Strong Shooting Performances Highlight Week-3 of the IBCA/Franciscan Health Player of the Week Awards

Strong Shooting Performances Highlight Week-3 of the IBCA/Franciscan Health Player of the Week Awards

 

As we head into Thanksgiving, the boys’ season is just starting games, while the girls’ season has seen some impressive individual and team performances throughout the state. During Week-3, there were some nice shooting numbers from many of the nominees, but three specific individuals stood out as this week’s IBCA/Franciscan Health Players of the Week.

Hobart Junior Asia Donald, West Lafayette Sophomore Adrianne Tolen, and Trinity Lutheran Junior Bailey Tabeling are the noteworthy honorees for Nov. 15-Nov. 20 in the recognition program coordinated by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association. Donald is the recipient in District-1, Tolen is the winner in Districit-2, and Tabeling is the representative for District-3.

Ever since she arrived at Hobart, Junior Asia Donald has filled up the stat sheet on most nights. Last Saturday, she and the Brickies traveled to backyard rival River Forest, leaving with a 68-54 victory. The 5-9 guard put on a show, knocking down 15-25 shots from the field, one of which was from distance, while also making 5-6 free throws, on her way to a 36-point evening. Additionally, Donald grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds, handed out four assists, and picked up a pair of steals in the outing.

Down in the Lafayette area, Sophomore Adrianne Tolen helped West Lafayette to a pair of wins in three tries, as the Red Devils participated in the annual IU Health Hoops Classic. In the opening round on Tuesday, West Lafayette fell to a strong Lafayette Central Catholic program, 66-54. However, in that contest Tolen was a strong 10-15 from the field, plus she made a 3-pointer and five free throws, on her way to 26 points. She added six rebounds, three assists, and four steals in defeat.

In a return to the court on Friday evening, the Red Devils bounced back with a nice 68-52 win against the McCutcheon Mavericks. This time Tolen was an efficient 6-9 from the field, she made two of her five 3-point attempts, but she also tossed in 11 points from the charity stripe. She paced West Lafayette with 25 points, plus she contributed five rebounds, three assists, and five steals in success.

During Saturday’s action, the 5-9 Sophomore guard once again provided a balanced performance in a 64-51 victory against Rensselaer Central. Tolen again scored 25 points in the win, but she did even more damage from the free throw line, knocking down 15 shots from 15-feet. She added nine rebounds, an assist, and a pair of steals, as West Lafayette finished in 5^th place in the tournament with a 2-1 record.

Trinity Lutheran began their season last week, and Junior Bailey Tabeling put together a pair of very different performances. Tuesday night, the Cougars won a tightly contested, 57-52 game, against a strong program in Brownstown Central. Tabeling made 11 shots from the field, seven long-range bombs, and she added three free throws to equal 32 points in total. She hit the glass hard, grabbing 16 rebounds, plus she dished out four assists and collected a steal.

Saturday, Tabeling and the Cougars won a matchup with Crothersville decidedly, taking a 55-25 victory. In limited minutes, Tabeling managed just a handful of shot attempts and scored five points, but her effect on the game was extended well-beyond the scoreboard. The 5-10 Junior guard stole the ball ten times, helping the Cougars to the early lead. She also set up teammates on eight occasions with assists, she snagged four rebounds, and she blocked a pair of shots in the effort.

This is the 14^th 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 from now through the Monday following the IHSAA Girls State Finals. Boys winners will be chosen starting next week and through the Monday following the IHSAA Boys State Finals.