The Seymour boys basketball program met at the Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium one last time Monday to celebrate its 2015-16 season.
Freshman coach Jeff Nicholson and junior varsity head Brent Jameson started the night by introducing their teams and recapping their year on the hardwood.
The freshmen finished with eight wins, and the JV tallied six victories.
Varsity coach Kyle Clough then talked about his Owls squad, who went 6-17.
While the wins-losses columns didn’t favor the Owls, Clough emphasized the growth of the program.
“It was very frustrating, and I think that many (fans) felt the same way we did on some Friday and Saturday nights after a long trip on the road,” Clough said. “Eight of our losses were by five points or less, and five additional games we trailed or led by three points going into the fourth quarter. These guys put themselves into tremendous positions in games.
“The tough part about our season is that we didn’t have a lot to show on how tough these guys competed with the wins and losses. These guys have taken the program to the next step. Next year, teams are going to come here knowing they have a big dogfight ahead of them.”
Clough said that his team fought throughout the season and always maintained a positive attitude following tough losses.
“A lot of coaches in this state will tell you to ‘hold on’ if you lose a lot of games early,” Clough said. “The special thing about this team was their hope. If you were here the last game (against Floyd Central, a buzzer-beater loss), you saw their drive and competitive nature.
“It’s because of these guys that we will be excited for the next season and our younger players are happy to wear Seymour on their (shirts). It takes guts and special guys, and that’s what our guys were.”
Ryan Wieneke, a senior, brought home the defensive and “tough players win” award (formerly named mental attitude).
Jameson said that Wieneke had one of the best defensive skill sets in southern Indiana, and he listed the players who he shut down in and out of the Hoosier Hills Conference this past season.
Senior Toriek Miller, who was named All-HHC for the second consecutive year, took home the most valuable player award.
“He’s a guy that could do a lot of things for us,” Clough said. “He is recognized as one who is the very best guards in southern Indiana. He has put in a lot of hard work in on the court. It’s going to be a tall task to fill his role next season. It’s very hard to become an All-HHC player.”
The most improved award went to Tyler Bloom, who found starter minutes and improved his 3-pointer percentage in the second half of the season.
The Barney Scott Memorial award, which is in its third year and honors the former Seymour athletics director and coach, was presented to sophomore Alan Perry.
The award goes to a player who has character, success in the classroom, exemplifies teamwork, work ethic and is a leader.
Clough said that Perry was a leader on and off the court in just his second year, and played unselfishly during the season.