that has major varsity minutes,” Hoffman said. “He’s led us in scoring and rebounding the last two years, so he knows how important he is. But he’s even more important now. Now, he’s got to be a leader by example and be a vocal leader. There hasn’t been anything he hasn’t been through as a varsity player.” Leadership skills have been a point of emphasis for Reed during the preseason. “It’s been different having to build relationships with these guys,” he said. “I think it’s been a maturity lesson for me because I’ve had to show some of these guys even my age and younger the ropes the first couple times around. They’re doing a great job of picking up on it. It’s a great challenge that I’ve enjoyed so far.” Another player Hoffman expects big contributions from is Ryan Baker. The senior guard came off the bench some for the Dragons last season. Last year’s JV players who Hoffman expects pro-
2015-16 ROSTER No. 4 10 12 14 20 22 24 30 32 40 42 44 50 52
Name Cameron Stephens Ryan Baker Zane Gross Noah Eckert Aaron Stewart Alex Long Jacob Harper Zach Densford T.J. Tharp Sammy Barnett Jacob Garrett Bennett Beyl Christian Reed Josh Landers
Ht. Grade 5-11 11 5-11 12 6-1 9 6-0 12 5-9 11 6-3 12 5-10 11 6-3 12 6-3 12 6-2 10 6-2 10 6-4 10 6-6 12 6-2 9
2014-2015 RESULTS (23-3)
Silver Creek’s Christian Reed takes the ball over the Providence defense during the Dragons’ 53-36 win over the Pioneers in Sellersburg last season. | STAFF PHOTO BY TYLER STEWART
ductive seasons from are junior guard Cameron Stephens and senior forwards Alex Long and Zach Densford. Two other seniors from last season’s JV team who should get some playing time are Noah Eckert and TJ Tharp. “A lot of those guys we had playing JV last year were varsity-level players. I really think our JV could’ve won a lot of varsity games last year and those kids feel that way, too, so they kind of have a chip on their shoulder,” Hoffman said. “All of them can score. We’re a better shooting team than what we were last year, and I think that’s going to play well in our hands where it may open things up for Christian. If it doesn’t, then we have players who can knock down shots.” Reed thinks the 201415 JV players can make a smooth transition to varsity this year. “When you’re 21-1, you have to have some talent. They’re used to winning,” Reed said. “The guys are starting to find their spots and their jobs. I think once we figure out these last couple of steps, our record should be great for our last year.”
Along with his team, Hoffman thinks there are four other contenders for the MSC title in Class 3A No. 9 Brownstown Central, Charlestown, North Harrison and Salem. Those teams also will play in Silver Creek’s 3A sectional, which will take place this season at Charlestown. “I don’t think there is any doubt that Brownstown is the favorite. They have three All-Conference players from last year coming back, so it probably starts with them,” said Hoffman, whose team is ranked sixth in The Associated Press Class 3A preseason poll. “Other than us, North Harrison is going to be good. Salem has all of their players coming back, so I think they’re going to be better. Charlestown has Jamal Long and he’s going to be a really
good player.” The Dragons’ non-conference schedule includes seven Hoosier Hills Conference teams. Highlighting that group is Class 4A No. 2 New Albany. The other HHC squads on Silver Creek’s slate are Bedford North Lawrence, Columbus East, Jeffersonville, Jennings County, Madison and Seymour. Hoffman also expects tough games from nonconference foes Henryville and Providence. Hoffman believes by tournament time, his program can make a run at another sectional title. “That’s the goal,” he said. “We’re not there yet. But I think our guys with the way they continue to improve in practice and their pride and work ethic, I really do think we have the pieces to win sectional.”
GO DRAGONS
7812 State Rd 60, Sellersburg, IN 47172 1-800-232-2642 | www.centra.org
Nov. 25 Henryville Nov. 29 at New Washington Dec. 2 at Charlestown Dec. 5 Clarksville Dec. 6 at Jennings Co. Dec. 12 at North Harrison Dec. 13 Columbus East Dec. 19 Jeffersonville Dec. 20 Bedford NL Dec. 29 Providence Dec. 30 Charlestown Jan. 9 Eastern Jan. 10 at Borden Jan. 16 at Brownstown Jan. 23 at New Albany Jan. 27 Providence Jan. 30 at Madison Feb. 6 at Salem Feb. 12 Scottsburg Feb. 23 Austin Feb. 25 Corydon Feb. 27 at Seymour Mar. 3 Brownstown* Mar. 7 Madison* Mar. 9 at Corydon* Mar. 14 Ev. Memorial+ * Sectional game + Regional game
W, 58-42 W, 70-32 W, 57-39 W, 68-33 L, 59-66 W, 71-37 W, 56-27 W, 66-58 W, 76-47 W, 55-32 W, 58-40 W, 73-43 W, 45-25 W, 59-56 L, 55-69 W, 53-36 W, 68-54 W, 77-50 W, 69-47 W, 70-42 W, 55-46 W, 66-32 W, 68-54 W, 67-60 W, 57-49 L, 36-56
PAST 10 YEARS Coach: Brandon Hoffman • 2014-15: 23-3 (MSC Champions, Sectional Champions) • 2013-14: 15-9 (Sectional Champions) • 2012-13: 9-12 • 2011-12: 13-8 • 2010-11: 9-12 Coach: John Bradley • 2009-10: 9-12 • 2008-09: 13-10 • 2007-08: 15-8 • 2006-07: 9-12 • 2005-06: 11-10
POSTSEASON HISTORY
• Sectional championships (13): 1955, 1961, 1964, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 2000, 2014, 2015. • Regional championships (2): 1969, 2000. • Semistate championships (0): None. • State championships (0): None.
GO DRAGONS! Maple Manor Christian Home 643 W. Utica St, Sellersburg, IN (812)246-4866
BASKETBALL | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 | 19
SILVER CREEK DRAGONS 2015-16 SCHEDULE Nov. 5
at New Washington
W, 63-45
Nov. 7
Jennings Co.
L, 58-69
Nov. 13
Seymour
L, 41-69
Nov. 14
at New Albany
L, 28-79
Nov. 18
Charlestown*
W, 43-36
Nov. 20
Jeffersonville
L, 30-45
Nov. 25
at North Harrison*
7:30 p.m.
Nov. 28
Ev. Memorial
2:30 p.m.
Dec. 2
at Clarksville*
7:30 p.m.
Dec. 5
Corydon*
1:30 p.m.
Dec. 9
at Columbus East
7:30 p.m.
Dec. 12
Scottsburg*
1:30 p.m.
Dec. 15
at Henryville
7:30 p.m.
Dec. 19
at Brownstown*
1:30 p.m.
Dec. 22
First round+
TBA
Dec. 23
Final round+
TBD
Jan. 9
Salem*
1:30 p.m.
Jan. 12
Madison
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 16
at Austin*
2:30 p.m.
Jan. 23
Eastern*
7:30 p.m.
Jan. 27
at South Central
7:30 p.m.
Feb. 2-6
Class 3A North Harrison Sectional
SILVER CREEK DRAGONS
* Mid-Southern Conference Game + Charlestown Holiday Tournament
2015-16 ROSTER No. Name
Pos.
Ht. Gr.
4
Haley Baxter
G
5-6 11
5
Lauren Hall
G
5-6 10
11 Abby May
G
5-5 11
14 Kylie Wilkinson
G
5-9 10
15 Hannah Merriweather
G
5-6 12
20 Jordan Balz
G
5-4 9
22 Whitny Booher
F/C 6-0 12
23 Hailey Ramey
F/C 6-1 12
30 Alyssa Wright
G
5-6 9
31 Lauren Polston
G
5-6 11
33 Emily Steele
F
5-9 9
50 Savannah O’Neil
F/C 5-8 11
2014-2015 RESULTS (9-15) Nov. 14
at Seymour
L, 49-63
Nov. 15
New Albany
L, 49-56
Nov. 21
at Jeffersonville
L, 40-48
Nov. 26
North Harrison
L, 48-50
Nov. 29
at Ev. Memorial
L, 40-71
Dec. 3
Clarksville
W, 53-14
Dec. 6
at Corydon
W, 44-43
Dec. 11
at Charlestown
L, 34-55
Dec. 16
Henryville
L, 35-46
Dec. 18
Brownstown
L, 36-51
Dec. 22
Providence
W, 45-33
Dec. 23
at Charlestown
Jan. 8
Borden
W, 59-42
Jan. 10
at Salem
L, 51-61
Jan. 13
at Madison
L, 40-65
Jan. 17
Austin
Jan. 20
at Jennings Co.
L, 42-67
Jan. 22
New Washington
W, 64-25
Jan. 24
at Eastern
Jan. 28
South Central
W, 47-35
Jan. 31
at Scottsburg
W, 66-48
Feb. 5
Columbus East
L, 35-67
Feb. 11
Corydon*
Feb. 13
North Harrison*
L, 39-48
W, 60-58
L, 42-49
W, 51-41 L, 43-45
* Sectional game
PAST 10 YEARS Coach: Scott Schoen • 2014-15: 9-15 • 2013-14: 7-16 • 2012-13: 16-7 • 2011-12: 16-5 • 2010-11: 17-7 (Sectional Champions) Coach: Ryan Apple • 2009-10: 8-13 • 2008-09: 7-15 • 2007-08: 4-17 • 2006-07: 3-18 Coach: Dave Chanley • 2005-06: 15-7
POSTSEASON HISTORY • Sectional championships (5): 1986, 1987, 1995, 1997, 2011. • Regional championships (0): None. • Semistate championships (0): None. • State championships (0): None.
UP AND DOWN
Faster Dragons looking to push the pace BY GREG MENGELT
greg.mengelt@newsandtribune.com
SELLERSBURG — Last year, Silver Creek relied on senior Kelsi Scott for its offense. The Dragons fed Scott in the post more than they did anything else offensively. When they didn’t and missed a shot, they hoped Scott would get the offensive rebound and score. The big 6-footer, who dominated the ball, is gone, leaving a big hole in the middle of the Silver Creek offense. Maybe that’s not such a bad thing. “I think this year’s team’s a lot more diverse,” said Silver Creek coach Scott Schoen, who’s entering his sixth year with the Dragons. “With Kelsi Scott in the post, pretty much everybody knew where the ball was going. With this team, I think we have a collective group.” In its first six games, three different Dragons have led the team in scoring. While the offense is still a work in progress, there are things to like. “We have a lot more chemistry,” senior Whitny Booher said. “We share the ball a lot more and we have a lot more of an inside-out game.” The Dragons have picked up the pace this season. That’s because of the strong guard play of junior Haley Baxter, junior Abby May, senior Hannah Meriweather and junior Lauren Polston, who is the team’s leading returning scorer. “We’re trying to be a lot faster,” Schoen said. “I feel like our guards are really strong. We’re trying to push, trying to press more.” Silver Creek also has an inside presence with the 6-foot Booher and 6-foot-1 Hailey Ramey. Schoen said Booher is a different person during her senior season than she has been in the past. “Whitny Booher has really involved into a very good leader for us,” Schoen said. “She’s really grown as a player. She’s just steady. She’s playing like an old veteran for us.” The Dragons are just 2-4 through six games, but all four losses have come against Class 4A Hoosier Hills Conference programs. Even while facing more athletic teams like New Albany, Jeffersonville and Seymour, Schoen has refused to change his team’s new style. The result has been a few blowout losses. “It’s hard to gauge how successful we are when we’re playing New Albany and Seymour,” he said. “We are who we are and we need to learn how to play like that. We’re still learning. As we
Silver Creek junior Abby May drives by Seymour’s Morgan Ritz in the Dragons’ 69-41 loss to the Owls in Sellersburg on Nov. 14. | STAFF PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER FRYER
Silver Creek’s Hailey Ramey puts up a shot during the Dragons’ 45-30 loss to visiting Jeffersonville last Friday. | PHOTO BY JOE ULLRICH
continue to play this way, we’ll figure it out.” “I think in the long run, it will help,” Booher said of playing the HHC teams. “It’s getting us prepared for what’s to come. It’s helping us prepare to be stronger rather than playing a school we could just blow out.” The philosophy is that the Dragons need to play local
powers like New Albany and Jeff in order to prepare for a tough sectional. North Harrison appears to be the early Mid-Southern Conference and sectional favorite. Silver Creek hopes to also be in the mix with Brownstown Central, Scottsburg and defending champion Salem. “We’re not worried about the scores,” Schoen said of
the early portion of the season. “We want to compete at the sectional. It’s a process. As we continue through the season, we’ll find out who we are.” “I think the ultimate goal is to win the sectional,” Ramey added, “but we want to have fun, relax and enjoy each other as teammates.”
20 | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 | BASKETBALL
CHARLESTOWN PIRATES 2015-16 SCHEDULE
Charlestown head coach Jason Connell yells from the sideline during the Pirates’ 51-48 loss to host Corydon Central in the first round of the Class 3A Corydon Sectional last season. | STAFF PHOTO BY TYLER STEWART
CHARLESTOWN PIRATES
A DIFFERENT LOOK Guard play could be key to Charlestown’s success this season BY MITZI THOMPSON
sports@newsandtribune.com
CHARLESTOWN – Charlestown’s roster is big, strong, fast, skilled and well-coached. It’s a combination that very likely could give the Pirates their first bout of real success in several years. Despite having lost a lot of heft from last season’s 10-13 team, Charlestown emerges this year with plenty of height and an ample amount of first-rate guard play to go with it. Graduated from last year are football-bodied bruisers Hunter Crace, Eli Daniel and Tristan Chester, who combined to score about 16 points and grab around seven rebounds per game. The Pirates also lost a few guards from last season, but with what they have coming back, they aren’t really feeling the pain. “I think our biggest weakness last year was that we never could get any set rotation,” said second-year head coach Jason Connell, who was hired late in the offseason in 2014 but spent a quality and competitive summer with the team this year. “But now we’re able to have that set rotation. We have a really versatile group that plays as a cohesive unit.” Leading the group of returning players is AllMid-Southern Conference member Jamal Long, who averaged 14 points and six boards per game last year. The 6-foot-4 senior bulked up in the off-season, played football for the Pirates and has been working on getting back into basketball shape the past couple months. “He’s a kid who’s going to get a lot of attention from other teams,” Connell said. “He’s going to play a huge role in our offense this year. We’re gonna want him to at least touch the ball every trip down the floor. We’ll be looking for a lot from him, so hopefully he can stay healthy and we can get him in shape and ready to go.” Joining Long in the frontcourt are 6-3 senior Tanner Wesp, who scored about four points an outing last year, as well as 6-5 senior Austin Smith, who is new to the varsity this season. “We’ve got some good size and this year we have some really good guard play to complement that size,” Connell said. “We’ve got some guys who can really handle and shoot the ball well.” Senior Korey Harris and juniors Jordan Knoebel and Shaun Mansfield will likely lead the Pirates’ backcourt.
Nov. 24 New Washington 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at Silver Creek* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 Scottsburg* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at Henryville 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 Clarksville* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at Providence 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29 First round+ TBA Dec. 30 Final round+ TBA Jan. 5 Rock Creek 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8 Seymour 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9 at Madison 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 Christian Academy 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at New Albany 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at Eastern* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at Corydon* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 Brownstown* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 Borden 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 North Harrison* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 Austin* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at New Washington 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at Salem* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at Jeffersonville 7:30 p.m. March 1-5 Class 3A Charlestown Sectional * Mid-Southern Conference Game + Silver Creek Holiday Tournament
2015-16 ROSTER No. 3 4 10 12 14 20 24 32 40 44
Name Shaun Mansfield Miles Matthews Korey Harris Jordan Knoebel Jamal Long Trey Schafer Tanner Wesp Trey Woodward Matt Fellows Austin Smith
Ht. Grade 5-8 11 5-8 11 5-9 12 5-11 11 6-4 12 6-0 11 6-3 12 6-2 11 6-2 10 6-6 12
2014-2015 RESULTS (10-13)
Charlestown senior Korey Harris drives toward the basket during the Pirates’ game at Floyd Central last season. | STAFF PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER FRYER
Nov. 26 New Washington W, 69-39 Dec. 2 Silver Creek L, 39-57 Dec. 5 at Scottsburg L, 48-59 Dec. 9 Henryville W, 56-49 Dec. 12 at Clarksville W, 54-40 Dec. 20 Providence L, 37-43 Dec. 29 Clarksville W, 64-47 Dec. 30 at Silver Creek L, 40-58 Jan. 6 at Floyd Central L, 39-60 Jan. 9 at Seymour L, 49-52 Jan. 13 at Rock Creek L, 46-58 Jan. 17 at Christian Academy W, 68-28 Jan. 20 New Albany L, 46-95 Jan. 23 Eastern L, 57-70 Jan. 30 at Brownstown L, 55-74 Jan. 31 at Borden W, 46-42 Feb. 5 at Austin W, 69-63 Feb. 7 Corydon L, 54-60 Feb. 12 at North Harrison W, 75-57 Feb. 23 at New Washington W, 69-55 Feb. 24 Jeffersonville L, 44-63 Feb. 28 Salem W, 79-71 (2OT) Mar. 6 at Corydon* L, 48-51 * Sectional game
“Korey had a really good summer, and we’re going to expect a lot from him,” Connell said. “We’ll look to him for a lot of leadership. He’s really been shooting the ball well so far and he’s grown a lot more confident in his play.” Knoebel, who only played in 13 varsity games last year but had a strong year on the 12-6 junior varsity team “is ready,” according to the coach. Mansfield, who has no varsity experience, will bring quick, hard-nosed defense to the team. “We also have [junior PAST 10 YEARS guard] Miles Matthews, Coach: Jason Connell who is a good shooter as • 2014-15: 10-13 well, so we have a lot of Charlestown senior Jamal Long fights for a rebound during good variety on the team the Pirates’ game at Floyd Central last season. Coach: Sean Smith this year,” Connell said. • 2013-14: 6-16 “The nice thing about this thing at a time though.” anybody could be beaten • 2012-13: 11-10 That’s not to say that on any given night, so you team is that they can play so many different ways. the team hasn’t at least just have to show up ready • 2011-12: 10-11 Once our bigs get into a thought about the confer- to play each time you hit • 2010-11: 18-5 (MSC Champions) little bit better shape, we’ll ence or sectional titles this the floor,” he said. As for sectional, which be able to play fast or we’ll season. • 2009-10: 7-14 Defending MSC champi- features many of the same be able to slow it down. • 2008-09: 2-19 We’re excited about that, on Silver Creek will be the teams as in the MSC in• 2007-08: 20-4 (MSC Champions, Sectional because last year we pretty early favorite, but Brown- cluding Silver Creek, CoChampions) much just played slow and stown Central, ranked fifth, rydon and Brownstown, pounded the ball inside. and No. 10-ranked Coryd- Charlestown is looking • 2006-07: 11-10 This year, we have those on will present challenges forward to playing host Coach: Dave Null guards to help speed things as well. The Pirates aren’t this season and will battle discounting their chances to win its first crown since up a little bit.” • 2005-06: 7-14 the 2007-08 season. The Pirates, who open either. “We have one of the “It’s hard to predict, their regular season in a girls-boys doublehead- toughest conferences in the because for us, it’ll all POSTSEASON HISTORY er with New Washington area, so know we have a depend on how well we • Sectional championships (9): 1962, 1975, on Nov. 24 at home, have tough schedule and play shoot the ball,” Connell 1976, 1981, 1990, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2008. confidence but have set some tough opponents,” said. “But every coach said Long. “But when we can say that. If our guard their goals one at a time. • Regional championships (0): None. Goal No. 1 is the Silver play as a team, we’ll be play continues to improve • Semistate championships (0): None. throughout the season, I Creek Holiday Tourna- hard to beat.” Connell agreed. think we could be right in • State championships (0): None. ment on Dec. 29 and 30, “With our conference, the mix.” which they haven’t won since the 2006-07 season. Last season, they were edged in the championship game by the host Dragons, who are ranked sixth in the state in the 3A preseason poll. “We want to bring that trophy back to Charlestown,” said Long, who scored 13 to lead the PiHighway 62, 11106 Dean St., Charlestown, IN 47111 rates in the title game last 450 Patrol Road, Jeffersonville, IN 47130 year. “After that, we’ll 812-503-3154 | www.centra.org move on from there. One www.charlestownfeedstore.com
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BASKETBALL | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 | 21
CHARLESTOWN PIRATES 2015-16 SCHEDULE
Nov. 7 at Madison L, 45-53 Nov. 14 North Harrison* L, 29-46 Nov. 18 at Silver Creek* L, 36-43 Nov. 20 Corydon* L, 38-44 Nov. 21 at South Central W, 57-47 Nov. 24 New Washington 6 p.m. Dec. 2 Austin* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 Scottsburg* 6 p.m. Dec. 8 at Henryville 6 p.m. Dec. 12 at New Washington 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 Floyd Central 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at Mitchell 1:30 p.m. Dec. 22 First round TBA Dec. 23 Final round TBD Jan. 5 Rock Creek 6 p.m. Jan. 9 at Brownstown* 1:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at Eastern* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 Providence 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 New Albany 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at Salem* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 Christian Academy 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 Clarksville* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2-6 Class 3A North Harrison Sectional * Mid-Southern Conference Game + Charlestown Holiday Tournament
2015-16 ROSTER No. 3 10 11 12 14 20 22 24 34 44 55
Name Gabi Gagnon Kelsey Lakes Lexi Logsdon Desi Williams Sidney Goedeker Bri Harvey Erin Kimbrell Shirlee Hayes Samantha Matthews Bethany Hall DeAsia King
Ht. Grade 5-4 10 5-7 10 5-4 12 5-2 11 5-6 10 5-10 10 5-4 10 5-6 10 5-6 9 5-4 12 5-11 10
2014-2015 RESULTS (19-5)
Nov. 21 at Corydon W, 58-38 Nov. 22 South Central W, 50-42 Nov. 25 New Washington W, 82-28 Nov. 29 at Henryville W, 51-45 Dec. 3 at Austin W, 53-48 Dec. 6 at Scottsburg W, 58-55 Dec. 11 Silver Creek W, 55-34 Dec. 13 at New Washington W, 75-35 Dec. 17 at Floyd Central L, 53-58 (OT) Dec. 20 Mitchell W, 47-33 Dec. 22 Clarksville W, 72-28 Dec. 23 Silver Creek W, 48-39 Jan. 6 Rock Creek W, 108-21 Jan. 8 Jeffersonville W, 46-44 Jan. 10 Brownstown L, 52-57 Jan. 13 Eastern W, 49-36 Jan. 16 at Providence L, 38-55 Jan. 20 at New Albany W, 60- 55 (OT) Jan. 22 Salem W, 52-44 Jan. 29 at Clarksville W, 68-20 Feb. 3 at North Harrison W, 49-35 Feb. 6 Madison L, 36-41 Feb. 10 Madison W, 41-40* Feb. 13 Salem* L, 27-28 (OT) * Sectional game
PAST 10 YEARS Coach: Michael Prichard • 2014-15: 19-5 • 2013-14: 15-8 • 2012-13: 10-11 Coach: Sam Terrell • 2011-12: 4-17 • 2010-11: 3-18 Coach: Tony Hall • 2009-10: 14-10 (Sectional Champions) • 2008-09: 10-12 • 2007-08: 7-15 • 2006-07: 21-5 (Sectional Champions) • 2005-06: 18-8 (Sectional Champions)
POSTSEASON HISTORY
• Sectional championships (10): 1981, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010. • Regional championships (4): 1991, 1992, 1993, 2005. • Semistate championships (1): 1993. • State championships (0): None.
Head coach Michael Prichard helped lead Charlestown to a 19-win season in 2014-15. | STAFF PHOTO BY TYLER STEWART
CHARLESTOWN PIRATES
EXPECTED TO PERFORM Quickness could help Pirates overcome lack of size, experience BY MITZI THOMPSON
sports@newsandtribune.com
CHARLESTOWN – Lack of size and lack of experience will likely be the thorns in the side of Charlestown this year. The 2015-16 Pirates are girls who spent most of their time in the shadows of standouts from seasons past who are now thrust into starring roles. Still, the term “rebuilding� doesn’t enter the vocabulary of third-year head coach Michael Prichard, who says expectations remain the same despite circumstances. “I expect them to compete in every single ballgame,� said Prichard. “Even though I have a freshman, two sophomores and two seniors who will be playing a lot of our minutes – you look at that on paper and think ‘Wow, that’s a young team,’ but the grade they’re in doesn’t enter my mind. If you’re a varsity player, you’re expected to perform. I try not to let them have the mindset that success will come in time. The learning curve has to happen now.� The Pirates, who don’t have a player taller than 5-foot-10 in their regular rotation, will rely on speed, grittiness and skillful ballhandling by their plethora of guards. “We don’t have much height this year, but we’re a lot faster,� said Lexi Logsdon, who – along with Bethany Hall – is one of two seniors on the team. “I feel like we have a lot more quickness than we had last year. We lost a lot of good leadership, but I feel like Bethany and I are stepping into that role and filling it the best we can.� Logsdon and Hall played in every varsity game last year — averaging six and four points, respectively — but most of their minutes were spent in support of the talented group of then-seniors that led the team to a 19-5 season and a second-place finish in the competitive Mid-Southern Conference. Two of those graduates are now playing basketball at the college level. Kaitlynn Henning, who averaged 19 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 2.5 assists per game and finished her career with 1,528 points for second-best in Charlestown history, is currently scoring nine points a game for Wabash Valley College in Illinois. Justice Burdin, who averaged 13.1 points and led the team in rebounding last year with seven per game, is at Lincoln Trail College in Illinois. Also gone from last year’s team is guard Shelby Goedeker, who provided 8.2 points per game and a ton of sound, vocal leadership before a season-ending injury sidelined her with three games left in the regular season. Despite what Charlestown lacks this year, the team leaders maintain a positive outlook. “We lost a lot, definitely a lot of height,� said Hall, referring to Burdin’s 5-11 frame that seemed much larger when crashing the boards. “And shooting-wise Kaitlynn was one of the best, but this year we have a freshman, Sam Matthews, who’s
Charlestown senior Lexi Logsdon looks to pass during the Pirates’ 41-40 win over Madison at the Class 3A Scottsburg Sectional last season. | PHOTO BY JOE ULLRICH
already starting to take over that role as a strong shooter. We feel good about what we’ve seen her doing already. She’s really going to help us out this year.� Matthews, a 5-6 guard, is already averaging nine points an outing in Charlestown’s first three games this season, and big things are expected of her. Bri Harvey, the tallest player on the team at a smallish 5-10, saw quite a few varsity minutes as a freshman last season and is showing lots of promise early this year with a 10-point, seven-rebound effort in a 43-36 loss to Silver Creek and a 13-point performance against North Harrison. The sophomore class of Gabi Gagnon, Shirlee Hayes and Erin Kimbrell — all small guards — rounds out the Pirates’ main rotation so far this year, but Prichard hopes to have a larger, more established group as the season progresses. “The biggest problems for us will be rebounding and depth,� he said. “The style that we play takes a lot of energy, so we’re looking to get our bench developed so that when we sub we don’t lose anything. “With the girls who will be playing a lot of minutes for us, we are probably the shortest team maybe in the history of this school. Maybe in all of southern Indiana. Maybe in all of Indiana period,� Prichard said. “We do have some quickness and we kind of have a system in place that we play defensively that — when we follow it — we do okay. We’re just going to try to play to our strengths. Our girls are good at handling the basketball, they’re quick and they’re gritty.� And they’re goal-oriented. First order of business: the fourteam Charlestown Holiday Tournament, which includes the Pirates, Silver Creek, Providence and Clarks-
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ville. The hosts won it last season and they have their sights on a repeat performance. “That’s our first goal,� said Hall, “but of course, we want to win the conference and then sectional, too.� North Harrison is the likely favorite to win both the 10-team Mid-Southern Conference and the sectional title, but, according to Prichard, any team can win on any given night. “I think, when it gets down to it, every team has something to prove,� he said, recalling his team’s 17-point loss to the Cats on November 14. “For about 27 or 28 minutes when we played them the other day I don’t think any spectator watching the game could have told you which was the better team. But then, for a span of about four or five minutes, it was very obvious which team had more experience. North Harrison.� In fact, the Pirates trailed by just two at the half and kept it close through most of the third quarter but wound up losing 46-29. “Most people will only see the final score but what I saw was that we hung right with them for the better part of the game,� Prichard said And come tournament time, youth or experience, size or lack thereof, all teams are on an even playing field. “At the beginning of the season, you might take some losses but you use those to learn and hopefully to get better,� Hall said. “You can look at what you struggled with and look at your weaknesses, then take those weaknesses and get stronger so when it’s time for the sectional, you’re playing at your fullest potential.�
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22 | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 | BASKETBALL
ROCK CREEK ACADEMY LIONS 2015-16 SCHEDULE Nov. 24 Clarksville 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28 South Spencer+ 12:30 p.m. Nov. 28 Loogootee or Irvington Prep+ 6 or 8 p.m. Dec. 4 at New Washington 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 Crothersville 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 Christian Academy 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at Jennings Co. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 Crawford Co. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23 Scecina* 3 p.m. Dec. 29 First round# TBA Dec. 29 Final round# TBD Jan. 5 at Charlestown 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9 at South Central 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 First round≠ TBA Jan. 16 Final round≠ TBD Jan. 23 Medora 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at Louisville Iroquois 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at South Ripley 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at Lanesville 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 Providence 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 Madison Shawe 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 Cannelton 7:30 p.m. March 1-5 Class A New Washington Sectional * At Indianapolis Manual + Loogootee Classic # Tecumseh Classic ≠ Pikeville (Ky.) Shootout
2015-16 ROSTER No. 2 4 12 14 22 24 30 32 34 42 44 50
Name Pos. Elijah Toole G Trae Davis G James Dunlap G Devin Hughes F Malcom Graves F Tye Blankenbaker G Josiah Kelsey G Daon Alexander G Noah Allen F Max Vogen G Taj Oliver C Alex Eddy C
Ht. 5-2 6-1 5-9 6-3 6-1 5-11 5-9 5-10 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-5
Grade 12 12 12 11 11 12 12 11 11 11 12 12
2014-2015 RESULTS (18-6) Nov. 25 at Clarksville Nov. 29 South Spencer Nov. 29 at Loogootee Dec. 5 New Washington Dec. 6 at Crothersville Dec. 9 at North Harrison Dec. 12 at Christian Academy Dec. 13 at Jennings Co. Dec. 20 at Crawford Co. Dec. 23 Pike Central Dec. 26 Brownstown Dec. 27 Barr-Reeve Jan. 10 South Central Jan. 13 Charlestown Jan. 17 Washington Catholic Jan. 24 at Medora Jan. 30 Louisville Iroquois Jan. 31 South Ripley Feb. 7 Borden Feb. 12 Lanesville Feb. 20 at Madison Shawe Feb. 24 at Greensburg Feb. 27 at Cannelton Mar. 3 at Borden* * Sectional game
W, 61-52 W, 91-69 W, 75-62 W, 53-44 W, 76-51 W, 75-48 L, 57-61 L, 47-48 W, 59-55 W, 64-57 L, 47-59 L, 41-60 W, 72-46 W, 58-46 W, 53-23 W, 66-43 W, 56-32 W, 55-51 W, 61-49 W, 63-45 W, 52-31 L, 59-68 W, 82-32 L, 42-45 (OT)
PAST 10 YEARS Coach: Chris Brown • 2014-15: 18-6 • 2013-14: 15-10 • 2012-13: 8-15 • 2011-12: 9-13 • 2010-11: 20-5 (Sectional Champions) • 2009-10: 13-10 • 2008-09: 10-13 • 2007-08: 11-11 • 2006-07: 7-14 • 2005-06: 12-10
POSTSEASON HISTORY • Sectional championships (1): 2011. • Regional championships (0): None. • Semistate championships (0): None. • State championships (0): None.
ROCK CREEK ACADEMY LIONS
REPLACING EIGHT Despite personnel losses, Lions feel they’ll be competitive in 2014-15
BY GREG MENGELT
greg.mengelt@newsandtribune.com
SELLERSBURG — Recovering quickly from the loss of eight seniors is never easy. It would seem to be nearly impossible for a Rock Creek program that lost one of its most valuable classes in program history. Will Brown left as the Lions’ all-time leading scorer. Gedeon Nzombi, Ronald Karenzi and Emony Malumbu made up about 20 feet of talent. T.J. Hayes and Tanner Gerth gave the Lions unlimited scoring during their senior seasons. Ninety-five percent of the scoring and rebounding was
lost to graduation, but Rock Creek isn’t about to whine about the losses. Instead, the Lions feel like they’re reloading. “The [junior varsity] went 15-4 and competed [with the varsity] in practice,” veteran Rock Creek coach Chris Brown said. “They’re scrappy. I think these guys learned they have to show up and play every day. Every day they had to compete against that team.” Brown admits that 201516 really is a rebuilding year at Rock Creek. However, he likes his group. “They play hard. They just haven’t had varsity competition,” he said. “They’re going to step right into the fire.
They’re going to have to learn quick.”’ “We play as a family,” said 5-foot-2 guard Elijah Toole. “We play as a team.” Several Lions did see some varsity action last year, led by Toole and 5-11 guard Tye Blankenbaker. “Elijah is a great hustler, just scraps everywhere,” Brown said. “There’s not a kid who plays harder than him. Tye Blankenbaker is a good shooter for us. Both of these guys will key.” Brown has high expectations for 6-2 junior guard Max Vogen. “He’s a high IQ basketball player,” Brown said. Six-foot-3 Taj Oliver gives the Lions six players who saw
varsity action last season. “We’re quick and scrappy and work hard,” Blankenbaker said. Joining that core six is a pair of transfers. James Dunlap moved to Rock Creek from Louisville. Brown said Dunlap is a “very high IQ player and quick as lightning.” The other transfer came from Jeffersonville. Devin Hughes is a 6-3 junior. Junior Malcom Graves will be eligible in the second semester. “We got some kids who came in and they’re good, too,” Blankenbaker assessed. Rock Creek enters Tuesday’s opener against Clarksville ranked No. 8 in The SEE LIONS, PAGE 23
ROCK CREEK ACADEMY LIONS 2015-16 SCHEDULE Nov. 3 Henryville+ L, 21-65 Nov. 5 Clarksville+ L, 42-55 Nov. 6 at Medora+ W, 49-37 Nov. 7 Madison Shawe+ L, 28-46* Nov. 14 at Cannelton W, 53-21 Nov. 17 Clarksville L, 45-62 Nov. 21 at Springs Valley L, 21-85 Dec. 1 Crawford Co. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at New Washington 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at Medora 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 Crothersville 12:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at Christian Academy 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 Cannelton Tournament Dec. 28 Whitefield (Ky.) Tournament Dec. 29 Whitefield (Ky.) Tournament Jan. 5 at Charlestown 6 p.m. Jan. 7 at Madison Shawe 7 p.m. Jan. 11 West Washington 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at Lanesville 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at Providence 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 Perry Central 8 p.m. Jan. 28 South Central 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 Washington Catholic Noon Feb. 2-6 Class A New Washington Sectional * Won by forfeit + Henryville Tipoff Tournament
2015-16 ROSTER No. 4 10 12 14 20 22 24 30 32 34 40 44 50
ROCK CREEK ACADEMY LIONS
Lions already have three wins in early going BY GREG MENGELT
SELLERSBURG — Rock Creek Academy is off to its best start in program history at 3-4. It may not sound like much, but for these Lions, it is. In the first few weeks of the season, the Lions earned their first winning record in over a decade, had a three-game winning streak — its longest since 2006 — and to up their record 3-2 and equaled their win total from 2008 to 2014. Since win streak, they have dropped two games in a row to Clarksville and Springs Valley. “It’s immeasurable,” Rock Creek coach Bill Paro said.
“You can talk all you want about winning, but when you actually do it, it gets easier. We’ve gone year-after-year when we had very few wins or no wins at all. When they got a couple of wins, they know what it feels like now. Even when they go against the better teams, they’re playing better. They see the light at the end of the tunnel.” “We’ve improved a lot,” senior point guard Peyton Blackburn said. “I think we’ve impressed a lot of people.” Paro said the victories have made his team a more attentive audience. The former Marine has had an easier time getting his point across following the recent success.
“It made it a lot easier on the coaches because it showed them where they want to go,” Paro said. At 3-4, the Lions aren’t satisfied. They see several more wins on their schedule and expect to beat last year’s fivewin total, which was Rock Creek’s most in nine years. “We still have a lot of things to work on, but they’re so much more into what we’re doing,” Paro said. “We play some tough teams. But having the wins under their belts, I think it will make us more competitive.” Paro said one of his biggest goals is to be more competitive with the Charlestowns, Henryvilles and Providences
Pos. F F G C G G F G G F G F C
Grade 10 12 10 11 9 12 12 9 10 10 10 11 10
2014-2015 RESULTS (5-20)
SUDDEN SUCCESS
greg.mengelt@newsandtribune.com
Name Emaleigh Jones Breanna Rottet Katie Thompson Benedicte Nzombi-Fenner Bri Ragland Payton Blackburn Noemi Tolentino Abby Guidrey Olivia Rottet Renayah Bailey Hannah Hart Catie Troncin Ireland Dozal
of the Lions’ schedule. Last year, the Pirates beat Rock Creek 108-12. “I try to tell them, let’s go one quarter at a time and measure our success by that,” he said. “A victory might be winning a quarter or winning a half. Then when we start playing against teams our size, it makes [wins seem] more attainable.” Blackburn says now the Lions expect to compete with the better teams on their schedule. “We’re capable of a lot,” she said. “More than all the years before. This team is probably the best we’ve had at Rock Creek.” SEE ROCK CREEK, PAGE 23
Nov. 11 at Madison Shawe Nov. 13 Crothersville Nov. 14 at Providence Nov. 15 Irvington Prep Nov. 18 at Clarksville Nov. 22 Springs Valley Dec. 2 at Crawford Co. Dec. 4 New Washington Dec. 6 Union Dugger Dec. 11 Medora Dec. 13 Columbus Christian Dec. 16 Christian Academy Dec. 19 Cannelton Dec. 22 Columbus Christian Dec. 22 at Cannelton Jan. 6 at Charlestown Jan. 8 Madison Shawe Jan. 15 at Lanesville Jan. 19 at West Washington Jan. 21 Providence Jan. 27 at Perry Central Jan. 29 at South Central Jan. 31 at Washington Catholic Feb. 2 at Crothersville Feb. 10 New Washington* * Sectional game
PAST 10 YEARS Coach: Bill Paro • 2014-15: 5-20 • 2013-14: 0-20 Coach: Will Eubank • 2012-13: 0-20 Coach: Brandon Yates • 2011-12: 1-20 • 2010-11: 0-21 Coach: Bill Paro • 2009-10: 0-20 • 2008-09: 1-20 • 2007-08: 3-18 • 2006-07: 3-20 • 2005-06: 7-19
POSTSEASON HISTORY • Sectional championships (0: None. • Regional championships (0): None. • Semistate championships (0): None. • State championships (0): None.
L, 25-69 L, 33-62 L, 24-70 W, 69-27 L, 19-56 L, 29-61 L, 28-66 L, 29-61 W, 58-36 L, 27-49 L, 35-56 L, 22-53 W, 66-44 L, 33-62 W, 45-40 L, 21-108 L, 8-66 L, 28-59 L, 37-65 L, 26-68 L, 14-70 L, 15-67 W, 54-47 L, 36-69 L, 27-50
BASKETBALL | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 | 23
BULLDOGS: Face tough non-conference slate CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13
they’ll definitely be keying on.” Jefferson and senior center Michael Maxwell are expected to get their chances to be in the Bulldogs’ starting lineup after coming off the bench last season. Jefferson scored a game-high 20 points and earned team MVP and led Indiana to a 64-63 victory over Kentucky in the 18th-annual Battle of the Bridges in August in Louisville. He averaged eight points a game last season. Shannon liked how Jefferson and Maxwell performed over the summer. “Mike has done a great job on the boards for us. He’s playing his role really well, and he’s scoring around the basket,” Shannon said. “Josh has just exploded into a phenomenal offensive player. He really makes it difficult for defenses because he and Romeo sort of give us a 1-2 punch. They’re not the only two [Bulldogs who can score], but they’re the two that draw a lot of attention. He’s very capable of putting up numbers quickly.” Hibbard is expected to make contributions, as well. This season will be his third year on the New Albany varsity squad. Last season, he scored nine points per contest and shot 45 percent from 3-point range. “He’s really steady. He’s improved a tremendous amount,” Shannon said. “He’s taking the ball to the basket. He has gotten way better at that. His midrange jumper is heads and shoulders above where it was last year. His defense
has improved. He’ll be taking on a bigger role.” Other Bulldogs who are in the running to get some playing time are senior Adrian Pratt-Thomas, juniors Payton Martin and Seth Short and sophomores Rondale Moore, Sean East, Kameron Guess and Blake Murphy. New Albany is the favorite to win a third HHC championship in a row. Shannon says he has not studied the other conference teams much yet, but he knows one thing — the Bulldogs have a target on their backs. “Everybody will be shooting and gunning for us,” he said. “I fully expect people to come after us. I think everybody is a threat.” New Albany’s non-conference schedule is formidable. The Bulldogs will face Class 4A No. 10 Pike in the Forum Tipoff Classic on Dec. 12 at Southport. On Saturday, Jan. 9, they will travel to Frankfort, Ky., to face Lexington (Ky.) Dunbar, which is ranked third in Kentucky, in the Indiana/Kentucky Challenge Cup Classic. New Albany’s non-conference slate also includes Class 4A No. 3 Carmel, 4A No. 4 Evansville Reitz and 4A No. 11 Bloomington South. “We’re playing a lot of talented teams,” Jefferson said. “We’re all working hard because we don’t want to go out there and be embarrassed by them. We want to show them that we belong. New Albany junior Isaac Hibbard drives to the basket during the Bulldogs’ home game [The tough schedule] is definitely going against Bloomington North last season. | STAFF PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER FRYER to help us.”
Chris Brown instructs his Rock Creek Lions during a practice last week. | STAFF PHOTO BY GREG MENGELT
LIONS: Players believe they can win sectional CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22
Associated Press Class A preseason poll. It’s a ranking that’s hard to take too seriously with all the Lions’ losses, but it does show that Creek has gained some statewide respect. “It’s appealing. But we know it’s based off of last year’s merit, there’s no doubt about it,”
Brown said. “It just goes to show that the program’s been put on the map.” Brown called defending sectional champion Christian Academy the obvious favorites to repeat, New Washington is “up there,” and Lanesville is solid, but he wouldn’t count his squad out. “I think this group will com-
pete,” he said. “It’s our goal to be playing our best basketball in February and March. I would not count Rock Creek out.” “We’ll definitely surprise some people,” Blankenbaker said. “I think we have all the tools to be a sectional champion, for sure.”
Payton Blackburn is the Rock Creek Lions’ senior leader and point guard. | PHOTO BY JOE ULLRICH
ROCK CREEK: SG Thompson is go-to scorer CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22
Blackburn is one of four returning starters for Rock Creek. She’s joined by sophomore guard Katie Thompson, junior forward Catie Troncin and junior center Benedicte Nzombi-Fenner. “We have a little experience back, which we haven’t had in a while,” Paro said. “It’s showing already. We still have a lot of room to grow, but they’re working hard.”
Paro said Thompson is the key. The sophomore is one of the best players at Rock Creek in years. “She’s our shooter,” Paro said. “She’s only a sophomore, but I had her in junior high and she knows how I run things. She’s got a good head on her shoulders and she has more confidence in herself than some of the older ones.”
NEW-LOOK JOHNSON ARENA
Johnson Arena’s new Jeffersonville “J” logo at center court. LEFT, Jeffersonville High School has added a new radio studio for the WJHI radio station inside Johnson Arena.
24 | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015 | BASKETBALL
FLOYD CENTRAL HIGHLANDERS 2015-16 SCHEDULE
Nov. 24 at Christian Academy 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at Clarksville 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 Bloomington South 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 New Albany* 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at Providence 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23 First round+ TBA Dec. 23 Final round+ TBD Jan. 8 Corydon 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9 at Castle 8 p.m. Jan. 15 Jeffersonville* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at North Harrison 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 Jennings Co.* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at Madison* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 Seymour* 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 Ev. Reitz 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at Bedford NL* 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at Scottsburg 1:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at Ev. Harrison 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 Brownstown 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at Jasper 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 Bloomington North 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 Columbus East* 7:30 p.m. March 1-5 Class 4A Seymour Sectional * Hoosier Hills Conference Game + Roncalli Tournament
2015-16 ROSTER No. 2 3 4 5 11 20 22 23 34 41
Name Camren Simpson Jake Canter Matthew Weimer Tyler Kimm Garrett Mehling Cobie Barnes Brendon Hobson Luke Gohmann Trevor Apple Connor Sturgeon
Grade 11 10 10 11 12 9 10 10 11 12
Pos. G G G G G/F G/F G/F G/F C F/C
2014-2015 RESULTS (12-9)
Nov. 24 Christian Academy W, 59-56 Dec. 2 Clarksville W, 62-41 Dec. 6 at Bloomington South L, 44-71 Dec. 12 at New Albany L, 67-80 Dec. 19 Providence W, 48-45 Jan. 3 Ev. North W, 75-68 Jan. 6 Charlestown W, 60-39 Jan. 9 at Corydon W, 51-41 Jan. 16 at Jeffersonville W, 64-54 Jan. 17 North Harrison W, 71-40 Jan. 23 at Jennings Co. L, 55-64 Jan. 24 Madison W, 65-59 Jan. 30 at Seymour W, 58-51 Jan. 31 at Ev. Reitz L, 54-89 Feb. 6 Bedford NL L, 53-58 Feb. 7 Scottsburg W, 64-56 Feb. 14 Ev. Harrison W, 65-51 Feb. 24 at Castle L, 48-53 Feb. 25 Jasper L, 71-73 (OT) Feb. 27 at Columbus East L, 49-62 Mar. 6 New Albany* L, 43-63 * Sectional game
PAST 10 YEARS Coach: Todd Sturgeon • 2014-15: 12-9 Coach: Mark Lieberman • 2013-14: 5-18 Coach: Randy Gianfagna • 2012-13: 6-17 • 2011-12: 10-13 • 2010-11: 14-10 • 2009-10: 15-8 • 2008-09: 10-11 • 2007-08: 5-16 • 2006-07: 3-18 Coach: Kirk Hamsley • 2005-06: 4-17
POSTSEASON HISTORY
• Sectional championships (14): 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989. • Regional championships (6): 1971, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1989. • Semistate championships (2): 1971, 1989. • State championships (0): None.
FLOYD CENTRAL HIGHLANDERS
FRESH FACES
Inexperienced Highlanders on quest for back-to-back winning seasons BY CHRIS STONER
sports@newsandtribune.com
FLOYDS KNOBS — Last year, a senior-laden group propelled Floyd Central to its first winning season since 2011. Now a young team with new faces will try to make it back-to-back winning campaigns for the first time in 15 years. “We have a completely different team this season,” second-year head coach Todd Sturgeon said. “We lost several seniors, five of our top six scorers, so we’re putting together a different team that should be fun to watch.” The Highlanders experienced a marked improvement at the defensive end under Sturgeon’s guidance. That is a trend that needs to continue for Floyd to compete in the rugged Hoosier Hills Conference. “We haven’t shown many positives defensively yet in practice so far,” Sturgeon quipped. “That’s something we’re just going to have to work at. Last year we had a lot of size, quickness, and strength. That’s a good combination to have for defense. We had the physical tools to guard last year. This year we won’t quite be as physically gifted of a team as a year ago, but hopefully we have a basketball IQ that will make up for some things.” With so many new players that will see significant varsity minutes this season, Floyd was able to get a lot of guys some much needed experience over the summer. “We had a good summer,” Sturgeon said. “We had some guys missing and I’m sure other teams did also, but I still thought we got a lot accomplished and some of our young guys showed they can come to the varsity level and compete. There are six or seven guys who I think have made marked improvements. Right now, I’m looking at nine guys who could start. I hope that means we’ll have some depth this year.” Sturgeon said he hasn’t had a formal talk with his team about season goals, but senior Garrett Mehling got straight to the point when asked about team goals. “We talk about competing to win every game and then win a sectional,” he said. “We’re a smart team. We move the ball well and play as a team.” Many coaches have to battle a selfish player or two that can destroy chemis-
Connor Spurgeon will be looked upon to be a leader for a Floyd Central squad with little varsity experience. | FILE PHOTO
try. Sturgeon said that is the last thing he will have to worry about with this year’s Highlanders. “We have a lot of good passers on this team and that can be contagious,” he said. “Guys are sharing the basketball so far in practice. We also have a high basketball IQ as a team and have a lot of guys who have played basketball their whole lives. We think we have a chance to have a really good season.” Senior Connor Sturgeon is the team’s returning leading scorer and rebounder. The coach’s son will be expected to step into a leadership role this season. “I feel like I can be that leader both on and off the court for this team,” the younger Sturgeon said. “We have a bunch of young guys this year. We have a lot of smart guys who know what they’re doing but I just try to talk out there and remind guys of where they need to be. We have a bunch of
high character guys so I don’t have to say too much about off the court stuff, but just to make sure we’re going the right thing and staying together as a team.” Coach Sturgeon didn’t shy away from the red and black elephant in the room: second-ranked and defending sectional champion New Albany. Floyd’s road to the top of the Hoosier Hills Conference and a sectional championship must go through its archrival. “New Albany certainly has the most pieces returning and they won it last year,” he said. “They are in our back yard, in our conference and in our sectional, so obviously they’re a focal point on what we’re trying to do. We had a winning season last year, which hasn’t happened here in a few years, so now we need to build on that and keep growing our program.”
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