South Ripley's Henry, Ward Named District 3 Boys Basketball Players of the Week

Henry and Ward have led the Raiders to a 10-0 start.

Cole Henry and Blaine Ward. Photos by South Ripley Sports.

(Versailles, Ind.) – South Ripley’s dynamic duo has earned statewide recognition.

Cole Henry and Blaine Ward have been named the District 3 Boys Basketball Players of the Week by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.

They combined to lead 2A No. 13 South Ripley to a 3-0 week, including victories over two ranked opponents in the Southridge Tournament.

Ward averaged 24.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.7 steals over the three games and was MVP of the Southridge event. Henry netted 21.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks as South Ripley improved to 10-0 for the season.

Ward opened with 23 points, three rebounds, one assist and five steals in a 78-74 victory over Batesville. The 6-1 guard followed with 31 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in a 62-49 decision over 1A No. 1 Orleans. He then tallied 20 points with two rebounds, one assist and one steal as the Raiders edged 3A No. 5 host Southridge 50-48. Meanwhile, Henry tossed in 34 points with nine rebounds and one block against Batesville. The 6-7 forward tallied 17 points with 10 rebounds and two blocks against Orleans. And he provided 12 points, seven rebounds and two blocks against Southridge.

Earlier this season, Ward eclipsed the 1,000-career-point mark. Henry is on track to become South Ripley’s all-time leading scorer this season. He needs 159 points to pass Cody Samples (1,429 points) as the school’s top scorer. If he maintains his current average, Henry would be on pace to break the record over the next seven or eight games.

South Ripley (10-0) is back in action on January 8 when they host Milan in the first round of the Ripley County Tournament.