31 points (5-10 3PTR), 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals in just 21 minutes of action.  That's pretty good, right?  How about 40 points (5-12 3PTR and 13-14 FT), 4 assists and 4 rebounds.  That's even better, right?  Both of those games are in wins over Western Boone and Lapel. 

As impressive as the counting stats have been for Gus Etchison, what's been nice to see is the consistent shooting.  Checking the boxes for improvement the 6'0" senior guard for Hamilton Heights needed to match his dynamic athleticism.  The Western Michigan recruit is one of a forest of guards vying for the 2021 Indiana All-star team.  He's doing his part, including leading Heights to their best start (7-2) in about a decade.  

This earns Gus Etchison the Metro Indy Basketball Player of the Week for the week of January 11-January 16

POTW is powered by the Metro Indy Basketball Fall League

Others Considered

Chris Mantis, the best player in the Region this year, is making a push for the Indiana All-star team.  The 6'7" guard produced games of 37 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals vs. Gary West.  He followed that up with 33 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals vs. Hammond Gavit.  

Evansville Reitz had a delayed start, then about a month between their first and second games.  They have taken it stride, off to a 7-0 start to their season.  A big reason for that has been the play of Owen Dease.  The 6'7" senior guard had an impressive week, mainly a 38 point explosion over Evansville North, which included 7 3PTR.  He added 18 points and 17 points respectively in wins over Webster County (KY) and Central Christian Academy.  He also doled out 11 assists over those three games and pulled down 37 rebounds. 

Joey Bomba has really had to step up for Bloomington South.  The 6'4" senior guard knew he would have to up his production in the wake of Anthony Leal (Indiana) and Noah Jager's (Army) graduation, but add in the season long injury of Conner Hickman, 6'2" senior, who is committed to Bradley.  Bomba is following through.  His latest effort, in a win over Columbus East, Bomba scored 38 points, including 30 in the first half, going 10-14 3PTR for the game.

Starting a program from scratch isn't easy, and that's what former Pike and Purdue star, David Teague did a couple of years ago.  Purdue Poly Technical is still a year away from participating in the state tournament, but building a culture of hard working, high motor kids has been a must from day one.  Kevin Bodley, 6'3" senior forward, is having a great year, 16.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, but in their win over Washington, he poured in 21 points and a career high 26 rebounds.

Others Nominated

  • Ryan Conwell, 6'2" junior guard; Pike
    • vs. Brebeuf - 21 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals
    • vs. Lawrence North - 30 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
  • Caleb Doss, 5'10" senior guard; Christian Academy
    • Averaged 20 points and 3 assist per game during their three game stretch last week
  • Brady Dunn, 6'1" junior guard; Christian Academy
    • Averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds per game during their three game stretch last week
  • CJ Gunn, 6'5" junior guard; Lawrence North
    • Marion County Tournament - averaged 20 points per game on their way to a county championship
  • DJ Hughes, 6'7" senior forward; Lawrence North
    • Marion County Tournament - output of 22 points, 19 points, a double-double and at least 8 rebounds in each game.
  • Blake Sisley, 6'9" senior forward; Heritage Hills
    • vs. Pike Central - 25 points (3-4 3PTR), 5 rebounds
    • vs. Tecumseh - 29 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks

Sophomores and Freshmen Nominated

  • Jalen Hooks, 6'7" sophomore forward; Crispus Attucks
    • vs. Marion - 21 points, 12 rebounds, 8 blocks
    • vs. Metropolitan - 18 points, 9 rebounds
  • Casey Kaelin, 6'2" sophomore guard; Providence
    • vs. Jeffersonville - 22 points, 10 rebounds

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