FORTVILLE, Ind. - The Naismith Player of the Year Award is one of nations prestigious awards that a high school basketball player can get as just to get on the watch list you have to be considered one of the top 50 players in the country. Mt. Vernon highschool’s Luke Ertel just got the nod to be on this list. He is the first player, boys or girls player from the school to get this nod. The senior point guard averaged almost 23 points per game, 4 assists per game, and 6.5 rebounds per game last season. Luke was as surprised as everybody else was when he got the nod.
“It was honestly crazy I didn’t really expect it… it’s kinda cool to be recognized on a national level like that.” Ertel said.
Ertel is not letting all of the hype of him getting this recognition and committing to Purdue University just two weeks ago affect his motivation for this season.
“Obviously my two goals are to win a state championship and win Mr. Basketball.”
Mt. Vernon head coach Bradburn always knew Ertel was special.
“Luke is probably the hardest working player that I have ever coached… he controls the pace of the game.”
Ertel knows how fast the game of basketball can be taken away from him. As his sophomore year he only played six games due to injury,
“I’d say just being grateful to play the game, never taking a play for granted… I remember when I was a sophomore I was very sad very distraught that I was not able to be out there with my guys.”
Mt. Vernon opens their season Nov.28 at the Ohio Valley Classic as they take on Lebanon tip off at 5:45 pm.
Contact Michael Baugh with comments at michael.baugh@bsu.edu
