North Central High School boys basketball assistantBasil Smothermaninterviewed for the Broad Ripple head coaching position in 1995 but wasn’t hired. Four years later, he interviewed at Southport and, again, wasn’t hired.

At that point, Smotherman realized he was in the ideal situation working forDoug Mitchelland didn’t pursue another opportunity . . . until now. After 19 years as an assistant with the Panthers, 17 under Mitchell, Smotherman has been hired to take over the Heritage Christian boys program.

“Doug and I have been joined at the hip,” Smotherman, 53, said with a laugh. “We won a lot of games and had great players. It’s been great being in that environment, (but) I felt like I wanted to make an attempt at trying to be a head coach. That would fulfill my career.”

Smotherman replacesCary Chandler, whose contract was not renewed after a 14-7 season and a career that included the program’s first three sectional titles.

“(Smotherman’s) credentials, experience and the people he’s worked with is phenomenal,” Heritage Christian athletic directorAndrew Riddicksaid. “His references were impeccable, as were his faith and desire to be at a Christian school and guide young men. We’re pretty excited.”

Smotherman takes over a team that will return just two players with significant experience in 6-7Jake Browneand 6-6Joel Smith. Smotherman’s 6-4 son, also namedBasil, will enroll in the school and be a freshman.

Bishop Chatard has hiredKevin King, 48, as its wrestling coach, replacingTim Lavin. King also will be an assistant football coach for the Trojans.

King was an all-state football player and state champion in wrestling and track at Bloomington South and has been a head coach at Center Grove in football, wrestling and track and at Lawrence North in football.

King was 145-40 in nine years at Center Grove in wrestling and sent three athletes to the state championship match. He most recently served as the wrestling coach at Belzer Middle School in Lawrence Township.

“I’m just one of those old-school guys that likes to coach,” King said of returning to wrestling. “I got out of wrestling because the demands for football were increasing, but most of my 25 years I’ve coached three sports. I just enjoy coaching a variety of different athletes.”

Hamilton Southeastern softball playersTaylor Rager(Ball State) andJenna Abraham(Indiana University) made oral commitments. . . . Heritage Christian hiredRodney Goinsas girls soccer coach. . . . Bishop Chatard hiredBeth Broganas girls golf coach.