Claxton, Nicholson earn Paul Cross Award for Shelbyville basketball

The Shelbyville boys basketball program celebrated its 2025-26 19-win varsity season with its annual awards event in the Golden Bear Room at Shelbyville High School Thursday night.

Caden Claxton and Mar Nicholson received the prestigious Rotary/Paul Cross Award which is presented annually to an outstanding Shelbyville player based on basketball ability, scholarship and character.

The pair was also recognized as 1,000-point career scorers and for being named to the 12-member 2026 Hoosier Heritage Conference All-Conference Team.

Claxton (photo, left) was the Bears’ leading scorer at 16.8 points per contest this season with Nicholson (photo, right) scoring at a 15 points per game clip.

Following the ceremony, Claxton, who will continue his basketball career at Hanover College, reflected on his four years as a Golden Bear starter.

“I could not have wished for a better basketball experience over the past four years,” said Claxton. “The coaches were tremendous and always worked in our best interest on and off the court. My teammates were my best friends and I am so proud of what we were able to accomplish together for Shelbyville basketball.”

Gavin Hall and Cole Schene were cited as this year’s most improved players. Nick Fischer received the Golden Bear Award and Brody Runnebohm was named the team’s top defensive player. The “Guts” award was presented to Gavin Reed while freshman Camden Thoman received the Newcomer Award.

Statistical awards were presented to: Claxton (scoring, rebounds and assists leader), Nicholson (best field goal and free-throw percentage), and Runnebohm and Reed for top 3-point field goal percentage.

Junior Varsity and Freshman coaches A.J. Hounshell and Luke Asher presented certificates to their players from the 2025-26 season. The JV finished the year with a 9-11 record while the freshman recorded 13 wins against 6 losses.

Coach John Hartnett Jr., who moved into seventh place on the all-time Shelbyville career wins list this season, expressed his appreciation to and admiration for a dedicated group of seven seniors who leave an inspiring Golden Bear legacy.

“These seniors will be remembered as a very special group of people,” said Hartnett. “Their success was the result of a common goal and a shared sense of dedication and responsibility. They always did more and that continual extra effort over the course of four years paid great dividends. They will be remembered as one of Shelbyville’s greatest teams.”

The 2025-26 team’s 19-6 record represents Shelbyville’s best season since the 2006 squad’s 23-1 mark.

The 2024-25 and 2025-26 teams’ cumulative 37 wins is the most over a two-year period since the 1985-86 and 1986-87 SHS programs posted 39 victories.