Player/Team of the Week(POW/TOW) Week 14

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

Feb. 11, 2025                                                                    IBCA Director of Special Projects

Steele, Garner, Seay lead IBCA Player of the Week honorees;

Portage boys, Corydon Central girls claim team awards

            Highland junior Jordan Steele, Sheridan senior Kenzie Garner and North Central (Farmersburg) senior Shelby Seay each delivered a career-high performance during girls’ basketball sectionals, and that trio headlines this week’s honorees in the IBCA/Franciscan Health Player of the Week program for 2024-25.

            Steele, Garner and Seay are joined by LaVille senior Collin Czarnecki, Hamilton Heights senior Gavin Saunders and Southridge senior Tate Whitehead as Player of the Week winners for the week of Feb. 3-8 in the recognition program coordinated by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.

            Also, the Portage boys’ team and the Corydon Central girls’ team each has been cited as an IBCA/Ballogy Team of the Week in another part of this season’s IBCA recognition program.

            Players of the Week are chosen by IHSAA district – Czarnecki and Steele for District 1, Saunders and Garner for District 2, and Whitehead and Seay for District 3. A single team for each gender from the entire state is cited as a Team of the Week in that portion of the program. Players and teams are recognized based on all performances in a Monday through Saturday week.

            Steele unloaded a career-best 41 points in a Class 3A Sectional 17 semifinal while averaging 28.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.7 steals as the Highland girls went 3-0 to improve to 14-10. The 5-9 junior opened with 21 points, two rebounds, one assist and five steals in a 44-22 victory over Gary West. She poured in 41 points with eight rebounds, two assists, six steals and one block in a 70-57 decision over Hammond Noll. Steele completed her week with 24 points, nine rebounds, six steals and one block in as the Trojans defeated East Chicago Central 45-36. For the week, she converted 26-of-65 field goals, 7-of-24 3-pointers and 27-of-32 free throws. That included a 13-of-30, 5-of-11 and 10-of-13 effort in the 41-point game.

            Garner produced a career-best 40 points in the Class 2A Sectional 39 final while averaging 27.0 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists to spark the Class 2A No. 11 Sheridan girls to a 3-0 week. The 6-0 guard scored 25 points with seven rebounds, three assists, six steals and two blocks in a 58-25 victory over Frankton. She followed with 16 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks in a 62-12 runaway against Tipton. The Ferris State recruit then unloaded 40 points plus 13 rebounds and two assists as the Blackhawks topped Lapel 54-47 to move to 24-1. She was 15-of-25 from the floor, 1-of-7 from deep and 9-of-12 from the line in her big game. Over three games, Garner was 32-of-56, 5-of-19 and 14-of-18.

            Seay matched her career best with 33 points in the Class A Sectional 61 final while averaging 24.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.3 steals in helping the 1A No. 3 North Central (Farmersburg) girls win three games. The 5-6 guard tallied 26 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals in a 56-29 win over Bloomfield. She netted 13 points with six rebounds, two assists and five steals in a 50-34 decision over Shakamak. Seay dropped 33 points with five rebounds, one assist and two steals as the Thunderbirds edged 1A No. 13 White River Valley 44-42 in overtime to move to 23-3. In the three games, she hit 23-of-51 fielders, 6-of-15 from deep and 20-of-27 charities.

            Czarnecki led the LaVille boys to a victory in their only game of the week, a 55-43 decision over West Noble. The 6-4 guard scored 26 points with four rebounds, four assists and nine steals in helping the Lancers improve to 12-6. He connected on 9-of-20 field goals, 2-of-5 3-pointers and 6-of-9 free throws in his big night.

            Saunders poured in 51 points in a game while averaging 31.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.0 steals in propelling the Hamilton Heights boys (11-6) to two victories. First, the 6-4 guard poured in 51 points with three rebounds, one assists and six steals in a 97-53 triumph over KIPP Indy Legacy. He followed with 12 points, eight rebounds and two steals as the Huskies edged Winchester 65-61 in overtime. Saunders converted 18-of-22 from the floor, including a school-record 12-of-12 on 2-pointers and 6-of-10 on 3-pointers, plus 9-of-11 free throws in the 51-point outing. Over the two games, he was 23-of-34 on field goals, 8-of-13 on 3s and 9-of-11 on freebies.

            Whitehead averaged 29.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in pacing 3A No. 13 Southridge to a 2-0 week. He scored 29 points with three rebounds, two assists and two steals in a 57-49 victory over Gibson Southern. The 5-10 guard followed with 29 points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal as the Raiders improved to 15-2 as they posted a 44-40 decision at Evansville North. In the two games, Whitehead converted 20-of-37 from the field, 11-of-22 from deep and 7-of-9 from the line.

            Saunders and Garner are second-time Player of the Week winners. Saunders previously was recognized Dec. 9-14. Garner was a previous winner for the week of Jan. 13-18.

            Portage is the IBCA boys’ Team of the Week after the Indians upset Class 4A No. 3 Crown Point 64-40 and defeated South Bend Adams 59-46. Senior Michael Wellman scored 21 points and classmates Garrett Clark and Sam Wellman each added 11 points against Crown Point. Senior O’mari Evans tallied 17 points, while Sam Wellman netted 13 points and Michael Wellman had 11 points against South Bend Adams as coach Bryon Clouse’s crew improved to 14-4.

            Corydon Central, ranked No. 7 in Class 3A, claimed girls’ Team of the Week accolades by winning Sectional 30 at Scottsburg. Senior Alyssa Murphy scored 24 points, senior Josie Vaughn added seven points and junior Reese Withers had six points as the Panthers beat Charlestown 39-28 in the first round. Withers totaled 22 points, Murphy talled 17 points and junior Paisley Teeter netted 11 points as coach Josh Conrad’s team defeated North Harrison 64-47 in a semifinal contest. In the final against 3A No. 2 Silver Creek, Murphy and Vaughn each scored 12 points and Teeter chipped in nine points as Corydon prevailed 52-38 and moved its record to 20-5.

            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. Former Martinsville boys’ coach Kip Staggs oversees the selection of boys’ honorees. Former Brownsburg girls’ coach Debbie Smiley oversees the selection of girls’ 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 now through the Monday following the IHSAA boys' State Finals.

2024-25 IBCA weekly 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.

            Nov. 18-23 – District 1 girls: Addison Baxter, Columbia City. District 2 girls: Maya Makalusky, Hamilton Southeastern. District 3 girls: Jalyn Davidson, North Central (Farmersburg). Team of the Week (girls): Warsaw.

            Nov. 25-30 – District 1 boys: Gavin Betten, Manchester. District 1 girls: Vanessa Rosswurm, Norwell. District 2 boys: Josiah Love, Wes-Del. District 2 girls: Avery Gordon, Brownsburg. District 3 boys: Michael Cooper, Jeffersonville. District 3 girls: Mollie Ernstes, Jennings County. Team of the Week (boys): Vincennes Lincoln. Team of the Week (girls): Evansville North.

            Dec. 2-7 – District 1 boys: Anthony Murphy, Michigan City. District 1 girls: Laniah Davis, Marquette Catholic. District 2 boys: Braylon Mullins, Greenfield-Central. District 2 girls: Aniah Smith, Avon. District 3 boys: Keaton Lawson, Columbus East. District 3 girls: Maddy Shirley, Evansville Central. Team of the Week (boys): Warsaw. Team of the Week (girls): Lawrence Central.

            Dec. 9-14 – District 1 boys: Chase Konieczny, South Bend Saint Joseph. District 1 girls: Ashley Cox, DeKalb. District 2 boys: Gavin Saunders, Hamilton Heights. District 2 girls: Jaylah Lampley, Lawrence Central. District 3 boys: Mar Nicholson, Shelbyville. District 3 girls: Gabby Spink, Gibson Southern. Team of the Week (boys): Lawrence North. Team of the Week (girls): Columbia City.

            Dec. 16-21 – District 1 boys: Dillon Stewart, Tri-Township. District 1 girls: Emily Bleke, Bellmont. District 2 boys: Azavier Robinson, Lawrence North. District 2 girls: Laniah Wills, Lapel. District 3 boys: Blake Neill, Bloomfield. District 3 girls: Emma Schoen, Silver Creek. Team of the Week (boys): Silver Creek. Team of the Week (girls): North Central (Farmersburg).

            Dec. 23-28 – District 1 boys: Steven Reynolds III, South Bend Washington. District 1 girls: Lily Scholl, Northridge. District 2 boys: Bryson Cardinal, Guerin Catholic. District 2 girls: Meredith Tippner, Noblesville. District 3 boys: Cole Henry, South Ripley, and Blaine Ward, South Ripley. District 3 girls: Ellie Richardson, Scottsburg. Team of the Week (boys): Fishers. Team of the Week (girls): Hamilton Southeastern.

            Dec. 30-Jan. 4 – District 1 boys: Josiah Ball, Maconaquah. District 1 girls: Kira Reynolds, South Bend Washington. District 2 boys: Kelby Harwood, North Montgomery. District 2 girls: Avery Gordon Brownsburg. District 3 boys: Michael Cooper, Jeffersonville. District 3 girls: Maddy Shirley, Evansville Central. Team of the Week (boys): Ben Davis. Team of the Week (girls): Bellmont.

            Jan. 6-11 – District 1 boys: Ethan Zahn, Huntington North. District 1 girls: Lillian Barnes, Valparaiso. District 2 boys: Zion Bellamy, Kokomo. District 2 girls: Kenzie Koch, Eastern Hancock. District 3 boys: Eli Sego, Triton Central. District 3 girls: Claire Larrison, Greensburg. Team of the Week (boys): Fort Wayne Bishop Luers. Team of the Week (girls): Lanesville.

            Jan. 13-18 – District 1 boys: Brad Rhode, Hanover Central. District 1 girls: Addison Baxter, Columbia City. District 2 boys: Braylon Mullins, Greenfield-Central. District 2 girls: Kenzie Garner, Sheridan. District 3 boys: Benjamin Kahler, Southwestern (Shelby). District 3 girls: Ella Bobe, South Knox. Team of the Week (boys): Avon. Team of the Week (girls): Silver Creek.

            Jan. 20-25 – District 1 boys: Lucas Kleckner, Kouts. District 1 girls: Brooke Winchester, Warsaw. District 2 boys: Jace Tonagel, Oak Hill. District 2 girls: Lillie Graves, McCutcheon. District 3 boys: Cole Thomas, South Central (Elizabeth). District 3 girls: Ava Wheeler, Borden. Team of the Week (boys): Penn. Team of the Week (girls): Homestead.

            Jan. 27-Feb. 1 – District 1 boys: Drew Bowers, Rochester. District 1 girls: Kila Foster, Bremen. District 2 boys: Julius Gizzi, New Palestine. District 2 girls: Jacklynn Hosier, Alexandria. District 3 boys: Cam Craig, Switzerland County. District 3 girls: Shelby Allen, Lanesville. Team of the Week (boys): Avon. Team of the Week (girls): Greensburg.

            Feb. 3-8 – District 1 boys: Collin Czarnecki, LaVille. District 1 girls: Jordan Steele, Highland. District 2 boys: Gavin Saunders, Hamilton Heights. District 2 girls: Kenzie Garner, Sheridan. District 3 boys: Tate Whitehead, Southridge. District 3 girls: Shelby Seay, North Central (Farmersburg). Team of the Week (boys): Portage. Team of the Week (girls): Corydon Central.