HIGH SCHOOL

Liberty Union’s Burris named Player of the Year

Tom Wilson
Reporter

COLUMBUS – Liberty Union’s Gabby Burris burst onto the scene as a freshman a year ago, averaging 19.6 point per game, to earn first team all-district honors in Division III.

Her numbers were even better this season, and it should come as no surprise — even though she is only a sophomore — when Burris was selected as the Central District Division III player of the year as selected by a media panel and released by the Associated Press on Tuesday.

“Gabby just has a knack for finishing strong around the basket, and she really knows and understands the game,” Liberty Union coach Adam Twiss said. “When you have those abilities, plus her work ethic, it becomes something special.

“She is a kid that has worked hard for everything she has achieved. Her motor never stops, not even in practice, and it translates into her having outstanding games.”

Burris averages 21 points and 13.8 rebounds and had a season-32-point, 21-rebound game against Danville late in the season.

Berne Union girls coach Dwayne Hurst was selected as the Division IV coach of the year, and Fairfield Christian Academy Roger Hooper was chosen as the boys Division IV coach of the year.

Hurst, who has guided the Rockets to a 20-4 overall record and 8-2 in the Mid-State League-Cardinal Division, had a solid season despite having four starters miss playing time because of injuries.

“It’s a great honor, but the kids deserve a lot credit for the way they have stepped up through all the injuries we’ve had,” Hurst said. “It shows what kind of team we have. My assistant coaches have also done a great job of getting some of other our kids prepared to play.

“This is a great group of girls, and each of them have contributed to our success.”

Hooper had a tough task heading into the season. He had to replace four starters from a team that reached the district final for the second consecutive season, including four-year starter Steven Carpenter, who scored over 2,000 career points.

Bloom--Carroll senior Andrew James earned first team honors in Division II, while Berne Union’s Hunter Martin and Fairfield Christian’s K.J. Dewese were first-team selections in Division IV.

Liberty Union’s Brandon Compton was a third-team selection in Division III, and Fairfield Christian’s Landon Conley was a third-team pick in Division IV.

Lancaster sophomore Jacob Arter was an honorable mention selection in Division I.

Bloom-Carroll’s Sam Bordner and Jared Laski and Amanda-Clearcreek’s Dillon Adkins, Riley Landrum and Zach Reed were honorable mention picks in Division II, and in the Lions’ Jason Fletcher received the same honor in Division III.

In Division IV, honorable mention picks included Berne Union’s Hunter McCartney and Taylor Ballein, Fairfield Christian’s Jacob Thompson and Millersport’s Kevin Schneider.

Fairfield Christian senior Leah Custer was a first-team selection in Division IV, and the Rockets’ Lauren Shephard was second team. The Lions’ Blake Collins was a second-team pick in Division III and Berne Union’s Alexis Lanier was a third-team pick in Division IV.

Honorable mention selections included Bloom-Carroll’s Bethany Winkler and Alexis Burchfield in Division II and the Lions’ Alyssa Moore in Division III.

Division IV honorable mention picks were Rylee Snoke and Madison Ross from the Rockets, Fairfield Christian’s Ruthie Johnson and Rochelle Tedrow, Millersport’s Ashleigh Johnson and Hunter Ratcliff and Fisher Catholic’s Kennedi Christie.

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