Stone named ‘Futures Games’ coach

By Eric Christiansen echristiansen@nmpaper.com

Wabash High School girls head basketball coach Matt Stone will lead the North team against the South team in the Indiana All-Star inaugural “The Futures Games”, games director Mike Broughton announced Thursday, Feb. 16.

The Futures Games, one each for boys and girls, are a new aspect of the Indiana All-Star basketball program. The Futures Games will pair teams of current Indiana freshmen, sophomores and juniors in a North-South format. The first Futures Games will be played Saturday, June 10 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The girls’ game is set for noon, and the boys’ game will follow about 2:00 p.m. The IndyStar Indiana All-Stars will host the Kentucky senior All-Stars later the fourth quarter.

“It’s a great site,” Long said. “It’s a great attribute to the City of Wabash.”

The sidewalk on East Canal Street was made ADA compliant at the cost of more than $500,000.

Also in the fourth quarter, work began on cleaning debris from the former GDX site.

Wabash County

Wabash County Commissioners President Brian Haupert talked about various projects going on in the county, concentrating most on the new Wabash County Jail project.

Last year the county received federal funds to repair a bridge over the Salamonie River east of Lagro. The county received $2.3 million in funds.

Work on the bridge is not expected to take place until 2027,

Troyer same day in Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

“It is a great honor to be named the Girls North coach of the first Futures Game for the Indiana All-Star series,” Stone said. “Just looking at the roster you see that you will have some of the best underclassmen in the state and you realize how lucky you are to get to coach that group.”

Players and coaches for the All-Star Futures Games are picked by a Futures Games committee chaired by Broughton. Players who are juniors also are eligible for selection to the 2023 Indiana Junior All-Stars that will be selected later.

“I think it will be a great way to kick off the All-Star game day with these futures games and give everyone the opportunity to see the top underclassmen play at Gainbridge Fieldhouse before the seniors take on Kentucky,” Stone said.

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Kirtlan also spoke to how well Jim is known and loved throughout the wrestling community. “A lot of times when he shows up, the coaches’ wives have Snickerdoodles waiting for him. That’s his favorite snack.”

...continued from Page 7 toring. “I have mentored five officials over the last 20 years who have gotten IHSAA individual state tourneys,” he said, “and Steve Kirtlan will be another in a few years.” from an up-andcoming Wabash County sports legend back in the day. I just knew you were a good neighbour.Glad we got to reconnect. prompting Haupert to quip, “I’m not sure those numbers will hold up at this point.”

The county also received $2.8 million to resurface old Ind. 15, and nearly $1 million for other road and small structure projects.

Other projects include the refurbishing of the County Courthouse clocktower, and the repurposing of a newly acquired property at 810 Manchester Ave., just north of the Wabash County Highway Department.

What the property will be used for is still undecided, as officials explore various options.

“For years we’ve been looking for a new location for the health department,” he said, adding that with the sheriff’s department moving to the new facility later this year, the

Communitieswork release program will be in need for a new location. “We’ve also been asked to move veteran’s services to this site.”

Turning to the new jail, Haupert explained how the county saved more than $14 million in expenses by choosing the route it did to build the facility.

Jim also is quick to remember the coaches who mentored him from Day One of his officiating career –Northfield’s Bill Campbell, Manchester’s Led Benton, Southwood’s Dave Wilhelm, Wabash’s Dave Mann, White’s Cary Hammel.

“They all helped me become who I am today,” he said in tribute.

Now Jim is men-

So, while Jim hasn’t been able to retire from officiating after 50 years, he was able to retire from Ford Meter Box in January of this year – after 50 years.

In fact, Jim retired in the afternoon that day. His brother, John, retired from Ford Meter Box that morning.

He now lives with his family in North Manchester.

Jim, I didn’t realize I was living across the street

Congratulations on your retirement from Ford Meter Box and best wishes on getting to your next retirement – whenever that may be.

Roy Church can be reached at roy.church14@gmail .com