Latest news with #LawrenceNorth
Indianapolis Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
From one great Butler point guard to the next? Shelvin Mack likes what he sees in freshman
INDIANAPOLIS — When it comes to point guard play, players like Shelvin Mack, Aaron Thompson and Posh Alexander exemplified "The Butler Way." Hard-nosed, heady, pass-first floor generals who excelled at doing all the little things on the court. Players who led by example and could always be counted on to make the right play at the right time. Former Lawrence North star Azavier "Stink" Robinson could be next in Butler basketball's storied line of point guards, but his brand of basketball is different from players of the past. Robinson brings elite athleticism to the point guard position. He led the 2025-26 Butler against its alumni team, All Good Dawgs, who were preparing for The Basketball Tournament. Robinson, one of five freshmen, did not look out of place among former NBA players and overseas pros. He used his speed to navigate full-court pressure from a much stronger Mack. In transition, Robinson is a blur. In the half-court, his first-step quickness allows him to blow by defenders, and he has the explosiveness to finish above the rim despite his 6-foot stature. "He looked good," Mack said of Robinson. "He shoots the ball extremely well and is making the right decisions. He did a good job of taking care of the ball, there wasn't a lot of turnovers. Then Finley (Bizjack) came in and knocked down some jumpers, that kind of balances the backcourt out." Butler's point guard position has been in flux since Alexander left for Dayton after the 2023-24 season. Bizjack got the first shot at taking over the position, but he experienced some ups and downs transitioning to a more on-ball role. Coach Thad Matta brought in transfers Jalen Jackson (Purdue Fort Wayne) and Yame Butler (Drexel) to shoulder some of the playmaking duties. Jackson has experience playing a true point guard role dating back to his freshman season at UIC. Butler is more of a combo guard, but his tight handle and passing ability should allow him to make plays with the ball in his hands. Both Jackson and Butler have one year of eligibility remaining. In a perfect world, Robinson takes over as Butler's point guard for the 2026-27 season. If the display of talent he showed against All Good Dawgs is any indication, Robinson's future is bright, and a meaningful role could be in the cards this season. "It was a great experience, especially going against pros and former players here," Robinson said. "I'm just extremely blessed for the opportunity. It feels good to be playing against other people besides ourselves. "Getting up and down the court, picking up full court. Our strength and conditioning coach (Tyler Watson) is amazing. He does a good job getting us in condition and getting us ready for the fall." Robinson's speed is his best attribute but learning when to utilize it will help him become a more efficient player. The freshman has to learn when to take his foot off the gas and play at a slower pace. Playing against Mack helped Robinson see how to play under control, how to get to his spots and how to run the show from the point guard position.
Indianapolis Star
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
One of state's top basketball seniors gets limited eligibility from IHSAA after transfer to Fishers
The eligibility of one of the state's top high school basketball players is in question for the upcoming season. The Indiana High School Athletic Association ruled Wednesday Kai McGrew, who transferred from Lawrence North to Fishers in the spring, will have limited eligibility for the upcoming season in its initial decision. That ruling would limit McGrew to junior varsity games for 365 days from his last varsity game, which was the Class 4A semistate on March 22. The 6-9 McGrew, an Indiana Junior All-Star and ranked No. 4 in the state by IndyStar in the 2026 in-state class, averaged 14.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists as a junior at Lawrence North, helping the Wildcats to a 22-7 record and Class 4A semistate championship game appearance. McGrew transferred to Fishers after the season, prior to the new first-time transfer from the IHSAA going into effect on June 1, meaning his transfer was processed by the IHSAA under the previous transfer rules. McGrew enrolled at Fishers High School on April 22. McGrew's mother, Keela Buckley-McGrew, declined to comment 'at this time' when contacted by IndyStar on Wednesday night. She explained in April she has lived in the Fishers district the past two years and wanted to make the transfer due to proximity to school for her son. 'I'm able to get him back and forth to school easier and my job is closer,' she said at the time. If the McGrew family chooses to appeal the IHSAA decision, it has 30 days to submit the appeal to the IHSAA review committee. McGrew attended Smoky Hill High School in Aurora, Colo., as a freshman, before moving to Indiana prior to his sophomore season. He averaged 10.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocked shots a sophomore on a Lawrence North team that went 25-4 and won a 4A regional championship. Fishers won the Class 4A state title two years ago and was the runner-up last year, losing by one point to Jeffersonville in the state championship. The Tigers return junior guards Jason Gardner Jr. and Cooper Zachary, but graduate most of the other key contributors from that team.
Indianapolis Star
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
Greenfield-Central has new HR record holder, Cougars slug way to first regional title since 2017
GREENFIELD – Savvanna Riall didn't think she'd get a pitch to hit during the IHSAA softball Class 4A Regional 5 championship Tuesday night. Greenfield-Central coach Gary Roberts assumed the same after his junior third baseman crushed two home runs during sectionals, including a grand slam for a total of eight RBIs the past three games. 'We talked about not getting a pitch at all. I thought I was going to get walked every single time, but thankfully, they did throw to me,' Riall said. Surprisingly, Lawrence North (13-16) decided to offer Riall six pitches in total. She hit two for singles, and the final one never stood a chance. Riall took two balls in the bottom of the fourth, and then as she's done 14 times this season, blasted a solo home run over the right-centerfield fence at Greenfield-Central to become the program's single-season record holder. Her leadoff home run jump started a five-run frame as Greenfield-Central (19-7) bested their 21-run sectional championship showing with a 23-3, five-inning run-rule victory to capture the program's fourth regional title all-time and first since 2017. 'I've been a little bit too antsy at the plate. I've kind of been swinging to try to get a home run, and then finally it happened,' Riall said. 'Oh, yeah. I bat flipped, which I kind of got scared with after, but, I mean, you gotta do it. It was one of the greatest feelings. Honestly, I couldn't be happier, and my teammates were right there with me the whole time. They knew I could do it.' The previous home run record belonged to former Cougars' all-state slugger Morganne Denny at 14, but the record-breaker Tuesday held special meaning for Riall, who was mobbed at home plate by her jovial teammates. Riall's longball was the exclamation point for a Cougars program that has won 11 games in a row with its last loss dating back to May 12 at Triton Central, 6-1. 'They refuse to lose,' Roberts said. 'When we were down seven to Pendleton (in the sectional semifinals), I looked in the dugout, and they were all positive. They were like, we'll get one or two here, and we'll do this and this, and they did it. They made a believer out of me.' Greenfield-Central rallied to beat rival Pendleton Heights, 8-7, after trailing the first two innings. Riall's grand slam highlighted the comeback before she hit another home run against Anderson in the sectional final, while the Cougars posted 20 hits to score 21 runs. On the season, the Cougars are hitting .354 with 30 home runs and 215 runs scored in 26 games. Greenfield-Central had 18 hits against Lawrence North and two home runs. Senior Leilani Forshey (3-for-4, 5 RBIs) belted a two-run homer to cap Greenfield-Central's five-run bottom of the first and a two-run double in the second. An 11-run second inning put Greenfield-Central ahead 16-1, while junior Charlotte Riehle (2-for-4, 3 RBIs) gave the Cougars four extra-base hits with a two-run double in the second. Riall was intentionally walked twice, including with the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth for the game's final run, but she still finished a perfect 3-for-3 with four runs scored and two RBIs. On the season, she carries a .658 batting average with 58 RBIs. 'Technically, she should have had 17 (home runs). We were a half inning short at Rushville. She hit two before we got rained out in four innings,' Roberts said. 'If we'd have got another half inning in, she'd have two more and four more RBIs. She's been wanting that record real bad, and how about starting that triple play?' Riall ended her milestone day by catching a line drive before doubling up two base runners at third and first base for a triple play in the top of the fifth, clinching another banner for the team's outfield wall. Along the inside of the fence, Greenfield-Central has eight sectional banners hanging in left field where No. 9 awaits, and three regional banners in right-centerfield next to a 1987 state finalist and 2015 Hoosier Heritage Conference sign. After a 12-12 campaign in 2024, the Cougars are surging following a 7-7 start to the 2025 season. 'It's huge for the community, really. We were kind of underdogs. A lot of people think in semistate, we're not going to make it far, but I have different thoughts. I think we can really make it far,' Riall said. 'We're just glad that we can put a banner on the board for everyone and keep building as a team. It's going to take a lot of grit, and right now, that's exactly what we have.'
Indianapolis Star
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
Savvanna Riall helped Greenfield-Central blast its way into semistate
Savvanna Riall hit a home run and turned a triple play in the Cougars' 23-3 regional title win over Lawrence North on Tuesday. Rich Torres Special for IndyStar
Indianapolis Star
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
IndyStar 2025 Sports Mom of the Year opens arms to all Lawrence North students
"I could care less about the sport." It's all about the kids for Tamika Beeler. Our 2025 Sports Mom of the Year comes to Lawrence North with open arms.
