During the Trinity Lutheran boys basketball awards program Monday night, assistant coach Chaz Painter said Eli Ballard was the “heart and soul” of the team.

“Eli would get us three or four baskets early, and then he would come up with some steals. He kept us afloat,” Painter said.

Prior to those comments, Painter presented Ballard with the most valuable player award in the Bollinger Athletic Complex.

Ballard topped the Cougars in points with 188 in 23 games for an average of 8.2 per game. His high games were 21 against Crothersville, 14 against Edinburgh and Medora and 13 against Clarksville.

Luke Coomler received the Cougar Award. Coomler said he transferred from Seymour High School to Trinity prior to his junior year, and he is glad he made that decision.

“He accepted his role, and it helped him become a better player,” Painter said.

Coomler was a starter this season and had high-point games of 15 against Southwestern (Shelby) and 12 against Rock Creek.

Jack Stuckwisch was named the outstanding offensive player. The freshman began the season playing on the junior varsity team and appeared in 11 varsity games, and he averaged 10 points a game with high games of 17 against Medora and 15 against Crothersville.

“It seemed like every shot he took, he thought he was going to make,” Painter said.

Sophomore Jake Holland was named the outstanding defensive player. He was a starter on the JV team, and Painter said when he came into varsity games, “We picked him to guard the opponent’s best players, and he did a good job.”

Levi Pottschmidt received the assist award for leading the Cougars in assists. When he wasn’t assisting teammates, he was shooting and scoring and had 20 against Lanesville and 17 against Madison.

Levi Froedge was named the most improved player.

“At the beginning of the season, he fouled a lot. At the end of the season, he didn’t do that. He improved a lot,” Painter said.

Brad Dickey, who coached the Cougars the past two seasons, resigned after the season.

Trinity was 6-17 this season. The Cougars started out 0-3, defeated Southwestern and then dropped five more.

Trinity then went 4-2 over its next six games to stand 5-10 but won only one more game, against Lanesville in its final home game. Trinity lost to the host team in the New Washington Sectional.

Froedge, Ballard and Coomler received senior awards.

“They were good kids, just like the junior varsity,” Painter said. “They were a joy to be around. They learned a lot.”

Trinity’s JV team had a record of 10-7.

“They learned a lot and kept progressing,” Painter said.