Donnie Hale made his college decision Tuesday, his family announced. The New Albany star will stay in-state after his senior year of high school to play for Matt Painter’s Purdue program.
Hale, a 6-foot-8 forward, is relieved the recruiting process is behind him.
“I’m really glad it’s over,” Hale said. “I put a lot of thought into it for a long while; and at the end of the day, it just seemed like (Purdue) was the best option for me. I’m really glad to be a part of their program now.”
The Boilermakers were one of the first major Division I schools to show interest in Hale.
“They offered me (a scholarship) a long time ago but other players committed and it was taken away,” he said. “But they never backed off of me, and they were always there – at open gyms during school and at AAU tournaments in the summer. They seemed really interested and did everything they could to get me there.”
Hale also fielded serious interest from Butler, Indiana State, Oklahoma State, Virginia and Xavier.
“I really appreciate the interest (from other schools),” he added. “They’re all good colleges with great coaches. But I felt Purdue was the place for me and I’m honored to get the chance to play there.”
The entire New Albany team will travel to the West Lafayette campus later this month for a team camp and again on Jan. 2, 2010, for the Super Hoops New Year Classic, a one-day showcase of games where the Bulldogs will face Zionsville.
“Going to Mackey (Arena) is going to be really cool, especially now that I’m committed there,” he said. “Mackey is a great place to watch a game or play. It’s going to be really nice to play there with my high school teammates.”
With his college decision finalized, Hale now will focus on the upcoming whirlwind of July AAU tournaments. During the month-long tour, his Spiece Indy Heat team will play in Indianapolis, Louisville, Kansas City and Fort Wayne.
“A lot of people don’t have the opportunity to have colleges come to them. Now that the process is over, it feels really good.”
Floyd County Sports
Hale pledges to Purdue
NA star gives verbal committment to Boilers
- Floyd County Sports
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BOYS' GOLF: Floyd A-team fourth at Lafayette Jeff
The Floyd Central varsity golf team put up a team score of 323 to place fourth at the Lafayette Jeff Invitational on Saturday. Meanwhile, Floyd Central was third and Providence seventh at the Legends of Providence Invite at Champions Pointe.
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GIRLS' TENNIS: Boesing advances to state
Floyd Central's Olivia Boesing advances to the state finals with a win over last year's champion, but the team fell to Evansville Memorial at Jasper on Saturday, 4-1.
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Highlanders find a way to win another close game in thrilling BNL Sectional final, 3-2
All season, the Floyd Central softball team has found ways to win close games.
On Friday night, the Highlanders won the biggest nailbiter of the 2012 season. -
TITLE DROUGHT ENDS: Pioneers win first sectional championship since 2005 with 6-4 victory over Paoli
The Providence softball team’s sectional-championship drought has finally come to an end.
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BASEBALL: Astle strikes out 10, lifts Jeff past FC
Trent Astle struck out 10, scattered five hits, and delivered an RBI single to lead Jeffersonville to a 2-0 victory over Floyd Central Thursday night in the first round of the Class 4A Jeffersonville Baseball Sectional.
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TRACK: NA’s Parrish wins twice at regional
Southern Indiana’s three biggest schools got some big-time performances at the Bloomington North Boys’ Track and Field Regional on Thursday.
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ROUNDUP: Silver Creek downs Brownstown, 18-0
Silver Creek (20-10) scored early and often in a five-inning, 18-0 victory over Brownstown Central in the opening round of the Class 3A Silver Creek Sectional on Thursday.
“We really put the barrell on the ball tonight and it was good to see,” assistant coach Scott Jennings said. “We beat a good Brownstown club tonight.” - SPORTS IN BRIEF: May 25, 2012
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TENNIS REGIONAL: Floyd Central ‘Dream Team’ wins again
Floyd Central’s “Dream Team” moved one step closer to a possible state championship on Wednesday.
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SOFTBALL: Highlanders down Jennings County in 10, 4-2
In a tense 10-inning affair, Floyd Central pitcher Morgan Harper worked her way out of difficult jams, and the Class 4A No. 5 Highlanders finally came alive on offense in the final frame to down No. 11 Jennings County in the Class 4A Bedford North Lawrence Sectional semifinals on Wednesday, 4-2.
- More Floyd County Sports Headlines
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BOYS' GOLF: Floyd A-team fourth at Lafayette Jeff
