Lanesville senior Ava Kerr was named the Roy Mental Attitude Award winner after the Eagles championship game on Saturday. She is accompanied in the photo by WNBA star Aliayah Boston of the Indiana Fever, as well as her parents, Christine and Kevin Kerr.

INDIANAPOLIS Ava Kerr ended her career in grand fashion Saturday.

After top-ranked Lanesville beat No. 5 Marquette Catholic 51-43 to win their second straight Class A state title, the Eagles senior guard was named the winner of the Patricia L. Roy Mental Attitude Award.

It means a lot to me because I was a head-case my freshman year and I have been able to grow up as a player and in the classroom, Kerr said. It means a lot because I have worked hard in the classroom and some kids dont get the recognition they deserve. To be able to be recognized for that, and my athleticism, means a lot.

The award is presented annually by the IHSAA Executive Committee to a senior who has been nominated by her principal and coach and has demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability during her four years of high school.

Lanesville senior Ava Kerr is emotional as she accepts the Patricia L. Roy Mental Attitude Award after the Eagles 51-43 victory over Marquette Catholic in the Class A state championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Saturday.

She has been our senior leader and I call her my Bulldog, Lanesville head coach Angie Hinton of Kerr. I can tell her to go do anything and shes going to go do it. She takes all of the mental process, and she was a little bit of a head-case when she was younger, but she has grown so much.

Kerr was pivotal on the court for the Eagles in their come-from-behind victory over the Blazers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. She only totaled two points, however, she also contributed six steals, four assists and one rebound for a 10 plus-minus rating in 31 minutes of action.

It means a lot to win back-to-back state titles because I get to do it with the girls I have been best friends with since second grade, she said of winning a straight state championship. It feels good because we were able to get coach even more history.

After hearing her name announced as the Mental Attitude Award recipient, Kerr received congratulations from her teammates then posed for pictures with her parents, Christine and Kevin, along with Aliyah Boston of the WNBAs Indiana Fever.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, a corporate partner of the IHSAA, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Lanesvilles general scholarship fund in Kerrs name.

Kerr carries a 3.8 grade-point average and is a member of the National Honor Society, along with being the president of the student council. Shes a two-year starter and a four-year letterwinner for the Eagles. Additionally, she was a four-year member of Lanesvilles volleyball team and has been a three-year member of the softball squad.

She is the second consecutive Eagle to receive the Mental Attitude Award. Linzie Wernert earned the honor last year.

Lanesville players Jane Davis, Hadley Crosier and Ava Kerr taste gold again after their Class A state championship win in Indianapolis on Saturday.

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