TERRE HAUTE — As the Indiana High School Athletic Association’s annual postseason basketball geography tour takes fans from the western part of the state to concession stands they’d never have visited otherwise (didn’t want the sugar buzz from the cotton candy at Frankfort, but was intrigued by the barbecued frog legs and fried bologna sandwiches at Martinsville), it’s an obvious sign that the winter season is (finally?) coming to a close.
It can’t end (the season I mean, not the winter) without a couple of loose ends being tied, meaning it’s time for the annual Amey girls basketball awards.
You may even be able to predict the topic that’s 99-percent sure to be featured in the next column.
My latest innovation for this particular column is beginning with my favorite award from each season, and my favorite girls — of this or almost any other season — are the co-captains of the Competitors Team for 2007-2008.
I took pains this year, in covering one of the teams from our area, to always include in my story when Turkey Run’s Meghan Doss was the Warriors’ leading rebounder at 5-foot-nothing. That happened more than half the times I saw them play, and that’s an effort statistic, remember.
One of the worst aspects of the past season was that I never found a way to watch my other favorite player in her senior year. I may get to see her in the future in a sport I’m told she plays even better than she does basketball, which can only mean that Emily Lahay of Sullivan is one heck of a soccer goalie.
Their teammates on this team are Derryn Axtell, Kandrea Craft and Emily Yoho of North Vermillion; Jocelyn Boyll, Katie Brown and Krista Himebrook of North Central; Angie Camp and Mardi Steiner of Clay City; Sam Crosby, Jessica Gilbert and Chelsea Hudson of Shakamak; Heather Gonser of Owen Valley; Ashley Graves of White River Valley; Brittany Marrs and Amy Piper of West Vigo; Francesca McCarthy and Kelly Meggs of Terre Haute North; Becky Myers and Caitlin Phillips of South Vermillion; Emily Phillips of Northview; Chelsy Riggen of Riverton Parke; Krista Smith of Terre Haute South; Elyse Weddle of Bloomfield; and Brittani Wolfe of Martinsville.
I didn’t get to see the captain of my Clutch Team this year either; I didn’t get to see her at all, for that matter, which would make this a risky choice if it weren’t for the glittering career accomplished by Heidi Dahnke at Martinsville.
Her teammates are Dawn Bonnell of Robinson; Erin Downey of Shiloh; Stephanie Fougerousse and Taylor Kail of WRV; Siera Fuller of Bloomfield; Dragana Grbic and Tessa Johnson of South; Erika Huff of Sullivan; Hillary Lively of North Vermillion; Jenni McLeish of South Vermillion; Kieran McMullen and Chelsie Stout of Rockville; MaKaylee Pirtle of Union; Spring Raines of Northview; and Amy Wheeler of Riverton Parke.
Players on the Unsung Team do a great job at the things — defense, rebounding, passing — that might not necessarily get them big numbers in the boxscore. Players like South’s Randa Rector, in other words.
Her teammates are Micahlyn Allen, Lynsey Butler, Jessica Herzog and Kelsey Rosselli of North; Kelsey Anderson of WRV: Shelby Colson, Kirstin Kimball and Stormi Raines of Northview; Sam Cooper, Adrian Gillaspy and Caitlin Sweatman of Owen Valley; Shelby Davies, Chelsea Francis, Tiffany Marshall and Sarah Patton of Turkey Run; Miranda Doran and Jaycee Hackney of Martinsville; Jenna Dreher, Gina Furrey, Amber Gardner and Sarah Klotz of West Vigo; Lydia Farmer and Britney Glass of Clay City; Casey Fougerousse of Shakamak; Nikki Fuqua of South Vermillion; Megan Gambill and Cassie Parr of Union; Rosa Gossett of Riverton Parke; Amber Horton and Shelby Lamb of Sullivan; Brittany Myers of Bloomfield; Taylor Poynter and Kelly Yoho of North Vermillion; and Brittany Sherron of Rockville.
Here’s what one co-captain of this year’s Unselfish Team did this season: she came to virtually every practice — that’s every practice after her senior season ended with a knee injury in its second game — and indicated afterward that it was the most enjoyable season she’d ever had. That’s why Johona Bailey of Turkey Run was a favorite team-oriented player this winter. Another was the player whose place on the scoring-leader ladder of her team went down every season, had no problems with that, and refused to go outside the team concept to reach an individual milestone. That would be South’s Megan Craft, of course.
Like-minded teammates are Abby Birkey and Ashley Hargis of Northview; Paige Bond of Sullivan; Tasha Borter and Carly Johnson of WRV; Kyleigh Brown of North; Morgan Burgess, Jennifer Camerer, Hannah Flaurr and Alise Harper of Rockville; Courtney Dallmier of Bloomfield; Jessica Davidson and Gabby Smith of Union; Amanda Delp and Meghan Francis of Turkey Run; Cortney Edington of Riverton Parke; Brittany Edmondson of West Vigo; Cheryl Lanham, Callie Matsel and Micah York of Owen Valley; Sarah Miner and Jordan Smith of South; Megan Samuelson of South Vermillion; and Amber Shell of North Vermillion.
Has nepotism reared its ugly head? No. One co-captain of the Most Improved Team may be related to me, but Emily Reed of Clay City went from part-time status as a junior to one of the leaders of a good team as a senior. The other co-captain, Nickole Gonser of Owen Valley, added offensive production to the manic intensity she shares with her twin sister (see Competitors Team).
Others who made big strides this year were Emily Adams and Lindy Jones of North; Kelsi Cheesewright, Sherry Link and Desiree Thomas of South Vermillion; Marki Collins and Kristi Pearson of Shakamak; Cassie Cornwell of Martinsville; Logan Cox and Amy Newnum of Turkey Run; Tara Crooks and Kelsey Searing of Northview; Whitney Davis of North Vermillion; Emily Fauber and Haley Seibert of South; Makenzie Haltom of Riverton Parke; Amber Kemp and Brittainy Swank of North Central; Breanna Marrs, Chelsey Norton and Marianne Umphries of West Vigo; Andrea Newman of Paris; Brenna Siscoe of Union; Nikkole Thombleson of Bloomfield; and Hilary Vukovits of Rockville.
Since I just split up one set of sisters, I guess I can try it one more time: the captain of the Most Promising Team is Adrianne Francis of Turkey Run.
Other players with bright futures are Karen Beal, Lindsay Hendrix and Alicyn Woodward of West Vigo; Carlee Bell, Chelsey Sampson, Ali Sharton and Lauren Webster of Northview; Jaylin Brower and Allie Milam of South Vermillion; Bethany Chew and Kylee West of North Vermillion; Brittney Combs, Ariel Fuller and Alley Gilliland of Bloomfield; Chelsea Dailey, Cassie Griffin and Ashley Kinne of Riverton Parke; Maria Drake of North Central; Mack Evans of Owen Valley; Lindsey Greene and Beth Mahurin of Rockville; Jordan Hunt and Chelsea Newnum of Turkey Run; Danielle Ketner and Alexa McFadden of North; Shayna Nicol and Ashli Scott of Union; and Shelby Targett of Clay City.
Had trouble finding southpaws this season, so captain Lindy Jones, her North teammate Kelsey Rosselli and Bloomfield’s Alley Gilliland will have to recruit help from players like Teka Flowers of Warren Central and Tiffany Martin of Martinsville, Ind., for the Left-handed Team.
• • •
• Football note — Former Indiana State defensive back DeJuan Alfonzo got off to his usual start in Arena League play for the Chicago Rush.
Alfonzo, who set an AFL record with five defensive touchdowns last season, scored twice in the Rush opener on a fumble return and a recovery of a teammate’s fumble while he was playing offense.
• Lowell notes — My hometown has been in the news more than usual lately, with Amy Davis competing on American Idol (yes, I thought she got robbed too — although I can’t forgive her for getting me to start watching that show) and Red Devil wrestling immortal Eric Ping featured on a reality show on The Learning Channel.
But one of our all-time greats in the athletic world has retired. Amy Ruley — her brother and cousin were members of my Class of ‘66 — has stepped down as women’s basketball coach at North Dakota State after leading the Bison to five national championships and a successful transition to Division I play. Her record in 29 years was 670-198.
Andy Amey can be reached after 4 p.m. for comments or news items at 1-800-783-8742 or at (812) 231-4277; by e-mail at andy.amey@tribstar.com; by mail at P.O. Box 149, Terre Haute, IN, 47808; or by fax at (812) 231-4321.
Amey Takes Aim
Drum roll please … it’s time for annual Amey girls basketball awards
- Amey Takes Aim
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AMEY TAKES AIM: Getting ready for the dance
Terre Haute North got the good news Sunday night — or did it?
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AMEY TAKES AIM: Harrowing path for state hopefuls
The bad news is that the winner of Class 4A Sectional 13 in boys basketball heads northeast instead of southeast for regional play in March — to Hinkle Fieldhouse instead of Seymour as a result of Indiana High School Athletic Association’s changes.
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AMEY TAKES AIM: A superior all-star arrangement
I don’t work on Wednesdays, so I wasn’t able to attend the first Wabash Valley Football Coaches Association draft last week to set up the annual all-star game that will be June 23 this year.
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AMEY TAKES AIM: The biggest & baddest of a holiday classic
There are more things to love about the Pizza Hut Wabash Valley Classic than could fit in this newspaper, but one of this year’s best things was that for an hour or so on Wednesday, it was Justin Paddock’s world and we were just living in it.
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AMEY TAKES AIM: Taking note of ISU’s latest football win
The biggest difference I’ve noticed, as I transition from the high school football beat to quasi-official status as the Indiana State football beat writer for a few weeks, is the length of the games.
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AMEY TAKES AIM: IHSAA playoff draw not as bad as it could have been
First reaction to the Indiana sectional football pairings drawn late Sunday by the Indiana High School Athletic Association? It could have been a lot worse.
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ANDY AMEY: Between the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & a hard place
Just in case any of you noticed — with some anticipation — the recent lack of my bylines, I can tell you that your wish (and mine) did come true. It was vacation week for the Amey family.
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Amey Takes Aim: UFC fighter’s bloodines traced back to ISU brothers
As a mild-mannered reporter from a great metropolitan newspaper — or thereabouts — I admit I haven’t paid much attention to the burgeoning mixed martial arts scene.
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AMEY TAKES AIM: Predators’ win is music to new fan’s ears
For many, many years, the number of live games televised on WGN has been cited as perhaps the main reason for the popularity of the Chicago Cubs (it’s got to be something besides masochism, right?).
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AMEY TAKES AIM: You’ll be having a good ol’ time on vacation with the Ameys
When one of the first people you meet is Tammy Wynette’s stepdaughter, when you’ve stepped on the feet of people you haven’t met while trying to navigate Ernest Tubbs’ old Silver Eagle tour bus, and when the activities director of your resort is, well, Elvis, you might be vacationing in Nashville.
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AMEY TAKES AIM: The Annual All-Amey basketball teams close out the prep season
The most encouraging boys high school basketball event I’ve attended so far in 2011 has been the Lafayette Semistate a couple of weeks ago.
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AMEY TAKES AIM: Family remembers Cheryl Weatherman as caring grandmother
As far as Riley and Keely Davis are concerned, Cheryl Weatherman was simply their grandmother, and a pretty darn good one at that.
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AMEY TAKES AIM: Honor to see Turkey Run girls close out memorable career
I don’t know if anyone in this part of the state could actually say they enjoy going to Fort Wayne and back, but I was glad to see the Turkey Run Warriors play one last time during the girls basketball state finals Saturday.
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So many matches, so many favorites
Go ahead, ask me anything about the 224 wrestlers who competed last week at the Indiana state finals — or at least about the 112 wrestlers who survived Saturday’s first round.
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ANDY TAKES AIM: A sportwriters’s lament: Oh, the games we missed
I was already tired of winter by the time that first bitterly cold snap passed through in mid-December, so it’s safe to say the season hasn’t grown on me.
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AMEY TAKES AIM: Time of the season for teams to tough it out
In the last month or so I figure I’ve seen at least four boys high school basketball teams with legitimate state-championship dreams as the season heads into its dog days.
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AMEY TAKES AIM: It's the fall 2010 Amey Awards
I won’t get to know the kids from Casey and North Putnam until they come to Terre Haute in droves next June for the Wabash Valley Football Coaches Association All-Star game, so I guess it’s not too early for the high school football awards from this space.
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AMEY TAKES AIM: An early look at Indiana prep football playoffs
I wasn’t at all surprised to watch Linton pick up a 20-point win over previously unbeaten North Knox in high school football last Friday, one week after the Miners had lost by 40 to North Daviess.
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AMEY TAKES AIM: Baseball season rounding third for an exciting ending
Major League baseball is coming down to an interesting week for the National League, then a couple of interesting weeks for the American League.
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AMEY TAKES AIM: Look for me in the yellow shirt
I won’t be wearing pink or blue tonight for the Terre Haute South-Terre Haute North volleyball match at North, but I’m anticipating that plenty of you will be.
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AMEY TAKES AIM: Little QB had big moments in ISU blue
You won’t find his name easily in the Indiana State record book, but for my money the best quarterback the Sycamores have ever had was Verbie Walder.
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Amey Takes Aim: Biggest baseball pet peeve … Nibbling
Having seen some outstanding baseball — and some not-so-outstanding baseball — at literally every level of play this spring and summer, I have identified what without a doubt is my main pet peeve with the sport. Nibbling. I’m not referring to popcorn or pretzels or nachos or cheese sticks or corn dogs or snow cones or candy or ice cream. Those can also be a serious problem — particularly if the kids are with me — but one that can be solved by simply running out of money.
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AMEY TAKES AIM: Head to the high seas: Ameys’ vacation cruise
It’s good to be king. Abdication? Not so good.
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World Cup replaces void opened when Stanley Cup ended
It’s niche sports day here at the Tribune-Star, so we’ll start with a test of how much you learned while watching the recent National Hockey League season.
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AMEY TAKES AIM: Win or lose, a softball season to remember
Well, this is awkward. I’m writing this late Monday night, with my Tuesday and Wednesday days off in the future, not knowing entirely how happy I am with state-finals softball.
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Amey Takes Aim: Wabash Valley is a softball powerhouse
Greetings from the high school softball capital of Indiana. Your Tribune-Star will be spending all day Saturday at Ben Davis, dominating the press box and elbowing those other newspapers to the back row where they belong. No other paper has as many teams to cover as we do (go Panthers, go Miners and go Patriots); The Times and Post-Tribune get off to a good start with Whiting (against Riverton Parke) and Wheeler (versus Linton), but couldn’t get anything going among the bigger schools (now that my cousin Keith Hauber no longer coaches at Lake Central).
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Amey Takes Aim: NHL playoffs > NBA playoffs
Eavesdropping, as I often do, at a couple of sporting events recently, I heard conversations that warmed my heart. At both the Rose-Hulman baseball game recently and the Terre Haute North-Terre Haute South girls tennis match a week ago, I heard spirited arguments involving — the NHL playoffs.
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Amey Takes Aim: Amey family travels to Astros land
I have an uneasy feeling that I know what I’m getting for Fathers Day. Not sure how your family celebrates that holiday, but mine uses it to get me things I wouldn’t otherwise buy for myself. It’s probably the only reason I ever got a cell phone, and a couple of years ago it was a good excuse for a flat-screen TV for the living room. Yes, I use both of them now.
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Amey Takes Aim: Favorite group for boys basketball Amey Awards ... Most Improved team
As much as I enjoyed the girls high school basketball season this past winter, I liked the boys season even better; something about a team winning its last game — or another team practically becoming the 2010 version of “Hoosiers” — will do that for you. Maybe that’s the excuse for having a record number of captains for some of the Andy Amey teams, as you are about to see.
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ANDY AMEY: Butter your popcorn! It’s time for the Amey Awards!
Yes, you’re right. The high school girls basketball season has been over for awhile, which can only mean the Andy Amey teams are getting out a little late this spring.
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