INDIANA PREP REPORT
by Jim Kasberg, Indiana Editor of the HOOP SCOOP

KASBERG RANKS EM:  THE TOP PREP PLAYERS IN THE STATE OF INDIANA

MYSTERY AND INTERNATIONAL INTRIGUE MARK 2000-2001 INDIANA PREP PRE-SEASON

by Jim Kasberg, Indiana Editor of the HOOP SCOOP

                    The annual autumn rituals have begun.  Corn is being harvested, leaves are being raked, and before long, final lists of varsity basketball rosters will be slapped on locker room doors at high schools throughout the state of Indiana.  It's fall in the hoosier state and final preparations for the upcoming basketball season are, as always, frantically nearing completion. 
                    This year, however, numerous prime-time performers have decided to play musical chairs at a growing number of schools.  Yes, new faces are appearing virtually every day at open gyms and conditioning classes throughout the state.  New faces from across town, new faces from out of town, new faces from out of state, even new faces from foreign countries are arriving at schools in unprecedented numbers.
                    Perhaps the best way to sift through the avalache of transfers, move-ins, mystery men, and foreign exchange students is by class. 

Seniors

                   At Indianapolis Park Tudor, head coach Ed Kelley must be wondering if he's seeing double as the Panther's received not one, but two early Christmas presents in 6'7 Vytas Danelius and 6'2 Marius Kliokys, a pair of Lithuanian foreign-exchange students.  Danielus is seen by many as a future pro and currently is being recruited by the likes of N.C. State, Wake Forest, Nebraska, Notre Dame, New Mexico, Rutgers, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas Tech, and Butler.  Kliokys also possesses Division I skills and has attracted attention from American, Miami-OH, Butler, and Idaho State.
                    Another highly-touted senior, Puerto Rican combo-guard Miguel (Ali) Bierdiel, will hopefully play for Gary Andrean pending IHSAA approval.  Although only 16 years old, the 6'6, 210-pounder was a standout on the Puerto Rican 22-and-under-team.   Valparaiso was hoping to keep him under wraps, but word is starting to get out, as schools like Nebraska, Valparaiso, Texas, Utah, and Marquette are starting to show interest.
                    An already-loaded Indianapolis Arlington squad will only become better with the addition of 6'8, 240 lbs. pivot Babo Serge Christian, a native of Cameroon.  Babo is still raw, but should improve dramatically as the season wears on.  His relentless, physical style of play makes the Golden Knights a team to watch come tournament time.  Several mid-level schools are keeping an eye on him, including Ohio University, Marshall, and Butler.  However, don't rule out a year at Winchendon (School) MA first. 
                    As usual, Gary West Side leads the state in mystery players.  Bryson McKenzie, a 6'9 center who has been invisible on the varsity until this year, could have a breakout season.  Conversly, 6'7 power forward Clarence Washington will probably decide to forego a spot on the Cougar roster and just dunk on people down at the park instead.  Washington reminds Indiana Basketball News editor Reggie Tisdale of former Indianapolis Pike and Tulane star Bernard Parks.   Yet another Gary product, 6'7 power forward Chris Wesby from Wallace High School, who has never played high school basketball, has decided that his senior year is the time start
                    Speaking of mystery men, Indianapolis Heritage Christian inherited one in 6'4 combo guard Greg McIntosh, another player with no prior high school experience.  That's because McIntosh has been educated in home-school until this year.  The long, springy senior has been offered by South Alabama, but is a virtual unknown otherwise. 
                    Indianapolis Pike added yet another bullet to its arsenal of lethal guards (Chris Thomas, Curtis Thomas, Keith Borgan, David Teague, etc.) when 6'1 Tony Weeden transferred in from Indianapolis Manual.  Weeden has several Division I schools interested, including Eastern Illinois and Chicago State, and gives Pike more depth that the Adriatic Sea.
                    Finally, the saga of 6'5 power forward Aaron Patterson continues to evolve towards soap-opera status.  According to three different family members, the granite-chiseled senior is destine to leave Indianapolis Ben Davis and enroll at Indianapolis Warren Central.  Regardless of the outcome, Patterson's grades are such that he may be a spectator wherever he ends up.  Purdue has indicated a willingness to accept him as a Prop 48 casualty, but prep school or junior college appear to be other alternatives.

Juniors

                    Defending state champion Marion, may have lost 6'8 Zach Randolph to Michigan State, but the Giants reclaimed 6'1 junior second guard  Bobby Pittman after a one-year hiatus to Texas.   Pittman, along with 6'7 Jr Kevin Cates, 6'3 Allen Miller, and 5'9 Isaac McClung, gives the Giants four potential Division I juniors.
                    Marion's chief North Central Conference foe, Muncie (Central) IN, is hoping 6'6 bruiser Melvin Bryant has overcome the academic woes which sidelined him a year ago.  The guard-heavy Bearcats instantly come a top 10 team with Bryant in the mix.
                    Ben Davis' head coach Steve Witty must be wondering what else could possibly go wrong.  Losing potential Indiana All-Star Nick Washington two seasons ago, and apparently, classmate Aaron Patterson of late, Witty must also watch mega-athletic Greg Stone suit-up for the Lawrence Central Bears.  Stone transferred to Lawrence Central over the summer after being adopted by IUPUI assistant coach Kevin Jones.
.                     The most mysterious player among juniors resides, where else, in Gary, IN.  Leon Glenn, a 6'9 force will probably be missing in action at Gary Roosevelt.   According to Renaldo Thomas, the Panthers 1982 Indiana All-Star, Glenn would rather sit in his basement all day watching cartoons and eating cereal than go to school or work on his game. 

Sophomores

                    Now, switch back a moment to Marion, IN.  Okay, so Pittman can't fill Randolph's shoes by himself...nobody could be expected to do that.  So, what do you do?   Sit and wait for a 7'2 center to appear out of nowhere at your doorstep, right?   Well, guess what...that's just exactly what happened. 
                    Enter 7'2 Soph Rodney Norman via Mississippi.  He's young, he's raw, and he's a little weak in and out of the classroom, but he's still 7'2 and now he's in Indiana.  Catch my drift?  Stay tuned!!!
                    One year ago, Indianapolis North Central coach Doug Mitchell, fresh off a state championship season, eagerly anticipated the arrival of 5'8 freshman point guard Evan Freeman.  Unfortunately, Freeman failed to meet academic requirements and missed the entire season. In addition, Freeman's parents refused to allow him to play summer AAU ball and, instead, placed the emphasis on academics.  If Freeman's grade problems are behind him, watch out.  Do you remember what Mitchell did the last time he had a big-league point guard on the floor? 
                    No article regarding tranfers in Indiana would be complete without an Indianapolis Lawrence North story.  Head coach Jack Keefer wrote the book on the subject.   This year look for some nice things out of 6'6 Soph Chaz Spicer, formerly of Terre Haute South.  Down the road Spicer could be a 6'9 Mr. Basketball candidate.  

Freshmen

                    When former Wichita State and NBA star Cliff Levingston accepted the job as an assistant coach of the CBA Ft. Wayne Fury, that meant that his son, 6'6 freshman power forward Lowell Levingston, would soon experience "Hoosier Hysteria" firsthand.   Consequently, the elder Levingston visited Harding, Carroll, and Snider High Schools in Ft. Wayne, IN and before deciding upon Snider.   "He has that rare combination of being both long and strong," says Bill Hensley, who is the chairman of the Spiece Basketball program in Indiana.   "He can knock down the 15-footer or do a 360 degree slam dunk in your face."  So given his bloodline, strength and athleticism, and Hensley's observations, we're placing Levingston #2 in the freshman class, sight unseen, right behind the legendary 6'4 Frosh Robert "Darth" Vaden from Indianapolis Cathedral.