Mari Leggett of the Blackford High School boys basketball team was named to the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association’s Underclass Small School All-State team. The honor is the second-highest that the IBCA can bestow on a high school player behind only the “Supreme 15” (a group of 15 players selected regardless of school size).

Leggett was one of 15 players named to the underclass team and one of just six in sophomore year or younger. The sophomore led the Bruins to a 20-win season and a sectional title. His 26.3 points per game ranked third among all Indiana boys basketball players and led all IHSAA Class 2A athletes.

Leggett was as reliable as he was effective, appearing in all 27 of Blackford’s games and scoring in double figures in every contest. He amassed 30 points or more on eight occasions and surpassed the 40-point threshold twice. The sophomore also added 4.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game.

He racked up 709 total points throughout the campaign and reached 1,000 career points as part of a 29-point outing in the Bruins’ first playoff game, a 70-36 victory over Burris on Feb. 26.

MUNCIE — Addie Smith had a strong opening day for the Eagles with two bombs, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.

Smith powered the Delta High School softball team’s offense, but the Eagles fell to the Frankton Eagles 11-4 in the first game of the season Monday.

Smith went 2-for-3 at the plate and drove in three of Delta’s four runs. She opened the scoring in the fourth inning with a two-run home run to left field. She added a solo blast to center in the sixth inning.

Haley Loser drove in the other run in the fifth on a single.

Jacquelin Linn suffered the loss as she gave up eight runs, only four of which were earned, on eight hits and three walks in 5 ⅔ innings. Chloe Mynett threw 1 ⅓ innings of relief for the Eagles (0-1) and gave up three runs.

Grace Kessinger secured the win for Frankton (3-1) with a complete game. FHS scored five runs in the fourth inning and put up crooked numbers in the fifth and sixth as well. Cassidy Ward led the offensive effort with three RBIs despite being held hitless.

Following a season that saw the Blackford High School girls basketball team win five times as many games as it did the previous season, the Bruins earned several honors.

Olivia Murphy was the lone Bruin to be named to the All-Central Indiana Conference first team. The freshman burst onto the scene with averages of 13.1 points, 2.4 assists and 3.0 steals per game, all team-highs.

Adyson Sargent was named an all-conference honorable mention. The junior led the Bruins with 6.0 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per contest. She also chipped in with 4.3 points per game.

Blackford was also one of 99 teams in Indiana to be honored with the inaugural Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Academic Award. The Bruins claimed the award on the merits of a 3.74 team GPA.

NOBLESVILLE — Delta’s baseball team dropped its season opener to the Class 3A No. 5 Guerin Catholic Golden Eagles 11-1 on Monday in five innings.

The Eagles (0-1) scored its sole run in the fifth inning as Dylan Smith singled to right field to plate E Conner, who doubled to lead off the frame.

Maddox Huffman suffered the loss as he pitched just ⅔ of an inning but gave up five runs on four hits and two walks.

Other Eagles to pitch were Ayden Mitchell, Eli Overholt (five unearned runs) and Ethan Brock (one run).

Grant Beard drove in three runs for GCHS, while Ian Taylor led the Golden Eagles (1-0) with three hits and two runs scored.

Luke Gremelspacher threw all five innings for Guerin Catholic. He struck out seven batters while giving up two runs on two hits and one walk.