Taylor head men’s basketball coach Paul Patterson has announced the signing of 6-1 guard Ben Raichel for the 2010-11 season.

“Ben’s skills will fit well with what we do,” Patterson said. “His ability to handle the ball, shoot the ball and play hard defensively will fit right in.”

The Austin, Ind., native led the Eagles in nine different scoring statistical categories as a senior, including 18.5 points per game and an 87.8% clip from the free throw line, the fifth highest percentage in school history.

Raichel, the school’s all-time leader in three pointers made (174), shot 43.6% from long range this season and strung together 34 consecutive games in which he made at least one three, a streak unmatched in the history of the program. His 1,132 points also puts him ninth on the school’s all-time scoring list.

Behind Raichel’s hot hand Austin finished a combined 33-12 in the last two seasons.

A potential pre-med major, the future Trojan will participate in the East-West All-Star Game in Crawfordsville, Ind., on April 17.

“We are excited about Ben joining our team,” Patterson said. “He is certainly the kind of young man we want to represent our university.”

“I chose Taylor because I feel like it’s the best place for me,” Raichel said. “I think we’ll have a great opportunity to do some great things in the tournament and I hope to come in and contribute any way I can.”

Bloomington South’s Dee Davis and Washington’s Cody Zeller have been named 2010 Indiana Boys Junior All-Stars core players, Indiana game director Charlie Hall announced yesterday.

The Junior All-Stars will face the Indiana All-Stars in exhibition games June 7 and 9 at sites to be announced.

Matt Carlino (Bloomington South), Jalen Packer (Princeton) and Chris Whitehead (New Albany) were named to the Junior All-Stars’ south team, and will participate with the six core players at the south exhibition.

Click here for the Indianapolis Stars’ story listing the entire Junior All-Stars roster.

The 2009-10 Hoosier Hills Conference all-conference team has been released:

First team – A.J. Adams (Jeffersonville); Cody Banet (Floyd Central); Kegan Clark (Jeffersonville); Brandon Codey (Floyd Central); Donnie Hale (New Albany); Evan Maschmeyer (Jeffersonville); Josh McDonald (Columbus East); Alex Prichett (Bedford North Lawrence); Matt Trimnell (Seymour); Chris Whitehead (New Albany).

Coach of the year – Jim Shannon (New Albany).

Honorable Mention – Drake Coleman (Jeffersonville); Luke Jones (Madison); Braden Knight (Bedford North Lawrence); Dustin Lawson (Jennings County); Donnie Malcomb (Madison); Jordy Martin (New Albany); Jackson Renshaw (Columbus East); Nick Taulbee (Jennings County); Jeffrey Thompson (Floyd Central).

Silver Creek coach John Bradley announced his retirement from coaching last week, according to this report from the Evening News and Tribune.

Bradley finished his career with a 237-290 mark, including a 2009-10 season that featured a 9-12 record and a Silver Creek Holiday Tournament championship.

“After 24 years — and having gotten both of my kids through high school — it’s time to step away,” Bradley said in a telephone interview on Friday.

A strong four-team field set to include two perennial Southern Indiana powers was announced yesterday as participants in the 2010 City Securities Hall of Fame Classic boys’ tournament to be held at New Castle.

2010 Class 3-A champion Washington and 2009 4-A title winner Bloomington South will join Center Grove and Warsaw at the Christmas-time tournament, Indiana Hall of Fame officials said.

On the girls’ side, Jeffersonville was selected to join Brownsburg, Carmel and Evansville Memorial.

Joshua Hutchinson is no longer the coach at Christian Academy of Indiana, according to multiple sources. The job was posted earlier this week on the school’s official Web site.

The Warriors finished the 2009-10 season with a 3-19 record; Hutchinson compiled a 10-34 record at the school in two seasons.