IBCA Names Ertel, Baskerville, Lengacher Players of the Week for March

The Indiana Basketball Coaches Association named Mt. Vernon senior Luke Ertel, New Haven junior Tarvar Baskerville, and Barr-Reeve junior Kierson Lengacher as its Week 20 Players of the Week for the 2025-26 season, recognizing performances from March 16-21. Barr-Reeve, Crown Point, and Parke Heritage were each cited as IBCA/Ballogy Teams of the Week for the same stretch.

Ertel carried the headliner designation on the strength of one of the most complete two-day runs of the tournament. The Mt. Vernon senior guard recorded a triple-double with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists to lead the Marauders past New Albany 77-69 and into their first state championship appearance in school history. Earlier in the day at New Castle Fieldhouse, the 6-foot-1 Purdue signee scored 24 points and hauled in 10 rebounds in a 66-46 win over Decatur Central. Over the two games, Ertel shot 17-of-31 from the field, 5-of-12 from three, and a perfect 7-of-7 at the free-throw line, averaging 23.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists. Mt. Vernon's record stands at 27-3.

The triple-double was also the moment Ertel surpassed every scorer in Mt. Vernon program history, becoming the Marauders' all-time leading scorer. It was the second triple-double he has recorded this season. The IBCA recognized Ertel as District 2 Player of the Week, and according to the program's coordinator, this is the fourth time this season he has earned the weekly honor. The three previous recognitions came during the weeks of Dec. 8-13, Dec. 22-27, and Jan. 19-24.

Ertel also received Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year honors in the same week, adding to a senior résumé that has drawn national attention ahead of his arrival at Purdue.

Baskerville's District 1 selection came off a semistate run of his own for New Haven. The junior guard scored the go-ahead bucket with 2.4 seconds remaining in the semistate championship as the Bulldogs claimed their first-ever boys basketball semistate title, defeating Columbia City. New Haven will play in the Class 3A state championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday, March 28.

In southwestern Indiana, Lengacher earned District 3 Player of the Week honors for Barr-Reeve's semistate showing. Lengacher scored a game-high 29 points in a physical semistate championship against Hauser, as Barr-Reeve secured a 52-47 victory to advance to the state finals. Lengacher shot 67% from the field en route to those 29 points, a new career-high. The Vikings finished the regular season and tournament run at 27-1.

Barr-Reeve was also cited among the three IBCA/Ballogy Teams of the Week alongside Crown Point and Parke Heritage for performances during the March 16-21 window. Team of the Week selections are made at the discretion of program coordinator Kip Staggs, the former Martinsville coach who oversees the boys recognition program for the IBCA. Player of the Week honors are distributed by IHSAA district, with Baskerville taking District 1, Ertel District 2, and Lengacher District 3. All performances from Monday through Saturday count toward consideration.

The Class 1A state championship features Triton against Barr-Reeve on March 28, while Mt. Vernon and New Haven both chase titles in their respective classes at Gainbridge Fieldhouse — meaning all three of this week's IBCA honorees are still playing.