There are many grand high school basketball traditions across the Hoosier state, and among them is the annual TCU Bi-County Tournament.
The tournament, which dates back more than half a century, showcases boys and girls varsity and junior varsity teams in and around Marshall and St. Joseph Counties and promotes hard work, dedication and teamwork in all aspects of the participants’ lives.
The games are exciting, and the crowds grand, but the most memorable moment of the TCU Bi-County Tournament each year is the W.B. Hawkins Award ceremony held the night of the championship games. This prestigious award is named after W.B. Hawkins, former president of Teachers Credit Union, and is presented to two students who make exemplary positive contributions to their school and community and achieve excellence in academics and athletics.
Ryley Miller of John Glenn High School in Walkerton was selected a winner of the 2019 W.B. Hawkins award and received a $1,000 scholarship from TCU.
Additionally, Zachary Mago, who was a student at John Glenn High School until his untimely death in 2018, was honored as a winner. A $1000 check will be presented to the Zac Mago foundation on his behalf.
Ryley Miller is a leader in every aspect of John Glenn athletics. She is a leader on the soccer field, the basketball court, and on the track. A high achiever in both the classroom and on the field, she carries a 4.1 Grade Point Average and is a team captain.
Miller is a member of National Honor Society, Student Council and Student Government. She is active in the community and volunteers on mission trips to Honduras, through Summer of Service at Bethel College and as an elementary aide helping kids after school with their homework.
Zachary Mago would have been in his senior year at John Glenn High School. He was dedicated to being a great basketball player, role model to his peers and a good friend to the community.
He was a multi-sport athlete in basketball and tennis. He was highly visible in his community volunteering for youth basketball camps and the shop with a player program. Mago was a member of the Student Council, Class Board and National Honor Society.