Maconaquah Schools

Varsity vs Rochester High School (82 - 61) Win Coach Burrus Quotes: "Senior Night was everything we had hoped for. These Seniors came together to beat a really good Rochester team. They had won 16 games and have had a great season. We were able to lock up a TRC Championship. We shared it with Manchester but feel good about bringing the TRC Championship back to Maconaquah. I thought we played very well to get this win. We came out with a very strong start. Josiah Ball was tremendous. He scored in so many different ways. He made 14-15 free throws which really keyed our offense. He scored at all levels. AJ Kelly got his 1000th point with a three point shot. What an accomplishment in just three varsity seasons. AJ finished with 22 points. He also was a key for us with three blocks and playing relentless defense on the Rochester guards. Fuddy Kile scored 11 points and really locked up the inside of our defense. Devon Murry scored 7 points and really helped our defense. Landon Adams was a key to us working against the Rochester defense. He also played great on the ball defense. He hit a three to open the game. Braylen Nipper got in the game late and made some things happen. He made a free throw close to the end of the game. I am very proud of this group. They are the first group to win the Miami County Tourney, and the TRC in the same season for Maconaquah. These guys have won 17 games on a very difficult schedule. I felt that helped us down the stretch against Manchester, and Rochester. We had to be at our best and these guys were ready. We have played some of our best basketball these past two weeks. Also, the outpouring of support has been phenominal!!! Our kids have really appreciated all the Mac fans who have got behind this team. These home crowds have really willed us to these late wins. Playing in front of a packed house at home gave us a huge advantage. From all of us... Thank You!!! Seniors. Landon Adams- What a year Landon has had. He understands the game, and understands what we need done. He is a team first guy. He has really improved his defense over the course of this season. Landon works hard every day. He prepared hard for this season. It has paid off. He has been a key to our improved play on both ends. He is definitely a success story. Landon has came a long way in his years at Mac. I will miss the dedication of Landon. He was always on board with what we were doing. I am really proud of the way Landon blended into the starting group. He was always looking for the open man. I have been very impressed with his ability to adapt to what we needed from him. Landon screened, passed, and ran our offense when AJ moved down low. He was ready and up to the challenge. Josiah Ball-I have coached several 1,000 point scorers. Josiah Ball may be the only 2,000 point scorer I will ever coach. I felt this year he was able to score in more ways. He was able to stretch defenses and play downhill to the basket. He also lived at the line shooting a lot of free throws all season. I was impressed with how Josiah always found ways to score. It never mattered who we were playing. Josiah was a player that just was relentless on offense throughout his four years at Mac. He never backed down from a challenge and shouldered a lot for our team. Josiah Ball always drew a defensive crowd. It really didn't matter how he was guarded. He would adjust to the defense and go about his business scoring. I will always remember how Josiah just kept producing. I haven't looked at what his low game was because it doesn't matter. With Josiah Ball we always have a chance. He will find a way to score. Josiah Ball will always be the scoring standard at Mac. Future scorers will always be compared with him. His numbers are hard to believe and show his ability to score in so many ways. Josiah is also way up there all-time in rebounds, assists, and steals. When Josiah Ball shoots... It is in the bank!!! AJ Kelly-When I look at AJ and what he brought to us I think of the grit and determination he played with. He never backed down on any assignment I gave him. We tried to move AJ into more of the heavy lifting on this team. He was great no matter what he had to do. AJ also was able to excel because he would listen and gain knowledge about the game plan, or his assignment. When he guarded a a guy it was always the best player on the other team. He loved the challenge. AJ then was able to score 18ppg. His combination of offense, defense, and leadership by example make him one of the best I have ever coached. If he couldn't do it with skill and athleticism, he would just keep bringing the effort. AJ has no weakness. I have never coached a tougher kid than AJ Kelly. He will battle until the clock says zero. His contribution to Maconaquah in all sports will be spoken of as legendary. The beating this kid took on drives and not to sit games because of injury shows his toughness. AJ's value will run through this school long after he is graduated. Huge impact. You give me AJ Kelly... I'll take my chances. Fuddy Kile-I have really enjoyed my time with Fuddy. He is one of the coolest players ever. Fuddy doesn't get rattled. He has been so valuable to this team. Every year his role has changed but he has flourished in whatever role he is given. Fuddy is a team guy. He will do whatever is needed to get the job done. Fuddy has been undersized all year but has made some incredible plays throughout the season. Fuddy was able to lead us in blocks, and is way up in steals, and assists. His biggest contribution has been being at the top of the TRC in rebounding. Fuddy has a knack for making big plays at big points in games. I am so glad I got to coach Fuddy these past three years. He has grown so much during this time. He has always made our basketball program a priority and that is one of the main reasons this group has done so well. Fuddy saw what we needed him to do this year. He learned his third defensive position and continued to make progress on offense. His near 10ppg were the perfect compliment to our other scorers. Fuddy has just been fun to be around. He enjoys being on teams and having fun with everyone. He is a competitor and loves to win. He plays to win and his improvement is a big part of this team being a winning team. I am so happy for Fuddy and all his high school success. Basketball is not his first sport but you would never know that. Fuddy Kile has been part of many winning moments at Mac. That is not by chance. He is a major reason for the success. Fuddy will continue his success beyond Maconaquah. I believe in him. Devon Murry-As a coach you have players that do things beyond expectations. That would describe Devon Murry. I remeber preparing for this season and I thought Murry looked like he could start. He battled Josiah Ball all Fall in the lower gym. I also started to realize that Devon could become a lockdown defender. He was able to elevate his game this year. He had several big games at key points during the season. He never really struggled in a slump or lack of contribution. He also had big moments in big games. Murry hit big free throws down the stretch of several games. What I loved was he went to the line with the confidence he was going to make the free throws. Devon played different spots on defense and was really good as part of our fast break that we we take great pride in at Maconaquah. One thing I will always remeber about Devon Murry is how much he loved playing varsity basketball. He was a kid that was made to be out there. He handled the nerves very well. He was always ready to play and was urgent about getting better. I saw him get better before my eyes. He made us better and his 9ppg were vital to our success this season. I loved watching Devon Murry play this year. I know a lot of you did, too. He came as far as any player I have had in one season. Great season by Devon Murry. He did it all!!! Braylen Nipper- This season Braylen was a big part of this team. I can't remember a day that he wasn't helping our teams get better. He was able to play key scouting roles and working hard on the defensive end. Braylen was a behind the scenes contributor but he was a big part of our bench, and a great support to the rest of the team. He was always enthusiastic during the games, and practice. I really apprectiate Nipper sticking with it. He was a big positive in this season. He showed that you can really help the whole program and not play much. He was as excited as anyone when we would make a big play to win a game, or extend the game. He was someone I counted on to have positive energy on the bench. I will always appreciate his role this year. He cared about our team and brought a great work ethic to the team. Braylen Nipper will have plenty of success in life. He has an excellent work ethic. He will work hard regardless of the reward. I respect how he stuck with the whole process this year. The regular season is over. We head into sectional play on Wednesday at 6pm, at Logansport. We play Western. We need you at Logansport behind this team." Go Braves!!! Ball 36pts 9reb 3ast Kelly 22pts 3reb 3ast 3bl 1,000 points!!! Kile 11pts 5reb 2ast 2bl 1st Murry 7pts 5reb 5ast 4st Adams, L. 5pts 4reb 3ast 3st Nipper 1pt