Schools

Tigers edge Irish for program's 1st state title

The IHSBCA No. 2 Fishers Tigers defeated the Cathedral Irish 4-3 at Victory Field on Friday night to claim the school’s first state championship in baseball.

The Tigers and the Irish were tied at No. 1 in the IHSBCA Preseason Poll, so it was fitting for the two schools to face each other in the championship game.

The Irish struck first scoring an unearned run in the bottom of the first. After a one-out walk, the Irish runner stole second base, advanced to third on a throwing error from catcher Kiel Brenczewski, and continued home on the same play when centerfielder JJ Woolwine overthrew third base.
Like they have done all year, however, the Tigers answered.
Kiser nabs All-Star citizenship award

A Noblesville High School graduate put a stamp on an outstanding high school career over the weekend at the annual Indiana-Kentucky All-Star series.

Emily Kiser scored six points and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds in Indiana’s 83-70 victory over Kentucky Saturday at Banker’s Life Fieldhouse. The victory helped Indiana salvage a split, as Kentucky won 92-87 Friday in Frankfort, much to Emily Kiser’s delight.

“We did not play well as a team Friday, so it was good to come back and get the win Saturday in Indiana,” she said. “I felt I played well but being on an all-star team where 13 other players were the star of their team, it is important to learn how to play with them and just focus on doing other things, like rebounding, that will help your team win, and that was nice to contribute in that way.”

Emily Kiser, who will continue her playing career at the University of Michigan, was honored at halftime by being named the John Wooden MCL Restaurant All-Star Citizenship Award. The award goes to the All-Star who has demonstrated outstanding citizenship in athletics and academics.
Millers golf swings for state

It’s a three-peat. The Noblesville boys’ golf team won their sectional this year, making it the third straight year the Millers have accomplished the feat.

After receiving great numbers on their home golf course – Purgatory Golf Club – from their top golfers the Millers will move onto Regionals in hopes of furthering their postseason run to the State finals.

“It says a lot about our program and what we’ve tried to do for the past 12 or 13 years, that continues the tradition that we have at Noblesville,” said Noblesville head coach Gary Sewell. “We have a pretty rich tradition in Noblesville for golf, tracing our roots back to Bob Spacey.”
Former Guerin coach reflects on journey

An era ended Tuesday night.

Now, it’s time to for former Guerin Catholic boys’ basketball head coach Pete Smith to enter life without the coaching title and reflect on the great years he had with the Golden Eagles. Years that might not have been possible if Coach hadn’t returned to the hardwood and helped jumpstart Guerin’s program.

“(My wife,) Vicky goes, ‘If you want to coach again, go down and tell Guerin Catholic that you’ll start their basketball program,’” Smith said. “It was on my wife’s urging that I (started the program), because I was starting to miss not coaching.”

Smith got back into coaching in 2004 at Guerin when he started their boys’ basketball program. From the beginning, Guerin wanted their students to play sports and play them the right way – winning was irrelevant, Smith said.
Longtime coach ends illustrious career

Guerin Catholic high school’s boys’ basketball program will be without its supreme leader next season.

Head coach Pete Smith announced Tuesday he is retiring. Smith started the boys’ basketball team at Guerin in 2004 and developed the Golden Eagles into a competitive program.

“I’ve learned that coaching, for me, was part of those 33 years and a reason also that I taught,” Smith said. “Coaching was the last part of my day as a teacher all those years, and I just haven’t had the same passion for coaching since I left the classroom. After the ’16-’17 season, I struggled with whether I wanted to coach anymore or not, but I decided to coach this past season and I was glad I did with the great bunch of seniors we had. Injuries threw a wrench into what we thought could be a nice run tournament-time, but that’s basketball.”
2018 Indiana All-Star news: rosters, background info, ticket info

Indiana Miss Basketball Amy Dilk of Carmel headlines the 2018 Indiana girls' All-Stars. Dilk, a Michigan recruit, averaged 17.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists while leading Carmel to a 24-3 record as a senior. She will be joined on the All-Stars by Iowa-bound teammate Tomi Taiwo of Carmel and fellow Michigan-signee Emily Kiser of Noblesville.

Joining them on the girls' squad are Notre Dame-bound and McDonald's All-American Katlyn Gilbert of Heritage Christian, Purdue recruits Cassidy Hardin of Center Grove and Kayana Traylor of Martinsville, Nebraska signee Leigha Brown of DeKalb and Illinois recruit Mackenzie Blazek of Whiteland.

Others on the team are Boston College recruit Jenasae Bishop of East Chicago Central, Indiana State signee Michaela White of Pike, Wright State recruit Angel Baker of Pike, Miami (Ohio) signee Nia Clark of Ben Davis and Evansville recruit Anna Newman of Evansville North.
Huskies walk-off against Delta

Hamilton Heights opened sectional play Wednesday with a 6-5 walk-off win in the bottom of the seventh against Delta.

Cole Meyer hit a line drive to right to score Sam Wahl from third and send the Huskies to a Friday matchup against host Yorktown.

Heights battled uphill all night and that final run was their first lead of the game. Sam Fulton went the distance for the win.

“We got off to a rough start tonight in the top of the first,” said Hamilton Heights head coach J.R. Moffatt. “There were a couple of plays we didn’t make defensively that put Sam’s back to the wall and give Delta credit … they made us pay.”
Noblesville sneaks past Westfield in sectional play

Noblesville senior Kade Gorman came on in relief in the fourth inning of Wednesday’s opening round sectional at Noblesville against Westfield, and it was lights out for the Shamrocks.

Gorman allowed just one hit, striking out three and relied on stellar defense and faced just 13 batters in the final four innings in the Millers’ 5-3 victory over Westfield. The Millers will now face Hamilton Southeastern at 10 a.m. Monday in the semifinal round. The Royals advanced with a 15-10 extra inning victory over Carmel in the opener.

“Kade came in and slammed the door,” Noblesville coach Justin Keever said. “He had all three pitches working tonight. He was able to throw strikes, and we made some great defensive plays behind him.”
Millers defeat Guerin, advance to 3rd straight regional final

In a rematch of the 2017 Regional Finals, the fifth-seeded Noblesville Millers defeated the 12th seed Guerin Catholic Golden Eagles 15-8 on Tuesday for the right to advance to the regional finals for the third year in a row.

The Millers took a 3-0 lead with 19:42 remaining in the first half and maintained the advantage when junior Kylie Morris hit the back of the net off of a pass from junior Kaylin Mertens at the 4:11 mark. The Eagles mounted a comeback, scoring three goals to tie the game with 49 seconds left in the first half. Morris took the draw and drove to the goal to score with only 1.9 seconds left in the half, putting the Millers back up by a score of 6-5.

The Millers started the second half with the hot sticks, scoring four goals, including a pair by freshmen Emma Potter, by the 17:11 mark, making the lead to 10-5. The game was back and forth the remainder of the game, ending with two goals by junior Kayla Kubel in the last two minutes of the game.
Millers advance to sectional championship

WESTFIELD — Emily Minett’s home run in the second inning and two-run home run in the fourth helped Noblesville take a 3-0 lead over the Fishers Tigers, and despite a furious comeback, the Millers were victorious 4-3.

After a scoreless first inning, Minett hit her first home run off of the inning’s first pitch. After some excellent fielding kept both teams off the scoreboard any further, the fourth inning featured Taylor Madison’s double. Minett’s home run made the score 3-0 but Fishers would fight back in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Tigers would get things going with Courtney James getting a base hit and then stealing second. Brooke Benson would bring her home with another base hit before Hannah Mays’s home run that made the score 3-3 heading to the final inning of regulation.
Guerin invites youth to summer basketball camp

In less than two weeks, the annual Guerin Catholic's Boys Basketball Camp will be held from June 4-8 in the high school's Eagles Nest gymnasium.

Times of the camp run from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for boys going into first, second and third grades next fall. For boys going into the fourth, fifth and sixth grades, camp will run from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. each day. The afternoon session runs from 1 p.m. to 2:30 pm. for boys going into the seventh and eighth grades.

Coaches, current Guerin Catholic players, and 2014 All-State Golden Eagle and All-Academic Horizon League selection and IUPUI standout Aaron Brennan will teach and work with the boys on fundamental basketball skills during the week. Former IU player and Guerin Catholic assistant Tom Pritchard will direct Guerin Catholic boys varsity head coach Pete Smith's camp.
Sweet ride starts senior's streak

Noblesville senior Bryce Randolph began his season in a 2-for-22 slump at the plate. The outfielder wasn’t too thrilled with his contributions on the diamond.

His first thought was to set up a meeting with his personal hitting coach, Ryan Basham, in the second week of April to work out some of the kinks in his swing.

But then, the Noblesville High School Prom came around, and he wanted a special ride for the big dance. So he turned to one man he knew wouldn’t let him down – his maternal grandfather, “Papaw” Bill Peevler. Randolph asked his papaw if he could borrow his Mercedes, a hardtop convertible. The answer was, “Yes.”

The prom was on April 20 — a Friday. The next day, Randolph went 1-for-1. The game after that, he batted 2-for-3. He then proceeded to get four more hits in his next seven at bats. It occurred to Randolph, he said, that he was simply going to have find a way to keep the Mercedes, and let his papaw drive his Mustang.

“I’m like, I can’t give him is car back yet,” Randolph said. “I got that car, and I started hitting. And, I’m superstitions, so I don’t want anything to change. I kept telling him, ‘Papaw, I can’t give you your car back yet.’"

More Sports

Running for a special cause

Police officers and the Special Olympics go hand-in-hand – or should we say foot-by-foot.

For the 10th year, Hamilton County police officers participated in the annual “Torch Run” to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics Indiana. This year’s run took place last Friday and helped raised money and awareness for the Special Olympics.

“The thought was here to do something within Hamilton County where all of our police agencies could come together one particular day and show our support for (the Special Olympics),” said Lt. Bruce Barnes, Hamilton County Special Olympics Outreach coordinator and Noblesville Police Department’s public information officer.

The Torch Run consists of officers from various police agencies, such as Carmel, Fishers, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, Indiana State Police, Noblesville and Westfield, to start at different points in the county based on their respective jurisdiction.
OUT IN THE OPEN- The Sun Isn’t Your Friend

While Indiana seems to have more lousy gray days than London, England, old Sol actually does appear periodically in the Hoosier sky as we go forth into the fields to play. However, the friendly sun that shines so benevolently also presents a danger that many outdoors enthusiasts simply ignore: skin damage.

It has been known for years that excessive exposure to the sun can cause skin damage, which in turn leads to premature aging and possibly even skin cancer. Unfortunately, those of us who frequently run amok in the outdoors often give less than a thought to sun protection even while wearing all sorts of other protective paraphernalia such as life jacket, shooting glasses, helmets and harnesses.

Much of the problem has to do with attitudes. When Americans flocked to beaches before 1960, being tanned or sunburned was considered dangerous, more so than the communist party and skin cancer was rare. Going back further in history, British books written during the African colonial period frequently worried about the dangers of sun exposure to the point of recommending that colonists wear their pith helmets indoors.
Special Olympics Indiana plays host to 50th summer games

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — A record 2,745 competitors from across the state are expected to take part in Special Olympics Indiana’s 2018 Summer Games, to be held June 8-10 on and around the campuses of Indiana State University and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

The organization’s largest annual event, the Indiana Summer Games features state-level competition in eight Olympic-type sports, including bocce, bowling, cycling, horseshoes, powerlifting, swimming, track & field, and volleyball. Special Olympics athletes and unified partners representing 64 delegations from every part of the state will compete at the Games, with an additional 1,100 coaches and 1,500 volunteers expected to make the journey to Terre Haute along with family members and supporters. The Games are open to the public and free to attend.

“This weekend is one that every Special Olympics Indiana athlete, coach, parent, and staff member marks on his or her calendar with a gold star when the schedule is released each year, because participation in Summer Games is a one-of-a-kind experience—and it’s not to be missed,” said Jeff Mohler, president and CEO of Special Olympics Indiana. “These Games represent the culmination of a year or more of hard work and preparation, but they are also a showcase for the true spirit of Special Olympics that’s inside each and every one of our athletes.”
OUT IN THE OPEN - Boat Envy Has No Cure

I have a problem, a secret that has been hidden for many years. Actually, as my friends and family are more than willing to attest, I have several problems. However, today we are talking about a serious psychosis that affects many men and even a few women. It is something we hold inside, often feeling as if we are the only ones who suffer from this malady. However, now that is has become customary to publicly share every sordid detail of your personal afflictions, it is time to discuss the problem in a frank and open manner.

I am talking about Boat Envy (BE).

This condition started many years before I even owned a boat. As a youngster, I lay in bed many nights while mentally standing at the helm of a mighty cabin cruiser, hair pasted back by the breeze as booming diesel engines propelled the vessel down the sun-drenched Intercoastal Waterway. Sometimes I fantasized of a creaking sailboat that carried me, steely-eyed and laughing at the horrific storms, across the Pacific to places only Jacques Cousteau and native islanders had ever seen.

Unfortunately for boating dreams, my parents were of that old-fashioned philosophy that held it was all right to say: “When you get a job, you can get a boat.”
IPL 500 Festival Parade floats, celebrities ready for 300,000 people

INDIANAPOLIS — It’s one of the iconic events during the month of May and the IPL 500 Festival Parade gets underway Saturday morning, The Times newsgathering partner WTHR reports.

Leaders have been finalizing the growing list of celebrities who will be waving to the crowd. They include:

Victor Oladipo
Bobby Unser
Lyn St. James
Angelo Pizzo
Ben Higgins
Miri Ben-Ari
Kristin & Danny Adams

See the full list of celebrities at www.500festival.com/parade/celebrities2018/.

Also included are the 33 race car drivers, including Indiana native and pole sitter Ed Carpenter.
Brooks participates in hearing on Olympic community’s ability to protect athletes from sexual abuse

WASHINGTON, DC – Wednesday, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing to examine the pervasiveness of sexual misconduct within the U.S. Olympic community and whether there are adequate policies and procedures in place to protect athletes at all levels of sport moving forward.

Among the witnesses who testified during today’s hearing were Susanne Lyons, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC); Shellie Pfohl, President and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Center for SafeSport (USCSS); Kerry Perry, President and Chief Executive Officer of USA Gymnastics (USAG); among other representatives from USA Swimming (USA-S), USA Taekwondo (USAT), and USA Volleyball (USAV).

The President and CEO of the U.S. Center for SafeSport, Shellie Pfohl, testified that since the center’s creation on March 3, 2017, they have responded to more than 500 reports and inquiries spanning 38 of the 49 National Governing Bodies (NGBs). As of last week, their total number of reports received since their establishment exceeded 840. Additionally, the U.S. Center for SafeSport has issued more than 169 sanctions, including 142 lifetime bans to individuals who broke SafeSport’s code of conduct pertaining to abuse of athletes.

“An unwavering commitment by national governing bodies to ensuring individuals are held accountable for their actions, both in the past and moving forward, is long overdue,” said Congresswoman Susan W. Brooks (R-IN05). “I am pleased the U.S. Center of SafeSport is actively working to create a safer environment for our nation’s athletes while also focusing on providing the victims of past abuse the justice they deserve.”
Riverview Health Foundation plays host to 26th Heartfelt Thanks Golf Outing

Riverview Health Foundation will host its 26th annual Heartfelt Thanks Golf Outing, presented by BMO Harris Bank, on June 20 at Pebble Brook Golf Course.

“The Heartfelt Thanks Golf Outing is one of the ways Riverview Health Foundation raises money to support programs and projects for the patients at Riverview Health, and we’re looking forward to another great time this year,” said Megan Wiles, executive director of Riverview Health Foundation. “A special thanks to BMO Harris Bank for serving as our presenting sponsor and Gaylor Electric who in addition to their financial support, provides the golfers with a wonderful lunch and dinner.”

Over the years, this event has helped raise more than $2.3 million for patient services and to enhance patient satisfaction at Riverview Health, which includes:
Student Athlete Tip of the Week

According to an article in the Indianapolis Star, one of the top returning baseball teams in the state has had a disappointing regular season, but like all teams, hope to peak during the state tournament.

A quote by one of their three Division I pitching recruits explains why he thinks his team will be ready for the challenges ahead.

"It is good for us because it makes us accountable. When we lose, we see how it affects everybody in the community. It is good for us to have that leadership position in the community because you should be accountable for what you are doing."
Carpenter wins Indianapolis pole, Daly qualifies 33rd for 500

INDIANAPOLIS —Driving for his own team, Ed Carpenter qualified on the pole for the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500.

Carpenter got in with an average of 229.618 mph with Team Penske’s Simon Pagenaud and Will Power filling out the front row.

On the other end of the field, 2016 Indianapolis 500 polesitter James Hinchcliffe was bumped from the field during Saturday’s qualifying, reporting a vibration with his car while on a warmup lap. Hinchcliffe would not make it back to the track because Dale Coyne Racing’s Pippa Mann was making her own attempt to bump her way back into the field. Mann would not succeed and her Donate Life Indiana Honda would miss the race.

Noblesville native Conor Daly was at the same end of the field as Hinchcliffe, qualifying 33rd of 33 cars. The stressful part of the weekend, however, was Saturday.

Daly had to make three qualifying attempts on Saturday and managed to become part of the field of 33. Daly qualified earlier that day with a four-lap average of 222.684 mph but that was not fast enough to make the field.
Andretti quickest on Fast Friday, Daly 25th

INDIANAPOLIS — The final practice day before qualifying for the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 is traditionally known as “Fast Friday,” and Andretti Autosport’s Marco Andretti was fastest of all 35 drivers with his quickest lap of 231.802 mph.

Behind Andretti was Schmidt Peterson Motorsports’s Robert Wickens at 231.732 mph. Speeds were higher on Friday thanks to an increase in turbocharger boost pressure that will carry over to qualifying on today and Sunday.

Andretti was happy with his car’s performance, especially considering he was fastest on Wednesday and third during Thursday’s session.

“We've been feeling good actually, pretty good in traffic,” said Andretti. “Obviously the tow time shows that and the car is close in race trim. I don't know how much better we can get it.”
Rahal fastest in Thursday practice

INDIANAPOLIS — Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Graham Rahal was fastest on Thursday practice ahead of the 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500, but it was JR Hildebrand who grabbed most of the attention late with the first wall contact of the month.

Rahal turned his fastest lap of the day on his second timed lap with an average speed of 226.047 mph but that lap was assisted with a draft from a car in front. Rahal was 34th fastest on the unassisted speed chart but attributes that to bad timing.

“Every (qualifying) sim I did today, everybody came out in front of me,” said Rahal. “I didn't get a (qualifying) sim today. Not a single one. Hopefully Mother Nature will be nice to us tomorrow.”

Noblesville native Conor Daly was 34th on the overall speed chart with a fastest lap of 221.583 mph but the unassisted time chart tells a slightly different story. Daly’s fastest unassisted lap was 220.852 mph, placing him 28th on the unassisted chart in the No. 17 Thom Burns Racing USAF Thunderbirds Honda.
OUT IN THE OPEN - First aid important when you are clumsy

Because of yet another self-inflicted minor pocketknife injury, I was just forced to break into my voluminous first aid kit. While standing there trying to keep leaking body fluids off the bedroom carpeting while rooting through the kit, I realized that this might be a good time to discuss the art of first aid in the outdoors.

When I was a young Grub Scout, we learned all kinds of neat tricks and tips for stopping bleeding and bandaging broken limbs. After thinking back for a few moments, I cannot imagine anything more horrifying than being seriously injured and seeing a young Brent Wheat standing impatiently with improvised tourniquet in hand.

Since that time, I have both formal training and field experience in emergency medical care and no longer pose a serious threat to those in need (mostly). Unfortunately, the one in need is usually I.

Training in basic first aid is important for all outdoor enthusiasts. If you wish to take a first aid course, look up the local chapter of the American Red Cross. Having taken this class, it offers a good, practical look at the basic principals of helping others who are sick or injured.

However, if you really want to learn skills beyond bandaging, I would suggest taking a class and certification known as “Emergency Medical Responder” (EMR or ‘First Responder’).
Oladipo to drive the pace car at the 102nd Indy 500

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Motor Speedway has announced Victor Oladipo will drive the pace car at the 102nd Indianapolis 500.

The Pacers breakout star will drive the 2019 Corvette ZR1 Pace Car, leading the field for the May 27 race, The Times news gathering partner WTHR reported.

"This is a tremendous honor for me,” Oladipo said. “I’m so thankful Indiana continues to embrace me, from Indiana University to the Pacers and now the Indianapolis 500, the greatest race in the world."

Oladipo made his first NBA All-Star team during the 2017-18 season. He also led the league in steals.
Daly’s struggles continue at Indy 500 practice

INDIANAPOLIS — The second day of practice for the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 came and went on Wednesday with Marco Andretti on top of the time sheet.

Andretti’s No. 98 Andretti Autosport Honda went around the 2.5 mile oval with a fastest lap of 227.053 mph. The son of Michael and grandson of Mario, the 2006 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year turned 117 laps out of a total of 3,349 turned by all 35 drivers entered to qualify for this year’s field of 33.

Despite his team having won three of the past four 500s, Andretti does not feel like anything can be predicted quite yet.

“We don't know how the race is going to play out yet,” said Andretti. “The car feels good, it’s just circumstances have to work out really. I mean, this place picks the winners. I've had the best cars ever here and not been victorious for some reason.”

Noblesville native Conor Daly, however, is in a bit of a catch-up mode. After turning only nine laps Tuesday, the No. 17 Thom Burns Racing USAF Thunderbirds Honda turned 87 laps on Wednesday and was 31st fastest on the time sheet with a fastest lap of 222.662. The cause for concern is on the time sheet of solo laps without any drafting assistance, Daly’s best lap was 217.113 mph, almost 6 mph slower than Tony Kanaan’s best “no-tow” speed of 223.048 mph. Since qualifications are done one at a time, Daly’s speed would not allow him to qualify for the race.
Study committee will take up sports gambling in Indiana

An interim committee on public policy will study sports gambling in the state.

The committee will determine what types of financial impacts sports gambling will have on governmental entities as well as the gaming industry, The Times news gathering partner WTHR reported.

The study will also make a determination as to what kinds of consequences sports gambling will have on professional and collegiate sports.

On Monday, the Supreme Court struck down a law that effectively banned commercial sports betting in most states, according to the New York Times.

The law the decision overturned — the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act — banned states from allowing sports gambling and has opened the door to legalizing the $150 billion industry.

Search only accepts letters and numbers.

Username

Password

Remember me

Signup