Grant Bentley became the first Northmor Golden Knight boys’ basketball to win the KMAC Player of the Year Award since 2017-2018, highlighting this year’s selections for the KMAC All-Conference teams.
“He is extremely deserving of the award, especially having battled the shoulder all year and still putting up,” Coach Blade Tackett said.
Bentley put together a fantastic senior campaign, averaging 19.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.7 assist and 1.8 steals per game. He was the top scorer in KMAC this season, as well. Bentley also won the District 11 Division IV Player of the Year Award.
“He finishes his career as the second all time leading scorer in Northmor history, having totaled 1420 total points,” Tackett said. “He finishes 49 points shy of Jon Loyer, and the school record. Although this is an impressive feat, I'll remember him more for his leadership, his ability to bring positive energy to every game and every practice, and his mental and physical toughness this year, putting the success of the team above his own physical health with his shoulder. That alone speaks volumes towards the type of individual that Grant is.”
Junior Jax Wenger was also named first team All-KMAC. He averaged 14.2 points, five rebounds, two steals, 4.5 assists and less than one turnover during his nine league games. Wenger’s return from an injury was integral in the team’s success.
Jax, after coming off a broken foot, was still a clear first team player,” Tackett said. “His six-foot-two, 185 pound frame with his ability to dribble makes him a luxury on the floor as a coach.”
Hunter Fulk was named second team in his senior season. He was a rock who played in every game. He led the Golden Knights with 2.6 steals per game, and also averaged 8.7 points, 3.4 boards, and 2.9 assists.
“Hunter turned into a phenomenal leader for us and made it basically impossible to take him off the floor,” Tackett said. “He was a great slasher on both sides and could get steals and layups at any moment. Perhaps his biggest strength was getting to the free throw line the second half of the season. He shot 102 free throws (second behind Grant's 113) and shot them at a 68% clip. I'm really proud of the basketball player and person Hunter became over the course of four years.”
Drew Hammond was an honorable mention for All-KMAC, and impressed Tackett during his senior season. He was the team’s top rebounder at 6.8 boards per game, while also averaging 7.7 points and a steal and assist per game.
Tackett said that after Max Lower graduated, the team needed a defender and rebounder. This is where Hammond came in, and Tackett said when he was on his game, he was “extremely difficult” to keep from grabbing off offensive rebounds.
“His offense improved much this year too, becoming a good finisher and a kid that could knock down a three when we needed it,” Tackett said. “Drew started for us last year for part of the season but started every game this year save for the one he sat out vs Clear Fork due to injury. Like all of our seniors, he will be missed and I think he represents us well being an honorable mention selection.”
Tackett also was recognized for his work leading the Northmor Golden Knights to a conference co-title, as he was named KMAC Coach of the Year. This is his first time winning the award. It was a successful season for Tackett, as he not only led the team to a conference title and 18 wins, but also got them to the District Finals for the second consecutive year.
“Overall, our success this year was a direct result of our players,” Tackett said. “Not just these four, but everyone. Coach Sheldon (my head coach from Colonel Crawford) always said that individual accolades are a direct result of team accomplishment and I couldn't agree more with him, especially this year. We had a special team this year both on the floor and off the floor. The time they put in was reflected in the success we had, and the success we had translated to a lot of honors here at the end of the year. The only sad part of the season was when it ended, which is the way it goes every year.”
KMAC All-Conference team:
Player of the year: Grant Bentley (Northmor)
Coach of the Year: Blade Tackett (Northmor)
League Champions: Northmor and Fredericktown
First Team: Grant Bentley (Northmor); AJ Brehm (Cardington-Lincoln); Grayson Reynolds (Centerburg); Trevin Harris (Centerburg); Gavin Toombs (Fredericktown); Blake Sipes (Fredericktown); Jax Wenger (Northmor)
Second Team: Warren Garrison (Cardington-Lincoln); Isaiah Sule (Centerburg); Ashton Spaulding (Danville); Corbin Poff-Wengerd (East Knox); Rowan Fitzpatrick (Mount Gilead); Hunter Fulk (Northmor)
Honorable Mention: Journey Williamson (Cardington-Lincoln); Bennett Hill (Centerburg); Wesley Payne (Danville); Bryer Korosec (East Knox); Carson Rinehart (Fredericktown); Gage Baker (Mount Gilead); Drew Hammond (Northmor)
All-Academic: AJ Hall (Cardington-Lincoln); Ethan Rine (East Knox); Trevor Bellman (Fredericktown); Logan Caudill (Northmor)
