DARKE COUNTY – Two basketball players who are among the most prolific scorers in Darke County are this week’s Daily Advocate athletes of the week.
This week’s Daily Advocate athletes of the week are Arcanum girls basketball player Stevie Johnting and Versailles boys basketball player Justin Ahrens.
Johnting is third among all-Darke County girls with 14.8 points per game.
“Stevie has been shooting well, getting to the rim and really running the floor in transition,” Arcanum girls basketball coach Matt Grote said.
In addition to being Arcanum’s team leader in scoring, the junior is among the best on the team with 4.1 rebounds a game and 1.4 assists a game.
“She’s getting good shots within our team concept as well as being able to see openings and break down defenses,” Grote said.
Johnting made the all-tournament team at Tri-Village’s season-opening Bill Burkett Tournament where Arcanum finished as the tournament runner up. With the strong play of Johnting and her teammates, Arcanum has started the season 6-4.
Ahrens is second among all-Darke County boys with 22.7 points a game and is eighth in the county with 4.6 rebounds a game – both of which are best among Versailles players. He’s second on his team and third in the county with 3.4 assists a game.
“He’s had a very well rounded game,” Versailles boys basketball coach Scott McEldowney said. “He really makes for a touch matchup.”
Ahrens has done pretty much everything well on offense this season. He’s shot 3-point shots with a high percentage, has gotten to the basket and has posted up inside.
“He’s become better and better defensively too for us and as a rebounder,” McEldowney said.
Ahrens is willing to do whatever is needed of him to help his team win.
“He does create well for his teammates and makes some open looks for them, too,” McEldowney said.
After starting for Versailles as a freshman, Ahrens has become the Tigers’ go-to player as a sophomore and has been a great leader and decision maker on the floor.
“It’s a tough role for a sophomore, but he’s handled it really well,” McEldowney said.
