Donnie Hale, a Class of 2011 New Albany graduate and Purdue recruit, relocated last month to North Bridgton, Maine, for a season of prep school basketball at Bridgton Academy.

Hale, who says he is “beginning to get comfortable to the prep school routine,” is focused on two things: his academics and preparing himself to play at Purdue.

“Being out here with minimum distractions and at an all-guy school, there’s not much to distract you from your focus,” he said. “Things here are very organized; we’re always in study hall and working on study habits to prepare us for college.”

Bridgton, which is renowned for its top-flight basketball program, can begin team practices Oct. 1.

“We have a lot of talent,” Hale said. “We have a few guards that really know what they’re doing, some shooters that can flat knock it down from everywhere and a big buy from Brazil with great footwork. I’m not the only big guy, so I’m excited about the chance to play out on the floor a bit more.”

Purdue assistant coach Paul Lusk visited the Bridgton last week, Hale said.

“We had a good time, good conversation. I setup another official visit to Purdue on Oct. 15, so I get to enjoy another one of those. The reason I’m up here is to prepare myself for Purdue; I’m here for them and that’s who I’m sticking with.”

Aiden and Calvin McEwen will continue to attend Clarksville High School, according to their father, Brian McEwen.

After the recent departure of Clarksville coach Scott Matthews, rumors began about possible transfers.

“Both boys have been at school, in class, since the first day of this school year,” Brian said. “Aiden has been playing football and is looking forward to his game Friday.”

Spencer Turner abruptly ended his college recruitment on Sunday, giving a verbal commitment to Belmont, an NCAA Division I program located in Nashville, Tenn., after finding what the Bloomington South senior described as “the perfect fit.”

“I hadn’t heard much from Belmont until recently,” Turner explained. “I got a (scholarship) offer the day before I took a (campus) visit there. I saw the facilities, met their guys and coaches, and fell in love with the place. I absolutely fell in love with the place.”

Turner, recognized as one of the top — if not the best — three-pointer shooter in Southern Indiana, also had offers from Coastal Carolina, Gardner Webb and IPFW, and he was hearing from a host of additional Division I schools — Boston College, Butler, Davidson, Indiana, Penn State and Purdue.

“I don’t think Belmont even saw me play until our very last tournament in Orlando,” he said. They didn’t recruit me at all last year; they didn’t come to any of my games. They were watching someone on another court and saw the second half of my game. It all just fell right into place, and it happened so fast.”

With his college destination set, Turner is now focused on the upcoming high school season.

“My role is going to be a lot bigger this year. At Bloomington South, everyone has high expectations of our program. I’ve got to step up this year and show the younger players how to play hard, work hard.”

Bedford North Lawrence senior Alex Pritchett gave an oral commitment Tuesday during a visit with the coaching staff at Wright State, the first school to heavily recruit the 6-foot-8 forward.

“They were the first school that showed a lot of interest in me,” Pritchett said. “As I started getting letters from others schools, I kept thinking that ‘I like Wright State better than this school or that school.’ They have a nice facility and I like the coaches a lot.”

Pritchett, who has visited the Raiders’ campus three times, chose Wright State over scholarship offers from Evansville and IPFW. He also had interest from Ball State, Creighton, Duquesne, Eastern Kentucky and IUPUI, among other schools.

“It really came down to Wright State and Evansville,” he added. “They were my top two for a long time.”

Along with his Bedford teammates, Pritchett is ready for the upcoming season, and he’s “glad to get the recruiting process over” before the start of high school basketball.

“It was pretty important for me to get (the recruiting process) over (before high school basketball) so I can focus on the team. I’m pretty excited about our team this year. I expect to win sectionals; I really think we can go pretty far.”

League awards announced at the conclusion of the Team Southern Indiana Boys’ HighSchool Summer League at Nolan Fieldhouse:

League MVP

• Zach Martindale, Columbus East

All-League Team

• Cedric Daniels, Louisville (Ky.) Eastern
• Bryce Huebner, Northeast Dubois
• Lincoln Jones, North Harrison
• Grant Meyer, Silver Creek
• Caleb Springer, Silver Creek

League Champions: Sycamores

• Taylor Banks, Salem
• Billy Edelen, Clarksville
• David Fosbrink, Columbus East
• Jones
• Byrce Lienhoop, Columbus East
• Martindale
• Joshua Wenning, North Harrison

Week five scores and highlights from the Team Southern Indiana Boys’ High School Summer League at Nolan Fieldhouse:

Quarterfinals

Northeast Dubois’ Bryce Huebner and Jennings County’s Justin Webster each scored 17 points to lead the Bulldogs past the Boilermakers 69-64. Charlestown’s Chris Braun and Northeast Dubois’ Cody Newland added 13 and 12 in the victory. The Boilermakers were paced by New Albany’s Landon Howard and West Washington’s Clayton Sullivan; both players finished with 12.

The Aces got a game-high 21 points from Silver Creek’s Caleb Sprigler en route to a 68-56 victory over the Hoosiers. Silver Creek’s Matt Hawn added 14 and Christian Academy’s Aaron Hayes 10 in the win. The Hoosiers were led by Rock Creek’s Shaquille Neptune (16), Henryville’s Andrew Jones (12) and South Central’s Michael Willett (11).

Semifinals

Clarksville’s Billy Edelen finished with 19 points and Salem’s Taylor Banks chipped in 11 as the Sycamores cruised into the title game, beating the Bulldogs 79-54.  Huebner led the Bulldogs in defeat with 23 points, and Webster added 13.

The Aces built a 13-point halftime lead and whizzed past the Irish, 75-60. Springer racked up 20 points and Hawn contributed 20 for the Aces. The Irish were led in defeat by Silver Creek’s Grant Meyer (22) and Switzerland County’s Anthony Dennis (12).

Championship

Edelen netted 24 points and Columbus East’s Zach Martindale and Banks each totaled 22 as the Sycamores held on to beat the Aces in overtime, 96-89. Sprigler exploded for a league-record 44 points in the loss; Hayes added 17 and New Albany’s Clayton Poff 15 for the Aces.