College basketball coaches love players who like to work hard, fight back from obstacles and maintain a high level of toughness.
That’s why Indiana-South Bend Coach Steve Bruce loves Brooke Daugherty.
The 2006 Terre Haute South grad battled back from an ACL injury suffered in high school to earn a spot on the team at Danville Area Community College, then suffered a similar injury to her other knee five games into her freshman season.
Daugherty battled back again, earning honorable mention all-Region XXIV honors this past season and also a spot in Coach Bruce’s NAIA Division I program for the next two years.
And, she doesn’t have any knees left to tear up.
“Coming back from my injury, I had a lot of drive and motivation to earn my spot back and be able to perform well enough to get recruited out of a junior college with only one year of playing experience,” Daugherty said recently. “I spent a lot of my summer conditioning and working on my shot. It all paid off and i was able to have one of the best seasons I have had.”
Last winter, a healthy Daugherty ranked second on the DACC team in scoring (12.3 points per game) and rebounding (5.3), and averaged 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 40 percent from the field, 37.4 percent from 3-point range and 73 percent from the free throw line.
“I’m really excited about going to IUSB, playing at the next level and I’m only 3 hours from home and with in 1 1/2 hours from my brother,” she added. “I chose se IUSB because I really liked coach Bruce and his style of play and his focus on fundamentals and defense.”
Bruce is excited to have Daugherty join his team, which went 19-12 overal last season and 5-5 in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference.
He recognizes the qualities visible in athletes coming back from such serious injuries.
“That indicates the type of young lady that she is,” Bruce said. “She brings an outstanding academic record along with her as well. Our team finished the 07-08 school year with a 3.26 GPA, and we recruit young ladies who are interested in being their best, both on and off the court.
“Brooke was an easy match.”
Bruce expects to play Daugherty, a guard, at one of the two forward positions out of necessity.
“We are guard heavy and, though a little undersized, she has the attributes that make up a good post player — head, heart, hands, feet, and the ability to finish,” Bruce said. “She is an aggressive and active rebounder, and gets to the foul line.
‘”The look in her eyes says, ‘just tell me what you want me to do coach and I’ll get it done.’ We are excited and grateful that she is on her way to South Bend.”
DACC Coach Lyle Hicks appreciates the contributions of Daugherty.
“She did a lot of work to rehab not only her injury in HS but showed lots of courage when she injured her other knee,” Hicks said. “She is an outstanding young lady who puts her education at the top. IUSB is getting a very quality young lady who will be able to play defense, rebound and shoot for them.
“We will miss her here at DACC as a leader in the classroom and on the floor.”
I I I
n College notes — Former Terre Haute resident and Indiana Hoosier Mike Roberts has followed Coach Ben Braun from California to Rice.
Roberts was on Braun’s staff at Cal for the past two years, and Braun was fired after this past season. After serving as video coordinator for the 2006-07 season, Roberts was an assistant coach this season.
This past season at Cal, Roberts was responsible for overseeing the team’s academic program and recruiting as well as scouting and game preparation in addition to on-floor coaching. As video coordinator, Roberts was involved in game preparation, self scouting, game film breakdown and other administrative duties.
Prior to his two seasons in Berkeley, Roberts played at Indiana, graduating in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in history with a certificate in management, then served one season a graduate assistant coach at Texas Tech.
“Having played at Indiana and worked with Bob Knight at Texas Tech, Mike brings valuable experience to our program,” Braun said.
n Whitted co-MVP — Northview grad Julia Whitted was recently named co-MVP of the IUPUI women’s basketball team.
She was earlier named first team all-Summit League, and was one of the nation’s most improved players, wrapping up the campaign with 14.4 points and 8.8 rebounds in her sophomore season. The Staunton native saw her points per game average increase by 11.0 points, while her boards per game went up by 6.6 caroms.
Whitted also received the team’s Offensive Player of the Year award.
The Jaguars return four starters for next season.
n Bassett deciding — Terre Haute South grad Armon Bassett has not yet decided upon his next collegiate home after leaving Indiana.
Popular Internet rumors link him with Cincinnati and Marquette, while local sources indicate that Texas and West Virginia are also possible destinations.
• Irwin to Rose – Linton’s Lance Irwin has made the decision to play at the college level at Rose Hulman Institute of Technology for the next four seasons.
Rose Coach Steve Englehart told the Greene County Daily World that Irwin will be tried at both offensive and defensive line spots.
“We will start Lance out on the defensive line and he could possibly see some time on the offensive line as well. A lot of that will be determined on how well he makes the adjustment from the high school to collegiate level.”
• LTC gets local — Robinson’s Logan Brimberry has signed to play collegiately for Junsie Cotton at Lincoln Trail College in both golf and basketball.
Cotton coaches both sports.
LTC reinstated its golf program this year, and also includes local athletes Justin McDaniels and Ben Miller of Robinson and Tyler Mitchell of Oblong.
Joey Bennett is a former Tribune-Star sports reporter who now teaches and coaches at Northview High School in Brazil. He can be reached at tribstarcollegereport@yahoo.com.
College Report
College Report: Former South girls basketball standout to play at IU-South Bend
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COLLEGE REPORT: Kentucky baseball star Reed earns All-SEC
Kentucky sophomore baseball standout A.J. Reed of Terre Haute South Vigo High School earned first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors in voting by the league coaches for the recently completed season.
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Catching up as the school year winds down
Odds and ends from here and there as the school year quickly winds down. For starters, high jumper Nick Jaeger of Terre Haute South was named the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference’s male track & field newcomer of the year:
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College Report: Lively earned collegiate upgrade with strong play
Hillary Lively signed to play Division II basketball at Maryville (Mo.) during her senior year at North Vermillion, but those plans changed and she would up at nearby Danville Area Community College — where she recently concluded an outstanding two-year career.
Lively was impressive enough to earn a Division I scholarship to Southeast Missouri State of the Ohio Valley Conference, and both her future and past college coaches think she will continue to succeed there.
“She fits what we need,” SEMO coach Ty Margenthaler said. “She has college experience, she is strong and physical and plays well around the basket and moves well.
“Her strength, rebounding and touch around the basket will be a big help. On the defensive end, she’ll be able to guard a true center.” -
COLLEGE REPORT: Valley prep athletes getting ready for next level
The NCAA “regular” signing period begins Wednesday for all sports except football, field hockey, soccer, track and field, cross country and men’s water polo.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Conferences honor Valley softball players
Several Wabash Valley area college softball players have been honored by their respective conferences for outstanding play this spring.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Jake Newton makes big impact for Lincoln Trail College
Jake Newton had a long time between playing in competitive basketball games, a span of about 18 months, and used the frustration from that long dry spell to produce a stellar freshman season for Lincoln Trail College this winter.
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COLLEGE REPORT: A.J. Reed earns SEC Player of the Week honors
After belting three home runs during a five games last week, Kentucky sophomore left-handed pitcher/first baseman A.J. Reed was named Southeastern Conference Player of the Week.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Spring newcomers making marks
Several freshman baseball and softball NCAA Division I players from the Wabash Valley have already made immediate impacts at their new schools, while others are waiting for their turns to shine.
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COLLEGE REPORT: A.J. Reed named third-team preseason baseball All-American
Two-way sophomore standout A.J. Reed was one of three University of Kentucky players named third-team preseason All-America by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Sponsler honored after big week for Wabash men's hoops
Wabash College freshman Ross Sponsler of Terre Haute North was named the North Coast Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week for the period ending Jan. 6.
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COLLEGE REPORT: North grad Hughes finds success after facing preseason adversity
A.J. Hughes knew he was in for a battle as he competed with three other walk-on punters in the preseason for the lone starting job on the Virginia Tech football team.
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Etling, Meggs enjoying great year
It’s been a great year so far with more to come for a pair of longtime friends and St. Patrick’s School classmates.
Former Terre Haute resident Jack Meggs quarterbacked the Bellevue Wolverines football team to the Washington Class 3A state championship this fall, culminating with a 35-3 win over Sammamish Eastside Catholic — Bellevue’s fifth straight crown.
Danny Etling, meanwhile, has completed graduation requirements at Terre Haute South and is preparing for an upcoming high school all-star game and his first college classes in a couple of weeks. -
COLLEGE REPORT: Valley’s women’s college hoops players start strong
Several women’s college basketball players from the Wabash Valley have gotten off to good starts this season on the hardwood. Highlights:
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COLLEGE REPORT: Mayhew, Mascari provide fall highlights
Several dozen Wabash Valley athletes enjoyed successful fall seasons collegiately in cross country and tennis this year. -
COLLEGE REPORT: Former North teammates start strong in college
Former Terre Haute North teammates Ross Sponsler and Matt O’Leary made their college basketball debuts last week and had outstanding initial performances. -
COLLEGE REPORT: Shoemaker OBP leads Chisox farmhands
Former Indiana State, Olney Central and Northview baseball standout Brady Shoemaker opened a lot of eyes last summer in the Chicago White Sox farm system, earning him a spot on a mlb.com blog team that highlighted the team’s outstanding minor leaguers at each position.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Boeglin has plenty of ISU memories, but not all are related to basketball
Melanie Boeglin, an All-American who played on the women’s basketball team at Indiana State from 2002-2006, will be inducted into the 21st class of the Indiana State University Athletics Hall of Fame on Thursday.
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COLLEGE REPORT: North grad leading DePauw volleyball in winning streak
DePauw’s volleyball team has won seven straight matches entering this weekend’s DePauw Invitational, including four straight wins last weekend to capture the Rose-Hulman invitational title.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Engle moving up football coaching ranks
Michael Engle graduated from DePauw University in the spring of 2011 with a degree in political science and future plans to advance his studies in law school.
Being a coach’s son and a competitive athlete by nature, Engle has put those plans on hold for now. -
COLLEGE REPORT: From Terre Haute South to Division I competition to coaching careers
Adriane Wunderlich and Katelyn Bishop both turned stellar high school careers at Terre Haute South into Division I collegiate careers at Indiana State and Southern California, respectively.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Former prep athletes getting ready for fall college season
An impressive total of at least 122 Wabash Valley athletes and coaches will be competing collegiately for the first time during the upcoming school year or have changed schools to continue their careers.
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COLLEGE REPORT: SP’s Boetjer is Indiana’s Miss Softball
South Putnam’s Brooke Boetjer, who will be a freshman on the Indiana University softball team next spring, was named the 2012 Indiana Miss Softball last month between games at the North/South All-Star games in Carmel.
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College report: North grad Mayhew is second team all-American at IU
Indiana University running standout Zach Mayhew of Terre Haute North was honored earlier this month as a second-team All-American by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
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College report: Bloomfield runner to join IUPUI track, cross country teams
Bloomfield track/cross country standout Julie Riggins will be joining the developing IUPUI program next fall as one of six incoming recruits.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Roberts takes coaching position at UNC-Greensboro
Terre Haute native Mike Roberts is continuing his climb up the college basketball coaching ladder, recently departing Rice for a spot as the associate head coach at North Carolina-Greensboro.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Valley grads playing role for No. 13 Vincennes
A few springtime odds and ends:
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COLLEGE REPORT: Shouse making his mark for Danville Community College
Derek Shouse definitely flew under the radar in his one season of playing for the Terre Haute South boys basketball team last winter.
Not highly recruited, he made his way to Danville Area Community College as a walk-on with the hopes he could find his way onto the court at some point. -
COLLEGE REPORT: Bullock finds sunny home to continue tennis career
Most college athletes progress along similar paths to get to their final destinations athletically, but Terre Haute South grad Taylor Bullock’s route to the Eckerd College women’s tennis team was a little different than most.
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COLLEGE REPORT: TH South QB entertains Division I offers
Danny Etling’s trek to being a big-time college quarterback took a huge step this week when the Terre Haute South junior picked up a scholarship offer from Purdue, according to 247sports.com.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Kentucky baseball star Reed earns All-SEC




