East Central girls basketball headed for HOF Classic
By Jim Buchberger-Sports Editor sports@registerpublications.com on Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Lady Trojans continue to gain recognition among state's elite
NEW CASTLE - East Central girls basketball’s third-straight Class 4A sectional championship - as well as returning IBCA Junior All-State Supreme 15 forward Josie Trabel - probably helped the Lady Trojans earn a spot in the 2022 Raymond James Hall of Fame Classic.
Announced March 31, the 2022 Boys and Girls Classic fields include defending IHSAA champions in both genders, with games set for Thursday, December 29 and Friday, December 30 at the 9,000-seat New Castle Fieldhouse.
Spotlighting the best in Indiana high school basketball, the Classics will be held for the 39th time for girls and the 46th edition for the boys.
The Girls 2022 Hall of Fame Classic opens Thursday, Dec. 29, with Bedford-North Lawrence vs. Mishawaka Marian, followed by East Central’s Lady Trojans vs. Noblesville at approximately 1 p.m.
Consolation final tips off at 6 p.m., followed by the championship game at approximately 8 p.m.
The Hall of Fame Classic press release highlighted EC’s accomplishments in the following statement:
“East Central – The Trojans have established themselves as perennial winners, claiming four straight 4A sectional championships and averaging over 20 wins per season in that span.
“Six-foot Josie Trabel was named an Indiana Junior All-Star after averaging 17.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.5 steals. Junior 5’5” guard Laney Baker averaged 9.8 points, junior guard Caitlyn Dick averaged 4.5 points and 5’8” junior guard Julia Tiemann averaged 3.8 points, 4.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds.
“Head coach Kevin Moore has a 221-88 record in 13 seasons at East Central. He has been named an assistant coach for the 2022 Indiana Girls All-Star team.
“Over the past 11 seasons, East Central’s 199-69 mark (.743) is tied for the 12th-best in Indiana.
“East Central makes its first appearance in event history.”
Boys Hall of Fame Classic Friday, Dec. 30, matches North Daviess vs. NorthWood and Indianapolis Ben Davis vs. Penn (Mishawaka), following the same schedule.
Annually selecting from the top teams in the state, the girls’ tournament has included 19 teams that went on to win a state championship that season, including 12 class division champions and 8 class runner-up teams in the past 20 years.
On the boys’ side, 17 participating teams have gone on to win their state championship (including 3 class champions in the past 2 seasons), with 6 more finishing as state runners-up.
Tickets for the tournaments will be available through participating schools and the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in the 2022-23 school year.
A total of 27 young women who went on to win the Indiana Miss Basketball award have participated in the Girls Classic, including 12 of the past 14 winners (Skylar Diggins, Courtney Moses, Bria Goss, Jessica Rupright, Stephanie Mavunga, Whitney Jennings, Ali Patberg, Jackie Young, Karissa McLaughlin, Amy Dilk, Jorie Allen and Ayanna Patterson).
Thirteen women who have played in the Classic were named McDonald’s All-Americans and 12 Girls Classic alums have played in the WNBA.
Girls legends who have played in the Classic include Stephanie White, Katie Gearlds, Shanna Zolman, Skylar Diggins, Jackie Young, Kristen Spolyar, Lisa Shepherd, Abby Conklin, April McDivitt, Kelly Faris, Jennifer Jacoby, Jodie Whitaker, Shrya Ely, Tiffany Gooden and Ali Patberg.
A total of 32 men who went on to win the Indiana Mr. Basketball award have participated in the Boys Classic, including 13 of the last 17 winners (Luke Zeller, Greg Oden, Tyler Zeller, Jordan Hulls, Cody Zeller, Gary Harris, Zak Irvin, Trey Lyles, Kyle Guy, Romeo Langford, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Anthony Leal and Caleb Furst). 26 men to have played in the Classic have been named McDonald’s All-Americans, while 19 have been NBA Draft picks.
Legends who have competed in the Boys Classic include Damon Bailey, Steve Alford, Glenn Robinson, Shawn Kemp, Greg Oden, Mike Conley, Zach Randolph, Eric Montross, Sean May, Delray Brooks, Tom Coverdale, Troy Lewis, Woody Austin, Josh McRoberts, Gary Harris, Trey Lyles, Kyle Guy, Romeo Langford, Trayce Jackson-Davis and brothers Luke, Tyler and Cody Zeller.
Including entrants in the 2022 Classic, the event has included 100 different IHSAA-member girls programs and 110 different IHSAA-member boys programs in tournament history.
The 2022 tournaments will mark the sixth year under the event title Raymond James Hall of Fame Classic.
2022 Raymond James
GIRLS HALL OF FAME CLASSIC
Thursday, December 29
At New Castle Fieldhouse
Bedford-North Lawrence vs. Mishawaka Marian, 11 a.m.
Noblesville vs. EAST CENTRAL, approx. 1 p.m.
Consolation Final, 6 p.m.
Championship, approx. 8 p.m.
