Lawrence North High & UK: Tragic Past Leads to a Bright New Era
It’s March, 12, 1999 in Columbus, Indiana. Fans are packed into the stands awaiting the highly anticipated match up between class 4A rivals Lawrence North and Columbus North. Except this is not your ordinary night in Indiana. Lawrence North Center John Stewart a UK signee came out in the second half of the game on fire. The 7′0 Stewart scored his teams first 10 points of the half. Stewart later asked to be taken out of the game saying that he wasn’t breathing right. Shortly after coming out of the game Stewart fell back in his seat. Paramedics swooped in, rushing a flatlining Stewart to Columbus Regional Hospital. After numerous attempts to revive the young man, he was pronounced dead at 9:30 p.m.
Coach Jack Keefer has been coaching the Lawrence North Wildcats in Indianapolis, IN since 1975. Through highs and lows, Coach Keefer has always put a competitive team on the hardwood, including 2 State Titles. The Wildcats produced one of the top prospects of the 1990 class, Eric Montross. Montross was a McDonald’s All American and went on to play at UNC and won a national title in 1993 against Michigan. In 1994 Montross was selected with the ninth overall pick by the Boston Celtics.
Until 2005 Montross was probably the most accomplished player to graduate from Lawrence North. Keefer also coached the 2005 McDonald’sgame, that was held in South Bend (IN) at Notre Dame. Keefer was truly smitten by the nomination.
The Wildcats produced one of the most hyped duo’s of all time in 2006, in Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr. Both Oden and Conley Jr. were huge stars at Ohio St. their freshman season, leading the team to its first appearance in the title game since 1962.
Fast forward 2 years and another duo has been thrust onto the national stage. A pair of 2010 prospects are drawing scouts and coaches from across the country. Dominique Ferguson is a 6′9 , 195 pound, power forward. Personally, I have not seen the kid play, but by all indicators he is among the elite players in his class. I would be shocked if Ferguson does not remain a 5-star player. As you may or may not know, Ferguson has verbally committed to UK, spurning heavy interest from Florida, IU, Illinois, Purdue, Wake Forest and most notably Mr. Thad Matta’s Buckeye’s.
The other stud currently on the squad is 6′6, 185 pound small forward Justin Martin. This kid has played somewhat in the shadows of Ferguson, but is a very good player in his own right. By the 2010 season Martin should be tagged a solid four star player. Scouts, Inc had this to say about the kids game,
Martin has a long list of potential suitors. However, he lists Kentucky, Xavier and Michigan State as his favorites. Home state power IU may also be in good shape to land Martin. As Martin has liked the Hoosiers and Coach Crean for sometime, the combination may prove tough to resist if an offer materializes.
Lawrence North is a school worth keeping an eye on for Cat’s fans. Some of the biggest battles over explosive top 50 talent are sure to unfold within the Indianapolis city limits. For UK, it’s good to see the staff’s presence in Indianapolis again, breathing new life into a ill-fated past.
“John was the neatest young man I’ve ever coached,” Lawrence North Head Coach
Keefer said. “This is probably the low point of my life.”
Coach Jack Keefer has been coaching the Lawrence North Wildcats in Indianapolis, IN since 1975. Through highs and lows, Coach Keefer has always put a competitive team on the hardwood, including 2 State Titles. The Wildcats produced one of the top prospects of the 1990 class, Eric Montross. Montross was a McDonald’s All American and went on to play at UNC and won a national title in 1993 against Michigan. In 1994 Montross was selected with the ninth overall pick by the Boston Celtics.
Until 2005 Montross was probably the most accomplished player to graduate from Lawrence North. Keefer also coached the 2005 McDonald’sgame, that was held in South Bend (IN) at Notre Dame. Keefer was truly smitten by the nomination.
“It’s a great chance to meet and teach the best high school players in the
country and share their passion for basketball.”
The Wildcats produced one of the most hyped duo’s of all time in 2006, in Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr. Both Oden and Conley Jr. were huge stars at Ohio St. their freshman season, leading the team to its first appearance in the title game since 1962.
Fast forward 2 years and another duo has been thrust onto the national stage. A pair of 2010 prospects are drawing scouts and coaches from across the country. Dominique Ferguson is a 6′9 , 195 pound, power forward. Personally, I have not seen the kid play, but by all indicators he is among the elite players in his class. I would be shocked if Ferguson does not remain a 5-star player. As you may or may not know, Ferguson has verbally committed to UK, spurning heavy interest from Florida, IU, Illinois, Purdue, Wake Forest and most notably Mr. Thad Matta’s Buckeye’s.
The other stud currently on the squad is 6′6, 185 pound small forward Justin Martin. This kid has played somewhat in the shadows of Ferguson, but is a very good player in his own right. By the 2010 season Martin should be tagged a solid four star player. Scouts, Inc had this to say about the kids game,
“Justin Martin looks a lot like and models his game a lot like the former
Indiana Pacers great, Reggie Miller. Rail thin and a great shooter, Martin is
also a very good athlete as well. He needs to work on his ball skills because he
is going to need to learn to create his own shot at some point in his high
school career. Martin also needs to assert himself more because for a player as
talented as he is, he often seems lost in the shuffle when you watch him play.
There is no denying his skill and his talent, but he needs to become mentally
tougher and make sure his presence is felt when he is on the court. Strength
gain is a must as well.”
Martin has a long list of potential suitors. However, he lists Kentucky, Xavier and Michigan State as his favorites. Home state power IU may also be in good shape to land Martin. As Martin has liked the Hoosiers and Coach Crean for sometime, the combination may prove tough to resist if an offer materializes.
Lawrence North is a school worth keeping an eye on for Cat’s fans. Some of the biggest battles over explosive top 50 talent are sure to unfold within the Indianapolis city limits. For UK, it’s good to see the staff’s presence in Indianapolis again, breathing new life into a ill-fated past.
