The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame honors individuals who have contributed significantly to basketball in Indiana and players or coaches through election and enshrinement. The Hall of Fame preserves Indiana’s rich basketball legacy and pays tribute to those who have shaped the sport within the state.
The John Jordan Library in the Hall of Fame houses a vast collection of resources for those interested in Indiana’s basketball heritage. With information on over 1,000 Indiana high schools, the library allows visitors to research and explore the history of basketball at various levels. Additionally, the library offers access to various videos, including archived game films, which can be viewed upon request, providing a visual and immersive experience of Indiana’s basketball history.
The Hall of Fame recognizes the contributions of players and coaches, honoring those who have made significant contributions to the sport within Indiana. The following inductees represent the Henry County basketball community and serve as role models for aspiring players.
Hall of Fame Inductees From New Castle High School
The Hall of Fame includes the following inductees from New Castle, listed with their year of graduation and accomplishments:
- Vernon Huffman, Class of 1932, was an All-State and All-American athlete who played in the NFL. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1968.
- Randy Lawson, Class of 1932, was a player, assistant coach, and coach at New Castle High School. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.
- Marvin Huffman, Class of 1936, was a team captain and played for the Goodyear National Industrial League. He was inducted in 1981.
- Clarence Huffman, Class of 1937, was a four-year player and team captain who was inducted in 1991.
- Jerry Ellis, Class of 1950, lettered and was an All-Star, All-State, All-Semi-Final, All-Regional, All-Sectional, and All-NCC player. He is a 17th all-time scorer and a retired US Air Force Colonel. He was inducted in 2004.
- Dwight Tallman, Class of 1955, lettered and played for New Castle. He was inducted in 1996.
- Ray Pavy, Class of 1959, was an All-Sectional, All-Regional, and All-Star player. He was a team captain and coach. He was inducted in 1990.
- John A. Lee, Class of 1960, was named All-Indiana Collegiate Conference and UPI Small College All-American. He was inducted in 2021.
- Sharon Roberts, Class of 1961, was the Assistant Director of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame for over 20 years and the American Business Women Association’s Woman of the Year. She was inducted in 2012.
- Harry Joyner, Class of 1963, was an All-Conference and All-State player and a member of the Indiana All-Star team. He also received the L.G. Balfour Athletic Award and was drafted by the Cincinnati Royals and Indiana Pacers. He was inducted in 2000.
- Kent Benson, Class of 1973, was an 11-year NBA player, Outstanding Player Awardee, All-American pick, and Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player Awardee. He was inducted in 1999.
- Raymond Jolly, Class of 1923, was a player and coach. He was inducted in 1970.
- Blair Gullion, Class of 1971, was an All-State and Big 10 player, coach, and athletic director. He was inducted in 1971.
- Bill Walker, Class of 1970, was a student manager for the basketball team. He was inducted in 2024.
- Steve Alford, Class of 1983, was an All-State and All-American player, won an Olympic Gold Medal and an NCAA National Championship, was Team MVP at IU, and became a coach. He was inducted in 2009.
Other Henry County High School Hall of Fame Inductees
- Phil Snodgress, Kennard High School, Class of 1954, was a player, assistant coach, and coach. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023.
- Samuel M. Chase Jr., Knightstown High School, Class of 1960, was a player, coach, and school principal. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019.
- Marion Pierce, Lewisville High School, Class of 1961, was known as the “Henry County Hurricane.” He was an All-Star and All-American player and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.
- Von Jameson, Middletown High School, Class of 1932, was a varsity athlete and a coach. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.
- Emerson Mutterspaugh, Middletown High School, Class of 1946, was a co-captain and coach of the school’s athletic teams and served on the IHSAA Athletic Council board. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.
If you love basketball history, you’ll want to plan a trip to the newly remodeled Basketball Hall of Fame. Admission is now free, thanks to a partnership with Henry Community Health. Learn more about the Hall of Fame by visiting hoopshall.com.
-Article by Jamie Ward, Travel Writer, Cornfields & High Heels