Indiana Deaf

From: Indianapolis Star - United States - Mar 8, 2006

star north girls basketball notes

By Nat Newell
nat.newell@indystar.com

It was one of the best seasons in the history of the Indiana School for the Deaf. The team equaled the program record for victories -- 15, first reached in 1999 -- and won a pair of elite tournaments for deaf schools: the Clerc Classic in Riverside, Calif., and the Central States Schools for the Deaf event held in Indianapolis.

The Deaf Hoosiers got off to a slow start as eight of their players were members of the school's successful volleyball team but recovered from a 3-3 mark to win 12 of their final 15 games.

Coach Dennis Catron credits the leadership of seniors Justine Jeter (Noblesville), Amanda Krieger (Fishers), Micaela Paulone (Fishers) and Bethany Shelly (Carmel).

"Since our school is a residential setting, they were critical to our program, because they were able to come and practice when the school was closed for the weekends and holiday breaks," Catron said in an e-mail. "It's always been a difficult period for coaches like myself to get them in better condition during that time."

Krieger (10.8 points), Jeter (7.0 points, 7.3 rebounds) and Shelly (5.1 points, 2.8 assists) were key contributors -- Paulone played in just four games due to injuries -- but Catron returns leading scorer Nukeitra Hayes (13.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 2.1 steals) and a starting guard in Fishers' Ann Whited (7.4 points), plus reserves Amanda Phillips (Fishers), Christy Sorrell and Sami Krieger (Carmel).

Call Star Reporter Nat Newell At (317) 444-2610.

Kristen Leigh Porter contributed to this report.

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