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.
Basketball and wrestling capture our attention this week, and it is the hard-court athletes who gain the top spot. Our Athletes of the Week are all in the family from Fredericktown – Cally Carpenter (Fredericktown girls basketball) and Kaid Carpenter (Fredericktown boys basketball).
Female Athlete of the Week
Cally Carpenter
When a team loses but an athlete delivers all over the court to keep her team in the game, she deserves accolades. Cally Carpenter returns to the top spot – she also earned the nod in November for her 20-point performance in a win against Highland – for her 24 points on 10-for-15 shooting and 3-for-5 at the line, three offensive rebounds, three assists, and five steals in a loss to Danville, 59-54 on Jan. 21.
Tim Maceyko, Fredericktown’s girls basketball coach, said Carpenter is poised beyond her years and exploits her skills on many levels.
“You know going in that Cally is going to make things happen,” Coach Maceyko said. “She was getting to the rim, splitting defenders with great footwork, and is in attack mode all game long. That attacking mentality carried over to her defensive effort, as well. She’s always fun to watch once she gets in that mindset.”
Maceyko praised his student-athlete's character.
“The thing I love about Cally the most is that there is this positive vibe she gives off," he said. "It doesn’t matter how the game is going or if it’s just practice; she’s just a joy to be around. There’s no doubt in my mind that she is going to be successful in the bigger game of life. That’s just who Cally Carpenter is. I’ve been blessed to have her in the program and just to get to know her these last two years.”
Honorable mention goes to Carpenter’s teammate, Grace Sipes, who returned to the lineup and contributed 15 points, three assists, and five steals. On the winning side of that game, Ella Proper scored 18 points with 14 in the second half to fuel Danville’s win over Fredericktown. In East Knox's 50-42 OT win over Northmor, Sydney Opfer banked in a 3-pointer to tie the game with seconds left in regulation. She scored 17 points to lead the charge for East Knox.
Honorable mention also goes to Highland wrestler Madalynn Morrison, who won the 235-lb. weight class championship at the Ridgedale Girls Wrestling Invitational on Jan. 21
Male Athlete of the Week
Kaid Carpenter
Fredericktown’s Kaid Carpenter previously was named Athlete of the Week for his baseball skills, and he makes it to the top spot this time for hoops. In the Freddies’ 79-70 win over Danville on Jan. 20, Carpenter netted 35 points on 13-for-24 shooting, dished out three assists, and was a force on defense with six blocks and two steals. Performing in the clutch after a 13-point first half, Carpenter poured in 11 in the third and 12 in the decisive fourth for a 23-pt. second-half display.
Derek Dibling, Freddies' basketball coach, said Carpenter led a gutsy performance by his team.
“Kaid had a great game and did a really good job of getting to his spots,” Coach Dibling said. “When Kaid is committed to getting to the rim, he's a monster, and we really needed that guy to step up tonight. He not only led us in scoring but in assists as well, which really speaks to the type of player he is.”
Honorable mention goes to Matthew Bland for scoring 30 points and draining five 3-pointers in Mount Gilead’s 77-63 win over Ridgedale on Jan. 21. Bland scored 14 in the first half and 1 in the second.
Northmor’s Grant Bentley nearly outscored East Knox and led the Knights with 31 points, going 7-for-9 from three in Northmor's 73-33 win over EK on Jan. 17. He went 11-for-15 from the field and had two steals. Teammate Jax Wenger was also efficient with a 9-for-12 night and 21 points. He added six assists, three boards, five steals, and a block.
After being held scoreless in the first half, Cardington-Lincoln’s AJ Hall blazed 17 points in the third quarter and 24 points in the second half to lead the Pirates in a 75-63 loss to Danville. In the same game, Danville was led by Spencer Payne with 24 points, including a pair of threes. Max Payne scored 20 points with three makes from downtown.
On the mats last weekend, Mount Vernon's Brock Blankenhorn took first in the 106-lb. weight class.
Corey Firebaugh, Mount Vernon's wrestling coach, said taking first at that tournament is quite a feat.
“Brock does all of the right things, and his dedication to wrestling year-round is showing this season,” Coach Firebaugh said.
Other wrestling gold last week went to Utica’s Clayton Smith at 150 lbs. in the Robin Drumm Classic and Fredericktown’s Lucas Herbst at 285 lbs. in the North Union Don Wasserbeck Classic.
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.
