Linton-Stockton's Noah Hawkins in odd position as interim coach in basketball state finals

There is no getting around the bizarre situation Noah Hawkins finds himself in this week.

Of the eight coaches attending the high school basketball state finals media day Monday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Hawkins is the only one with the words “acting coach” attached to his name.

Hawkins, 40, a Linton-Stockton assistant since 2010, took over the head coaching duties for a second time this season when Joey Hart was arrested last week in Shelbyville for operating a vehicle while intoxicated and suspended indefinitely from his position.

Hawkins, who coached the Class 2A top-ranked Miners for six games earlier this season when Hart was on leave for a public intoxication charge, led Linton-Stockton to victories Saturday over Parke Heritage (87-59) and Brownstown Central (64-56) in the 2A semistate at Southport. The Miners will play third-ranked Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian (26-3) for the 2A championship Saturday at 12:45 p.m.

“I’m supposed to be in New York City right now,” said Hawkins, who works for Electrical Safety Specialists, an electrical engineering firm based out of Kansas City. “I was supposed to fly out Monday morning, but I told them, ‘Hey, if things go well Saturday, I’m not going to be able to go.’ We have a good group, so they sent somebody for me.”

Things did go well, obviously, which is not a big surprise. Linton-Stockton (29-1), one of the favorites all season in 2A, has won 25 consecutive games and not lost to an in-state opponent. Led by 6-6 senior and Central Florida recruit Joey Hart, the suspended coach’s son, the Miners are eighth in the state in scoring average (69.1 ppg) and third in margin of victory (23.0 ppg).

Hawkins said the off-the-court distractions did not spill over to the team. The Miners had to hold off a 32-point onslaught from Jack Benter and valiant comeback from Brownstown Central in the semistate final. Senior Logan Webb led Linton-Stockton with 28 points and Hart had 23.

More:Linton-Stockton withstands Jack Benter, Brownstown Central furious rally to win semistate

“I think one of the strengths of the team is maturity,” Hawkins said. “Everyone talks about how it looks like we walk out there like a college team. We walk out with men — a bunch of 6-3, 6-4 really strong guys. Football players. But as strong as they are physically, maybe mental maturity as much as physical.”

Hart is averaging 23.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists for Linton-Stockton. He will almost surely be an Indiana All-Star when the team is announced after the season.

“Joey is going to be a phenomenal poker player,” Hawkins said when asked how the senior star handled last week’s game. “Joey goes through life and you don’t know if he just scored 40 or if he just went 2-of-12 and had eight. You can’t tell a difference with him. Joey is focused.”

This is hardly a one-man team, though. Webb, a 6-3 senior, is averaging 16.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. Braden Walters, a 6-5 junior averaging 6.4 points, 6.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds, is considered one of the top defenders in the state. Other key players are 6-4 senior Nathan Frady (8.8 ppg, 5.8 rebounds) and 6-3 freshman Paul Oliver (7.2 ppg, 4.8 rebounds).

After tournament heartbreak the previous two years, including a three-point loss to state champion Providence in last year’s regional semifinal, the Miners knew coming into the season that this could be the year to finally break through.

“You know there’s an opportunity,” Hawkins said. “There’s a lot of skill, a lot of talent, a lot of experience. Not just in high school ball but in (travel ball). They got a lot of big-stage experience. At the same time, 2A has been a gauntlet. There’s a ton of good teams, good players, Indiana All-Star candidates all over the place. We knew we had to take care of business but we knew the opportunity was there.”

Overall, Hawkins is 8-0 as coach this season, with wins over Class A No. 1 Bloomfield (42-41) and defending Class A state champion North Daviess (47-45).

“‘Next man up’ usually means the player-in-waiting not the coach-in-waiting,” Hawkins said. “But everybody is ready. We have a great group of coaches and everybody has stepped up. I’ve not had to worry about a lot of logistical stuff. I’ve known a lot of those guys for a long time.”

Hawkins asked Jared Rehmel, the coach of the Linton-Stockton girls team, to help on the bench. Rehmel led the Miners to 2A state championships in 2020 and ’21.

“I needed somebody to ping ideas off of and somebody who has been there before,” Hawkins said. “Not that the other coaches aren’t great, but Jared is a little more basketball-minded obviously and he’s had some good feedback for me. He was there Saturday.”

With a veteran team and staff, Hawkins expects Saturday’s game to be all business.

“These seniors were eighth graders last time we got here and almost won,” he said. “We had a chance to win that one and really let it slip through the cracks. It’s motivation for me. We’ve been here twice and haven’t got it done yet.”

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.

IHSAA boys basketball state finals schedule

When: Saturday

Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Tickets: $15 per person, per session

TV: Class A and 2A games will air on Bally Sports Indiana, while Class 3A and 4A games will air on Bally Sports Indiana Extra due to overlap with Pacers game

Class A

Southwood (15-12) vs. Lutheran (19-7), 10:30 a.m.

Class 2A

Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian (26-3) vs. Linton-Stockton (29-1), 12:45 p.m.

Class 3A

NorthWood (27-2) vs. Guerin Catholic (20-8), 6 p.m.

Class 4A

Kokomo (24-4) vs. Ben Davis (32-0), 8:15 p.m.