Seymour boys basketball team, cheerleaders honored

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The Seymour High School boys basketball program concluded its 2018-19 campaign with a season-ending awards banquet at The Pines Evergreen Room on Thursday.

Curt Nichols, who announces all of the Owls’ home games at the Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium, emceed the event.

Senior forward Jack Roberts, who averaged eight points per game and led the team with 98 rebounds, was named the Owls’ most valuable player.

“On and off the court, (Roberts) was always a great teammate,” SHS junior varsity coach Jackson Ryan said. “A word I think of is ‘dependable.’ He was the last off the bus and a leader in timeouts. If someone needed to say something, he was always the first person to step up. He’s leaving a huge void and did a great job this year.”

Senior guard R.J. Kleber was presented the mental toughness award.

“This goes to a guy with no fear and no quit,” Ryan said. “He had a great attitude every day. He was always grinning from ear to ear and has a contagious personality. When he stepped between the lines, he was ready to play.”

The final award, for most improved, was presented to junior Montana Suits.

“Every day, no matter the situation, he came in to work,” Ryan said. “That’s every second of every drill and every practice. No matter the score or situation, he came to work. I think it really showed throughout the year as he continued to improve.”

The varsity team finished 3-20 overall. The 20 losses were the most ever by a team at SHS. The Owls lost their final 13 games, which is the second-longest losing streak in program history.

The Owls’ wins came against Charlestown (9-14), Corydon Central (12-14) and Switzerland County (17-7).

Seymour is searching for a new head varsity coach. Tyler Phillips, who guided the Owls the past three seasons, had his resignation approved by the school board March 12.

Phillips and the vacancy were not addressed at the program.

Ryan and freshman coach Dwayne Williams also presented their teams at the ceremony.

The JV finished 8-14, and the freshmen had a record of 13-9.

Owls cheerleading coach Julie Rueger introduced her team at the beginning of the presentation.

Grace Rueger received an award for outstanding leadership and was named Miss Seymour, Katie Deppen took home the mental attitude plaque and Addison Wingler was the most improved.

Rueger, Deppen, Olivia Schrink and Chloe Hatton were all named All-Americans during their seasons.

“It’s not a three-month sport. It’s all year long,” Julie Rueger said. “We finish football season and then go right into girls basketball and boys basketball. The winter is very busy for us, and the girls handled it very well. The girls were pushed beyond their comfort levels. They came in and did what we asked and worked through a lot.”

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