It was an eventful season of girls’ basketball here in Jackson County. Having two sectional champions, and a state finalist appearance from Brownstown Central. We also had some individual feats, as two girls joined the 1,000 point club during the year.

As we progress into spring sports, it is time to announce the Tribune Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year for the 2023-24 season.

This senior has proven to be one of the best players in Owls’ history, finishing her career in the top-10 in assists and points at Seymour High School.

Kendall Sterling has been selected as the Tribune Girls’ POTY.

“That’s a great honor, I’m very honored to be chosen as the county player of the year,” Sterling said. “I thought we had a decent season, which means a lot to me to get any type of recognition.”

Sterling wrapped up her high-school basketball career passing 1,000 points, finishing with 1,087; 7th all-time in Seymour girls’ history. She also defined the true role of a point guard, racking up 355 career assists, which is second all-time. She has the most assists in a season in Owls’ history with 123 this year.

“Obviously it means a lot, it shows all my hard work,” Sterling said. “It’s an honor to be up there and included with those great players. It means a lot to me.”

Some of her other awards from this season include; HHC All-Conference, HBCA All-District Team, ICGSA Academic All-State, ICGSA Third-Team All-State, IBCA Academic All-State and IBCA All-State Honorable Mention.

She also received an invite for the Hoosier Basketball Magazine Top 60 Workout, which highlights the top players in the entire state. She also passed the 1,000-point mark during her senior year. Sterling was asked about her favorite memory in her four seasons at Seymour.

“During my sophomore year when we won the first round of sectionals,” she said. “That was a pretty exciting memory for me.”

Sterling is not done with her basketball career however, as she moves to Thomas More University in Kentucky for college in the fall. She spoke on what she’s most excited for in her transition to collegiate athletics.

“I’m looking forward to getting something different in the style of play,” she said. “I’m excited to compete and getting to play against some great competition.”

Sterling scored 20+ points five times this season, scoring at least double figures in 17 of the 23 games this year. Her season-high of 24 points came against North Harrison in a 64-48 win. Scoring was a huge part of her growth as a player according to Seymour Girls’ Basketball Coach Jason Longmeier.

“Over the past couple of years, I really challenged Kendall to become more of a scorer and to be willing to take a high volume of shots,” Longmeier said. “I was pleased to see her buy into that role as she matured as a basketball player. Kendall is a very unselfish player. That is evident in her finishing her career with the second most assists in Seymour history. She has always been a team first player and that is something that I have always appreciated about her game.”

Sterling mentioned that her mid-range game was her biggest improvement in her four years. She spoke about her favorite part of the sport of basketball.

“I really love the competitive nature of the sport,” she said. “I love competing and love playing with my teammates. It’s something I’ve always enjoyed doing.”

Coach Longmeier said his favorite thing about Sterling is their player-coach relationship.

“It has been an absolute joy to coach Kendall over these past four years,” he said. “I have known Kendall her entire life, and to have the opportunity to watch her grow right before my eyes has been awesome. She has become my coach on the floor.”

Seymour finished their season with an 11-12 record, losing their opening game in sectionals to Jennings County 59-38.

There was still two sectional championship trophies that made it’s way to Jackson County this year, as the Braves and Cougars continued their dominance in the postseason.

Trinity fell in the regional final, while Brownstown Central was minutes away from their first state title in program history.

Remaining members on the all-county team:

Journee Brown (Sr.), Seymour: all-HHC first team, 14.5 ppg, 6.3 rebounds per game, IBCA Senior All-State Honorable Mention

Liza Froedge (Sr.), Trinity Lutheran: eclipsed 1,000 career points in sectional game, third in scoring at 12.2 ppg, second in three-point makes with 30 this season.

Jojo Clay (Sr.), Crothersville: led team in scoring (7.0 ppg) and rebounding (5.4 rpg).

Jenna Bowers (Sr.), Medora: 16.4 ppg led county, scored season-high 29 points against Hauser.

Madison Keith (Jr.), Trinity Lutheran: 15.2 ppg, recorded 14 double-doubles in 16 games played, selected as team most valuable player, IGBRR Third-Team All-State, IBCA Underclass All-State Honorable Mention.

Kinzee Dean (Jr.), Brownstown Central: led team in field-goal percentage and free-throw percentage, recieved awards for these categories.

Sophie Wischmeier (So.), Brownstown Central: all-MSC First Team, IBCA Underclass All-State Honorable Mention, selected as team most valuable player.

Harley Toppe (So.), Brownstown Central: Leading scorer for the Braves, dropped 19 points to lead all players in semistate final against Eastern Hancock.

Marley Warren (Fr.), Trinity Lutheran: IGBRR Class 1A Freshman of the Year, second on team in scoring at 14.4 points per game, led team in assists with 51.

Honorable Mention:

Aaralyn Hackney (Sr.), Medora: 12.2 ppg, scored season-high 32 points against Crothersville.

Jenna Klosterman (Jr.), Brownstown Central: all-MSC honorable mention, team leader in assists (97), most in a season under Coach Allman, recieved coaches award at banquet.

Laura Roeder (Jr.), Trinity Lutheran: team leader in steals (58), Recepient of 1st Donna Sullivan Award at team banquet.

Sophie Skidmore (Jr.), Seymour: all-HHC honorable mention, team most improved, 7.1 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game.

Kendra Kelshaw (Fr.), Crothersville: Averaged 5.0 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game for the Tigers.