With all the excitement of the new basketball season and the holidays all hitting close upon one another, we have been a little late in getting these honors announced.  Click here to see the winners for weeks 1 through 5 of your Hawkins-Harrison Insurance Basketball Players of the Week!

Several area standout football players, along with their parents and coaches, gathered in Memphis on Saturday, December 16th, to be recognized as Hawkins-Harrison Insurance Players of the Week.  The capstone of the event was the naming of Connor Smith from Schuyler County as the 2023 Player of the Year.

Smith completed 162 of 267 passes on the season for a total of 2813 yards.  He averaged 17.4 yards per pass and 234.4 yards per game.  Connor was coached by Corey Randall and his parents are Sara and Shannon Smith.

The evening started with a meal catered by Keith's Cafe and Steakhouse in Memphis.  Pepsi-Cola Memphis provided the drinks.  Following the meal, former high school football coach and educator Brent Bondurant addressed the group, sharing humorous stories and meaningful advice for the young men.  

Following the introduction of the Hometown Radio Sports Network broadcast crews, each of the head coaches in attendance gave a review of their season and talked about their program and players.

Next, each of the weekly winners were recognized and presented with a beautiful commemorative plaque provided by Laser Creations in Memphis.  The weekly honorees were as follows:

Week 1:  Connor Smith- Schuyler Co.

Week 2:  Alex Oenning- Highland

Week 3:  Drew Holstead- Clark Co.

Week 4:  Elias Hatfield- Scotland Co.

Week 5:  Dane Blessing- Scotland Co.

Week 6:  Collin Hayes- Knox Co.

Week 7:  Callan Wheeler- Clark Co.

Week 8:  Mayson Humphrey- Schuyler Co.

Week 9:  Jude Watt- Putnam Co.

Week 10:  Beau Triplett- Scotland Co.

Week 11:  Elliott Sevits- Schuyler Co.

Week 12:  Mason Windy- Schuyler Co.

Click here for complete photo gallery from event

At the Tri-Rivers Classic basketball tournament, great basketball among greater rivals is a tradition.  Another tradition is the annual recognition of Tri-Rivers Legends.  These are people who have made the legend of the Tri-Rivers Conference what it is today.  The 2023 Legends were Harold Winn from Clark County, Kenny Sparks from Schuyler County, Kevin Eggleston from Scotland County and Ronny Roof from Putnam County.  Congratulations to all of these deserving recipients!

Clark County's Harold Winn

(Photo courtesy Hometown Journal)

Schuyler County's Kenny Sparks

(Photo courtesy Dave Sharp)

Scotland County's Kevin Eggleston

(Photo courtesy Scotland County R-1)

Putnam County's Ronny Roof

(Photo courtesy Dave Sharp)

The 6th Annual Tri-Rivers Classic Tournament drew to an exciting conclusion Saturday evening at Schuyler County High School.  The Putnam County Midgets capped off the week with a thrilling overtime victory over Schuyler County 59-54 to complete the three-peat as tourney champs in the boys bracket.  The Milan Lady Wildcats defeated top seed North Shelby to secure the girls championship 47-35.  At the conclusion of the girls championship game, the girls all-tourney team was named. 

Players named to the team included:

Ally Rich- North Shelby

Erin Bash- Clark County

Emerson Pauley- Milan

Hadlee Parsons- North Shelby

Marian Dabney- Milan

Tourney MVP:

Marian Dabney- Milan

At the conclusion of the boys championship game, the boys all-tourney team was named.

Players named to the team included:

Vince Dale- Scotland County

Owen Ream- Putnam County

Gage Brownell- Schuyler County

Kale Windy- Schuyler County

Trace Riediger- Putnam County

Tourney MVP:

Trace Riediger- Putnam County

Clark County girls defeated Putnam County 50-36 to win 3rd place.  Scotland County boys beat Milan 48-47 to win 3rd place.  Schuyler County Lady Rams defeated the Brookfield Lady Bulldogs 54-33 for consolation.  Clark County boys beat North Shelby 47-38 for consolation.  The Knox County Lady Eagles defeated Scotland County 20-16 for 7th place.  The Brookfield Bulldogs beat Knox County 49-34 for 7th place.