INDIANA -- Indiana girls' State Champions from 1900? Did such a thing exist? You'd better believe it -- At least folks at that time sure seemed to. There was no shortage of high school girls' teams claiming the title of Indiana State Champions in the early 20th century. ...And this was nearly seven decades before the IHSAA sanctioned the first girls' state tourney.

I set about this project quite by accident. Initially I was simply searching for a photo of the very first Greenwood High School girls' team which I planned to run next to the current team's photo just for kicks. However, as with most endeavors such as this, the more I found, the more interested I became, and what a treasure trove I uncovered in the process.

As you might have guessed, research from this time period has been pretty muddled. Newspaper accounts of these games were spotty at best, and much of what I've been able to uncover is either incomplete or as a result of research from the most inaccurate source ever placed in a library…the high school yearbook.

I was especially taken with the wide variety of geography involved. While not many high schools fielded girls' teams in those first three decades, those that did were spread out fairly evenly across the Hoosier landscape. -- Unlike the early boys' teams, greatness was not owned by a single pocket of strong teams, and I'm certain that as my research continues I might well uncover teams from even more areas.

One very peculiar trend was that in the course of these thirty-odd years, girls' basketball was really taking off. Schedule lengths had begun to rival those of today, and newspaper accounts were beginning to become more numerous. Maybe more impressive still were reports of larger crowds and the practice of girls' games acting as the curtain raiser for boys' games. This was quickly becoming the standard across the state, and then almost over night it all came to an end. No doubt the Great Depression was the biggest culprit in the girls' game's demise, but it would seem that a changing attitude toward the roll of women in general during this time period did as well. For whatever the reasons, the girls' game became nearly extinct for decades. However, for a brief time in the early part of this century, it shined nearly as brightly as our hallowed boys' version.

As you might have guessed, the number of teams playing during this era fluctuated greatly. So, too, did the rules, number of games played, and pretty much everything in between. Just as with the boys, the only real standard during the first thirty years of girls' basketball in Indiana, as far as I have been able to determine, is that nothing was standard.

Often times 'boys' rules were utilized with the more traditional 5-on-5, but just as common were six-player rules - four stationary players and two rovers. No real end-of-the-year tourney existed beyond the local level, and those were pretty rare except in certain regions.

However, all of this didn't deter many teams from staking a claim to a State Championship, and in a handful of cases, cross-state challenges were issued and sometimes answered in the form of a postseason playoff game(s). Equally entertaining to me, was the realization that the early girls' game produced true shooting stars not unlike those of our modern era.

So what follows is a working document that attempts to make the case for every team that has staked a claim to the then mythical title of Indiana girls' basketball State Champion.

1900

Shortridge - Undefeated on the year. Okay, a bit of qualification. Shortridge only played one real game, but it also happened to be the only girls' game played that year. Tough to argue that is not a State Championship. Also maybe more noteworthy is that this game was the earliest girls' game on record to be contested in Indiana between two different schools. SHS downed Indianapolis Girls Classical School, 18-9, in the game played at the losers' gym. In two scrimmages later that same first season, the pioneering gals from Shortridge also downed a team from German House (which by all accounts was not considered a high school.) A later scheduled scrimmage against Butler's girls' team was canceled by the Bulldogs prior to tip. A final scrimmage victory over the YWCA of Indianapolis, 19-4, rounded out their 'championship' season. At the time of this title, Shortridge was simply called Indianapolis High School. Only after a Manual was opened as the second Indy high school was Shortridge used as its moniker. Coach's name was Frederic Herzsch.

1907

Rensselaer - Not a great deal to base this school's claim of a State Championship, but we do have record of the pre-Bombers going undefeated this season. While I have not been able to come up with a list of fallen opponents or scores, I was able to verify Rensselaer's 9-7 win that year over a very dogged Hobart team. This was to be the only loss for Hobart, a team that trounced numerous Region teams by double digits.

1912

North Vernon - North Vernon's undefeated season was just their school's third year to field a team. However, three year starter Marie Tech led NV to back-to-back wins over Seymour, a win over Franklin College, and 9-7 nail-biter over Aurora. North Vernon was coached by Nelle Baldwin.

Warsaw - Coach Francis Elder's Warsaw squad played, for the decade, a very full schedule. The Tigers went 8-0-1. They downed Columbia City, Goshen, and Ligonier twice, and they took out Winona in their only meeting. A mid-season tie with Elkhart was their only blemish, and Warsaw topped them in that same season.

1913

Bristol - Tiny Bristol High of Elkhart County put together a 5-0-1 season that resulted in their claim as the best in the state for 1913. Bristol downed Elkhart Baptist 22-5, tied Elkhart 12-12, defeated Elkhart Baptist again 5-0, gave Nappanee its only loss on the year 21-12, once more beat Baptist 12-5, and rounded out the year with a 12-8 victory over Bristol Alumni. So what of their lone stain, the tie with Elkhart? Reports support Bristol's claim as Elkhart dropped a game to Baptist giving them the 1913 tie-breaker nod.

1920

Bedford - Went just 2-0 with two victories over Mitchell, 10-6 and 16-1. Not much of a resume, but a State Championship was claimed none-the-less. Of special note, this was the first instance I have ever run across of female athletes being awarded letters for athletics. "Monograms" were selected for six of the rostered girls by Coach Lappin.

Monrovia - Coach Glen Clodfield directed his girls to a perfect 19-0 in a time when few teams played half as many games. Of special note was their 29-9 drubbing of Terre Haute in the first official game to take place in the gym that would later be renamed in honor of Branch McCracken.

1921

Boonville - Coach Ritchie (first name yet to be recovered) directed BHS to a 'stellar' season. In just its first year to field a team, Boonville won the Southern Indiana championship and the Pioneers also staked claim to the statewide title.

1922

Freelandville - The Freelandville Five of Knox County ran the tables in 1922 with a perfect 11-0 season. The southern Indiana news media proclaimed them State Champions. The school reportedly went so far as to issue a challenge to any school that wanted to play them after the season was over. Receiving no takers, the school joined the media in their claim of a state title. Coach Margaret Hardie's squad downed Decker, Plainville, and Frichton all twice. The dropped Edwardsport (reportedly a very strong team in the area) three times, and handled Vincennes and Sullivan in their only meetings.

Mace - The Galloping Girls of Mace High School finished 12-0 and claimed a State Title when reporting their 104-16 total points for the season. To make those numbers even more impressive, the 16 points against consisted of only three field goals - the rest being charity tosses. More remarkable was the fact that the Gallopers did not have their own gym and had to travel six miles to Crawfordsville to practice.

Monrovia - Coach Glen Clodfield carried over the winning ways of his 1920 undefeated squad and again ran the table, although the exact number of wins has remained elusive to this researcher. This undefeated squad laid claim to another State Championship and was invited to play Kentucky's state champion in a one game playoff. The girls traveled to the land of the bluegrass and downed Henderson, 12-8. Henderson had not lost a game in three seasons prior to falling to Monrovia.

Scipio - The Black Diamonds, as their gals' team was called, made their claim as the state's best after capturing the Jennings County High School Tournament. Coach Clyde Wilson's team finished that season unbeaten and was led by star player Blanch Hayes. Hayes would later coach Scipio herself to County Titles in 1926, 27, and 28. The 1922 squad, however, was arguably the best of the bunch. That season the Black Diamonds notched convincing victories against Butlerville, Hayden, Paris Crossing, and downed previously unbeaten and highly regarded North Vernon, 13-3.

1923

Mt. Vernon (Posey) - Finished a full schedule of games 17-1 and publicly laid claim to a State Championship. Their only loss to Boonville was reversed later in the season. The title claim was not disputed. Wins over strong southern Indiana programs at the time, Evansville Central and Huntingburg, help to solidify their claim. Mt. Vernon was coached by George Brown.

1924

Morristown - Coach Ethel Van Cleave took her school's very first girls' basketball team and ran the table. Albeit a short table - Morristown went 4-0, but that did not deter Morristown from claiming the title as the best team in the state. Scores and opponents have yet to be unearthed,

Sullivan - Sullivan had an undefeated year under Coach Harry Gilmore and capped it off with a most unusual post-season contest. A strong Mt. Vernon squad (see 1925 & 1926 below) went 13-2, and in the process avenged their only two losses. Following the season they issued a challenge in the Indianapolis Star. Sullivan answered that challenge and topped Mt. Vernon, 22-16, and claimed the State Championship in the process. Other confirmed victims of Sullivan's title march that year included Vincennes twice, Shelburn twice, Terre Haute Garfield, Carlisle twice, Terre Haute Wiley, and Coalmont.

1925

Mt. Vernon (Posey) - Coach George Brown's strong program continued its dominance with a sparkling 18-0 season. Mt. Vernon reportedly scheduled all-comers and was led by one of the early stars of the girls' game, junior Sara MacGregor. MacGregor was tabbed by the Evansville paper as "Never-Miss-Sally" for her prolific scoring. She averaged over 18 ppg a game that season. This total outpaced the entire oppositions' average points per game vs. Mt. Vernon that year.

1926

Mace - In their last year as a high school before being absorbed into New Ross, the Galloping Girls of Mace High School lost just one game (to Crawfordsville by a bucket) and claimed another State Title. The Indianapolis News supports this by stating that unlike many tiny schools, Mace played a large school schedule and outscored opponent 226 - 87. The Gallopers still without their own gym and had to travel six miles to Crawfordsville to practice

Mt. Vernon (Posey) - New Coach Homer Allgood took over the defending State Champion squad and guided them to another remarkable year of 18-1. "Never-Miss-Sally," Sara MacGregor, returned for her senior season and reportedly averaged over 24 ppg, a seemingly unthinkable total for that era. Details of their lone setback are truly remarkable as well. Huntingburg High boasted its own superstar in Ruth Heitman. Heitman averaged over 20 ppg, and the clash between their respective teams on November 25 could easily be compared to the Church Street shootout of Ray and Pavy fame that would take place decades later. The Happy Hunters of Huntingburg took it, 34-32. However, what really made this one remarkable was that MV's MacGregor netted 24 points (of her team's 32) in the loss, and Huntingburg's Heitman's took top honors with 29 (of her team's 34) and the win. Mt. Vernon would later top Huntingburg near the end of the season in a rematch in a tourney hosted by Huntingburg. However, the tantalizing details of individual heroics of that contest have yet to be uncovered. As a result of this win over Huntingburg, Mt. Vernon was offered a postseason invitation to play in a national championship tourney in Youngstown, Ohio, but then IHSAA secretary, Arthur Trester informed the school they would not be permitted to participate. There is some irony that girls' sports were as of yet unsanctioned, however, King Arthur's word still ruled out of fear of reprisals to the boys' team. This Mt. Vernon team also claims the distinction of being the first girls' team to wear basketball shorts in place of the traditional bloomers.

1927

Fulton - Undefeated season reported. Fulton was led by twin towers literally: the Zook twins, Janet and Janes. The former dropped 75 points on an outgunned Roann squad, as Fulton stomped them 81-2. Fulton was led by Coach Vernee Bowen, father of future Indiana Governor Otis Bowen.

Montgomery - This Davies County team's State Championship claim is based on the fact that while they finished the season, 7-2-1, they were able to avenge both of their losses and their tie by season's end. Coach Pauline Williams' lasses beat an Alumni team, Loogootee, and Shoals twice. Early season setbacks to Odon and Epsom were later reversed as was a tie with Glendale.

1928

Petersburg - PHS reported a 'stupendous season,' however, no won/loss record could be determined. The argument can be made for them, though, as powerful rival Mt. Vernon finished the season undefeated. The two agreed to a special extra game on the neutral floor of Jasper's gym. Petersburg prevailed, 17-12, to claim the State Championship and no one challenged the proclamation. Petersburg was coached by Belle Bryant.

1929

Boonville - Coach Ruth Bateman publicly claimed to the Evansville newspaper that her Pioneers were State Champions following their 22-2 season. Both losses were avenged later in the season to solidify her claim. No southern Indiana schools disputed.

Griffith - Few details have been uncovered regarding this Griffith squad, but what is known is tough to top. GHS finished the season 17-0. More impressive still is all-time Indiana girls' record holder, Ruth Hutchins. Her 106 points vs. Ross were topped just a week later by her 120 point outing vs. Merrillville - Still an all-time Indiana state record for points in a game by an individual. Want more? These incredible totals were tallied in 28 minute games.

Wabash - The Wabash Snowballs earned their nickname after Coach Marcia Snow, and these Snowballs wrapped up a perfect 12-0 season with their own challenge in the Indianapolis Star. Wabash invited any other undefeated team to play them in a two game home-and-home post season series. Argos was the only school to answer the call, and Wabash downed them easily in both outings, 30-17 and 39-13. Other confirmed wins that season came against Chipewa, Roann twice, Columbia City twice, Auburn twice, Peru twice, Jonesboro twice, and a team comprised of Wabash Alumni. Wabash averaged 41 ppg (a staggering sum for the era) while only giving up just 11 ppg to the opposition.

1931

Wabash - The Snowballs continued their winning ways under Coach Marcia Snow by going 10-0-1. Their lone tie was reportedly avenged later in the season. Undefeated Tipton threw down the gauntlet at the conclusion of the season for a one game championship tilt. Wabash took out the Devils on their own floor, 36-21, to claim their second State Championship in three years. Wabash was led by one of the true stars of early Indiana girls' basketball, Doris 'Bill' Smyers. Smyers averaged an astounding 27 ppg during her three years as a Snowball. In one particular contest vs. a very outgunned Fairmount team, Smyers dropped 69 points. Teammate Lavinia 'Beanie' Davidson added 53 for good measure. The duo accounted for all of the Snowball points in their 122-1 thrashing of the Fairmount's first year program.

1932 and 1933

Brownsburg - It can be argued that Brownsburg had one of the most dominant teams of any of the early Hoosier girls' squads. The Bulldogs ran off 19 straight games as they went undefeated during the 1932 season (11-0) and the 1933 season (7-0). During this impressive two season run, BHS scored nearly 40 ppg in an era that routinely saw games not reach double digits. They gave up just 11 ppg over the course of these two years.

References: Bedford High School Yearbook, Boonville Standard, Bristol High School Yearbook, Evansville Courier, Hoosier Hersteria, by Herb Schwomeyer, North Vernon Plain Dealer, Rochester News-Sentinel, Shortridge High School Yearbook, Wabash High School Yearbook, Wabash Plain Dealer