With the 2012 Indiana Mr. Basketball expected to be announced tomorrow, I thought I’d take a quick look at the choices and open a discussion.
There’s no question, it’s a two man race.
Yogi Ferrell and Gary Harris.
Below are some notes and arguments for each player.
Ferrell:
- 5’11” point guard, Park Tudor, Indiana signee
- 18.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists per game in his senior season
- McDonald’s All-American
- two-time Indiana class 2A state champion (2011, 2012)
- true leader
- tremendous ball handling, attacks the defense well
- pass-first player who can nail open shots
- undersized which can hurt on defense, but makes up for it with quick slides and active hands
Harris:
- 6’4″ shooting guard, Hamilton Southeastern, Michigan State signee
- 25.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in his senior season
- McDonald’s All-American
- led by example
- best scorer in the state
- big length
- not afraid to have the ball in crunch time … a la buzzer-beater to beat North Central in sectionals
- plays in the toughest class, 4A
- never made it to the state finals
This is a very tough decision, which is a credit to both of these outstanding players.
Having to pick one, I’ll give the nod to Yogi Ferrell. He’s a terrific player who helped build a quality program at Park Tudor. Although they play in 2A, they are back-to-back state champions. That cannot be undervalued.
This season they proved they can play and even beat the big guns like North Central who was No. 1 in 4A at the time.
Harris is a big time player who will certainly take a good look at the NBA in the next few years.
I don’t think, with either guy, you can go wrong. Discuss your decision and why, below.
Gotta be Yogi… Indiana Mr. Basketball to a guy who will continue to play for Indiana Basketball.
Yogi, Yogi, Yogi. I really was encouraged by his play in the McDonald’s AA game where others worried about scoring and makin highlights, he just wanted to win.
I like that mindset and his play this year show he is worthy of the award.
The PT vs NC game was big for Yogi. It showed that they could beat (demolish) the big 4A schools and it minimized the “he plays in 2A argument” in my opinion. Without that game it would be harder in my opinion. However, I think that gives the nod to Yogi.
Did you happen to see Gary’s three games against NC this year. He averaged over 30pts and not to mention the buzzer beater. I REALLY like Yogi’s game too but I have to give the edge to Gary.
Gary!!! Best all round player. 26pts, 7 rbs, and almost 5 stls. Who averages 5 stls a game? SICK!!! He can do it all. Kill you from the perimeter (41% from 3pt) destroy you by dunking on your biggest player. Great leader and an even greater kid!
I’m sorry, but if you don’t even make it out of sectionals, you don’t deserve Mr. Basketball.
Gary got it. It’s in the indystar now.