Joey Bennett
The Tribune-Star
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.
