Africentric’s Horston earns co-player of year honor

Jordan Horston, who has helped power Africentric to its third-straight state tournament appearance and ninth overall, was named Division III coplayer of the year by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association on Monday.

Horston, a 6-foot junior guard attracting national recruiting interest, shared the honor with Nikki Current of Benjamin Logan. Horston averaged 18.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 4.3 steals in the regular season.

In quest of a sixth title, Africentric (25-3) will face Ottawa-Glandorf (25-2) at 8 p.m. Thursday in a state semifinal.

Current, a 5-8 senior guard, averaged 26.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 7.1 steals.

Sage Brannon of Cardington and Alyssa Evans of Amanda-Clearcreek made second team, and Emily Londot of Utica and Sam Basham of Newark Catholic were third team.

Bob Bell of Kirtland was coach of the year.

In Division IV, Alli Kern of Waterford was chosen player of the year and J.D. McKenzie of Portsmouth Notre Dame coach of the year. Kern, a 5-9 senior guard, averaged 15.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.0 steals and 2.0 assists for a top-ranked 26-1 state tournament qualifier.

Celeste Mershimer, who led Fairfield Christian to a regional final, was the area’s only firstteam selection. The 5-4 junior guard averaged 18.3 points, 4.8 assists and 3.7 steals.

Lyssi Snouffer of Delaware Christian and Bella Kline of Berne Union made second team.