THE REPORTER
Hamilton Heights’ Evan Williamson is among the 40 Indiana high school seniors have been named winners of 2023 scholarship awards from the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association, it was announced Wednesday.
The IBCA — a statewide coaches group with about 2,400 members — this year is presenting a grant of $500 to each recipient in the names of Marion Crawley, Junior Mannies and Pat Aikman. Through the years, the IBCA has awarded about $780,000 in scholarships to Indiana student-athletes.
“I would like to congratulate you for being selected as a recipient,” IBCA executive director emeritus Steve Witty wrote in informing winners of the various selections. “… Thank you for your contributions to Indiana high school basketball, and best of luck as you move on to the college of your choice.”
A total of 37 Crawley Scholarships were presented to 18 boys’ players, 14 girls’ players and five student managers.
The other boys’ recipients for 2023 are Creighton Bennett of Speedway, Elhadj Diallo of Brownsburg, Tymon Ferguson of Columbus North, Victor Garrett of Cowan, Milton Green of Gary West, Trey Hall of Plymouth, Malik Hasani of Indianapolis Tech, Rhys Hofer of East Central, Jase Howell of Madison-Grant, Blaine Marlatt of Cowan, Luke McDurmon of Evansville Mater Dei, Mitchell Milausnic of Lake Central, Carter Mundy of Jasper, Marcus Northern of South Bend Washington, Charles Rudolph of Carroll (Fort Wayne), Kenyan Troxel of Shenandoah and Cole Wheat of East Central.
The girls’ recipients for 2023 are Chloe Browning of Washington, Cameran Cahall of Madison, Braelyn Carter of Lowell, Emily Cissell of Borden, Raegan Hodge of Christian Academy of Indiana, Emma Long of Columbus North, Brett White, Lauren Luce of Wapahani, Cadence Mills of Vincennes Rivet, Anna Moore of Seeger, Kylie Palmer of White River Valley, Abby Parsons of Cascade, Lizzie Redar of Lawrenceburg, Jasmine Sherman of Princeton and Ava Weisheit of Gibson Southern.
The student manager recipients for 2023 are Kasady Anderson of Forest Park, Brylie Harper of Gibson Southern, Rowdy Smith of John Glenn, Dylan Wetz of Seeger and Leo Ye of Forest Park.
Criteria for the Crawley Scholarship includes achievement in basketball, achievement in academics, participation in extracurricular activities and service to one’s school and community. Crawley was a former four-time boys basketball state championship coach — two with the Washington Hatchets and two with the Lafayette Jeff Bronchos — who amassed 644 career wins. He later became the first executive director of the IBCA.
Brayden Denk, a boys’ basketball student manager from Jasper, was the only winner of Mannies Scholarship for 2023.
Mannies Scholarships are presented to students who have a physical handicap but have contributed to their respective school’s athletic program. Mannies won 311 games as the boys’ basketball coach at Elwood, Mississinewa, Delphi and other schools. He served as the IBCA Job Placement Director from 1977-83.
Two players — Caleb Elliott of the Delta boys and Paige Laffoon of the Seeger girls — are recipients of the 13th annual Pat Aikman Character and Leadership Awards. This scholarship is named for Aikman, the Indiana All-Star games director from 1988-2007 and former IBCA Coordinator of Special Projects.
Criteria for the Aikman Award include achievements and contributions in basketball, scholastic achievement, extra-curricular activities, and service to school and community. Also, those considered for the Aikman Award are students who plan to enter the fields of journalism, sports management, athletic training or physical therapy.
“These are deserving young people who help make coaching a great profession,” Witty said of all the winners.