Teri Moren Named Head Coach of the 2024 United States Women’s U-18 National Team
Indiana Head Coach Teri Moren has been announced as the head coach of the 2024 USA Basketball Women’s U18 National Team. “I am grateful to be chosen as the head coach of the 2024 U18 National Team,” Moren said. “It is an honor and humbling experience anytime you are asked to be a part of USA Basketball and represent your country. I look forward to leading some of the very best young players in the country and work alongside some excellent colleagues in pursuit of a gold medal this summer.”
Moren will make her head coaching debut with USA Basketball after capturing gold as an assistant coach at the 2023 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup and 2022 FIBA U18 Women’s Americas Championship. She is in her 10th season as Head Coach of the Hoosiers. The Indiana native is the program’s all-time winningest coach while leading them to five NCAA Tournament appearances, two Sweet 16’s and an Elite Eight appearance along with nine consecutive 20-win seasons. In 2023, she guided the program to its first regular season Big Ten championship in 40 years and took Big Ten Coach of the Year honors for the second time in her career.
Coaching selections for the U18 national team were made by the USA Basketball Women’s Junior National Team Committee, while the USA Basketball Women’s Developmental National Team Committee selected the U17 coaching staff. All selections were approved by the USA Basketball Board of Directors. Moren along with Notre Dame’s Niele Ivey and South Florida’s Jose Fernandez will lead the USA at the 2024 FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup June 17-23 (location TBA by FIBA Americas at a later date). The USA will look to capture its 11th-straight gold medal and 12th overall since the tournament’s inception in 1988.
Two Indiana University Track & Field Athletes and Distance Medley Relay Team Qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships
Jessica Mercier (Pole Vault), Kenisha Phillips (400m) and the men’s Distance Medley Relay were awarded qualifying marks into the 2024 NCAA Indoor Track & Field National Championships in Boston, Mass., on March 8-9. Mercier finished Runner-Up in the Pole Vault with a mark of 4.45m/14-7.25 as she shattered the school record for the second time this season to score the Hoosiers eight points. The White Lake, Mich., native holds the sixth highest mark in the nation. She will head to her second NCAA Indoor Championships and her first with the Hoosiers after earning an entry in 2022 with Michigan.
Kenisha Phillips also won silver in the 400 meters with a time of 51.72 to break her own school record set earlier this season. The Georgetown, Guyana, native earns a spot in the event with the No. 9 seed to make her first NCAA Indoor appearance. The men’s DMR team of Camden Marshall, Antonio Laidler, Keefer Sohengen and Austin Haskett ran the 10th fastest time in the nation (9:23.41) at the Alex Wilson Invitational to earn Indiana their 14th straight NCAA qualifying team dating back to 2009. The Hoosiers have finished in the top-eight 11 times along with two runners-up in 2011 and 2012.
Chipotle National High School Basketball Tournament Headed to Brownsburg in April
The high school version of March Madness will spill over into the first week of April this year as more than a dozen McDonald’s All-Americans, boys and girls, are expected in Central Indiana for one of the nation’s top basketball events. The Chipotle Nationals (previously named the GEICO High School Basketball Nationals) is coming to Indiana for the first time. The event, which started in 2009, moved from Washington D.C. to New York and, most recently, Florida. This year, fans can catch Indiana recruit Liam McNeeley, Cooper Flagg, the nation’s No. 1 player, and several other of the nation’s top high school players, from April 4-6 at Brownsburg High School.
Rashid Ghazi is the president of Paragon Marketing Group, which created the season-ending tournament 15 years ago as a platform for the nation’s top teams. He said bringing the event to Indiana was an easy choice given the location and passion for basketball at all levels. “We wanted to give the event a fresh start and Indianapolis is obviously a great market,” Ghazi said. “We wanted somewhere more centrally located to make for easier travel for fans and teams. That’s the first thing we were looking for. But also looking for a community with elite high school basketball, a strong college fan base and knowledge of recruiting, and one that supports national events coming to town. Given the history hosting the Super Bowl, Final Fours, the Big Ten tournament, the NBA All-Star game, we felt Indianapolis is use to supporting big events. All of those things came into play.”
The field for the eight-team boys’ tournament and six-team girls’ tournament will be announced the week of March 11. The games from April 4-6 will be broadcast on ESPN platforms, including the girls’ championship at 10 a.m. on April 6 on ESPN and the boys’ semifinals (April 5 at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. on ESPN2) and championship (April 6 at noon on ESPN2). Teams eligible to play in the event are a mix of independent high schools and those from state associations that allow their teams to participate (Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, Washington and District of Columbia). Ghazi said three or four other states allow teams to play after a review by the state association board on a case-by-case basis. Only four-year high school players are allowed, not post-graduate players.
There will be no shortage of talent coming to Central Indiana the first week of April. Seven of the top 11 girls’ teams ranked nationally by ESPN are eligible to play; on the boys’ side, 17 of the top 25 teams in the ESPN rankings are eligible for selection, including No. 1 through No. 8. Montverde Academy (Fla.) is currently 29-0 and ranked No. 1 in the country. The 6-9 Flagg, a Duke recruit, is the consensus No. 1 player in the country. Montverde also has a player of high local interest in the 6-7 McNeeley, an IU recruit ranked No. 11 nationally. Another teammate, No. 10-ranked Derik Queen, picked Maryland last week over IU, Kansas and Houston. Ghazi estimates there could be as many as nine boys and six girls McDonald’s All-Americans playing in the event. Kateryna Koval, a 6-4 Notre Dame commit, plays for a Long Island Lutheran team that is ranked No. 2 in the country and likely to be selected.
La Lumiere, where former Fishers’ star and the nation’s No. 12 junior Jalen Haralson attends, is ranked No. 6 in the boys’ rankings by ESPN. The nation’s No. 1 player in the 2025 class, A.J. Dybantsa, and No. 1 player in the 2026 class, Tyran Stokes, both play for Prolific Prep, the nation’s fifth-ranked team. Ghazi, who has experience bringing ESPN televised events to Indiana going back to Lawrence North’s Greg Oden-Mike Conley teams and Eric Gordon’s North Central teams and more recently when Romeo Langford and his New Albany team played La Lumiere at New Castle, said he expects all the basketball talent under one roof will attract fans. Tickets will go live shortly at Chipotlenationals.com. A daily ticket will be $15, he said.
There is potential for some star power in the bleachers, also. The sons of former NBA stars Carlos Boozer (No. 2 ranked Cameron and No. 14 ranked Cayden in 2025 class play for fourth-ranked Columbus, Fla.), Carmelo Anthony (four-star junior Kiyan Anthony plays for third-ranked Long Island Lutheran) and Jason Richardson (Jace Richardson, a 2024 Michigan State recruit plays with the Boozer brothers) are likely to be selected to the field when it is announced in two weeks. Ghazi said a selection committee similar to the NCAA committee is used to pick the teams. Link Academy (Mo.) won the event last year when it was played in Fort Meyers, Fla. Montverde Academy was the No. 1 seed but was upset by Sunrise Christian (Kan.) in the first round.
Indianapolis Indians announce Promotional Schedule for the 2024 Season
The Indianapolis Indians on Thursday unveiled the 2024 season promotional schedule, which includes 17 games with postgame fireworks, new and returning character appearances, specialty nights and weekends, and more. Single-game tickets go on sale to the public at 10 AM ET on Friday, March 1,
and the Indians’ 2024 home opener is set for Tuesday, April 2, against the Memphis Redbirds. Following the home opener on April 2, the Indians’ first homestand concludes with two giveaways during Total Solar Eclipse Weekend presented by Damar on April 6-7. Sun King Brewery’s 12th Annual Bike to
the Ballpark takes place on Saturday, April 6, and its Path of Totality beer will be available at the Vic to fans 21 and older both days.
The Indians’ second homestand against the St. Paul Saints features another weekend of fun. On Friday, April 19, during Peanut Allergy Awareness Night presented by FARE, peanuts, Cracker Jack® and other products containing peanuts will not be available for purchase at concessions. Indy 500 Night presented
by Indianapolis Motor Speedway is set for Saturday, April 20. Fans may enjoy racing-themed in-game entertainment, plus the opportunity to bid on specialty jerseys to benefit Indianapolis Indians Charities. Sunday Characters with Bluey and Bingo presented by MHS wraps the six-game series on Sunday, April Fans will have the chance to meet their favorite Blue and Red Heelers, Bluey and Bingo, from gates open throughout the game in the Center Field Plaza.
Near the end of the Indians’ third homestand against the Buffalo Bisons, Victory Field turns into a galaxy far, far away on Saturday, May 4, for Star Wars™ Night. Fans may meet their favorite characters, enjoy in-game entertainment and bid on specialty jerseys. The April 30-May 5 homestand concludes with Sunday Characters with Blippi and Meekah™ presented by MHS. Fans must purchase a special ticket package for the Blippi meet-and-greet. With the Indians in their 19th consecutive season as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate, the 2024 promotional schedule includes the return of two Prospects Weekends presented by Hoosier Lottery from May 17-19 and June 7-9, when the Indians welcome the Toledo Mud Hens and Columbus Clippers to town. In addition to the Pirates Pierogies providing in-game entertainment both weekends, team autographs each Saturday and bobblehead giveaways each Sunday, the Indians will wear specialty Young Bucs jerseys all six games, with the jersey auction taking place during the June set.
Native American Heritage Night presented by the Miami Nation of Indians of Indiana is set for Friday, May 17, Sunday Characters with Villain Kids presented by MHS is scheduled for Sunday, May 19, and fans can create their own baseball card with a Trading Card Experience presented by MHS on Sunday, June 9.
Sandwiched between both Prospects Weekends is a six-game series against the Omaha Storm Chasers. For a second straight season, the Indians are home on Monday, May 27 for Memorial Day presented by INVets. The Dollar Menu will be in effect at concessions, and fans may bid on specialty jerseys worn by
the Indians prior to fireworks. The series resumes on Wednesday, May 29, when the Indians host the annual Youth Clinic presented by Toyota, Mr. Plumber and Williams Comfort Air. The Youth Clinic is included in the price of admission and is open to all children 14 and under. The weekend concludes with
Margaritaville Night presented by Corona Premier on Saturday, June 1, and Sunday Characters with Princesses presented by MHS on Sunday, June 2.
The Indians welcome the Iowa Cubs to the Vic from June 18-23, and the organization will again tip its cap to the Negro Leagues’ rich history in Indianapolis with Negro Leagues Night presented by the Indiana Civil Rights Commission on Saturday, June 22. Fans may bid on specialty Indianapolis Clowns jerseys
worn by the Indians. When the calendar flips to July, the Indians play the second half of a six-game series against the Louisville Bats at Victory Field from July 4-6. The July Fourth Celebration presented by AES Indiana includes postgame fireworks on Thursday, July 4, Friday, July 5, and Saturday, July 6, and the Indians
will wear specialty patriotic jerseys and caps on the Fourth of July, with the jerseys up for grabs to fans via auction. Since 1997, the Indians have been scheduled to play at home on July 4 every season.
The following homestand against Columbus from July 9-14 features the organization’s inaugural Pride Night presented by Indy Pride and Stonewall Sports Indianapolis on Friday, July 12, and Harry Potter Weekend, which includes specialty jerseys worn by the Indians and a Hogwarts house hat giveaway to
fans on Saturday-Sunday, July 13-14. The Harry Potter jersey auction begins on July 13 and concludes at the end of the seventh inning on July 14.
After the All-Star break and a nine-game road trip, the Indians return home for a six-game set against Toledo from July 30-Aug. 4. Daily Deals currently populate the homestand along with Faith & Fellowship Night on Friday, Aug. 2. The Indians host St. Paul again from Aug. 13-18, and Marvel Super Hero™ Weekend is slated for the final two contests. On Saturday, Aug. 17, fans may meet Spider-Man, Black Panther and Thor, and the Sunday, Aug. 18 finale features Spider-Man, Iron Man and Captain America. The Indians will wear specialty Marvel-inspired Rowdie jerseys that will be available to fans via auction.
STEAM Night presented by Indiana Union Construction Industry and Lilly opens the Indians’ Aug. 27-Sept. 1 homestand against Louisville. Local companies will demonstrate how their products are used in careers covering science, technology, engineering, art and math. The Indians’ last homestand of the season is against the Rochester Red Wings from Sept. 10-15. Razor Shines Weekend presented by Meineke runs the final three days, Friday-Sunday, Sept. 13-15, and
includes a series of giveaways, autograph and photo opportunities with Razor Shines, and a pregame jersey retirement ceremony for Shines’ No. 3 on Sept. 14.
Taylor University’s Quinn White picks up USTFCCCA Assistant Coach-of-Year Honor
For the third time in the past six years, Taylor’s Quinn White has been named the USTFCCCA NAIA Great Lakes Region Indoor Track and Field Assistant Coach of the Year, this time doing so with the women’s team. White was previously awarded this top honor in 2019 with the women’s team and again in 2021 with the men’s squad and also claimed the same honor for the women’s team during the outdoor seasons in 2016, 2018 and 2019.
Now in his 14th year as an assistant coach with the Taylor track and field programs, White saw his student-athletes rack up 12 national qualification times in seven events during the 2023-2024 indoor season, with 10 of those times resulting in A-standards. Additionally, White’s middle-distance and distance athletes raced to three individual titles and two meet records at the recent Crossroads League Indoor Track and Field Championships, helping the No. 8 Trojans to a second-place finish in the team standings.
The highlight moment of the CL Championships for Taylor came in the 5,000-meters, where Mollie Gamble and Audrey Brinkruff finished first and second, while each besting the existing Taylor program and CL Championship record in the event. White’s middle-distance and distance groups enter the NAIA National Championships ranked top-10 in the NAIA in USTFCCCA #EventSquad rankings in three events, led by a No. 2 rating in the 3,000-meters. TU also rates sixth in the mile and eighth in the 5,000-meters. The Trojans will look to cap their impressive indoor season with a strong showing at NAIA Nationals started on Thursday and goes through Saturday.
Taylor University Men’s Basketball Ends Season with a loss to Grace College in the Crossroads League Tournament
The Trojans fell 75-58 in the Crossroads League Tournament Quarterfinals to end their season on Wednesday night against No. 1 Grace (28-1) on the road. Kaden Fuhrmann led the offensive attack for the Trojans, scoring a team-high 19 points. Anton Webb joined Fuhrmann in double digits with 15 points while pacing the team in both rebounds with eight and assists with three. Webb has continued to show off his all-around game with five straight games of two or more assists to go along with being the first Trojan to average a double-double throughout the season in at least fifty years.
Taylor battled the Lancers in a low-scoring first half, in which the Trojans could not buy a bucket, shooting under 30 percent from the field and making only one of 12 attempts from beyond the arc. The Trojans trailed the entirety of the second half but saw the offense pick up as they matched the Lancers with 39 points after halftime. Fuhrmann hit all three of his triples after the break, and Pete Combs splashed in his second shot from beyond the arc, with both coming against Grace on the road. Combs matched a season-high ten points, with the freshman hitting double digits in both contests in Winona Lake. Grace was efficient shooting 50 percent from the field, and continued to pound the ball down low, scoring 44 of its 75 points or 59 percent in the paint. The bully ball tactic also led to 12 made free throws compared to nine for the Trojans. Taylor (10-19) will look to regroup and prepare for next season, with only one senior leaving the team, as Gavin Yoon departs after four terrific seasons for TU.
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