A woman coaching a boys basketball team is an unusual sight, but Lea (Wise) Prewitt has the pedigree as a player and coach beyond most of her male peers.
The former University of Kentucky standout and Hall of Fame coach at Division III Centre College (Ky.) was pressed into coaching duty Friday at the Adidas Invitational when The Ville coach David Levitch had a time conflict with one of his younger teams.
"I'm kind of the substitute coach in our town for girls, boys whatever," said Prewitt, who lives in Mt. Sterling, Ky. "When they need a coach to fill in, I get the call."
Prewitt, whose son, Omar, is a 6-5 guard with offers from James Madison, Tennessee Tech and William & Mary, got the call from Levitch on Tuesday asking if she would be able to get certified by the NCAA in time for the tournament. She was approved Friday morning.
"I missed a couple questions," she said with a laugh. "I thought I knew all the answers."
The Ville rolled to an 80-71 win over New Orleans Elite in a first-round game Friday night in the 17-and-under division. Pike guard Zavier Turner, the only Indiana player on the Louisville-centered roster, had 12 points.
If Prewitt is called to action again, she'll be ready.
"I'm kind of a gym rat," she said. "I just enjoy being around the game."
Brown update
Fishers senior guard Jaylon Brown is hoping to make a strong final impression for college coaches in July. The 5-11 Brown was watched this week by Illinois assistant coach Jamall Walker, along with a number of mid- major coaches.
"I'll hopefully be cutting down to a top five or top three after July," he said. "After July, I'll know who is for real and who is not."
Brown has offers from Akron, Evansville, Illinois State, Miami (Ohio), Ohio and Toledo, with other schools showing interest.
"Illinois has five scholarships (available) in 2013, and they need a point," he said. "They say I'm one of the top on their list. So it'll really depend on who commits to whatever school first."
Today's action
The championship bracket games in the 15, 16 and 17 age groups will be at North Central High School and Northview Middle School today. Admission is $10 for the day.
Etc.
Cathedral senior G Mo Evans has helped his stock this week playing with the Eric Gordon All-Stars 17-and-under team. The 6-1 Evans scored 20 points in an 85-73 win over the Atlanta Celtics on Thursday. Schools showing interest this week include Florida Atlantic, IPFW, Middle Tennessee State, Morehead State and Northeastern. . . . Richmond F Bola Olaniyan (2012) picked up an offer from Central Michigan while on an official visit. He will also visit Eastern Illinois and Southern Illinois. . . . Pike G Jordan Pickett (2013) picked up an offer from Winthrop on Friday. . . . Pike G John Roberts (2014) is transferring to God's Academy in Texas. . . . Cole Murray, a 6-7 wing from Delphi, said Air Force and Florida Gulf Coast are two Division I programs showing interest. He is visiting Northern Kentucky on Aug. 3.
