The REPORTER
Four Hamilton County student-athletes are among the Hoosier Crossroads Conference’s list of Winter Athletes of the Year.
The local athletes are as follows:
Boys basketball: Cooper Zachary, Fishers
Zachary, a junior, has led the Tigers to three consecutive HCC titles, including a 25-game HCC win streak.
Zachary has earned All-HCC First Team status his sophomore and junior seasons after being named Second Team as a freshman. Zachary was also an integral part Fishers’ run to a state championship his freshman year and a state runner-up finish his sophomore season.
This season, Zachary led the HCC with 5.3 assists while averaging 15.0 points per game and 2.9 steals. He also shot 92 percent from the free-throw line.
“Cooper is one of the toughest players I have had the privilege to coach,” said Fishers coach Garrett Winegar. “Above all, he is a WINNER. He is 83-3 as a starting point guard. Midway through his junior year he had already set the school record in career 3s, steals and assists. Even with all those records, so much of what he does to impact winning does not show up on the stat sheet. He does more on the floor to impact winning than anyone in the state. On top of everything he does on the floor, he is a great kid, a great leader and a great student.”
Girls basketball: Kennedy Holman, Hamilton Southeastern
During her career, the senior Holman played on four HCC championship teams. She was a three-year starter and earned four letters. The Royals are currently riding a 24-game HCC win streak, on which Holman has played a vital role.
Holman was also an integral part of two sectional championships and one regional title for the Royals. This year, the senior led the HCC in scoring at 17.6 points per game. In addition, she had a team leading 7.6 rebounds per game, 3.1 assists per game, 2.5 steals per game and 1.4 blocks per game. Holman holds the HSE career assist record with 477.
“I have been blessed to coach Kennedy Holman,” said Royals coach Brian Satterfield. “She has been a tremendous asset to our program. Just watching her compete at a high level every day at both ends of the floor is what separates her from most. When your best player is one of your hardest workers, it makes coaching a lot easier. Kennedy also has been a leader as she helped our younger players grow and gain confidence throughout the year. Kennedy will be hard to replace, but she has left a stamp on the program for the returners to follow.”
Kennedy will continue her education and basketball career at the University of Florida.
Boys swimming: Alex Koo, Fishers
Koo, a junior, won the 100 butterfly and finished a strong second in the 50 freestyle at this year’s IHSAA state meet. At the HCC Meet, Koo won both the 50 and 100 freestyles, leading Fishers to a team championship.
“Alex has made huge improvements during his Junior Year,” said Tigers coach Joe Keller. “Those improvements have occurred in the pool and weight room due to the level of focus he has brought to training on a daily basis. His effort and attention to detail have been high level. Likewise, the growth in confidence has been a by-product of the process and afforded him the opportunities he maximized this year.”
Girls swimming: Emily Wolf, Fishers
A three-time IHSAA state champion, the junior Wolf won both the 200 and 500 freestyles at this year’s state meet. Wolf won both the 200 free and 500 free at this year’s HCC meet, setting a new meet record in the latter at 4:55.25.
“Emily has had a fantastic Junior year as she made USA Swimming’s National Junior Team in the fall,” said Keller. “Since, she has grown in her preparation, self-talk and commitment as a champion. Her success is the result of being process oriented while recognizing and understanding the potential outcomes. Finally, the leadership she demonstrates daily continues to raise the level of every athlete in the program.”
Wolf will continue her education and swim career at North Carolina State University.
Other winner
Boys wrestling: Nate Rioux, Avon.