Josh Speidel: "Thank you everyone for the support and prayers"

Josh Speidel tweeted for the first time in nearly three months, another positive sign as the Columbus North senior makes progress from a traumatic brain injury suffered in a Feb. 1 auto accident.

Speidel posted on Saturday night: "Thank you everyone for the support and prayers, have a good night. #JoshStrong"

Lisa Speidel, Josh's mother, posted on Sunday night that Josh's four senior basketball teammates and coach Jason Speer made the trip to the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana to celebrate the seniors.

"The night was extra special for us as coach shared with Josh that his #32 would be retired from Columbus North Men's Basketball program," Lisa wrote. "Tears flowing yet again. Coach also presented Josh with a basketball painted to recognize him as all time leading scorer and rebounder at CN.

"Coach told the team at the beginning of the year they would face challenges. No one knew how big those challenges were going to be. I hope each of them know they are stronger than they even realize and God can turn even the most tragic of events into good if they open their hearts and minds. Josh has friends for life! #JoshStrong"

Speer also presented Speidel with a painted basketball as the school's all-time leading scorer and rebounder.

*International has named Justin Bennett as its new boys basketball coach.

Bennett was most recently the girls basketball coach at Cascade, which finished 11-12 last season. The previous two years Bennett coached at Marshall, compiling a 27-15 record and earning IPS Coach of the Year in 2012-13. Bennett played professionally in Prague in the Czech Republic prior to his coaching career.