The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
N-H unveils all-stars for boys basketball
Led by Clark Kellogg Award winner Luke Chicone of Mentor, this year’s best of the best among area player is announced.
KELLOGG AWARD WINNER
Luke Chicone
Mentor, senior
The Division I Northeast Inlands District Player of the Year and nominee for Ohio’s Mr. Basketball Award did it all for Mentor during its 25-1 season that included the school’s third trip to the state final four. The Youngstown State recruit averaged 23.1points, 7.9assists, 5.7rebounds and 4.1steals. Beyond those numbers, just as important — according to Coach Bob Krizancic — was Chicone’s leadership, instincts and intelligence leading the Cardinals to great heights during the challenge of playing a season during the novel coronavirus pandemic. “I thought on the court, he did exactly what I thought,” said Krizancic. “He exceeded everything with the intangibles. He became such a phenomenal leader. As much as he did on the court, what he did off the court impressed me so much.”
— Mark Podolski
COACH OF THE YEAR Bob Krizancic, Mentor
Despite two COVID-related shutdowns and getting two key transfers — Steven Key and Jonah Waag — adjusted to his system, Krizancic guided his first team in 40years of coaching to an undefeated regular season. That included wins over highly regarded St. Ignatius to close out the regular season, then wins over Solon in a district final, Massillon Jackson in a regional semifinal, and Medina in a regional final to secure the Cardinals’ third trip to the state final four in school history. A loss to Centerville ended Mentor’s dream of an undefeated state championship season but the team’s 25-1 mark won’t soon be forgotten.
FIRST TEAM
(in alphabetical order)
Jaylen Anderson, Sr., Perry
The West Virginia running back recruit proved to be a nice basketball player too as he lead the Pirates in scoring at 22.8 points and averaged 4 rebounds.
Luke Chicone, Sr., Mentor
Kellogg Award winner averaged 23.1points, 7.9assists, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.1 steals.
Josiah Harris, Jr., Richmond Heights
Forward who has an Ohio State offer was the Spartans’ leading scorer (18 points) and rebounder (11) this season and helped his team to the D-IV state final four.
Darryl Houston, Sr., Beachwood
The 6-foot-2 senior finished third in the area in scoring with an average of 26.5 points.
Elmore James, Jr., Brush
Western Reserve Conference player of the year and firstteam all-district pick led the area in scoring at 29.8points per game. Has a number of offers, the latest from Ohio University.
Chris Peoples, Sr., Fairport
The D-IV Northeast Inlands District Player of the Year had a banner season for the Skippers as he averaged 19.8 points, 15rebounds, 8.5assists, 3.5steals and posted seven triple-doubles.
Jamail Spivey, Jr., Cornerstone Christian
Spivey was the Patriots’ go-to scorer this season with a scoring average of 27 points (second in the area) and he dished out 5.4assists and grabbed 5rebounds per game.
Brady Toth, Sr., Chardon
Toth played his best in the tournament and helped lead the Hilltoppers to a district final by averaging 20.3points and 12.6 rebounds.
SECOND TEAM
Jake Cubbison, So., Perry: Future is bright for Cubbison after he averaged 13.3points, 5.1rebounds and 3.3assists this season.
Joey Grazia, Sr., Kirtland: Stuffed the stat sheet this season with averages of 17.4points, 4.6steals, 4.3rebounds and 4.1assists.
Steven Key, Sr., Mentor: Averaged 16.2 points for the Cardinals this season, and had 27 points in the team’s D-I state semifinal game.
Jack McMullen, Sr., Chagrin Falls: Averaged 13 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Ryan Mueller, Jr., Gilmour: Mueller helped lead the Lancers to a district championship with averages of 13.6 points and 9.1 rebounds.
Hayden Nahra, Jr., Mayfield: Wildcats’ best player averaged 18.1points, 12.7rebounds and 4.2assists.
Nathan Sulka, Sr., Chardon: Sulka and Brady made a solid 1-2 tandem for opposing defenses. Sulka averaged 17.8points, 6.1rebounds and 5.4assists.
Jamarr Talbert, Jr., Richmond Heights: Injured late in the season before averaging 14.9points, 5.3assists, 5 rebounds and 3steals.
Jonah Waag, Sr., Mentor: Waag averaged 18.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.2steals and 2.5assists.
THIRD TEAM
Jaiden Cox-Holloway, Jr., Richmond Heights: Averaged 13.9points and 5rebounds for the Spartans.
Brady DeMell, Sr., Gilmour: The 6-foot-5post averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds for the Lancers.
Aidan Fitzgerald, So., Lake Catholic: Sophomore had a breakout season for the Cougars, as he averaged 18.3 points and 5.4rebounds, 2.6assists and 2steals.
T.J. Green, Sr., Kirtland: Green averaged 16.5 points and 9.8 rebounds.
Sam Honkala, Jr., Fairport: Made 67 3-pointers and averaged 17.2 points for the Skippers.
Priest Ryan, Jr., Richmond Heights: The 6-foot-6 Ryan played well in the postseason, and averaged 14.9points and 10rebounds for the Spartans.
Ricky Radtke, Sr., University: The 6-foot-7post averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Preppers.
Juan Sergio, Sr., Andrews Osborne: Double-double machine this season, as the 6-foot-6 post averaged 17.3 points, 14.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks.
Antwone Woolfolk, Jr., Brush: Arcs’ center averaged 11.1 points and 10.5 rebounds for the Arcs.
HONOR ROLL
Andrews Osborne: Max Rolnick, Trey Wright, Nikola Samac; Beachwood: Jalen Minter, Nathan Lurie; Benedictine: London Maiden, Detric Hearst; Berkshire: Isaac Potter, Matt Heffern, Dakota O’Dell; Brush: Tyler Williams; Chagrin Falls: Josh Norton, Xavier Perez; Cardinal: Jake Bean, Joey Soltis; Cornerstone Christian: DJ Niles, BK Kwasniak; Euclid: Clay Cunningham, Jaden Wanton; Fairport: Dominic Trusty, Joey Tanker; Geneva: Ayden Richmond, Anthony Kosicek; Gilmour: Adisa Molton, Brandon Rose; Harvey: Hasan Jones II; Kenston: Kyle Quinlan, Anthony Yohman, Nick Cowoski; Kirtland: Anthony Demarco; Lake Catholic: Joe Malchesky; Madison: John Dragas, Shane Gibson, Dimitri Dragas; Mayfield: Donovan Coffey, Alex Page; Mentor: Kyle Culler, Ian Kipp, Andrew Smith; NDCL: Owen Redmond, Noah Coyne, Jaiden Mangelluzzi; North: Kyle Randle, Sean Register; Perry: Brayden Richards, Javin Richards; Riverside: Caden Geiger, Charlie Fox, Andrew Taggert, Brett Fulton; South: Tyree Alexander, Will Hagwood, Tyree Talley; University: Faris Dahman, Nelson Johnson Jr., Cam Smith, Asaan Snipes-Rea; Wickliffe: Mason Balla