TERRE HAUTE — Those programs that make up the Tri-River and Southwestern Indiana Athletic Conference have seen some quality players come through in recent years.
Shakamak senior Billy Newton, a 6-foot-4 forward, could be remembered as one of the best.
With a career point total over 1,300 already, Newton should finish with at least 1,800 points.
“If we get a run into the tournament, he might have an outside shot at 2,000,” Shakamak coach Steve Brett said. “I’m sure he’s going to get most of the attention from other teams’ defenses.”
The second-year coach will need the Lakers’ supporting cast to take pressure off Newton.
With Newton and four other experienced seniors returning, Shakamak is a preseason favorite with North Central to contend for the last Tri-River Conference title. The league will disband after this year, and North Central will join the SWIAC, which also includes Shakamak, Bloomfield, Linton, White River Valley, Clay City and Union.
Following are season previews for schools in the TRC and SWIAC:
• North Central — Coach Ryan Kamman has nine seniors and a junior on his varsity roster.
So the Thunderbirds, 14-8 last season, are poised to repeat that success.
Point guard Bobby Swaby, a 5-10 senior, averaged 12 ppg last year. And, while he loses 6-6 post threat Donne Abrams, Swaby has another double-figure scoring threat to find with the addition of 6-0 senior Ethan Stanifer.
Stanifer was a three-year starter at Shakamak after growing up in the North Central school district, Kamman said.
“He’s fit in really well. Team chemistry will be a positive for us this year,” Kamman said. “Ethan grew up with a lot of these guys. They all get along really well.”
Corbin Rehmel, a 6-4 senior, will hold down the post after contributing last season off the bench.
“Corbin did a good job for us last year, all year, but especially when Donnie was out with a broken hand,” Kamman said. “Corbin just played within himself. Did a good job on the boards and playing defense. We’ll be happy to get same type of production.”
Jordan Stefancik, a 6-0 senior, gives the T-Birds another athletic wing player with experience.
Battling for playing time will be 5-11 senior Tyler Howkinson, 6-0 junior Cody Cox, 5-7 guard Matt Hinesley, 5-7 senior guard Caleb Gilman, 5-8 guard/forward Nathan Russell and 6-0 senior Robert Horn.
It’s another promising season for Kamman, but not without its obstacles.
“We’ve got to do a good job on the defensive end and on the boards. Don’t have the size we’ve had the last couple years,” Kamman said. “Our style will probably change a little bit. We have several guys that can put the ball in the basket, with Ethan and Bobby. This year, our advantage will be with our speed and quickness and hopefully our guard play.”
Kamman sees his team as a conference and sectional contender.
“I’d put WRV in that mix for sure,” he said. “They’ll be pretty good. They have a bunch of guys back, they’re long and athletic. And Shakamak’s going to have a lot of size.”
• Clay City — Coming off the program’s first sectional in 33 years, the Eels could face a rebuild with a first-year head coach. Vance Edmondson, who spent time as an assistant at West Vigo and Terre Haute South, has just two returning lettermen: Logan Higgins, a 6-3 senior small forward and D.J. Newton, a 6-0 senior guard.
“Logan’s a very athletic kid who gets to the rim well, shoots well from 20 feet and in,” Edmondson said. “D.J. can shoot it from anywhere and he’s tough defensively and brings a lot of energy.
“We’re just expecting those two guys to do big things.”
Edmondson has several seniors but some are new to the program. Guards Matt Moore (5-11) and Tyler Jenkins (5-10) and center Nick Johnson (6-4) are still getting acclimated to varsity basketball and so is junior forward Tyler Bridgewater (6-3).
Junior Josh Decker (6-2) and sophomores Ben Denker (5-8) and Jake Tiefel (5-8) are up from the junior varsity.
“We’re going to be a work in progress. We knew that defensively was where are going to win and lose ball games, but we were going up against a veteran team. We have to remember that we’re young.
“If we can improve defensively as we go on through the season, we’ll get a lot better,” Edmondson said. “It’s a tough sectional, tough conference. We’ll have our work cut out for us.”
• Linton — Coach Darren Clayton also has just two returning players, but he hopes an infusion of size and youth will jumpstart the program.
Chase Rhoten, a 6-0 guard, and Caleb Stuppy, a 5-10 guard, had spurts of success last season that carry them into leadership roles this winter.
Two freshmen will start for the Miners. Dess Fougerousse is a 6-3 “do-everything guy,” Clayton said. “He can handle the ball, shoot the 3. He’s going to step in and be a help for us.”
Austin Karazsia, a 6-5 freshman, will also start and “has a nice shot from 15 feet in,” Clayton said.
Stephen Franklin, a 5-10 junior with a “muscular” build, will be the fifth starter. Other contributors will be 5-9 junior Gunnar Passen — “a real good shooter off the bench” — and Blake Eaton, a 6-1 sophomore that will “get inside and bang and rebound.”
Tim Scott, a lengthy, athletic 6-2 forward, could also has “a lot of ability,” Clayton said. “We just need to get it harnessed and he can bring a lot to the table.”
• Shakamak — In addition to Newton, who averaged 18 ppg as a junior, the Lakers return starting point guard John Smith, a steady 5-11 player.
Smith has put in work on his outside shot that could benefit the Lakers.
“He’s improved as much as anybody. Teams floated him quite a bit ,” Brett said. “I don’t think they’ll be able to do that this time around.”
Developing consistent scorers around Newton is a priority for Brett in his second year at Shakamak, especially with Stanifer’s relocation to North Central.
Guard Tyler Richardson, a 5-11 senior, has “scored some points at different times,” Brett said. “I think we have to develop some other guys that can score a little bit.”
A pair of 6-8 seniors are candidates. Jordan Langford and Jared Van Horn will need to step up for the Lakers.
“I’d like to see them get a little meaner, a little tougher and more physical inside,” Brett said. “Learn how to use their size to their advantage.”
The Lakers get the season under way Dec. 4 at home against Bloomfield.
It could be the beginning of a successful season in western Greene County.
“We haven’t perfected the game in this first two weeks of practice. If they improve upon our work ethic, get a little tougher, we have a chance to do that,” Brett said.
• Union — The Bulldogs graduated a strong senior class from a team that went 6-16 last year, and coach Clarence Johnson has to rebuild without much size.
Union lost its season opener 62-26 at Bloomfield. Troy Talpas, a 5-8 sophomore, led the way with nine points and six rebounds. Turnover problems caused the Bulldogs’ offensive struggles.
Talpas is joined by 5-8 senior Trent Collins and 5-8 junior Jake Phegley.
Sterling Langley, Brandon Dunca, Ethan Fettig and Seth Gambill will also contribute.
Union schedule
Wednesday — Lost 62-26 at Bloomfield (SWIAC)
Tuesday — North Knox, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 4 — At Clay City (TRC, SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 5 — Eminence (TRC), 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 11 — At Sullivan, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 12 — At Shakamak (TRC, SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 19 — At Turkey Run, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 5-9 — Greene County Invitational at White River Valley, TBA
Jan. 16 — New Harmony, 3:30 p.m.
Jan. 19 — Hutsonville-Palestine (Ill.), 8 p.m.
Jan. 22 — Eastern Greene (SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 26 — Linton (TRC, SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 29 — At Shoals, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 5 — North Central (TRC), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 6 — Riverton Parke, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 11 — At North Daviess (SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 20 — White River Valley (SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 23 — At Washington Catholic, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 26 — Medora, 7:30 p.m.
Shakamak schedule
Dec. 4 — Bloomfield (SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 5 — At Sullivan, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 12 — Union (TRC, SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 18 — At Linton (TRC, SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 26 — Pizza Hut Wabash Valley Classic at Terre Haute North, TBA
Dec. 28-30 — Pizza Hut Wabash Valley Classic at Terre Haute North, TBA
Jan. 5-9 — Greene County Invitational at White River Valley, TBA
Jan. 16 — At North Daviess (SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 22 — White River Valley (SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 23 — At Covington, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 29 — Barr-Reeve, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 30 — North Central (TRC), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 5 — At Clay City (TRC, SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 11 — At Vincennes Rivet, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 16 — At Eminence (TRC), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 19 — Eastern Greene (SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 26 — At Owen Valley, 7:30 p.m.
Clay City schedule
Wednesday — Lost 61-46 at South Vermillion
Dec. 4 — Union (TRC, SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 11 — Bloomfield (SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 12 — Eminence (TRC), 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 15 — At Cloverdale, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 18 — At Vincennes Rivet, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 29-30 — At South Putnam Tournament, TBA
Jan. 5-9 — Greene County Invitational at White River Valley, TBA
Jan. 15 — At Eastern Greene (SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 16 — At Turkey Run, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 22 — At Sullivan, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 29 — North Daviess (SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 30 — White River Valley (SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 5 — Shakamak (TRC, SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 11 — At North Central (TRC), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 16 — Linton (TRC, SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 19 — Northview, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 25 — At Riverton Parke, 7:30 p.m.
Linton schedule
Saturday — North Knox, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 4 — Owen Valley, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 5 — At Bloomfield (SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 12 — At White River Valley (SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 18 — Shakamak (TRC, SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 26 — Pizza Hut Wabash Valley Classic at Terre Haute North, TBA
Dec. 28-30 — Pizza Hut Wabash Valley Classic at Terre Haute North, TBA
Jan. 5-9 — Greene County Invitational at White River Valley, TBA
Jan. 15 — At Vincennes Rivet, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 19 — Eastern Greene (SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 22 — North Daviess (SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 26 — At Union (TRC, SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 30 — South Knox, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 5 — Eminence (TRC), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 16 — At Clay City (TRC, SWIAC), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 19 — At North Central (TRC), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 20 — Sullivan, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 26 — West Vigo, 7:30 p.m.
TRC — denotes Tri-River Conference games
SWIAC — denotes SouthWestern Indiana Athletic Conference games
High School
Shakamak looking to improve Newton's supporting cast
- High School
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South’s Lough to wrestle for state title
The day didn’t start in a promising fashion for Wabash Valley high school wrestlers at the Evansville Semistate in Ford Center on Saturday — but it got better as it went along.
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TERRE HAUTE NORTH SECTIONAL: Mooresville tops South for fourth straight title
For Terre Haute South High School girls basketball fans, it might sound good that the Braves did not miss a shot in the first four minutes of their Class 4A Terre Haute North Sectional championship game Saturday.
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BLOOMFIELD SECTIONAL: Sullivan rebounds from tough start for title
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Sullivan struggled mightily in the first half, eerily reminiscent of its eventual elimination in the final seconds of overtime by Edgewood in last year’s Class 3A girls basketball sectional. -
CLAY CITY SECTIONAL: Eels take third straight sectional crown
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NORTH VERMILLION SECTIONAL: Twenty years in the waiting
The Super Bowl came to a new city. A presidential election was ongoing. And Riverton Parke won a girls basketball sectional.
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PREP ROUNDUP: Rox clinch WRC
Class A No. 8-ranked Rockville knocked off Attica 50-35 in boys high school basketball Saturday afternoon, clinching the Wabash River Conference championship in the process.
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THN SECTIONAL: Braves to play Mooresville for sectional title tonight
Terre Haute South continued to show what’s new and Terre Haute North unfortunately reverted back to what’s old in Class 4A high school girls basketball sectional action Friday night at North.
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OWEN VALLEY SECTIONAL: Eagles bring Vikes down to earth
Baby steps. A baby takes that first step and grins, then attempts the second step and tumbles. The West Vigo High School girls took their first step with a victory Tuesday night in the Class 3A basketball sectional at Owen Valley.
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BLOOMFIELD SECTIONAL: Sullivan jumps to early lead in sectional victory
Sullivan jumped out to a 9-0 lead and were never threatened in a dominant 48-25 win over Eastern Greene in a semifinal game of the Class 2A Bloomfield girls basketball sectional inside Glover Gymnasium on Friday.
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North Vermillion Sectional: Panthers, Falcons to meet for NV title
Outstanding defense and quality passing landed Riverton Parke in the championship game of the Class A North Vermillion Sectional. The Panthers will have to get through the host school tonight in order to secure the program’s first sectional crown since 1992.
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South swimmers don’t advance at Finals
Terre Haute South’s trip to the IHSAA girls swimming state finals at the Indiana University Natatorium was a short one Friday night.
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South runs into talented North Central team
Terre Haute South players and coaches knew when they got off the bus Saturday afternoon that they couldn’t run with the Class 4A No. 3-ranked Indianapolis North Central Panthers.
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BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Duncan’s OT free throws help Marshall down H-P
Jacob Duncan hit four free throws in overtime Friday night as visiting Marshall defeated Hutsonville-Palestine 51-49 in Little Illini Conference action.
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O'Leary pours in career-high 34 for Terre Haute North
Matt O’Leary poured in a career-high 34 points, 17 in each half, to lead Terre Haute North to a dominant 69-46 home victory over Center Grove in Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference boys high school basketball Saturday afternoon.
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Davis hits layup in double overtime to lift Terre Haute North at Bloomington North
Playing without their two leading scorers against a team that — most of the time — seemed more determined to win than they did, Terre Haute North's Patriots got a driving layup from Steven Davis with 2.8 seconds left in the second overtime to escape Bloomington North with a 54-52 win in high school basketball Thursday night.
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Sullivan stays on top of WIC for third straight year
Western Indiana Conference boys basketball teams have been trying to storm the Sullivan castle for three years now. The Golden Arrows have endured nearly every kind of strategy in the effort to breech their wall. West Vigo tried a few more on Thursday in a showdown for the WIC championship.
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South girls looking for solid performances at swimming state finals
One individual and one relay team, which includes that same individual, will represent Terre Haute South in the IHSAA girls swimming state finals today and possibly Saturday at the Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis.
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PREP ROUNDUP: Cesinger, Jones each score 24 in Clay City win
Blake Cesinger and Brylan Jones poured in 24 points apiece to lead visiting Clay City over North Central 67-53 in SouthWestern Indiana Athletic Conference boys high school basketball Thursday night.
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Teutopolis knocks off record-setting Marshall girls in regional championship
Marshall jumped ahead 4-0 only to watch Teutopolis score the next 11 points Thursday in the championship game of the Class 2A Teutopolis Regional.
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Sullivan wins battle in low post
Sullivan dominated the low block at both ends of the court Wednesday to defeat South Knox 43-30.
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State wrestling berths won't come easily
If high school wrestlers thought regional competition was tough last weekend, they can expect the competition, as Keegan Michael Key used to say on MADtv, taken to “a whole notha level” on Saturday.
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South pulls upset
Plainfield’s 16-5 record made the Quakers the team to beat in the Class 4A Terre Haute North Sectional.
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Vikings break long sectional drought
You’ll have to forgive West Vigo for celebrating just a wee bit prior to the postgame handshake with South Vermillion, but its first victory in a sectional game in 11 years was worthy of celebrating.
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PREP ROUNDUP: RP rolls past Attica
Riverton Parke jumped to a 20-point halftime lead and easily defeated Attica 59-34 in the Class A North Vermillion girls basketball sectional on Tuesday.
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They’re the pride of Marshall
With a 24-1 record, coach Kathy Miller’s Marshall team earned the top seed in the Class 2A Teutopolis Regional.
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Union season more fun with Talpas around
The Union boys basketball team has had its share of fun moments in the past, arguably the most fun being its Class A state runner-up in 2000.
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Injury bug follows girls into postseason
Who’s healthy is the question at least three of the four teams will be asking tonight when Class 4A girls high school basketball sectional play begins at Terre Haute North.
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Rockville needs late run to stop West Vigo
It was a game of fits and starts, but host Rockville finally overcame a stiff challenge from visiting West Vigo in a 53-46 victory in boys high basketball action on Saturday.
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Northview holds off Plainfield
Northview got its sixth victory in boys high school basketball action Saturday night, defeating Plainfield 59-56.
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PREP ROUNDUP: Cloverdale helps Rady to career win No. 714
Brandon Dorman and Joe Fidler combined for 37 points and six 3-pointers Saturday night as visiting Cloverdale defeated Turkey Run 63-45 in boys high school basketball.
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