Kellogg, top coach finalists revealed

A year of hard work for area boys basketball student-athletes leads to this, as someone takes home the Clark Kellogg award and being named as The NewsHerald player of the year.

Five players vie for the honor, and the winner will be announced on a special edition of the Varsity Chalk Talk Show, hosted by Bill Tilton, on March 21 at the Hooley Pub and Kitchen in Mentor.

This year’s finalists are — in alphabetical order — JP Dragas of Madison, Kyle Irwin of Mayfield, Dorian Jones of Richmond Heights, Quinn Kwasniak of Cornerstone Christian and Nathan Lurie of Beachwood.

Additionally, three finalists for the boys basketball coach of the year will be on hand.

The finalists for the Kellogg Award, which is named for the former St. Joseph star who went on to play at Ohio State and in the NBA, are:

• Dragas, who broke the record for points in a career for the Blue Streaks as a junior, averaged 27.1 points with 55 3s, 6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.3 steals, 1.1 blocks.

• Irwin, a 6-foot-5 John Carroll signee who averaged 22.2 points with 11.4 rebounds. He also led the Wildcats with 3.1 assists per game with the ability to do it all as a big man.

• Jones, the leading scorer for the state semifinalist Spartans, averaged 20 points a game as well as seven rebounds a game. While he’s strong on the drive, he can also pull up from deep with 63 3s on the season.

• Kwasniak, who moved into third all-time for 3s in a season with 125 as a sophomore, led the area with 29.6 points per game while also averaging six rebounds and five assists for the Patriots.

• Lurie, the floor general for the Bison, was a threat from deep and on the drive. The senior averaged 26.2 points per game with 2.8 assists while guiding Beachwood to its first regional appearance in a decade.

The coach of the year finalists are, in alphabetical order:

• Beachwood’s David Krasnow, who guided the Bison to their first district championship in 10 years with an experienced varsity roster.

• Riverside’s Matt Grendel, who led the Beavers to their first WRC title since 2008 and to a district final, where they pushed topseeded Stow-Munroe Falls.

• Richmond Heights’ Quentin Rogers, who has guided the Spartans to a 27-0 record and a return trip to the state tournament. They are also in the midst of a 47-game win streak.

A capacity crowd is expected to be on hand. For any wishing to attend the awards night at the Hooley Pub and Kitchen, place your reservations by calling 440942-6611.