Brinkman named Shelbyville basketball's Paul Cross Award winner

brinkman-named-shelbyville-basketball-s-paul-cross-award-winner

Shelbyville High School senior Luke Brinkman is the 2024 Shelbyville Rotary Club/Paul Cross Award winner for the boys basketball program.

The Shelbyville boys basketball team held its postseason awards event Monday.

Brinkman is a three-year varsity letter winner with the Golden Bears. He finished the season as the team’s third leading rebounder and ranked second in three-point field goal percentage. Brinkman scored a season-high 11 points this past season at Yorktown.

“Luke demonstrated an unselfish dedication to the team over the course of his time as a Golden Bear,” said Shelbyville head coach John Hartnett Jr. “He is a very deserving recipient.”

Caden Claxton (photo) was recognized for his selection as a member of the 12-player Hoosier Heritage Conference All-Conference Team. The sophomore was the Golden Bears’ scoring and assists leader and the second leading rebounder.

“Caden had an excellent season and continues to improve,” said Hartnett. “It is a significant achievement to make the all-conference team as a sophomore.”

Other awards included senior Kohen Myers earning the Most Improved Player award, senior Ethan Lambert receiving the “Guts” award, sophomore Mar Nicholson voted as “Best Defensive Player” and seniors Kyle Clouse and Brock Kuhn were selected as co-recipients of the “Golden Bear Award.”

Statistical leaders honored were:

The junior varsity basketball team also presented awards Monday.

Sophomore Gavin Reed, freshman Grantland Fitzgerald and junior Kenny Owens received JV special achievement awards.

Sophomore Myles Clark was honored for being named to the HHC All-Academic Team.

The freshman team also was honored following a 7-12 season.

The junior varsity finished 15-7.

The varsity team went 11-12.

“I was very pleased with the progress and the attitude of this year’s team,” said Hartnett. “We asked a lot of them and their effort was excellent. I want to particularly commend this year’s five seniors. They served as true leaders and were extremely important to our progress. They will be missed.

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