Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.

     9150 North Meridian Street, Box 40650, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240-0650

Phone: 317-846-6601    Fax: 317-575-4244    Website: www.ihsaa.org

Blake Ress, Commissioner

____________________________________________________________________

MEDIA INFORMATION

March 14, 2007

Contact: Jason Wille, Sports Information Director

E-mail: jwille@ihsaa.org

 

TWO DEFENDING CHAMPS RETURN TO GYMNASTICS STATE FINALS

Two defending state champions as well as the two-time defending team champion are included in the field for the 35th Annual Gymnastics State Finals at Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis on Saturday.

 

The opening ceremonies begin at 12:30 pm ET / 11:30 am CT with competition in four events beginning 30 minutes later.

 

A total of 27 schools are represented in the meet with eight – Carmel, Center Grove, Chesterton, Columbus North, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran, Lawrence Central and Valparaiso – in the running for the team title. Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger is the two-time defending state champion and winner in three of the last four state meets. All but Carmel, Columbus North and Fort Wayne Concordia are returnees from last year’s competition.

 

The Saints, who captured their state record eight consecutive regional crown last weekend at Huntington North by just .025 of a point, return the bulk of last year’s participants that set a state finals record with 113.300 points. Among them is junior Jeanna Van Hoey, the two-time defending champ in the uneven bars. She also claimed the all-around title as a freshman in 2005.

 

Katelyn Fernandes is the other returning state champ from a year ago. The Center Grove sophomore claimed the vaulting crown in 2006 helping her team to a runner-up finish, just .2 of a point behind Bishop Dwenger. The Trojans won their fifth straight regional title last week at Columbus East.

 

Lawrence Central, top-ranked in the state coaches poll, also won its fourth consecutive regional last weekend at Harrison (West Lafayette). After a third place finish last year, the Bears will be looking for their first gymnastics state title this weekend.

 

Order of Participants

 

TOURNAMENT NOTES

 

Teams Represented (27)

Cambridge City Lincoln, Carmel, Carroll (Fort Wayne), Center Grove, Chesterton, Columbus East, Columbus North, Connersville, Crown Point, Eastbrook, Elkhart Central, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran, Fort Wayne Snider, Hagerstown, Hobart, Huntington North, Jeffersonville, Lawrence Central, Logansport, Muncie Southside, Perry Meridian, Plainfield, Roncalli, Southmont, Valparaiso, Western.

 

Competing for Team Championship (8)

Carmel, Center Grove, Chesterton, Columbus North, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran, Lawrence Central, Valparaiso.

 

Defending State Champions in the Meet

§         Vault – Katelyn Fernandes, 10, Center Grove.

§         Uneven Bars – Jeanna Van Hoey, 11, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger.

 

Other Former State Champions in the Meet

§         Uneven Bars, All-Around – Jeanna Van Hoey, 11, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (won both in 2005).

 

35th Annual IHSAA Gymnastics State Finals

Date: Saturday, Mar. 17.

Time: Opening ceremonies at 12:30 pm ET; Competition at 1 pm ET.

Admission: $7.00.

Site: Perry Meridian High School, 401 W. Meridian School Road, Indianapolis.

Media Host: IHSAA Sports Information Director Jason Wille will be on hand to assist you in your coverage of the event.

Media Credentials: The “2006-07 IHSAA State Finals Media Credential” is good for admission. For individuals needing credentials, please fax a request on company letterhead to Jason Wille at 317-575-4244 immediately.

Programs: Complimentary copies of the official state finals program will be available for members of the media and include the order of participants in each event as well as some history behind the event.

Working Space: Tables, chairs and electrical power will be available in the balcony area for use by the media. The school’s athletic office will have an available phone line for filing stories and photographs following the meet.

Photographers: With the exception of the IHSAA’s Official Photographer from “Visual Sports Network”, all photographers should remain off the competition floor during the event. The lower level bleachers are available for your use. After the event, you will be welcome on the floor for the award ceremonies. Also, during the event, please use discretion when photographing the athletes as your camera strobe can pose a danger to the safety of the athletes during their performances. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Results: Copies of the official results will be distributed at the meet’s conclusion and will also be posted to the IHSAA website at www.ihsaa.org.

 

 

TRIP TO BASKETBALL STATE FINALS ON THE LINE SATURDAY

Nearly half the field of 16 teams will be gunning for its first appearance in the March 24 state finals when semi-state action takes place this Saturday at four sites around the state. Each site will host a doubleheader with the first game beginning at 1 pm ET / 12 pm CT.

 

Each of the winners will earn a spot in the 97th State Finals at Conseco Fieldhouse.

 

Seven teams – East Chicago Central, Fairfield, Lanesville, Northwestern, NorthWood, Oregon-Davis and Providence – will be attempting to reach the state finals for the first time in school history. This comes on the heels of Fairfield, Lanesville, NorthWood and Providence each winning the first regional title in school history.

 

In Class 4A, Bloomington South, which faces North Central of Indianapolis in the second game at Southport, hopes to break a 47-year state finals drought. The Panthers fell in the 1960 state semifinal round. In 3A, Evansville Bosse also hopes to end a string of 25 years without an appearance in Indianapolis. The Bulldogs will take on Batesville in the second game at Seymour.

 

Results from each game will be posted to ihsaa.org on Saturday as soon as possible.

 

Semi-States

Date: Saturday, March 17.

Admission: $7.

Times: All listed as Eastern Time unless noted otherwise.

Home Team: The second team listed in each game is the designated home team.

 

North

1.   Lafayette Jefferson

A – Lafayette Central Catholic (19-6) vs. Oregon-Davis (25-1). 1 pm

4A – Marion (21-3) vs. East Chicago Central (21-3). 3:45 pm

 

2.   Warsaw

2A – Northwestern (23-2) vs. Fairfield (19-7). 1 pm

3A – NorthWood (19-5) vs. Plymouth (23-2). 3:30 pm

 

South

3.   Southport

2A – Providence (22-3) vs. Winchester (21-4). 1 pm

4A – Bloomington South (21-4) vs. North Central (Indianapolis) (20-4). 3:30 pm

 

4.   Seymour

A – Barr-Reeve (22-3) vs. Lanesville (23-3). 1 pm

3A – Evansville Bosse (21-4) vs. Batesville (22-3). 3:30 pm

 

 

State Finals

Date: Saturday, March 24.

Site: Conseco Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis.

Conseco Fieldhouse | No. 1 Venue in Sports | Seating Chart | Driving Directions | Parking | Fieldhouse History | Indy Hotels & Dining

Admission: Session $10.00; Season $18.00.

Reserved tickets can be purchased at the participating schools the week of the state finals. Contact participating schools for ticket distribution hours. Tickets also will be available game day at the ticket office at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Home Team: Winners of the south semi-states will be the designated home teams.

 

Session I

Class A State Championship – 10:30 am ET.

Class 2A State Championship – follows Class A game.

Session II

Class 3A State Championship – 6 pm ET.

Class 4A State Championship – follows Class 3A game.

 

 

TOURNAMENT NOTES

 

Seeking First State Finals Appearance

4A: East Chicago Central.

3A: NorthWood.

2A: Fairfield, Northwestern, Providence.

A: Lanesville, Oregon-Davis.

 

Seeking to Break State Finals Drought (Five or more years since last appearance)

47 – Bloomington South (1960).

25 – Evansville Bosse (1982).

8 – North Central (Indianapolis) (1999).

7 – Marion, Winchester (2000).

6 – Batesville (2001).

5 – Barr-Reeve (2002).

 

Seeking to Repeat as Semi-State Champions

None.

 

Seeking First Semi-State Championship

4A: East Chicago Central.

3A: NorthWood.

2A: Fairfield, Northwestern, Providence.

A: Lanesville, Oregon-Davis.

Note: 1935-36 was the first year for semi-states.

 

Most Consecutive Semi-State Championships

4 – Ben Davis (1993-96).

 

Top 10 All-Time Semi-State Championship Leaders (Year of last title)

13 – Marion, Muncie Central.

12 – Lafayette Jefferson.

11 – Anderson.

8 – East Chicago Washington, New Albany.

Note: 1935-36 was the first year for semi-states.

 

Best Records in the Field (Two losses or less)

4A: None.

3A: Plymouth (23-2).

2A: Northwestern (23-2).

A: Oregon-Davis (25-1).

 

Top Current Winning Streaks

16 – Providence.

13 – Northwestern.

12 – Oregon-Davis.

11 – Evansville Bosse, Winchester.

10 – Fairfield, Lanesville.

 

Ranked Teams Still Alive (State Coaches Poll)

9. North Central (Indianapolis); 12. Marion; 13. Plymouth; 15. Bloomington South; 19. East Chicago Central.

 

Ranked Teams Still Alive (AP Poll)

4A: 9. Bloomington South.

3A: 4. Plymouth; 8. Batesville; 10. Evansville Bosse.

2A: 2. Northwestern; 3. Providence; 9. Winchester.

A: 1. Oregon-Davis; 4. Barr-Reeve; 7. Lanesville; 10. Lafayette Central Catholic.

 

2005 State Champions Still Alive

None.

 

2005 State Finalist Teams Still Alive

None.

 

Former State Champions Still Alive (6)

7 – Marion – 1926, 1975, 1976, 1985, 1986, 1987, 2000 (4A).

3 – Evansville Bosse – 1944, 1945, 1962.

3 – Lafayette Central Catholic – 1998 (A), 2000 (A), 2003 (A).

1 – Bloomington South – 1919.

1 – North Central (Indianapolis) – 1999 (4A).

1 – Plymouth – 1982.

 

First-Time Regional Champions

4A – None.

3A – NorthWood.

2AFairfield, Providence.

A – Lanesville.

 

Regional Championship Droughts Broken (Five or more years)

9 years  – Evansville Bosse, Northwestern (1998).

8 – North Central (Indianapolis) (1999).

7 – Marion, Winchester (2000).

6 – Batesville, East Chicago Central (2001).

5 – Barr-Reeve (2002).

 

Repeat Regional Champions

4ABloomington South.

3APlymouth.

2A – None.

A – Oregon-Davis.

 

 

BOYS BASKETBALL STATE FINALS INTERVIEWS ON MONDAY

Coaches from the eight schools in the 2007 IHSAA Boys Basketball State Finals will gather Monday (March 19) at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for the pre-tournament administrative meeting with media interviews to follow. The school personnel meeting will be held in “Pepsi Square” but will be closed to the news media. At approximately 11:15 am ET / 10:15 am CT, the coaches will be available to answer questions from the media in a round-table setting in “Pepsi Square”.

 

At approximately 11 am ET / 10 am CT, members of the media should go to the Entry Pavilion on the north side of Conseco Fieldhouse. Fieldhouse personnel will be on hand to escort you from there to the meeting area.

 

Updated statistics, rosters and other team information as submitted by the schools will be distributed at the interview session. For outlets that cannot attend, a special state finals information package will be available on the IHSAA website later that day. If you would like to pick up your state finals credentials at the press conference, please indicate that on your request.

 

Also, the IHSAA has partnered with Olive Garden, which will cater lunch to all administrators, coaches and media in attendance on Monday. Olive Garden will also invite all eight state finalist teams to dine in one of their Indianapolis-area restaurants for a pre-game dinner preceding the state finals.  Media is invited to attend and interview the players and coaches at the team dinners. For information, contact Lopa Desai at 212-537-8248 or ldesai@gcigroup.com.

 

 

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOLS WELL-REPRESENTED IN NCAA TOURNEYS

A total of 40 men’s players and 23 women’s players who played high school basketball inside our borders will participate in this year’s NCAA basketball tournaments that begin this week.

 

North Central (Indianapolis) is represented by five individuals, while Pike has four players. Evansville Central, Harrison (West Lafayette), Lawrence North, Noblesville, and Washington each boast two players.

 

Thanks to IHSAA assistants Mike Wilson and Don Kaczorowski for compiling the following information.

 

Men’s Tournament

 

Belmont University

Jordan Campbell, 6-5, Fr, G, Indianapolis (North Central)

Patrick Brand, 6-6, So, F, Indianapolis (Heritage Christian)

 

Butler University

Pete Campbell, 6-7, Jr, F, Muncie (Yorktown)

Brandon Crone, 6-6, Sr, F, Frankfort (Frankfort)

A.J. Graves, 6-1, Sr, G, Switz City (White River Valley)

Grant Leiendecker, 6-3, Fr, G, Fort Wayne (Homestead)

Marcus Nellums, 6-4, Sr, G, Fort Wayne (Northrop)

Nick Rodgers, 6-1, Fr, G, Noblesville (Noblesville)

Ben Slaton, 6-1, So, G, Columbus (Columbus East)

Drew Streicher, 6-7, Jr, G/F, Washington (Washington)

 

Duke University

Josh McRoberts, 6-10, So, F, Carmel (Carmel)

 

Eastern Kentucky University

Ryan Dillman, 6-0, Fr, G, Evansville (Evansville Central)

 

Florida A&M University

Earnest Maul, 6-1, Jr, G, Indianapolis (Cardinal Ritter)

 

Indiana University

Adam Ahlfeld, 6-0, Jr, G, Indianapolis (North Central)

Armon Bassett, 6-1, Fr, G, Terre Haute (Terre Haute South)

A.J. Ratliff, 6-3, Jr, G, Indianapolis (North Central)

Errek Suhr, 5-8, Sr, G, Bloomington (Bloomington North)

Kyle Taber, 6-8, So, F, Evansville (Evansville Central)

 

Marquette University

Dominic James, 5-11, So, G, Richmond (Richmond)

 

Miami (Ohio) University

Antonio Ballard, 6-4, Fr, G, Jeffersonville (Jeffersonville)

 

Notre Dame, University of

Luke Harangody, 6-8, Fr, F, Schereville (Andrean)

Luke Zeller, 6-11, So, F/C, Washington (Washington)

 

Ohio State University

Mike Conley, Jr., 6-1, Fr, G, Indianapolis (Lawrence North)

Greg Oden, 7-0, Fr, C, Indianapolis (Lawrence North)

Mark Titus, 6-4, Fr, G, Brownsburg (Brownsburg)

 

Purdue University

David Teague, 6-5, Sr, G, Indianapolis (Pike)

Chris Kramer, 6-3, Fr, G, Huntington (Huntington North)

Bobby Riddell, 5-9, So, G, Lafayette (Harrison)

Chris Hartley, 6-4, Sr, G, Noblesville (Noblesville)

A.J. Graft, 6-6, Jr, F, Granger (Penn)

Geno Parker, 6-4, Fr, G, Fort Wayne (FW Snider)

 

Southern Illinois University

Jordan Armstrong, 6-6, Fr, F, Muncie (Muncie Central)

Wesley Clemmons, 6-3, So, G, Indianapolis (Northwest)

 

Tennessee, University of

Tony Passley, 6-5, So, G, Indianapolis (North Central)

 

Vanderbilt University

Dan Cage, 6-5, Sr, G, Indianapolis (Bishop Chatard)

 

Virgina, University of

Jamil Tucker, 6-8, Fr, F, Gary (Gary West Side)

 

Wright State University

Vaughn Duggins, 6-3, Fr, G, Pendleton (Pendleton Heights)

Ronnie Thomas, 6-8, So, F, Middlebury (Northridge)

 

Xavier University

Stanley Burrell, 6-3, Jr, G, Indianapolis (Ben Davis)

Justin Cage, 6-6, Sr, F, Indianapolis (Pike)

 

 

Women’s Tournament

 

Belmont University

Brittany Myers, 5-8, Jr, G, Madison (Madison Consolidated)

 

Bowling Green State University

Liz Honegger, 5-11, Sr, F, Lafayette (Laf. Jefferson)

Laura Bugher, 6-1, Fr, F, Greenwood (Indpls. Lutheran)

 

Connecticut, University of

Cassie Kerns, 6-3, So, F/C, Valparaiso (Valparaiso)

 

Florida State University

Mara Freshour, 6-1, So, G, Nashville (Brown County)

 

Maryland-Baltimore County, University of

Kristin Drabyn, 5-7, Jr, G, Avon (Avon)

Heather Luttrell, 5-11, Sr, G, Kokomo (Northwestern)

Sharri Rohde, 5-11, Sr, F, Indianapolis (Franklin Central)

 

New Mexico, University of

Julie Briody, 6-0, Sr, G, Lynnville (Tecumseh)

 

Notre Dame, University of

Ashley Barlow, 5-9, Fr, G, Indianapolis (Pike)

Danielle Ben-Tsvulun, 6-3, Fr, F, Fort Wayne (Harding)

Melissa Lechlitner, 5-7, Fr, G, South Bend (St. Joseph’s)

 

Purdue University

Brittany Dildine, 5-9, Sr, G, West Lafayette (Harrison)

Katie Gearlds, 6-1, Sr, G/F, Beech Grove (Beech Grove)

Jodie Howell, 5-11, So, G, Alexandria (Alexandria-Monroe)

FahKara Malone, 5-3, Fr, G, Evansville (Evansville Memorial)

 

Rutgers University

Dee Dee Jernigan, 5-11, Fr, G, East Chicago (East Chicago Central)

 

Southeast Missouri State University

Ashley Lovelady, 5-7, Jr, G, Elkhart (Elkhart Memorial)

 

Wisconsin-Green Bay, University of

Alex Webster, 5-9, Sr, G, Crown Point (Crown Point)

 

Xavier University

Suntana Granderson, 5-10, Sr, G, South Bend (SB Riley)

Miranda Green, 5-6, Sr, G, Indianapolis (Pike)

Amber Harris, 6-5, Fr, F, Indianapolis (North Central)

Jerri Taylor, 5-7, So, G, South Bend (SB Washington)

 

 

BOYS BASKETBALL STATISTICS

 

ATTENTION BOYS BASKETBALL COACHES

Please be sure to report your final statistics of the season at Athlistics.com upon your team’s elimination from the state tournament so that your players will continue to appear in the weekly state leaders listings through the end of the state finals. The last compilation of the season will be announced the week following the state finals.

 

Information as of Tuesday, March 13, 2007

The following lists of statistical leaders are compiled from information contained at Athlistics.com, the IHSAA’s exclusive athletic statistics reporting and publishing service. The IHSAA encourages each of its member schools to participate by registering for free at Athlistics.com and updating team and individual statistics by 10 a.m. ET / 9 a.m. CT each Monday through the end of the season. Subscribers to the site will be able to assist their favorite school’s athletic department as 25 percent of subscription revenue benefits the school designated by the individual.

 

Points per game

Name

School (Class)

Grade

G

FG

3FG

FTM

Points

High

PPG

DeShaun Thomas

Fort Wayne Bishop Luers (3A)

9

23

206

38

140

666

45

28.9

Eric Gordon

North Central (4A)

12

21

134

49

190

605

50

28.8

Eshaunte Jones

Fort Wayne North Side (4A)

12

23

124

97

98

637

43

27.7

Aaron Carter

Perry Central (2A )

12

21

144

39

148

553

43

26.3

Nate Kasper

Wheeler (2A)

12

23

190

27

98

559

44

24.3

Wes Dickinson

Western (3A)

12

23

126

50

155

557

36

24.2

Danny Lewallen

Kankakee Valley (3A)

12

21

112

59

97

498

40

23.7

Matt Howard

Connersville (3A)

12

21

177

0

142

496

42

23.6

Garrett Butcher

Edgewood (3A)

11

20

169

3

122

469

38

23.4

Kyle Kuric

Evansville Memorial (3A)

11

18

125

37

58

419

37

23.2

Melvin Sillmon

Howe Military (A)

11

21

198

0

92

488

39

23.2

Brandon Wood

Kokomo (4A)

12

18

93

52

64

406

37

22.5

Jason Chorba

Hammond Bishop Noll (2A)

11

22

117

44

119</