The Mount Vernon News sports department’s MVN ATHLETE OF THE WEEK is a weekly feature that spotlights local student-athletes and their schools.
Based on their performances, we will select an ATHLETE OF THE WEEK and recognize other outstanding athletic accomplishments.
With winter sports nearing the halfway mark, local student-athletes have stepped up in big ways. This week, basketball again provides some of the biggest spotlights. One performer shined brightly, even in defeat, and another won a shootout and the game. Our Athletes of the Week are Ella Proper (Danville basketball) and Colton Martin (Centerburg basketball).
Female Athlete of the Week
Ella Proper
Last season, Danville’s Ella Proper was twice-named MVS Athlete of the Week for her game-winning performances on the hard court. This time, Proper earned the honor for her grit in a game in which her team lost, but she was the shining light on the court. In a down-to-the-wire 45-43 loss to Cardington-Lincoln, Proper scored a monster 27 points, making three treys in the first, two from beyond the arc in the third, and another pair from downtown in her 10-pt. fourth quarter. Proper finished with 27 markers, including 7-for-11 from three-point range and 4-for-4 at the line. She had two steals and three rebounds.
Matt Proper, Danville girls basketball coach, said she had a great offensive and all-around game versus Cardington-Lincoln.
“As a team, we struggled from the field, but her shooting kept us in the game until the final buzzer.”
Coach Proper said his player is a competitor.
“Ella has grown up around the game of basketball and has great instincts as a basketball player,” Proper said. “She is a fiery competitor and pushes to make her teammates better. She pushes herself just as much in the classroom, serving as one of the top student-leaders in her class.”
Honorable mention goes to Mount Gilead senior Madilyn Elson, who scored half the team’s points in a 40-33 victory. Elson scored 20, including a pair of three-pointers. She was also 8-for-9 from the free-throw line.
Also honored was Fredericktown’s Jill Bouton. She scored nine points and gathered 11 boards, while also recording two steals and three blocks in their win over Elgin. In East Knox’s 62-19 win over Lucas, Natalie Smith nearly outscored her opponent. She finished the game with 17 points, including a pair of makes from downtown. Mount Gilead senior Lydia Stalnaker was a force on offense with 17 points to lead the Indians (5-0, 3-0) to a tight 51-49 win over visiting Centerburg.
Male Athlete of the Week
Colton Martin
Centerburg’s Colton Martin was nominated two weeks ago for a solid game in a loss against Mount Vernon. This time, Martin won a toe-to-toe shootout and came out on top in the Trojans’ win over Mount Gilead, 70-53. In the action, Martin scored 29 points to offset Matthew Bland’s 26 points for the Indians. Martin scored 11 in the first for a 19-10 Trojan lead; added six in the second to put Centerburg on top 36-23, and put in 10 more in the second half as C-Burg extended their advantage.
Martin finished with a double-double, scoring 29 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, dishing out an assist, and making two steals while playing the complete game without a turnover. He shot 52.6% from the field and was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line.
John Marhefka, Centerburg basketball coach, said Martin excelled at both ends of the court and led his team to victory.
“Colton played a complete game against Mount Gilead,” Marhefka said. “He was focused and produced results in all areas of the game. In addition to his scoring, he has the capability of playing a balanced game. He is a great teammate and leader for our program. He is willing to help his teammates and do what we need him to do.”
Martin also scored 24 points earlier in the week in a 62-48 win over Danville.
Honorable mention goes to Matthew Bland (a nominee last week in basketball and a one-time winner and dual-nominee in football this season) for a 26-point display in defeat. Bland scored five in the first, 10 in the second, five in the third, and six in the fourth, finishing with seven deuces and four threes. Bland also scored 17 earlier in the week.
Honorable mention also goes to winners on the mats. Mount Vernon’s Mason Mitchell won the 150-pounds championship at the Paul Hackett Classic and Northmor’s Cowin Becker won at 126 pounds at the Big Walnut Wrestling Invitational.
Back in hoops, East Knox’s Ethan Rine was a force, even in defeat, with eight points, six blocks, nine defensive boards, and a steal against Fredericktown. For Northmor, Aaron Gannon rejected back-to-back blocks, and teammate Grant Bentley hit for 17 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter in a win over Mount Gilead. Utica’s Trenton Collins scored 24 in a win over Zanesville.
Coaches and community members, join us in our award process. Send us your choices for MVN ATHLETE OF THE WEEK, a recap of their prowess in competition, and a photo of them, and give them the community recognition they deserve. Encourage your community members and coaches to contact us each week. Send your selections to mike.blake@mountvernonnews.com.
