Participants Announced for the 2024 Henry Community Health Hall of Fame Classic
Participants Announced for 2024 Henry Community Health HOF Classic
(New Castle) – With another high-profile lineup on both the girls’ and boys’ sides, two great days of basketball are sure to be had at the 2024 Henry Community Health Hall of Fame Classic on Friday, December 27 and Saturday, December 28 at the New Castle Fieldhouse.
The prestigious event, spotlighting the best in Indiana high school basketball, will be held for the 41st time for girls and it will be the 48th edition for the boys.
2024 Girls’ Henry Community Health Hall of Fame Classic
New Castle Fieldhouse – Friday, December 27, 2024
11:00 a.m. (ET) Lawrence Central vs Homestead
to follow South Knox vs Hamilton Southeastern
6:00 p.m. Consolation Game
to follow Championship Game
2024 Boys’ Henry Community Health Hall of Fame Classic
New Castle Fieldhouse – Saturday, December 28, 2024
11:00 a.m. (ET) Warsaw vs Fishers
to follow Greenfield Central vs Heritage Hills
6:00 p.m. Consolation Game
to follow Championship Game
Selecting from the best teams in the state, the girls’ tournament has included 20 teams that went on to win a state championship (including 2023 4A State Champion) that season, including 13 class champions and nine class runner-up teams in the past 20 years (including 2024 4A State Runner-Up).
On the boys’ side, 19 participating teams have gone on to win their state championship (including the 2023 3A and 4A State Champions) 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 beginning in late October/early November 2024.
ABOUT THE TEAMS
Girls:
Hamilton Southeastern – The Lady Royals look to follow up a 21-4 campaign, with the core of their team back that lost to Noblesville in the Sectional Championship.
The Lady Royals were led by 6’3” Junior forward Maya Makalusky who averaged 26.1 points per game along with bringing in 5.6 rebounds a contest. They also have 6’0” sophomore forward Kayla Stidham who averages 11.9 points and 4.1 rebounds and 5’8” sophomore Kennedy Holman who averages 11.7 points and 5.3 rebounds, respectively.
Head coach Brian Satterfield is 56-15 through 4 seasons with the Lady Royals, collecting over 14 wins each of the last 3 seasons (last two seasons with 21 wins), since switching to the girl’s team from the boys after the 2021-22 season.
This will be Hamilton Southeastern’s third trip to New Castle for the Hall of Fame Classic, playing also in 2004 and 2012.
Homestead – Coming off at 23-5 season, that saw a loss to eventual 4A runner up Lake Central in the opening round of Semi-State, the Lady Spartans look to improve on their 23-24 campaign.
A trio of sophomores are atop of the stat charts for Homestead. 5’10” guard Myah Epps who averages 17.5 points per game leads the way for the Lady Spartans. They also have 5’11” sophomore Gabby Helsom who averages 16.6 points and 5’9” sophomore guard Whitney Ankenbruck who averages 12.1 ppg.
Entering his 25th year at Homestead, Coach Rod Parker is 425-140, collecting at least 18 wins in every season since 2010.
This will be Homestead’s third time coming to New Castle for the Hall of Fame Classic, competing in 2013 and 2018 as well.
Lawrence Central – Graduating 3 seniors from a 2024 IHSAA 4A State Championship, Lawrence Central returns 4 juniors and 3 sophomores from a team that went 30-1, capped off by the 4A nightcap at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Lady Bears are a talented group, being led by 6’1” junior Jaylah Lampley who averages 18.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, 5’11” sophomore Aniyah Mckenzie who averages 11.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Other major contributors include 5’7” junior Laila Abdurraqib who averages 11.4 points per game and 6’2” sophomore Lola Lampley, who averages 10.4 points and 6 rebounds a contest.
Head coach Jannon Lampley is 46-9 going into her third year at the school ending last season atop 4A as the State Champion, improving from 16-8 a year prior.
This will be Lawrence Central’s first trip to New Castle as a participant in the Hall of Fame Classic.
South Knox – The Lady Spartans had a phenomenal 23-24 season, by tallying a record of 23-2, unfortunately losing to North Knox in sectional. They return their entire roster from a year ago, minus one graduating senior.
They have 5’9” junior guard Ella Bobe who averages 19.1 points and 5 rebounds per game along with 5’7” freshman Kendal Hill who averages 11.4 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assister per game. 6’0” junior forward Bren Hill helps the Lady Spartan cause with 8.2 points and 7 rebounds per game.
Head Coach Hollie Eaves is 149-108 in her 11th year at the school, and earning two sectional titles in 2017 and 2019.
This will be South Knox’s first opportunity to play in the Hall of Fame Classic in New Castle.
Boys:
Fishers – Returning four juniors and two freshmen from their current campaign which sits at 2-1 and preparing for the 4A State Finals game, the Tigers are poised to make another great run in the 2024-25 season.
They are led by 6’2” junior Jonanthony Hall who averages 11.2 points per game along with 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Two freshmen aid the Tigers in their offensive categories, which include 5’9” Cooper Zachary with 7.5 points and 3.8 assists per game, and 6’0” Jason Gardner Jr. who averages 7.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
Head Coach Garrett Winegar is 77-23 in his fourth year at Fishers with a 95-29 overall with a previous one-year stint at Warren Central.
This will be Fisher’s first trip to New Castle to play in the Henry Community Health Hall of Fame Classic.
Greenfield Central – Losing only two seniors from their undefeated regular season, the Cougars return a good chunk of their roster from a team that went 24-1 overall with a tough loss to New Palestine in the sectional championship.
6’5” junior Braylon Mullins leads the way for the Cougars by averaging 25 points and 6 rebounds per game. Helping the GC cause is 5’10” junior Boston Willard who averages 10.8 points and 5 assists per game and 6’4” junior Dallas Freeman who averages 8.4 points a contest.
Head Coach Luke Meredith, in his five years at the helm of the Cougars, is 86-33 overall.
This will be the Cougars first trip to New Castle on the boys’ side, having played in the girls’ classic previously.
Heritage Hills – Returning their entire roster from the 2023-24 campaign with a 19-5 record, the Patriots look to continue their streak of success in the 24-25 season.
Leading the way for Heritage Hills is 6’8” junior Trent Sisley who averages 24.2 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per contest. The Patriots also have sophomore 6’2” Peyton Gray (9.9 ppg), 6’2” junior Colten Hopf (9.7ppg) and 6’5” sophomore Jake Prior (8.7ppg) helping their offensive cause.
Head Coach Nate Hawkins is 147-46 in 8 years at Heritage Hills, and 211-72 overall, having a four year run at Forest Park prior to Heritage Hills.
This will be Heritage Hills’ second appearance in the Classic, having last competed in 2019.
Warsaw – Returning a vast majority of their team from a season ago, the Tigers return 10 juniors and two sophomores from a team that lost to Crown Point in overtime in the regional.
Pacing the Tigers is 6’3” junior Luke Bricker who averages 18 points per game, along with 6’3” junior Brandt Martin who averages roughly 15 points per contests, and 6’3” junior Robbie Finlinson who chips in around 11 points per game.
Head Coach Matt Moore is 64-32 in his four years at Warsaw, and 153-90 overall with prior stops at Kokomo and Fishers.
Warsaw will be making their fourth appearance at New Castle Fieldhouse for the Hall of Fame Classic, having played in 1994, 2010, and 2016, being crowed 1994 Champions.
History:
13 of the past 16 Miss Basketball winners (Skylar Diggins, Courtney Moses, Bria Goss, Jessica Rupright, Stephanie Mavunga, Whitney Jennings, Ali Patberg, Jackie Young, Karissa McLaughlin, Amy Dilk, Jorie Allen, Ayanna Patterson and Chloe Spreen) have had the honor to play in the Classic. 13 women to have played in the Classic were named McDonald’s All-Americans (most recently, Ashlynn Shade) and 12 Girls Classic alums have played in the WNBA.
Girls legends who have played in the Classic include Stephanie White, Katie Gearlds, Shanna Zolman, Skylar Diggins, Jackie Young, Katie Douglas, Kristen Spolyar, Lisa Shepherd, Abby Conklin, April McDivitt, Kelly Faris, Jennifer Jacoby, Jodie Whitaker, Shrya Ely, Tiffany Gooden and Ali Patberg, Ashlynn Shade, among others.
34 men who went on to win the Indiana Mr. Basketball award have participated in the Boys Classic, including 15 of the last 19 award winners (Luke Zeller, Greg Oden, Tyler Zeller, Jordan Hulls, Cody Zeller, Gary Harris, Zak Irvin, Trey Lyles, Kyle Guy, Romeo Langford, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Anthony Leal, Caleb Furst, and Markus Burton). 27 men to have played in the Classic have been named McDonald’s All-Americans (most recently Kokomo’s Flory Bidunga), while 19 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, Troy Lewis, Woody Austin, Josh McRoberts, Gary Harris, Luke, Tyler and Cody Zeller, Trey Lyles, Kyle Guy, Romeo Langford, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Braden Smith, among others.
Including entrants in the 2024 Classic, the event has included 102 different IHSAA-member girls programs and 112 different IHSAA-member boys programs in tournament history.
Sponsor:
Henry Community Health is a nonprofit community hospital that combines nationally recognized expertise with a true commitment to personal connection with our patients. We’re proud to serve our neighbors with excellent healthcare in a compassionate supportive environment. We maintain state-of-the art equipment, using the latest technologies and techniques to provide excellent care to every patient. We have redefined our model of care to play a progressive role in helping to keep people healthy as well as caring for them when they are ill or injured. Henry Community Health- proudly serving our community for over 90 years. Visit us at hchcares.org.
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Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame
One Hall of Fame Court
New Castle, IN 47362
765-529-1891