Ertel, Smith, Schelsky, Shaw Named IBCA Players of the Week

Four state finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse produced four IBCA Players of the Week, and no one made the case more emphatically than Luke Ertel.

The Mt. Vernon senior and Purdue commit delivered 26 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and a steal in the Marauders' 52-50 win over Crown Point in the Class 4A state championship, capping a season that finished 28-3. Ertel shot 10-of-11 from the free-throw line in the title game, a clutch efficiency that proved decisive in a two-point final. The Indiana Basketball Coaches Association announced Ertel, Julien Smith of Indianapolis Cathedral, Treigh Schelsky of Parke Heritage and Dikembe Shaw of Crown Point as its Week 21 Players of the Week on March 31. Barr-Reeve earned the IBCA/Ballogy Team of the Week for capturing the Class A state title.

The Week 21 recognition was the fifth time Ertel earned the IBCA Player of the Week distinction this season, with prior recognitions covering the weeks of Dec. 8-13, Dec. 22-27 and Jan. 19-24. His final playoff stretch was equally dominant: he averaged 23.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists across two New Castle Semi-State games, including a triple-double against New Albany (22 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) in a 77-69 semifinal win.

Smith helped Indianapolis Cathedral pull away from New Haven 71-61 for the Class 3A championship. The IBCA credited Smith with scoring, defensive contributions and leadership down the stretch as Cathedral secured the title.

Parke Heritage's 57-56 win over Westview in the Class 2A final was the program's first state championship, and Schelsky's scoring and late-game composure were central to the outcome. Coached by Rich Schelsky, Parke Heritage entered the championship at 26-4 as the No. 4 seed in Class 2A after knocking off Triton Central (44-38) and Linton-Stockton (66-53) at the Southport Semi-State. The school opened in 2018-19 and was making just its second trip to the state finals.

Shaw earned the District 1 recognition despite Crown Point falling 52-50 in the 4A final. The IBCA regularly honors standout performers regardless of outcome, and Shaw's season-long production in scoring, rebounding and defense helped get Crown Point to its first State Finals appearance. Coached by Clint Swan, Crown Point entered that title game at 25-1 as the No. 2 seed after winning the Elkhart Semi-State with victories over Fort Wayne Snider (76-47) and Northridge (66-40).

Barr-Reeve closed out a 27-1 season with a 50-37 win over Triton in the Class A final. Coach Heath Howington's program was making its eighth trip to the State Finals in pursuit of its third state championship, and the IBCA cited balanced scoring and bench depth as the hallmarks of Barr-Reeve's postseason run.

Players of the Week are selected by IHSAA district, with the boys program coordinated by former Martinsville coach Kip Staggs. Awards cover all performances in a Monday through Saturday window, with Teams of the Week chosen at the program coordinator's discretion.