When the lights were on, there wasn't a player in the Ozarks this season who played better than Catholic senior Zach Howell.
Whether it was at the Blue and Gold Tournament, the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions or the postseason, Howell stepped up and shined brighter than everyone else while willing his team to victory.
That's why Howell is the News-Leader's 2021-22 Boy's Basketball Player of the Year.
Catholic's senior star was sensational this season while leading the Fightin' Irish to a fourth-place finish in the Class 5 state tournament.
He continued to put up big numbers while averaging 24 points per game.