Six area basketball players were recognized on Wednesday by earning All-Central District honors from the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association.
Amanda-Clearcreek senior Emily Buckley led the way by earning second-team honors in Division III. Buckley averaged 13.3 points and six rebounds in helping the Aces to a district tournament berth.
In Division I, Teays Valley juniors Kennedy Younkin (11.1 points, 12.5 rebounds, 3.1 blocks) and Alyssa Horsley (14.6 points, 6 rebounds, 3.4 assists) both made honorable mention for helping the Vikings to their first Mid-State League Buckeye Division title since 2019 and a district tournament berth.
A pair of MSL-Buckeye players earned player of the years honors with Bloom-Carroll junior Emily Bratton claiming the Division II award and Liberty Union senior Abbie Riddle getting the nod in Division III.
Teays Valley freshman Brody Fields (13.7 points, 2.4 assists) and junior Sam Miller (12.1 points, 7.4 rebounds) both made honorable mention in Division I for helping the Vikings to a share of their first MSL-Buckeye title since 2019.
Amanda-Clearcreek senior Tucker Shamblin (14.3 points) landed on honorable mention in Division III.
The Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association 2022-2023 All-Central District high school boys and girls basketball teams, as selected by a media panel from the district, with height, year and regular-season scoring average:
BOYS DIVISION I
First team: Dominique Aekins (Walnut Ridge) 5-9, jr., 28.1; Jesse Burris (Delaware) 6-4, jr., 17.5; Elias Lewis (Olentangy Orange) 6-3, sr., 17.2; Cade Norris (Hilliard Bradley) 6-4, jr., 20.2; Carter Reese (Westerville North) 6-2, sr., 13.0; Devin Royal (Pickerington Central) 6-6, sr., 19.2; Chase Walker (St. Charles) 6-9, sr., 19.5.
Second team: Grant Burkholder (Newark) 5-9, sr., 15.0; James Hummell (Olentangy Liberty) 6-2, sr., 11.1; Brandon Ivery (Gahanna) 6-4, sr., 12.5; Arness Lawson (Pickerington North) 6-1, so., 15.8; Kruz McClure (Westerville South) 6-4, so., 17.2; Ryan Nutter (Dublin Jerome) 6-4, sr., 12.6; Alex Okuley (Olentangy Liberty) 6-3, sr., 11.3.
Third team: Cam Gilkerson (Hilliard Darby) 6-4, sr., 15.0; Derek Goodman (Olentangy Berlin) 6-3, jr., 16.5; Jason Moore (Marysville) 6-7, jr., 17.8; Braylen Nash (New Albany) 6-4, jr., 17.1; DeSean Pollard (South) 6-1, sr., 14.0; Joey Zalewski (Thomas Worthington) 6-3, sr., 15.8; Micah Young (Westerville North) 6-2, so., 12.6.
Honorable mention: Jeff Amapps (Pickerington North); Davion Bridges (Northland); Kison Coates-Edmondson (Licking Heights); Jadi Cunningham (Westerville South); Jordan Edwards (Olentangy Orange); Daniel Fetty (Grove City); Brody Fields (Teays Valley); Lethaniel Foster (Mifflin); Peyton Frey (Hilliard Davidson); Noah Gamble (Olentangy Berlin); Kraig Gilbert (Grove City); Damon Griffin (South); Jaden Griffith (Licking Heights); Gavin Headings (Pickerington Central); King Kendrick (Northland); Kevin Kirkby (Dublin Coffman); Markell Johnson (Pickerington Central); Noah Kershaw (Westland); Luke Kuhlman (Dublin Jerome); Te’Mar Lewis (Worthington Kilbourne); Marquis Long (Marion Harding); Jake Lowman (Delaware); Mikey McCollum (Olentangy Orange); Steele Meister (Newark); Jackson Mikola (Olentangy Liberty); Sam Miller (Teays Valley); Trent Minor (Big Walnut); P.J. Noles (DeSales); Noah Nostman (Whetstone); Tai Perkins (Westerville North); K.J. Reynald (Gahanna); Hudson Rohler (Mount Vernon); Tyreke Ruffin (Groveport); Aiden Schmidt (Dublin Coffman); Noah Smith (Reynoldsburg); Sasha Stavroff (Dublin Jerome); Dallas Tucker (Westerville Central); Mike Walker (DeSales); LaJames Washington (South); Tre Williams (Lancaster).
Player of the year: Devin Royal (Pickerington Central)
Coach of the year: Shan Trusley (Westerville North)
BOYS DIVISION II
First team: Reggie Bagley (Whitehall) 6-5, so., 21.0; Ro’Sean Burns (Beechcroft) 6-0, jr., 24.3; Carson Myers (River Valley) 6-4, sr., 21.4; Cole Rhett (Watterson) 6-7, sr., 11.0; Charlie Russell (Ready) 6-5, sr., 17.3; Luke Ruth (Ready) 6-2, sr., 13.1; Kaleb Schaffer (Ready) 6-5, sr., 15.3.
Second team: Jaden Calloway (Hartley) 6-0, so., 14.2; Peyton Heiss (Jonathan Alder) 6-3, jr., 17.6; Zach Jones (London) 6-2, jr., 18.0; James Nowell (Eastmoor Academy) 5-10, jr., 17.4; Josiah Old (Bexley) 6-4, sr., 13.6; Caleb Schneider (Johnstown) 6-1, sr., 13.2; Carson Smith (River Valley) 6-4, jr., 14.3.
Third team: Jase Becker (Granville) 6-0, jr., 12.7; Marquis Lucas (Linden) 6-2, fr., 14.5; Jovon McBride (Hamilton Township) 6-1, fr., 19.2; Pharez Nicholas (Hartley) 6-5, so., 13.9; Ryan Rudzinski (Watterson) 6-5, sr., 8.0; Dante Varrasso (Granville) 6-1, jr., 8.4; Jackson Wyant (Bloom-Carroll) 5-9, jr., 10.5.
Honorable mention: Tito Glass (Marion-Franklin); Elijah Hughes (Whitehall); Cody Siegfried (Johnstown); Brendan Stalf (Buckeye Valley); Gavin Toombs (Highland); Philip Towns (Linden); Elijah Watkins (Eastmoor Academy); Dominique Wise (Beechcroft); Andrew Zwick (Bexley).
Player of the year: Luke Ruth (Ready)
Coach of the year: Tony Bisutti (Ready)
BOYS DIVISION III
First team: Trey Booker (Pleasant) 6-0, jr., 19.5; Trenton Collins (Utica) 6-3, sr., 22.4; Theo Falkenhain (Columbus Academy) 5-10, so., 12.8; Sam Johnson (Worthington Christian) 6-7, jr., 19.1; Carter Mallernee (Northridge) 6-3, jr., 20.6; Nyelle Shaheed (Harvest Prep) 6-5, sr., 15.7; Dailyn Swain (Africentric) 6-8, sr., 18.6.
Second team: Matt Bland (Mount Gilead) 6-0, sr., 21.5; Kaid Carpenter (Fredericktown) 6-5, sr., 13.8; Danny Claypool (Grandview) 5-9, sr., 13.5; Isaac Dillon (Elgin) 6-2, sr., 15.7; Cortez Freeman (Africentric) 6-2, jr., 17.9; Max Parish (North Union) 6-4, jr., 16.8; Sam Whitaker (International) 6-7, sr., 18.0.
Third team: Jaden Dunn (KIPP Columbus) 5-9, sr., 12.3; MJ Jackson (Columbus Academy) 6-2, so., 11.1; Jonah Lewis (Worthington Christian) 6-0, jr., 13.3; Colton Martin (Centerburg) 6-4, sr., 18.4; Caleb Ransom (Grove City Christian) 6-0, jr., 13.6; Brandon Roddy (Harvest Prep) 6-0, so., 11.5; Preston Steele (Africentric) 6-6, sr., 10.1.
Honorable mention: Correll Amsbaugh (Worthington Christian); Austin Buescher (West Jefferson); Andrew Crowe (Fairbanks); Cameron Dennehy (Madison-Plains); Jaxton Dunston (Heath); Micah Fisher (Tree of Life); Jake Fitzpatrick (West Jefferson); Roman Gamble (Utica); Aaron Gannon (Mount Gilead); Jordan Hall (KIPP Columbus); Miles Hall (North Union); Charlie Heywood (Columbus Academy); Tre Holliman (Grandview); Zyaun Hutson (Harvest Prep); Carter Kennon (Mount Gilead); Brady Lester (Fredericktown); Jujuan McLester (International); Holtz Maine (Fairbanks); Khiryn McNeal (Horizon Science); Carson Rife (Elgin); Tucker Shamblin (Amanda-Clearcreek); Noah Shook (Liberty Union); Braydan Taylor (Grove City Christian); Justin Townley (Northridge); Tymir Wynn (KIPP Columbus).
Player of the year: Dailyn Swain (Africentric)
Coach of the year: Bill Mallernee (Northridge)
BOYS DIVISION IV
First team: Grant Bentley (Northmor) 6-2, jr., 17.9; Ben Hopple (Fairfield Christian) 6-1, sr., 16.4; Trey Johnston (Millersport) 5-10, sr., 17.5; Spencer Payne (Danville) 5-9, sr., 14.5; Keith Prysock (Patriot Prep) 6-2, sr., 15.0; AJ Taylor (Wellington) 6-6, sr., 16.0; Landon Vanderwarker (Northside Christian) 6-7, so., 22.6.
Second team: Alex Bauermeister (Shekinah Christian) 6-2, so., 11.8; John Grabans (Fairfield Christian) 6-4, sr., 13.8; Michael Levacy (Millersport) 6-5, sr., 13.7; Eli Morris (Newark Catholic) 6-2, sr., 11.6; Josh Onabanjo (Liberty Christian) 6-1, sr., 15.0; Hyde O’Rielley (Fisher Catholic) 6-2, so., 12.3; Jax Wenger (Northmor) 6-1, so., 13.8.
Third team: Evan Adair (Liberty Christian) 6-1, sr., 18.7; Andrew Benvie (Granville Christian) 5-11, jr., 14.0; Peyton Owens (Fisher Catholic) 6-0, jr., 12.2; Chris Stokes (Patriot Prep) 6-0, jr., 12.0; Nathan Thiel (Ridgedale) 6-1, jr., 11.1; Matt Tranel (Delaware Christian) 6-4, sr., 11.0; Walker Weckesser (Danville) 6-0, jr., 12.1.
Honorable mention: Nate Nemeth (Berne Union); Max Payne (Danville); Jordan Ross (Millersport); Dominic Sammons (Patriot Prep); Jaden Shoultz (Wellington); Charley Sumney (Fisher Catholic); Brayden Townsend (Ridgedale).
Player of the year: Landon Vanderwarker (Northside Christian)
Coach of the year: Ryan Vanderwarker (Northside Christian)
GIRLS DIVISION I
First team: Gigi Bower (Olentangy Liberty) 5-9, jr., 16.1; Leigha Dennison (Hilliard Bradley) 5-10, sr., 19.0; JoJo Eberhart (Marysville) 5-10, jr., 10.0; Madison Greene (Pickerington Central) 5-7, sr., 15.2; Jenna Kopyar (Dublin Coffman) 6-0, sr., 14.0; Tamara Ortiz (Westerville South) 5-5, sr., 17.7; Berry Wallace (Pickerington Central) 6-1, jr., 14.2.
Second team: Ceylone Brooks (Upper Arlington) 5-6, sr., 14.3; Arianna Cradle (Westerville South) 5-8, fr., 15.4; Tessa Grady (Dublin Coffman) 6-2, sr., 14.0; Clarke Jackson (Gahanna) 5-9, sr., 14.0; Kate Ratliff (Canal Winchester) 6-0, sr., 20.0; Megan Weakley (Big Walnut) 5-9, sr., 16.0; Sophie Ziel (Watterson) 5-9, so., 19.4.
Third team: Olivia Cooper (Pickerington Central) 6-1, sr., 11.0; Kayla Curry-Brown (Westerville North) 5-6, sr., 17.0; Kayla Jones (Grove City) 5-9, sr., 10.0; Gianna Lane (Hilliard Darby) 5-7, so., 15.5; Laila Marshall (Gahanna) 5-7, sr., 15.4; Samara Savoy (Reynoldsburg) 5-9, sr., 13.9; Ava Wilkerson (Marysville) 5-7, sr., 10.7.
Honorable mention: Izzy Arguelles (New Albany); Leah Brown (Marysville); Camryn Cummings (Olentangy); E’Moni Finch-Guice (Westerville North); Cheneya Garner (Thomas Worthington); Brielle Gingras (Newark); Neila Guice (Westerville South); Zoe Guice (Westerville South); Olivia Keeney (Grove City); Alyssa Horsley (Teays Valley); Kayla Houston (Centennial); Nyah Hubbard (Walnut Ridge); Dylan Hunt (Pickerington North); Kamarice Jackson (Marion Harding); London Johnson (Canal Winchester); Leila Jones (Westerville South); Ava Krutowskis (Marysville); Lisa Kuhlman (Dublin Jerome); Addison Marston (Olentangy Liberty); Ella Martin (Westerville Central); Keiryn McGuff (Dublin Coffman); Claire Mikola (Olentangy Liberty); Jordyn Miller (DeSales); Aniya Mitchell (Marion Harding); Layla Merriweather (Olentangy Berlin); Catherine Pierce (Whetstone); Ashley Powers (Hilliard Darby); Aubree Price (Reynoldsburg); Kalleigh Rennie (Watkins Memorial); Alec Rothe (Dublin Scioto); Jenna Shackleford (Newark); Ze’Shari Shepherd (Groveport); Jaya Sheppard (Northland); Niah Smedley (Dublin Scioto); Whitney Stafford (Olentangy); Samantha Toney (Delaware); Cameryn Wheeler (Watkins Memorial); Bridget Womber (DeSales); Kennedy Younkin (Teays Valley).
Player of the year: Madison Greene (Pickerington Central)
Coach of the year: Tom Waterwash (Olentangy Liberty)
GIRLS DIVISION II
First team: Harper Annarino (Granville) 6-0, jr., 18.1; Kaliyah Barron (East) 5-6, so., 25.5; Emily Bratton (Bloom-Carroll) 5-7, jr., 23.6; Kiki McElrath (Hartley) 5-6, sr., 18.3; Brooklyn Mosher (River Valley) 5-10, sr., 18.4; Evan Platfoot (Jonathan Alder) 5-7, jr., 16.1; Sydnie Smith (Bexley) 5-10, sr., 15.2.
Second team: A’Liyah Brock (Eastmoor Academy) 5-6, so., 12.0; Ava Gossman (Granville) 5-10, sr., 11.5; Taliyah Holmes (Heath) 5-7, sr., 12.3; Abbey Price (North Union) 5-9, jr., 10.5; Allison Price (North Union) 5-9, so., 9.9; Sofia Sheridan (Bexley) 5-10, sr., 10.2; Marissa Wilkinson (Bloom-Carroll) 5-7, jr., 14.0.
Third team: Ella Hazelrigg (Buckeye Valley) 6-1, so., 12.5; Lexie Hecker (River Valley) 5-6, jr., 10.6; Ab’Zarria Merriweather (Eastmoor Academy) 5-6, sr., 12.0; Aliyah Moore (Granville) 5-6, jr., 10.1; Caroline Robertson (Heath) 5-4, jr., 12.2; Ke’Sia Williams (South) 6-1, so., 8.4; Natalie Zabloudil (London) 6-0, sr., 9.0.
Honorable mention: Audrey Benedict (North Union); Tamiyah Harrington (Linden); Emily Huston (Buckeye Valley); Kameron Stover (Highland); Aniyah Thorne (Hartley); Mali Thornton (Eastmoor Academy); Emani Tynes (South); Avery Williams (Licking Valley); Mikayla Williams (Bexley).
Player of the year: Emily Bratton (Bloom-Carroll)
Coach of the year: Katy Barry (Heath)
GIRLS DIVISION III
First team: Abigail Adkins (Johnstown) 5-10, jr., 17.2; Jeniya Bowers (Africentric) 5-8, fr., 15.0; Leila Carter (International) 5-7, fr., 25.5; Meghan Mayotte (Worthington Christian) 5-9, sr., 19.0; Natiah Nelson (Africentric) 5-10, jr., 15.0; Abbie Riddle (Liberty Union) 5-10, sr., 18.8; Olivia Skillings (Mechanicsburg) 5-8, jr., 16.2.
Second team: Emily Buckley (Amanda-Clearcreek) 5-9, sr., 13.3; Addie DeLong (Mechanicsburg) 5-6, jr., 17.5; Chai Dobbs-Euans (Grandview) 6-0, sr., 13.2; Maliyah Lofton (Harvest Prep) 5-6, fr., 14.0; Macy Miller (Fairbanks) 5-11, sr., 9.8; Hope Orders (Ready) 5-7, sr., 15.1; Avah Steele (Pleasant) 5-9, so., 14.5.
Third team: Christyn Anthony (Harvest Prep) 5-9, sr., 13.0; Cally Carpenter (Fredericktown) 5-7, so., 15.1; Jamie Custer (Worthington Christian) 5-6, jr., 10.0; Abby Dickson (Utica) 5-5, so., 15.2; Carly Lehman (Fairbanks) 5-8, sr., 12.0; Tatum Lusher (Grandview) 5-9, fr., 16.0; Brooke Mannon (West Jefferson) 5-11, sr., 14.8.
Honorable mention: Hawa Ba (Horizon Science); Ella Bouton (Fredericktown); Emily Conley (Mechanicsburg); Ellie Fisher (Tree of Life); Allison Frickle (Columbus Academy); Sam Girton (Elgin); Ariel Grace (Africentric); Abigail Hardwick (Cardington); Faith King (Worthington Christian); Elaina Lahmers (Fairbanks); Kayla Larimore (Centerburg); Claire Mason (Madison-Plains); Sydney Opfer (East Knox); Charlee Palmer (Lakewood); Delaney Peck (Liberty Union); Emily Rimer (Columbus Academy); Dani Schipfer (Mechanicsburg); Kylie Sharp (Johnstown); Madison Simpson (Northmor); Emily Slone (Tree of Life); Ariyah Spillman (Ready); Grace Sturgell (Lakewood); Samairah Thompson (Africentric); Ava Travis (Northridge); Whitney Waddell (Pleasant); Carmyn Woods (Harvest Prep).
Player of the year: Abbie Riddle (Liberty Union)
Coach of the year: Lee Sims (Harvest Prep)
GIRLS DIVISION IV
First team: Addy Beard (Delaware Christian) 5-9, so., 13.6; Voni Bethel (Fisher Catholic) 5-7, jr., 12.9; Ellie Bruce (Fisher Catholic) 6-2, jr., 16.6; Madilyn Elson (Mount Gilead) 5-4, sr., 13.8; Kyle Gibson (Newark Catholic) 5-7, jr., 14.0; Sophia Kline (Berne Union) 6-2, sr., 21.4; Baylee Mirgon (Berne Union) 5-11, sr., 16.0.
Second team: Ava Albert (Fisher Catholic) 5-6, jr., 12.9; Brianna Hubbard (Granville Christian) 5-6, jr., 9.8; Fini Kaiser (Newark Catholic) 6-0, so., 13.1; Ella Proper (Danville) 5-6, jr., 12.7; Elodie Ware (Wellington) 5-10, so., 13.1; Faith White (Mount Gilead) 5-6, so., 9.2; Kiley Wray (Madison Christian) 5-7, jr., 13.7.
Third team: Shelby Carr (Liberty Christian) 5-6, jr., 11.1; Abbi Evans (Berne Union) 5-3, sr., 5.0; Joy Freeman (Madison Christian) 5-8, jr., 10.0; Lauren Leslie (Ridgedale) 5-7, jr., 10.3; Sophie Peloquin (Newark Catholic) 6-0, so., 10.1; Ellen Tiede (Delaware Christian) 5-8, so., 11.2; Jaylyn Workman (Danville) 5-7, sr., 10.7.
Honorable mention: Sienna Brunicardi (Grove City Christian); Kylee Hess (Danville); Ella Rhoads (Granville Christian); Natalie Scholz (Madison Christian).
Player of the year: Sophia Kline (Berne Union)
Coach of the year: Ben Bethel (Fisher Catholic)
