IBCA Players of the Week: Feb. 11-16
Category: 2018-2019 High School Written by PRESS RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE: Brandon Newman poured in 49 points to break a 37-year-old school record, and the Valparaiso High School senior is one of multiple standouts recognized in this week’s IBCA/Subway Player of the Week program. Blackford sophomore Luke Brown, Floyd Central senior Cobie Barnes, Marquette Catholic senior Sophia Nolan, Winchester junior Maddie Lawrence, Benton Central junior Audrey Strawsma and Vincennes Rivet senior Grace Waggoner join Newman as honorees for the week of Feb. 11-16 in the recognition program coordinated by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.
Newman is the boys’ recipient and Nolan is the girls’ recipient for District 1. Brown is the boys’ honoree, while Lawrence and Strawsma are girls’ co-winners for District 2. Barnes and Waggoner received respective accolades for District 3.
The 6-5 Newman averaged 34.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in leading the Valparaiso boys (18-5) to a pair of triumphs. First, the Purdue signee scored 23 points with seven rebounds, three assists and three steals in a 67-39 victory over Chesterton. Newman then erupted for a school-record 49 points plus seven rebounds, two assists and three steals as the Vikings beat Concord 87-42.
Newman’s 49-point output eclipsed Valpo’s previous single-game scoring record of 46 points by Roger Harden against Portage in a sectional final on March 6, 1982. Newman was 25-of-40 on field goals, 10-of-16 on 3-pointers and 12-of-13 on free throws over both games, including 18-of-26, 8-of-10 and 5-of-5 in the record-setting contest.
Brown scored even more, averaging 40.3 points and 5.0 assists in keying the Blackford boys (15-5) to a 2-1 week. The 6-1 guard racked up 54 points – one off his career high – plus two rebounds, six assists and six steals in a 93-59 victory over Daleville. He followed with 34 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals in a 65-59 triumph over Southern Wells, then produced 33 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals in a 75-53 setback to Wabash.
Over three games, Brown sank 42-of-86 shots, including 8-of-30 3-pointers, and 29-of-31 free throws. In the 54-point outburst, he was 20-of-24, 5-of-14 and 9-of-10. Brown’s career-high game was 55 points earlier this season on Dec. 14 against Elwood.
The 6-6 Barnes averaged 31.3 points and 9.3 rebounds in propelling the Floyd Central boys (19-2) to a trio of victories. The Indiana State recruit tallied 22 points with seven rebounds, two assists and four steals in a 46-24 victory over Brownstown Central. He followed with 36 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and two steals in a 66-49 decision over Louisville St. Xavier. Barnes completed his week with 36 points, nine rebounds and two assists as the Highlanders topped Bloomington North 58-47. In three games, Barnes converted 35-of-64 from the field, 6-of-15 from long range and 15-of-20 from the line.
Nolan helped the Marquette Catholic girls (26-2) earn a return trip to the Class A State Finals. The 6-2 forward scored 26 points, grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds and notched three blocked shots as the Blazers beat Northfield 47-32 in the Class A semi-state at LaPorte. The Saint John’s signee hit 9-of-17 shots and 8-of-8 free throws for her big game.
Lawrence and Strawsma each posted a double-double to share the girls’ District 2 award.
The 6-0 Lawrence totaled 21 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and three steals in lifting the Winchester girls (26-3) to a 59-50 victory over Evansville Mater Dei in the Jeffersonville Semi-State and a spot in the Class 2A State Finals. Lawrence was 3-of-6 from the field and 15-of-16 from the line as the Golden Falcons notched a return trip to Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Strawsma tallied 20 points, 15 rebounds, two steals and one block in leading the Benton Central girls (26-4) to a 48-34 triumph over Salem in the Class 3A semi-state at Jasper. The 5-11 junior center sank 9-of-12 field and 2-of-2 from the line as the Lady Bison earned a berth in the Class 3A State Finals.
The 6-0 Waggoner led the Vincennes Rivet girls (29-0) to a rematch with Marquette Catholic in the Class A State Finals. The Indiana University-bound wing totaled 24 points with six rebounds, one assist and one steal as the Patriots defeated University 61-50 in the Class A semi-state at Jasper. Waggoner made 9-of-15 shots, 1-of-2 3-pointers and 5-of-5 free throws.
This is the 11th season for the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Week program and the seventh 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."
Winners in the Player of the Week are chosen each week from each of the IHSAA’s three districts. Girls winners will be chosen from now through the week following Feb. 23. Boys winners will be chosen from now through the week following March 23.
Other nominees for Week 16 (2018-19)
District 1 boys – Joe Andershock, Marquette Catholic; Tanner Behnfeldt, Fremont; Johnell Davis, Gary 21st Century; Nate Dukich, Lake Station; Trevor Franklin, West Noble; Jake Friel, Hebron; Dallas Holmes, Southwood; Dustin Hudak, Lowell; Jackson Hughes, Rensselaer Central; Jaden Ivey, Mishawaka Marian; Michael Johnson, Concord; J.R. Konieczny, South Bend St. Joseph; Dan McKeeman, Carroll (Fort Wayne); Bailey Merritt, Hamilton; Jylen Petty, South Bend Washington; G’Angelo Reillo, Whiting; Mitchell Wilson, Columbia City; Ridley Zolman, Central Noble.
District 1 girls – Ariel Dale, Northfield; Sydney Freeman, Central Noble; Ellie VanDeel, Crown Point.
District 2 boys – Josh Bryan, Delta; Luke Bumbalough, New Castle; Dawson Eastes, New Palestine; Malek Edmonds, Brownsburg; Armaan Franklin, Cathedral; Chase Frey, Rossville; Will Geiger, Norwell; Brandon Haralson, Anderson; Zack Johnson, Noblesville; John Michael Mulloy, Carmel; Landon O’Neal, Eastern Hancock; Allen Plunkett, South Putnam; Luke Richardson, Lapel; Nate Soltis, Cardinal Ritter; Kyle Thomas, Cloverdale; Isaiah Thompson, Zionsville; Jackson Ullom, Monroe Central.
District 2 girls – Amaya Hamilton, Hamilton Southeastern; Ra’Shaya Kyle, Marion; Madison Layden, Northwestern; Maddi Sears, University; Jayla Smith, Lawrence North; Adrianna Trexler, Oak Hill.
District 3 boys – Gage Bobe, South Knox; Kevin Figg, Sullivan; Cade Graham, Evansville Memorial; Zane Gross, Silver Creek; Chris Johnson, New Albany; Jacob Jones, Jeffersonville; Tyler Kramer, Southwestern (Hanover); Khristian Lander, Evansville Reitz; Anthony Leal, Bloomington South; Turner Royal, Bloomfield; Simon Scherry, Heritage Hills; Nicholas Schiavello, Columbus North; Chase Schoen, South Central (Elizabeth); Josh Smith, Monrovia; Reece Thomson, Franklin; Isaac Wagler, Barr-Reeve; Joey Wiseman, Corydon Central.
District 3 girls – Jossie Hudson, Evansville Mater Dei; Leah Miller, Salem; Natalie Niehaus, Castle.
2018-19 winners
Oct. 29-Nov. 3 – District 1 girls: Darliesha Reed, Hammond Gavit. District 2 girls: Madison Jones, Western Boone. District 3 girls: Addy Blackwell, Bloomington South, and Amani Brown, Terre Haute South.
Nov. 5-10 – District 1 girls: Sydney Freeman, Central Noble, and Dash Shaw, Gary West. District 2 girls: Maggie Cora, Tri-West.District 3 girls: Hannah Sisk, Princeton.
Nov. 12-17 – District 1 girls: Sophie Bussard, Tippecanoe Valley. District 2 girls: Alaina Omonode, West Lafayette, and Cameron Tabor, New Castle. District 3 girls: Lilly Hatton, North Harrison.
Nov. 19-24 – District 1 boys: Sam Skaggs, Logansport. District 1 girls: Mila Reynolds, South Bend Washington. District 2 boys:Colton Brown, Covington, and Luke Brown, Blackford. District 2 girls: Ella Collier, Danville. District 3 boys: Drew Buhr, Austin. District 3 girls: Nan Garcia, Jeffersonville.
Nov. 26-Dec. 1 – District 1 boys: Colin Kenney, Marquette Catholic. District 1 girls: Lilliann Frasure, North Judson. District 2 boys: Luke Brown, Blackford. District 2 girls: Jayla Smith, Lawrence North. District 3 boys: Josiah Ricketts, North Posey. District 3 girls:Jewel McCormick, Springs Valley.
Dec. 3-8 – District 1 boys: Tanner Behnfeldt, Fremont. District 1 girls: Emma Nolan, Marquette Catholic. District 2 boys: Zach Banks, Westfield. District 2 girls: Grace Hunter, Bellmont. District 3 boys: Kade Badger, Henryville. District 3 girls: Myah Montgomery, Southridge.
Dec. 10-15 – District 1 boys: Brandon Newman, Valparaiso. District 1 girls: Hannah Noveroske, Michigan City. District 2 boys:Luke Brown, Blackford. District 2 girls: Sydney Parrish, Hamilton Southeastern. District 3 boys: Trayce Jackson-Davis, Center Grove.District 3 girls: Grace Waggoner, Vincennes Rivet.
Dec. 17-22 – District 1 boys: Chuck Wilcox, North Judson. District 1 girls: Courtney Blakely, Hammond Noll. District 2 boys:Luke Bumbalough, New Castle. District 2 girls: Shelby Caldwell, Jay County. District 3 boys: Cobie Barnes, Floyd Central. District 3 girls:Meredith Raley, Gibson Southern.
Dec. 24-29 – District 1 boys: Jaden Ivey, Mishawaka Marian. District 1 girls: Jessica Carrothers, Crown Point. District 2 boys:Armaan Franklin, Cathedral. District 2 girls: Cassidy Crawford, Tipton. District 3 boys: Alex Hemenway, Castle. District 3 girls: Ella Thompson, Center Grove.
Dec. 31-Jan. 5 – District 1 boys: G’Angelo Reillo, Whiting. District 1 girls: Emma Nolan, Marquette Catholic, and Hannah Noveroske, Michigan City. District 2 boys: Harold Bennett, Indianapolis Attucks. District 2 girls: Kendall Bostic, Northwestern. District 3 boys: Drew Buhr, Austin, and Khristian Lander, Evansville Reitz. District 3 girls: Makinzi Meurer, North Knox.
Jan. 7-12 – District 1 boys: Spencer Sroufe, Whitko. District 1 girls: Jordan Clingler, Caston. District 2 boys: Gus Etchison, Hamilton Heights, and John Michael Mulloy, Carmel. District 2 girls: Madison Jones, Western Boone. District 3 boys: Christian Tucker, Springs Valley. District 3 girls: Natalie Boesing, Providence, and Allison Stogsdill, Brown County.
Jan. 14-19 – District 1 boys: Christopher Mantis, Lowell. District 1 girls: Bianca Radtke, Rensselaer Central. District 2 boys:Jalen Blackmon, Marion. District 2 girls: Lindsey Syrek, University. District 3 boys: Alex Hemenway, Castle. District 3 girls: Kenna Hisle, Evansville North.
Jan. 21-26 – District 1 boys: Sydney Curry, Fort Wayne Northrop. District 1 girls: Taylor Austin, Lake Station Edison. District 2 boys: Jalen Blackmon, Marion. District 2 girls: Madison Jones, Western Boone. District 3 boys: Wyatt Felling, Triton Central. District 3 girls: Makinzi Meurer, North Knox.
Jan. 28-Feb. 2 – District 1 boys: Alex Yoder, Eastside. District 1 girls: Jessica Carrothers, Crown Point. District 2 boys: Kayden Key, Frankton. District 2 girls: Maddie Bischoff, Roncalli. District 3 boys: Stephan Wilkerson, Princeton. District 3 girls: Elise Scaggs, Mooresville.
Feb. 4-9 – District 1 boys: Johnell Davis, Gary 21st Century. District 1 girls: Sydney Freeman, Central Noble. District 2 boys:Tayson Parker, Northwestern. District 2 girls: Madison Layden, Northwestern. District 3 boys: Colson Montgomery, Southridge. District 3 girls: Jorie Allen, Bedford North Lawrence.
Feb. 11-16 – District 1 boys: Brandon Newman, Valparaiso. District 1 girls: Sophia Nolan, Marquette Catholic. District 2 boys:Luke Brown, Blackford. District 2 girls: Maddie Lawrence, Winchester, and Audrey Strawsma, Benton Central. District 3 boys: Cobie Barnes, Floyd Central. District 3 girls: Grace Waggoner, Vincennes Rivet.