White, Bieghler chosen as academic all-state

Miranda Bieghler of South Putnam throws the ball cross court against Greencastle’s Rose White. Both players were named first-team academic all-state.

Banner Graphic/JOEY BENNETT

Seniors Rose White of Greencastle and Miranda Bieghler of South Putnam are among 39 girls’ players chosen as first-team Academic All-State by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.

White led the Tiger Cubs to the Putnam County championship and runnerup finish in the Western Indiana Conference this season.

She averaged 10.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, shooting 47 percent from the field and 69 percent from the free throw line.

Bieghler led the Eagles to their second straight sectional title, averaging 11.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.

She shot 35 percent from the field and 75 percent from the line.

The IBCA Academic All-State team is a program where academic prowess and athletic prowess both are considered in the selections. Items such as grade-point average, college board scores and academic class rank are considered along with athletic performance in areas such as points per game, rebounds per game and assists per game.

“The quality of these student-athletes shows that success in academics and success in athletics are not separate entities,” IBCA director Steve Witty said. “Rather, in many cases, a player’s success in the classroom directly contributes to his or her success on the floor.”

IBCA-member head coaches from schools across the state may nominate their seniors who meet criteria that include a 3.5 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale, a class rank in the upper 25 percent of one’s class, an SAT score of 1,100 (on the reading and math sections) or an ACT score of 24.

Once nominations are received, an IBCA committee reviews the information and determines awards for first team and honorable mention.

Those selected will receive certificates from the IBCA for their honor.

Those certificates will be distributed to coaches at the IBCA Spring Clinic on April 20-21 in Indianapolis.

The coaches then present the certificates to the honored players after they return from the clinic.

The IBCA has selected an Academic All-State team for boys since 1973. The program was expanded to include a girls’ Academic All-State team in 1980.

White also earns honorable mention all-state

White was earlier given honorable mention by the IBCA for its “Large School” all-state team for schools in classes 3A and 4A.