Junior Jaylan Johnson received the most valuable player award Wednesday night when the Seymour Owls basketball team’s awards programs was held in the high school cafeteria.

Owls head coach Kirk Manns said Johnson topped the Owls in points per game (13.5), rebounds (5.0), field goal percentage (53.7%), field goals attempted (132), field goals made (115), free throws attempted (132), free throws made (80), steals (32), and charges taken (nine).

He scored in double figures 19 times with a high game of 25 against Greensburg. He also had a season-high 11 rebounds against Charlestown.

“Jaylan is an extremely tough matchup,” Manns said. “He has proven to be a consistent scorer in the paint and on the perimeter. He has developed into an all-around player.”

Johnson was named to the Hoosier Hills all-conference first team, along with Brady Harpe.

Harpe was named the Owls’ most improved player.

“There is one player that improved tremendously from two years ago to now, and that’s Brady Harpe,” Manns said.

Harpe scored in double figures 14 times and averaged 12 ppg with a high of 23 against Whiteland.

He topped the Owls in 3-point attempts (107), makes (56) and percentage (52.3). He also tied Bret Perry for free throw percentage at 84.1%.

Perry, Michael Brooks, Parker Thompson and Evan Unterseher also received special varsity honors.

Perry was named the Owls’ outstanding defensive player, all-conference honorable mention, academic all-state honorable mention, and he received a scholar athletic award along with Unterseher.

Perry has earned four varsity letters each in football, basketball and baseball.

He topped the Owls in assists at three per game and tied Harpe in free throws percentage at 84.1%. His high-point game was 16 against Scottsburg and he also had eight assists against Scottsburg.

“Bret has been a great example for the guys who are following. He takes care of his stuff,” Manns said.

Perry received the defensive award for the second straight year.

Brooks received the varsity Owl award.

He averaged 7.8 points per game with a high of 22 against Brownstown.

Manns said that award is based on all-around play, leadership and sportsmanship.

“Michael is a versatile player both offensively and defensively,” he said. “Offensively he served as our primary ball handler and defensively was able to guard a 5-10 point guard or a 6-7 forward.”

Thompson received the unsung player award.

Manns said that award is the player willing to be on the floor, unnoticed, willing to be unselfish, and give up for his team.

Manns said Thompson improved as the season went along and gave one example where he didn’t have any 3-pointers the first half of the season and he made seven 3s the last half of the season.

The Owls went 18-5 this season for one of the best seasons in school history. They tied Jeffersonville for the HHC title with a record of 5-1.

The Owls allowed 42 points per game, which was 15th in the state and the school’s lowest defensive mark since 1949. He said the Owls had several long defensive possessions.

Manns said the team did an excellent job of playing together, and they were together on and off the floor.

“This group was very unselfish, willing to do the hard stuff that it took to be successful,” he said. “They were willing to make the extra pass, dive on the floor and take charges.”

He said the team did a good job of grinding things out, especially in the close games as they were 6-1 in games decided by five points or less. They were 4-1 in overtime games.

Junior varsity Coach Seth Stuckwisch introduced members of his team.

He said it had a five-game win streak during the season, was 3-3 against HHC teams, and finished 10-12.

Jack Broughton received the Owl Award.

Freshman Coach Ty McCory introduced the freshmen. He said they were 12-8, won their last seven games and were 6-2 against HHC teams.

Carter Stein received the Freshman Owl Award.