TERRE HAUTE — 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.

Shouse figured out the college game pretty quickly this winter, earning himself a scholarship, the Mid West Athletic Conference “Freshman of the Year” award, a regional championship and an appearance in the National Junior College Athletic Association national tournament.

“I really like that I had to earn everything and Coach [Mike] Carpenter gave me an opportunity,’’ Shouse told the Danville Commercial-News. “I wouldn’t have won that honor without my teammates getting me open shots and getting everyone involved.

“But, I’m more focused on Nationals and helping my team, that’s more important than any individual award.’’

Carpenter, a Linton native, earned MWAC Coach of the Year honors.

“We did recruit Derek, it was just late in the process,’’ Carpenter said. “We were in a position with the guys that we had returning — at that time — a shooting guard was the last position we needed.

“But, Coach [Mike] Saylor sent me a YouTube video on Derek. I watched it a two or three times, then I called Coach [DeJuan] Gouard and we determined that we wanted him here for a visit.

“I told him that day if we had a scholarship, I would offer it. I hated it as a coach, because I’m only allowed so many by the school.’’

With his options limited, Shouse decided to go ahead and attend DACC to see what would happen.

“I really didn’t have any offers,’’ Shouse said. “I really liked the school and their history.

“So my dad [Daniel Shouse] and I decided that I would come here as a walk-on and try to earn my spot and a scholarship.’’

Some players scheduled to arrive on campus didn’t make it, so Carpenter was able to give Shouse a scholarship on the first day of school.

“That opened it up for Derek,’’ Carpenter said. “His work ethic has been impressive and it’s surprised some of us.’’

Carpenter likes many things about Shouse’s game.

“Derek does a lot of things that people don’t notice,’’ he said. “He does more than shoot. He can take the ball to the basket. He can make shots off the dribble and he has a great frame.”

DACC lost to sixth-ranked Erie Community College 63-62 in the Consolation Championship at the 2012 NJCAA National Basketball Tournament to earn eighth place.

This was just the second DACC team in the program’s history (1998) to win the Conference, Region, and place in the National Tournament in the same season.

Shouse’s father, Daniel, was able to see every one of Derek’s games this year. He had a legendary playing career at Peru State in Nebraska that included a 100-point game prior to the 3-point shot.

“He’s one of my biggest critics, but I know he just wants the best for me.’’

I I I

n Grimes retires — After 36 seasons leading Marian University’s men’s basketball program, Terre Haute Gerstmeyer grad John Grimes has announced his retirement as head coach of the Knights.

“The board of trustees and the entire Marian University community are thankful for Coach Grimes’ extraordinary service. He was committed to educating the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. An exemplar as a coach, he provided character-building leadership to thousands of young women and men during his career,” said President Daniel J. Elsener.

Former Indiana star Steve Downing, the school’s athletic director, echoed Elsener’s sentiments.

“We would like to thank Coach Grimes for everything he has done for the Marian University department of athletics and the men’s basketball program,” Downing said. “Words cannot express the respect I have for Coach Grimes and the way he led his program. He accomplished a great deal during his 36 seasons, leading the team to Mid-Central College Conference titles as well as NAIA tournament appearances.”

In a legendary career that spanned four decades, Grimes earned a 566-408 record, which is sixth all-time in the state of Indiana and 12th all-time in NAIA history. His teams earned four NAIA national championship tournament berths, won three Mid-Central College Conference championships and won two MCC Tournament championships.

“We are appreciative of Coach Grimes’ dedication to graduating players and guiding them through the rigors of being a student-athlete,” said Downing. “On behalf of the department of athletics and Marian University, we hope for the best for Coach Grimes and his family. Thank you for everything you have done to make Marian University a better place by doing things the right way.”

n Latta, Loebker to SMWC — Terre Haute South High School senior outfielder Rebecca Latta has signed a letter of intent to play softball at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

With a proven commitment to academics, she has maintained a 3.8 grade point average and is a member of the National Honors Society. She plans to study education at The Woods.

She will give the Pomeroys another left-handed hitter in the line-up and a strong arm in the outfield. Latta joins Terre Haute North High School graduate Kelsey Rosselli, as an outfielder at SMWC, who was named United States Collegiate Athletic Association Academic All-American.

Latta has played varsity softball since her freshman year at Terre Haute South.

Coach Gary Rodgers sees Rebecca as an immediate contributor to the SMWC program.  “Rebecca has speed on the bases and will help cover the gaps and line in the outfield. Her ability to slap and bunt from the left side coupled with her speed will enhance our short game.”

Amanda Loebker, one of the most sought after soccer athletes in the Wabash Valley, signed a national letter of intent with SMWC in January.

Loebker, a three-year varsity starter and team captain for two years with a long list of honors and accomplishments, has twice been named to the All-Conference team in the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference. Those choices were topped in her senior year by her selection as a Second Team All-State Player and an Indiana Soccer Coaches’ Association Top Team Player. Her speed, technical ability, and composure in front of the goal make her a prime college prospect. She netted 16 goals in her senior season, including the regular-season game winner against Terre Haute South, and will make an immediate impact in the Pomeroy attack.

She has maintained a 3.0 grade point average and currently intends to study Education at the Woods. Well-known as one of most intense, committed players in the area, she follows other great talents from Terre Haute North like Lauren Sullivan and Erin Pugh who were central to building a Pomeroy team that could make runs at the USCAA national championship.

Coach Mike Aycock sees Loebker as a key ingredient for a new Pomeroy side.

“Amanda is a special player in the attacking part of the field,” he said. “She has speed, creativity, and the composure to finish well and be dangerous as a target player. I have no doubt that her abilities will change some of the things we can do going forward.”

n Marshall honored — Olivet Nazarene University point guard Antonio Marshall of Owen Valley was one of 10 players in the nation selected to the NAIA Division I All-America Third Team.

Marshall, a 5-foot-9 senior, led the Tigers in scoring average (17.1), three-pointers (74), free-throw percentage (.871), assists (142) and steals (56). His free-throw percentage ranked third in the nation, and he scored a career-high 34 points against No. 3 Robert Morris University (Ill.) on Feb. 18 — a performance that earned him national NAIA Player of the Week honors.

His older brothers Harry and Jordan played for Indiana State and Terre Haute North, respectively.

 

Joey Bennett is a former Tribune-Star sports reporter and copy editor who now teaches at Northview High School in Brazil. He can be reached at

tribstarcollegereport@yahoo.com.

BASKETBALL

Bloomfield

Jarrod Brett, men¹s ass¹t coach, Franklin ­ Has coached at his alma mater

for nine years.

Elyse Weddle, So., Hanover ­ Averaged 5.5 points while playing in 25 games

and starting seven.

Chrisman

Brent Owen, men¹s graduate assistant coach, Southern Indiana ­ In his second

year as a graduate assistant at his alma mater.

Jordan Kindred, Jr., Eureka ­ Team¹s second-leading scorer at 12.2.

Cody Owen, Fr., Danville Area CC ­ Averaged 2.4 points per game.

Greencastle

Chelsea Samuels, Fr., Elmhurst ­ Played in eight games and scored two

points.

Linton-Stockton

Mike Carpenter, men¹s head coach, Danville Area CC ­ In sixth season as head

coach at DACC.

Local connections

Mike Roberts (former Terre Haute resident), men¹s assistant coach, Rice In

his fourth year as an assistant at Rice.

Kelly Meggs (former Terre Haute North player), So., California-Irvine ­

Played in 27 games, starting four, averaging 4.4 points and 1.8 assists per

game.

Noah Stewart (former Terre Haute resident), So., Olney Central ­ Averaging

8.0 points (fifth on team) and team-high 3.3 assists per game.

Justin Dooley (son of Terre Haute native Mark Dooley), Fr., Huntingdon

(Ala.) ­ Stats unavailable.

Dylan McDaniel, Fr., Ancilla (son of former Terre Haute resident Mike

McDaniel) ­ Averaged 2.0 points per game.

Marshall

Jon Prevo, women¹s head coach, Rose-Hulman ­ In fifth year as head coach at

Rose-Hulman.

Lucas Eitel, So., Indiana State ­ Averaged 3.0 points per game.

Martinsville

Heidi Dahnke, Jr., Illinois-Chicago ­ Played in 27 games, starting 16,

averaging 2.4 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.

North Central

Donnie Abrams, Jr., Marian ­ Played in two games and did not score.

North Vermillion

Hillary Lively, Fr., Danville Area CC ­ Averaged 9.8 points per game, third

on team. Led team in rebounding with 6.5 per game.

Northview

Austin Akers, Jr., Eastern Illinois ­ Played in all 29 games, starting six,

averaging 1.3 points and 2.1 assists per game. Had 63 assists and only 28

turnovers.

Oblong

Drew Morecraft, So., Lincoln Trail ­ Averaged 2.5 points per game.

Owen Valley

Antonio Marshall, Sr., Olivet Nazarene ­ Leads team in scoring at 17.9

points per game and ranked second in rebounds at 4.3.

Mitch Stahl, Jr., Oakland City ­ Led team in scoring at 18.7 points per

game.

Nickole Gonser, Jr., Indianapolis ­ Ranked third on team in scoring at 8.2

points and second in rebounding at 5.0 as a starting guard.

Cody Vest, So., Indianapolis ­ Played in 21 games, starting nine, averaging

3.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.

Kaitlyn Sweatman, So., Missouri-St. Louis ­ Played in all 27 games and

averaged 2.7 points per game.

Paris

Rodney Watson, head men¹s coach, Southern Indiana ­ Is in third season as

USI head coach.

Chase Brinkley, Jr.,  Illinois-Springfield ­ Played in 22 games, averaging

2.2 points and 0.6 rebounds per game.

Zach Henn, So., Eureka ­ Averaged 4.9 points per game in seven games.

Dalten Temples, Fr., Parkland ­ Averaged 3.8 points per game.

Riverton Parke

Josh Wilson, So., Ancilla ­ Averaged 7.0 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.

Robinson

Meyers Leonard, So., Illinois ­ Second on team in scoring at 13.6 points and

also led team in rebounding at 8.2.

Ben Jones, So., Southern Indiana ­ Played in 31 games, starting two,

averaged 3.1 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.

Rockville

R.J. Mahurin, So., Indiana State ­ Averaged 7.2 points per game, sixth on

team.

Beth Mahurin, Fr., Murray State ­ Played in 21 games, averaging 1.0 points

and 2.0 rebounds per game.

Shakamak

Billy Newton, So., Oakland City ­ Averaged 5.1 points and 3.5 rebounds per

game.

Marki Collins, So., Olney Central ­ Averaged 4.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per

game.

South Vermillion

Lou Gudino, men¹s associate head coach, Indiana State ­ In his fifth season

as an assistant coach at ISU.

Jenni McLeish-Marietta, Sr., St. Mary-of-the-Woods ­ Averaged 2.1 points and

1.1 rebounds per game.

Andy Walsh, So., Wabash ­ Played in 18 games, finished season ranked fourth

in scoring at 7.1 points per game.

Amanda Kelly, Fr., St. Mary-of-the-Woods ­ Averaged 0.3 points and 1.3

rebounds per game this year.

Sullivan

Mason Gregory, Fr., Olney Central ­ Averaged 2.6 points per game.

Lara Benningfield, Fr., Olney Central ­ Averaged 2.0 points and 2.5 rebounds

per game

Terre Haute North

John Grimes (Gerstmeyer H.S), men¹s head coach, Marian ­ Recently completed

36th and final season as head coach.

Clint Weddle, women¹s associate head coach, Indiana State ­ In fifth season

as assistant coach at ISU.

Molly Martin, volunteer women¹s assistant coach, Rose-Hulman ­ In her first

year of coaching after one of the best playing careers in Hanover College

history.

Francesca McCarthy, So., Holy Cross (Ind.) ­ Played in all 32 games,

averaging 4.1 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.

Thomas Anderson, Fr., Olney Central ­ Averaged 5.3 points and 2.4 rebounds

per game.

Justin Gant, Fr., Indiana State ­ Averaged 2.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.7

blocked shots per game.

Logan Shipley, Fr., Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne ­ Played in three games and

scored two points.

Jake Newton, Fr., Oakland City ­ Sitting out season as a redshirt.

Terre Haute South

Jim Shaw, men¹s head coach, Rose-Hulman ­ In 18th year at Rose-Hulman. Led

Engineers to HCAC Championship and berth in NCAA tournament.

Melanie Boeglin, women¹s assistant coach, Indiana State ­ In her fourth year

coaching at her alma mater.

Spencer Harlan, Sr., Rose-Hulman ­ Averaged 2.8 points and 1.5 rebounds per

game.

Megan Craft, Sr., Ball State ­ Played in 15 games, starting one, averaging

0.5 points per game.

Jake Odum, So., Indiana State ­ Ranked second on team in scoring at 10.8,

led team led team in assists with 4.8 per game.

John Michael Jarvis, So., Olney Central ­ Averaged 8.8 points (fourth on

team).

Ike Worrell, So., Oakland City ­ Did not play this season.

Jacob Tanoos, So., Illinois Central ­ Is sitting out season as a redshirt.

Joey Etling, So., Wabash ­ Played in one game this season.

Haley Seibert, Fr., Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne ­ Played in 27 games, starting

three, averaging 2.7 points and 1.0 rebound per game.

Anthony McGill, Fr., Illinois Central ­ Averaged 8.4 points per game (fifth

on team).

Derek Shouse, Fr., Danville Area CC ­ Ranks third on team in scoring at 11.9

points per game. Also getting 2.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steals per

game.

Turkey Run

Jake Weaver, Fr., Lincoln Trail ­ Did not play this season.

Chelsea Francis, Fr., DePauw ­ Played in eight games and scored one point.

White River Valley

Matthew Graves, men¹s assistant coach, Butler ­ In ninth season as assistant

at his alma mater.

Kelsey Anderson, Jr., MacMurray ­ Averaged 7.9 points per game.

Alicia Tally, So., Olney Central ­ Averaged 8.4 points per game (fifth on

team) and 3.4 rebounds.