It was a magical March for Moline’s Brock Harding. The following weeks haven’t been too bad either.
Harding, a 6-foot senior point guard who has signed with Iowa, led the Maroons to the Class 4A state championship, the program’s first title.
Now Harding can add the title of Mr. Basketball of Illinois to an impressive list of individual accolades he piled up in the postseason.
“It’s all kind of surreal,” Harding said. “You dream about it as a kid coming into high school, all the things that you want to accomplish. To actually get all the things I said I wanted to do done is unbelievable.
“I won a state championship, made history at my school, and now to be able to come away with the biggest award in the state and have my name up there with some of the biggest names to ever come through here, it’s just a crazy feeling.”
Lenee Beaumont knows that feeling as well. Beaumont, a senior guard and Indiana signee who led Benet to a runner-up finish in Class 4A, was voted Ms. Basketball of Illinois.
“These are things that when I was a little girl I dreamed of,” Beaumont said. “To be able to accomplish them is amazing to me. Before the season, I wrote down some individual goals and this was one of them, but at the time I was like, ‘There’s no way it’s actually going to happen.’ So it feels amazing now.”
The awards are voted on by a statewide poll of coaches and media and presented by the Tribune in conjunction with the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association. Players received five points for a first-place vote, three for second and one for third.
Harding received 46 first-place votes, twice as many as runner-up Jeremy Fears of Joliet West, and finished with 272 points. Fears finished with 200, while Harding’s Moline teammate Owen Freeman took third with 101.
Beaumont received 38 first-place votes of the 112 cast and outdistanced Lincoln’s Kloe Froebe (27 first-place votes) 226-181. O’Fallon’s Shannon Dowell (seven firsts) finished third with 74 points.
Harding and Beaumont were at their best on the biggest stages, thriving in the playoffs and especially at state.
Harding, who averaged 18.3 points and 5.5 assists for the season, stepped up with 21 of his team’s 50 points in a 4A semifinal win over Downers Grove North. He then poured in 28 in a 59-42 win over Benet in the championship game.
“Brock has done that his entire career,” Moline coach Sean Taylor said. “He started day one his freshman year and he’s never backed down from a challenge. Every big game, he wanted to be the best player on the court and lead his team to wins. We played some dynamite teams during this state run, and he played great every game.”
Harding took immense pride in bringing Moline its first championship.
“I’ve lived in the city my entire life,” he said. “I’ve been to so many games. I’ve seen Moline basketball at the highest point and the lowest point. Just to bring the excitement back to the city has been awesome. We’ve had people coming up to us at restaurants wanting to say hello or take pictures.
“Everyone was talking about Moline basketball.”
Harding, who joins a list of Mr. Basketball winners that includes several NBA stars such as Derrick Rose and Kevin Garnett, plans on this being just the start.
“I accomplished everything I wanted to do in high school, met my goals, but people who know me know those aren’t my main goals,” Harding said. “I accomplished one goal to play Division I basketball and now I want to have a great college career and eventually make it to the pros, whether that be the NBA or overseas. I just want to play basketball as long as I can.”
Beaumont averaged 19.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
“She’s incredibly well-rounded as a player,” Benet coach Joe Kilbride said “She’s one of our best rebounders, defenders, our point guard, our best post player, our best shooter. She just kind of checks every box on the stat sheet. But I thought what made her special this year especially is that she was at her best when it mattered the most.”
Beaumont scored 27 points in each of Benet’s games at state — a 50-48 semifinal win over Geneva and a 62-57 double-overtime loss to O’Fallon in the championship game.
That willingness to take over a game is something Beaumont had to teach herself before her senior season.
“I had to get better at the mindset side of things,” she said. “It’s knowing when to take over and when to trust yourself instead of deferring to others. I’ve always been a pass-first guard. I’ve always known I was capable but I guess I was always the younger one looking up to older players. As a senior leader, it was my turn.”
Beaumont is the second Benet player to win Ms. Basketball, following Kathleen Doyle in 2016.
“I remember being in grade school and watching Kathleen Doyle on TV playing for Benet,” Beaumont said. “Growing up, she was my idol. It’s incredible to think that I’m in the same company as her and some of the other great names like Candace Parker and all the other WNBA players and everything. It’s really amazing.”
Harding and Beaumont were honored at the IBCA Hall of Fame banquet Saturday at Illinois State University in Normal.
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the baiduhai.
2023 Mr. Basketball of Illinois voting
119 ballots cast; first-place votes in parentheses; 5-3-1 vote value
1. Brock Harding, Moline: 275 points (46)
2. Jeremy Fears, Joliet West: 203 (23)
3. Owen Freeman, Moline: 104 (11)
4. Macaleab Rich, 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 multiple 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 City: 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 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.
2023 Ms. Basketball of Illinois voting
112 ballots cast; first-place votes in parentheses; 5-3-1 vote value
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)
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5. Amiah Hargrove, Christopher: 51 (7)
6. Alayna Kraus, Okawville: 45 (4)
7. Sophie Swanson, Barrington: 43 (3)
8. Skylar Jones, Young: 41 (4)
9. Katy Eidle, Hersey: 38 (2)
10. Janae Kent, Oak Forest: 31 (3)
Others receiving multiple votes: Aaliyah Guyton, Peoria: 21 (1); Jordan Wood, Carmel: 17 (1); Jasmine Brown, Example: 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 City: 1 Trinity Jones, Naperville Central: 1; Sophia Loden, Mascoutah: 1; Kayla Rice, Rock Island: 1; Sydney Richards, Neoga: 1; Hayven Smith, Lincoln-Way East: 1.
List of winners
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, Young
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, Lincoln
1998: Frank Williams, Peoria Manual
1997: Sergio McClain, Peoria Manual
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 Manual
1990: Jamie Brandon, King
1989: Deon Thomas, Simeon
1988: Eric Anderson, St. Francis de 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
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1981: Walter Downing, Providence
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 (Ill.)
2013: Tyra Buss, Mount Carmel (Ill.)
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, Mother McAuley
1990: Courtney Porter, Hume Shiloh
1989: LaTonia Foster, Marshall
1988: Nancy Kennelly, Maine West
1987: Cindy Kaufman, Seneca
1986: Doris Carie, Teutopolis