Prep sports notebook: East’s Huse receives NIAAA honor

Columbus East athletics director Pete Huse has received the 2023 National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association State Award of Merit.

This award is presented to an athletics administrator from each state for recognition of meritorious dedication to high school and middle school athletics.

Huse announced late last year that he is going to retire as an AD at the end of the school year.

North’s Barker headed to Franklin

Columbus North senior Lauren Barker has committed to Franklin College.

Barker plans to play both soccer and basketball for the Grizzlies. She was an All-Conference selection in both sports and was this year’s Republic Girls Soccer Player of the Year.

Jennings girls hoops invited to Classic

The Jennings County girls basketball team has been invited to participate in the Raymond James Hall of Fame Classic on Dec. 29 at the New Castle Fieldhouse.

Columbia City and Indian Creek will play in the first game at 11 a.m., followed by the Panthers taking on Lake Central. The consolation game is set for 6 p.m., with the championship game to follow.

North XC meeting set for Monday

The Columbus North boys and girls cross country teams are having an athlete and parent informational meeting for the 2023-24 season.

The meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the high school cafeteria. All summer dates and information will be covered at the meeting.

Softball, tennis schedule changes

The Hauser home softball game against Brownstown Central that was postponed Tuesday because of unplayable field conditions has been moved to Friday. The Brown County home softball game against Seymour that was postponed Monday also will be played on Friday.

The Columbus Christian at South Decatur softball game scheduled for Friday has been canceled. South Decatur has added a home game on April 21 against Crothersville.

Also, the Columbus North girls tennis match against Scottsburg on April 20 that was scheduled to be played at North has been moved to Scottsburg with a 5:30 p.m. start.

James Pence is a sports reporter for The Republic. He can be reached at [email protected] or 812-379-5632.