The Mount Vernon News sports department’s 18th ATHLETE OF THE WEEK nominations continues the established procedure of spotlighting student-athletes’ skills and performances on the fields and courts of action.
Based on performances, we ask ADs, coaches and the community to nominate one boy and one girl from their athletic programs to compete against other schools’ nominations. We ask for a recap of their worthy performances and a picture. Please send your nominations to me, Mike Blake, MVN Sports Editor, at mike.blake@mountvernonnews.com. Make sure YOUR school is represented.
This week, basketball takes center stage with one female and four males honored for their performances. Two of them are teammates and shared monster games.
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Cardington-Lincoln senior Dana Bertke has been a leader of the team’s winning ride that has seen it win 51 consecutive regular-season games and 65 straight in the KMAC. Sometimes, points don’t tell the entire story, as her all-around, both-ends-of-the-court performance on Jan. 8 inspired the Lady Pirates to a 73-48 win over East Knox. Bertke scored in every quarter and finished with 10 points on 5-for-8 from the field, grabbed 11 rebounds, handed off seven assists and had one steal, one block and one deflection.
Cardington-Lincoln head coach Jamie Edwards said, “Dana Bertke is a great pick. Dana has flirted with near triple-doubles multiple times in her career. She dominated the stat sheet once again against East Knox. For the Lady Pirates, Dana is the gear that turns the wheels. Without her, we would not be nearly as successful as we have been over the years. She leads our team in double-doubles, and her name shows up in every stat category in the league. Dana leads on and off the court. She maintains a GPA of well over a 4.0 and serves as a captain on our squad. Dana is the true definition of a leader.”
MALE ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Paul Butterman is a senior on Mount Gilead’s boys basketball team who had two inspiring and productive games on back-to-back nights, one resulting in a win, the other in a team loss. In the Jan. 7 loss to Fredericktown, 53-41, Butterman gave it his all to lead and inspire the Indians. Even in defeat, he shined, leading his team with points, two 3-pointers, and six rebounds, and he scored nine points in the second quarter to keep the Indians in the game.
The next night, he led the Indians to a 53-47 victory over Galion with 21 points, six rebounds, seven deflections and four steals. With his team down 25-21 at halftime, Butterman scored 19 of his points in the second half -- eight in the third quarter and 11 in the fourth to secure the win. Mount Gilead head coach Dan Strasser said, “Paul is one of our senior leaders. He is an extremely hard-working individual who cares deeply about this team and his teammates. Paul epitomizes the ‘we, not me’ mentality in team sports. We are proud and lucky to have Paul on this basketball team.”
Mount Vernon senior Nolan Belcher scored 22 points in a Jan. 7 loss to Ashland, 67-65. Belcher’s stat line included 22 points, five rebounds and three assists, and his energetic play inspired his teammates to the final buzzer.
Mount Vernon head coach Nick Coon said, "Nolan has really grown as a player over the years due to his commitment and passion he has shown to the game, our program and his teammates. He is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team succeed. We are proud of Nolan's work as a player, but we appreciate him for who he is as a person and teammate even more."
Grant Bentley and Graesin Cass are teammates on Northmor's boys basketball team. For the first time in the MVN Athlete of the Week nominations, a pair of athletes is submitted as a team – co-Athletes of the Week. Sometimes, a team can be greater than the sum of its parts, and these two student-athletes both deserve the acknowledgement. In Northmor’s 78-72 overtime victory over Danville on Jan. 7, Bentley and Cass each had huge nights on the court to assure the victory.
For the game, Cass scored 29 points on 10-for-16 shooting, 9-for-10 from the free throw line, with four assists and two rebounds. Bentley finished with 31 points on 14-for-19 shooting – 3-for-6 from the 3-point line – five rebounds, three steals and one assist. Cass gave the Golden Knights a one-point lead at the half with a 14-point barrage in the second quarter. Bentley took over in the third with 16 points in the frame. Cass added 13 points in the fourth and OT combined to secure the final victory.
Northmor coach Blade Tackett said, “I think nominating them as co-Athletes of the Week is a great idea. They both had great games. Graesin pushed the tempo well for us. He was able to get into the paint -- which he is so good at -- and use his patience to finish. He was able to draw fouls and capitalize from the line.
“Grant was super-efficient inside and out, shooting 11-for-13 inside the three and 3-for-6 from three. He leaked out in transition and finished well around the basket. Although he struggled from the line, that did not stop him from attacking the basket to score where his length and finishing ability is hard to defend.”
Tackett added, “Both kids were voted captains by their teammates this season. On the floor, they have developed into outstanding leaders who understand their individual roles but also do a great job of buying into our philosophy knowing that their peers will do the same. Each has had great games and seasons in their own rights. Both have hit game-winning shots in different games this year, and both had career nights against Danville.
“In school they are great students (Grant 4.0 cumulative, Graesin 3.8 cumulative), and they also have great personalities. They are first to say hi in the mornings, smile and speak up in class when their peers may not.”
Congratulations to Dana Bertke and to both Graesin Cass and Grant Bentley on being named this week’s MOUNT VERNON NEWS ATHLETES of the WEEK. And congratulations to all of the nominees … you all deserve top honors and recognition for your leadership, skills and student-athlete performance.
