Putnam County winter athletes win WIC honors

With the conclusion of the winter sports season, the WIC has announced its All-WIC winter sports teams for the 2020-21 season.

Athletes in boys’ and girls’ basketball were chosen to the All-WIC teams based on a vote by the coaches within the conference. All-WIC members in boys’ and girls’ swimming and wrestling were based on their performance in their respective conference meets.

During the 2020-21 winter season, Greencastle won the girls’ swimming conference title and South Putnam won the boys’ swimming conference title. Tiger Shark head coach Kent Menzel and Eagle head coach Anna Kendall were named coaches of the year for their respective teams.

Boys’ Basketball

Brody Whitaker, Sr., Greencastle — Led all county scorers with 648 points this season, tallying 1,896 for his career, becoming Greencastle’s all-time leading scorer in the process while his 52 points against North Montgomery Feb. 2 gave him the all-time scoring mark for a single game. The Tiger Cub senior shot 51 percent (211-of-411) from the field, notching 142 baskets, 62 three-point baskets and converting 164-of-205 free throws.

Additionally snagged 221 rebounds, 42 offensive, dished out 57 assists, stole the ball 68 times and had 25 blocks defensively, recording 10 double-doubles throughout the 2020-21 campaign.

Nick Sutherlin, Sr., Greencastle — Was second-leading scorer for the Tiger Cubs, amassing 274 points over the course of the season, shooting 43 percent (91-of-211), hitting 42 baskets, 49 three-point shots and converting 43-of-66 free throws.

Was shy of 100 rebounds by one, finishing with 99 total, 15 offensive, while dishing out 70 assists, recording 25 steals and nine blocks over the course of the season.

Mason Brooks, Sr., North Putnam — Was second in the county scoring chart with 527 points over the course of the season, shooting 49 percent after converting 177-of-363 shots, knocking down 115 baskets, 62 three-pointers and converting 111-151 foul shots.

The North Putnam senior led the county in rebounding by snagging 245 loose balls, 62 offensive, while dealing out 75 assists, adding 25 steals, 11 blocks and 14 double-doubles to his ledger.

Aaron Pickel, Jr., North Putnam — Scored 372 points throughout the season, shooting 44 percent from the field by making 122-of-277 shots, including 68 baskets, 54 three-pointers and 74-of-98 free throws.

The Cougar junior added 153 rebounds, 49 offensive, over the course of the season with 36 assists, 14 steals and five blocks, along with four double-doubles.

Kyle Thomas, Jr., Cloverdale — Led Cloverdale in scoring with 399 over the course of 20 games, shooting 43 percent on 135-of-315 shooting, making 100 baskets, 35 three-pointers and 94-of-119 free throws.

The Clover junior was nearly even in rebounds and assists, snagging 76 loose balls, six offensive, and dishing out 74 assists, adding 24 steals and five blocks on the defensive end.

Drew Hill, Fr., South Putnam — Started his Eagle career with 166 points in 15 games, shooting 40 percent from the floor, making 35 baskets, 23 3-point baskets and 27-of-42 free throws.

The freshman also claimed 50 rebounds, dealt 30 assists and added 21 steals and seven blocks on defense.

Girls’ Basketball

Chloe Custis, Sr., South Putnam — Led South Putnam with 233 points, shooting 39 percent from the field on 79-of-205 shots, including 47 baskets, 32 three-points shots and 43-of-54 free throws.

The senior added 78 rebounds, 26 offensive, and 55 assists while picking up 68 steals and recording a double-double this season.

Bree Miller, Jr., South Putnam — Finished just behind Custis with 226 points, shooting 41 percent from the field on 82-of-200 shots, of which 81 were on the floor with a solitary three-pointer against Cascade along with 61-of-100 free throws.

The junior led the Eagles in rebounding with 149, 86 offensive, adding 20 assists and 30 steals while recording seven double-doubles during the season.

Sydney Doan, Sr., Greencastle — Finished second in scoring for the team with 184 points, converting at a 35 percent rate from the floor on 77-of-220 shooting, including 70 baskets, seven three-point shots and 23-of-39 free throws.

The senior led the Tiger Cubs on the boards with 131 over the course of the season, 40 offensive, along with 18 assists, 31 steals, eight blocks and three double-doubles.

Kyla Willis, Jr., North Putnam — Led the Cougars in scoring with 324 points, shooting 34 percent from the field on 114-of-332 shots, including 80 baskets, 34 three-point shots ad 62-of-89 free throws.

The junior had nearly identical assists and steal numbers, helping teammates 70 times while recording 69 takeaways, adding 64 rebounds, 28 offensive, and recording two point-steal double-doubles.

Veronica Carter, Jr., Cloverdale — Foundation for Cloverdale who led the team with 239 points, shooting 42 percent from the field on 82-of-195 shots, 81 coming inside the arc and three three-point shots along with 74-of-148 free throws.

Also led the Clovers with 168 rebounds, 76 offensive, dished out 11 assists, claimed 25 steals and recorded seven double-doubles.

Boys’ Swimming and Diving

Evan Steffy, Sr., South Putnam — Won the 200 IM in 2:04.04 and was a member of the winning 200 medley relay in 1:42.03. Won the 200 free and 100 backstroke and was part of the winning 200 medley relay and 200 free relay at the Putnam County Swim Meet. Finished second in the 200 medley relay and 200 free relay, third in the 200 IM and fourth in the 100 breaststroke at the Avon Sectional.

Kyle Cunningham, Sr., South Putnam — Was part of the winning 200 medley relay in 1:42.03. Won the 100 fly and 100 back and was part of the winning 200 medley relay and 200 free relay at the Putnam County Swim Meet. Finished second in the 200 medley relay and 200 free relay, sixth in the 100 fly and ninth in the 50 free at the Avon Sectional.

Zion Harris, Sr., South Putnam — Was part of the winning 200 medley relay in 1:42.03. Won the 50 and 100 free and was part of the winning 200 medley relay and 200 free relay at the Putnam County Swim Meet. Finished second in the 200 medley relay and 200 free relay, fifth in the 50 free and seventh in the 100 free at the Avon Sectional.

Grant Cordell, So., South Putnam — Won the 100 breaststroke in 1:00.65, a new WIC record, and was part of the winning 200 medley relay in 1:42.03. Finished second in the 200 medley relay and 200 free relay, third in the 100 breaststroke and fifth in 100 free at the Avon Sectional.

Lee Haywood, Sr., South Putnam — Won the diving competition with a score of 561.15, a new WIC record. Won the diving competition and was part of the winning 200 free relay team while also finishing second as part of the 400 free relay team and third in the 100 breaststroke at the Putnam County Swim Meet. Finished as runner-up in the diving competition, seventh as part of the 400 free relay and 12th in the 50 free at the Avon Sectional. Finished as runner-up at the Plainfield Diving Regional and concluded his season with a fifth-place finish in the diving competition at the IHSAA Boys’ Swimming and Diving State Finals.

Girls’ Swimming and Diving

Zoe Weltz, Sr., Greencastle — Won the 200 IM in 2:27.59 and the 100 fly in 1:06.58, along with being part of the winning 200 medley relay in 1:58.75 and the 200 free relay in 1:49.67. Won the same events in the Putnam County Swim Meet and finished fourth in the 200 medley relay, fifth in the 200 free relay, ninth in the 100 fly and 13th in the 200 IM at the Plainfield Sectional.

Olivia Headley, Jr., Greencastle — Won the 50 and 100 free in 25.73 and 55.27 respectively, along with being part of the winning 200 medley relay in 1:58.75 and 400 free relay in 3:56.88. Won the two individual races and 200 medley relay, along with the 200 free relay, at the Putnam County Swim Meet and finished third in the 50 free, fourth in the 100 free and 200 medley relay and fifth in the 200 free relay at the Plainfield Sectional.

Brooke Boswell, Jr., Greencastle — Won the 100 back in 1:05.95, along with being part of the winning 200 medley relay in 1:58.75 and 400 free relay in 3:56.88. Won all three events at the Putnam County Swim Meet and finished fourth in the 200 medley relay and eighth in the 100 back and 400 free relay at the Plainfield Sectional.

Katie White, Sr., Greencastle — Was part of the winning 200 medley relay in 1:58.75 and the 200 free relay in 1:49.67. Won the 200 medley and 400 free relay at the Putnam County Swim Meet and finished fourth in the 200 medley relay and fifth in the 200 free relay at the Plainfield Sectional.

Caroline Gooch, So., Greencastle — Was part of the winning 200 free relay in 1:49.67 and 400 free relay in 3:56.88. Won the same events at the Putnam County Swim Meet and finished fifth in the 200 free relay and eighth in the 400 free relay at the Plainfield Sectional.

Sophie Riggle, Fr., Greencastle — Was part of the winning 200 free relay in 1:49.67 and 400 free relay in 3:56.88. Won the same events at the Putnam County Swim Meet.

Samantha Jones, Sr., South Putnam — Won 200 and 500 free in 2:07.02 and 5:34.92 respectively. Won the same events at the Putnam County Swim Meet and finished sixth in the 500 free and seventh in the 200 free at the Plainfield Sectional.

Kallie Pastore, Fr., South Putnam — Won the 100 breaststroke in 1:10.58. Finished second in the event at the Putnam County Swim Meet and finished sixth in the event at the Plainfield Sectional.

Wrestling

Cooper Robinson, Fr., Greencastle — Won the title at 106 pounds. Won the Putnam County title at the same weight and would finish as runner-up at the Avon Sectional, finishing the year with a 19-12 record.

Dylan Murphy, Sr., North Putnam — Won the title at 120 pounds. Won the Putnam County title at the same weight and would finish third at the Avon Sectional, finishing the year with a 23-4 record.

Chase Carrington, So., Greencastle — Won the title at 138 pounds. Won the Putnam County title at the same weight and would finish fourth at the Avon Sectional, finishing the year with a 25-7 record.

Logan Carrington, Sr., Greencastle — Won the title at 152 pounds. Won the Putnam County title at the same weight and would finish as runner-up at the Avon Sectional and fourth at the Mooresville Regional, finishing the season with a 28-6 record.

Brach Carrington, Sr., Greencastle — Won the title at 195 pounds. Won the Putnam County title at the same weight and would finish as champion at the Avon Sectional, Mooresville Regional and Jasper Semi-State, culminating in a runner-up finish at the IHSAA Wrestling State Finals, finishing the season with All-State status and a 40-1 record.

Zayden Bright, Sr., Greencastle — Won the title at 220 pounds. Won the Putnam County title at the same weight and would win finish as champion at the Avon Sectional, finishing the year with a 25-6 record.

In addition, the WIC also awarded its Academic All-WIC Athletes for the winter of the 2020-21 school year.

Greencastle — Tyler Rodgers, Nick Sutherlin (Boys’ Basketball), Michayla Dinn (Girls’ Basketball), Eli Hardwick, Ben Huff (Boys’ Swimming), Paige Kaiser, Allison Scott, Katie White (Girls’ Swimming)

North Putnam — Ellis Lyons, Dane Spencer, Mason Brooks, Matt McHargue (Boys’ Basketball), Annabelle Gross, Marin Davies, Ashley Weir, Kyla Willis, Reghan Christy (Girls’ Basketball), Grace Elmore (Girls’ Swimming), Jacob Shinovich, Samuel Creamean (Boys’ Swimming), Katherine Watt (Cheerleading), Taylor Louk, Macey Lambermont, Tayler Boller (Managers)

South Putnam — Matthew Goodpaster, Josh Hammond, Jacob Beadles (Boys’ Basketball), Lilly Vittetow, Bree Miller, Bree Mahoney-Sutherland, Brionna Egold, Chloe Custis, Macie Bumgardner, Grace Burdge (Girls’ Basketball), Garrett Pilcher, Evan Steffy (Boys’ Swimming), Alex Steffy (Girls’ Swimming)

Cloverdale — Chase Ashcraft (Boys’ Basketball), Veronica Carter, Audrie Fulkerson (Girls’ Basketball), Ashley Cumbee, Brady Koosman, Jessica Geiger, Hunter Fox (Wrestling), Chloe Smith, Lindsey Minton, Ruth Mann, Kayla Kyle, Sadie Priest (Cheerleading)