Cole Schafer, a Class of 2012 graduate of Evansville Harrison, is latest Southern Indiana addition to Bellarmine’s top-flight NCAA Division II program. Here’s the school’s release:

Bellarmine University men’s basketball coach Scott Davenport has added to his 2012-13 roster by signing Cole Schafer to a National Letter of Intent. The 6-3 combo guard is a recent graduate of Harrison High School in Evansville, Ind.

“Cole brings great versatility to our program,” said Davenport. “He’s had to overcome an injury, so he’s developed a ‘never to be denied’ attitude, and our staff is impressed with his drive and determination.”

Schafer’s senior season was cut short at Harrison when he tore tendons in between his toes and the arch of his foot seven games into the year. Before the injury he was averaging 14.6 points and 6.1 rebounds which included a 13 point, 10 rebound performance against Pleasure Ridge Park High School and fellow Bellarmine signee, Max Clemons.

His high school coach, Bryan Speer, believes that Schafer’s work ethic, he added 15-lbs. of muscle on while rehabbing the injury, shows that his best basketball is still ahead of him. “Cole improved as much over four years as any play as I’ve ever seen,” said Speer. “He just keeps getting better.”

His role in college will probably be as a “2-guard,” but Speer said he did it all in high school. “He played mostly at the 2 or 3, but on defense we had him guard whoever (our opponents’) best player was, no matter if he was 5-7 or 6-7.”

With his injury coming at a time when most college coaches are watching prospects, Schafer said he is grateful for this opportunity and excited to play for such prestigious program. “I came to a Bellarmine game last season and the atmosphere at Knights’ Hall was phenomenal,” Schafer said, adding that he is ready to carve out his own niche on the team. “I just want the fans to watch me play and say, ‘that kid gives it his all.’”

Jasper standout Shelby Merder, one of Southern Indiana’s top college prospects in the graduating Class of 2013, will stay in-state for college and play at Ball State, she confirmed to Hoosier Hills Hoops on Monday evening.

“Definitely the coaching staff was a big reason for my decision,” said Merder, a 6-foot-3 forward. “The coaches and I created a great relationship, and that was a big thing for me.”

Merder selected the Cardinals — and first-year head coach Brady Sallee — over scholarship opportunities from Austin Peay, Maryland-Baltimore County, New Mexico and Southeast Missouri State. She also entertained serious interest from Miami (Ohio) and St. Louis,.

Merder said that Jill Morrison, also a Ball State recruit in the 2013 class, was a big factor in her decision.

“She helped me and talked with me a lot about the school,” she said of Morrison, who hails from Winchester High School.

Merder, who expects to “be a forward who plays in the high-post” for the Cardinals, is planning to major in communication.

“I felt the campus and school were a perfect size for me. The campus is really pretty and the closeness of being able to walk everywhere is really nice. It’s a place where I can see myself spending four years of my life.”

Borden incoming senior Jalen McCoy turned in a solid performance at session two of the recent High Potential/Blue-Chip Basketball Camp at Georgetown (Ky.) College.

McCoy — one of Southern Indiana’s top 3-point shooters — was honored with the camp’s “110-percent award” for outstanding effort.

The 6-foot-1 guard also powered his camp team throughout the week, connecting on 11-of-12 shots from the field in one game and knocking down a game-winning basket in another.

Anthony Lloyd, a graduate of Charlestown in 2011, signed Friday with Ancilla College, Pirates coach Sean Smith told Hoosier Hills Hoops.

Ancilla, a junior-college program, is located in Donaldson, Ind.

“He didn’t give up on (his recruitment); he hung in there,” said Smith, noting that Lloyd attracted little college interest his senior season. “This is something he’s dreamed about doing and he’s got a great opportunity. We’re really excited for Anthony.”

At Ancilla, Lloyd, a 6-foot-2 forward, can be re-recruited to a four-year school.

The Columbus North girls’ basketball team held off Fairfax (Va.) Paul VI 45-37 Saturday morning to capture a ninth-place finish at the Under Armour Best of Maryland Basketball Tournament in Damascus, Md.

Sophomore-to-be Ali Patberg poured in a game-high 21 points and junior-to-be Tayler Goodall chipped in 10 as the Bull Dogs concluded the event with a 4-1 record.

On Friday, Columbus North rallied thanks to a late 3-pointer by Goodall to surprise St. John Vianney (N.J.) 48-45. Patberg tallied 18 points and junior-to-be Kelsey Cunningham 11 in the win.

The Bull Dog’s only loss came in their second game Friday, falling 53-43 to St. John’s College (D.C.) High School. Patberg finished with 21 points and Cunningham 11 in defeat.

After a runner-up finish last season, the Columbus North girls’ basketball team is again expected to contend for the Indiana Class 4-A state crown.

The Bull Dogs, coached by Pat McKee, are tuning up for the 2012-13 season this week at the Under Armour Best of Maryland Basketball Tournament in Damascus, Md., an event that features girls’ high school teams from 11 states and the District of Columbia.

Columbus North thumped Berlin Hiland (Oh.) 53-34 Thursday morning behind 16 points from junior-to-be Tayler Goodall and 12 from sophomore-to-be Ali Patberg.

In their second game of preliminary play on Thursday, the Bull Dogs got past Calvert (Md.) 43-30. Patberg led the team with 18 points and junior-to-be Kelsey Cunningham chipped in 11.

The only other area team at the event — Louisville (Ky.) Sacred Heart — lost 62-42 to Good Counsel (Md.) and edged Las Vegas (Nev.) Centennial 41-38.

Friday’s schedule

Columbus North will meet St. John Vianney (N.J.) at 2:15 and wrap up pool play in a 7:15 contest versus St. John’s College (D.C.) High School.

Elimination-bracket action will begin Saturday.