- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 443,753
- Reaction score
- 44
MONTGOMERY, Ind. — One of the top high school basketball rivalries in the state of Indiana took an unexpected turn.
Barr-Reeve coach Josh Thompson is set to become the next coach at Loogootee, according to multiple reports. The move will become official at a special school board meeting on Wednesday. Thompson had been at Barr-Reeve for seven seasons, winning the IHSAA Class 1A state championship in 2021.
More: Rusty Seymour steps down as North Posey basketball coach after five seasons
Barr-Reeve and Loogootee are separated by eight miles predominately along U.S. Route 50.
"I want to thank everyone at Barr-Reeve including the administration, teachers, and community, but most of all the past/current players and assistant coaches," Thompson said in a statement. "It is the efforts and dedication of the players and coaches that have made what we accomplished so special. We cannot thank Barr-Reeve enough for seven fantastic years.
"With that being said, my family and I are excited about the new opportunity at Loogootee. I look forward to leading the basketball program and athletic department there into the future. I thank Dr. Harmon, Mrs. Christmas and the Board at Loogootee for their professionalism in working through this process over the last couple of weeks. Again, we are excited to move forward and what the future holds for us as Loogootee Lions."
The move adds an extra spice to a rivalry that dates back a century. Loogootee first played Montgomery, one of two schools that consolidated into Barr-Reeve in 1965, in the state tournament in 1927. Both schools are currently in Sectional 62.
Thompson, a Bloomfield High School graduate, has a 261-192 record across 18 seasons at four schools. His past stops include Springs Valley, Wood Memorial (he won back-to-back sectional championships in 2015 and 2016) and Vincennes Lincoln. But his strongest run came with a move to Daviess County.
He never produced a losing season in seven years with the Vikings, winning four sectional and three regional titles. Barr-Reeve lost to Fort Wayne Blackhawk in the Class 1A state championship in 2019 and defeated Kouts in a return two years later. The Vikings were among the favorites to win in 2020 before the state tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They also came within one victory of a trip to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in 2024.
Barr-Reeve went 17-7 last season and lost to North Daviess in the sectional semifinal.
Thompson will be the seventh Loogootee coach since Hall of Famer Jack Butcher retired in 2002. Dave Smith stepped down following a 13-11 season. Loogootee is scheduled to host Barr-Reeve in its annual regular-season meeting on January 16, 2026.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA basketball: Josh Thompson leaves Barr-Reeve for rival Loogootee
Continue reading...
Barr-Reeve coach Josh Thompson is set to become the next coach at Loogootee, according to multiple reports. The move will become official at a special school board meeting on Wednesday. Thompson had been at Barr-Reeve for seven seasons, winning the IHSAA Class 1A state championship in 2021.
More: Rusty Seymour steps down as North Posey basketball coach after five seasons
Barr-Reeve and Loogootee are separated by eight miles predominately along U.S. Route 50.
"I want to thank everyone at Barr-Reeve including the administration, teachers, and community, but most of all the past/current players and assistant coaches," Thompson said in a statement. "It is the efforts and dedication of the players and coaches that have made what we accomplished so special. We cannot thank Barr-Reeve enough for seven fantastic years.
"With that being said, my family and I are excited about the new opportunity at Loogootee. I look forward to leading the basketball program and athletic department there into the future. I thank Dr. Harmon, Mrs. Christmas and the Board at Loogootee for their professionalism in working through this process over the last couple of weeks. Again, we are excited to move forward and what the future holds for us as Loogootee Lions."
You must be registered for see images attach
The move adds an extra spice to a rivalry that dates back a century. Loogootee first played Montgomery, one of two schools that consolidated into Barr-Reeve in 1965, in the state tournament in 1927. Both schools are currently in Sectional 62.
Thompson, a Bloomfield High School graduate, has a 261-192 record across 18 seasons at four schools. His past stops include Springs Valley, Wood Memorial (he won back-to-back sectional championships in 2015 and 2016) and Vincennes Lincoln. But his strongest run came with a move to Daviess County.
He never produced a losing season in seven years with the Vikings, winning four sectional and three regional titles. Barr-Reeve lost to Fort Wayne Blackhawk in the Class 1A state championship in 2019 and defeated Kouts in a return two years later. The Vikings were among the favorites to win in 2020 before the state tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They also came within one victory of a trip to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in 2024.
Barr-Reeve went 17-7 last season and lost to North Daviess in the sectional semifinal.
Thompson will be the seventh Loogootee coach since Hall of Famer Jack Butcher retired in 2002. Dave Smith stepped down following a 13-11 season. Loogootee is scheduled to host Barr-Reeve in its annual regular-season meeting on January 16, 2026.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA basketball: Josh Thompson leaves Barr-Reeve for rival Loogootee
Continue reading...
