Four Putnam County boys named to IBCA All-State teams
Four Putnam County boys’ basketball players were named to the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association All-State teams this week.
Greencastle senior Brody Whitaker and North Putnam senior Mason Brooks were named to the IBCA/Franciscan Health Boys’ All-State Honorable Mention Senior Team while Cougar junior Aaron Pickel and Cloverdale junior Kyle Thomas were named to the IBCA/Franciscan Health Boys’ All-State Honorable Mention Underclassman Team.
The IBCA announced the line-ups as part of its postseason awards, naming a Supreme 15 team for both seniors and underclassmen as well as a Large School and Small School All-State team for both seniors and underclassmen.
Whitaker 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, Whitaker 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.
Brooks was next in the county scoring chart with 527 points over the course of the season, shooting 49 percent after converting 177-of-363 shots, knocking 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.
Pickel was a solid No. 2 option behind Brooks, scoring 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.
Thomas 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.