Shelbyville boys basketball presents year-end awards

The Shelbyville boys basketball team commemorated the 2024-25 season with its annual awards program at Shelbyville High School Thursday night.

Junior Caden Claxton became the 107^th recipient of the Paul Cross/Rotary Basketball Award. A three-year starter for the Bears, Claxton led the team in scoring and assists with 15.1 and 3.8 per game, respectively. He posted a season-high 27 points in the loss at Greenwood and recorded 23-point outings in victories over Beech Grove and Speedway.

Senior Damon Badgley (photo, third from right) received the Harry Larrabee Captain’s Award via video as the honor’s namesake made the presentation from his home in Texas. Larrabee, who follows Shelbyville basketball through WSVX radio, spoke of Badgley’s dedication and competitive spirit and hailed his leadership as a three-year Golden Bear letterman.

Badgley averaged 9.1 points for Shelbyville this season. He shot 40% from the three-point line and was a 74% free throw shooter.

Larrabee was named a 1970 Indiana All-Star while playing for Shelbyville and returned to coach the Golden Bears for eight seasons between 2000 and 2009. His 2006 Shelbyville squad completed an undefeated regular season and finished with a final record of 23-1.

Mar Nicholson (photo, far right) was recognized with the Golden Bear Award for his consistent positive contributions to his teammates both on and off the court. Nicholson was the team’s leading rebounder and second-leading scorer. He scored 32 points in this year’s game at New Castle and turned in a 31-point performance the following night in a win against Whiteland at Garrett Gymnasium.

Claxton (photo) and Nicholson received plaques as members of the HHC All-Conference team as well as in recognition of their honorable mention selections to the IBCA Underclass All-State team.

Badgley was cited for his inclusion on the HBCA All-District 3 Senior Team and for his selection to the Bob Wettig Holiday All-Tournament Team.

Brody Runnebohm (photo, second from left) was named the team’s top defensive player and was the steals leader.

Gavin Reed (photo, far left) recorded the highest 3-point percentage (51%) and received the “Guts” Award.

Cole Schene (photo, fourth from left) was the leading offensive rebounder.

Most Improved Player Awards were presented to Kenny Owens and Nick Fischer (photo, second from right).

Coaches Bryan Fischer and Doug Brown presented the junior-varsity and freshman awards. The 2024-25 junior-varsity record was 7-13 while the freshman team finished 12-5.

The program presented a special appreciation award to Brown for his dedication to Golden Bear Basketball.

“We are extremely grateful to Doug for his many years of hard work on behalf of our players,” said Shelbyville basketball head coach John Hartnett Jr. “Doug made our kids better players and better people.”

Brown, recipient of the 1983 Paul Cross Award, has assisted the Shelbyville program in a variety of capacities for more than 20 years.

Hartnett reviewed highlights from the best campaign since 2017: The runner-up finish in the 16-team Bob Wettig Tournament; the most wins since the 2017 season; the most conference wins and the best conference finish since 2018. He also praised the leadership of seniors Damon Badgley and Kenny Owens.

“Damon was our captain this year and set the tone for expectations,” said Hartnett. “Kenny led by example and had so many great moments during the season. They are special guys.”

The 2024-25 team’s 18 victories represent the most wins since the 2016-17 contingent posted an identical 18-7 record and ties the latter as the most wins by a Shelbyville team since the 2006 23-1 campaign.