Fields, pairings announced for 2016 City Securities Hall of Fame Classic
(New Castle) – The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame proudly announces the fields for the 2016 City Securities Hall of Fame Classic tournaments to display the best teams, players, coaches, and fans in Indiana high school basketball on Thursday, December 29 and Friday, December 30 at the New Castle Fieldhouse.
2016 Girls’ City Securities Hall of Fame Classic
New Castle Fieldhouse – Thursday, December 29, 2016
11:00 a.m. (ET) Greenfield-Central vs. Plainfield
to follow North Harrison vs. Tippecanoe Valley
6:00 p.m. Consolation Game
to follow Championship Game
2016 Boys’ City Securities Hall of Fame Classic
New Castle Fieldhouse – Friday, December 30, 2016
11:00 a.m. (ET) Logansport vs. Lawrence North
to follow New Albany vs. Warsaw
6:00 p.m. Consolation Game
to follow Championship Game
The prestigious event will be held for the 33rd time for girls and it will be the 40th edition for the boys.
Selecting from the best teams in the state, the girls’ tournament has included 18 teams that went on to win a state championship that season, including 11 state champions and five state runner-up teams in the past 14 years alone.
On the boys side, 13 participating teams have gone on to win their state championship, with six more finishing as state runner-up that season.
Tickets for the tournaments will be available through participating schools and the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in the 2016-17 school year.
ABOUT THE TEAMS
Girls:
Greenfield-Central – The Cougars return a pair of Indiana Junior All-Stars from their 23-5 Hoosier Heritage Conference champion, regional finalist team.
6’1” junior Madison Wise averaged team-bests of 22.7 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.0 blocks to go along with 4.2 assists and 2.5 steals leading to her recent selection as a member of the 2016 Core Indiana Junior All-Star squad. 5’7” classmate Katie Helgason was also named to the Indiana Junior All-Stars after averaging 11.0 points and team-highs of 4.4 assists and 2.8 steals per contest.
Greenfield-Central laid claim to an undefeated Hoosier Heritage Conference championship (7-0), won their first sectional championship in the past 12 years and won 18 of their final 20 games in the 2015-16 campaign. The Cougars are 54-19 over the past three seasons.
Head coach Doug Laker is 112-66 in eight seasons leading the program. For his team’s success, Laker has been named a recipient of the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association 2015-16 District 2 Coach of the Year award.
Greenfield-Central will make their 3rd appearance in the girls Classic. The Cougars were runners-up in the 1986 event that they hosted and were consolation game winners in the 2007 event in New Castle.
Plainfield – The Quakers return key components, including two Indiana Junior All-Stars, from their 24-3 sectional championship team and will face a familiar foe in their Classic opener.
6’1” junior Riley Blackwell averaged 12.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists, leading to her selection as a member of the 2016 Core Indiana Junior All-Star squad. 5’8” junior guard Kayla Casteel was also named to the Indiana Junior All-Stars after averaging 12.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists. 5’6” sophomore point guard Samantha Olinger averaged 6.6 points, 3.1 assists and 2.4 steals.
The Quakers were undefeated champions of the Mid-State Conference (6-0), won their first sectional championship in the past 10 years and began their 2015-16 season 18-0. The Classic will be a chance to exact revenge from this past season – two of their three losses came at the hands of Greenfield-Central, a four-point regular season loss on the road and their season-ending 4A regional semifinal game.
Head coach Curt Benge is 325-153 in 21 seasons leading the program.
Plainfield will make their 3rd appearance in the girls Classic. The Quakers were consolation winners in the 1996 event and appeared in the 2009 event.
North Harrison – A youthful Lady Cats team made an impression as 2016 3A state runners-up and lose just two seniors from their 28-3 squad.
6’1” freshman center Lilly Hatton anchored the interior, averaging 12.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game, 5’8” sophomore guard Cali Nolot averaged 12.3 points before suffering a postseason injury, 5’6” sophomore guard Taylor Rennirt averaged 7.2 points and 3.0 assists and 5’5” sophomore Hallie Hinton averaged 5.0 points and 2.5 assists.
The Lady Cats were undefeated champions of the Mid-Southern Conference (9-0), winning the second regional championship in school history and making their first state finals appearance. Including their 3A title game loss to Heritage Christian, their three losses were by a combined 10 points.
Head coach Missy Voyles is 205-101 in 13 seasons leading the program. Following the completion of their season, Voyles has been named a recipient of the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association’s 2015-16 District 3 Coach of the Year award.
North Harrison will make their first appearance in either the girls or boys Classic.
Tippecanoe Valley – Coming off consecutive 25-win seasons, the Lady Vikings appear loaded for another monster season in 2016-17.
6’2” junior forward Anne Secrest averaged 16.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.3 steals and was named to this summer’s Indiana Junior All-Star team. 5’8” junior Meredith Brouyette averaged 8.7 points, 5’6” sophomore guard Addy Miller averaged 8.2 points, 5’9” junior Hannah Dunn averaged 6.7 points and 5’7” freshman Sophie Bussard averaged 5.4 points per game.
On the heels of their 25-3 2015 3A state runner-up finish, the Lady Vikings were 25-2 this season, reaching the 3A regional finals before a loss to eventual state champ Heritage Christian. Prior to the regional loss, they strung together 20 straight wins. Their 50-5 mark (.909) the past two seasons is the 6th best in the state in that span.
Head coach Chris Kindig is 90-46 in six seasons leading the program. He has been named 2015-16 District 1 Coach of the Year by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.
Tippecanoe Valley will make their first appearance in either the girls or boys Classic.
Boys:
Logansport – Led by two standout juniors and numerous underclassmen from their 15-9 squad, the Berries will have expectations to continue their winning ways next season.
6’0” junior guard Matt Jennings averaged team-bests of 23.2 points and 3.8 assists. 6’4” junior Jalen Adaway averaged 19.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists and has been named as a member of the 2016 Indiana Junior All-Stars. 5’10” freshman guard Sam Skaggs averaged 8.8 points and 3.5 assists, 6’5” junior Hunter DeHaven averaged 7.0 points and 5.2 rebounds and 6’3” junior Jack Skaggs averaged 4.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
With a youthful lineup, the Berries began the season 10-0 and would accrue a 3-1 record in North Central Conference West Division play, trailing only 4A state runner-up McCutcheon in Division standings.
Head coach Pat Skaggs is 48-21 in three seasons at Logansport and 328-227 in 24 seasons as an Indiana high school basketball head coach.
This will be the first appearance in the Classic for the Logansport boys. Led by future Indiana Miss Basketball Whitney Jennings, the Logansport girls were consolation winners in the 2012 event.
Lawrence North – Led by one of the state’s winningest coaches and with strong underclass play, the Wildcats make a return trip to the Classic following their 19-6 season.
6’7” sophomore forward Kevin Easley, Jr. averaged 11.7 points and 6.3 rebounds, 5’9” sophomore point guard Antwaan Cushingberry averaged 10.3 points and 5.3 assists and 6’9” junior center Ra Kpedi averaged 9.4 points and 6.5 rebounds.
The Wildcats’ season (against the 4th toughest strength of schedule, according to the Sagarin ratings) included an early 11 game winning streak, followed later by an eight game win streak before their sectional loss to 2015 Classic champion, Lawrence Central.
Head coach Jack Keefer, a 2007 Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, is the fourth winningest coach in Indiana high school basketball history. The only head boys basketball coach in Lawrence North history, he is 743-302 (.711) in his 43-year career, including 682 victories in 40 seasons leading the Wildcats program.
The Wildcats’ fourth appearance in the Classic (3rd most appearances in boys Classic, behind New Castle and Bloomington South) will put their perfect record in the event on the line. Lawrence North has won the Classic championship in each of their three previous appearances (1979, 1989, 2003) and is the only program in girls or boys history to win the title three times. Additionally, Keefer joins HOF inductees George Griffith and J.R. Holmes as the only men to lead teams into the Classic four times.
New Albany – The Bulldogs will appear in the Classic in defense of their 2016 4A state championship victory, led to a 27-1 record by their sophomore sensation.
The Bulldogs’ 6’4” sophomore Romeo Langford is on pace for an historic Indiana high school basketball career. Langford averaged 30.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.7 blocks this season, hitting 58.6% from the field and is set to begin his junior season already as New Albany’s 2nd all-time leading scorer with 1,303 career points. He broke the school single-game scoring record three times during his sophomore campaign, including his 46-point delivery in the 4A semi-state victory over Southport. In all, Langford has scored 30 or more points 16 times in his two-year career, 15 of those coming this past season.
6’0” junior guard Isaac Hibbard averaged 14.7 points leading to selection as a 2016 Indiana Junior All-Star, 5’10” sophomore guard Sean East averaged 6.1 points and 5’9” sophomore Rondale Moore averaged 4.2 points per game.
New Albany earned an undefeated Hoosier Hills Conference championship (7-0) this season, scoring 77 points per game (3rd highest scoring offense in state this season) and had the largest margin of victory in the state this year, outscoring opponents by 23.2 points per game. The Bulldogs are 50-4 over the past two seasons (.926), the best record in the state in that timeframe.
Head coach Jim Shannon has a 331-97 record in 18 seasons at New Albany and a 496-236 record in his 32-year career. He has led the Bulldogs to 10 sectional championships and two regional titles in the last 15 seasons, in addition to the 2016 4A championship. Shannon is a recipient of the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association’s 2016 District 3 Coach of the Year.
New Albany makes their third appearance in the boys Classic, following their 2001 consolation game victory and in defense of their 2007 Classic championship.
Warsaw – Following a 25-2 regional championship campaign, the Tigers look to a Junior All-Star to lead the way next season.
6’3” junior guard Kyle Mangas averaged 19.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and hit 48% on three-pointers to earn 2016 Indiana Junior All-Star honors and 6’4” junior forward Jeremy David averaged 4.4 points and 4.4 rebounds. In addition to returning varsity players, a number of contributors are expected to emerge from successful JV and freshmen teams as well.
The Tigers are 43-7 over the past two seasons, 9th best in the state in that timeframe. Noted for their defensive efforts, the Tigers allowed just 39.6 points per game this season, 2nd best in the state.
Head coach Doug Ogle is 218-101 (.683) in 14 seasons at Warsaw, having led the Tigers to five sectional championships, two regional titles and an appearance in the 2010 4A state finals. Ogle has been named a 2015-16 District 1 Coach of the Year by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.
Warsaw makes their third appearance in the boys Classic, following their 1994 Classic championship and 2010 consolation game victory. The Warsaw girls were winners of the 1988 and 2003 girls events.
History:
Pending the announcement of the 2016 Indiana Miss Basketball, 22 young women who went on to win award have participated in the girls Classic, including each of the last seven Miss Basketball winners (Skylar Diggins, Courtney Moses, Bria Goss, Jessica Rupright, Stephanie Mavunga, Whitney Jennings and Ali Patberg). Girls legends who have played in the Classic include Jackie Young, Stephanie White, Katie Gearlds, Shanna Zolman, Kristen Spolyar, Lisa Shepherd, Abby Conklin, April McDivitt, Kelly Faris, Jennifer Jacoby, Jodie Whitaker, Shrya Ely and Tiffany Gooden, among others.
Pending announcement of the 2016 Indiana Mr. Basketball, 24 men who went on to win award have participated in the boys Classic, including eight of the last 11 award winners. 23 men to have played in the Classic have been named McDonald’s All-Americans, while 17 have been NBA Draft picks.
Legends to have competed in the boys Classic include Damon Bailey, Steve Alford, Glenn Robinson, Shawn Kemp, Greg Oden, Mike Conley, Zach Randolph, Eric Montross, Sean May, Delray Brooks, Tom Coverdale, Michael Menser, Pat Graham, Troy Lewis, Woody Austin, Josh McRoberts, Gary Harris, Luke, Tyler and Cody Zeller and Trey Lyles among others.
Sponsor:
For the 20th consecutive season, City Securities Corporation is the title sponsor of the event. Founded in 1924, City Securities Corporation is the oldest and largest independent, full-service investment firm in Indiana. Having financed more projects for Indiana schools and municipalities than any other firm in history, City Securities has, quite literally, helped build the State of Indiana. Today, City Securities is still a leader in municipal bonds (underwriting 50% of all competitive and negotiated bids), but is also so much more – offering full-service personal investment advisors, as well as expertise in corporate and public finance. A wholly-owned subsidiary of City Financial Corporation, City Securities is headquartered in downtown Indianapolis, Ind.
Television:
The Classic will once again be televised in Central Indiana and webcast worldwide by the Hall of Fame’s partner, WHMB TV-40. Details of the broadcast schedule will be made at a later date.