Ali Patberg was named Thursday as the Gatorade Indiana Girls Basketball Player of the Year. The award recognizes athletic excellence, high level of academic achievement and exemplary character.
“It allows me to represent Columbus in a national setting. That’s pretty cool. That means a lot to me because of all that Columbus has given me. I’m from Columbus.”
Patberg is the first Columbus North student to earn the award for girls basketball.
Patberg led North to a 28-1 record and the Class 4A state championship.
Patberg averaged 25.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 3.1 steals per game this season.
Patberg is a McDonald’s All-American.
Patberg carries a 4.07 grade-point average at Columbus North.
Patberg has signed a letter of intent to play college basketball at Notre Dame.
Patberg is now eligible to be considered as the Gatorade National Player of the Year, which will be announced this month.
Patberg holds career records for North in scoring (2,026 points), assists (534) and steals (273).
The award is in its 30th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes.
