The Versailles Republican Sports
January 24, 2008

South Ripley Raiders and Milan Indians have final battle in Tyson Auditorium

Gary Franklin, Sports Writer

Many events one attends in a lifetime have special meaning. This was the case for the attenders and players of the Milan Indian vs South Ripley Raider basketball game, held at Tyson Auditorium on Friday, January 18.
Activities on this evening held special importance to many people for several different reasons. Recognition of the opening night for Tyson Auditorium for action on November 1, 1950 between the Versailles Lions and the Milan Indians and the final meeting of two teams at Tyson where the teams have met many, many times was one of those as this is the last season for Tyson as the Raiders' home court.
It was also South Ripley High School's annual homecoming observance and time to name a Prince and Princess from the lower HS classes and crown a King and Queen of the senior class.
Senior Kellie Collier welcomed all to the 2008 South Ripley High School Homecoming and announced the events' activities including introductions of class representatives for Prince, Princess, King and Queen.
Prince and Princess candidates included freshmen Jordan Gardner and Tanner Tucker. (Tanner was crowned prince) sophomores Sabrina Haggis and Chase Grider, and juniors Jared Keck and Emily Brewer with Emily being crowned Princess.
King and Queen candidates from the senior class included Sally Adams (crowned Queen), Ben Davies, Myranda Cole, Sean Guenther, Leah Lawburgh, Nick Grider, Megan Linkmeyer, Paul Swango, Linda Young and Trent Tucker (crowned King).
The night also found special meaning as it was designated to honor the graduating class of 2004. Therefore, several '04 grads were in attendance.
The night held a special meaning for fans and those interested in the historical establishment, etc., of Tyson Auditorium.
Some of the information collected that was distributed to fans in their basketball program for the evening's game included:
About Tyson, the man
The Tyson Auditorium was dedicated in honor of "Uncle Jim", Jim Tyson, on November 1, 1950.
Tyson lived from 1856-1941, and in 1930 established a trust fund for Versailles, which was his boyhood home. A result of Tyson's generosity and foresight through the Tyson Fund continues to be resourseful in making many Versailles projects and structure preservations possible. Jim Tyson was one of the founders of Walgreen Drug Co.
About the building
The cost of Tyson Auditorium was $178,000 of which $118,000 was contributed by the Tyson committee, leaving $60,000 as the Johnson Township's share.
The structure was 105' x 165' overall with a gym seating capacity of 2,200. The structure included a 42' x 25' stage, five classrooms, a band room and a concession area.
The gyms ceiling height was established at 22' and lit with 24 - 500 Watt bulbs, over the 50' x 80' gym floor. The new facility proudly included hectolite glass backboards.
About the first game
Tyson Auditorium doors were opened for its first basketball game on November 1, 1950.
The first two teams to compete in a HS basketball game there were the hosting Versailles Lions and the visiting Milan Indians.
Present for the dedication on opening night was IHSAA Commissioner Phillips, who was in his ninth year as the guiding helm of the IHSAA.
The Versailles Lion team roster included Franklin Braley, Marion Jackson, Glenn Randall, Bine Kemker, George Young, Franklin Stratton, Omar Wagers, Carol Lohrum, Bob Purdum, Dick Lemen and Bill Fleming. They were coached by Roger Strum and assistant Paul W. Deppert. Cheerleaders included Faith Hooton, Partha Lou Benham, Jane Hooton and Joyce Ann Hughes, and student managers were James Ford, Bob McAdoo and Bob Bradford.
The Milan Indian team included Jim Nagel, Kenny Bergman, Charles Ashcraft, Tommy Clapp, Ronnie Molen, Bill Gorman, Rodney Brandes, Harrison Francis, Jack Smith, Louis Ferringer, Hiram Poore and Sherill Honeycutt. Coach Herman Grinstead led the Indians and cheerleaders for Milan included Betty Engle, Coleen Grinstead and Reatha Purcell.
Rule changes for 1950
Elimination of the three minute rule, the clock stops for all jump balls and substitutions cannot be made unless the clock is stopped. On bodily contact fouls, two shots were to be awarded, even if the basket was made.
Raiders & Indians - 2008
The Raider varsity team includes Jared Keck, BJ Sieverding, Brian Thomas, Chase Grider, Chris Miller, Erik Demaree, Andy Miller, Kyle Patrick, Jordan Bodenberg, Thomas Welch and Trent Tucker.
The Raiders are coached by Scott Holdsworth, with Jason Gambrel varsity assistant, Kendall Sheets JV coach and Brad Samples freshman coach.
Senior student manager Anthony Gramaglia with cheerleaders Jordan Clements, Brittany DeWitt, Chelsea Durham, Erica Ester, Meredith Knollman, Janna Lloyd, Kyla Sexton, Britney Browning, Hannah Carlock, Lakin Davis, Hayley Demaree, Jessilyn DeWitt, Sealy Snyder and Sara Mathes. Their cheer coach is Tammy Hartman with Nancy Durham pep club sponsor.
The Raider JV team includes Jerad Walters, Brian Thomas, Chase Grider, Kevin Gullion, Seth Leonard, Kile Huss, Jordan Bodenberg, Thad Fleming, Jordan Walters and Tanner Tucker.
The Indians' team members include Tyler Kirk, Andrew Dixon, Craig McKittrick, Jared Ison, Brandon Withers, Jeff Werner, Alex Walter, Chris Walker, Josh Baker and Zach Elza.
The 2008 Milan Indians are led by Head Coach Randy Combs, with Assistant John Prifogle, JV Coach Mike Myers and Freshman Coach Mark Garrett.
Milan cheerleaders include Kirby Alloway, Kady Alloway, Kim Atwell, Abby Bergman, Deborah Fryer, Jennifer Wullenweber, Lindsey Roell, Montana Winters, Heather Lambert, Ciera Ison, Kelsey Reese, Lizzy Fuller, Elaina Voss, Becky Davis, Molly Scudder and Stephanie Kirk.
Milan Indian cheer coaches are Anne Marie Layden and Gretchen Fuller.
The Milan JV team includes Bryan Peters, Neal Herzog, Grayson Miller, Sean Laub, Alec Lauber, Zach Turner, Alex Walter, Mike Brandes, Derek Walker and Zach Elza.
Raiders vs Indians - Game
The Indians took opening tip and Jared Ison put the first points on the board with a field goal. Raider senior, Erik Demaree quickly answered to tie the game at two. Off and running, the way Indiana basketball is meant to be played. Raider senior BJ Sieverding sent a 3-pointer through the heart of the net and was fouled where he converted for a four point play to put the Raiders up 6-2.
Not so willing to fold, Milan Indian senior Tyler Kirk answered with a long range 3-pointer, closing the gap to one point at 6-5. Raider Demaree and Indian Ison exchanged baskets, keeping things tight.
Raider senior and newly named King Trent Tucker went to work, cashing in on a pair of FG's back to back. Indian Ison rang up a 3- pointer, setting the score at 12-10. Raider Tucker nailed a pair of free throws and a field goal while Indian Brandon Withers rang up his first basket of the evening, taking the score to Raiders 16-12 over the Indians at the end of period one.
Continuing in the second quarter of play, Raider Tucker added a FG. Not to be denied, Indian senior Josh Baker sank a FG followed by a Zach Elza FG, cutting the Raider lead to two at 18-16. Raider senior Chris Miller put his first basket on the score book. Indian Kirk lit the net with a long 3-pointer, Raider Demaree scored a FG and Indian Kirk hit all three awarded shots from the charity stripe to tie the game at 22.
Raider Tucker scored 1 of 2 FT's and added a FG and teammate Thomas Welch scored his first FG of the evening. Indian Zach Elza connected on 1 of 2 FT's, ending the half with the score South Ripley 27-23 Milan.
The Raiders stretched their lead to nine points by the end of the third quarter at 43-34 and won by games end by 12, 62-50.
South Ripley Raiders 62
Trent Tucker 24
Erik Demaree 14
BJ Sieverding 14
Chris Miller 6
Thomas Welch 4
Non-scoring Raiders were Kyle Patrick - injured, Jared Keck, Chase Grider, Andy Miller, Jordan Bodenberg and Brian Thomas.
Milan Indians 50
Tyler Kirk 15
Zach Elza 12
Brandon Withers 9
Jared Ison 7
Josh Baker 7
Non-scoring Indians were Craig McKittrick, Andrew Dixon, Jeff Werner, Alex Walter and Chris Walker.
Scores by Quarter
1st Raiders 16-12 Indians
2nd Raiders 27-23 Indians
3rd Raiders 43-34 Indians
Final Raiders 62-50 Indians
*FYI,
The Versailles Lions fell in their 1950 Tyson Auditorium debut to the Indians in 1950, 49-33. The Raiders avenged that loss in their last battle against the Indians in the historical gym facility, 62-50.