DOMINATION! NC BEATS WARSAW 95-74

The Northern Lights · North Central High School • April 6, 2010 · Special Edition · Volume 54 · www.nchslive.com

CHAMPIONS!Panthers win 4A title at centennial event

CHAMPIONS!Panthers win 4A title at centennial event

What a difference four years can make. No one has experienced more change in the last four years than our beloved state championship winning seniors: Terone Johnson, Trip McFall, Jack Altice, and Aaron Bluitt.

McFall has evolved from a trigger happy three-point specialist into a spectacular all around force; his strength and speed immensely better than given credit for. Altice has grown from a scrappy undersized guard, starting for a 9-11 freshman squad to a guard who has totally bought into Coach Mitch-ell’s system providing a spark off the bench. Bluitt perhaps has been through the most diversity, being dismissed from the team his

sophomore year, transfer-ring schools, and re-joining the Panthers—all while im-proving and advancing his game. Four years ago John-son was recovering from knee surgery. Now he’s the face of the state champion-ship team.

Who deserves the credit for the latest championship? Doug Mitchell. The man is a genius. Being one of the most competitive teams in the state year after year is no coincidence. Mitchell has

devised an effective playing style and, more important-ly, convinced each and ev-ery player to buy into that style.

Additionally, Mitchell knows the potential of ev-ery one of his players, and crafts gameplans that ca-ter to their abilities. This is the key to Mitchell’s suc-cess. He knows that Micah Smith, an extremely hard working junior, will give him harassing defense, ef-fectively taking away one

of the opposition’s perim-eter players. He knows that the Panthers’ strength and speed will make up for their lack of size in the mid-dle. And, most importantly, he has instilled a genuine “team-fi rst” mentality that allows for the team to get the best shot possible on of-fense, regardless of who is taking them. Mitchell’s phi-losophy, along with excep-tional, intelligent athletes was the recipe for a state championship.

2 OPINION April 6, 2010

EDITORS-IN-CHIEFJoan Ong

Andrew Perrin

ISSUE EDITOR-IN-CHIEFBeau Scott

SPECIAL EDITION STAFFCal Boots

Jonathon McBrideJack PeckWill Staal

ADVISERTom Gayda

EDITORIAL POLICY

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For the entire Editorial Policy go to: nchslive.com.

The boys basketball team were no doubt the best in the state this year. They brought home a state championship and the Warsaw Tigers never had a chance. It was a great team that had great success. Each player commented on how they became a family. The team was united; they had a true sense of direction and pride. They achieved everything they set out for at the beginning of the season.

For the Panthers, there was just one thing miss-ing from the mix – the rest of North Central. At each game in the state tournament, North Central’s student section was outdone by the oppositions. Other schools brought out more people, more pride, and more support.

At Conseco, NC’s crowd was miniscule com-pared to the sea of orange that Warsaw brought. Yes, it was spring break, but there were more people in town than there were at the game. For some reason, students and their families don’t see a reason to come to the games and support the team. It is something we should be proud of. The team gives North Central an opportunity to shine, and to

show we are best.NC couldn’t even have class when they did show

up. As the Tigers ran to the court, they were greeted by NC boos. But on the Panthers entrance, not a single Warsaw fan saw fi t to boo our team.

There is a serious problem at NC. As a school, we have no community our identity. Nothing unites us, not even a state champion-ship team. State cham-pionships do not come along often. The student body should take pride in the team, and do ev-erything it can to support it. When it comes down to it, North Central needs spirit. It needs something that unites it. It needs pride. It needs an identity. Who can help accomplish this?

Savor championship, improve spirit

Economic ignorance leads to championship

At NC all students must take economics in order to graduate. It’s a fairly easy class. Much of the cur-riculum is common sense. Sometimes while taking it last semester I wondered why we are forced to take something that we already know most of.

However, at the state

championship basketball game I found out the hard way why it is important to understand the value of a dollar.

Warsaw, apparently does understand economics though and they used this to their advantage.

Around the same time that NC took a command-ing lead in the fi rst quarter – keeping it for the rest of the game- what seemed like three fourths of Con-seco Fieldhouse (roughly the size of the population of Warsaw) all collaborated in a full scale assault on NC fans’ intelligence.

It was a mean-spirited cheer. It was even worse than the cheers coming out of the NC student sec-tion. The Warsaw fans all sat down for the rest of the game as we continued to stand. It was as if they were laughing at our lack of car-ing of the price we paid for those seats.

I have not seen a cheer so mean spirited since the Muncie Central debacle of 1952 and we all know how that ended.

So there they were. The Warsaw fans all enjoyed their soft, padded seats that they paid $15 for as we con-

tinued to waste our money by standing the whole game. And to add insult to injury, they didn’t say much either. Now, not only were they making fun of our lack of economic know-how but they were making fun of our voices too.

All this went right over our heads as we just kept standing and cheering our boys on to victory. We may not get economics all the way, but this kind of a cheer should not be aloud in an IHSAA event. It’s just too harsh to make fun of one’s voice and economic knowl-edge all at once, let alone

the entire game.All jokes aside, the NC

student section should be praised just as much as the team for their support throughout this tourna-ment.

When the going got rough in the regional cham-pionship, NC fans contin-ued to cheer and we rallied to win that game. When NC was up by over 20 points in the state championship we didn’t give up cheering either. It all paid off in the end. Our basketball team and our economic igno-rance helped bring another state title home to NC.

Tips to improve spirit

• Publicize who the players are, be it on the announcements or posters.• Have a real pep rally for a championship-bound team, not a before-school mess.• Pump the student body up with hype music throughout the day.• Have administrators who put even minor effort into building real, true school spirit.• Make available special tournament clothing, like the sea of orange shirts the Warasw fans wore.

Scott McAlister

Editorial

WEB MASTERSSam AlderferNick Panyard

NORTH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

1801 East 86th StreetIndianapolis, IN 46240

(317) 259-5301 phonewww.nchs.cc

www.nchslive.com

Beau ScottBeau Scott

Team success belongs to ‘genius’ Mitchell

@ THE GAME 3April 6, 2010

WORD JUMBLE!

LEFT: The team celebrates with the champi-onship trophy at the conclusion of the game. ABOVE: Coach Doug Mitchell intently watches the game. JACK PECK PHOTOS

Beau ScottCal Boots

For the boy’s basket-ball team, this past season was a year focused on one thing—a state champion-ship. With quick, intelli-gent point guards in Ron-nie Johnson and Micah Smith, elite off-guards in D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera and Trip McFall, as well as a Mr. Basketball candi-date in Terone Johnson, the Panthers were hungry for a title.

McFall commented on the team’s lone goal.

“Since the beginning of the season we knew we could win state, and any other result would have been falling short of our potential,” McFall said.

The team started the year with wins against Pike and Lawrence Cen-tral, but then lost to both Carmel and East Chicago Central within the nex five games.

The Panthers, however, responded with an elev-en game winning streak, earning them a Marion County Championship as well as a MIC title.

A loss to Center Grove was the only blemish in their last 20 games, leav-ing them with an overall record of 25-3.

Before attaining their goal of a state champion-ship, the Panthers had another obstacle in their path—winning Sectional 10.

Talented programs such as Lawrence North, Lawrence Central, Warren Central, and Cathedral all are a part of Sectional 10, making it arguably the most difficult in the state. It was the difficulty of this sectional that tripped up last year’s squad, losing in the sectional champi-onship to a talented Law-rence North team.

This year however, the team was determined to

crack the sectional barrier and advance to Hinkle Fieldhouse for regional play. McFall comment-ed on the teams focus throughout sectional play.

“We have the best coac-ing staff in the state and they kept us on task and focused every day,” Mc-Fall said.

The Panthers received a bye in the first round of sectional play and beat Warren Central by 21 points to set up a rematch with Lawrence North in the final.

After a rocky start and lack of offense, the Pan-ther defense kicked in and held the Wildcats to just 11 points in the last three quarters of play, giving the Panthers the sectional crown.

Regional play featured the historic double header played at Hinkle Field-house.

After beating Ben Da-vis in the morning game,

the Panthers were slotted to play the Millers of No-blesville in the nightcap.

The game was hard fought with the score close throughout regulation.

A late streak of points by Johnson forced the game into overtime.

Late free throws by Mc-Fall and sophomore Pat-rick Ingram allowed the Panthers to notch the one point victory.

“I think the defining moment of our season was beating Noblesville in overtime,” Johnson said.

Coach Doug Mitchell commented on the task of playing Noblesville.

“The Noblesville game was the most difficult of the tournament because it was such a long day at Hinkle, and they were such a good team,” Mitch-ell said.

Next the team made the trek down to Southport to play Jeffersonville, who were hot off just beating

the best team in the state, Bloomington South.

The Panthers survived a late surge by Jefferson-ville and finished them off with a score of 82-74.

The Panthers season culminated at a packed Conseco Fieldhouse against Warsaw for the State Championship.

Warsaw came out of the gates fast but NC quickly caught up and passed them and the game was over by the end of the sec-ond quarter.

The final score was 95-74, setting a state record for points in the state championship.

“We have honestly not played anything like that. They are no joke,” Warsaw coach Doug Ogle said.

After the team was awarded their medals at Conseco and the coaches cut down the nets, many players and their families and fans met back at the North Central gymnasium

to celebrate.Everybody celebrated

their first championship since the 1998-1999 sea-son.

“I celebrated by spend-ing time with my friends and family. It was great because my best friend from Portland came and surprised me, I smiled a lot the next few days,” Mitchell said.

Many attribute the suc-cess of the team to the out-standing senior leadership by McFall, Johnson, Aaron Bluitt and Jack Altice, and also to the team’s unity.

“Our senior leadership was a great bonus, we had great leaders. The thing is that they all led in different ways. Terone led verbally, Trip by example, Jack by example and by making his few minutes important and Aaron by sacrificing his role,” Mitchell said.

“We all became a fam-ily,” Altice said.

team, coaches, say special bond led to successFAMILY

Beau ScottCal Boots

4 CHAMPIONSHIP GALLERY April 6, 2010

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a. Ronnie Johnson passes the ball to a team-mate. JONNY MCBRIDE PHOTO.

b. Terone Johnson looks for an open player to pass the ball to during the championship game. JACK PECK PHOTO.

c. Players wait for the game resume. JACK PECK PHOTO.

d. Terone Johnson prepares to shoot the ball during the game. Johnson scored 26 points. JACK PECK PHOTO.

e. Ronnie Johnson waits to be called back into the game. JONNY MCBRIDE PHOTO.

f. Trip McFall goes for a lay-up against a War-saw player. JONNY MCBRIDE PHOTO.

6 CELEBRATION April 6, 2010

Reporter Will Staal caught up with Trip McFall’s mother, Carrie, during the state championship game.

How has it been seeing Trip progress from his fresh-man year to senior year?It’s been great. He made the tournament team as a freshman so it is really great to see him playing as a senior.

What is the most memorable moment from NC bas-ketball involving Trip?Right now. With he, Terone (Johnson), Jack (Altice) and Aaron (Bluitt) playing basketball since the sixth grade together it’s great that all four of them are here now together.

One proud momma

Next stop: BoilermakerStall also caught up with Matt Painter, head coach of the Purdue Boilermaker men’s basketball team.

“The thing that jumps out with him is his competetive nature. Winning state and everything. Whenever I showed up his drive to win was always impres-sive.”—about what Painter looks forward to from Terone Johnson next year

Tournament rosterNC’s state championship team included the following indi-viduals:

PlayersAaron Bluitt, Ronnie Johnson, Jack Altice, Micah Smith, Trip McFall, Jordan Williams, Tim Bass, Wade Stallings, Anthony Bradley, John Murry, Patrick Ingram, Darius Latham, Terone Johnson, Dedric Griffin, D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera and Anthony Massengill.

CoachesHead coach Doug Mitchell, Walt Morris, Fred Andrews, Michael Elliot, Jeremy Simpson, strength coach Marc Anderson and athletic director Chuck Jones.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Graduates Jeff Hasser and Brian Eckstein watch the game. NC fans do the “roller coaster.” Math teacher Leanne Kabrich waves her rally towel in support of the team. JACK PECK PHOTOS

Fantastic crowd supports team

LEFT: Car-rie McFall watches her son, Trip, play. BELOW: Trip poses with father, Frederick and mom, Carrie. JACK PECK PHOTOS

Team celebrates second title

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Coach Doug Mitchell cuts the net. Later, Mitchell addresses the fans at the post-game pep rally. Terone and Ronnie Johnson hold the trophy. Micah Smith and Jack Altice arrive back at school with the championship. JACK PECK/JONNY MCBRIDE PHOTOS

SENIORS 7April 6, 2010

WORD JUMBLE!

‘10SENIORS

Jack Altice is attend-ing Miami University of Ohio after a year of varsity experience. Al-tice would like to thank former teammate Derek Thiems for his success this season.

After playing for the freshman team, Aaron Bluitt played one year at Bishop Chatard before transferring back to NC to fi nish his career. Coach Mitchell noted how much Bluitt sac-rifi ced for the team’s success this season.

Trip McFall leaves NC with three years of varsity experience as a guard for Coach Mitch-ell. McFall was a vocal leader for the Panthers. Although his plans for next year are not fi nal, he would like to con-tinue to play basketball wherever he goes.

Terone Johnson will play at Purdue next season. Johnson is a candidate for Mr. Basketball and has averaged over 20 points since his sophomore year. He would like to thank the NC coaching staff and his family for the teams success.

8 ALMANAC April 6, 2010

COACH MARVIN WOOD(92-104)1956-57 3-191957-58 13-111958-59 8-111959-60 13-101960-61 16-61961-62 11-91962-63 5-161963-64 8-131964-65 15-9Wood was the former Milan head coach, popularized in the movie “Hoosiers.”

COACH ARLAN LICKLITER(216-170)1965-66 8-121966-67 11-91967-68 20-41968-69 13-101969-70 15-71970-71 10-111971-72 10-121972-73 18-71973-74 14-81974-75 19-81975-76 7-151976-77 12-101977-78 12-111978-79 22-71979-80 9-121980-81 12-111981-82 4-16Lickliter’s son, Todd, is the former head coach of the Butler and Iowa basketball program.

COACH STEVE COFFMAN(131-112)1982-83 7-141983-84 14-91984-85 13-101985-86 18-51986-87 10-131987-88 17-61988-89 14-71989-90 10-111990-91 12-111991-92 13-91992-93 3-17Coffman’s son, Bob, is a success-ful high school basketball coach in Illinois. This year, Bob coached the 2A state champions.

COACH DOUG MITCHELL(287-124)1993-94 7-151994-95 12-111995-96 14-101996-97 22-41997-98 14-71998-99 25-51999-2000 6-152000-01 10-122001-02 18-42002-03 15-62003-04 21-42004-05 17-92005-06 20-42006-07 21-52007-08 17-82008-09 23-22009-10 25-3

More than 40 of Mitchell’s former players have gone on to play at the collegiate level. He is the 1999 Indiana Basketball Coaches Asso-ciation Class 4A Coach of the Year. Mitchell is a former Butler assistant basketball coach.

COUNTY CHAMPIONS: 1961, 68, 70, 72, 75, 79, 97, 09, 10

MIC CHAMPIONS: 1996-97, 99

SECTIONAL CHAMPIONS: 1973, 75, 79, 91, 95, 97, 99, 2004-05, 07-08, 10

REGIONAL CHAMPIONS: 1979, 99, 2007, 10

SEMI-STATE CHAMPIONS: 1999, 2007, 10

STATE RUNNER-UP: 2007

STATE CHAMPIONS: 1999, 2010

TOURNEY OF CHAMPIONS: 1999

1956-2010: 726-510

BEST RECORD: 2009 (23-2), 2010 (25-3)

HALL OF FAME INDIANA ALL-STAR BASKETBALL TEAM1975 Kyle O’Brien

1979 David Bastain1998 Kyle Black1999 Jason Gardner2004 A.J. Ratliff2004 Anthony Passley2007 Eric Gordon

GATORADE INDIANA PLAYER OF THE YEAR1998 Jason Gardner1999 Jason Gardner2004 A.J. Ratliff2007 Eric Gordon

INDIANAPOLIS STAR MARION COUNTY ATHLETE OF THE YEAR1998 Kyle Black2007 Eric Gordon

INDIANA MR. BASKETBALL1999 Jason Gardner2004 A.J. Ratliff2007 Eric Gordon

MCDONALDS ALL-AMERICAN1999 Jason Gardner2007 Eric Gordon

HOOSIER BASKETBALL’S TOP SENIOR BOYS2010 Terone Johnson

AP ALL-STATE TEAM 1999 Jason Gardner2004 A.J. Ratliff2006 Eric Gordon2007 Eric Gordon

INDIANA ALL-STAR TEAM: 1979 David Bastain1999 Jason Gardner2004 A.J. Ratliff2004 Anthony Passley2007 Eric Gordon

ASSOCIATED PRESS INDIANA ALL-CENTURY TEAM2007 Eric Gordon

2009-2010 RESULTS11/25 W Pike 94-7912/5 W Lawrence Central 87-5012/11 L Carmel 79-8312/18 W Frankfort 86-5012/19 W Hamilton Southeastern 88-6112/29: NC Holiday Tourney W Campagna Academy 112-2712/30 NC Holiday Tourney L East Chicago Central 78-821/2 W LaPorte 92-521/8 W Ben Davis 84-541/12: Marion County W Roncalli 69-471/13: Marion County W Speedway 80-371/15: Marion County W Lawrence North 59-551/16: Marion County

W Warren Central 71-521/22 W Lawrence North 99-551/23 W Muncie Central 65-501/30 W Warren Central 82-552/11 W Terre Haute North 60-412/13 W Terre Haute South 98-472/19 L Center Grove 67-692/20 W Danville 76-632/24 W Brownsburg 80-512/26 W Fort Wayne Harding 97-643/5: Sectional W Lawrence Central 68-473/6: Sectional W Lawrence North 41-303/13: Regional W Ben Davis 77-673/13: Regional W Noblesville 54-533/20: Semi-state W Jeffersonville 82-743/27: State W Warsaw 95-74

Panther’s have long tradition of excellence

North Central has three former Indiana Mr. Basketball’s — Jason Gardner (top); A.J. Ratliff (right) and Eric Gordon (above, with his father). All three went on to play basketball at the collegiate level. While Gardner has found success playing basketball overseas, Gordon currently plays for the NBA’s L.A. Clippers. PHOTOS COURTESY THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR

The Panthers first won a state championship in 1999. Top: 1999 state champion players pose with their medals. Bottom: Jason Gardner takes a jump shot during the semi-state game at Hinkle Fieldhouse. FILE PHOTOS