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Press release courtesy of Jude Kiah, West Central Officials Association

MACOMB, IL --- Paxton Harmon, senior guard from Warsaw (West Hancock) High School, has been named the winner of the 2013 Jim ‘Red’ O’Flaherty “Player of the Year” Award, recognizing the outstanding boys’ basketball player in the region, and voted on by area coaches, officials, and media.

Harmon, who is averaging 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists per game, was selected from a finalist field of 4 outstanding players from the region. Those players included Trayvon Martin (Monmouth-Roseville), Martel Hunter (Monmouth-Roseville), and Brody Gronewald (Illini West).

From a pool of 59 votes, Harmon garnered 43 votes, dominating the field. Hunter, a junior, got 9 votes, Gronewald 5, and Martin, 1. “If you think back to all the players that have won this award, it’s really something that Paxton has risen to the top to win it”, said West Hancock coach Reno Pinkston. Harmon was a finalist last year for the honor and garnered 9 votes.

Harmon has been a 3 year starter at West Hancock. As a junior, he was named to IBCA 4th team All-State team. During his career he has moved from forward to being a 6’4” point guard. “It’s tough to guard a guy like Paxton who can shoot and handle the ball at his size. He creates matchup problems,” said Pinkston.

Pinkston continued, “Paxton never forgets who his teammates are, and how important they are to the team. Everyone has a role, and he fills his. He’s a hard working player and he is as proud of his teammates as they are of him.”

Paxton Harmon is the son of Bob and Donna Harmon of Warsaw. Speaking about her son, Mrs. Harmon echoed the sentiment. “Paxton grew up with 5 siblings that made him work hard. We are so proud of his accomplishments and his humility. We’ve always taught him to work hard and that success would follow. It’s wonderful to have that recognized. I can’t even believe he got that many votes.”

Harmon has not yet chosen a college, but is a stellar student (3.54 GPA, Class Rank 12) and aims to enter higher education in the fall.

Previous award winners included Jared Brown (1999, Abingdon), Barry Welsh (2000, Abingdon), Jake Sottos (2001, Monmouth), Nathan Koster (2002, Lewistown), Chad Cox (2003, Macomb), and Evan Busen (2004, Brown County), Skyler McKinley (2005, Carthage), Brock Edris (2006, Carthage), Matt Buren (2007, Macomb), Ben Gillen (2008, Monmouth-Roseville), Regan Bruenger (2009 and 2010, Southeastern), Mitch Murphy (Bushnell, 2011), and Evan McGaughey (Illini West, 2012).