Seymour’s Casey Regruth made big strides at both ends of the basketball court this winter, earning him the Owls’ most valuable player award.
“Casey is a unique player who is talented in the paint and on the perimeter,” coach Kirk Manns said. “He has the size at 6-4 and the strength to guard a center and the lateral quickness to defend point guards. Offensively, he creates mismatches because of his versatility to score inside and outside.”
Because of his all-around play, Manns said his teammates chose Regruth as most valuable player when the team’s awards program recently was held in the school cafeteria.
Regruth had a season-high 18 points against Jeffersonville and a season-high 12 rebounds against New Albany. He scored in double figures seven times and shot 44% from the floor and 68% from the line.
Overall, Regruth averaged 7.6 points per game, and in Hoosier Hills Conference games, he averaged nine points per game. He had a double-double (points, rebounds) against Corydon Central with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
He also received the rebound award for averaging 4.7 rebounds per game.
“Casey made great strides during his junior year and I believe is poised to have a great senior season,” Manns said.
Marcus Brooks was awarded the defensive player award, Andrew Levine received the unsung player award and Landon Fritsch was named the most improved player.
“Marcus has used his size and length to become a great perimeter defender,” Manns said. “Marcus has a nose for the ball. He rebounds at a high level offensively and defensively. Marcus is a hard worker, and because of that, I believe that he is going to continue to improve in all aspects of the game.”
Fritsch, a sophomore, averaged 9.4 points per game this season with a high of 20 against Franklin and scored in double figures 16 times in the past two seasons.
“Landon is a skilled player who works very hard at improving,” Manns said. “I believe that he has given us only a small glimpse of what is yet to come and he matures into an upperclassman.”
Manns said Levine had a slow start but finished very well.
“The unsung award goes to someone who provides spark to the team and doesn’t always get credit,” Manns said.
Brooks, Regruth, Meyer, Levine, Will Cottrill and Bret Perry received scholar-athlete awards, and Brooks and Regruth received all A’s.
“These are the most important awards we’re giving tonight,” he said.
The Owls had a record of 10-12.
“It was a trying year,” Manns said. “I didn’t think we’d play as many games as we did. The varsity had a lot of highlights. I was impressed with this group. Every guy stepped up.
“The trainer (Kyle Coates) did an amazing job with the COVID constraints. We have a healthy program, and we’re going forward. This year has been something like no other season, and we appreciate the players sticking with the changes. If we’re going to continue to go forward, we have to do more than the coaches ask us to do. We’re going to have to work on our shooting.”