Fishers’ Keenan Garner earns recognition as Player of the Year
The REPORTER
The 2023-24 boys basketball season in Hamilton County finished last week with a historic achievement from the Fishers Tigers.
Fishers won its first-ever boys basketball state championship last Saturday, claiming the Class 4A state title with a hard-fought 65-56 win over defending champion Ben Davis. This came three weeks after the No. 1-ranked Tigers got out of the toughest sectional in the state, beating No. 2 Noblesville in the championship game there. The Millers won a semifinal over No. 3 Westfield, while Fishers beat Carmel, the only team it lost to during the regular season, in the first round.
Guerin Catholic also made a deep postseason run in Class 3A. The No. 6-ranked Golden Eagles won their own sectional by stunning No. 1 Brebeuf Jesuit in a double overtime epic. Guerin Catholic then made its way to the Seymour semi-state championship game, where its run came to an end at the hands of eventual 3A champion Scottsburg.
With the basketball season over, but still fresh in the minds of fans, it’s time to announce the Hamilton County Reporter’s All-County boys basketball team and Player of the Year.
Fishers senior Keenan Garner is the Reporter’s Player of the Year. Garner was an incredible leader for the Tigers during their 29-1 state championship season, leading the team in points (16.1) and rebounds (8.3) and blocks (1.4), also dishing out 3.7 assists per game. Garner is entertaining several Division I offers, including from IUPUI and Bradley.
Fishers junior JonAnthony Hall is a three-sport athlete entertaining several D-I football offers, but he proved he can play championship-level basketball. Hall averaged 11.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists during the season, scoring 23 points in the Tigers’ state championship victory.
Noblesville senior Aaron Fine was a varsity player since his first game as a Miller, and he grew into a remarkable leader over his four years. Fine led Noblesville in scoring with 17.9 points and in assists with 3.4, also collecting 3.5 rebounds per game. He is committed to Purdue University as a preferred walk-on.
Guerin Catholic senior Robert Sorensen provided plenty of highlights this season, helping the Golden Eagles to a second consecutive regional championship. Sorensen led the GC scoring with 16.3 points and also had 4.4 rebounds per game.
Westfield senior Trey Buchanan was a major part of the Shamrocks’ growth over the past few years. This season, Buchanan led Westfield to a 19-3 season and consistent top three ranking in Class 4A. Buchanan averaged 13.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, he has committed to the University of Iowa as a preferred walk-on.