Quoting long-time Duke University coach Mike Krzyzewski, Cleveland head basketball coach Mike Meyer said leaders have to search out the player who has the heart on the team because the person who has it can bring out the best in everyone else.
For Meyer, the heart of the Clippers was sophomore forward Blake Lyons. Playing through a painful sprained ankle he suffered the night before, Lyons inspired the rest of Clippers in their only win.
“The fact that he wanted to show up and play that game speaks volumes as to what type of player he is, but I know without a doubt, we could see it in every practice and every game. He never gave up and always encouraged the other players.”
Lyons and the rest of the Clippers were honored during an awards banquet in the school commons on Sunday.
With 332 points, including 111 two-point baskets, 13 threes and 68 free throws, Lyons was the top scorer for the Clippers and had the seventh most points in the Valley. He also led the team in steals (38) and had 123 rebounds and 45 assists.
So, besides earning the Heart Award, Lyons was voted by the Clipper coaches as the team’s Most Valuable Player. He was also picked as the Offensive Player of the Year and was elected by Valley Conference coaches as an All-Conference Honorable Mention.
Carter Barto was the other All-Conference Honorable Mention. The 6-5 junior center suffered an injury in the ninth game and did not return the rest of the season, but in his eight-plus games, he made 44 two-point baskets, put in 17 free throws, blocked 10 shots and hauled down 90 rebounds.
“Everyone knows Carter’s fate two years in a row,” Meyer said. “I think it is impressive that all of these coaches knew who he was and that he got all of those points in nine games.”
The Defensive Player of the Year trophy went to Gabe Sullivan. The junior guard led the Clippers in deflections (39) and blocks (11). He also had 26 steals and 129 rebounds. On offense, his 47 assists were the most for the Clippers.
Sullivan had to play post, point guard and wing and did a really good job at all, Meyer said. In Glenville, he matched up against their big man and did a really good job. But his most important effort was in the game against Madelia, the Clippers’ one win.
“There was under a minute left, and we were down three points, and they got a steal and made a breakaway, and Gabe came up with one of the biggest blocks of the season. But not only that, in the final minute, he had two jump balls that came down in Madelia’s hands, and he just took them and ripped them away.”
Eighth-grade guard Carson Lyons was named the Rookie of the Year. After recovering from a shattered collarbone, he played 13 games and scored 34 two-point baskets, seven threes and made 14 free throws. He also pulled down 55 rebounds, dished off 24 assists and came away with 20 steals.
While the award is for anyone who did not play varsity last year, most all but Blake Lyons were eligible, Meyer said, but the younger Lyons really stood out.
“He still managed 101 points. That’s a pretty impressive feat.”
Sophomore guard Kyle Connor took home the Most Improved Player award. He scored 133 points, grabbed 110 rebounds and stole 19.
“This was another one that was tough because really our whole team—granted we didn’t finish out recordwise where we wanted to a few years in a row—anyone could have could have won this award, because we all improved tremendously throughout the year, but the one who stood out was Kyle.”
The 6th Man award went to sophomore guard Kale Kelley. He led the team in rebounds (132) and also had 31 steals.
“I thought he really did a good job of bringing energy when he got in,” Meyer said.
Jorden Rossow took home the Practice Player of the Year award and also earned the Coach’s Award. Rossow, a junior guard, led the Clippers in threes (23). He also had 30 steals and 40 assists.
“The practice player of the year, I struggle with the name of that award,” Meyer said, “because I don’t think it gives enough justice to what it actually is. This year it went more toward someone who was showing up every day and trying to help us coaches implement what we wanted to.”
Meyer said Rossow hurt his knee during a rebounding drill and without being told and with his knee wrapped in ice, went out to help Andy Schmidt and Travis Mons teach the varsity offense to the B-Squad team.
Rossow earned the coach’s award, Meyer said, because he was not afraid to speak his opinion when he did not agree with something and guided the players on what they needed to do.
Besides the award winners, earning letters were freshman guard Bode Bartell, sophomore center Alex Johnson, junior guards Nathan Strobel and Brady Bostic and senior forwards Jordan Schmidt and Dakota Alitz.
With a GPA of over 3.5 during the season, the Lyons brothers, Kelley, Johnson and Connor earned Academic All-Conference awards.
“You don’t have as much time to study, so it digs deep,” Meyer said.
“One win, not a great season, but I think we improved tremendously,” Meyer concluded. “It was very easy to see. We lost to Madelia by 30 points and then later beat them. This team showed up every single practice, every single game. I think we had one practice that we walked away from and shook our heads because the effort wasn’t there, but other than that, every single night they would show up, and when you only have one win on the season and are losing by 30 or 40 points, it is tough to show up, but this team has grit.”
Meyer said the Clippers are only losing two non-starters to graduation, and that if they put in their time on the court between now and next season, their W-L record in 2023-24 will be a different story.
The free throw fundraiser to fight cancer raised between $15,000 to $20,000, Meyer said.
Meyer thanked his assistant coaches, Mons and Schmidt and volunteer coach Carter Kopet, bookkeeper Greg Davis, bus drivers, school chef Monica Manzey and her culinary class for preparing the meal for the banquet, the parents, the coaches' wives and this author.
The Clippers will play in tournaments this summer, including their annual trip to the Wisconsin Dells. Parent Candace Lyons is arranging the trip. Fundraising efforts should help lower expenses. Open gym will start in a few weeks.
Above: Top award winners were Kale Kelley (6th Man), Blake Lyons (All-Conference Honorable Mention, Heart Award, MVP, Offensive Player of the Year), Kyle Connor (MIP), Gabe Sullivan (Defensive Player of the Year), Carson Lyons (Rookie of the Year), Jorden Rossow (Coach’s Award Practice Player of the Year award and Carter Barto (All-Conference Honorable Mention).
Blake Lyons and Carter Barto were All-Conference Honorable Mentions.
Letter winners were, from L-R, Kale Kelley, Jorden Rossow, Blake Lyons, Carson Lyons, Kyle Connor, Nathan Strobel, Carter Barto, Gabe Sullivan, Brady Bostic, Bode Bartell and Alex Johnson. Missing are Dakota Alitz and Jordan Schmidt.
Blake Lyons, Kyle Connor, Alex Johnson, Kale Kelley and Carson Lyons earned Academic All-Conference Awards.
Clippers attending the banquet were, from L-R, assistant coach Travis Mons, assistant coach Andy Schmidt, Gavin Karels, Blake Lyons, Kale Kelley, Jorden Rossow, Carson Lyons, Carter Barto, Body Bartell, Kyle Connor, Nathan Strobel, Gabe Sullivan, Nathan Seeman, Brady Bostic, Alex Johnson, Mason Kluntz, Elijah Mons and head coach Mike Meyer.
Mike Meyer presents Blake Lyons with the Heart Award. In the back are assistant coaches Travis Mons and Andy Schmidt.