Southern Indiana All Time Dream Tournament
I put this together a few years ago and am just now getting around to posting it. It was recently Selection Sunday and the tournament starts today so what better time to post it than now. This was one of the more fun things (and best) that I’ve put together. There was some actual research I had to look up and dig for from past teams but it was really fun. I’ve included multiple teams and schools from southern Indiana and tried to pick out their best squads. It’s what I consider some of the best teams in the southern Indiana area. I wasn’t around for some of these older squads so if I missed some of them so be it, but there’s some pretty good groups in this 64-team southern Indiana tournament. There’s obviously teams I could have put in like 1949 Jasper, 1950 Madison, 1054 Milan all who won a state title or good teams like 2004 WRV, 1995 Jeffersonville, 1999 Paoli, 1985 Austin, or 2004 Brownstown but I could only put in 64. I also included some of the “small schools” in their own part of the bracket. It’s sort of seeded but I tried to make really good 1st round matchups and tried to keep the multiple Jeffersonville and New Albany teams from playing each other as long as possible. It’s a fun way to look back and see all the talent this area has had over the years and imagine a 64- team bracket with all of the best teams and players. There’s some really fun dream matchups in here. I hope you all enjoy and imagine how fun some of these classic teams and individual matchups would be.
Played @ Huntingburg Memorial Gym
Silver Creek 2026 v. Jeffersonville 2025
Why we’d like to see it: Maybe I’m jumping the gun on SC because as of now this group hasn’t won a state title but they’re already an all-time southern Indiana team. The Dragons come in with seniors Kasen Daeger, Dane Sprigler, and 6’9 Dane Caldwell along with juniors Brandon Hunter, Brody McLaughlin, Lucas Linderman, and Donavon Whitehead. Not sure anyone in this whole tournament has as much height as the Dragons (outside of the 1980 New Albany squad) in the 25-26 season. Jeffersonville had some talented teams but this 4A state title winning group may have been the best of all. Seniors Tre Singleton, Michael Cooper, PJ Douglas, Shawn Boyd, Gilly Polk, and Ray Laird along with juniors Terrence Nord and Elijah Cheeks knocked off nationally rated #8 and undefeated Fishers for the championship. Could SC’s bigs handle Singleton? Would Jeff be able to speed up and pressure SC? One of the best 1st round matchups in this whole tournament.
Seymour 1970 v. New Albany 1973
Why we’d like to see it: This was the Owls best year in school history and spent most of the season #2 in the state. Seymour featured four 1,000 pt. scorers and two Indiana all stars, Baron Hill and Rick Mousa. They also averaged 85.2 ppg on the season. The Bulldogs first ever state title in school history was thanks to Julius Norman scoring 25, Norman Mukes with 21, and Dale Slaughter with 17 in the championship game. This game would be fast paced and the first to 100.
Austin 2002 v. Scottsburg 1969
Why we’d like to see it: Two names; Bill James v. Anthony Winchester. Both Indiana All stars. Both D1 players. Would be a massive game in Scott County against the two best players to ever come out of there. I’ve heard people from Austin say Winchester is the best player to ever come out of there and Scottsburg people tell me that Bill James is. The shooting and scoring would be crazy. James averaged 36.1 ppg his senior year (938 pts. total in his Sr. season) and scored a career high of 69 pts in 1 game v. West Washington, while Winchester scored a total of 2,256 pts in his career. Scottsburg went 25-1 while Austin finished 20-5. Both teams seasons ended at the semi state.
Jeffersonville 2000 v. New Albany 1994
Why we’d like to see it: Another top level Jeff v. New Albany game would feature 2 of the quickest guards to come through the area. Jeff senior Bryant Northern led a balanced Red Devil team that year and nationally ranked 6’6 junior, Dennis Coutee was one of the best to go through Jeff High. This Bulldog team was led by 5’9 Ladrell Whitehead, who had one of the better senior seasons anyone in this area has ever had scoring 27 pts in the semi finals v. SB Clay and also featured a future D1 player in sophomore Lamont Roland. New Albany finished the year 25-2 and Jeff went 22-3. Both teams made it within one game (and one shot) away from playing for a state championship.
Jeffersonville 1974 v. Floyd Central 1989
Why we’d like to see it: Both Jeff and FC made it to the Final Four while FC lost in the semi finals, Jeff lost in the championship to FW Northrop. The Highlanders featured Mr. Basketball Pat Graham, who went to IU and is considered the best player in school history. FC had a high octane offense averaging 80 ppg while Graham put up 32 ppg. This Red Devils team was led by 6’7 Indiana All Star and Purdue signee Wayne Walls along with 6’3 Bill Rogers, 6’7 Steve Call, 5’10 John Pate, and 6’1 Kevin Hill. Future Jeff star Tommy Baker was also a freshman on this team. Walls put up 24 pts in the semi finals against Franklin. This Jeff group finished that season 26-2 and was their second all time state runner up (up to that point) team.
Rushville 1976 v. Washington 2005
Why we’d like to see this: This was the Lions best team in school history making it all the way to the state championship game in 1976 led by Brad Miley and Dennis Goins. In the semi finals the 6’8 Miley pulled in 29 rebounds and later that night recorded 21 rebounds for a state finals record 50 rbs. in one day. The Hatchets featured 6’10 Mr. Basketball Luke Zeller on their way to a first state title in ’05 thanks to “the shot” from Zeller from near midcourt. Washington went on to finish 27-2. The Miley v. Zeller matchup of bigs would be fun.
Scottsburg 2024 v. Madison 1998
Why we’d like to see it: Scottsburg’s first and only state title team with seniors Kody Clancy, Wyatt Zellers, Caden Richardson, and Indiana all star Jack Miller v. Madison’s semi state finalists that lost to eventual 3A winner Indianapolis Cathedral. The Cubs came in with juniors Bryan Bullington, Chad Liter, Bubba Yarbrough, seniors Kyle Oliver and Ryan Feider, as well as sophomore Chris Bass. Madison was 20-5 and made it to the semi state finals v. eventual 3A champion Cathedral while the Warriors were 25-5. This would be a very good rivalry game between the two schools best teams in half a century.
New Albany 2016 v. Silver Creek 2021
Why we’d like to see it: The Dragons state title with seniors Kooper Jacobi and Trey Kauffman Renn at 6’6 and 6’8 against New Albany’s 2nd all time team to win a state title with soph. Romeo Langford. Romeo averaged 30.3 ppg as a soph. leading the Dogs to a 27-1 record and putting on the best single game performance I’ve ever seen in person with 46 pts in the semi state v. Southport. New Albany was very deep with Adrien Pratt Thomas, Isaac Hibbard, Michael Maxwell, Rondale Moore, and Jordy Martin. Silver Creek finished their state title year going 25-4. Sr. Kooper Jacobi put up 18 pts and 18 rbs in the state title game for SC. The point guard matchup of Jr. Brandon Northern and a soph. duo of Sean East/ Rondale Moore would be special.
Played @ Columbus North Memorial Gym
Bloomington North 1997 v. Bloomington South 2009
Why we’d like to see it: Two of the best teams in the college town of Bloomington for bragging rights would be a fun game. The Cougars won the very last single class title with Indiana all stars, Kueth Duany and Djbril Kante who went 28-1 on the season. North spent much of the year #1 along with Anderson. The Panthers went one better and finished the year 26-0 with Mr. Basketball Jordy Hulls. Juniors Eric Frohm and Spencer Turner (who was a knockdown shooter) along with a soph. Dee Davis were big pieces of that undefeated Panthers team also. Both teams had a very good supporting cast that would be worth the watch.
Forest Park 2006 v. Paoli 1994
Why we’d like to see it: Forest Park completed back 2 back state titles in 2006 with the Hopf cousins. 6’8 Clint Hopf scored 20 pts. and 10 rebounds in the finals while 6’7 Brandon Hopf 17 pts. and 14 boards. The Rangers were big and finished the year 25-3. Speaking of winning, Ram seniors 6’8 Scott Combs (21.5 ppg and 12.7 rbs) and 6’0 Joe Sibbitt did alot of their own making it to the semi state in single class basketball three years in a row (92, 93, and 94) before losing to New Albany. Combs was also runner up for Mr. Basketball in 1994. Paoli ended the year 24-4.
New Albany 1980 v. Jennings County 1972
Why we’d like to see it: The run and gun Panthers averaged 93.2 ppg in 1972 and featured three 20+ ppg scorers, Billy Harmon (Louisville), Danny Brown (Louisville), and Bobby Woods. In one weekend of play JC put up a 2 day/ 2 game state record 272 points. The Panthers season ended v. Madison in the regional finishing 23-3. New Albany were state runner ups in 1980 with a staring lineup that was 6’0, 6’5, 6’8, 6’8, and 6’8. Four players on the bench were also 6’5 and up. 10 of the 12 went onto play D1 ball including Indiana All Star, Richie Johnson. 6’8 Jr. Dave Bennett put up 3o pts in the final game. NA went 27-1.
Washington 2008 v. Floyd Central 2018
Why we’d like to see it: One team that was arguably the best team overall in the state as a 3A and state championship winner back in ’08. Two very similar styles and lineups with alot of height. Washington featured two 7 footers in Mr. Basketball, Tyler Zeller (who scored a record 43 pts. in the state championship game) and Seth McCoy, who combined to average 49 ppg and 20 rbs per game in their senior season. This FC group was one of the best southern Indiana teams ever not to win a sectional. 6’6 Cobie Barnes, 6’6 Luke Gohmann, 6’7 Evan Nichols, 6’6 Brendan Hobson along with a freshman Jake Heidbreder may have won a state title if it wasn’t for their county rival. After beating New Albany in the regular season they lost to the #1 ranked Dogs in the sectional.
Jeffersonville 2006 v. Batesville 2008
Why we’d like to see it: One of Jeff’s more slept on teams featured seniors Antonio Ballard, Jeremy Kendall, and Josh Lowry. The Red Devils went 23-2 losing bookend games to Bloomington South, one being the first game of the season and the other in the regional final. The Bulldogs made it all the way to the semi state finals with senior Alex Grimsley and junior Colt Ryan. The Bulldogs had a deep team that beat eventual 4A champion, Brownsburg early in the season up in Indy and finished 24-3 before losing to a Tyler Zeller-led Washington team @ the semi state.
Brownstown 2024 v. Bedford North Lawrence 1990
Why we’d like to see it: Brownstown had Mr. Basketball runner up, Jack Benter going up against BNL’s golden boy that won Mr. Basketball, Damon Bailey. All eyes would be on the Bailey v. Benter matchup. Senior Parker Hehman along with juniors Chace Coomer and Colby Hall would be key for Brownstown. BNL ended the year 27-2 while Brownstown went 28-4. Bailey scored a state record 3,134 pts in his 4 years with the Stars and won national Naismith POTY, USA Today POTY, and Mr. Basketball USA in 1990. BNL finished it off with a state title in front of 41,046 fans. An interesting side note to watch would be the defense Coach Benter for Brownstown could draw up against Bailey.
Jennings County 2023 v. Greensburg 2013
Why we’d like to see it: Greensburg’s 26-1 state title team featured 3 future D1 kids with size; juniors Bryant McIntosh and 6’7 Sean Sellers along with 6’8 sophomore Ryan Welage. Juniors Collin Rigney and Macey Holdsworth were knockdown shooters. Jennings County had the guards and shooting with seniors Keegan Manowitz, Owen Law, and leading scorer soph. Carter Kent. 6’8 Sr. Justin Ramey and 6’4 freshman Parker Elmore would have to play big to negate the Pirates height. The Panthers went 24-3 with their season ending at the 4A semi-state. This is a sneaky good matchup.
New Albany 2018 v. Jeffersonville 1992
Why we’d like to see it: Two teams that lost in the semi finals in heartbreaking fashion were arguably better than their state title teams. The Bulldogs featured Mr. Basketball and McDonald’s All American, Romeo Langford and fellow senior Sean East as well as junior Julian Hunter. The Dogs spent most of the year #1 in the state. NA lost on a last second layup @ Seymour v. Warren Central. Jeff was deep with juniors Sherron Wilkerson, BJ Flynn, Brien Hanley, and Cory Norman, as well as seniors Mike Harris and Joe Estes. The Red Devils were heavily favored to win it but lost in double OT to Richmond in the Final 4. Both teams had multiple D1 players. This would be a giant matchup in southern Indiana.
Played @ Seymour Lloyd E. Scott Gym
Jeffersonville 1993 v. New Albany 1996
Why we’d like to see it: These two absolute giant programs and teams would be must-see. Many in New Albany say the ’96 Dogs were the best team in school history that lost in 2OT @ the state title game to Ben Davis. New Albany featured 6’4 Indiana All Star Lamont Roland (LSU) and fellow senior marksmen Angelo Pipes. 6’7 Junior Chad Hunter was also an Indiana All star that went on to play at Indiana State. The Red Devils first of two state championships came in 1993 with a stacked team. 1993 Mr. Basketball Sherron Wilkerson along with Sr. BJ Flynn (who would play at Louisville) and juniors Brien Hanley and Cory Norman made this Jeff team one of the better all time teams in the state. If you were around in the 90s this is the game for you and may be the biggest and best first round matchup of them all (and my personal favorite).
Clarksville 1979 v. Jeffersonville 2013
Why we’d like to see it: Chad Gilbert coached this really good group @ Jeffersonville, led by Darryl Baker who had one of the best senior seasons in recent memory. Jeff had alot of quick guards that could put pressure on teams such as Myles Harvey, Keenan Williams, Kotrell White, Jacquari Chandler, and Drew Ellis. The Red Devils didn’t have alot of height but they were quick and Baker had a special year with Jeff going 25-4 losing to Cathedral in the semi state. The ’79 Clarksville Generals go down as the best year in their school’s history winning a sectional title as well led by Indiana All Star and Indiana University player, Chuck Franz who averaged 32.7 ppg that year. Franz scored 81 pts. total on back to back nights to defeat Jeff and New Albany for the sectional title.
Columbus 1964 v. Floyd Central 1971
Why we’d like to see it: Two throwback teams that made it all the way to the state semi finals in their years. Columbus went 27-1 that year that featured Indiana All Star Jerry Newsom who scored 28 pts and 17 pts in the Final Four and classmate Steve Hollenbeck. The year prior The Bulldogs went 25-1. The Highlanders made an improbable run to the Final Four in a loaded sectional that included Jeff, New Albany, and Clarksville. FC was led by UK- signee Jerry Hale and future Indiana All Star, Larry Brumley and future Wake Forest signee, Jerry Schellenberg. The “Super Hicks” played an up-tempo style of basketball that saw them score 41 pts. in a single quarter in the regional finals.
Greensburg 2014 v. Batesville 1997
Why we’d like to see it: The rivalry between the Pirates and Bulldogs is good enough, much less when arguably their two best teams in school history matchup. Batesville featured Indiana all star Michael Menser and spent most of the season in the top 5 overall winning the Hall of Fame Classic and defeating #1 at the time, Anderson. Their season and hope for a ‘small school’ winning the last single class state title was ended by New Castle, @ the New Castle regional. Greensburg won their 2nd of back to back state titles with two Indiana all stars in 6’3 Bryant McIntosh and 6’7 Sean Sellers and Junior All Star, 6’8 Ryan Welage. The Pirates finished 28-1 while the Bulldogs went 26-2.
Silver Creek 2019 v. Jeffersonville 2010
Why we’d like to see it: Jeff did advance all the way to within 1 game of the 4A state championship in 2010 led by a trio of seniors, Keegan Clark, AJ Adams, and Drake Coleman, and Jr. Evan Maschmeyer. The Devils upset nationally ranked and state #1 Bloomington South to end their 49 game winning streak to win the regional. To this day probably the biggest upset I’ve ever seen in person. Throw in a healthy freshman in Daryl Baker (who was out for the season with a broken leg) and by the postseason, Jeff was playing as good as anyone on this list. You could argue this was Silver Creek’s best team in school history with sophomores Trey Kaufman and Kooper Jacobi along with a really good group of seniors; Ty Kessinger, Zane Gross, and Jack Hawkins. Their 6th man was freshman Branden Northern. The Dragons went 25-3 winning the 3A state title.
Bedford NL 1995 v. New Albany 2008
Why we’d like to see it: Both teams went through the regular season undefeated and lost one game before reaching Indy @ the semi state. The Stars featured Kent Moutardier and Jason Speer. The Stars were ranked top 5 in all of high school ball that season before losing to Jeffersonville in OT. New Albany spent most of the year at #1 in 2008 with a senior class of Braydon Hobbs, Matt Lynch, Spencer Shannon, and William Barber along with 6’8 sophomore Donnie Hale. The Dogs ran through most of the season with an winning average margin of 22 pts. but lost to eventual champion, Brownsburg at the Southport semi state.
Providence 2022 v. Madison 1962
Why we’d like to see it: This game would feature two teams from different eras. Madison featured Mr. Basketball Larry Humes (Evansville) and was possibly the best team in Cubs history. Madison averaged 72 ppg while only giving up 52 ppg on the season. The Cubs did not lose a game in the 1961 and 1962 regular seasons and lost in the Final 4 to eventual champion, Evansville Bosse. You could argue that the 2023 Providence team was the best team in school history that spent much of the year in 2A in the top 3, but the ’22 Pioneers brought home the state title. They were led by Jr. Casey Kaelin, Jr. Grant Seebold, soph. Quinten Hesse, and soph. Noah Lovan. The Pioneers were one of the better lock-down defensive teams we’ve seen in this area only giving up 43 ppg.
Washington 2011 v. Bloomington North 2000
Why we’d like to see it: What a heavyweight game with IU star power this would be. Bloomington North featured Mr. Basketball, 6’9 Jared Jeffries and 6’8 sophomore Sean May. The Cougars made it undefeated all the way to the championship game where they lost to Zach Randolph’s Marion Giants. Possibly Washington’s best of their 3 state title teams were led by 7 ft. All American and Mr. Basketball Cody Zeller. The Hatchets finished off 3 titles in 7 seasons going 24-4 in 2010-11. IU fans would be very interested in this game.
Played @ Washington Hatchet House
White River Valley 1993 v. Barr Reeve 2021
Why we’d like to see it: Two of southwestern Indiana’s (and possibly all of Indiana) all time best small-school teams. Barr Reeve featured 6’8 Indiana All Star Curt Hopf who had a stat line of 23 pts. and 19 rebounds in the state championship game while bringing home the title. WRV’s best team in school history had size, shooting, and depth led by Indiana all star Matthew Graves. The Wolves gave Jeffersonville a real scare in the ’93 semi state final finishing 23-4 and a 5th overall ranking in the state. Their senior class accumulated a 74-8 record in 3 varsity seasons.
Union (Dugger) 2000 v. Orleans 2025
Why we’d like to see it: Two small schools, 1 state runner up and 1 state champion. The Bulldogs went 24-4 this season. Dugger featured Indiana All Star and at the time, the state’s 3rd all time leading scorer, Brody Boyd who played at Iowa. Many around Orleans would say that their 1974 team was their best led by Curt Gilstrap, but this Bulldog team brought home the school’s first ever state title. They were led by senior Rylan Crocker and junior Alex Dewitt. This Orleans team beat the #1, #2, and #3 team on their way to a 1A championship. Coach Bradley figuring out how to limit Boyd’s scoring would be fun as Orleans only gave up 39.8 ppg as a team on the season.
Jac-Cen-Del 2009 v. Southwestern (Hanover) 1998
Why we’d like to see it: JCD’s only state title in 1A came in 2009 with a strong core of seniors who had played together since grade school; Matt Gehl, Blake Sutton, Trevor Arnett, and Gerald Hardesty. Gehl scored all 26 pts in the 2nd half of the state championship game along with 11 rbs. They only lost twice all year, both games to Batesville. The Rebels made it all the way to the state championship game of 2A back in 1998 before losing to Alexandria. The team featured sharpshooting senior 6’2 Trevor Crafton and 6’5 Sr. Andy Firth, as well as junior point guard, Blake Deuser. A Jerry Bomholt v. David Bradshaw coached game would be fun.
Hauser 2006 v. South Decatur 2020
Why we’d like to see it: This game is for pure entertainment and lots of points. Both teams were run and gun with high scoring offenses for small schools. Hauser won the 1A state title going 25-2 with 6’8 D1 senior Bobby Jolliff. South Decatur spent much of their season #1 in the 1A polls, but sadly didn’t get to make a run at a state title because of covid shutting down the tourney. The Cougars were 24-2 and led in scoring by Jr. Lane Lauderbaugh with 23 ppg, soph. Hunter Johnson at 20 ppg, and Sr. Dominic Walters with 18 ppg.
Springs Valley 1958 v. Loogootee 1975
Why we’d like to see it: The Lions were the smallest school since Milan to make it to the championship game in 1975. They went into the final game of the season 25-0 before losing to Marion. In just their first year of existence, Springs Valley was another small school that went undefeated that season going 25-0 before losing at the Final Four losing to FW South. There is a book called “Valley Boys” about the 1958 SV team. This would be an old-school matchup of two of the best small school teams in state history.
Washington Catholic 1991 v. North Daviess 2022
Why we’d like to see it: Two small schools and fanbases in southwestern Indiana going against each other would be a fun matchup. ND finished off their 1A state title year, 27-2. Cougar Jr. Jaylen Mullen was the teams leading scorer, while Cardinal soph. and eventual Indiana All Star Toby Madison, along with Sr. Brian McAtee led WC to a undefeated 22-0 regular season and a #5 overall state ranking capturing the school’s one and only regional title.
New Washington 1989 v. Jac-Cen-Del 1969
Two small SE Indiana small schools separated by 20 seasons, the Mustangs featured Indiana All Star, Shannon Arthur as well as brothers, Scott and Jamie Matthews. New Wash. won the Hall of Fame Classic that year and both teams lost to massively bigger schools in the tournament (Indianapolis Washington and BNL). Although JCD won a state title in ’09, many in Osgood would say this was the Eagles best team featuring Indiana all star Kim Pemberton who went on to play at IU. Both schools have a strong argument for winning a 1A state title if there would have been class basketball.
Waldron 2004 v. Borden 2013
Why we’d like to see it: Two small school state champions going at it with the best teams in their school’s history would be fun. The Mohawks ran through the season undefeated and featured two 6’6 Indiana all star brothers, Jordan and Justin Barnard who averaged 23 ppg and 21 ppg. Waldron’s semi state matchup with WRV and AJ Graves @ Seymour was special to see live. Borden’s lone state title came in ’13 going 24-3. The Braves had a balanced team that was full of shooters including; Jalen McCoy, Michael Lynch, Garrett Vick, and Cody Bachman. Borden finished the year 24-3. Borden’s crowd @ the Seymour semi state may be the loudest I’ve ever heard. A young Coach Jason Delaney v. Doc Nash and two fanbases that absolutely packed the gyms would make it very fun.