Since arriving on the campus at North Central High School in 1992, head boys basketball coach Doug Mitchell has managed to put together a pretty astounding resume’, compiling a 309-126 record with nine sectional championships (in probably the toughest basketball sectionals in the Midwest), four regional championships, three semistate wins and two state championships.
In his 18 years as coach at North Central High School, coach Mitchell has had more than 40 of his players go on to compete in the NCAA and in 2008 was appointed as the head coach for USA Basketball.
In 2007, Mitchell served as the Nike Hoop Summit assistant coach, helping the USA team to a 100-80 win over the World Select Team. Additionally, Mitchell was an assistant coach at the 2003 and 2005 USA Basketball Men’s Youth Development Festivals. In 2005, he helped USA garner a 5-0 record and gold medal, and in 2003 he assisted USA North in winning a silver medal.
This year’s class 4A regional championship at Butler University’s Hinkle Fieldhouse gave fans an opportunity to see why coach Mitchell is not only one of the best basketball coaches in the state, but one of the best in the country.
The defending state champions came into the weekend with top scorer D’vauntes Smith-Rivera out for the first game (due to a suspension). No one gave the young North Central Panthers (22-2) a chance against the No. 1 point guard in the nation, Jeff Teague, and his No. 7 ranked Pike Red Devils team (Pike also defeated the Panthers early in the season).
As the game progressed, you could tell that the defending champion Panthers were not going to be denied. They played with confidence and a controlled sense of urgency as they fought back from a 9 point deficit early in the second half to beat Pike 79-73. The Panthers did not have much time to celebrate; they had six hours to rest before they faced off against the 5th ranked Hamilton Southeastern Royals (20-4) and junior phenom Gary Harris.
With standout junior guard Smith-Rivera back from suspension, the Panthers jumped out to a 21 point lead and cruised to an 83-72 win. With the win, the Panthers earned a trip to their fourth semistate game under coach Mitchell.
They will play an upcoming game against No. 4 Bloomington South (24-2) at Southport High School.
