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Player/Team of the Week(POW/TOW) Week 16

Player/Team of the Week(POW/TOW) Week 16

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

Feb. 25, 2025                                                                   IBCA Director of Special Projects

 

Mullins bombs away to lead IBCA Player of the Week honorees; Jeffersonville boys, Rensselaer Central girls claim team awards

 

            Braylon Mullins poured in a school-record 52 points in a game, averaged 39.0 points in a pair of victories and surpassed the 2,000-point mark for his career. Thus, the Greenfield-Central senior headlines this week’s winners in the IBCA/Franciscan Health Player of the Week program for 2024-25.

            Mullins is joined by Adams Central senior Trace Maller, Munster junior Josh Malloy, Silver Creek junior Dane Sprigler, Warsaw junior Joslyn Bricker, Lawrence North junior Ke’Adriah Butler and South Knox senior Ella Bobe as honorees for the week of Feb. 17-22 in the recognition program coordinated by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.

            Also, the Jeffersonville boys’ team and the Rensselaer 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 – Maller, Malloy and Bricker for District 1, Mullins and Butler for District 2, and Sprigler and Bobe 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.

            Mullins, now a third-time POW honoree this season, was spectacular as he averaged 39.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 4.5 steals as the Class 4A No. 4 Greenfield-Central boys defeated East Central and Martinsville to move to 20-3. The 6-6 guard opened with 26 points, four rebounds, three assists, five steals and one block in an 83-45 victory at East Central. Then on Senior Night at home, the UConn signee totaled a school-record 52 points plus eight rebounds, four assists, four steals and one block in a 102-62 decision over Martinsville.

            The 52 points broke his own single-game record of 51 points set last season against Pendleton Heights. His output for the week pushed his career total to 2,041 points, 24 points short of breaking the GC career mark of 2,064 set by 2000 graduate John Hamilton Jr. Mullins still is 302 points shy of the old Greenfield High School mark of 2,343 set by Mike Edwards in 1969. Mullins converted 31-of-49 field goals, 10-of-24 3-pointers and 6-of-7 free throws in the two games. That included a 23-of-35, 5-of-13 and 1-of-1 performance in the 52-point game.

            Maller and Malloy shared accolades for boys’ District 1.

            A 6-2 guard, Maller averaged 27.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists as the Adams Central boys improved to 13-7 with victories over Southwood, Eastside and Fort Wayne North. He opened with 39 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks in a 75-58 victory at Southwood. Maller provided 12 points, eight rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block in a 75-47 triumph over Eastside. He completed his week with 32 points, nine rebounds, six assists, one steal and two blocks as the Flying Jets defeated Fort Wayne North 67-63. In the three games, Maller was 29-of-57 from the floor, 1-of-9 from deep and 24-of-29 from the line.

            Also a 6-2 guard, Malloy totaled 33 points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal for the Munster boys (13-7) in their only game of the week, a 78-56 victory at Andrean. Malloy scored 25 of his game-high total in the first half as the Mustangs clinched at least a share of the Northwest Crossroads Conference title. For the game, he hit 10-of-14 fielders, including 6-of-9 3-pointers, plus 7-of-8 free throws.

            Sprigler averaged 22.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in propelling the 3A No. 6 Silver Creek boys to a pair of victories. First, the 5-11 guard tallied 26 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals in an 83-27 runaway at Salem. He followed by notching 18 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals as the Dragons improved to 20-3 with a 65-32 decision over Corydon Central. For the week, Sprigler hit 17-of-23 shots, including 9-of-13 from distance, and made his only free throw.

            Bricker averaged 26.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists in leading the 4A No. 5 Warsaw girls (26-1) to the program’s fifth semi-state championship and first since 2004. The 5-8 guard totaled 35 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and three steals in a 66-48 decision over McCutcheon. She followed with 18 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal as the Tigers knocked off 4A No. 1 and previously unbeaten Hamilton Southeastern 67-61. For the two games, Bricker went 20-of-26 from the field, 5-of-8 on 3-pointers and 8-of-12 on free throws.

            Butler averaged 16.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in helping the Lawrence North girls (18-8) to a spot in the 4A state championship against Warsaw. The 5-8 guard totaled 20 points, five rebounds, one assist and two steals in a 69-46 decision over defending 3A champion Gibson Southern. She then produced 12 points, six rebounds and two assists as the Wildcats edged Pike 45-44 to claim their third semi-state title to join previous crowns in 2019 and 2020. For the semi-state, Butler hit 10-of-17 shots, including 4-of-9 from deep, plus 8-of-14 free throws.

            Bobe, a second-time POW honoree, averaged 29.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in pacing the 2A No. 1 South Knox girls (27-2) to their first semi-state championship. The 5-9 guard dropped in 33 points with three rebounds, three assists and three steals in a 77-40 victory over Parke Heritage. The Southern Indiana recruit then tallied 26 points, five rebounds and one assist as the Spartans defeated Heritage Christian 58-40. In the two games, Bobe went 21-of-35 from the field, 9-of-16 on 3-pointers and 8-of-9 from the line.

            Mullins previously was a Player of the Week for Dec. 2-7 and Jan. 13-18. Bobe previously was honored for Jan. 13-18.

            The Jeffersonville boys, ranked No. 7 in Class 4A, claimed Team of the Week honors with a pair of impressive victories. First, senior Tre Singleton scored 29 points and classmate Michael Cooper tallied 27 points as coach Sherron Wilkerson’s crew knocked off 3A No. 1 and previously undefeated Brownstown Central 61-43. Singleton then netted 17 points, Cooper scored 13 points and senior P.J. Douglas had 11 points as the Red Devils (16-5) defeated 4A No. 15 Evansville Reitz 74-47.

            The Rensselaer Central girls, ranked No. 2 in Class 2A, punched their ticket to the State Finals with the program’s first semi-state title. Junior Kamri Rowland scored 20 points, senior Taylor Van Meter netted 13 points, sophomore Courtney Mathew provided 11 points and junior Brodie Radtke had 10 points as coach Wes Radtke’s squad topped 2A No. 11 Sheridan 61-36. Mathew followed with 17 points, Van Meter with 15 points, Radtke with 10 points and senior Carly Drone with nine points as the Bombers (26-2) eased past 2A No. 5 Eastside 55-42.

            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.

            Feb. 10-15 – District 1 boys: Dikembe Shaw, Crown Point. District 1 girls: Vanessa Rosswurm, Norwell. District 2 boys: Luke Ertel, Mt. Vernon (Fortville). District 2 girls: Kennedy Holman, Hamilton Southeastern. District 3 boys: Tre Singleton, Jeffersonville. District 3 girls: Gabby Spink, Gibson Southern. Team of the Week (boys): Lawrence Central. Team of the Week (girls): Roncalli.

            Feb. 17-22 – District 1 boys: Trace Maller, Adams Central, and Josh Malloy, Munster. District 1 girls: Joslyn Bricker, Warsaw. District 2 boys: Braylon Mullins, Greenfield-Central. District 2 girls: Ke’Adriah Butler, Lawrence North. District 3 boys: Dane Sprigler, Silver Creek. District 3 girls: Ella Bobe, South Knox. Team of the Week (boys): Jeffersonville. Team of the Week (girls): Rensselaer Central.

 

 

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