by

Richie Hall

Sports Editor

Hamilton County Reporter

Friday’s girls basketball game at the Tiger Den was about as big as a game could get: Two undefeated teams playing their Hoosier Crossroads Conference opener.

Fishers hosted Westfield, and the game was hard-fought for the entire 32 minutes. But the Tigers used two big runs to take control, eventually winning 51-40. Fishers remains unbeaten at 6-0, while the Shamrocks are now 4-1.

Westfield got the first point of the game on a free throw by Ava Henson. The Tigers scored six straight points to go ahead 6-1, with Lydia Stullken scoring off a steal by Audra Emmerson, then Katie Burton and Tamia Perryman both made jump shots. Westfield quickly tied the game up after Shipley made a free throw, Gigi Eldredge hit a jumper, and Jade Shipley made a layin.

But after a quick timeout, Fishers turned it up, scoring 12 unanswered points in a run that stretched into the second period. Kaitlynn Feagan got hot, making a 3-pointer, then hitting another ‘3’ while getting fouled. Feagan made the subsequent free throw to convert a rare four-point play.

“That’s what I continue to be impressed by with us, is that on any given night, we can have any kid step up,” said Tigers coach Lauren Vail. “And tonight, Kaitlynn Feagan hit some big shots for us. It’s fun when you have that many kids that can contribute.”

Burton’s 3-pointer finished the run and put the Tigers ahead 18-6. Regan Dimond got Westfield going in the second with her own ‘3,’ and that helped the ‘Rocks to stay close through the period. Fishers led 22-13 at halftime.

Alyssa Crockett opened the third quarter with a 3-pointer, brining Westfield within 22-16. The ‘Rocks then got as close as 24-20, after Henson scored on a putback and Eldredge made a lay-in.

But the Tigers embarked on their second big run of the game, outscoring Westfield 12-2 to take a 36-22 lead. Burton, who scored on a layin earlier in the quarter, contributed six points to the run, while Feagan drained another 3.

“I feel like all night Westfield had runs in them,” said Vail. “We would hit a big shot and then they would hit a big shot. We would hit a big shot and they would hit a big shot. I feel like we did get a couple of times where we could get out and run in transition and that really broke it open for us.”

“I think they shot the ball incredibly well,” said Shamrocks coach Ginny Smith of Fishers. “We were out of sync. That match-up zone certainly gave us some problems. Not something we see every day or play against every day. Those Fishers kids, they just play so hard. Now our kids played hard too, we just didn’t do some of the little things down the stretch.”

Westfield continued to battle, but Fishers kept its double-digit lead for the entire fourth quarter. Perryman and Burton both had 3-pointers during the period. Burton led all scorers with 21 points – and she’s only a sophomore.

“I have to remind myself sometimes that they’re still young, and many of them playing in their first varsity season,” said Vail. But those young players are off to a great start.
“I’m really proud of just the way they carry themselves and the great teammates that they are,” said Vail.

Feagan, a junior, finished with 10 points. Perryman, Lydia Stullken and Cierra Tolbert all pulled five rebounds.

As for Westfield, Henson scored 11 points to lead the ‘Rocks. Crockett scored 10 and pulled seven rebounds, with Henson and Eldredge both collecting six.

“I felt like second half, we picked up and tried to get some stuff going for us offensively through our defense,” said Smith. “And still, it was just a struggle for us. All in all, that’s a pretty good lesson learned for us. It gives us a good idea about things that we need to get better at. And we’re just going to get back in the gym. That’s what we’re going to do, get better at some stuff.”

Westfield will go back on the road tonight, traveling to Kokomo.

“So we’ll turn around tomorrow, have a little bit of time to get in the gym,” said Smith. “We’ll get our film work done, some prep work and get on a bus and head over to Kokomo tomorrow night and see what happens.”

Fishers, meanwhile, is off until Tuesday, when it plays its second HCC game of the season at Zionsville.

“We’ll regroup tomorrow morning, get ready for Zionsville,” said Vail.

by

Ray Adler

(NOTE: Raymond M. Adler is the Chairman of the Hamilton County Election Board.  This commentary was published in the Thursday edition of the Hamilton County Reporter and is posted here through a news gathering partnership between LarryInFishers.com and the Reporter)

The Fall Election 2018 presented a variety of interesting issues to the Election Board members. Here is a sampling of the issues we faced on Election Day.

I wanted to remind voters that out-of-state driver’s licenses are not acceptable identification. Rejection of a voter without an in-state identification is not a race-related action but statutorily required. I also heard numerous complaints about the long lines. Voter turnout was exceptionally large this year. The County Commissioners need to balance the cost of the machines versus the limited use. Let them know if you would like more tax dollars to be spent to reduce the lines and wait time.

Almost 70 persons attempted to vote at the courthouse rather than in their own precinct. That is not permitted on Election Day, even though it is permitted during early voting. Registrations cannot be faxed in.

Not all yard signs had disclaimers printed on them designating who paid for the sign. This mostly happened in certain school board races, but not all school board races require the disclosure. It would certainly be helpful if all school board candidates, as well as all other candidates, had a disclaimer on their materials of who paid for it, as this is a recurring issue.

Many schools did not permit voting in the school due to recent concerns for safety. These locations are ideal as they solve the restricted parking issue, are well known to everyone, handicapped accessible and easy to administer. I would encourage you to contact your local school board and suggest they approve voting in the future at their school.

Finally, anyone with grievances can obtain a form from the Hamilton County Clerk, complete the information requested and return to the Clerk so that complaints may be dealt with expeditiously. Complaints this year mostly related to lack of disclaimers on yard signs or registration issues. If you register through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, make sure to bring your receipt to the voting booth as few errors have occurred.

Thank you everyone for a great election in Hamilton County.

Fishers will soon see a $14 million Hub & Spoke Design Center on 106th Street along what is planned to be the Nickel Plate Trail.  A city news release describes this as “a center of activity for the home building and design industry alongside a one-of-a-kind Maker’s Space for hobbyists, entrepreneurs, and students to design and create.”

Hub and Spoke founder David Decker, president of OnPoint Real Estate Solutions Travis Tucker, and Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness jointly announced the project Thursday morning.

“Our goal is to show people the possibilities of success and growth in our industry through project and work-based learning.  There is something magical that happens when you take an idea in your head and build it with your hands,” said David Decker in a city news release.

Initial tenants for the  project include Battersby Danielson Azbell and Associates, Franklin Window & Door, A\Co, and OnPoint Real Estate Solutions include Battersby Danielson Azbell and Associates, Franklin Window & Door, A\Co, and OnPoint Real Estate Solutions.

“David and Travis’ entrepreneurial stories are inspiring,” said Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness. “Hub and Spoke deepens Fishers’ commitment to entrepreneurs of all industries. We’re on a mission to connect residents to their passions, and David and Travis’ leadership in our community will help us bring that mission closer to fruition.”

Decker and Tucker say they intend to use Hub and Spoke’s Maker’s Space and Community Connect area to grow awareness around career paths in the skilled trade industry, where labor shortages abound.

Here’s how the city news release describes the experiences available in the planned structure:

·         Retail showrooms, office space, and warehousing

·         Maker’s space and Training Facility– this dedicated space will feature tools, manufacturing equipment, and art studio space where youth, adults, and entrepreneurs are empowered to create, discover, and innovate their passions alongside training and educational assistance.

·         Community Connect – an interactive indoor-outdoor cooperative and agile work space for collaborative work to support industry connection and growth for entrepreneurs, innovators, students and community members.

·         Event Space – leveraging proximity to the proposed Nickel Plate Trail, the event space will be a destination for entertainment and recreation at the unique indoor/outdoor space.

Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA) President Janet Chandler told the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board Wednesday night the local teacher’s union continues its willingness to work collaboratively with the school board as a partner to benefit all students.  She made the comments as three board members, choosing not to run for re-election, will leave the board in January, making way for three new board members and one incumbent elected to a second four-year term.

Chandler gave board members a history lesson on the relationship between past boards and the HSEA.  She explained the bargaining struggles in the 1980s that eventually transformed into a more peaceful relationship that exists today.

In 1982, there were seven males on the school board, all farmers, according to Chandler.  In 2019, there will be five females on the HSE Board, with no board members involved in farming.

The board was reminded that membership in HSEA is voluntary, but that the association has a legal responsibility to bargain for all teachers, members & non-members.

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton Southeastern stayed perfect on the season after defeating Perry Meridian
77-14 in a Tuesday game at the Royals’ gym.

The Class 4A No. 4 Royals scored the first 20 points of the contest, and led 50-9 at
halftime. Southeastern had nine different players score. Sydney Parrish led the with
19 points, while Jackie Maulucci and Molly Walton both added 10.

Parrish and Tayah Irvin both pulled seven rebounds, with Lydia Self collecting
six and Amaya Hamilton getting five rebounds. Parrish handed out five assists and
Irvin blocked two shots.

Southeastern is now 5-0 for the season and plays its first Hoosier Crossroads
Conference game of the year on Friday at Franklin Central.

by 

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

Leaders of Prevail, PrimeLife and a half-dozen other non-profit community service organizations can breathe a bit easier today as the County Commissioners on Tuesday approved grants of $427,000 for next year.

The funding, designed to supplement the costs of operations, was held up last month when commissioners and the County Council disagreed to amounts of the grants and in two cases the council’s refusal to appropriate any funds.

But, on Tuesday, commissioners agreed to the funding as the council had approved. The two organizations being left out by council action are the Salvation Army at $42,550 which was requested and recommended by commissioners, and Conner Prairie, $15,000.

Two other groups will get less than recommended. They are Trinity Free Clinic at $15,000, rather than $25,000, and Chaucie’s Place at $25,000, instead of the $30,000 requested.

Winners in the resolution of the dispute were Meals on Wheels which will get $10,000, which was not originally requesting any funds, and the Hope Family Clinic, getting $10,000, instead of only $5,000 that had been requested.  PrimeLife and Prevail will get $240,000 and $180,000, respectively.

Commissioners in their regular meeting apparently decided to avoid a further dispute with the council. The money being given to the public service agencies has become an annual distribution given out in the belief that the organizations provide the public with assistance that local government might otherwise have to entirely undertake.

Commissioners and councilmembers had earlier agreed on contractual service agreements with Cherish Center, Good Samaritan, the County Humane Society and Janus’ Hamilton County Express.

The Indianapolis Star has a front-page story in its November 13th edition describing a planned Fishers downtown mixed-use development on a two-hand-a-half block area south of City Hall, which has been ripe for development.  Reporter John Tuohy says the development could mean 450 additional jobs and more residential space in the downtown Fishers area.

Tuohy cites “documents from the city” as saying a $10.1 million land purchase reveals “bold plans” for that area.  He also reports city-backed bonds will be utilized for the plan.

You can read the entire IndyStar story at this link.

The Fishers Junior High School Choir, under the direction of Cindy Baney, performs for the crowd in the video above

Monday marked the 100th anniversary of the Armistice that ended World War I, what people in 1918 called the “war to end all wars.”  From the vantage point looking back from 2018, we know that conflict did not end all wars, but it was a bloody engagement that cost tens of millions of people their lives.

The City of Fishers may not have any World War I vets left, but there are plenty of other military veterans that filled the City Hall auditorium Monday morning as the local observance of Veterans Day happened with lots of local officials on hand.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness had a busy week recently and found a note on his calendar at the end of the week to visit Allisonville Meadows.  Although the mayor was tired from a busy week of traveling, he decided to honor the commitment and found a room full of aging military veterans.  As he greeted each vet, one had trouble walking but found his way to the mayor and told him, “Thank you sir, you really didn’t have to do this.”

Fadness explained it was a moment when a politician is “absolutely leveled and humbled” by the veterans comment.

“Here I am, handing out a simple certificate, that says we recognize what you’ve done, and simply saying thank you, and he’s embarrassed for the recognition,” Fadness told the crowd.  “Just something about that stuck with me that is truly humbling for us elected officials”

Both Fishers Deputy Mayors, Elliott Hultgren and Leah McGrath gave remarks during the event.  El Ahlwardt, a Navy veteran, handled the duties as Master of Ceremonies.

The Fishers Junior High School Choir provided the music (see video at the top of this story).

Here are a few photos from the ceremony:

Continue reading Fishers Celebrates Veterans Day →

(Updated 10:05am November 17, 2018)

Election Day has come and gone locally and the Hamilton Southeastern School Board will welcome three new members and one incumbent set to serve a second term this January.

The newcomers include Brad Boyer, Janet Pritchett and Julie Chambers.  Michelle Fullhart will begin her second board term in 2019.

Thursday, I asked all four winners to provide me with an e-mailed statement on the election results and any comments on issues facing the board during the upcoming four-year term.

Michelle Fullhart responded that she has been spending time in Fort Wayne with her father who just had open heart surgery.  She expects to submit comments to me upon her return.

Julie Chambers wrote she is “honored” to have been elected and looks forward to working with everyone connected to the HSE Schools

” I’m confident that the new board will come together to make sure the transition is smooth and we can tackle each issue with our students’ best interests in mind,” wrote Chambers. “We all want to make sure our kids are receiving the best education possible and I’m excited to be a part of that.”

Janet Pritchett is proud of everyone that worked hard on her school board campaign.

“I am more than ready to get back to work for the kids in our district and look forward to the next four years of doing so, ” Pritchett wrote.

Brad Boyer says he is looking forward to starting his new school board role.

“I think that we have the chance for a new beginning, a fresh start,” Boyer said. ” I hope that we will be able to create a bold, forward-looking, strategic vision for our school….We will be accountable, as will everyone in the school system.”

Once I have a statement from Michelle Fullhart, this story will be updated.

Now that the elections of 2018 are complete, think about this….the filing period for candidates in the 2019 Fishers City Election will begin in early 2019,

by

Richie Hall 

Sports Editor

Hamilton County Reporter

It was a successful day for both Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern at
the Fishers Shootout.

Both the Tigers and the Royals got two victories out of the Saturday event, keeping
them both undefeated for the season. It also gave both teams some momentum as they
each head into big Hoosier Crossroads Conference openers next Friday.

Host Fishers cruised past Valparaiso 61-34 in its morning game, then took care
of Lake Central 41-28 in an evening contest.

Southeastern, ranked No. 6 in Class 4A, sailed past Lake Central 68-37, collecting
coach Chris Huppenthal’s 400th career win in the process. In the evening, the Royals
got Huppenthal win No. 401 by trouncing Valpo 73-22.

BALANCE FOR THE TIGERS
If there was a theme for Fishers’ victories on Saturday, it would be “balance.” In
both games, all but one player that took to the court scored for the Tigers.

Fishers took care of Valparaiso early, leading 15-3 after the first quarter and 31-12
at halftime. The Tigers outscored the Vikings in each period.

Sophomore Katie Howard led Fishers with 12 points, she accomplished that total
on four 3-pointers. Howard drained three of those 3s in the fourth quarter. Lydia
Stullken and Regan Newman both added 10 points.

The Tigers dominated the boards in that game, pulling in 44 rebounds. Stullken had
nine rebounds, as did Cierra Tolbert. Katie Burton cleared seven boards, while Skylar
Fulton and Tamia Perryman both grabbed six.

Perryman handed out seven assists and made two blocked shots, while Burton
dished out five assists.

In the evening game, Fishers led the Indians 8-4 after the first quarter. But the
Tigers were already on their way to a big lead, as Tolbert’s free throw with 2:48 left
in the first started a 9-0 run. Burton started the second period with back-to-back baskets,
then Stullken threw in consecutive baskets.
Fishers led 19-7 at halftime, then went through the second half unbothered. Burton
and Fulton were the Tigers’ leading scorers, each with eight points.
Perryman, Stullken and Tolbert all grabbed six rebounds. Perryman dished out
another four assists, while Stullken blocked three shots.

“This team has so many different players that can step up,” said Tigers coach
Lauren Vail. “We’re winning with our leading scorers having eight points, and
that’s great when you have balance like that. These girls just compete well for each other
and I thought that was evident today.”

ROYALS DOMINANT ON THE BOARDS
Both of Southeastern’s wins were lopsided, although the Royals arrived at them
in different ways. But the common thread for both of those victories was dominance
in rebounding.

Against Lake Central, HSE jumped out to a 24-8 lead in the first quarter, then were
up 38-17 at halftime. Southeastern then pulled ahead 57-26 after three periods.

Four players landed in double figures for the Royals. Amaya Hamilton scored 19
points and reached double-double status with 13 rebounds. Malea Jackson threw in
four 3-pointers on her way to 15 points, and also dished out four assists. Sydney Parrish added 13 points (including three 3s) and handed out six assists. Jackie Maulucci scored 12 points.

As a team, HSE outrebounded Lake Central 26-10.

That was just a warm-up for the Valpo game. The Vikings hung with the Royals
through the first half ot he first period, leading 8-6. But Southeastern got going
after that, making a 9-0 run to lead 15-8.

Molly Walton started the run with a threepoint play, Jackson scored on a short lob,
then Parrish made consecutive baskets.

Valparaiso got back to within 15-12, but that started a 13-0 run which straddled the
first and second periods. Parrish contributed eight points in that run. The Royals led
39-16 at halftime, with Hamilton scoring back-to-back layins to end the half.

Southeastern breezed through the second half, outscoring the Vikings 34-6. But the
big story was the rebounding. The Royals outrebounded Valpo 49-11, including 29
offensive rebounds – Southeastern had more offensive boards than the Vikings had points.

Huppenthal said he thought his team started the game “sluggish,” noting that
Valparaiso was getting offensive rebounds at the beginning of the contest.

“I thought we were a step slow getting to our spots when we were trying to press
them,” said Huppenthal. “And then we challenged them after I took the timeout,
‘We need to crash the boards, we need to crash the boards better.’ And even at halftime,
that was the focal point was, we need to continue to crash the boards as well as
pick up our intensity on defense. I thought our girls answered the challenge.”

Parrish scored 22 points and earned a double-double by grabbing 12 rebounds.
Hamilton got her second double-double of the day by scoring 13 points and clearing 10
boards. Jackson added 13 points, Walton hauled in nine rebounds and Maulucci had
five rebounds.

Fishers is now 5-0 for the season and is off until Friday, when it hosts undefeated
Westfield in both schools’ first Hoosier Crossroads Conference game of the season.
Southeastern is 4-0 and hosts Perry Meridian on Tuesday before traveling to new HCC
opponent Franklin Central on Friday for its league opener.