Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Info

INDIANA BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME
One Hall of Fame Court, New Castle, IN 47362
765-529-1891
Chris May, Executive Director
chris@hoopshall.com

FOR RELEASE AFTER 4:00 AM MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2010

NEW CASTLE - A class of 10 remarkable talents will be welcomed when the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame celebrates their 10th Women’s Induction Class on April 30, 2011.

Including the first woman to score over 2,000 points in Indiana girls high school basketball, the class is comprised of successful Indiana high school coaches and players who attained success throughout the IHSAA state tournament, reaching the State Finals, and participating in the Indiana-Kentucky All-Star series, all hallmarks of the rich Indiana high school basketball tradition.

In addition, a number of this year’s inductees left their mark in the early days of IHSAA girls’ basketball, implemented in 1975-76. Each has also left their mark with successful careers in college and in their respective lives off the court.

Name High School Graduation
Cindy (Beesley) Aguirre Western Boone 1978
Jane Emkes Seymour 1979
Fred Fields Muncie South 1969
Dru Lisman Sullivan 1969
Janice McCracken-O’Brien Vincennes Lincoln 1977
Kyle O’Brien Stevens North Central (Indianapolis) 1976
Laura Newcomb Titus Rochester 1977
Carol Tumey * Leavenworth 1959
Debra Walker-Augurson South Bend LaSalle 1980
Jodie Whitaker Austin 1985

* St.Vincent Health Silver Medal Award recipient

The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame’s Annual Women’s Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2011. The ceremony will take place at the Primo South Banquet and Conference Center which is located on the south side of Indianapolis. Tickets are still available for the event. Call the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame at 765-529-1891 for more information.

More information on the inductees:

Cindy Beesley Aguirre scored 1,060 career points at Western Boone High School and helped lead the newly formed school to their first two sectional championships in 1977 and 1978. She held the highest regular season scoring average of any player on the 1978 Indianapolis Star Indiana All-Star team after averaging 27.6 points her senior season. She was a three-time all-sectional team selection and was twice named all-regional. She played basketball at Indiana State University and was named the team’s 1982 MVP. Cindy now lives in Jamestown, Indiana. Cindy was a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2003 Silver Anniversary Team.

Jane Emkes was a four-year player from Seymour High School who averaged 23.9 points and 5.5 assists her senior season of 1978-79. Emkes averaged 15.3 points as a junior and played for Hall of Fame inductee Donna Sullivan. A four-year player at Ball State University, she ranked 6th in the nation her sophomore year, averaging 7.3 assists per game. She graduated in 1983 as the team leader in assists and was later chosen for Ball State’s All-Decade 2nd Team. Jane lives in Ashland, Oregon. She was a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2004 Silver Anniversary Team.

Fred Fields led Huntington North to two State Championships, three State Finals appearances, six regional championships and 10 sectional championships in his 10 years leading the Lady Vikings. Fields’ teams were 206-49 (80.8%) from 1987 through 1997, including state titles in 1990 and 1995. Between 1994 and 1996, his teams won 44 games in a row and reached #3 in the national polls. He coached three Indianapolis Star Indiana All-Stars, including 1996 Miss Basketball Lisa Winter. Fields was the head coach of the 1996 girls’ Indiana All-Star squad. A teacher since 1973 at Huntington and Whitko schools, he also coached the Whitko boys’ program from 1997-99. He now lives in South Whitley.

Dru Lisman coached her alma mater Sullivan High School to the 1982 IHSAA State Finals. A coach at L&M High School from 1973-1977, she was the head coach at Sullivan from 1977-1985. Her eight year tenure at Sullivan produced a 135-23 record with three Western Indiana Conference championships and seven sectional championships. She lettered in basketball, field hockey, and golf as a student at Indiana State University and is a five-time winner of the Terre Haute womens golf championship. She served as Girls Athletic Director at Sullivan High School until retirement in 2009 and now resides in Indianapolis.

Janice (McCracken) O’Brien totaled 1,012 career points at Vincennes Lincoln High School, leading the program to a 67-11 record over four seasons with two sectional and one regional championship in the first two years of IHSAA girls’ basketball. She averaged 20.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists her senior season, leading to a selection on the 1977 Indianapolis Star Indiana All-Star team. In two seasons at Vincennes University, she averaged 18.3 points on teams that went 43-6. While there, she was named NJCAA 2nd team All-American and participated in the NJCAA East-West All-Star game. Janice later attended Murray State University. She spent time as an assistant coach at Vincennes University and Indiana State University, where she earned her M.B.A. Janice lives in Indianapolis. She was a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2002 Silver Anniversary Team.

Kyle O’Brien Stevens averaged over 20 points per game at North Central (Indianapolis) High School while also an accomplished golfer. In her senior season of 1975-76, she averaged 26.3 points and 7.9 rebounds, which led to all-sectional, all-county, and all-metro recognitions. She was the starting shooting guard on the inaugural Indianapolis Star Indiana-All Star girls team in 1976. She is the daughter of 1987 Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Ralph “Buckshot” O’Brien and they become the 1st father-daughter combination to be inducted. Kyle was a member of the 1974 and 1975 IHSAA girls golf state championship teams and was the 1975 State Medalist and Mental Attitude Award winner. She attended Southern Methodist University to play golf, was a three-time All-American, National Collegiate Player of the Year, and medalist on the 1979 National Championship team. She was the 1981 LPGA Rookie of the Year. From 1986 to 1992 she was head womens golf coach at SMU, was Director of Womens Athletics at SMU from 1989 to 1992, and was inducted into the SMU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009. Kyle lives in McGregor, Texas. She was a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2001 Silver Anniversary Team.

Laura Newcomb Titus led Rochester to prominence with undefeated regular seasons and regional championships in the first two years of IHSAA girls’ basketball. She scored over 900 points in three years of varsity play as Rochester recorded a 53-4 record, 42-2 in her junior and senior seasons each ending in the semi-state finals. She averaged 18.5 points and 12.3 rebounds her senior season and was named to the 1977 Indianapolis Star Indiana All-Star team. A three-year letter winner at Purdue, she was the first two-time team MVP in program history and graduated with 973 career points, then the program record. A 23-year teacher, she resides in Brownsburg. She was a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2002 Silver Anniversary Team.

Carol Tumey is the recipient of the 2011 St.Vincent Health Silver Medal for contributions to Indiana high school basketball. Employed at Center Grove H.S. from 1963-2003, she served as physical education chair, intramural director, and Assistant Athletic Director. She developed the first girls sports program at Center Grove, was the first girls’ basketball coach at the school, coaching it for 12 years. She was also an 11-year volleyball coach at Center Grove and coached track and cross country. Carol has worked in the Franklin College Education Department since 2003 and is a Franklin graduate. She has been inducted in Franklin College Hall of Fame and is a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Directors. She resides in Greenwood.

Debra Walker-Augurson was a standout player at South Bend LaSalle High School, helping lead them to a 1980 semi-state appearance. A 4-year all-conference selection and three-time MVP, she averaged better than 20 points per game her final three years. A 1980 Indianapolis Star Indiana All-Star, she attended the University of Missouri. In college she graduated as the 7th leading scorer in school history with 1,088 points, was a member of two Big Eight Conference champions, won 20 or more games in three consecutive years and participated in three NCAA tournaments, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen. She played professionally in Switzerland and France and has been employed in education and coaching. She lives in Renton, Washington. She was a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2005 Silver Anniversary Team.

Jodie Whitaker was the 1st female player in Indiana to score over 2,000 career points and led Austin High School to the State Finals. Named 1985 Indiana Miss Basketball, she was also the 1985 IHSAA Mental Attitude Award winner. She finished her high school career as Indiana’s girls’ basketball all-time leading scorer with 2,095 points. She averaged 28.2 points and 7.5 rebounds her senior season and was named all-conference for four years. Her Austin teams went 88-9, won three conference championships, three sectionals, three regionals, and one semi-state, leading to an appearance in the 1985 State Finals. She averaged 17.5 points in the 1985 Indiana-Kentucky high school all-star series, then played at the University of Kentucky, where she scored 1,433 career points, graduating 5th on UK’s all-time scoring charts. Jodie was the head girls’ basketball coach at Lawrence North High School for 13 years, where her teams won 188 games and six sectional titles. She was the head coach of the 2004 Indianapolis Star Indiana All-Star team and was the 2001 Marion County Coach of the Year and Indiana Basketball Coaches Association District Coach of the Year. Jodie resides in Fishers. She was a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2010 Silver Anniversary Team.



NEW CASTLE – With the approaching holidays, another edition of the most prestigious regular season tournament in Indiana high school basketball – the City Securities Hall of Fame Classic – is near.

The girls’ and boys’ 2010 City Securities Hall of Fame Classic tournaments will be held Wednesday, December 29 and Thursday, December 30 at the New Castle Fieldhouse featuring the top teams, talent, and coaching in the state.


2010 Girls’ City Securities Hall of Fame Classic
New Castle Fieldhouse - Wednesday, December 29, 2010
11:00 AM Jeffersonville vs. Brownsburg
to follow Carmel vs. Evansville Memorial
6:00 PM Consolation Game
8:00 PM Championship Game


Another outstanding group of teams comes to the New Castle Fieldhouse on Wednesday, December 29 for the 2010 City Securities Girls’ Hall of Fame Classic. As of December 20, three of the four teams are undefeated and the four teams have a combined record of 37-2.

The first game begins at 11:00 a.m. (ET) with Jeffersonville (8-0) taking on Brownsburg (9-2). The second game will feature Carmel (12-0) versus Evansville Memorial (8-0). Winners play for the championship at 8:00 that evening with the consolation game preceding at 6:00.

The opening game pits an established power against an improved program. Jeffersonville has won 20 or more games six of the past eight seasons and has the highest winning percentage in the state (85.5%) since the start of the 2001-02 season.

Brownsburg snapped a streak of four straight losing seasons posting an 18-6 record last year. They are poised for an outstanding season with four senior starters and 6’2” sophomore Stephanie Mavunga, who is averaging 18.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 4.9 blocks per game.

The second contest matches two of the remaining undefeated teams in the state, Carmel and Evansville Memorial.

Carmel, 12-0, has more wins than any other team in the state and is lead by future Purdue player Torrie Thornton (14.3 points, 9.4 rebounds). 8-0 Evansville Memorial features four players at 6’0” or taller, including senior Mallory Ladd, who averages 25.1 points and 12.8 rebounds – both averages placing her among the top three in the state.

The 2010 edition is the 27th girls’ City Securities Hall of Fame Classic and 21st played in New Castle. The girls’ tournament has included 13 teams that went on to win a state championship that season, including six state champions and four state runner-up teams in the past eight years alone.


2010 Boys’ City Securities Hall of Fame Classic
New Castle Fieldhouse – Thursday, December 30, 2010
11:00 AM Washington vs. Center Grove
to follow Bloomington South vs. Warsaw
6:00 PM Consolation Game
8:00 PM Championship Game

The storylines for the 2010 Boys’ City Securities Hall of Fame Classic will no doubt provide ample conversation and excitement. As of December 20, the teams hold a combined record of 22-4 with some notable performances and streaks on the line.

The day begins with an 11:00 a.m (ET) meeting between Washington (5-2) and Center Grove (5-2). The second game will match Bloomington South (7-0) against Warsaw (5-0). Winners play for the championship at 8:00 that evening with the consolation game preceding at 6:00.

The opening game features defending 3A state champion Washington and Indiana University-bound 6’10” Cody Zeller, a contender for the Indiana Mr. Basketball title. The Hatchets are led by head coach Gene Miiller, a winner of 578 games in his career – 6th best among active high school coaches.

Center Grove features a pair of Division 1 players and an experienced head coach. Seniors Andy Smeathers (14.7 ppg) and Jonny Marlin (16.5 ppg, 6.5 apg) have signed with Butler University and IPFW, respectively. Head coach Cliff Hawkins has won 407 games and makes his third coaching appearance in the Classic.

The second game sees Bloomington South, winners of 51 consecutive regular season games, put their streak on the line against unbeaten Warsaw, last year’s 4A runner-up.

Bloomington South utilizes point guard Dee Davis (Xavier) and Spencer Turner (Belmont Univ.) as threats. In addition to their streak, the Panthers have won 69 of their last 70 regular season games, dating to February 2007. The Panthers are led by coach J.R. Holmes, who has won 636 career games – 5th most among active coaches.

Warsaw will counter with their threat, explosive point guard Nic Moore. Moore (Illinois State Univ.) broke the school record with 50 points in their win over Fort Wayne South and has scored 31 or more points in four of Warsaw’s five games this season. Junior Lucas Grose, the son of 1985 Indiana Mr. Basketball Jeff Grose, has emerged as a frontline force, netting 26 points against Wawasee.

The 2010 Boys’ City Securities Hall of Fame Classic is the 34th edition of the boys’ tournament. Ten participating teams have gone on to win their state championship, with four more finishing as state runner-up that season.



Tickets are available through the participating schools, the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, and at the New Castle Fieldhouse on the day of the games. For more information, call (765) 529-1891 or email info@hoopshall.com

A pair of book signings will also incorporate into the Classic schedule. Kyle Neddenriep, of the Indianapolis Star, will sign copies of his recently released “Historic Hoosier Gyms”, a look at 100 Indiana venues still standing but no longer utilized for high school games. Bob Lovell, host of Network Indiana’s Indiana Sportstalk radio program, will sign copies of his 2010 release “Recruiting Game Changers” that addresses the intricacies of college athletics recruiting that every coach, parent and student-athlete should be aware of.

In-game entertainment will include Tony Hoard and the Purina Incredible Dog Team. Hoard, a New Castle native, has made appearances with his dogs on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and made a long run on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.”

Musical performances of the National Anthem will include Connersville’s Stan Howard, father of Butler University star Matt Howard; Shenandoah High School’s Ivy Walker; and Yorktown-based Nashville recording duo Cook and Belle.

All games will be televised in Central Indiana on WHMB TV-40 Sports. Morning games will air tape-delayed at 2:00 and 3:30 that afternoon with live coverage of the consolation and championship games each night. The boys’ championship game will re-air at 10:30 p.m. on December 31.