Page 45 - The History of Lafayette Area Boys Basketball

1997-98: The IHSAA changes the format of the state tournament to a 4-class system.
State Finals Appearance: Lafayette Central Catholic (Class A)
a. Lafayette Central Catholic wins the Class A State Title by defeating Bloomfield 56- 48.
b. Pat Manahan (Delphi) is named to the Silver Anniversary Team.
c. Gene Flowers (Muncie Central ‘55 & former Head Coach @ Clinton Central) is enshrined in the
Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.
Area Leading Scorer: Josh Fitzwater (Crawfordsville) 23.3 ppg
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1 Team 2 Team
Brent Mason (Harrison)POY Ryan Sexson (Lafayette Jeff)
Kyle Groninger (Delphi) Ryan Stetler (McCutcheon)
Mickey McGill (Rossville) Adam Tesch (Harrison)
Josh Fitzwater (Crawfordsville) Travis Bowen (Southmont)
Matt Poynter (Lafayette Jeff) Eric Washington (Central Catholic)
Coach-of-the-Year: Jeff Van Arsdel (Harrison)
1999: Lafayette Central Catholic is defeated in the Class A state championship game 55-43 by Tecumseh.
State Finals Appearance: Lafayette Central Catholic (Class A)
a. Jim Fields (Lafayette Jeff) is named to the Silver Anniversary Team.
b. Fred Gorman (Burnettsville ‘15), Andy Zimmer (Goodland ’37), Dave Nicholson (Vallonia ’59,
Darlington & Benton Central coach), Darrell McQuitty (Elwood ’58 & Head Coach @ Battle
Ground) are enshrined in the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.
Area Leading Scorer: Mickey McGill (Rossville) 22.6 ppg
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nd
1 Team 2 Team
Mickey McGill (Rossville)POY Justin Snedden (Benton Central)
David Beigh (Harrison) Ben Crain (Attica)
Matt Poynter (Lafayette Jeff) David Hanger (North Newton)
Andrew Ford (West Lafayette) Jeremy Budreau (Benton Central)
Greg Anderson (Benton Central) Eric Washington (Central Catholic)
2000s

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2000: Lafayette Central Catholic wins its 2 Class A State Championship, defeating Union (Dugger) 82-70 in
Conseco Fieldhouse.
State Finals Appearance: Lafayette Central Catholic (Class A)
a. John Milholland (Westville, IL ’54 & former Frankfort Head Coach) & Virgil Robbins (Jackson
Twp. ’20 Tippecanoe County) are enshrined in the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.
b. Dan Gunn (Head Coach @ Northwood & former Head Coach @ Harrison) is named Assistant
Coach for the Indiana All-Star Team.
Area Leading Scorer: Josh Smith (Attica) 22.4 ppg
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st
1 Team 2 Team
Mickey McGill (Rossville)POY Tyler Best (Central Catholic)
Josh Smith (Attica) David Hanger (North Newton)
Andrew Ford (West Lafayette) Blake Schoen (Benton Central)
David Beigh (Harrison) Avery Sheets (McCutcheon)
Russell Trudeau (Central Catholic) David Gasvoda (Harrison)
Coach-of-the-Year: Kent Chezem (Clinton Prairie)

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