For The Tribune
Seymour senior Tyler Bloom was named the most valuable player of basketball team for the Owls’ recently completed season.
Bloom’s honor was announced by head coach Tyler Phillips during the team’s awards program in Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium on Monday night.
The cheerleaders also were honored during the program.
“He’s the best shooter I’ve had at any level,” Phillips said of Bloom. “Great shooters always think the next one’s going in, and that’s the way he was. We watched him grow up in front of our eyes this season.”
Bloom led the Owls in scoring this season with 297 points in 23 games for an average of 12.9 points per game.
His high-point games were 28 against Austin, 23 versus Charlestown and 21 against both Edinburgh and South Ripley.
Bloom and Alan Perry were named Hoosier Hills Conference honorable mention.
Perry received the Barney Scott Memorial Award.
Phillips said that award is based on community service, academics, leadership, basketball ability and character.
“(Perry) does everything the right way,” Phillips said. “He practices just like we plays, 100 per cent. He will be successful in everything he does for the remainder of his high school career.”
The Owls toughness award went to Evens Cribs and Seth Ragon.
Phillips said that award is based on players that play well at both ends of the floor and do such things as diving on the floor for a loose ball or taking a charge.
Cribs also received the mental attitude award while Ragon took home the defensive player award.
“ (Cribs) was the ultimate team-first guy; he was a leader by example,” Phililps said. “(Ragon) had a warrior’s heart. What he did in practice is what you saw him do in a game.”
Alex Hofer received the most improved award.
“He’s a hard worker,” Phillips said. “He doesn’t take any possessions off. He was always trying to get better.”
The Owls were 9-15 overall and tied Jeffersonville and Jennings County for fifth in the HHC with conference records of 3-4.
Phillips said he wanted the team to remember two things: fun and family.
“We had a lot of fun” he said and thanked the families of the players for their involvement in the season. “Nine wins is the most since 2010. We won five games on the road. This was a good group of kids.”
The Owls lost four games by four points or less or in overtime. Phillips said missed free throws were costly in those close losses.
“Seymour basketball is coming,” Philips said. “These seniors have started a great tradition. You underclassmen have unfinished business to take care of.”
The junior varsity and freshmen teams were also recognized.
Buddy Hall coached the JV to a record of 13-8 and presented the MVP award to RJ Kleber, the mental attitude plaque to Cooper Morrow, Payton Reasoner was named most improved and Scotty Nieves the outstanding defensive player.
Dustin George coached the freshman to a record of 16-4 and presented the most improved award to Colin Madden, defensive award to Aiden Goen, the mental attitude award to Charlie Caudill, and named Keaton Stout as the most valuable player.
Head cheerleader coach Brittany Percival presented the most willing award to Janet Taguchi, the flyer award to Brenna Stidham, the tight motions award to Nicole Elmore and the leadership award to Kendyll Austin.
Assistant cheer coach Megan Sinclair helped present the awards to the 15 cheerleaders.