LAFAYETTE — Game winners, half court shots, historic pins, broken swim records and acts of sportsmanship defined another remarkable chapter of Indiana high school basketball, swimming and wrestling.
Now it's time for readers to let their voices be heard and honor moments that engrained lifetime memories and brought fans to their feet.
Readers can watch each and then vote at the bottom to cast their vote for play of the year. The top five most voted on highlights will be recognized as the top five plays of winter for the 2023-2024 season.
Here are the 13 highlights fans can vote on from the 2023-2024 season.
1. Olivia Nickerson breaks the Indiana 3-point record
Nickerson didn't start shooting 3-pointers until the sixth grade under the advice of her father Troy. He wouldn't Olivia to reach beyond her bounds without mastering the fundamentals first. The patience shown in the growing process would allow Nickerson to become an Indiana high school basketball legend. She swished her 364th career 3-pointer at home against Faith Christian on Dec. 27, 2023 to become the state's shot leader from beyond the arc.
2. Rose Kaplan becomes 2-time state champion
West Lafayette senior Rose Kaplan established herself as one of the greatest wrestlers in Greater Lafayette Area history when she became a 2-time Indiana state champion on Jan. 12. Kaplan, who will wrestle at Indiana Tech next winter, won 12 consecutive matches to finish her high school career.
3. Matthew Klinge sets second fastest 50-yard free
Ohio State-bound Matthew Klinge saved his best performances for last when he took home two state championships in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly on Feb. 24. His 50-yard free was second only to 3-time NCAA gold medalist and 2020 Olympian Drew Kibler.
4. Whitlock for the win
West Lafayette sophomore guard Drew Whitlock watched the clock tick down at Case Arena in Frankfort, the 3A Sectional Championship in sight. All his team needed was one more shot with the score tied at 43-43. Whitlock took his time, dribbled right and faded away from the right corner to drill a jumper with 1.7 left - the defining moment to guide the Red Devils to their first sectional title since 2019.
5. Baxter pays tribute to Olivia Nickerson's legacy
Coaches can make plays too. But they aren't shots, dunks or crossovers. Sometimes it's a simple act of kindness that can go distances and bring communities together. Benton Central girls basketball coach David Baxter called timeout during the conclusion of the 3A Sectional semifinal matchup against Twin Lakes, the game in hand. Baxter delivered a speech and gave a hug to Indiana career 3-point leader Olivia Nickerson.
6. Freshman launches and sinks for Faith Christian
Instincts kicked in for Faith Christian freshman guard Luke Miller. Miller had moments to act during the first round of the IHSAA Sectional tournament against Clinton Central. Miller buries a 65-footer at the buzzer to end the third quarter and Faith Christian went on to win 82-52 on Feb. 27.
7. Clinton Central senior sets new mark for Bulldogs
The gym wasn't crowded for senior Sara Parkison who took Clinton Central farther than the program has ever been in 2024. Parkison led the Bulldogs to their first IHSAA Semi-State Championship game in history before getting beaten on a last-second game-winner by Marquette Catholic. Clinton Central finished 25-2 and Parkison was named to the J&C All-Area Small Schools first team. She became the first player from Clinton Central to score 1,000 points on Dec. 11.
8. Clawson-Smith shakes Harrison
Lafayette Jeff junior guard Alonzo Clawson-Smith showed plenty of promise early in the season. Clawson-Smith provided this athletic play during a contentious 62-61 loss against the Raiders on Dec. 8.
9. Malachi King hits game-winner against Twin Lakes
Harrison found itself in need of a momentum boost during the regular season after opening 2024 with three straight losses to West Lafayette, Lake Central and Kokomo. King helped Harrison battle back from a fourth-quarter deficit and sank this game-winning 3-pointer to beat Twin Lakes in overtime 58-55 on Feb. 13.
10. Tiernan Tuttle backflips into reversal
Harrison was packed for a night of wrestling between the Raiders and Lafayette Jeff. The most impressive feat came from junior Tiernan Tuttle who backflipped after having his leg taken and turned from a vulnerable position to a point of counterattack on Dec. 13. Tuttle went on to win the match.
11. JV game-winner between McCutcheon and Benton Central
The junior varsity game between McCutcheon and Benton Central turned out to be the better of the two matchups played on Jan. 4. The two JV schools battled back and forth before being sent into overtime. That set up freshman Ameria Gibson who sank this game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer to lead the Mavericks over the Bison 45-44. The varsity game after resulted in McCutcheon outlasting Benton Central 37-36.
12. Central Catholic senior brings joy with only basket of season
Central Catholic senior Angel Gomez Alvarez helped create a winning culture for the Knights with his attitude. He rarely played but he was the loudest on the bench and led chants for the Knights on the road. Alvarez was placed into the game with just over two minutes to play and Central Catholic ahead by 23 points against Faith Christian. Alvarez savored his opportunity by driving to the basket and hitting an acrobatic hook shot that sent his teammates and Knights fans to their feet.
13. Rossville state wrestling champion Noah Weaver gets honored
Rossville junior 190-pound wrestler Noah Weaver became a state champion by pinning Trey Dunning of Mishawaka in two minutes and 50 seconds. Weaver finished the year a perfect 50-0. He was honored during halftime as Rossville faced West Lafayette on Feb. 23. Weaver waved to the crowd, waved and smiled to celebrate the school's first ever state champion.
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached atehanson@gannett.com, on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
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