Latest news with #WarrenCentral
Yahoo
08-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Indianapolis four-star safety schedules Tennessee football visit
Tennessee is recruiting toward its 2027 football signing class. Four-star safety Kaleb Elkins will visit Tennessee for the Vols' game against Georgia on Sept. 13, according to Allen Trieu of 247Sports. He has additional visits scheduled to Ohio State, Indiana, Louisville, Kentucky, Alabama and Michigan this season. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound prospect plays for Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. 247Sports ranks Elkins as the No. 23 safety in the class and No. 2 player in Indiana. Kent State was the first school to offer him a scholarship on Jan. 22. Other schools to offer him a scholarship include Bowling Green, Toledo, Vanderbilt, Purdue, Marshall, Arizona State, Wisconsin, Kansas, Nebraska, Maryland, Penn State and Oklahoma State. More: Chicago four-star linebacker schedules Tennessee football visit Linebacker JP Peace is Tennessee's only 2027 football commitment. Tennessee has 22 commitments in its 2026 football recruiting class: quarterback Faizon Brandon, wide receiver Tyreek King, offensive lineman Gabriel Osenda, linebacker Braylon Outlaw, defensive lineman CJ Edwards, defensive lineman Zach Groves, safety KJ McClain, safety Luke Thompson, defensive end Kedric Golston II, offensive lineman Edward Baker, wide receiver Zaydyn Anderson, quarterback Legend Bey, defensive lineman Dereon Albert, linebacker TJ White, cornerback Jamyan Theodore, defensive lineman Darryl Rivers, wide receiver Javonte Smith, linebacker Brayden Rouse, safety Jowell Combay, offensive lineman JB Shabazz, athlete Joel Wyatt and athlete Salesi Moa. Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: 2027 four-star safety prospect schedules visit to Tennessee
Indianapolis Star
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
IHSAA football: 8 sleeper teams to watch in Central Indiana for the 2025 season
The high school football season begins five weeks from tonight. We take a look today at eight potential sleeper teams for the 2025 season from Central Indiana. To keep things consistent, we considered only teams that finished last season with a .500 record or below. I had a few hits in this category last year, including Lapel (improved from 5-5 to 9-4 and sectional champion), Lebanon (from 5-6 to 9-3), Roncalli (4-7 to 6-5) and Warren Central (5-7 to 10-2). Here are selections for this season: After going 2-8 in Rob Gibson's first season as coach, the Orioles were on this list a year ago at this time. And after a Week 2 overtime win over defending Class 6A state champion Ben Davis, it looked like a pretty solid pick. But as the schedule toughened, Avon was hit with some key injuries, including to quarterback Jace Cameron, and the Orioles finished just 3-7 with a competitive sectional loss (21-13) to eventual state champion Brownsburg. Is this the year Avon can post a winning season for the first time since 2019? Cameron returns as a senior after passing for 584 yards and three touchdowns in four games. Leading rusher Ashton Carter (769 yards, four TDs) returns, along with most of the receiving corps and the line is anchored by senior and Kent State recruit William Johnson III. The defense also brings back several key players, including junior Makyi Hines (94 tackles, 12 tackles for loss) and senior Grayson Clutter (73 tackles, six sacks). The schedule is unrelenting, starting with defending Class 5A state champion Decatur Central and Ben Davis. Then comes the Hoosier Crossroads Conference gauntlet. But don't be surprised to see the Orioles make a jump in Gibson's third season. We knew the Giants were losing a lot from their senior class following the run to the Class 6A state title in 2023. But it was still stunning to see Ben Davis stumble to a 1-5 start before recovering to finish 5-6 and nearly knock out Brownsburg in the first round of the sectional (the Giants led by 28 points before losing 38-35). Russ Mann, in his third season as coach, loses some key seniors like Mr. Football Mark Zackery IV and running back Alijah Price to graduation. Junior quarterback Joe Goss has also transferred to Warren Central after getting most of the snaps last season. But there is still plenty of talent on the westside, including Speedway transfer Jazz Coleman, who ran for 1,010 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior in just seven games. Quarterbacks Kenneth Doss (sophomore) and Gabe Kennett (freshman) are young but talented. Kansas recruit Robert Reddick has been a staple in the secondary but will also help the offense as a senior. The schedule is the same as a year ago, starting with Cathedral (at Butler) and vs. Avon the first two weeks. New coach/old coach Kevin Wright takes the reins for the first time since a five-year tenure from 2010-14 that saw the Greyhounds win one state title and appear in two other championship games. There was a lot of promise going into last season (I had Carmel on this list) after a 5-5 season in 2023. Under former coach — and now Noblesville coach — John Hebert, Carmel started 2-1 with the only loss coming in a hard fought, storm interrupted Week 2 loss to Westfield. But the Greyhounds won just one more game the rest of the way, beating winless North Central. After the program's first back-to-back non-winning seasons since 1972 and '73, there is reason for optimism again. Senior quarterback and Troy commit Anthony Coellner (1,896 passing yards, 17 TDs) returns with senior running back Anthony Pemberton (588 rushing yards, four TDs) and receivers Jacob Bellin (47 catches, 596 yards, five TDs) and Dominic Shockley (33 catches, 345 yards, three TDs). Duke recruit Dane Bathurst, a 6-4, 235-pound linebacker has transferred in from Plant High School in Tampa, Fla. The defense also has talented players like Charlotte commit Kaiden Bower (45 tackles, three sacks) on the line and Wake Forest commit Isaac Nelson (53 tackles) at free safety. The season opener at Fishers and Week 2 home game vs. Westfield will tell us a lot about where Carmel stands in Wright's first season. New coach Josh Holden takes over a program that has experienced a lot of success, including a sectional championship two years ago under coach Pat Echeverria, who left to be an assistant at Warren Central. The Royals slipped to 5-5 last year, finishing with a 21-14 loss to 9-2 Centerville in the first round of the Class 2A sectional. But it would not be difficult to see Eastern Hancock making a jump this year with senior group Holden says is physically talented and intelligent. 'Coming in as a new coach I was blown away with how talented and deep our skill positions are,' Holden said. ' Leading the way on offense will be senior quarterback Elijah Edon (2,172 passing yards, 19 TDs; 396 rushing yards, seven TDs), senior running back Mark Kube (787 rushing yards, 10 TDs in seven games) and senior receiver Eli Manship (46 catches, 636 yards, three TDs). The sectional is tough with teams like Centerville, Lapel and Triton Central, but the Royals have the talent to compete if they make a smooth transition to Holden's new schemes. It was a season of close calls last year for the Braves, who finished 5-6 in Max Goodin's first year as coach. But that record could have looked a lot different had Indian Creek fared better in one-score games than 1-4, including a 14-8 loss to North Harrison in the 3A sectional second round. Quarterback Evan Clark (1,476 passing yards, 20 TDs; 190 rushing yards, five TDs) is coming off an outstanding freshman season. The Braves will miss leading rusher Malachi Mink (1,376 rushing yards, 11 TDs) and leading receiver Bobby Emberton (42 catches, 597 yards, 10 TDs) to graduation, but will bring back Jaxon Ramey (38 catches, 516 yards, eight TDs), among others. Junior linebacker Grady Walker (97 tackles) leads a defense that brings back three of its top five tacklers. Indian Creek has the potential to win Sectional 31, though Goodin has just seven seniors. The offensive and defensive lines will be a team strength as Indian Creek enters the new Hoosier Legends Conference. After six consecutive winning seasons under coach Mike Gillin, the Pioneers slipped to 4-7 last year. But three of those losses came by nine points or less, so a winning season was closer than it may have appeared. Mooresville will return senior quarterback Connor Cruz (2,483 passing yards, 25 TDs) and senior receiver Tyler Denny (30 catches, 521 yards, five TDs), two of the team's offensive leaders. Senior Kohen Stevenson (72 tackles), junior Landyn Powell (70 tackles), Denny (56 tackles, three interceptions) and senior Kaden Lambert (54 tackles) were four of Mooresville's top six tacklers last season. Mooresville is at Bloomington North and hosts Terre Haute North the first two weeks before getting into Mid-State Conference play with a visit from Plainfield. One thing for certain: Gillin's teams normally win. The Red Devils made jumps from 1-9 to 3-8 to 5-5 in coach Mike Brevard's first three seasons as coach. Can Pike take the next step? It will be tough in the same sectional with defending Class 6A state champion Brownsburg, Ben Davis and Avon. Pike changed coordinators last season, which seemed to benefit both sides of the ball. Brevard expects that continuity to continue this season despite the graduation of a talented and deep senior class, especially on defense. But this year's team does have depth and experience, particularly on defense with linebackers Dammy Adeoba and Willie Chapman and defensive lineman Muna Newman, Joe Williams and Terrance Little. The offense will be led by quarterback Mychael Lewis, running back Bobby Thomas and receivers Kevin Tichenor, Sean Nash and Latrell Morton. Coach Dan Harris goes into his second season as coach with a team that should be strong at the skill positions and returns experience and depth along both the offensive and defensive lines. The Crusaders were 3-7 last year, losing 42-19 to a powerful Monrovia team in the Class 2A sectional first round. Harris will count on quarterback Bryce McDonald and lineman Brady Ray to be leaders on offense, along with leading receiver Tristan Brown (26 catches, 404 yards) and newcomer Bryce Mathis at wideout. Inside linebacker Eric Montgomery (79 tackles) leads a defense that also brings back lineman Owen Weinzierl, linebacker Isaiah Miles and defensive back Gavin Connel. The schedule remains tough and the roster is relatively small, but Scecina has a chance to build on strides it made last season.
Indianapolis Star
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
How Samaya Smith overcame mental adversity to become Warren Central's first tennis state champion
INDIANAPOLIS — After Samaya Smith lost the first set 6-2 in the IHSAA girls tennis individual state finals on June 14, Warren Central coach Jonn Patterson knelt next to his star player as she sat during the set break. Patterson reassured Smith victory was inevitable. 'I knew she was going to win it then because she took her opponent's best shot, and she was still standing,' Patterson said. 'I told her, 'We got it.'" Smith nodded in response. 'It was over after that,' Patterson said. Smith proceeded to win the following two sets 6-1, 6-2, becoming the first Black girls tennis individual state champion from Indianapolis. With the win, the junior also became Warren Central's first tennis state champion. Smith said it was 'amazing to hear' she became the first Black tennis player from Indianapolis to accomplish the feat and is 'just trying to be the best tennis player I can be, and it's an amazing honor to make history along the way.' Smith's rise to becoming the best tennis player in the state wasn't easy. She spent her first freshman and sophomore years competing in track and tennis. After helping lead Warren Central to the 2024 girls team state track title alongside her sisters, Laila and Kyra, Smith committed full-time to tennis in her junior year with hopes of competing in college. As a dual-sport athlete, Smith would miss four months of tennis training to focus on track. When Smith returned to the court last summer, she said she 'struggled to find her game,' which caused self-condemnation. ''Why would you do this? Why would you take a break? You were improving so much and took four months off,'' Smith would ask herself. Eager to overcome the mental hurdle, Smith and her parents agreed for her to start meeting bi-weekly with sports psychologist Austin Halcomb in October 2024. Halcomb helped Smith forget previous match points and adjust on the court when things weren't going well. The two worked on having a focal point to reset during matches and utilized deep breathing, high-level self talk and mental reset routines to help Smith stay present in game. 'It's really easy to get down in tennis because it's such a mental sport,' Patterson said. 'It's the only sport that you can miss, and not only is it a point against you but a point for your opponent, so now it's easy to beat yourself up because you're also elevating your opponent.' Halcomb assessed early in their meetings that Smith's thinking geared toward, 'If it wasn't perfect, it wasn't good enough.' Over time, Smith saw adversity as a positive and key to growth. Smith understands she can't escape negative thoughts altogether but says she's able to recover and compliment herself during 'tough situations.' 'What we went through in those sessions helped out so much after dropping the first set 2-6. In my head, I was going crazy, and the nerves were a little rocky. I just had to remember my plan and what I was going to do,' Smith said. 'His plan that we had set out with a focal point and resetting helped get the second and third set.' Halcomb praised Smith for finding real-world examples of their exercises and for 'always smiling and actively listening.' Her attitude and quick-to-listen approach weren't a facade. Though intrusive thoughts flooded Smith's mind at times, her inclination to care for others and receive feedback from coaches didn't waver. A day before the May 10 conference tournament, Patterson praised one of his players for nearly completing a set without surrendering a point, also known as a golden set. Unfamiliar with the term, Smith consumed the knowledge her coach provided. As Patterson surveyed his player's matches the following day, he kept hearing, 'Crack, crack, crack,' on Smith's court. 'I was there like, 'Is she trying to go after that golden set?'' She was. And she did. And did it again the next day. 'Anything new she can learn about the game, she's going to absorb it and try to replicate it. She's a sponge,' Patterson said. 'Usually, she doesn't show up her opponents right away and blast winners. She'll hit around with them, and when she's ready for the point to end, she'll hit a winner or leave it up to the opponent to make a mistake. Those days, she just hit the winners. 'I tell anyone I talk to that she will be a pro in four years.' Warren Central coach Daryl Whitley was hitting partners with Ashlee Davis and Tiffany Welcher, two of the four Black women to win the tennis state championship. In 2019, Whitley was inducted into the State High School Tennis Hall of Fame. In his 50 years of playing and coaching tennis, Whitley has never witnessed a player like Smith. 'They can put her in the Hall of Fame today,' said Whitley, who likened Smith to Coco Gauff because of her speed and forehand grip. 'She's been playing tennis for seven years and wasn't fully committed. She was probably unknown when tennis season started; mid-way through, her name spread quickly. With what she's accomplished in seven years, she's a tennis prodigy. I've never worked with someone who picks up things in tennis that fast.' Though a force on the court, Smith's opponents enjoy playing against her. Westfield's Alexandra Grilliot played Smith in the state finals. The two are friends and have trained together at the Indianapolis Racquet Club the past year. Grilliot believes Smith forcing her to 'move in and hit the better shot instead of keeping the ball in play' during the finals made her grow as a player. While Smith's game is more counter punch, she knew she had to 'up her angles and racquet speed' to defeat Grilliot. 'It's easier to play against someone like Samaya, who is a fair player and that you know won't do anything mean to you,' Grilliot said. 'That's why I like playing doubles with her; she's easy to get along with. She makes me a better person as well because of her kindness and how much of a good example she is to everyone.' Throughout the tennis season, it was common for Smith to inquire about her teammates after he matches. Smith would also watch her teammates play and offer encouragement. Both coach Whitley and Patterson credited her humble spirit to her parents. 'She could have a big ego with her championships, but she has no ego at all,' Patterson said. More: Warren Central's quest for IHSAA girls track state title is a family affair. Smith's mother, Le'gretta, is a coach at Warren Central and has led the Warriors to three team state track championships. Smith's father, Stephen, won silver in the 1994 Pan American Games in high jump. Laila, Smith's older sister, won the 300 hurdles outdoor state championship in 2024. The youngest Smith, Kira, won the indoor state girls high jump championship in March. Sweat droplets from the Smith family are seeped into every piece of clay that makes up Warren Central's track. So, when Smith relinquished her track duties, tradition was sacrificed to forge a new path. 'We know everyone is pursuing track in my family, so I think it's amazing that I get to extend the family name in tennis and in a completely different sport,' Smith said. Smith has her parent's utmost support. Le'gretta, a tennis fan for 25 years, practices with Smith often. Smith acknowledged her parents for picking up balls, recording film and grabbing a tennis racquet to play with her when she wanted to train. Le'gretta admires Smith for 'taking the leap of faith into something different.' When Smith started taking the sport seriously about four years ago, Stephen knew tennis was meant for his daughter because of her consistent desire to play. He believes her decision to choose tennis inspired Kira to pursue softball. Stephen views Laila as the 'nailgun' who goes after a challenge and labeled Kira the 'cerebral' daughter. To Stephen, Smith is the 'gladiator' because of the fight she endured to become tennis champion. 'I'm so proud of her because it was hard. For her to step out of that lane and decide, 'I want to do tennis, but my family is track,'' Stephen said before pausing to process his emotions. 'I'm about to cry because for her to be able to hopefully go to college and play and get her education by doing something that she loves to do, that makes a girl dad proud.' With immense gratitude expressed in a gentle tone, Stephen repeated himself. 'That makes a girl dad proud,' he said.
Indianapolis Star
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Warren Central's Samaya Smith's match point to win the IHSAA girls tennis state championship
Warren Central's Samaya Smith became the first African American to win the IHSAA girls tennis state championship on June 14.
USA Today
14-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Class of 2027 safety announces offer from Nebraska
Class of 2027 safety announces offer from Nebraska The Nebraska Cornhuskers offered a 2027 safety on Tuesday afternoon. Kaleb Elkins of Indianapolis, Indiana, announced he received an offer from the Huskers. Elkins finished his first season on the varsity level at Warren Central and put together a strong outing. He tallied up 32 tackles, 28 solo tackles, seven pass breakups and six interceptions across eight games. Elkins' six interceptions placed him second on the team and in the top 25 across the state of Indiana. He even had two multi-interception games on the season and even grabbed one pick-six. He holds numerous offers on the FBS level, including from Ohio State, Alabama, Wisconsin, Indiana, Louisville, and Tennessee. He is listed at 6 feet 3 inches and 180 pounds. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
