Saturday, July 28, 2012

Former Warrior Michael Haynes Killed

Ottumwa -- Michael Haynes, a key contributor on last year's Indian Hills national tournament basketball team, was killed Thursday in a shooting in his hometown of Chicago.

According to news reports, Haynes was shot when he tried to break up a fight between neighborhood friends over a necklace.  He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

The 22-year old Haynes had signed a letter-of-intent with Iona College in New York and reportedly was set to move there next week.

"We're shocked and deeply saddened by this news," said Indian Hills coach Barret Peery, who had recruited Haynes to be a part of his first team at IHCC prior to the 2011-12 season.  "Michael was such a great kid and great member of our team," Peery said.  "He was a popular guy who absolutely loved being a part of this family."

Haynes averaged 6.9 points and 4.5  rebounds in his only season with Indian Hills.  He played in 31 games and started 11.  The 6-foot-7-inch power forward came to Indian Hills after attending the University of Texas-El Paso.

"Michael had a bright future," Peery added.  "He had done everything to give himself the opportunity to continue his education and career.  It's a sad end to the story." 

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Mickeal to Return to IHCC

Ottumwa -- Former Indian Hills Community College basketball All-American and Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Pete Mickeal will be honored at a special event on the IHCC campus on Friday, July 27.


Mickeal was a member of the first-ever Hall of Fame class at Indian Hills, but was unable to attend the induction ceremony last February. He had a good excuse, though. He was busy playing in his third season with FC Barcelona in Spain.

The Rock Island, Ill. native will return to the Midwest this month and will come to Ottumwa to receive his Hall of Fame award. The special induction ceremony will take place in Warrior Junction in the Advanced Technology Center on the IHCC Ottumwa campus. The event will run from 4 – 6 p.m. Mickeal will be presented his Hall of Fame crystal and there will be an opportunity to visit with the former IHCC star.

Mickeal was a first-team All-American for the Warriors in 1998, a year in which he was also named the national Player of the Year and the MVP at the national tournament. He is the second-leading scorer in school history.

After playing on back-to-back national championship teams at Indian Hills, Mickeal went to the University of Cincinnati where he was a first-team all-conference choice both years he played for the Bearcats.

Mickeal recently finished his third season with FC Barcelona, helping them to a spot in the Euroleague Final Four and a third-place finish in the tourney. In his initial season in Spain in 2009-10, Mickeal’s FC Barcelona team won the Euroleague title as well as the Spanish League crown.

A knee injury cut short Mickeal’s 2010-11 season, but he came back strong this past season when FC Barcelona had the most wins in the Euroleague and the Spanish League.

Mickeal has had a long and distinguished professional basketball career, playing in five different foreign countries following a stint in the American Basketball Association.

The public is invited to the induction ceremony and reception for Mickeal on July 27.