Sports Roundup: Achievements, Events, and Honors in Indiana
Basketball
Wiseman’s Quadruple-Double and Creek Girls’ Victory
In a remarkable display of athleticism and skill, Faith Wiseman of Indian Creek High School achieved a rare quadruple-double in the Braves’ dominant 69-35 home win over South Putnam. Wiseman’s historic performance included 18 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 blocked shots, making her the fourth Johnson County girl in history to reach both 1,000 career points and 1,000 rebounds. Lauren Foster and Lexi Sichting also contributed significantly to the Braves’ success, scoring 20 and 10 points, respectively. Indian Creek, now boasting a 17-4 overall record and a perfect 9-0 mark in the WIC, will conclude their regular season with a matchup against Northview on Friday.
Knockout Competition Across Indiana
In an exciting collaboration with the NBA All-Star 2024 Host Committee, the IHSAA has introduced a statewide knockout tournament that adds an extra layer of excitement to high school basketball games. During halftime of both boys and girls games, this knockout competition takes place across Indiana, leading up to All-Star Weekend next month. Players line up at the free-throw line, and the first two take shots. If the second person successfully makes a basket before the first, the first player is eliminated. The game continues until only one player remains. Participants compete for prizes and the opportunity to participate in the Ultimate Knockout Challenge in downtown Indianapolis. While Johnson County does not host any scheduled events, Indiana Fever players Grace Berger and Lexie Hull will make an appearance for the knockout game during Greenwood’s girl-boy doubleheader at Perry Meridian on Friday.
Golf
Crystal Morse Honored by PGA of America
Crystal Morse, the head professional at The Legends Golf Club in Franklin, has received the 2023 PGA Professional Development Award, recognizing her exceptional contributions to player development. This prestigious award acknowledges Morse’s extraordinary efforts and achievements in this area. A Center Grove graduate, Morse currently serves as the co-coach of both the boys and girls golf teams at Franklin, demonstrating her unwavering dedication to the sport. Together with her husband Jim, she co-owns the Morse Golf Academy at The Legends, where they provide over 1,500 private lessons annually. Additionally, Morse has earned the PGA Jr. League Gamechanger Award four times in the past five years, further highlighting her commitment to nurturing young golfers.
Softball
Roncalli’s Lauck Inducted into Hall of Fame
David Lauck, the long-time head coach of Roncalli softball, has been inducted into the Indiana Softball Hall of Fame, a testament to his outstanding achievements in the sport. Since taking the helm in 2009, Lauck has led the Royals to three state championships, including consecutive Class 4A titles in 2021 and 2022. Under his leadership, Roncalli has also secured nine sectional titles and seven regional crowns, showcasing Lauck’s exceptional coaching abilities.
Franklin College
Women’s Basketball Falls to Hanover
Despite Jordan Coon’s impressive 27-point performance, Franklin College’s women’s basketball team suffered a narrow 75-70 home loss against Hanover. Taylor Cooney and CiCi Bailey contributed 10 and 8 points respectively, while Kate Breeden added 10 rebounds to the Grizzlies’ efforts. Franklin College, now holding an 11-7 overall record and a 6-5 mark in the HCAC, will look to bounce back in their upcoming games.
Men’s Basketball Suffers Road Loss
Franklin College’s men’s basketball team faced a setback in their away game against Hanover, resulting in an 83-72 defeat. Ryan Bostic led the Grizzlies in scoring with 18 points, followed by Jessie Morgan Jr. with 14 points, Malachi Archey with 11 points, and LeBron Bennie-Powell with 10 points. The Grizzlies, now holding a 9-9 overall record and a 7-4 mark in the HCAC, will aim to regain their winning momentum in their next contests.
Conclusion
Indiana’s sports scene continues to thrive, with athletes, coaches, and teams achieving remarkable feats and earning well-deserved recognition. From Faith Wiseman’s historic quadruple-double to Crystal Morse’s PGA award and David Lauck’s Hall of Fame induction, the state is brimming with talent and passion for sports. As the high school basketball season winds down and Franklin College teams navigate their respective conference schedules, fans can look forward to more exciting moments and memorable achievements in the weeks ahead.