Hoosier Hysteria. What better way to describe the fascination behind Indiana high school basketball.
Plenty of notable names have made their mark in the Hoosier State. Oscar Robertson and his wizardry elevated the Crispus Attucks during its reign in the mid-1950s. George McGinnis’ physicality powered Indianapolis Washington to a 31-0 season in 1969.
And of course, there’s Indiana’s all-time leading scorer Damon Bailey of Bedford North Lawrence. Too many talents to name, too little time.
And within that, many names often go under the radar. Or perhaps, forgotten.
If they have not already, it is time to recognize some names you might not remember from the history of Indiana high school basketball. They might not be Hall of Famers, but they made an impact on the history of the game.
Fred “Cat” Adam, Lebanon (1917-18)
In a time where scoring was at its lowest, Fred Adam’s scoring accompanied Indiana Basketball Hall of Famer Donald White en route to Lebanon becoming back-to-back state championships in 1917 and 1918. Adam was the second-leading scorer in both championship games.
Carlyle Friddle, Franklin (1920-22)
The “Franklin Wonder Five” were led by Robert “Fuzzy” Vandivier, but crucial to the team’s run was Carlyle Friddle, who really left his mark in 1921 and ’22. He starred in Franklin’s frontcourt and was adept at scoring. Led by Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame coach Ernest “Griz” Wagner, Friddle was among those who played their role to perfection.
Robert “Bob” Donaldson, Washington (1941-42)
Robert Donaldson’s contributions were felt in Washington’s two state championship wins in 1941 and 1942. Surrounded by Indiana Basketball Hall of Famers Jim Riffey and Robert Grove, Donaldson brought balance to the Hatchets’ backcourt, earning the nickname “Speedy.”
Jack Matthews, Bosse (1944-45)
Jack Matthews was the lone Bosse player not inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, but his impact was felt for Herman Keller’s group. Matthews’ offensive spark proved to be crucial in the Bulldogs’ two state championship winning seasons. He scored eight points in the 1944 championship game against Kokomo and six in 1945 against South Bend Riley.
Stanford Patton, Crispus Attucks (1955-56)
While this era goes down in history for multiple reasons, Robertson and legendary coach Ray Crowe earn much of the recognition for the team’s success — and deservedly so. Still, Patton was a solid secondary option who could alleviate some of the scoring pressure off Robertson. He showcased this ability at the Butler Fieldhouse in 1956 with his 19 points against Lafayette Jefferson in the state championship.
Joe Neal, Marion (1975-76)
The co-star to 1976 Mr. Basketball Dave Colescott, Neal was a critical piece to the Giants’ third state championship. His size and physicality in the frontcourt proved to be too much to handle, finishing the 1976 state championship game with 20 points against Rushville.
John Carmichael, Muncie Central (1978-79)
Both of Muncie Central’s state titles in 1978 and 79 were closely decided, but among others, John Carmichael’s productivity made the difference. His ability to score inside was a strength, and his size allowed him to contend with essentially any big man in the state. Carmichael scored 11 points in the 1978 championship against Terre Haute South and 12 in 1976 against Anderson.
Jeff Poisel, Ben Davis (1995-96)
The last back-to-back champion in the single-class era of IHSAA basketball, Ben Davis’s 1995 and 1996 state title rosters were not entirely similar. Without their two leading scorers from the previous year, Poisel’s 20 points were instrumental in the Giants’ double overtime win against New Albany at the Hoosier Dome. His game-winning three from the right wing was straight out of a movie.
Brandon McPherson, Lawrence North (2004-2005)
Winners of three straight Class 4A state titles from 2004 to 2006, Lawrence North had it going. Brandon McPherson is a name that likely did not overshadow his future NBA teammates in Greg Oden and backcourt mate Mike Conley, but the guard’s contributions to the 2004 and 2005 championships deserve recognition. A relied upon option in legendary coach Jack Keefer’s rotation, McPherson complemented the star duo well with his willingness to pass and make himself available to score. He scored 11 points and had three assists in the 2005 state title game against Muncie Central.
Michael Volovic, Carmel (2012-13)
Michael Volovic was Carmel’s point guard during its back-to-back 4A state titles in 2012 and 2013. He was a reliable figure, initiating offense for the Greyhounds while also being able to create openings for himself. He stepped up big time with a team-high 19 points and seven assists in the 2013 state championship against Cathedral in a 57-53 win. He would go on to win the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award after the game.
NOTE: This story is part of a special “America 250” project on the history of Indiana high school basketball by journalists within USA Today Co. at the South Bend Tribune, Journal & Courier (Lafayette), The Star Press (Muncie), The Herald-Times (Bloomington) and The Courier & Press (Evansville). All stories will run on those respective sites between July 6-17, with select stories in printed copies of the paper as well.
Markos Tsegaye is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. He can be reached at mtsegaye@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @10_Markos_
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Remembering the forgotten heroes of Hoosier Hysteria
Reporting by Markos Tsegaye, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
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By Markos Tsegaye, Evansville Courier & Press | USA TODAY Network
