Moed leads Indiana House in recognizing historic Indianapolis Homeschool Wildcats basketball team
INDIANAPOLIS – Representative Justin Moed (D-Indianapolis) led Indiana House members in recognizing the Indianapolis Homeschool Wildcats for winning 2019 state, regional, and national titles.
“This season secured a lot of firsts for the Wildcats and Indiana homeschools across the state,” Moed said. “The Wildcats’ accomplishments speak to the hard work and dedication of the players and their coaches to develop a strong and historic team.”
The Indianapolis Homeschool Wildcats won the 2019 Homeschool Basketball Varsity Boys National Championship by defeating the defending national champion Oklahoma City Storm in a close game, 51-50 on Saturday, March 16 at Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri.
The Wildcats are the first Indiana team in the 28-year history of the tournament to win a Homeschool Basketball Varsity National Championship. Senior captain Myles Johnson scored a game-high 18 points in the national championship game, including the game winning basket with 13 seconds remaining.
Along with Myles Johnson, other members of the championship team who joined Moed today were Mike Floyd, Elijah Foster, Robert Jones, Kyle Marks, Joel Owen, Jake Rosko, Luke Ruddle, Noah Shook, Luke Smith, Seth Southerland and coaches Jeremy Bialek, Scot Rosko, Paul Settle, and Pat Shook. Members of the team who could not attend today include AJ Rogers, Kendon Winslow, Mitchell Wirts, and Samuel Wirts.
Other than coaching the Wildcats, which he began in 2001, Bialek serves as a pastor at Cross Church on the Southside of Indianapolis.
“I met Coach Bialek when I first knocked on his door and I have been a witness to the great work he has done for his community and this team since the day we met,” Moed said. “I am proud to stand with him to recognize the talent of each and every Wildcat on this team.”
The Wildcats defeated the Illinois Homeschool Cru 78-64 in the Midwest Regional Tournament on February 23 in Westfield, Indiana. Junior co-captains Noah Shook and Luke Ruddle led the Wildcats with 19 and 18 points, respectively, in the regional championship game.
The Wildcats are the first Indiana team to win both the National Christian Homeschool Basketball Championships and Midwest Regional Tournament titles.
The Wildcats became the first team in Indiana Christian Basketball Alliance tournament history to win five consecutive state championships after defeating the Northwest Warriors 73-54 on February 16 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Johnson scored a team high 27 points and secured 17 rebounds in the state championship game.
The CBS high school sports website MaxPreps ranked the Indianapolis Homeschool Wildcats as high as No. 10 among all high school basketball teams in the state of Indiana, making it the highest ranking Indiana homeschool basketball team ever.
“I am honored to recognize the skill and commitment each Wildcats player put into this historic season that will be remembered by friends, families, and fans for many years to come,” Moed said.