Semi-State Stars Highlight Week-16 of the IBCA/Franciscan Health Players of the Week
The girls’ state tournament is winding down, and the State Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse are upon us. But last Saturday, eight teams punched their tickets and earned a spot in this weekend’s games. As for the boys, there are conference titles at stake, and they enjoyed their Sectional selection show Sunday evening. With that said, six more Hoosier preps, three boys and three girls, have been selected as the Week-16 IBCA/Franciscan Health Players of the Week.
South Bend Washington Junior RaShunda Jones, Chesterton Senior Travis Grayson, Lafayette Central Catholic Senior Karsyn Cherry, Zionsville Junior Logan Imes, Tecumseh Senior Kaybree Oxley, and Brownstown Central Sophomore Jack Benter were selected as recipients for Feb. 14-Feb. 19 in the recognition program coordinated by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association. Jones and Grayson are the girls’ and boys’ winners, respectively, in District-1. Cherry collects girls’ honors, while Imes collects boys’ honors in District-2. Oxley is the girls’ selection, and Benter is the boys’ selection in District-3.
South Bend Washington Junior RaShunda Jones has been electric all season, and Saturday in the Lady Panthers 66-39 over Garrett to advance to the Class 3A State Finals, Jones was in attack mode all afternoon. The 5-7 guard knocked down nine shots from the field, she made three 3-pointers, and she buried a couple of free throw attempts, scoring 23 points in total. The Purdue University commit also grabbed three rebounds, handed out seven assists, and picked off three steals in the contest.
Chesterton Senior Travis Grayson continues to impress, as last week he helped the Trojans to a pair of victories. Friday night, in a Duneland Athletic Conference game against Valparaiso that decided the DAC title outright, Grayson scored a career-high 40 points, tying a school record, and helping the Trojans to a 60-57 overtime success. He was 9-15 from the field, including a perfect 2-2 from deep, but he was more impressive from the charity stripe, knocking down 20-22 shots from 15-feet. And if that wasn’t enough, he added five rebounds, three assists, and six steals to his effort.
The next night, Chesterton traveled to Boone Grove, winning by a bit more comfortable 69-57 margin. The 5-10 Senior guard scored 22 points in this victory, shooting an efficient 7-9 this time out, plus he made eight more free throws in the win. Grayson continued to contribute in other ways, snagging four rebounds, dishing out six assists, and collecting four steals, while helping the #1 Trojans to a 22-0 record.
Lafayette Central Catholic Senior Karsyn Cherry is a star on the field, as she is signed with the University of Louisville to continue her athletic career in soccer. However, she has unfinished business on the hardwood, as she attempts to help the Lady Knights win a Class 1A state title. Saturday, she nearly posted an improbable quadruple-double, as Central Catholic knocked off North White, 52-46. The 5-7 guard scored 20 points, she pulled down nine rebounds, she handed out seven assists, and she stole the ball ten times in the Lady Knights’ big win over the Lady Vikings.
The Zionsville Eagles picked up a pair of wins in three tries last week, with Junior Logan Imes being at the center of their success. Tuesday, in a Hoosier Crossroads Conference game at Avon, the Eagles pulled out a hard-fought, 77-68 overtime win. Imes was clutch, scoring 32 points, burying four 3-pointers, and making 8-9 shots from the free throw line. He added seven rebounds, seven assists, and three steals to his stat-line.
Friday evening, Zionsville wasn’t as lucky, as they unfortunately dropped a conference game against a good Fishers squad. Even though he was hounded all night, Imes still managed to score 22 points and knock down 5-6 free throw attempts in the 53-39 loss. The 6-4 guard also managed to pick up three caroms in defeat.
In a return to the court Saturday, the Eagles headed to Arsenal Tech, where they took on a talented Titan squad. Zionsville got back in the win column, knocking off the host Titans, 71-56. Imes had a well-rounded effort, scoring 19 points, collecting eight rebounds, handing out a pair of assists, and picking off two steals in the victory. He was an efficient 8-12 from the field, 1-1 from 3-point range, and 2-2 from the charity stripe.
Tecumseh has found their way to Indianapolis for this Saturday’s Class 1A matchup with the aforementioned Lafayette Central Catholic Lady Knights. Senior forward Kaybree Oxley has been a huge part of their success the last four seasons, and she was dialed in last Saturday, as the Lady Braves took care of a veteran Waldron team, 54-42. The 5-9 forward did all of her work inside the arc, making 8-13 shots from the floor and 7-9 shots from the free throw line, scoring 23 points in total. She grabbed nine rebounds, plus she handed out three assists and collected three steals in the big win.
Brownstown Central Sophomore Jack Benter has been a strong Varsity contributor since stepping foot on campus last year. This past week, though, was something to remember. Tuesday, the Braves traveled to Floyd Central and took on a strong Highlanders group. Benter came up big-time, scoring 37 points, but he also knocked down a buzzer-beating 30-footer, as the Braves escaped Floyds Knobs with a 60-58 overtime triumph. Benter’s ten rebounds contributed to his double-double on the evening, plus he added a pair of assists in the win.
Friday evening, the Braves were again on the road, this time at Mid-Southern Conference rival, Eastern (Pekin). It was nip & tuck throughout, but Brownstown again managed to head home with a narrow win, knocking off the Musketeers, 77-73. Benter nearly posted a triple-double, scoring 21 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and handing out nine assists. The win helped the Braves tie for a share of the conference championship.
As Brownstown turned around and played again Saturday, this time they were able to be on their own floor against Our Lady of Providence. The outcome was a bit more comfortable, as the Braves dispatched of the Pioneers, 82-68. Benter found his way to another 24 points this day, plus he contributed to eight more scores by teammates with his passing. Additionally, the 6-5 wing was good defensively, grabbing five rebounds and blocking five shots.
This is the 14th season for the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Week program, but just the second season it is being presented by Franciscan Health, a corporate sponsor of the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.
Player of the Week winners are chosen each week from each of the IHSAA’s three districts. Girls’ winners will be chosen through next Monday, following the IHSAA Girls State Finals this Saturday. Boys’ winners will be chosen through the Monday following the IHSAA Boys State Finals.
Other Top Nominees for Week-16 (2021-22)
District-1 Boys: Chase Bachelor, Prairie Heights; Markus Burton, Penn; Brycen Hannah, John Glenn; Zach Hubertt, Huntington North; Eric Martin, Calumet New Tech; Joe Reidy, Woodlan; Matthew Ross, Peru; Thomas Snyder, South Bend John Adams; Omarion Washington, Fort Wayne South Side; Jakar Williams, New Haven.
District-1 Girls: Nataley Armstrong, Garrett; Jessica Carrothers, Crown Point; Caitlin Conn, North White; Brea Garber, Fairfield; Morgan Gawthrop, Fairfield; Bailey Kelham, Garrett; Amiyah Reynolds, South Bend Washington; Kira Reynolds, South Bend Washington; Tessa Robertson, North White; Lilly Stoddard, Crown Point.
District-2 Boys: Reggie Bass, Arsenal Tech; Landon Biegel, Oak Hill; Tayshawn Comer, Cathedral; Ryan Conwell, Pike; A.J. Dancler, Southport; Tillman Etchison, Hamilton Heights; Omari Ferguson, Indianapolis Metropolitan; Dylan Puent, Indiana Deaf; Kyle Thomas, Cloverdale; Jackson Wors, Delta.
District-2 Girls: Grace Adams, Bishop Chatard; Carley Barrett, Lafayette Central Catholic; Lauryn Bates, Frankton; Caroline Bell, Bishop Chatard; Patty Chikamba, University; Kelsey DuBois, University; Emma Sperry, Frankton; Ashlynn Shade, Noblesville; Meredith Tippner, Noblesville; Tori Thompson, Lafayette Central Catholic; Bailee Webb, Frankton; Reagan Wilson, Noblesville.
District-3 Boys: Wes Aigner, Castle; Drew Cook, Northview; Josiah Dunham, Evansville Christian; Drew Howard, Forest Park; Cade Jones, Eastern (Pekin); Hagen Knepp, Barr-Reeve; Jaylen Mullen, North Daviess; Branden Northern, Silver Creek; Cayden Paquette, Owen Valley; Trent Sisley, Heritage Hills.
District-3 Girls: Carly Begle, Forest Park; Kuryn Brunson, Franklin Community; Madelynn Denny, Mooresville; Jenna Donohoo, Tecumseh; Karsyn Flowers, Tecumseh; Nichole Garner, Waldron; Rachel Harshman, Mooresville; Scarlett Kimbrell, Franklin Community; Bella Larrison, Waldron; Kynidi Mason-Striverson, Silver Creek; Emme Rooney, Silver Creek; Sydney Sierota, Silver Creek; Ashlyn Traylor, Franklin Community; Amber Tretter, Forest Park; Ali Welp, Forest Park.
2021-22 Weekly Winners
Nov. 1-Nov. 6: District-1 girls: Mila Reynolds, South Bend Washington. District-2 girls: Emily Livingston, Union City. District–3 girls: Kyia McKinley, Eastern (Pekin).
Nov. 8-Nov. 13: District-1 girls: Julia Mantyla, Northridge. District-2 girls: Isabella Gizzi, New Palestine. District–3 girls: Zoe Stewart, Terre Haute North Vigo.
Nov. 15-Nov. 20: District-1 girls: Asia Donald, Hobart. District-2 girls: Adrianne Tolen, West Lafayette. District–3 girls: Bailey Tabeling, Trinity Lutheran.
Nov. 22-Nov. 27: District-1 boys: Joe Reidy, Woodlan. District-1 girls: RaShunda Jones, South Bend Washington. District–2 boys: Ryan Conwell, Pike. District-2 girls: Camryn Wise, Wapahani. District-3 boys: Hunter Johnson, South Decatur. District–3 girls: Saige Stahl, Columbus East.
Nov. 29-Dec. 4: District-1 boys: Fletcher Loyer, Homestead. District-1 girls: Nevaeh Foster, Mishawaka Marian. District–2 boys: Brady Ruggles, Danville. District-2 girls: Ashlynn Shade, Noblesville. District-3 boys: Wes Aigner, Castle. District–3 girls: Macey Timberman, Northview.
Dec. 6-Dec. 11: District-1 boys: Markus Burton, Penn. District-1 girls: Ayanna Patterson, Homestead. District–2 boys: Jake Chapman, Tri-Central. District-2 girls: Caitlyn Campbell, Winchester, and McKenna Layden, Northwestern. District-3 boys: Caleb Dewey, Edinburgh. District–3 girls: Reagan Martin, Owen Valley.
Dec. 13-Dec. 18: District-1 boys: Brauntae Johnson, Fort Wayne North Side. District-1 girls: Ashlynn Brooke, Pioneer. District–2 boys: Isaac Andrews, Wapahani. District-2 girls: Alli Harness, Carroll (Flora). District-3 boys: Branden Northern, Silver Creek. District–3 girls: Faith Wiseman, Indian Creek.
Dec. 20-Dec. 25: District-1 boys: Ashton Johnson, Fort Wayne South Side. District-1 girls: Kacilyn Krebs, Warsaw. District–2 boys: Armon Jarrard, Mount Vernon (Fortville). District-2 girls: Laila Hull, Zionsville. District-3 boys: Hagen Knepp, Barr-Reeve. District–3 girls: Chloe Spreen, Bedford North Lawrence.
Dec. 27-Jan. 1: District-1 boys: Karson Jenkins, Fort Wayne Snider. District-1 girls: MaKaya Porter, Mishawaka Marian. District–2 boys: Reggie Bass, Arsenal Tech. District-2 girls: Ally Madden, Blue River Valley. District-3 boys: Jack Benter, Brownstown Central. District–3 girls: Juliann Woodard, Jennings County.
Jan. 3-Jan. 8: District-1 boys: Travis Grayson, Chesterton. District-1 girls: Lilly Maple, Maconaquah. District–2 boys: Braden Smith, Westfield. District-2 girls: Maddy Meek, New Castle. District-3 boys: Brysen Montgomery, Austin. District–3 girls: Kendall Hale, Cannelton.
Jan. 10-Jan. 15: District-1 boys: Connor Essegian, Central Noble. District-1 girls: Kelly Ratigan, South Bend St. Joseph. District–2 boys: Kyle Thomas, Cloverdale. District-2 girls: Teresa Maggio, McCutcheon. District-3 boys: Hunter Johnson, South Decatur. District–3 girls: Zoe Stewart, Terre Haute North Vigo.
Jan. 17-Jan. 22: District-1 boys: Ashton Williamson, Gary 21st Century. District-1 girls: Jyah LoVett, Fort Wayne Snider. District–2 boys: Ahmere Carson, Anderson. District-2 girls: Bailey Parham, Tri. District-3 boys: Tucker Biven, New Albany. District–3 girls: Ava Weber, Corydon Central.
Jan. 24-Jan. 29: District-1 boys: Markus Burton, Penn. District-1 girls: Hailey Cripe, Pioneer. District–2 boys: Chrishon McCray, Avon. District-2 girls: Kaycie Warfel, Pendleton Heights. District-3 boys: Josiah Dunham, Evansville Christian. District–3 girls: Saige Stahl, Columbus East.
Jan. 31-Feb. 5: District-1 boys: Connor Essegian, Central Noble. District-1 girls: Mila Reynolds, South Bend Washington. District–2 boys: Jordan Turner, Cardinal Ritter. District-2 girls: Ashlynn Shade, Noblesville. District-3 boys: Branden Northern, Silver Creek. District–3 girls: Ava Weber, Corydon Central.
Feb. 7-Feb. 12: District-1 boys: Trey Steinhilber, Boone Grove. District-1 girls: Jessica Carrothers, Crown Point. District–2 boys: Flory Bidunga, Kokomo. District-2 girls: McKenna Layden, Northwestern. District-3 boys: Jameer Ajibade, Evansville Bosse. District–3 girls: Josie Trabel, East Central.
Feb. 14-Feb. 19: District-1 boys: Travis Grayson, Chesterton. District-1 girls: RaShunda Jones, South Bend Washington. District–2 boys: Logan Imes, Zionsville. District-2 girls: Karsyn Cherry, Lafayette Central Catholic. District-3 boys: Jack Benter, Brownstown Central. District–3 girls: Kaybree Oxley, Tecumseh.
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