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Neill tabbed as Martinsville head coach
On Thursday, May 9, a press release from Martinsville High School announced that former Bloomfield boys basketball Head Coach J.B. Neill would be named the head coach of the Artesians, pending formal approval on May 16 by the board.
Martinsville, a 4A school, went 4-20 last year, falling in the Sectional 13 title game to Center Grove.
Over his five years with the Cardinals, Neill led Bloomfield to three sectional titles with an 87-44 record.
Neill is 221-129 over his 14 years coaching, winning IBCA Coach of the Year in 2022-23.
Neill has also been named HBCA Coach of the Year, Indiana Jr All-Star Coach and five-time conference coach of the year.
Neill was also athletic director for the Cardinals over the past five years.
The Cardinals went 13-14 in the 2023-24 season, advancing to the Sectional 57 title game before falling to Clay City.
The Cards also won the consolation bracket at the Wabash Valley Classic.
Neill’s son, rising junior Blake Neill, was one of the top players in the area, averaging 23 points per game, shooting 50% from the field as well as 40% from distance for the Cardinals.
Neill was named to the Futures game, as well as being named an AP All-State honorable mention and IBCA Underclass Small School All-State.
The sophomore has scored 954 career points in his first two years at the varsity level.
Martinsville Athletic Director Kip Staggs said in the press release, “Coach J.B. Neill’s teams play tough, competitive, fundamental basketball and are well prepared. His competitive spirit and drive will be evident in his teams. We look forward to his leadership of Artesian Basketball.”
While the Artesians went 4-20 last year, they only graduated one senior and will return rising junior Grady Gardner, who averaged nearly 17 points per game in his sophomore season.