Displaying his custom hard-nosed toughness, Denney was able to guide the Indianapolis team to the USADB championship game 5 out of the past 7 years, winning championships in 2008 and 2009 with 2nd place finishes in ’05, ’06 and ’10. The team has amassed a collective 179-49 record in this remarkable 7-year span, including a 35-4 season in ’07 and a 32-7 season in ’08.

Also, Indianapolis has captured 8 consecutive Central region championships (combined CAAD and CBAD titles) and sent numerous players to various international competitions as Team USA representatives. Many players during his tenure have been chosen for regional and national honors.

An hard-working and intense individual, Denney was honored thrice as the USADB Coach of the Year (2005, 2008 and 2011) with this season’s honor coming on the heels of the Hawks’ surprising 5th place finish with a team consisting of only 7 players.

Carl Wayne Denney

In their last game of the 2011 USADB tournament, the Indy Hawks came ready to play and to represent the state of Indiana. Their 94-61 demolition of the New Jersey Warriors came behind the power play of the Hawks post players, who combined for 56  points over the much smaller Warriors. In seizing the lead, all 7 Hawks scored and contributed in many different ways. The 5th place finish was the lowest for an Indianapolis team this decade and a matter of pride for the 7 Hawks who were able to dress and represent their city and state with pride. The win gave the Hawks a 22-7 season record, which also saw the Hawks capture the WSAD invitational and CBAD championships.

USADB Honors

The Hawks’ Onye Davis was selected to the All-tournament 2nd team. The Hawks’ Carl Wayne Denney was chosen the Coach of the Year by his peers for the 3rd time in 7 seasons. The NoVa Diplomats defended their USADB crown by defeating the DSA Stars in a hot game, 74-68. The Diplomats Jon Mowl was selected tournament MVP.

USADB Notes

In an interesting twist of fate, Hoosiers dominated the USADB with the Hawks leading the tournament in team rebounds, Fort Wayne native Robert Haney, Jr scoring 138 points in 4 games, including an 49 point semi-final explosion in the New Mexico Cougar’s loss to the DSA Stars and Fishers native Jon Mowl leading his Northern Virginia Diplomats to the USADB championship and being honored as tournament MVP for the second consecutive year. Hoosiers have been tournament MVP the past 5 years (Haney 2007, 08, 09 and Mowl ’10 and ’11).

The Indy Hawks bounced back from their second round loss to defeat another national contender in Austin, who featured four previous Deaflympians in an exciting come-from-behind 71-67 overtime victory. The Hawks were able to come from 18 down and catch the Toros in the final 30 seconds before seizing the lead for good in overtime.

Led by Onye Davis’ 20 points and Brian Bippus’ 17, the Hawks went into an attack mode during the second half, steadily chipping away at the Toros’ sizeable lead. Bippus made a perfect 11 of 11 free-throws, including 5 for 5 down the stretch to propel the Hawks into the 5th place game against the New Jersey Warriors.

The victory improved the Hawks to 21-7 for the season.

In a game for the ages, the Indy Hawks played DSA (Deaf Sports Academy of Southern California) in the quarterfinals of the USADB tournament. During the mid-00′s, DSA and Indianapolis were friendly rivals who met for the USADB championship two consecutive years in 2005 and 2006, won by DSA.

In this game – DSA’s youth and speed prevailed over the short-handed Hawks who dominated the rebounding margin but were doomed by 30+ turnovers. DSA’s Valencia brothers were able to fire away at will from beyond the 3-point arc, making a total of 7. At one time, DSA’s lead was 18 points over the Hawks midway through the 2nd half.

However, the Hawks chose not to go quietly into the night – fighting and clawing their way back into the game on power plays inside. They were also able to take advantage of DSA’s foul trouble in order to hit free-throws which pulled the Hawks even in the game, 78-78 to end regulation.

In overtime, the Hawks were able to build a 5 point lead during which a 3-point shot nearly went in (which would have given the Hawks a 8-point lead at the midway mark of OT). The DSA was able to regroup and make a strong run – pulling even then grabbing the lead in which they never relinquished.

The final score of 93-88 propelled the DSA into the USADB semi-finals where they will face the NM Cougars, led by former Indy Hawks star Robert Haney, jr.

The Hawks will face the Austin Toros today at 1pm for the right to advance to the 5th place game.

The Hawks were led by Brian Bippus’ 24 points, Edlin Dorn’s 19 points and 22 rebounds along with Onye Davis 19 points and 18 rebounds. The Hawks currently stand at 20-7.

The Hawks opened against NEAAD runners-up Vermont in the first round and came away victorious in a 77-34 win. The Hawks, playing with 7 men – were able to use an balanced and all-around offense to sprint past the Vermont team. Rebounding and fast-breaks were the key to the Hawks success. The Hawks led 48-12 at the half and substituted freely.

John Little and Cara Vasquez led the Hawks with 20 and 18 points respectively. Edlin Dorn led the team with 22 rebounds. The victory enabled the Hawks to improve to 20-6 for the season – the 7th consecutive season the Hawks have notched up 20 or more victories in a season.

Other top contenders are North Carolina at #3 and the Arizona Desert Fire at #4. Both teams won their respective regions (SEAAD and FAAD) and are long-time USADB members. The New Mexico Cougars, the California Pacific Breakers, the Austin Toros and the Deaf Sports Academy (DSA) are other strong contenders for the USADB championship.

The complete men’s USADB tournament bracket is available at this link: www.usadb.us

There also is an exciting video made by the USADB:

The 8th straight CENTRAL region championship has enabled the Hawks to advance to the USADB to be held in Minneasota. The CBAD is affiliated with the USADB.

There will be a CBAD social afterwards at the Greater Indianapolis Deaf Club.

Indy Hawks at work

Dear Indy Hawks,

CAAD is returning your Club Membership Check, Team Registration Form, Delegate Credential Form, and Team Fees as the results of high volume protests among the CAAD Club Members, CAAD Teams, Regions, and CAAD players.

CAAD wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,
Neal McKenizie
Sports Commissioner

The Indy Hawks have read this letter and fail to get a clear understanding as to the specifics of what the protests are about as the Hawks have never had a problem with any member teams or within the region the past decade or so. This is an enormous dissappointment for the Indy Hawks, who at 13-6 are one of the contenders for the 2011 USADB championship.

This is an insult to the Indy Hawks and all committed teams everywhere as it is a well-known fact locally and nationally that the Hawks are one of the hardest-working teams in the USA, attempting to play in two leagues per week with basketball games every weekend – an enormous personal commitment undertaken by each team member – most of whom have sacrificed family time and other obligations to ensure the Indy Hawks remain successful.

The Hawks sincerely believe the CAAD officers are acting in collusion with several in-region coaches/teams regarding the Hawks long-standing commitment to the USADB organization. The CAAD officers have also approached several Hawks players to encourage and allow them to play for other teams during the CAAD tournament next weekend – in effect: attempting to break up the Indy Hawks basketball team.

Carl Denney, Indy Hawks Head Coach