Franklin Community’s boys basketball team won the majority of its games during the four seasons Andrew Hartkorn was on the varsity roster.
By no means is this a coincidence.
Having played for two different head coaches with differing offensive and defensive strategies, Hartkorn, a 6-foot-4 forward, was a constant while the program went 58-35 and won two Johnson County Tournament titles.
A senior forward, he averaged 13.2 points, 6 assists and 1.5 assists this season and has been selected the Daily Journal’s 2015-16 Johnson County Player of the Year.
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A left-hander, Hartkorn, whose strong drives to the bucket this season helped lead Franklin to a 17-7 record and a runner-up finish at the Class 4A Martinsville Sectional, converted 138 of his 189 field-goal attempts (73 percent).
Hartkorn actually shot better from the field than he did at the free-throw line, where he was a 62 percent shooter.
“Andrew was a trump card for us. We could use him as a post defender, perimeter defender, and he’s an excellent receiver of the basketball. He’s just been a real steady performer for us,” second-year Cubs coach Brad Dickey said. “He never got out of his rhythm.
“His athleticism and dedication to the weight room really helped him. Another thing is that Andrew’s got a great family, too. That network of support has helped him, as well.”
Hartkorn is the grandson of former Franklin boys basketball coach and athletics director Ted Server, who passed away just more than a year ago at age 83.
During this past season Hartkorn was a model of consistency, scoring 10 or more points in 19 of the Cubs’ 24 games.
Hartkorn, who comes across as mature beyond his years, takes pride in being a leader, whether it’s for basketball or for the Cubs’ varsity baseball team.
“When I first got here I wanted to be the facilitator,” Hartkorn said. “I was going to do whatever it took to get everyone involved.”
A starting pitcher for the Cubs’ baseball, Hartkorn, who is passionate about both sports, has nothing but fond memories of his basketball career.
Late in his freshman season (2012-13), then-coach Jerry Bomholt gave Hartkorn his first start on, ironically enough, senior night. Franklin fell short that evening against Jennings County 45-43, but it began a tradition of Hartkorn being in the starting five most his career.
“It’s been a blessing. I’ve been blessed with two coaches, wonderful teammates and wonderful parents, too,” Hartkorn said. “Looking back on the four years I couldn’t be more thankful for all the opportunities that coach Bomholt and coach Dickey have given me.”
Hartkorn maintains a 3.8 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale and wants to major in petroleum engineering. He plans to attend either Purdue University or West Virginia University in pursuit of his career goal.
Hartkorn hopes to have a final decision made by the end of the month.
The youngest of Ken and Jo Hartkorn’s three children — twin sister, Megan, entered the world 1 hour, 8 minutes before Andrew — Hartkorn understands moving to Morgantown, West Virginia, would be among the most difficult things he’s done.
He’s close to both sisters, his parents and whatever extended family might be nearby.
But if Andrew Hartkorn knows anything, it’s how to win — be it on the basketball court, baseball diamond or in the classroom.
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THE HARTKORN FILE
Name: Andrew Hartkorn
Age: 18
Born: Indianapolis
Family: Parents, Ken and Jo; sisters, Libby, 24, and Megan, 18
Favorite TV show: “SportsCenter”
Favorite food: Seafood
Favorite movie: “Home Alone”
Favorite athlete: LeBron James
Favorite team: Chicago Cubs
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FIRST TEAM
*Andrew Hartkorn, 6-4 Franklin senior – A four-year member of the Grizzly Cubs’ varsity squad, Hartkorn averaged 13.2 points and six assists a game as Franklin enjoyed a 17-7 campaign. He also provided 1.5 assists per outing. Hartkorn’s season-high in points (22) came in a victory against Columbus North, while it was in a 77-52 win against Hauser in December in which he snagged a season-best 13 rebounds.
Jared DeHart, 6-0 Indian Creek sophomore – The Braves’ point guard finished as the second-leading scorer (13.7) for a team boasting four starters averaging double-figures in points. DeHart also found time to contribute 4.7 rebounds, six assists and 2.3 steals as Indian Creek posted 16 victories for a second consecutive season.
Trayce Jackson-Davis, 6-6 Center Grove freshman – This left-handed post presence made quite an impression in his first season of varsity competition, leading the Trojans in points (9.5), rebounds (6.1) and blocked shots (1.1). His best numbers came in the Johnson County Tournament semifinals with 25 points and eight boards in a 63-52 win against Franklin.
Braydon Kincaid, 6-2 Greenwood sophomore – Kincaid’s well-rounded game enabled him to help lead the Woodmen to the program’s most wins (12) since the 2005-06 squad posted a 17-5 mark. Kincaid finished the season second on the team in both scoring (12.6) and rebounds (4.3) while also being Greenwood’s assist leader (4.0).
Tom Purdie, 6-4 Whiteland senior – Purdie played a huge role in the Warriors’ 17-6 season, the program’s best won-loss record in 14 years. Signed to play at Marian University, Purdie blue-collared his way to team-leading averages in points (17.6) and rebounds (7.6). A first-team All-County selection a year ago, as well, Purdie finished this season averaging 2 assists and 1.2 blocks.
Cameron Smith, 6-3 Franklin senior – A starter throughout high school, this senior guard capped his outstanding four-year career by averaging 15.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per outing. Smith, who played his first two seasons at Indian Creek before moving back to Franklin, totaled 1,356 points.
*Player of the Year
Honorable mention
Center Grove: Bryce Brown, Trevor Harrell and Nate McLain
Edinburgh: Jake Atha and Bobby Simpson
Franklin: Jarrett Bertsch and Hunter Gross
Greenwood: Justin Conley, Eric Moenkhaus, Max Raker and Jeffery Reynolds
Greenwood Christian Academy: Jared Davenport and Krae Sparks
Indian Creek: Tim Abel, Bryce Hogue and Gynson Robley
Whiteland: Terr’e Moss and Mike Valle’
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