Brown’s record-setting effort paces IBCA Players of the Week
Blackford PG sets state freshman single-game scoring mark to headline winners for Dec. 25-30
Luke Brown set a freshman single-game scoring record, and the Blackford High School point guard is one of seven players cited in this week’s IBCA/Subway Player of the Week program.
Brown is joined by Mishawaka Marian senior Michael Hemingway, Cathedral junior Armaan Franklin and Edgewood senior Chayton Howard as boys’ recipients for the week of Dec. 25-30. The girls’ winners are Northridge junior Morgan Litwiller, Carmel senior Tomi Taiwo and North Harrison junior Lilly Hatton.
Hemingway and Litwiller are honorees for District 1 in the recognition program coordinated by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association. Brown, Franklin and Taiwo are winners for District 2. Howard and Hatton are recipients in District 3.
Brown averaged 36.0 points over two games for the Blackford boys (7-1), including a 48-point outburst in a 69-68 victory over Monroe Central. That performance is a school record and freshman state record, eclipsing the 45-point game by DeShaun Thomas of Fort Wayne Luers against Fort Wayne Wayne on Feb. 2, 2007.
The 5-11 Brown opened his week with 24 points, one rebound, eight assists and three steals as the Bruins defeated Randolph Southern 76-54. He followed with 48 points, two rebounds, one assist and three steals in the one-point decision over Monroe Central. Brown was 18-of-24 from the floor, 3-of-5 on 3-pointers and 9-of-11 on free throws in his record-setting game. For both games, he was 26-of-39 on field goals, 5-of-13 on 3-pointers and 15-of-17 on free throws.
The other six honorees were named MVP of a holiday tournament.
Hemingway averaged 28.0 points and 7.5 assists in two victories as the Mishawaka Marian boys (6-1) won their own Thomas Moorman Memorial Tournament. The 5-10 guard scored 20 points with two rebounds, eight assists and eight steals in a 67-37 triumph over Concord. Hemingway then poured in 36 points with six rebounds, seven assists and five steals as the Knights beat LaPorte 83-40. For two game, he was 23-of-36 shooting, 4-of-9 from 3-point range and 6-of-8 on free throws.
The 6-5 Franklin averaged 24.8 points and 7.8 rebounds over for games to lead the Cathedral boys (10-1) to the championship of the Bob Wettig Memorial Tournament in Richmond.
Franklin scored 29 points with 10 rebounds as Cathedral beat Belmont, Ohio, 66-50. He followed with 29 points, 12 rebounds and four assists in a 68-63 decision over Shelbyville, then produced 11 points and two rebounds as the Irish beat Connersville 63-46. Franklin finished with 30 point, seven rebounds and two assists in a 64-50 victory over Tindley. For four games, Franklin was 37-of-62 on field goals, 8-of-15 on 3-pointers and 17-of-25 on free throws.
Howard tallied 15.8 points and 6.0 rebounds in propelling the Edgewood boys (9-3) to the title in the First Financial Bank Wabash Valley Classic at Terre Haute North.
The 6-6 forward opened with 18 points and eight rebounds in a 54-25 victory over West Vigo. Howard followed with 11 points and five rebounds as the Mustangs upended Terre Haute South 61-56. He netted 11 points with five rebounds in a 47-35 semifinal triumph over Linton-Stockton. Howard tossed in 23 points on 8-of-10 shooting with six rebounds as Edgewood beat the host Patriots 47-33 for the championship. Over four games, Howard sank 21-of-45 field goals, 12-of-28 3-pointers and 9-of-11 free throws.
Litwiller averaged 20.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in sparking the Northridge girls (15-3) to the championship of their own Bankers Classic.
The 5-11 forward scored 25 points with six rebounds in a 66-42 first-round victory over Portage. The Eastern Illinois commit followed with 19 points, three rebounds and three assists in a 55-30 triumph over Andrean. She tallied 17 point with one rebounds and five steals in a 54-30 decision over East Noble. Litwiller scored 20 points with six rebounds and two assists as the Raiders topped Lake Central 47-39 in overtime for the title. For the event, Litwiller was 31-of-49 from the field, 4-of-8 on 3-pointers and 15-of-22 on free throws.
The 5-9 Taiwo led the Carmel girls (16-1) to three victories, including the championship of the Raymond James Hall of Fame Classic.
The University of Iowa signee opened with 14 point, two rebounds and two steals as the Greyhounds beat Bedford North Lawrence 65-53 in a non-tournament game. Taiwo opened the Hall of Fame Classic with 27 points, three assists and two steals in a 68-55 victory over Martinsville. She then tossed in 22 points with five rebounds and five steals as Carmel topped Zionsville 75-51 in the tournament final. Over three games, Taiwo was 19-of-36 from the floor, 9-of-21 on 3-pointers and a perfect 16-of-16 from the line.
Hatton averaged 19.7 points and 9.7 rebounds in leading the North Harrison girls (14-1) to the title in the Rumble on the River Tournament at Southwestern (Hanover).
The 6-1 forward opened with 15 points, nine rebounds and seven blocks in a 38-29 victory over Madison. She produced 21 points and 11 rebounds as the Lady Cats rallied past Fishers 58-50. Hatton scored 23 points, including 21 in a strong first half, with nine rebounds as North Harrison defeated Columbus East 48-41 for the tournament crown. Over three games, Hatton was 22-of-42 on field goals, 1-of-2 from 3-point range and 14-of-21 on free throws.
This is the 10th season for the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Week program and the sixth season it is presented by Subway Restaurants of Indiana, a banner sponsor of the IBCA. Subway, in its seventh season as an IBCA sponsor, encourages athletes to “train hard and eat fresh.”
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 week following Feb. 24. Boys’ winners will be chosen starting in three weeks and through the week following March 24.
Other nominees for Week 9 (2017-18)
District 1 boys – Immanuel Anderson, Hammond; Austin Boucher, Fort Wayne North; James Gardner, New Haven; Elias Gerdemos, Crown Point; Jordan Higgins, River Forest; Clay Hilliard, Plymouth; Shakell Johnson, South Bend Adams; Colin Kenney, Marquette Catholic; Josh McDaniel, Lakeland Christian; Jalan Mull, Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian; Garrett Ott-Large, LaPorte; Keon Sellers, Lake Central; Langston Stalling, Bowman Academy; Mikale Stevenson, Fort Wayne South; Jake Wadding, Chesterton.
District 1 girls – Diamond Adams, South Bend Washington; Sahara Bee, Morgan Township; Jenasae Bishop, East Chicago Central; Leigha Brown, DeKalb; Sophie Bussard, Tippecanoe Valley; Tia Chambers, Penn; Taniece Chapman, Fort Wayne South; Sydney Freeman, Central Noble; Rose Fuentes, Hammond Noll; Kathryn Knapke, Fort Wayne Luers; Emma Nolan, Marquette Catholic; Olivia Pearson, Logansport; Mariah Plunkett, John Glenn; Dash Shaw, Gary West; Lindsey Simpson, Knox; Daijah Smith, Gary Lighthouse.
District 2 boys – Cameron Alford, Brownsburg; Zach Banks, Westfield; Jesse Bingham, Warrern Central; James Burns, Lafayette Jeff; Will Geiger, Norwell; Mason Gillis, New Castle; Jack Hansen, Guerin Catholic; Christian Harvey, Richmond; Eric Hunter, Tindley; Mawich Kachjaani, International; Jalen Moore, Cloverdale; Robert Phinisee, McCutcheon; Michael Roberson, Central Christian; Cody Swimm, Hagerstown; Isaiah Thompson, Zionsville; Xavier White, Broad Ripple; Jalen Windham, Ben Davis.
District 2 girls – Taylor Burns, Twin Lakes; Cameron Cardenas, Beech Grove; Mikayla Cleary, Covenant Christian; Ella Collier, Danville; Sydney Cook, Wapahani; Maggie Deboy, Rossville; Kendall Fisher, Tindley; Erika Foy, Mississinewa; Mackenzie Green, Union City; Mallory Hawkins, South Vermillion; Emily Kiser, Noblesville; Madeline Lawrence, Winchester; Madison Layden, Northwestern; Maddie Nolan, Zionsville; Taylor Westgate, Oak Hill.
District 3 boys – Murray Becher, Heritage Hills; Terrence Browning-Sloan, Rock Creek; Matt Cornett, South Decatur; Sean East, New Albany; Sam Englert, Forest Park; Wyatt Felling, Triton Central; Lane Gilbert, Shakamak; Tyler Kramer, Southwestern (Hanover); Hayden Langkabel, Morristown; Brennan Neal, Whiteland; Keaton Richardson, Owen Valley; Garrett Silcott, Connersville; Jayden Wagoner, Loogootee; De’Avion Washington, Terre Haute South; Andrew Welage, Greensburg; Travis Wilson, Jennings County.
District 3 girls – Mackenzie Blazek, Whiteland; Lucy Carrigan, Rising Sun; Dazia Drake, Owen Valley; Nan Garcia, Jeffersonville; Addy Galarno, Columbus East; Cassidy Hardin, Center Grove; Grace Lensing, Evansville Memorial; Samantha Matthews, Charlestown; Anna Newman, Evansville North; Taylor Pepperworth, Terre Haute South; Tenleigh Phelps, Triton Central; Elise Scaggs, Mooresville; Ashley Schroer, Brownstown Central; Kayana Traylor, Martinsville; Grace Waggoner, Vincennes Rivet.
2017-18 winners
Oct. 31-Nov. 4 – District 1 girls: Leigha Brown, DeKalb. District 2 girls: Cassidy Crawford, Tipton; and Madison Layden, Northwestern. District 3 girls: Hya Haywood, Evansville Central.
Nov. 6-11 – District 1 girls: Karlee Feldman, Bremen. District 2 girls: Tomi Taiwo, Carmel. District 3 girls: Abby Wahl, Heritage Hills.
Nov. 13-18 – District 1 girls: Emma Nolan, Marquette Catholic. District 2 girls: Trinity Brady, Lawrence North; and Madeline Lawrence, Winchester. District 3 girls: Alison Hein, Vincennes Lincoln.
Nov. 20-25 – District 1 boys: Damezi Anderson, South Bend Riley. District 1 girls: Keegan Sullivan, South Bend St. Joseph. District 2 boys: Robert Phinisee, McCutcheon; and Garrett Pumphrey, Cambridge City Lincoln. District 2 girls: Mallory Hawkins, South Vermillion. District 3 boys: Romeo Langford, New Albany. District 3 girls: Juliana Kemper, Lawrenceburg.
Nov. 27-Dec. 2 – District 1 boys: Charlie Yoder, Westview. District 1 girls: Courtney Krol, Chesterton. District 2 boys: Luke Richardson, Lapel. District 2 girls: Sydney Tucker, Frankton. District 3 boys: Romeo Langford, New Albany. District 3 girls: Addisyn Blackwell, Bloomington South.
Dec. 4-9 – District 1 boys: Dominique Smith, Lake Station. District 1 girls: Timberlynn Thomas, South Bend Washington. District 2 boys: Edreece Redmond II, Bishop Chatard. District 2 girls: Maddie Nolan, Zionsville, and Audrey Reed, Sheridan. District 3 boys: Braeden Beard, Tell City. District 3 girls: Mackenzie Blazek, Whiteland.
Dec. 11-16 – District 1 boys: Keion Brooks Jr., Fort Wayne North. District 1 girls: Daijah Smith, Gary Lighthouse. District 2 boys: Jalen Moore, Cloverdale, and Robert Phinisee, McCutcheon. District 2 girls: Ella Collier, Danville. District 3 boys: Alex Hemenway, Castle, and Mekhi Lairy, Evansville Bosse. District 3 girls: Hannah Wolford, Providence.
Dec. 18-23 – District 1 boys: Brandon Newman, Valparaiso. District 1 girls: Shamari Tyson, Fort Wayne South. District 2 boys: Aaron Henry, Ben Davis. District 2 girls: Trinity Brady, Lawrence North. District 3 boys: Chance Coyle, Bloomington South. District 3 girls: Mackenzie Blazek, Whiteland.
Dec. 25-30 – District 1 boys: Michael Hemingway, Mishawaka Marian. District 1 girls: Morgan Litwiller, Northridge. District 2 boys: Luke Brown, Blackford, and Armaan Franklin, Cathedral. District 2 girls: Tomi Taiwo, Carmel. District 3 boys: Chayton Howard, Edgewood. District 3 girls: Lilly Hatton, North Harrison.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.