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

June 6, 2007

Contact: Jason Wille, Sports Information Director

E-mail: jwille@ihsaa.org

 

 

TWO DEFENDING STATE CHAMPIONS RETURN IN SOFTBALL FINALS

Three teams from the 2006 state finals, including two defending champs, have advanced back a year later as the field is set for the 23rd Annual IHSAA Softball State Finals this weekend in the Indianapolis area. This year’s field of 16 also includes three other former state champions and six teams who are making the trip for the first time.

 

Two semifinal games at four different sites will be played Friday beginning at 6:30 pm ET. The second games will not begin any earlier than 8:30 pm ET. The sites of the semifinals are as follows: Carmel (Cherry Tree Elementary) hosting Class 4A, Pike hosting 3A, North Central the site for 2A and Hamilton Southeastern the site for Class A. Saturday’s four state championship games will each be played at the Ben Davis High School Softball Complex in Indianapolis. The Class A championship contest is set to begin at 10:30 am ET, the 2A final is scheduled for 1:30 pm, 3A at 4:30 pm and 4A at 7:30 pm.

 

Boonville (3A) and Cass (2A) each won their first softball state title a year ago on two-hit shutouts. Both face big hurdles in Friday’s semifinals if they want to repeat as champs. Boonville will have to get by 3A top-ranked Pendleton Heights, while Cass’ assignment is to beat Indianapolis Scecina, a team it lost to twice on May 12 (3-0 and 5-1) and is ranked No. 1 in 2A.

 

North Posey is the third team to return from last year’s field after losing a heart-breaker to Cass in last year’s state semifinals. The Vikings took a two-run lead into the bottom of the ninth inning of last year’s contest and gave up three runs in the bottom half to lose, 4-3. North Posey will try to reach the championship game this year when it takes on first-timer Jimtown.

 

Indianapolis Lutheran (Class A), Andrean (2A) and Castle (4A) each have also hoisted the hardware in years past and are back hoping to add to their accomplishments.

 

No. 1 Lutheran won the small-school crown three years ago and is making the school’s fourth trip to the state finals in eight seasons. They’ll take on Jac-Cen-Del which is making its first trip to state.

 

Andrean is making its fourth trip since its championship season of 1998. The Fighting 59ers took the 2A title that season when the state tournament consisted of three classes. They’ll face off against Fort Wayne Bishop Luers, one the hottest teams in the finals. The Knights enter their first state finals after winning 13 straight games and 14 of their last 15.

 

Castle won the 3A championship in 2001 and return to Cherry Tree for the first time since, now as a 4A team. These Knights, winners of 15 consecutive games and 22 of their last 24, will meet McCutcheon on Friday. The Mavericks fell just short of the state title two years ago falling to Martinsville, 3-2, in nine innings.

 

Lowell and 4A top-ranked Hamilton Southeastern will meet in the other semifinal game while South Central (Union Mills) and Tecumseh meet in Class A. Tecumseh is making its third visit to the finals following its 2003 runner-up season, while the former three have advanced this far for the first time in school history.

 

Meet the Teams

For roster, stats and schedules on all 16 teams in this year’s state finals, click here.

 

Driving Directions

For driving directions to all four semifinal sites as well as for Saturday’s state championship games at Ben Davis, click here.

 

State Finals

Date: Friday, June 8 (Semifinals); Saturday, June 9 (Championships).

Admission: $8 per session; $12 both sessions.

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

 

Semifinal Games

Class 4A

Carmel (Cherry Tree Softball Complex, 13989 Hazel Dell Parkway, Carmel)

Game 1: Castle vs. McCutcheon. 6:30 pm ET

Game 2: Lowell vs. Hamilton Southeastern. 8:30 pm ET

 

Class 3A

Pike (5401 W. 71st Street, Indianapolis)

Game 1: Andrean vs. Fort Wayne Bishop Luers. 6:30 pm ET

Game 2: Boonville vs. Pendleton Heights. 8:30 pm ET

 

Class 2A

North Central (1801 E. 86th Street, Indianapolis)

Game 1: Indianapolis Scecina vs. Cass. 6:30 pm ET

Game 2: North Posey vs. Jimtown. 8:30 pm ET

 

Class A

Hamilton Southeastern (13910 E. 126th Street, Fishers)

Game 1: Jac-Cen-Del vs. Winner at Indianapolis Lutheran. 6:30 pm ET

Game 2: Tecumseh vs. Winner at South Central (Union Mills). 8:30 pm ET

 

Championship Games

Ben Davis, 1200 N. Girls School Road, Indianapolis, IN

Class A

Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. 10:30 am ET

Class 2A

Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. 1:30 pm ET

Class 3A

Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. 4:30 pm ET

Class 4A

Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner. 7:30 pm ET

 

Media Information

 

Media Hosts – Sports Information Director Jason Wille, Communications Director Chris Kaufman and other members of the IHSAA staff will be at each site to assist in your coverage.

 

Media Credentials: The 2006-07 IHSAA State Finals Media Credential issued previously this year will allow for admission to each site. Those outlets needing credentials should fax a letterhead request immediately to Sports Information Director Jason Wille at 317-575-4244. The application deadline is Thursday at 4 pm ET / 3 pm CT. Approved requests will be available for pickup at the site requested on Friday or Saturday. Those wishing to broadcast at any site should immediately contact Liz Milne of Associated Sports Productions at 317-633-1462 to make arrangements.

 

Services – Starting lineups and game programs will be circulated to members of the media in attendance at Friday’s semifinal sites. Computer-generated official box scores will be available only during Saturday’s four state championship games. Line scores for all games will be posted on the IHSAA website. For those individuals wishing to file stories and/or photographs from any site, please see a member of the IHSAA staff or the site’s tournament director for post-game arrangements.

 

Notables

 

Defending State Champions in the Field (2)

3A: Boonville.

2A: Cass.

 

Returning to State Finals from 2006 (3)

3A: Boonville.

2A: Cass, North Posey.

 

Former State Champions in the Field (5)

4A: Castle.

3A: Andrean, Boonville.

2A: Cass.

A: Indianapolis Lutheran.

 

First-Time Participants in the State Finals (6)

4A: Hamilton Southeastern, Lowell.

3A: Fort Wayne Bishop Luers.

2A: Jimtown.

A: Jac-Cen-Del, South Central (Union Mills).

 

 

SINGLES, DOUBLES STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS THIS WEEKEND

This weekend marks the final contests in the IHSAA Girls Tennis State Tournament as the individual champions in singles and doubles will be crowned.

 

One singles match and two doubles matches are set for North Central High School on Friday at 2 pm ET with the winners advancing to the semifinal round on Saturday at 10 am ET. Championship and consolation matches will be played Saturday at 2 pm ET.

 

In singles, Park Tudor senior Megan Martzolf will be playing in the state finals for the third time in her four years. She finished third as a freshman in 2004 before winning the state title as a sophomore and begins with a bye into the semifinals after she helped her team to its third straight championship last Saturday.

 

One possible opponent could be Franklin Central senior Lauren Delaney who finished fourth in this event two years ago. Delaney lost to Martzolf in that semifinal match.

 

Last year’s singles champion Tiffany Welcher has opted to play doubles in this year’s tournament where she’s paired with younger sister Deahna. The Clarksville duo will meet the North Central team of Maggie Ashby and Alena Perez-Majul on Friday. Perez-Majul finished third in this event two years ago as a freshman. No individual has won both a singles and doubles state title during their prep career.

 

Lauren Prow of Valparaiso participated in the doubles state finals last year with another partner but was defeated in the quarterfinal round.

 

State Finals

Date: Friday, June 8; Saturday, June 9.

Admission: Free.

Site: North Central High School, 1801 E. 86th Street, Indianapolis. | School website | Driving directions

Note: Won-loss records indicate regular season record followed by post-season tournament record (Add both together for overall season record). Players are listed in bracket order below.

 

Singles

Friday, 2 pm ET

Match 1: Tasha Sever, 11, Portage (12-1, 5-0) vs. Lauren Delaney, 12, Franklin Central (13-3, 6-0).

 

Saturday, 10 am ET

Match 2: Megan Martzolf, 12, Park Tudor (14-0, 8-0) vs. Sever-Delaney winner.

Match 3: Katelyn Desper, 12, East Noble (16-5, 6-0) vs. Caroline Hedrick, 9, Columbus North (18-0, 7-0).

 

Saturday, 2 pm ET

Championship Match: Winner of Match 2 vs. Winner of Match 3.

Consolation Match: Loser of Match 2 vs. Loser of Match 3.

 

Doubles

Friday, 2 pm ET

Match 1: Deahna Welcher, 9 / Tiffany Welcher, 12, Clarksville (8-0, 5-0) vs. Maggie Ashby, 11 / Alena Perez-Majul, 11, North Central (Indianapolis) (14-1, 6-0).

Match 2: Illana Rifkin, 12 / Lauren Warr, 12, Fort Wayne Canterbury (20-1, 8-0) vs. Lauren Prow, 12 / Christina Rodich, 10, Valparaiso (13-1, 4-0).

 

Saturday, 10 am ET

Match 3: Elizabeth Emhardt, 11 / Heather Rogers, 11, Park Tudor (15-1, 8-0) vs. Clarksville-North Central winner.

Match 4: Fort Wayne Canterbury-Valparaiso winner vs. Brooklyn Becher, 12 / Margot Eckerle, 12, Jasper (19-1, 8-0).

 

Saturday, 2 pm ET

Championship Match: Winner of Match 3 vs. Winner of Match 4.

Consolation Match: Loser of Match 3 vs. Loser of Match 4.

 

Media Information

 

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

 

Media CredentialsThe 2006-07 IHSAA State Finals Media Credential issued to news outlets during the fall and winter tournament seasons is required for admission. News media needing credentials should fax a request on company letterhead to Sports Information Jason Wille at 317-575-4244 immediately.

 

Parking – Available near the tennis complex at the south side of the high school.

 

Programs and Results – Media in attendance should see Jason Wille for a complimentary copy of the tournament pairings. Official results will be available in the tennis clubhouse following each session and also be posted to the IHSAA website.

 

Work Area – Working space and an available phone line in the clubhouse will be available to media in attendance wishing to file stories and photographs following the event.

 

 

BASEBALL SEMI-STATES SATURDAY

A field of 387 teams that started competition on Memorial Day has been whittled to just 32. That group will meet at eight semi-state sites this Saturday, June 9, for semifinal games and a championship matchup with a berth in the state finals at Victory Field on the line.

 

Four teams that played in the 2006 state finals are still alive, including Class A champ Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian, as well as last year’s state runners-up Shakamak (Class A), Norwell (3A) and Indianapolis Cathedral (4A).

 

Scores from each semi-state game as well as state finals pairings will be posted to the IHSAA website throughout Saturday as the day progresses.

 

Semi-States

Date: Saturday, June 9.

Admission: $6 per session or $8 both sessions.

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

 

Class 4A

1. South Bend Clay (Coveleski Stadium)

Game 1Crown Point vs. Penn.

Game 2Kokomo vs. Homestead.

Championship – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2.

 

2. Evansville North (Bosse Field)

Game 1 – Bloomington North vs. Noblesville.

Game 2Indianapolis Cathedral vs. Castle.

Championship – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2.

 

Class 3A

3. Plymouth

Game 1South Bend St. Joseph’s vs. Norwell.

Game 2 – Andrean vs. Western.

Championship – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2.

 

4. Jasper (Ruxer Field)

Game 1 – Yorktown vs. Edgewood.

Game 2 – South Dearborn-North Harrison winner vs. Evansville Mater Dei.

Championship – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2.

 

Class 2A

5. Lafayette Jefferson

Game 1 – Boone Grove vs. Heritage.

Game 2 – Churubusco vs. Northwestern.

Championship – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2.

 

6. Southridge

Game 1 – South Spencer vs. South Ripley-Providence winner.

Game 2 – Wapahani vs. North Putnam.

Championship – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2.

 

Class A

7. Kokomo (Highland Park)

Game 1 – Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter vs. Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian.

Game 2Lafayette Central Catholic vs. Washington Township.

Championship – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2.

 

8. Avon

Game 1 – Northeast Dubois vs. Hauser.

Game 2 – Shakamak vs. Tecumseh.

Championship – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2.

 

Notables

 

Defending Semi-State Champions Still Alive

4A: Indianapolis Cathedral.

3A: Norwell.

2A: None.

A: Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian, Shakamak.

 

Most Consecutive Semi-State Championships

4 by Jasper, 1995-98.

 

Active Semi-State Championship Streaks (Three or more years)

None.

 

Top 10 All-Time Semi-State Championships

11: LaPorte.

10: Evansville Memorial, Jasper.

7: Logansport.

4: Hammond Bishop Noll, Jeffersonville, Lafayette Jefferson, Marion, Richmond.

3: Bedford North Lawrence, Columbus East, Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran, Fort Wayne Northrop.

 

 

BOYS GOLF REGIONALS THIS WEEK

Seven golf courses will host regional competition this week in the 71st Annual IHSAA Boys Golf State Tournament. The top three teams and top three low individuals not including those that advance with their team, will earn a tee time in the state finals in Franklin on June 12-13.

 

Results from each host site will be added as they are received this week with the intention of posting the state finals pairings and tee times on Saturday afternoon.

 

Regionals

Dates: Thursday, June 7; Friday, June 8; Saturday, June 9.

Admission: Free.

Advancement to State: Top three teams plus the top three low individuals, including all ties for third place, excluding those individuals who advance with a team.

 

1.  Center Grove (4) | Hickory Stick | Thurs, 8 am ET

Qualifiers from Greenfield-Central, Lawrence Central, Martinsville, Southport.

2.  Heritage Hills (4) | Christmas Lake | Fri, 7:30 am CT

Qualifiers from Evansville Mater Dei, Jasper, Owen Valley, Vincennes Lincoln.

3.  Homestead (4) | Orchard Ridge | Thurs, 9 am ET

Qualifiers from East Noble, Fort Wayne South Side, Northridge, Warsaw.

4.  Lafayette Jefferson (4) | Battle Ground | Fri, 8 am ET

Qualifiers from Crawfordsville, Lafayette Jefferson, Logansport, Western.

5.  LaPorte (4) | Beechwood | Fri, 9 am CT

Qualifiers from Boone Grove, Lake Central, South Bend Riley, Valparaiso.

6.  Muncie Central (4) | The Players Club | Fri, 8 am ET

Qualifiers from Huntington North, Monroe Central, Noblesville, Richmond.

7.     Seymour (4) | Shadowood | Fri, 8 am ET

Qualifiers from Bedford North Lawrence, Floyd Central, Greensburg, Madison.

 

State Finals

Dates: Tuesday, June 12 (Round 1); Wednesday, June 13 (Round 2).

Times: 8 am ET / 7 am CT each day.

Admission: $5 per day.

The Legends of Indiana Golf Course, 2555 N. Hurricane Road, Franklin, IN 46131.

About The Course | Driving Directions | Course Statistics | Course Photographs

Advancement from Round 1 to Round 2

1. Top nine teams plus;

2. Any team within 12 strokes of the lead after Round 1 plus;

3. Top nine individuals, excluding those individuals who advance with a team plus;

4. Any individual within four strokes of the lead after Round 1 plus;

5. Any individual that shoots par or better in Round 1 that would not advance otherwise.

6. Teams tied for ninth place and medalists tied for ninth place may advance to the final round.

7. Teams advancing to the final round may substitute a player/s other than the five who participated in the first round by notifying the tourney director before play begins for the final round.

 

Notables

 

Defending Regional Champions Still in the Tournament (5 of 7)

Floyd Central, Harrison (West Lafayette), Noblesville, Northridge, Penn.

 

Most Consecutive Regional Championships

3 by LaPorte (1967-69), South Bend Adams (1972-74), Fort Wayne Northrop (1990-92), Mishawaka Marian (2000-02), Zionsville (2000-02).

 

Active Regional Championship Streaks (Three or more years)

None.

 

Top 10 All-Time Regional Championships

9: Carmel.

7: Bedford North Lawrence, Lafayette Jefferson, LaPorte, Richmond.

6: Anderson, Columbus North, Terre Haute North.

5: Bloomington South, Michigan City Elston, Seymour, Terre Haute South, Valparaiso, Warsaw.

 

 

 

NEWS & NOTES FROM AROUND THE STATE

 

Have an interesting note? Please e-mail IHSAA Sports Information Director Jason Wille at jwille@ihsaa.org for consideration.

 

Bethany Christian athletic director Dan Bodiker is retiring from the school after 43 years. He coached 33 of those 43 years and has served as the school's athletic director for 17 years. He is being replaced by Bryan Kehr who has been the only girls soccer coach at Bethany Christian.

 

Heritage Christian recently announced the hiring of Landon Nelson as its new varsity boys soccer coach. Nelson was previously the JV boys soccer coach for the past two years at Lawrence Central.

 

Guerin Catholic has hired Greg Schellhase as the school’s athletic director, effective July 1. Schellhase has served as University High School’s Director of Athletics since the school’s inception in 2000.

 

 

IHSAA 06-07/46