2023 Mr. and Ms. Basketball of Illinois: Moline’s Brock Harding and Benet’s Lenee Beaumont step up when it matters most

It was a magical March for Moline’s Brock Harding. The next weeks haven’t been too dangerous both.

Harding, a 6-foot senior level guard who has signed with Iowa, led the Maroons to the Class 4A state championship, this system’s first title.

Now Harding can add the title of Mr. Basketball of Illinois to a formidable record of particular person accolades he piled up within the postseason.

“It’s all type of surreal,” Harding mentioned. “You dream about it as a child coming into highschool, all of the issues that you just need to accomplish. To really get all of the issues I mentioned I wished to do accomplished is unbelievable.

“I received a state championship, made historical past at my college, and now to have the ability to come away with the most important award within the state and have my title up there with a number of the largest names to ever come by right here, it’s only a loopy feeling.”

Lenee Beaumont is aware of that feeling as effectively. Beaumont, a senior guard and Indiana signee who led Benet to a runner-up end in Class 4A, was voted Ms. Basketball of Illinois.

“These are issues that once I was a little bit lady I dreamed of,” Beaumont mentioned. “To have the ability to accomplish them is wonderful to me. Earlier than the season, I wrote down some particular person targets and this was certainly one of them, however on the time I used to be like, ‘There’s no method it’s truly going to occur.’ So it feels wonderful now.”

The awards are voted on by a statewide ballot of coaches and media and offered by the Tribune along side the Illinois Basketball Coaches Affiliation. Gamers obtained 5 factors for a first-place vote, three for second and one for third.

Harding obtained 46 first-place votes, twice as many as runner-up Jeremy Fears of Joliet West, and completed with 272 factors. Fears completed with 200, whereas Harding’s Moline teammate Owen Freeman took third with 101.

Beaumont obtained 38 first-place votes of the 112 solid and outdistanced Lincoln’s Kloe Froebe (27 first-place votes) 226-181. O’Fallon’s Shannon Dowell (seven firsts) completed third with 74 factors.

Harding and Beaumont had been at their finest on the most important levels, thriving within the playoffs and particularly at state.

Harding, who averaged 18.3 factors and 5.5 assists for the season, stepped up with 21 of his workforce’s 50 factors in a 4A semifinal win over Downers Grove North. He then poured in 28 in a 59-42 win over Benet within the championship recreation.

“Brock has accomplished that his total profession,” Moline coach Sean Taylor mentioned. “He began day one his freshman 12 months and he’s by no means backed down from a problem. Each huge recreation, he wished to be one of the best participant on the courtroom and lead his workforce to wins. We performed some dynamite groups throughout this state run, and he performed nice each recreation.”

Harding took immense satisfaction in bringing Moline its first championship.

“I’ve lived within the metropolis my total life,” he mentioned. “I’ve been to so many video games. I’ve seen Moline basketball on the highest level and the bottom level. Simply to carry the thrill again to the town has been superior. We’ve had individuals coming as much as us at eating places eager to say howdy or take photos.

“Everybody was speaking about Moline basketball.”

Harding, who joins a listing of Mr. Basketball winners that features a number of NBA stars corresponding to Derrick Rose and Kevin Garnett, plans on this being simply the beginning.

“I completed the whole lot I wished to do in highschool, met my targets, however individuals who know me know these aren’t my major targets,” Harding mentioned. “I completed one purpose to play Division I basketball and now I need to have a terrific faculty profession and ultimately make it to the professionals, whether or not that be the NBA or abroad. I simply need to play basketball so long as I can.”

Beaumont averaged 19.3 factors, 7.5 rebounds and three.3 assists.

“She’s extremely well-rounded as a participant,” Benet coach Joe Kilbride mentioned “She’s certainly one of our greatest rebounders, defenders, our level guard, our greatest put up participant, our greatest shooter. She simply type of checks each field on the stat sheet. However I assumed what made her particular this 12 months particularly is that she was at her finest when it mattered essentially the most.”

Beaumont scored 27 factors in every of Benet’s video games at state — a 50-48 semifinal win over Geneva and a 62-57 double-overtime loss to O’Fallon within the championship recreation.

That willingness to take over a recreation is one thing Beaumont needed to train herself earlier than her senior season.

“I needed to get higher on the mindset aspect of issues,” she mentioned. “It’s figuring out when to take over and when to belief your self as a substitute of deferring to others. I’ve all the time been a pass-first guard. I’ve all the time identified I used to be succesful however I assume I used to be all the time the youthful one wanting as much as older gamers. As a senior chief, it was my flip.”

Beaumont is the second Benet participant to win Ms. Basketball, following Kathleen Doyle in 2016.

“I keep in mind being in grade college and watching Kathleen Doyle on TV enjoying for Benet,” Beaumont mentioned. “Rising up, she was my idol. It’s unbelievable to suppose that I’m in the identical firm as her and a number of the different nice names like Candace Parker and all the opposite WNBA gamers and the whole lot. It’s actually wonderful.”

Harding and Beaumont had been honored on the IBCA Corridor of Fame banquet Saturday at Illinois State College in Regular.

Steve Millar is a contract reporter for the Chicago Tribune.

119 ballots solid; first-place votes in parentheses; 5-3-1 vote worth

1. Brock Harding, Moline: 275 factors (46)

2. Jeremy Fears, Joliet West: 203 (23)

3. Owen Freeman, Moline: 104 (11)

4. Macaleab Wealthy, East St. Louis: 50 (4)

5. Cameron Christie, Rolling Meadows: 48 (4)

6. Ethan Kizer, Metamora: 43 (2)

7. Darrin Ames, Kenwood: 33 (1)

8. Ty Pence, St. Joseph-Ogden: 24 (3)

9. Morez Johnson, St. Rita: 15 (1)

10. David Douglas Jr., Yorkville Christian: 13 (2)

Others receiving a number of votes: Roderic Gatewood, Meridian: 13 (1); Miles Rubin, Simeon: 12 (1); Jordan Pickett, Belleville East: 11 (2); Drew Scharnowski, Burlington Central: 11 (1); Logan Fleener, Clay Metropolis: 10 (2); Niko Abusura, Benet: 9 (1); Ahmad Henderson, Brother Rice: 9 (1); Danny Stephens, Southeastern: 9 (1); Mekhi Lowery, Oswego East: 9; Elijah Aumann, Nokomis: 8 (1); Dylan Bazzell, Prairie Central: 7 (1); DeAndre Craig, Mt. Carmel: 6 (1); Shannon Dowell, O’Fallon: 6 (1); Tyler Mason, Metamora: 6 (1); Jalen Griffith, Simeon: 6; Cooper Koch, Peoria Notre Dame: 6

Receiving one vote: Jay Brenner, North Fulton Co-op: 5 (1); Billy Guyse, St. Teresa: 5 (1); Derrick Hicks, Catalyst-Maria: 5 (1); Ben Oosterbaan, Hinsdale Central: 5 (1); Wyatt Thompson, Dwight: 5 (1); Qu’Andre Washington, Manley: 5 (1); Quintarus White: 5 (1); Al Brooks, Hansberry: 3; Cole Certa, Bloomington Central Catholic: 3; Jake Fiegen, New Trier: 3; Amonte Fulgham: 3; Caden Hawkins, Carterville: 3; Sebastian Hill, Decatur Lutheran: 3; Rasheed Rice, Catalyst-Maria: 3; Braden Whalen, Lincolnwood: 3; Kaden Augustine. Gibault Catholic: 1; James Brown, St. Rita: 1; Jurrel Buford, Naperville North: 1; Mekhi Cooper, Bolingbrook: 1; Tyler Franklin, Cobden: 1; Zack Hawkinson, Sacred Coronary heart-Griffin: 1; Quentin Jones, Marian Catholic: 1; Jordan Quinn, Tuscola: 1; Mason Robinson, Altamont: 1; Maurice Thomas, DePaul: 1; Luke Williams, Naperville North: 1.

112 ballots solid; first-place votes in parentheses; 5-3-1 vote worth

1. Lenee Beaumont, Benet: 226 (38)

2. Kloe Froebe, Lincoln: 181 (27)

3. Shannon Dowell, O’Fallon: 74 (7)

4. Abbey Schreacke, Quincy Notre Dame: 68 (9)

5. Amiah Hargrove, Christopher: 51 (7)

6. Alayna Kraus, Okawville: 45 (4)

7. Sophie Swanson, Barrington: 43 (3)

8. Skylar Jones, Younger: 41 (4)

9. Katy Eidle, Hersey: 38 (2)

10. Janae Kent, Oak Forest: 31 (3)

Others receiving a number of votes: Aaliyah Guyton, Peoria: 21 (1); Jordan Wooden, Carmel: 17 (1); Jasmine Brown, Instance: 10 (2); Alyssa Latham, Homewood-Flossmoor: 9 (1); Grace Carstensen, Nazareth: 8; Alyssa Koerkenmeier, Mater Dei: 6 (1); Claire McDougall, Washington: 6; Lauren Miller, Tolono-Unity: 6; Emily Fisher, Libertyville: 5.

Receiving one vote: Addie Hefel, Galena: 5 (1); Audrey Sabol, Nokomis: 5 (1); Denver Anderson, Mount Zion : 3; Anna Beyers, 3; Jilyan Burgener, Moweaqua Central A&M: 3; Ellie Frederking, Okawville: 3; Gracie Furlong, Galena: 3; Sheridan Harris, Morgan Park: 3; ; Briley Rhodes, Okawville: 3; Ensley Tedeschi, Benton: 3; Xamiya Walton, Butler: 2; Jerzy Bittle, Marion: 1; Abby Compton, Goreville: 1; Blair Eftink, Quincy Notre Dame: 1; Katey Flynn, Brown County: 1; Carly Foster, Gallatin County: 1; Gracie Heckert, Beecher Metropolis: 1 Trinity Jones, Naperville Central: 1; Sophia Loden, Mascoutah: 1; Kayla Rice, Rock Island: 1; Sydney Richards, Neoga: 1; Hayven Smith, Lincoln-Method East: 1.

Mr. Basketball of Illinois

• 2023: Brock Harding, Moline
• 2022: Braden Huff, Glenbard West
• 2021: No award (COVID-19)
• 2020: Adam Miller, Morgan Park
• 2019: EJ Liddell, Belleville West
• 2018: EJ Liddell, Belleville West
• 2017: Mark Smith, Edwardsville
• 2016: Charlie Moore, Morgan Park
• 2015: Jalen Brunson, Stevenson
• 2014: Jahlil Okafor, Younger
• 2013: Jabari Parker, Simeon
• 2012: Jabari Parker, Simeon
• 2011 (tie): Ryan Boatright, East Aurora and Chasson Randle, Rock Island
• 2010: Jereme Richmond, Waukegan
• 2009: Brandon Paul, Warren
• 2008: Kevin Dillard, Homewood-Flossmoor
• 2007: Derrick Rose, Simeon
• 2006: Jon Scheyer, Glenbrook North
• 2005: Julian Wright, Homewood-Flossmoor
• 2004: Shaun Livingston, Peoria
• 2003: Shannon Brown, Proviso East
• 2002: Dee Brown, Proviso East
• 2001: Eddy Curry, Thornwood
• 2000: Darius Miles, East St. Louis
• 1999: Brian Cook dinner, Lincoln
• 1998: Frank Williams, Peoria Handbook
• 1997: Sergio McClain, Peoria Handbook
• 1996: Ronnie Fields, Farragut
• 1995: Kevin Garnett, Farragut
• 1994: Jerry Gee, St. Martin de Porres
• 1993: Rashard Griffith, King
• 1992: Chris Collins, Glenbrook North
• 1991: Howard Nathan, Peoria Handbook
• 1990: Jamie Brandon, King
• 1989: Deon Thomas, Simeon
• 1988: Eric Anderson, St. Francis de Gross sales
• 1987: Marcus Liberty, King
• 1986: Nick Anderson, Simeon
• 1985: Ed Horton, Springfield Lanphier
• 1984: Brian Sloan, McLeansboro
• 1983: Marty Simmons, Lawrenceville
• 1982: Bruce Douglas, Quincy
• 1981: Walter Downing, Windfall

Ms. Basketball of Illinois

• 2023: Lenee Beaumont, Benet
• 2022: Sophie Swanson, Barrington
• 2021: No award (COVID-19)
• 2020: Angela Dugalic, Maine West
• 2019: Brea Beal, Rock Island
• 2018: Brea Beal, Rock Island
• 2017: Brea Beal, Rock Island
• 2016: Kathleen Doyle, Benet
• 2015: Haley Gorecki, Fremd
• 2014: Tyra Buss, Mount Carmel (Ailing.)
• 2013: Tyra Buss, Mount Carmel (Ailing.)
• 2012: Morgan Tuck, Bolingbrook
• 2011: Ariel Massengale, Bolingbrook
• 2010: Tricia Liston, Fenwick
• 2009: Morgan Tuck, Bolingbrook
• 2008: Sarah Boothe, Warren
• 2007: Brittany Johnson, Olney East Richland
• 2006: Theresa Lisch, Belleville Althoff
• 2005: Lindsay Schrader, Bartlett
• 2004: Candace Parker, Naperville Central
• 2003: Candace Parker, Naperville Central
• 2002: Candace Parker, Naperville Central
• 2001: Cappie Pondexter, Marshall
• 2000: Cappie Pondexter, Marshall
• 1999: Molly McDowell, Nokomis
• 1998: Allison Curtin, Taylorville
• 1997: Courtney Smith, Carlyle
• 1996: Tauja Catchings, Stevenson
• 1995: Tamika Catchings, Stevenson
• 1994: Michelle Hasheider, Okawville
• 1993: Kim Williams, Marshall
• 1992: Tammy Van Oppen, Bartonville Limestone
• 1991: Megan Lucid, Mom McAuley
• 1990: Courtney Porter, Hume Shiloh
• 1989: LaTonia Foster, Marshall
• 1988: Nancy Kennelly, Maine West
• 1987: Cindy Kaufman, Seneca
• 1986: Doris Carie, Teutopolis