Warsaw senior, Cloverdale junior and Connersville senior cited for week of Feb. 27-March 4
Game-winning shots. Forty-point games. Multiple double-doubles.
In brief, that describes efforts put forth by Warsaw senior Kyle Mangas, Cloverdale junior Jalen Moore and Connersville senior Grant Smith, the honorees for the week of Feb. 27-March 4 in the IBCA/Subway Player of the Week program.
Mangas is the winner for District 1 in the recognition program coordinated by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association. Moore is the recipient for District 2. Smith received accolades for District 3.
The 6-3 Mangas averaged 22.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in leading Warsaw to a 3-0 week and the championship of the Class 4A sectional at Elkhart Central.
The Indiana Wesleyan University recruit opened with 19 points, including a game-winning last-second 3-pointer, plus six rebounds, two assists and two steals as the Tigers topped Northridge 36-33. He followed with 26 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals in a 71-36 surprise over host Elkhart Central. Mangas then produced 23 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals in a 49-32 decision over Goshen.
Over the three games, Mangas converted 22-of-43 field goals, 8-of-17 3-pointers and 16-of-20 free throws as Warsaw improved to 17-9.
Moore averaged 31.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.3 steals as Cloverdale (21-6) captured the Class 2A sectional at South Putnam.
The 5-9 guard unloaded for 40 points, four rebounds, three assists and six steals as the Clovers ran past Southmont 100-62 in the first round. He tallied with 18 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals in a 61-51 semifinal victory over North Putnam. Moore completed his week by scoring 36 points with three rebounds, three assists and eight steals as Cloverdale defeated Monrovia 74-61.
Moore was 14-of-20 from the field, 6-of-10 on 3-pointers and 6-of-6 on free throws against Southmont. He was 9-of-18 from the floor, 2-of-5 from long range and 16-of-20 from the line against Monrovia.
The 6-6 Smith averaged 28.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.0 blocks in propelling Connersville (26-1) to the crown of the Class 4A sectional at New Castle.
Smith opened with 31 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four blocks as the Spartans beat Mt. Vernon (Fortville) 59-55 in double overtime. He netted 24 points with 12 rebounds, three assists and three blocks in a 65-47 semifinal decision over Richmond. In the final, Smith poured in 30 ponts with 10 rebounds, two assists and five blocks as Connersville outlasted New Castle 59-44.
For the week, Smith was 22-of-40 on field goals, 5-of-12 on 3-pointers and 36-of-46 on free throws.
This is the ninth season for the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Week program and the fifth season it is presented by Subway Restaurants of Indiana, a banner sponsor of the IBCA. Subway, in its sixth season as an IBCA sponsor, encourages athletes to "train hard and eat fresh."
Player of the Week winners are chosen each week from each of the IHSAA's three districts. Boys winners will be chosen from now through the week following March 25. The girls’ season is complete.
Other nominees for Week 18 (2016-17)
District 1 boys – Carson Blair, Southwood; Cornell Conner, Elkhart Central; Jermaine Couisnard, East Chicago Central; Walter Ellis, South Bend Adams; Jack Ferguson, Homestead; Keegan Fetters, Lakewood Park Christian; J.J. Foster, Fort Wayne Dwenger; Luke Foote, Churubusco; C.J. Hampton, Griffith; Parker Hazen, Columbia City; Tyreion Jackson, Hammond Morton; Matt Jennings, Logansport; Brandan Johnson, FortWayne North; Braxton Meek, Angola; Jacob Redding, Carroll (Fort Wayne); Richard Robertson, Fort Wayne Northrop; Sasha Stefanovic, Crown Point; Tysean Sheppard, South Bend Clay; Luke Stephens, Fairfield; Mikale Stevenson, Fort Wayne South; Cam Wilbon, Merrillville; Jaylen Williams, Gary Lighthouse; Ray Yagelski, Chesterton; Reeve Zolman, Central Noble.
District 2 boys – Cameron Alford, Brownsburg; Anthony Barnard, Kokomo; P.J. Baron, Carmel; Jack Davidson, Hamilton Southeastern; Caleb Dickey, Riverton Parke; Kevin Easley, Lawrence North; Trevor Eppert, North Vermillion; Gavin Griggs, Shenandoah; Eric Hunter, Tindley; Maurice Knight, Frankton; Landon Newnum, Rockville; Robert Phinisee, McCutcheon; Teyon Scanlan, Indianapolis Attucks; Mack Smith, Warren Central; Isaiah Thompson, Zionsville; Kris Wilkes, North Central.
District 3 boys – Paxon Bartley, Wood Memorial; Tamaje’ Blackwell, Evansville Reitz; Gannon Bobe, South Knox; Brigham Booe, Northview; Kaden Branam, Waldron; Chance Coyle, Bloomington South; Brandon Duncan, Evansville Harrison; Sam Englert, Forest Park; Alex Gross, Hauser; Collin Jackson, Mt. Vernon (Posey); Musa Jallow, Bloomington North; Ben Kinker, Oldenburg Academy; Zach Kuhn, Shelbyville; Mekhi Lairy, Evansville Bosse; Romeo Langford, New Albany; Jaylen Minnett, Terre Haute South; Tyler Nottingham, Jasper; Jack Nunge, Castle; Jacob Overton, Washington; Spencer Piercefield, Center Grove; Luke Smith, Monrovia; Colton White, Pike Central; Tanner Yeryar, Shakamak.
