Receiving special varsity awards at Crothersville’s winter sports awards program Wednesday night were, front from left, Haley Williams, Kennadi Lakins, Karley Gillis, Kendall Berry, Ella Plasse and Morgan Womack; back row are Zachary Helt, Matthew Clouse, Logen O’Sullivan, Preston West and Beau Napier.
Arv Koontz | The Tribune
The Crothersville high school and middle school boys and girls basketball teams and cheerleaders were honored Wednesday night during an awards program at the school.
Kennadi Lakins and Ella Plasse received special awards in both cheerleading and girls basketball, while Preston West, Logen O’Sullivan and Zach Helt received two varsity awards each for their boys basketball contributions.
Lakins received the 3-point, assists and free throw awards.
“That shows you how valuable she was to the team,” coach Kevin Hensley said.
She was named to the all-Southern Athletic Conference team despite only playing in two conference games. This was the second time for her to make all-conference.
“That shows you what the conference coaches thought of her,” Hensley said.
Lakins scored 163 points in 10 games for an average of 16.3 with high games of 30 against Columbus Christian and 25 against South Central.
Plasse received the Tiger Mental Attitude and defensive award. She had 33 steals, Hensley said.
Kendall Berry also was a double award winner as she took home the coaches and rebound awards.
Morgan Womack received the most improved award.
The Tigers had a record of 3-14. Their biggest win was an 83-52 victory against Columbus Christian, and they scored 69 against Cannelton.
Hensley said the girls gave a good effort throughout the season.
“They wanted to win every game. I’m proud of them,” he said.
Helt received the rebound and coaches award for the boys. He had 96 rebounds for the season.
West received the 3-point and free throw trophies. He made 79% of his free throws.
O’Sullivan was the recipient of the defensive and assists awards.
Matthew Clouse received the Tiger Mental Attitude award, and Beau Napier received the most improved award.
Curtis Thompson received the junior varsity assists and rebounding awards, Napier received the JV free throw trophy and Caden Lewis was named the most improved JV player.
The varsity Tigers had a record of 3-20.
“We had a rough season, and the kids did a great job,” coach Bryant Layman said. “They were a gritty team, and they played hard.”
Layman said he was hired as head coach during the summer.
“I had my first meeting with the team the morning of our first summer game,” he said. “We played a great sectional game for the first half. We’ve got a good group coming back.”
Athletic Director Jacob Dunn said players who made the Hoosier Basketball Coaches Association Honors Court (3.2 or higher grade point average) were Lakins, Helt, Clouse, Plasse, Womack, Napier, Lewis, Dirk Crater, Corey Reynolds and Devin Morgan.
Plasse received the varsity cheerleader mental attitude award, and Lakins was named the most outstanding cheerleader. Haley Williams was named the most improved varsity cheerleader, and Karley Gillis received the Tiger Mental Attitude award.
Elayna Ord was named the most improved JV cheerleader, Destiny Lawrence received the Tiger Mental Attitude award and Matty Deaton received best all-around award.