KMAC honors its best for the winter sports season

The Knox Morrow Athletic Conference announced its All-Conference award winners for winter sports, including basketball, wrestling and bowling on Monday. And Knox County athletes took home a lot of hardware.

Fredericktown’s Carson Rinehart was named Player of the Year in boys’ basketball. Rinehart averaged over 16 points and three assists per game in leading the Freddies to the conference title.

Danville’s Matt Proper was tabbed the Coach of the Year after leading his Blue Devils to a second-place conference finish and, so far, their second most wins in school history with 19. The 2012-13 Blue Devils finished with a 21-5 record.

Four Knox County athletes were selected as the best in their sport for the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference winter season. Pictured are, clockwise from top left, Centerburg's Cory Climer, wrestling; Fredericktown's Carson Rinehart, boys' basketball; East Knox's Kelsey Jensen, girls' bowling; and East Knox's Blake Calhoon, boys' bowling.

Gavin Toombs of Fredericktown was named a member of the first-team All-KMAC. The senior averaged nearly 17 points and six rebounds per game.

Danville’s Aidan Mickley (KMAC leader in 3-point percentage – 45%) and Parker Proper were also named to the first team.

Earning second-team honors were Centerburg’s Steffan Sands, Danville’s Ashton Spaulding, East Knox’s Peyton Hull and Fredericktown’s Zane Luckmeier and Blake Sipes.

Honorable mention accolades went to Centerburg’s Brody Cole, Danville’s Wesley Payne, East Knox’s Kyson Miller and Fredericktown’s Tanner Estep. Centerburg’s Blane Ball, Danville’s Carson Proper and East Knox’s Jaxon Crawford were named to the All-Academic team.

The girls’ basketball Player of the Year went to Cardington’s Jill Bertke. Loudonville’s Daryl Young was named Coach of the Year after his team shared the KMAC title with Centerburg.

Centerburg had two players make first team — Kenlee Fairall (16 ppg) and Tiara Sheppard (17.2 ppg). Fredericktown’s Mya Bryant (14.8 ppg) also garnered first team accolades.

Earning second-team honors were Centerburg’s Lauren Ellis, Danville’s Kendal Lepley, East Knox’s Isabelle Bostic and Fredericktown’s Ella Bouton.

Centerburg’s Evie Stowe, Danville’s Kelsey Hackman, East Knox’s Ava Faucett and Fredericktown’s Gracyn Toombs were each named honorable mention. Earning All-Academic honors were Lauren Ellis of Centerburg and Kit Bellman of Fredericktown.

In wrestling, Cory Climer of Centerburg (126 pounds) was named the Wrestler of the KMAC tournament and a first-team honoree.

Placing second in the KMAC were Noah Matthews (132) of Centerburg and Carter Wittel (285) of Danville.

Earning honorable mention accolades were Centerburg’s Braxton Vernon (138) and Cole Evans (215), as well as Aidan Ebersole (157) and Domenic Wolpe (285) of Fredericktown.

In bowling, East Knox swept the Player of the Year honors. On the boys’ side, Blake Calhoon was the winner with a 214.9 per game average. Kelsey Jensen (181.3 average) was named the Girls’ Bowler of the Year.

Centerburg’s Michael Wallace and Fredericktown’s Jordan Moore each received first-team accolades. East Knox had four bowlers achieve second-team honors — Shaymus Lashley, Logan Clark, Braxton Lahmon and Aiden Stapleton. Fredericktown’s Mason Gearhart joined them on the second team.

Centerburg’s Luke Pack, as well as Fredericktown’s Wyatt Payne and Jaxon Kempton, received honorable mention status. All-Academic honors went to Centerburg’s Jerrod White and Fredericktown’s Lane Dugan.

On the girls’ side, Fredericktown’s Maddie Bartlett and Kota Curtis, as well as East Knox’s Madison Huffman and Olivia Huffman, earned second-team honors.

Honorable mention accolades went to Centerburg’s Azala Compton, and Fredericktown’s Raegan Blanchard, Holly Hogle and Pilar Payne. Blanchard also earned All-Academic honors.

The KMAC will honor the players and coaches at its Winter Sports Award Banquet on Wednesday, March 18, at 7 p.m. at Cardington-Lincoln High School.