Jacobi, Blakely named winners of Wooden/MCL Awards for 2021
All-Star basketball players from Silver Creek, Hammond Noll recognized for citizenship
Superior athletes. Strong students. Outstanding citizens.
In a phrase, those labels accurately describe Indiana All-Star basketball players and recent high school graduates Kooper Jacobi of Silver Creek and Courtney Blakely of Hammond Bishop Noll.
Thus, each athlete has been named a winner of a Wooden/MCL Citizenship Award for 2021 as presented by the IndyStar Indiana All-Stars.
Jacobi, a 6-7 forward, averaged 21.2 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists as a senior while helping Silver Creek to a 25-4 season that included a Class 3A state championship. He totaled 1,635 points and 816 rebounds in his career that included two Class 3A state crowns. In addition, he twice was named IBCA Supreme 15 All-State, was chosen Associated Press third-team All-State as a senior and was named winner of the 2021 IHSAA Class 3A Trester Award for mental attitude.
Off the court, Jacobi was a part of Silver Creek’s “A” Honor Roll as well as a member of the Next Generation Leadership Club, the Academy of Finance Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In addition, the University of Toledo signee is a member of his Northside Church Small Group and was selected IBCA first-team Academic All-State. He plans to major in mathematics and statistics in college.
Blakely, a 5-7 guard, averaged a state-leading 31.7 points plus 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 4.4 steals as a senior while leading Bishop Noll to a 15-8 season. For her career, Blakely totaled a school-record 2,324 points plus 403 rebounds, 416 assists and 372 steals. The Middle Tennessee State University recruit was voted IBCA Supreme 15 All-State as a senior, and she twice previously was recognized as an IBCA Small School All-State selection. She also was chosen AP second-team All-State and played in the “Who’s Nxt” All-American Game in San Antonio as a senior.
Off the court, Blakley was a part of Student Council, Math Club, Women’s Empowerment Club, Prom Committee, Campus Ministry and National Honor Society at Bishop Noll. Blakely, daughter of 1994 All-Star Angela Hamblin Blakely, also graduated high school with honors and was selected IBCA first-team Academic All-State. She plans to major in accounting and minor in business at MTSU.
“Kooper and Courtney are great representatives for the Wooden/MCL Citizenship Award for the 2021 Indiana All-Stars,” Indiana All-Star games director Mike Broughton said. “Both Kooper and Courtney had quality careers on and off the court. We wish them well as they take their talents to the NCAA Division I level.”
The Wooden/MCL Citizenship Awards have been presented to one All-Star boy and one All-Star girl annually since 1992. The awards are named for the late John Wooden, an outstanding player at Martinsville High School and Purdue University and later a 10-time NCAA championship coach at UCLA.
“Since I am a strong believer in academic and citizenship awards, I am honored that MCL desires to use my name for this honor,” Wooden said when the award established in 1992.
MCL Restaurant & Bakery, based in Indianapolis, has sponsored the Wooden Citizenship Award for all 30 years that it has been presented. MCL also has supported the Indiana All-Star program for more than 30 years, and the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association — organizers of the Indiana All-Stars — thanks MCL for its continued support.
A list of Wooden/MCL Citizenship Award winners from over the years follows.
INDIANA ALL-STAR BASKETBALL
Wooden/MCL Citizenship Award Winners
Year: Boys Winner, School; Girls Winner, School
1992: Billy Wright, Richmond; Kristin Mattox, Charlestown
1993: Kelcey Mucker, Lawrenceburg; Regan Seybert, Anderson Highland
1994: Tige Darner, Anderson Highland; Tiffany Gooden, Fort Wayne Snider
1995: Damon Frierson, Ben Davis; Lisa Williams, Carmel
1996: Mickey Hosier, Alexandria; Janette Jaques, Lafayette Jeff
1997: Michael Menser, Batesville; Katrina Merriweather, Cathedral
1998: Patrick Jackson, Delta; Amber Schober, Plainfield
1999: Jon Holmes, Bloomington South; Kristen Lowry, Logansport
2000: Aaron Thomas, Northridge; Sara Strahm, Ben Davis
2001: Chris Hill, Lawrence North; Ebba Gebisa, West Lafayette
2002: Seth Colclasure, Bellmont; Candace Dark, Fountain Central
2003: Andrew Hershberger, Goshen; Amanda Norris, Shenandoah
2004: Peter Minchella, Harrison (West Lafayette); Kristen Miller, Tri-Central
2005: Derek Drews, Elkhart Central; Dana Beaven, Corydon Central
2006: Brandon Hopf, Forest Park; Ashley Barlow, Pike
2007: E’Twaun Moore, East Chicago Central; Sha’la Jackson, Fort Wayne South
2008: Tyler Zeller, Washington; Brittany Rayburn, Attica
2009: Errick Peck, Cathedral; Courtney Osborn, Hamilton Southeastern
2010: Erik Fromm, Bloomington South; Dee Dee Williams, Ben Davis
2011: Austin Richie, Lowell; Amanda Corral, Hobart
2012: D.J. Balentine, Kokomo; Alex Morton, Penn
2013: Collin Hartman, Cathedral; Andrijana Cvitkovic, Culver Academy
2014: Tayler Persons, Kokomo; Tayler Goodall, Columbus North
2015: Joel Okafor, Richmond; Ali Patberg, Columbus North
2016: Tucker Blackwell, Bloomington South; Cameron Onken, Lafayette Central Catholic
2017: Jack Nunge, Castle; Madison Wise, Greenfield-Central
2018: Dean Tate, Warren Central; Emily Kiser, Noblesville
2019: Jesse Bingham, Warren Central; Maddie Nolan, Zionsville
2020: Dre Davis, Lawrence Central; Madison Layden, Northwestern
2021: Kooper Jacobi, Silver Creek; Courtney Blakely, Hammond Bishop Noll
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