Introducing Mr. Basketball Candidate #6: Brady Sartorius
As part of our preseason content, we’re counting down the top dozen candidates for this year’s Mr. Basketball award, presented annually to the top senior in the state. The list continues with our No. 6 player, Mount Pleasant guard Brady Sartorius, who has put together a remarkably efficient career for a Panthers program that has steadily been building for this season.
Name: Brady Sartorius
Height: 6-0
Position: G
School: Mount Pleasant
2016-17 stats: 546 points (21.8/game), 76 rebounds (3.0), 108 assists (4.3), 71 steals (2.8), 58.6 FG%, 46.6 3P%, 75.2 FT%
Career stats: 1,229 points (17.3/game), 194 rebounds (2.7), 235 assists (3.3), 188 steals (2.6), 50.7 FG%, 43.2 3P%, 79.3 FT%
About Sartorius: Armed with one of the best mid-range games the state has seen in recent years, Sartorius has steadily improved throughout his high school career. He’s been a varsity starter since day one of his freshman season, as the Panthers have built year after year with an incredibly young roster, preparing for this season, in which they may be the favorite in Class 3A. The shooting splits that he has posted throughout his career are eye-popping, and it’s largely because he’s one of the smartest players in the state, always putting himself and his teammates in positions to succeed. He’ll end his career as one of the top scorers in 3A history, and he’ll be looking to lead the Panthers to their fourth state title in school history (1917, 1918, 2012).
Why he can win Mr. Basketball: He’s a winner that people across the state have been able to see steadily improve not only himself but his entire team throughout the course of his career. He’ll post eye-popping numbers this season for one of the state’s best teams, and has a real shot at capping a tremendous career off with a state title. Numbers and championships go a long way in voters’ eyes.
Odds he wins Mr. Basketball: If this was a normal year, he may be considered one of the top two or three contenders to win the award, but as it stands, it’s a longshot that Sartorius takes home the Mr. Basketball title. But he’s got a real shot at leading his team to a coveted state championship and continuing his career at a Division II program where he will thrive.