Player/Team of the Week (POW/TOW) Week Two 11/19/2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact: Pat McKee, 317-403-1665

Nov. 19, 2024                                                                   IBCA Director of Special Projects

Hosier, Barnes, Renn named IBCA Players of the Week;

South Knox claims IBCA Team of the Week honors

            One player who averaged 29.0 points, had a triple double and moved to third on her school’s career scoring list, another player who averaged 29.0 points plus 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 5.0 steals and a third player who averaged 25.5 points and 7.5 rebounds have been selected as Week 2 winners in the IBCA/Franciscan Health Player of the Week program for 2024-25.

            Alexandria senior Jacklynn Hosier, Valparaiso junior Lillian Barnes and Silver Creek junior Brooklynn Renn have been cited for outstanding performances during the week of Nov. 11-16 in the recognition program coordinated by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.

            Also, South Knox, which went 4-0 for the week and now is 5-0 overall, is the IBCA/Ballogy Team of the Week in a new portion of the IBCA recognition program for 2024-25.

            Players of the Week are cited by IHSAA District – Barnes for District 1, Hosier for District 2 and Renn for District 3. A single Team of the Week is cited for the entire state in the new part of the recognition program. Players and teams are recognized based on all performances in a Monday through Saturday week.

            Hosier was cited after leading Alexandria to a 2-0 week to improve to 5-0 for the season and Fort Wayne South (51-20). The University of Vermont recruit opened with 34 points with 10 rebounds, four assists, 10 steals as the Tigers defeated Delta 65-45. The 5-8 guard followed with 24 points, eight rebounds, five assists and 13 steals in a 51-20 triumph over Fort Wayne South. Hosier’s scoring output moved her career total to 1,559 points, passing 1996 graduate Rachel Garner (1,517) for third place on the school’s all-time list. Hosier now trails only 2005 graduate Jodi Howell (2,026) and 2003 graduate Jackie Closser (1,590).

            Barnes, a 5-10 guard, helped Valparaiso to a 1-1 week with a 77-70 loss to Class 4A No. 8 South Bend Washington and a 72-31 victory over Hammond Noll. In the first game, Barnes scored 32 points with six rebounds, seven assists and five steals. In the latter game, she tallied 26 points, five rebounds, four assists and five steals as the Vikings improved to 2-2 for the season. For the week, Barnes converted 23-of-41 field goals, 1-of-5 3-pointers and 11-of-14 free throws.

            Renn propelled Silver Creek to a 2-0 week and a 3-0 overall mark. The 6-3 forward tallied 21 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, two steals and four blocked shots in a 55-28 victory at Seymour. She then tallied 30 points (on 11-of-11 shooting) with three rebounds and three assists as the Dragons defeated Jennings County 59-47. For the week, Renn was 18-of-24 from the field, 2-of-3 from deep and 13-of-15 from the line.

            South Knox, ranked No. 1 in Class 2A, was selected IBCA/Ballogy Team of the Week after going 4-0 for the week to improve to 5-0 for the season. Coach Hollie Anson-Eaves' Spartans opened with a 62-44 victory over Class 3A No. 3 Washington, then followed by going 3-0 to win the Cluckers Battle at the First Capital invitational at Corydon Central. In the tournament, South Knox defeated New Albany 74-47, host Corydon Central 56-48 and, coincidentally playing the same opponent twice in one week, 3A No. 3 Washington 64-55. Sophomore Kendal Hill paced a balanced attack for the Spartans, averaging 16.0 points for the four games. Seniors Ella Bobe and Bren Hill each averaged 14.0 points for the week.

            This is the 17th season for the IBCA Player of the Week program and the fifth season the awards are being presented by Franciscan Health Sports Medicine, an IBCA corporate partner. This is the first season for the IBCA Team of the Week program. The Team of the Week program is presented by Ballogy, another IBCA corporate partner.

            Winners are chosen each week in the Player of the Week program from each of the IHSAA's three districts, and one Team of the Week is selected from the entire state. The IBCA will begin boys’ Player and Team of the Week honors on Dec. 3. Former Brownsburg girls’ coach Debbie Smiley oversees the selection of girls’ honorees. Former Martinsville boys’ coach Kip Staggs will oversee the selection of boys’ honorees.

            Coaches may nominate players and teams via buttons on the IBCA website (in.nhsbca.org). Coaches must be a current-year member for their players and/or team to be selected for a weekly award.

            Girls' winners are chosen from now through Monday following the IHSAA girls' State Finals. Boys' winners are chosen from Dec. 2 through the Monday following the IHSAA boys' State Finals.

2024-25 IBCA week honorees

            Nov. 4-9 – District 1 girls: Laniah Davis, Marquette Catholic. District 2 girls: McKenzie Koch, Eastern Hancock. District 3 girls: Brynn Owens, Austin. Team of the Week (girls): Center Grove.

            Nov. 11-16 – District 1 girls: Lillian Barnes, Valparaiso. District 2 girls: Jacklynn Hosier, Alexandria. District 3 girls: Brooklynn Renn, Silver Creek. Team of the Week (girls): South Knox.