Player/Team of the Week(POW/TOW) Week 15

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

Feb. 18, 2025                                                                   IBCA Director of Special Projects

Mt. Vernon’s Ertel leads IBCA Player of the Week honorees;

Lawrence Central boys, Roncalli girls claim team awards

            Luke Ertel averaged 32.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists over three games, and the Mt. Vernon (Fortville) junior headlines this week’s honorees in the IBCA/Franciscan Health Player of the Week program for 2024-25.

            Ertel was joined by Crown Point junior Dikembe Shaw, Jeffersonville senior Tre Singleton, Norwell junior Vanessa Rosswurm, Hamilton Southeastern junior Kennedy Holman and Gibson Southern senior Gabby Spink as winners for the week of Feb. 10-15 in the recognition program coordinated by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.

            Also, the Lawrence Central boys’ team and the Roncalli 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 – Shaw and Rosswurm for District 1, Ertel and Holman for District 2, and Singleton and Spink 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.

            Ertel topped 30 points in all three outings as the Class 4A No. 16 Mt. Vernon boys defeated Pike 66-58 in overtime, beat Marion 73-56 and outscored Southport 67-43. The 6-2 guard scored 31 points with five rebounds and four assists against the Red Devils. He poured in 34 points with seven rebounds, five assists and three steals against the Giants. And the Purdue commit tallied 33 points with five rebounds, five assists and one steal against the Cardinals as the Marauders improved to 15-4. In the three games, Ertel was 26-of-47 on field goals, 11-of-18 on 3-pointers and 35-of-36 on free throws, including a perfect 23-of-23 on freebies in the latter two contests.

            Shaw averaged 24.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists as the 4A No. 9 Crown Point boys also won three times in the week. The 6-7 forward opened with 37 points, 10 rebounds and three assists in an 81-65 triumph at Andrean. He followed with 17 points, eight rebounds and one assist in a 63-47 decision over Valparaiso. Shaw completed his week by netting 18 points with six rebounds, five assists and three steals as the host Bulldogs moved to 16-2 with a 73-63 victory over Brownsburg. Against Andrean, Shaw converted 13-of-15 fielders, 2-of-3 treys and 9-of-12 freebies. For the week, he was 21-of-33, 5-of-11 and 25-33 in the shooting categories.

            Singleton posted norms of 28.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in propelling 4A No. 10 Jeffersonville (14-5) to two victories. First, the 6-8 forward had 25 points, 10 rebounds and four assists as the Red Devils knocked off 4A No. 7 and rival New Albany 78-59. The Northwestern University signee then dropped in 32 points with eight rebounds and two assists in a 72-69 decision over Jennings County. In the two games, Singleton was 22-of-37 from the floor, 3-of-5 on 3-pointers and 10-of-13 from the line.

            Rosswurm led the 3A No. 9 Norwell girls (20-6) past East Noble 72-48 in the Bellmont Regional. The 5-9 guard scored 30 points while adding four rebounds, five assists and five steals as the Knights claimed the program’s second consecutive regional title and sixth overall. For the game, Rosswurm converted 9-of-19 field goals, 3-of-5 3-pointers and 9-of-10 free throws.

            Holman was a critical component as the 4A No. 1 Hamilton Southeastern girls (26-0) stayed unbeaten with a 65-48 decision over 4A No. 3 Homestead in the Marion Regional. The 5-9 guard netted 24 points with six rebounds, six assists, two steals and one blocked shot as HSE captured the program's third regional title and first since 2019. She was ultra efficient in her shooting, going 7-of-8 from the floor, 1-of-1 from deep and 9-of-12 on charities.

            Spink recorded a double-double in propelling the Gibson Southern girls (21-6) past Floyd Central 50-39 for a 4A regional crown at Boonville. The 5-9 guard tallied 29 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals as the Titans seized their first 4A regional, third consecutive regional in 3A or 4A and the program’s fourth regional overall. For the game, the Murray State signee was 9-of-12 on field goals, 2-of-3 on 3-pointers and 9-of-12 on free throws.

            Rosswurm and Spink are second-time Player of the Week honorees. Rosswurm previously was recognized Nov. 25-30. Spink previously was cited Dec. 9-14.

            Lawrence Central is the IBCA boys’ Team of the Week after coach Phil Washington’s unranked Bears knocked off a pair of ranked teams, a 79-70 victory over 4A No. 2 Greenfield-Central and a 55-50 decision over 4A No. 12 Ben Davis. Against Greenfield, junior Albert Gooden III scored 21 points, junior Doron Harris netted 20 points and senior Nizyi Davis had 18 points. Against, Ben Davis, Davis tallied 19 points, Harris contributed 12 points and Gooden had nine points.

            Roncalli is the IBCA girls’ Team of the Week after coach Jason Sims’ unranked crew upset 3A No. 8 Danville 68-51 in the Southmont Regional. Sophomore Elliot Leffler dropped in 17 points, junior Brennah Cerny tallied 16 points and senior Sara Rosko chipped in 10 points as the Royals won the program’s eighth regional trophy and first since 2016.

            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.