Clark Kellogg Award watch list

From now through the end of the season, The News-Herald will run a list of candidates for the Clark Kellogg Award given to the area’s boys basketball player of the year. This year’s Clark Kellogg Award winner will be announced after the completion of the state tournament. Details will be released at a later date. Candidates are listed below, in alphabetical order. This list is not final and subject to change.

Gbolahan Adio, Richmond Heights: Senior guard is a catalyst for the Spartans, who hope to return to the state final four. Averages 18points, 3.5 assists and 2.5steals per game and ranks among the area’s top shooters with 52made 3-pointers.

Peyton Bissler, West Geauga: Senior guard averages 20.2points and four assists per game for the Wolverines. Bissler is a hard-nosed guard who attacks the basket and scores proficiently from mid-range.

Chris Blauman, Madison: Nearly a guaranteed double-double, senior forward ranks among the area’s best with 20points and 9.6rebounds per game. Centerpiece of a resurgent season for the Blue Streaks.

Luke Chicone, Mentor: Youngstown State commit averages 19points, 5.9 assists and 2.6steals per game for the Cardinals. Ranks among the area leaders with 373-pointers. The product of a rich basketball lineage, Chicone ranks among Northeast Ohio’s craftiest players.

Roderick Coffee III, Harvey: Red Raiders’ point guard averages 14.7 points, 6.6rebounds, 4.5assists and an area-best 4.4steals per game alongside 393-pointers made this year. One of the state’s top talents in the Class of 2022.

Nate Cubbison, Perry: Leads the Pirates with 14.8points and 6.1rebounds per game. Forty 3-pointers rank among the area’s leaders. Cubbison is one of the best all-around scoring weapons in the area.

Faris Dahman, University: Junior guard has keyed the Preppers’ strong season with team-best averages of 15.2points and 3.7assists per game. Ranks among the area leaders with 53 3-pointers made.

Luka Eller, Lake Catholic: Stands among the area’s best averaging 22.3 points and 11.1rebounds per game. Dominant inside force already ranks as the Cougars’ all-time leading scorer and will challenge the 2,000-point threshold for his career. Miami (Ohio) signee was a 2019Clark Kellogg Award finalist.

Luke Floriea, Mentor: Averages 15.1 points and a team-best 2.8steals per game for the Cardinals, while leading the area with 6.5assists per game. A 2019Clark Kellogg Award finalist, Floriea surpassed 1,000career points against Medina on Jan. 31. Arguably the engine of a high-powered Mentor team.

Luke Frazier, Lake Catholic: Highflying guard averages 20.7points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.9assists and two blocks per game for the Cougars. Dayton signee will finish his career as Lake Catholic’s second-leading scorer. Jaden Hameed, VASJ: Junior guard reached 1,000career points earlier this season. Leads the area in scoring at 24.8points per game and has made 53 3-pointers to go with 4.2assists per game. One of the best pure scorers in Northeast Ohio.

Josiah Harris, Richmond Heights: Sophomore wing leads the Spartans with 18.1points and 11rebounds per game. One of the most dangerous all-around players at 6-foot-7with the ability to score in the post, shoot from the perimeter and protect the rim.

Daryl Houston, Beachwood: Dynamic junior point guard leads Beachwood with 21.9points, 7.4rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.4steals per game. One of the area’s best defensive players, regardless of position.

John Hugley, Brush: Dominant 6-foot-10 senior leads Brush with 23.3 points, 12.5rebounds and 4.4assists per game. Set the Arcs’ single-game scoring record with 52points in their WRC-clinching victory at Mayfield. Pitt signee will garner attention as a Mr. Basketball candidate.

Josh Irwin, West Geauga: Leads the Wolverines with 22.7points and an area-best 12.7rebounds per game and has made 453-pointers. Still a junior, Irwin is on pace to finish his career as one of the greatest to play at West Geauga.

Steven Key, Euclid: Junior guard leads Euclid with 16.2 points per game and has made 223-pointers. Scored a career-high 31points against Mentor on Feb. 5. Key has stepped into a leadership role for the Panthers as a junior after Euclid graduated its entire rotation from last year’s district championship team.

Connor O’Toole, Gilmour: One of Northeast Ohio’s most skilled allaround players leads the Lancers with 12.8points, 5.5assists and 1.5steals per game. Fifty-one 3-pointers ranks among the area’s leaders. Became the Lancers’ all-time leader in assist and 3-point shooting this season.

Chad Rogers, Mentor: A Penn State baseball signee, the senior forward has dominated in his final basketball season. Leads the Cardinals with 21.3 points and 8.3rebounds per game, and has also knocked down 303-pointers. Rogers possesses one of the state’s best blends of post scoring and perimeter shooting.

Zach Samsa, Kirtland: Averages a team-high 14.3points and 5.9rebounds per game for the Hornets. On a deep roster, Samsa is the go-to guy for a Kirtland team that won the CVC Valley title.

Bishop Thomas, Harvey: Leads the Red Raiders with 18.9points and 6.7 rebounds per game, and ranks among the area leaders with 2.6blocks per game. All-around difference-maker for Harvey, this year’s CVC Lake champion.