Final Boys Top-10 Poll

Northwest Indiana

(3-26-2003)

A USA-365.com Special Report By Mark Smith

1.  East Chicago (18-6)

East Chicago Thanksgiving Tournament
11-29-2:  70-53 Lew Wallace (8-11)
11-30-2:  58-60 (OT) Gary Roosevelt (23-2)  title

12-5-2:  62-63 (OT)  (South Bend) Clay (11-11)
12-6-2:  72-81 at (South Bend) Riley (22-4)
12-13-2:  64-35 Michigan City (9-13)
12-13-2:  60-55 at Crown Point (11-11)
12-20-2:   66-64 at Lake Central (14-8)
12-21-2:   75-71 at (Indianapolis) Arlington (14-8)
1-4-3:    56-53 Mount Carroll, Ill.  (26-2)
1-10-3:   58-46 (Indianapolis) Manual (4-18)
1-11-3:    69-53 Mishawaka (8-14)
1-18-3:   57-58 Elkhart Central (20-5)
1-21-3: 73-56  at Hammond (8-14)
1-24-3:  61-62  at Gary Roosevelt  (23-2) 
1-30-3: 66-58 Gary West Side (7-12)
2-5-3:   49-47 at Wirt (12-9)
2-12-3:  88-59 (Indy) Broad Ripple (3-16)
2-13-3:  88-75 Lew Wallace  (8-11)
2-20-3:  48-41  Merrillville (15-11)
2-28-3:  74-70 Andrean  (11-12)

Gary West Side (4A) Sectional
3-4-3:  39-38 Munster (21-2)
3-7-3:  57-56 Lake Central (14-8)
3-8-3: 67-49 Lowell (11-13)

Plymouth (4A) Sectional
3-15-3:  53-57 Merrillville (15-10)

East Chicago should have beat Merrillville.  There's just no two ways about it.  Tremaine Cooley (11.9 ppg.) and Mel Brown (10.3 ppg.) come back next season as does guard Kyum Gillis (3.2 ppg.).  Bishop Noll's Gary Patterson (23.1 ppg.) lives in East Chicago and there's talk he'll come back to his hometown school.  That would make East Chicago a top-10 team.

2. Gary Roosevelt (23-2)

East Chicago Thanksgiving Tournament
11-29-2:  63-40   Portage (7-12)
11-30-2:  60-58 (OT)  East Chicago (18-6) title

12-2-2:  69-59 Valparaiso (17-4)
12-12-2: 91-73 at Lew Wallace  (8-11)
12-18-2:  67-65 at Andrean (11-12)
12-21-2:   67-57 Merrillville (15-11)

Gary Holiday Tournament
12-27-2:  71-67 West Side (7-13)
12-28-2:  83-72  Lew Wallace (8-11)  title

1-11-3:  37-45 (Chicago) Morgan Park (12-13)
1-16-3:  64-58 Gary West Side (7-12)
1-18-3:  77-65 (Michigan) Buena Vista
1-24-3:  62-61 East Chicago (18-6)
1-25-3: 81-63 at (South Bend) Washington (8-12)
1-31-3:  55-48 Wirt (12-9)
2-5-3:  100-66 Hammond  (8-14)
2-12-3: 50-38 at Bishop Noll (12-10)
2-13-3:  63-62 Lake Central (14-8)
2-20-3: 53-41  at Crown Point (11-11)
2-28-3: 87-63 (Indy) Broad Ripple  (3-18)

Calumet (3A) Sectional
3-7-3:  59-56 Griffith (18-4)
3-8-3:  73-54 Andrean (11-12)

Plymouth (3A) Regional
3-15-3:  51-66 Highland (16-9)
3-15-3:  68-43  Knox  (20-4)

Lafayette (3A) SemiState
3-22-3:  68-71 (Fort Wayne) Elmhurst (22-6)

Roosevelt didn't really have a half court defense.  If you broke their press (which few could), you could score if you had good offensive players.  Elmhurst's coach said something telling. He said that Roosevelt was just like a team in their (Summit) Conference, Harding.  Whether that's true or not, folks in northwest Indiana would tell you that Roosevelt was second to none. Once again, we had them overrated.

The future is bright. Tyrone Appleton and Robert Jenkins are a good guard tandem to start with. But if Gary Roosevelt isn't even facing the top teams in the state tournament anymore.  Their path was Andrean, Highland, Griffith, Knox and Elmhurst.  If you can't win in 3A, you aren't really a top program.

3. MERRILLVILLE (15-11)

11-29-2:  64-49 Highland (16-9)
11-30-2:  50-53 Munster (23-2)
12-14-2;  61-58 Andrean (11-12)
12-20-2:  66-52 at Michigan City (9-13)
12-21-2:  57-67 at Gary Roosevelt (23-2)

Hamilton Tournament
12-27-2:  41-62 at Hamilton Southeastern (17-4)
12-28-2:  58-50 Franklin (2-19)

1-3-3:    66-78 at Frankfort (11-8)
1-4-3:    44-47  at Griffith (18-4)
1-11-3:   53-43 Crown Point (11-11)
1-17-3:  76-70 at LaPorte (15-6)
1-18-3:   65-64 at Lake Central (14-8)
1-24-3:  30-52 (South Bend ) Adams (16-7)
1-25-3:  62-52 Hobart (7-14)
1-31-3:  62-74 at Portage  (8-13)
2-1-3:   64-43  Boone Grove (11-12)
2-7-3:   60-63 Chesterton (16-6)
2-13-3:  59-61 Valparaiso (17-4)
2-20-3:  41-48 at East Chicago (18-6)
2-28-3:  51-41 Penn (13-9)

Valparaiso (4A) Sectional
3-4-3:    61-58 Valparaiso (17-4)
3-7-3:    47-46 Chesterton (16-6)
3-8-3:     70-56 Crown Point (11-11) title

Michigan City  (4A) Regional
3-15-3:   57-53 East Chicago (18-6)
3-15-3:    69-68  (South Bend) Riley (22-4) title

Lafayette (4A) Semistate
3-22-3    51-66 DeKalb (26-2)

Merrillville had a very strong post-season with four come from behind wins. They were a well-coached team and they have a lot of depth.  The Pirates need some size up front or this is about as far as they can go.  Josh Mayo (13.3) and LaVell Cook (15.1) will make them a winning team in 2004.


4. Munster (23-2)

11-29-2:  66-37  at Highland  (16-10)
11-30-2:  53-50  at Merrillville (15-11)
12-2-2:    73-49 Andrean (11-12)
12-6-2:   76-61  Frankfort (13-8) at the Hammond Civic Center
12-13:    60-47 Hammond (8-14)
12-14:    78-58  Lake Central  (14-8)
12-21-2:  57-55 at Chesterton (16-6)

Highland Holiday Tournament
12-27-2:  68-55 Crown Point (11-11)
12-28-2:  52-43 at Highland (16-10)  title

1-4-3:   66-60  Portage (8-13)
1-11-3:  70-56  Lowell (11-13) 
1-18-3:  86-49 at Calumet (3-18)
1-24-3:  66-28 Gavit (1-20)
1-28-3:  62-47 at Hammond (8-14)
2-1-3:  46-53 at Griffith (18-4)
2-2-3:  82-59 Crown Point (11-11)
2-9-3:   72-47 Hobart (7-14)

Lake Athletic Conference (LAC) Tournament
2-13-3:  54-52 Andrean  (11-12)
2-18-3:  61-35 Morton (12-10) quarterfinals
2-20-3:  56-41 Highland (16-10) semifinals
2-21-3:  47-40 Griffith (18-4) title

2-28-3:  52-25 Morton (12-10)

Gary West Side (4A) Sectional
3-4-3:  38-39 East Chicago (18-5)

Munster did as well as they could have. The 21 wins is an all-time school record and they did win the LAC title.  The Mustangs suffer from the same thing Highland girls suffer from. They play in a weak conference and then they take a steep upgrade in competition during the state tournament.  You can't get ready for East Chicago by playing Highland and Hammond. It's just that simple.

5. LaPorte  (15-6)

11-27-2:  80-96 at (South Bend) Riley (22-4)
12-4-2:   81-42  New Prairie (16-7)
12-14-2:  61-50  Elkhart Central  (21-5)
12-20-2: 78-44   Hobart (7-14)
12-21-2: 95-68  South Central (13-11)

Michigan City Holiday Tournament
12-27-2:  60-71 Valparaiso  (17-4)
12-28-2:  78-67 Michigan City  (9-13)  3rd place

1-3-3:  71-74  at Clay (11-11)
1-4-3:  56-57 Lake Central (14-8)
1-11-3:  83-77 (OT) at Portage (8-13)
1-17-3:  70-76 Merrillville (13-10)
1-18-3:   90-50 Elkhart Memorial (2-19)
1-25-3:   78-60  Valparaiso (17-4)
1-31-3:  73-49 Michigan City (9-13)
2-1-3:   73-57 at Plymouth (7-14)
2-7-3:   82-51  at Crown Point (11-11)
2-13-3:  68-63 at Chesterton (16-6)
2-16-3: 86-56 Kankakee Valley (3-18)
2-20-3:  80-47 at (SB) St. Joseph's (4-18)
2-26-3:  60-58 Goshen (15-7)

Michigan City (4A) Sectional
3-4-3:    57-65 (South Bend) Riley (22-4)

LaPorte got the worst draw in all of northwest Indiana. The Slicers were bombed by Riley to begin the season and they probably knew they could not beat the South Bend champs.  Still, this was an above-average season.  LaPorte was the DAC champ and they defeated three sectional champions.

6. Valparaiso (17-4)

11-27-2:  73-36  at Boone Grove (11-12)
12-3-2:  59-69 at Gary Roosevelt (23-2)
12-14-2:  84-56 Elkhart Memorial (3-18)
12-20-2:  55-44 at Chesterton (16-6)
12-21-2: 69-57 (SB) Clay (11-11)

Michigan City Holiday Tournament
12-27-2:  71-60 LaPorte (15-6)
12-28-2:  78-57 Michigan City (9-13)

Valparaiso went 17-4 against a very tough schedule. They lost to Merrillville because Merrillville has a better team. Everybody thought so at the start of the season. Valpo won a huge amount of games with an al-new starting five.  Mike Hills (12.1 ppg.), Quantrell Blake (10.5 ppg.) and Brian McMillan (10.5 ppg.) had above average seasons.  17-4 was Valpo's best record in nine years.

7. Lake Central  (14-8)

11-27-2:   75-41   Lowell (11-13)
11-30-2:   86-85 at Crown Point (11-11)
12-6-2:     87-70 Kankakee Valley (3-18)
12-13-2:   74-47 at Portage (8-13)
12-14-2:   58-78 at Munster  (21-2)
12-20-2:   64-66 East Chicago (18-6)

Benton Central Holiday Tournament
12-28-2:  49-57 Carmel  (14-8)
12-28-2:  70-58 Logansport  (6-15)  3rd place

Lake Central had a strong season with two victories over sectional champions and a 57-56 win over DAC champ LaPorte. Point guard David Hoffmaster, shooting guard Brett Summers and 6-7 center Kevin Parkinson can form a good future.  The entry into the DAC will be good for Lake Central's basketball program.

11-26-2:  78-24 at River Forest (7-14)
12-7-2:   49-47 Wheeler (21-3)
12-14-2:    73-66 at (SB) Clay (11-11)
12-20-2:    44-55   Valparaiso (17-4)
12-21-2:   55-57  Munster (21-2)

Huntington Tournament
12-28-2:  80-34  Calumet (3-18)
12-28-2:  52-45  at Huntington North (7-14)  title

1-4-3:  62-57 at Mishawaka (8-14)
1-10-3:  71-65 Lake Central (14-8)
1-11-3:  73-42 at Hobart  (7-14) 
1-18-3:  56-50  Highland   (16-9) 
1-21-3: 84-73   Andrean (11-12)
1-25-3: 73-59  at Portage (8-13)
1-31-3:  73-59  Crown Point (11-11)
2-7-3:   63-60 at Merrillville (13-10)
2-8-3:    77-84 (South Bend) Riley  (22-4)
2-13-3:  63-68 LaPorte (15-6)
2-18-3:  37-46 Michigan City (9-13)
2-20-3:  62-53 at Boone Grove (11-12)
2-25-3:  78-55 Calumet (3-18)

Valparaiso (4A) Sectional
3-4-3:    71-56 Portage (8-13)
3-7-3:    46-47 Merrillville (15-11)

Chesterton lost a five point forth quarter lead against Merrillville, but the Pirates lost a 17-point lead in the regular season meeting.  Let's face it.  Merrillville, CP, Portage, Chesterton and Valparaiso will always have trouble getting out of this sectional.
Matt Campbell (17.1 ppg.) was all-DAC and Mike Yagelski (12.7 ppg.) and Tom Radtke (12.0) had good years although Radtke tailed off scoring-wise at the end.  Campbell's 17.1 was the 15th best Chesterton scoring average of all time.
The total of 16 wins ties the most victories in 20 years for Chesterton.

9. Griffith (18-4)

12-5-2:   64-28 at Gavit (1-20)
12-13-2:   40-59 Crown Point (11-11)
12-16-2:   69-45 Hebron (9-11)
12-21-2:   50-45 Andrean (11-12)
12-21-2:  72-48 at Peru (4-18)
1-4-3:  47-44 Merrillville (13-10)
1-9-3: 67-41 Lake Station (1-20)
1-11-3: 52-25 at Whiting (8-13)
1-15-3:  74-54 at Wheeler (21-3)
1-18-3:  63-43 Highland (16-10)
1-24-3:  73-60 at Hobart  (7-14)
1-25-3:  70-50  at Hammond (8-14)
1-28-3:  43-36  at Clark (6-14)
2-1-3:   53-46 Munster (21-2)
2-6-3:   30-33 Morton (12-10)
2-8-3:   58-33 at Lowell (11-13)

Lake Athletic Conference Tournament
2-18-3:  50-27 Gavit (1-20) quarterfinals
2-20-3:  60-54 Lowell (11-13)  semifinals
2-21-3:  40-47 Munster (21-2) championship

2-25-3:  56-50 at Bishop Noll (11-11)
2-28-3   60-23 Calumet (3-18)

Griffith had the same problem Munster did. There was absolutely no way they could beat Roosevelt after playing Morton and Gavit all year.  Kenny Harris apparently hurt his foot the week before the playoffs.  He played very little against Calumet.  The Panthers graduate eight seniors, so next year will be significantly different for them.  But guard Shawn Mathis and 6-6 center Todd Polgar will allow them to compete in the weak LAC.

10. CROWN POINT (11-11)

11-27-2:  74-46 at Gavit (1-20)
11-30-2:  85-86  Lake Central (14-8)
12-5-2:  76-41 at Clark  (5-16)
12-6-2:   56-54 (West Lafayette) Harrison (12-9)
12-13-2:  59-40 at Griffith (18-4)
12-14-2:  55-60 East Chicago (18-5)
12-20-2:  79-68 Portage (8-13)

Highland Holiday Tournament
12-27-2:  55-68 Munster (21-2)
12-28-2:  69-33 Kankakee Valley (3-18)

Valparaiso (4A) Sectional
3-7-3:  58-42 Hobart (7-14)
3-8-3:  56-70 Merrillville (15-11)

CP's nightmare against Merrillville continues. The Bulldogs have lost 10 games in a row to Merrillville and they lost a 14-point half-time lead in Saturday's game.  Over 17 years, the Pirates have won 28 of 30 games from CP and the immediate future of the series does not look promising for CP.  The Bulldogs lose six seniors including key players Chad Pruzin (8.9), Brian Sparks (14.5 ppg.) and Chris Thomas (19.8 ppg.) a low-Division I prospect.  CP begins rebuilding for the 2005 tournament when they can again be sectional and regional title contenders. The Bulldogs were 10th in the region but only 5th in the DAC.  With LC coming in, it's hard to see that changing next season.

SMALL SCHOOLS

1. Wheeler (21-4)

11-29-2:  87-54 River Forest (7-14)
12-3-2:  104-38  Lake Station (1-20)
12-5-2:  47-49  at Chesterton (16-6)
12-13-2: 59-54 at Morgan Township (17-8)
12-14-2: 79-47 at Marquette (3-18)
12-20-2:  70-50 LaCrosse (10-10)

Wheeler BearCat Invitational Holiday Tournament
12-27-2: 75-24 Lake Station (1-20)
12-28-2: 59-48 Hobart (7-14) title

BOONE GROVE (2A) Sectional
3-4-3:  71-51 Lake Station (1-20)
3-7-3:  74-45 North Newton  (12-10)
3-8-3:  66-69 at Boone Grove (10-11)

A very tough loss for coach Randy Stelter and the BearCats. Truthfully, Boone gave Wheeler trouble in the first meeting and the Cats played like a team that had never been behind before.  The 41-17 first half is not something an experienced team should ever let happen against an inferior opponent but playing Lake Station three times doesn't help you.  Todd Schafer (30.3  ppg.) ends his career as the first Porter County player to ever average 30 a game.  He finished with 1,914 points. Matt McDonald (15.1 ppg.) should play at a Div. II or NAIA school.  The loss broke a 14-game winning streak.   Wheeler will be able to compete in the weak LAC next year but Boone (and now Bishop Noll) will still be at the sectional.

2. Morgan Township (17-8)

11-29-2:   48-66  at Knox (20-4)
12-6-2:    68-56   North Judson (4-17)
12-13-2:   54-59  Wheeler (21-3)
12-14-2:  63-50  Culver Military (5-15)
12-17-2:  51-42 Whiting (8-13)
12-21-2:  48-57 at Hebron (9-11)

South County  Tournament (at Kouts)
12-27-2:  58-65  at Kouts (18-4)
12-28-2:  69-58  Boone Grove (10-11)  3rd place
1-11-3:  73-47 at Marquette (3-18)
1-17-3:  70-60 at LaCrosse (10-10)
1-18-3:  38-52 at Valparaiso (17-4) 

Porter County Conference (PCC) Tournament
1-23-3:   66-48 at Boone Grove  (11-12)  quarterfinals
1-25-3:   59-60 Hanover Central  (12-10)   semifinals
1-31-3:  78-60  at Hanover Central (12-10)
2-1-3:   70-57 South Central (13-11)

2-7-3:   52-49 Boone Grove (11-12)
2-13-3:  63-64 at Kouts (17-4) 
2-20-3:  85-33 Oregon-Davis (1-20)
2-21-3:  51-47 at Westville (10-12)
2-28-3:  60-41 Washington Township (9-12)

Boone Grove (1A) Sectional
3-4-3:   58-48 Hebron (9-11)
3-7-3:   67-63 Kouts (18-4)
3-8-3:   44-37 West Central (5-17) title

Caston (1A) Regional
3-15-3:  47-37 Caston (12-11)
3-15-3:  46-54 BlackHawk Christian (17-12)

Morgan could've reached the semistate but they would have had a problem with state finalist Lafayette Catholic. 6-3 Matty Bush (21.2 ppg,.) and 6-5 Nate McGinley (9.0 ppg.) return next season along with 6-1 forward Joel Phillips (3.8 ppg.) and 5-9 guard Brian Melton (2.2 ppg.,).  This appears to be a very strong team for 2004 if they can come up with a couple  more role players.



3. Kouts (18-4)

11-27-2:   87-39  at West Central (5-17)
11-29-2:   63-50 at Hebron (9-11)
12-6-2:  72-55 North Newton (12-10)
12-13-2:  63-58 at South Central (14-12)
12-14-2:  101-72 Kankakee Valley (3-18)
12-20-2: 76-46 Westville   (10-12)

South County  Tournament (at Kouts)
12-27-2:  65-58  Morgan Township (17-8)
12-28-2:  70-57 Hebron (9-11)
1-10-3: 60-45 at North Judson (4-18)
1-11-3:  88-53 Oregon-Davis (1-20)
1-17-3:  80-65 at Washington Township (9-12)
1-18-3:  67-64 Rensselaer (12-9)

Porter County Conference (PCC) Tournament
1-22-3:   40-36  Washington Township  (9-12) 
1-23-3:  59-63 Wheeler (21-3)   semifinals

2-1-3:  62-67 at Boone Grove  (11-12)
2-8-3:  53-72 at Wheeler (21-3)
2-13-3:  64-63 Morgan Township (17-8)
2-20-3:  84-70 at Hanover Central (12-10)
2-25-3:  108-59 at North White (0-21)
2-28-3:  73-70 LaCrosse (10-10)

Kouts (1A) Sectional
3-4-3:  94-69 LaCrosse (10-10)
3-7-3:  63-67 Morgan Township (17-8)

The loss to Morgan wasn't that big a surprise. Kouts was lucky to beat the Mustangs the other two times they met.  Hise (25.5 ppg.) finishes as the state's fourth-leading scorer.  Adam Pendowski (15.9 ppg.) tailed off as the year went along.  Hise finished with 2,022 points and he is the only Porter County player ever to score 2,000. Andrean's Shane Power (2,110) is the only Lake County player to score 2,000.  Delray Brooks (2,324) is the only LaPorte County player to score 2,000.  This was a once-in-a-generation team for Kouts. They'll be back soon in the 1A playoffs and they could win a sectional next year if 6-4 Justin Birky plus junior Justin Hefner develop.
But they won't be in the state's top-10 against for some time.

4. BOONE GROVE (11-12)

11-27-2:  36-73 at Valparaiso (17-4)
12-5-2:  61-46 Washington Township (9-11)
12-13-2:  63-36 River Forest (7-14)
12-20-3:  58-62 (OT) Kankakee Valley (3-18)
12-21-2:  59-49 Knox (20-4)

South County Tournament (at Kouts)
12-27-2:   55-58 Hebron (9-11)  semifinals
12-28-2:   58-69 Morgan Township (16-9)  3rd place

1-10-3:   58-54 at Hanover Central (12-10)
1-18-3:   46-65 at Portage (8-13)

Porter County Conference (PCC) Tournament
1-23-3:  49-66 Morgan Township (17-8)  quarterfinals
1-31-3:  65-60 Kouts (18-4) title

2-1-3:  43-64 at Merrillville (15-11)
2-7-2:  49-52 at Morgan Township (17-8)
2-8-3:   54-32 at North Judson (3-18)
2-12-3:  56-53 Hebron (9-11)
2-15-3:  52-57 Wheeler (21-3)
2-20-3: 53-62 Chesterton (16-6)
2-21-3: at 72-48 LaCrosse (10-10)
2-28-3:  50-75 Lake Central (14-8)

BOONE GROVE (2A) Sectional
3-7-3:  64-58 (OT) Rensselaer (12-9)
3-8-3:  69-66 Wheeler (21-3) title

Triton (2A) Regional
3-15-3:  71-59 (OT) at Triton (14-11)
3-15-3:  42-59 Northfield (15-11)

Playing half the DAC got them set to upset No. 6 Wheeler, the league champ. Michael Christensen (11.7 ppg.) burned Wheeler and Nick Somers scored a career-high 21 against Rensselaer.  Phil Bien (7.1 ppg.) averaged 12.3 ppg in four state tournament games so it's obvious what he can do.  6-3 forward Danny Borys (9.0 ppg.) has two more seasons and 6-4 Will Mitchell (5.2 ppg.) has two more years.  Boone had a losing season for the first time in eight years but, if they can find some depth at guard, they will rise back to the top of the PCC next year.



5. HANOVER CENTRAL  (12-10)

11-27-2:   60-34 at Lake Station (1-20)
11-29-2:   49-38 Elmwood Park, Ill. (12-17)
12-6-2:    46-40 Hebron (9-11)
12-14-2:   56-62 at Washington Township (9-11)
12-21-2:   59-45 at Kankakee Valley (3-18)
12-28-2:  41-40 Gavit (1-20)
1-3-3:     44-48 Lowell (11-13)
1-7-3:   62-546 Whiting (8-13)
1-11-3:  54-58 Boone Grove (11-12)
1-15-3:  48-42 at Beecher, Ill, (12-16)

Porter County Conference (PCC) Tournament
1-23-3:   77-70 (OT) Hebron  (9-11) quarterfinals 
1-25-3:  60-59 Morgan Township (17-8)  semifinals
1-25-3:  67-98  Wheeler (21-3)  title

BOONE GROVE (2A) Sectional
3-4-3:  51-72 North Newton  (12-10)

Hanover's 5-game losing streak dulled the season, HC's first winning season since 1997.   Jeff Johnson (13.9 ppg.) and Brandon Hegg (10.3) will both be back next year but the Cats have to develop an inside game or they will struggle at tournament time. With all the top players graduating at Kouts and Wheeler leaving the league, next year should be the year for Morgan, Boone and HC in the PCC.  But North Newton exposed what the Cats need at forward.  HC allowed more points than they scored this year. They will have to be very good to overcome the lack of a center.

HOOP NOTES - The state title game of Pike and DeKalb will be on WJOB (1230) AM. The 3A and 4A title games will be on WEFM (95.9) FM.   No northwest Indiana basketball teams (boys or girls) reached the state finals.

Gary Roosevelt had the largest crowd at the Lafayette Semistate, almost 2,500.
Channel 56 did not carry any state tournament games, possibly for the first time in their history.  The IHSAA fee is the reason.

The TV stations brag, but Boone Grove has never had a state tournament game on television. They have won six of the last seven Class 2A sectional titles and the last two in a row.  Gavit and Andrean presently do not have head boys basketball coaches but Merrillville coach Jim East says he'll be back next season.

The only other remotely possible coaching changes would be if athletic directors Randy Stelter (Wheeler) or Bobby Miles (EC) decided to concentrate on the AD role and hire head coaches.

The sale of radio station WJOB will significantly limit live games on radio next year.
WHLP (89.9), WGVE (88.7) FM and WEFM (95.9) all carry games but only WGVE can be heard throughout Lake County. There is no other NW Indiana station that can carry live ballgames.

Katie Geralds (31.1 ppg.) of Beech Grove was voted as the Indiana player of the year.
The East Chicago NW Indiana all-star classic will be held in April.



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