A Loss in the Hawk Relay – Indy Deaf Hoops Championship

Greater Indianapolis, the  USADB’s top team, suffered its first USADB loss of the season by losing to a strong DC East Zone team led by native Hoosier, Robert Haney in the championship game of the Hawk Relay – Indy Deaf Hoops GIDC tournament.

Haney, who was the Capital Athletic Conference Player of the Year last winter, scored 24 points in leading his teammates, many of whom had played 4 years with him at Gallaudet University, to the victory. DC East Zone led from tip-off to the final buzzer, except for a 4 minute span when GIDC captured the lead but were unable to capitalize.

GIDC was led by Keith Westhoelter and Hector Cueto’s 16 points apiece. Edlin Dorn scored 8 points, snatched 14 rebounds and had about 6 blocked shots, including 3 goal-tending calls. DC’s 6′7 Bradley Miller scored 16 points on a variety of inside moves, Cy Saunders and Eric Roberts combined for 21 points off the bench to give DC an extra boost.

DC East Zone has won three invitationals this winter, the NJ Classic, The Hawk Relay – Indy Deaf Hoops and the recent Philly tournament, giving them strong consideration to moving ahead of GIDC as the pre-season favorite to capture the USADB crown.

GIDC admittedly was not at its best, despite its sparkling 15-3 record. Turnovers and uninspired defense allowed DC to have many easy transitational points. Brian Bippus going without a field goal the entire game didnt help matters any.

New Jersey Warriors, who lost to GIDC in a thrilling 78-71 overtime semi-final, easily defeated the GIDC “B” team for third place despite the close final score. WSAD Orange finished 5th.

Tournament All-Stars went to Ron Wyatt of Kansas City, Jeff Stotts of GIDC “B”, Shawn Stringfellow of WSAD Orange, Cueto, Dorn and Bippus of GIDC, Martise Colston of New Jersey, Brendan Stern, Haney and Matt Johnson of DC. Haney was voted the tournament MVP.

Next up for GIDc is the WSAD Orange Invitational in Chicago on February 10th.

Greater Indianapolis Deaf Club Basketball Team Photo

Front Row: Joey Kutcka, Eugene King, Hector Cueto, Justin Wilson, Keith Westhoelter

Back Row: Carl Wayne Denney – Head Coach, James Carr – GIDC President, James Bingham, Brian Bippus, Edlin Dorn, Dave Tester, Les Crump, Beetle McClendon – manager, Jay Kreiger – Scorekeeper

HawkRelay/Indy Deaf Hoops Bracket

The bracket is set for January 20th, 2007 tournament:

Game 1: Kentucky vs WSAD Blue Mustangs at 8am Court A

Game 2: CISDAA vs DC East Zone at 8am Court B

Game 3: GIDC A vs Kansas City at 9am Court A

Game 4: Columbus vs GIDC B at 9am Court B

Game 5: New Jersey vs Ky/ Blue Mustangs winner 10am Court A

Game 6: WSAD vs CISDAA/DC winner 10am Court B

 Odd number games are upper bracket.

Even number games are lower bracket.

#1 seed is GIDC A. #2 seed is Columbus (3rd last year tourney). #3 is WSAD (4th last year tourney). #4 is New Jersey, EAAD Champs and USADB 3rd place finishers. Last year’s runner-up Dynamingle of Southern California is unable to return this time.

Consolation flight will play at KRC while Championship flight will be at Caskey Gym. There will be a bracket put up for all fans, players and coaches to view upon entering Caskey Gym and handed out at Coaches Meeting at 7am.

GIDC A will open against Kansas City (GKCC) who are defending MAAD Champions. GIDC A has a tough battle in their hands in this tournament with KC and NJ in their bracket.

The tournament will be updated daily on January 20th.

HawkRelay/Indy Deaf Hoops GIDC Basketball Tournament

The HawkRelay/Indy Deaf Hoops GIDC Basketball tournament will take place on January 20th, 2007 at the Caskey Gym at the Indiana School for the Deaf. 10 teams are committed to playing in this elite basketball tournament: Greater Kansas City, Central Illinois SDAA, Kentucky SDAA, WSAD Orange, Columbus, D.C. East Zone, New Jersey, WSAD Blue Mustangs and the GIDC “A” and “B” teams.

Coaches meeting will take place at 7am in order for the games to start at 8am. This is important for all coaches to be there at 7am to have full information related to the tournament. All entry fees must be paid and t-shirts collected for teams.

Admissions is $5 for general public.

Special THANKS go to our tournament sponsor, www.HawkRelay.com

Any questions, please e-mail Carl Denney at CarlDenney@vzw.blackberry.net

GIDC 2006-07 Roster

The GIDC “A” team roster was announced today by Head Coach Carl Wayne Denney: The team will be continue to be led by the legendary 6′6 PF Brian Bippus, cagey vets 6′4 Keith Westhoelter, 6′4 Billy Schwall, 6′2 PG Les Crump, along with USADB 1st Team All-Star, 6′1 swingman Hector Cueto. Outstanding 6′9 newcomer and 2004 National Deaf Prep Player of the Year Edlin Dorn will man the middle. 6′1 Justin Wilson, 6′5 Eugene King, 6′7 Dave Tester and 5′11 Joey Kutcka also return. 6′6 veteran swingman James Bingham also has joined the team out of retirement. Jay Kreiger will reprise his scorekeeping while Beetle McClendon is the team manager.

The team has been playing in The Fieldhouse Wednesday Night League (fall session) and recently lost the championship game, 58-55 to Hoops Hype. The current team record as it heads into January is 11-2. The team will continue playing in The Fieldhouse Wednesday Night League in its winter session. The first game for the winter session will begin January 10th.

Additional team news is that Keith Westhoelter will be the Head Coach for the USA entry in the 2007 World Deaf Basketball Championship to be held in China in June 2007. The GIDC “B” team will be continue to be coached by Wayne Bankston. The Deaf Community of Indianapolis is proud of its team and their accomplishments.

another year, another goal

2005 – USADB runners-up.

2006 – USADB runners-up.

So begins the 2006-2007 season.