Under the Radar


I often think that the local high school scene doesn't get the respect it deserves away from this part of the state.  The players and coaches are often left out of talk or debate about the best in the state.  I will take many of the players around here through the years over many other players throughout the state.  As for coaches of boys' basketball, the names of Doc Nash at Borden and Lou Lefevre at Providence are often mentioned in the same breath as David Benter at Brownstown Central and Tom Bradley at Orleans and deservedly so.  Nash and Lefevre have had unprecedented success at their respective schools and their teams are competitive each year.

However, there is a coach that I faced that I think is under the radar when it comes to good, young coaches.  New Washington's Jon May.  I know, I can get online and see his overall record isn't anywhere near as good some of the coaches in the area, but I don't care about those things.  Maybe I would care more about that if Coach were inept and not a good coach, and I know results are the bottom line for many people.  But what Jon May has done at New Washington, well, I am not sure anyone could have done better.

This is no slap on the New Washington basketball program at all, I mean, Doc Nash, Jamie and Scott Matthews, Shannon and Matt Arthur, Jamie Jones, Jon Cain and, well, Jon May have not walked through that door since 2001. (Vincent Minton and Devin Freels had a couple of nice teams, I think they might have ended our season one year at HHS)

What Coach May has done is grow up and play for the legendary Jim Matthews at NW soaking up every bit of knowledge he could from the coach that deserves to be in the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.  He does things similar, but also differently which all coaches do.  He now has a childhood hero in Scott Matthews working in the building to help coach at the lower levels, and May is a New Wash guy who has given so much time and effort to his hometown.

Coach May's teams are prepared for each game.  If they don't play well, it isn't because of lack of effort by Coach May and his assistant Darrin Dickey.  While coaching at Henryville, Coach May was one of the coaches you knew who would scout you so hard that when you verbalized a call, he and his assistants knew what the call was and was ready to counter act it.  Coach May's players are always fundamental and understand the game, relatively speaking.  Sometimes they haven't been capable to get it done, not due to lack of leadership, but lack of talent comparative to the teams on their schedule. (23 wins in 2001, they didn't top that number again total until the 2008 season, and that had been done through three different coaches; Jim Matthews, John Howell, and, Coach May)  No matter what has happened, the NW players have always played hard and competed and that sayd a lot about the coaching staff at NW in that they keep the players motivated.

I recently attended one of their practices and I can see now as a fan why NW teams are so fundamental and prepared.  Coach May and his staff are meticulous in preparing for the next team on their schedule and the players do what is asked, for the most part, I mean, they are kids.  He uses all of the right motivational tactics that any coach would use and is thorough in his preparation.  After this weekend they moved their record to 6-7 on the season.  Yes, that isn't exactly an overwhelming record, but see above and realize what a great job both the coaching staff and players are doing, now if they can get over the mental part of striving for more than just "good enough".

If I lived in New Washington, I couldn't think of a better coach for my son to grow up and play for.  Coach May is not only a good coach, but a good son, husband, father and excellent role model for the young men at New Washington High School. 

What's Special About Indiana High School Basketball?

Watch this...just a small taste.

McKee Munk Tournament FCA Character Counts Awards

Due to poor weather, the McKee Munk boys' basketball tournament was cancelled.  However, the Henryville FCA chose players from each team to receive a Character Counts certificate.  It is in recognition for exhibiting the FCA core values of integrity, serving, teamwork, and excellence on their team, school, and community.

Pictured above is Henryville's Tyler Collins who was presented his certificate in class.  Oldenburg Academy's Peter Lamping was chosen as well as Crothersville's Jimmy Needler (seen below) and Christian Academy's Austin Graham.

These certificates will either be mailed out to the respective winners or hand delivered where applicable.  Thanks to those young men for having good character and continue to live with integrity.

Bucket List Item Marked Off

On December 28, I was able to do something that I had long dreamed about and was actually a "bucket list" item.  I wanted to sit in the lower level bleachers at an Indiana University men's basketball game.  I finally was able to do so.

Last fall, I attended the Sports Reach silent and live auction and was able to purchase the tickets at a small price.  The tickets are those of former IU star Tom Abernethy who donates for one game to Sports Reach.  Robby Speer at Sports Reach was able to get the tickets, I was able to use them, and a dream came true.

Sitting so low, second row behind the IU men's bench, allowed me to see and hear many things you cannot do higher up.  In my opinion, there are no bad seats in Assembly Hall, ok, no horrible seats, but where I sat that night in the game vs. Jacksonville is as good as it gets.  I guess, unless you are actually sitting on the bench.

It was a night I won't forget soon and probably spoiled me a little bit when I attend a game in the future.

FCA January 8, 2013

Today, Stephanie gave her testimony.  She spoke of dealing with the difficulty in sharing her faith with everyone, but is starting to get better at doing it. 

She chose Romans 1:16 to share. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."

It's Just a Game, Right?

If you weren't at Borden High School Saturday night you missed a great high school game.  By now by reading Kevin Harris's article you know that Borden’s 19-year wait to get another crack at West Clark sister school Silver Creek finally ended.

You also know that unfortunately for the host Braves, they could not find a way to defeat the Dragons for the third time in program history. Silver Creek snapped a three-game losing streak in knocking off Borden, 60-51 again by reading Kevin Harris's article. 

But what you might not know unless you were there but maybe have heard about are two moments that occurred before the game that was worth the $5 admission.  Borden Athletic Director Toby Cheatham's daughter Josey has sung the national anthem many times at BHS before basketball games, often with the help of an older student, Erika Frascella .  But Saturday she was singing by herself with Erika standing beside her.  Josey has a sweet voice as a 4th grader at BES and you can imagine the courage it takes to sing in front of 2200+ people, especially the national anthem. 

Mid way through the song, she messed up and the crowd laughed.  It wasn't a laugh at her, but one with her.  One that everyone who did laugh felt for her, they understood the tender moment that was unfolding.  Josey began to sing again, but by now, she was upset.  She stopped and said "I can't do this."  Erika helped and began singing with her and what happened then is what makes you proud to live in small town southern Indiana.  The entire crowd, most people from both communities joined in and helped Josey to finish.  If there was courage involved to start, imagine how tough she had to be to finish, but it had to be made easier due to the two West Clark rivals crowds helping.

Then came more of a planned event.  Longtime Borden resident Ed Kirchgessner was in attendance.  What makes that special?  He is the grandfather of Borden's Billy Kirchgessner and Silver Creek's Nick Kirchgessner, but also has Statge 4 pancreatic cancer.  SC's Nick probably hasn't started a varsity games this season, but that changed Saturday.  Speaking with SC's Coach Hoffman before the game, he told me that there was plan to start Nick for SC and allow he and Billy of Borden to score the first four points of the game.  Then the game ball would be presented to their grandfather, Ed Kirchgessner. When speaking to Borden's Coach Nash, he said that it was Coach Hoffman's idea, but as soon as he heard of the idea, it was a quick "for sure" on his part. 

I realize that some people don't like Coach Nash and some people don't like Coach Hoffman, heck I know that many people don't like me some who actually read these articles.  But I am proud to be friends with both coaches, I am proud to speak with Coach Hoffman about his faith and to attend the Borden Church of Christ with Coach Nash.  I am proud to live in an area where fans, players, and coaches can see that there are some things that transcend sports.  I am proud to know two men like Coach Hoffman and Coach Nash who are willing to do the right thing, to heck with the game. 

Because it is just a game, right? But this is Indiana and it is a game until the ball goes up on the jump ball, then it's life and death.