BOYS HOOPS: Take a look at SOSA’s All-Area Team

Brock Netter, Editor

Two regional champions, seven district champions and a ton of memorable moments. 

To really understand just how special this past basketball season was, you’d have to look back on every career-defining moment, every game-winning shot, and every net that was cut down in jubilation.

Southern Ohio Sports Authority was right there every step of the way, covering individual milestones, improbable feats and wins that changed history.

After a fun-filled year, take a look at our All-Area Team, which consists of 35 area players who were at their best throughout the winter season.

Kage Alexander | Waverly | Freshman | Guard 

Bright doesn’t begin to describe Alexander’s future. As the only freshman to make the All-Area team, he was dynamic as soon as he stepped into the varsity game, pacing the Tigers to a district final appearance. He led the team with 13.2 points per night, including multiple 20-point-games alongside a dagger against Jackson in the tournament. Get ready to read his name for the next three seasons. 

Landon Barbarits | Notre Dame | Senior | Guard 

Barbarits scored 12.1 points per game, and there’s no denying he was an imperative piece to a district championship puzzle. The senior helped the Titans capture their first district title in 13 seasons and helped lift them into the regional final, making high IQ plays and precision shot selection. He was an all-conference and second-team all-district selection.

Grady Barber | Eastern Brown | Forward | Junior

A lot of responsibility was placed on Barber’s plate and the junior forward managed to perform a nice balancing act throughout the season. Leading the Warriors to 18 wins, the 6-foot-3 slasher ended the season averaging 14 points and 5.9 rebounds a night, earning first-team SHAC and first-team all-district honors. 

Reed Brinager | Meigs | Forward | Sophomore 

Brinager possesses all the athleticism imaginable, and his consistency matched his talents night in and night out. Helping the Marauders to 23 wins and a TVC championship in Gold Ball fashion, he poured in 16.8 points a night, leaving no doubt he was one of the top players in the area. He was named first-team TVC and first-team all-district. It’s scary to think he’s got two more years. Get used to seeing his name. 

Brody Buchanan | Fairland | Guard | Senior

The Dragons had to fight nightly to remain the top dog in the OVC, and Buchanan did everything in his power to keep it that way. The senior guard routinely showcased himself to be a big-time player in big-time moments, averaging 20.2 points and almost five assists each night for the 21-win Dragons. He was named the OVC Player of the Year and earned first-team all-district honors.

Andre Chandler | Southern | Guard | Junior

Everything. That’s what Chandler does well. When he entered the program, the Tornadoes were 7-16 overall. Two seasons later? 17-7. That’s the difference Chandler has made, getting to run the show and showcase his talents. Leading Southern to its first conference title since 2014, the junior guard poured on 19.1 points per night, earning first-team all-district honors. 

Carson Davis | Meigs | Center | Senior 

Davis was, quite literally, the man in the middle of the Marauders’ success. He was dominant in the post while also showing the ability to hit shots from anywhere on the floor. The 6-foot-8 junior helped the Marauders reach a district championship game while averaging 18.9 points and over 10 rebounds a night. He was named the TVC Player of the Year and the Division IV District Player of the Year. 

Blake Fitch | Unioto | Guard | Junior

The Shermans haven’t had a shortage of go-to guys in big situations, and Fitch stepped right into that role this winter. His hard-nosed, physical style of play — while also being one of the smartest players on the floor — led the Shermans to 23 wins and a district championship while putting up 14.1 points, five assists and four rebounds per night. He was named the SVC Player of the Year and a first-team all-district selection.

Adam Guthrie | Miami Trace | Forward | Junior

A mountain of an individual at a towering 6-foot-7, Guthrie was the driving force behind the best season for the Panthers, finishing an undefeated regular season before a district final appearance. He led the team to 23 wins while putting up 18.5 points and 12.1 rebounds per night. The Clemson football commit was named the FAC Player of the Year and was a first-team all-district honoree.

Brayden Hanshaw | South Point | Forward | Senior

In the past couple of seasons, Hanshaw wasn’t asked to do too much scoring. His job was mainly to crash the boards and collect put backs. But he took his game to a whole new level in his final campaign. Taking on more of a scoring role, he put up 17.4 points per night while still leading the team in assists as well. He was a first-team all-OVC and first-team all-district selection. 

Parker Hayslip | Manchester | Guard | Junior

If you’re wondering who on this list can do absolutely everything, Hayslip fits the bill. Scoring, rebounding, passing, defense … he’s got game. His numbers back that up as he led the team in multiple categories while posting 13.5 points, 4.1 assists and 2.2 steals per game — all team-highs, alongside four rebounds, as he guided the Greyhounds to a district final appearance.

Owen Johnson | Coal Grove | Guard | Senior

Johnson is a pure bucket. He’s been the go-to guy since donning a Hornet uniform and has turned into one of the best scorers in school history. He led the Hornets to their first 10-win season since 2019 and averaged 21.6 points per night along en route to earning first-team OVC and first-team all-district selection. 

Maddox Kazee | Chesapeake | Forward | Sophomore

Kazee is someone who can get a bucket on the court in any way, shape or form. Mid-range, deep, through contact … he can find the bottom of the net at any time and Chesapeake had no problems turning him loose. A threat to score 25 points on any night, he finished the season averaging 18.5 points for the district champion Panthers, which was enough to earn him first-team OVC and first-team all-district honors.

Bennett Kayser | Minford | Forward | Senior

Kayser put together a career that will forever be remembered in Minford history. For four years, he’s showcased his ability to get inside, finish at the rim and has added a midrange game, followed by the ability to stretch to the outside. His contributions to the Falcons’ SOC III and district title season included 24.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per night, earning himself SOC III Offensive Player of the Year and Division V Co-Player of the Year honors.

Jon Knapp | Green | Guard | Junior 

If there’s one player you had to circle on the game plan when playing Green, it was undoubtedly Knapp. While his teammates enjoyed a 12-win season, Knapp is the latest member of Green’s 1,000 point club, ending his season with 21 points per game. He was named the SOC I Player of the Year and was a first-team all-district selection. 

Tucker Leist | Eastern | Guard | Senior

For those who didn’t witness Leist in action, you missed out on a show. He consistently found the bottom of the net, leading the Eagles to its best season in school history, including 23 wins and conference and district titles. The senior guard finished the season averaging 17.1 points per night, earning SOC II Player of the Year and first-team all-district honors. 

Colton Lloyd | Eastern Meigs | Forward | Junior

It wasn’t hard to miss Lloyd on the court. But once the ball was in his hands, magic happened. The 6-foot-5 junior was a near double-double machine as he finished the season averaging 21 points and just under 10 rebounds a night, helping the Eagles to 14 wins on the season. He was named first-team TVC and first-team all-district.

Gunnar McCullough | Zane Trace | Center | Junior

When the Pioneers needed a boost in the most dire times, McCullough was there to provide it. He was, quite literally, a near walking double-double, and continuously posed problems for his opponents. Leading his Pioneers to a district final appearance, the junior averaged 14.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per night, earning first-team SVC and second-team all-district honors. 

Cade Mock | Gallia Academy | Center | Senior

It’s impossible to miss Mock on the court, or in any other capacity for that matter. He’s 6-foot-7 with a long frame and he had no issues using it to his advantage on the hardwood. Despite winning just eight games on the season, the senior forward was at the top of the scouting report. He ended the season averaging 19.1 points each game, earning all-OVC and first-team all-district selections. 

Myles Montgomery | Minford | Guard | Senior

The greatest scorer in Minford history and, quite possibly, the best athlete to ever come play in Muletown. Leading his Falcons to their first-ever regional championship, he averaged 24.3 points, nearly six assists and four rebounds per night, including his 2,000th career point. He led his Falcons to an 85-14 mark in his four years. He was the SOC III Defensive Player of the Year and the Division V co-Player of the Year. Build the statue.

Myles Phillips | Notre Dame | Guard | Senior 

The definition of a leader. That’s what Phillips is, and has been, throughout his time at ND. As a senior, he was the operator of a smooth-running engine, leading the Titans to a 20-6 mark and an Elite 8 appearance, averaging 12.2 points per night. Needless to say, he leaves a humongous pair of shoes to fill.

Carson Reed | Peebles | Forward | Senior 

The SHAC was plentiful with players who had no issue letting the ball fly, and Reed fit that mold. He often connected with nylon, putting up 11.5 points per night, which was a team-high for the 11-win Indians, as he helped them to a district final appearance. His efforts were more than enough to earn him a spot on the all-SHAC team alongside second-team all-district honors.

Eli Roberts | South Webster | Forward | Senior

A lot of things come to mind when thinking about Roberts’ game. But to keep it simple, he’s a walking bucket. The 6-foot-7 standout is a natural scorer with the ability to hit a shot from anywhere on the court. He helped propel his Jeeps to their first regional championship since 2006 and a state semifinal appearance. He ended the season averaging 22.6 points a game, earning first-team SOC III and Division VII District Player of the Year honors. 

Jayce Rothwell | North Adams | Guard | Senior 

Once again, Rothwell played at an elite level all season. The senior guard averaged 11.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game. He was the Green Devils’ pace-setter and the guy who helped make things happen for his teammates. His efforts led North Adams to a 20-6 overall mark, a second-straight Gold Ball and a third district championship. 

Braylon Rucker | Wheelersburg | Guard | Junior

Rucker’s talents are no secret by any stretch, and he has no issues showcasing — whether that’s on the gridiron or hardwood. Although the Pirates’ win-loss record was below standards, the junior still helped lift his team to a district final appearance, putting up 18.3 points each night. He was named first-team SOC III and first-team all-district.

Dylan Shupert | South Webster | Guard | Junior 

The Jeeps were 22-4, won the program’s third-ever regional title and made their first state semifinal appearance in 19 seasons. Shupert was at the center of that storm, averaging 14 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals per night, and often providing a ‘cool hand Luke’ approach in moments of crisis. He was named first-team SOC III and second-team all-district. 

Braden Schreck | Ironton | Guard | Senior

Put simply, Schreck was the engine that kept the Tigers running all year long. Following a state football championship, the senior guard led the 15-win Tigers in scoring with 20.1 points per game alongside five rebounds and five assists each night. He ends his Ironton career with over 1,000 career points alongside first-team all-OVC and first-team all-district selections. 

Breestin Schweickart | North Adams | Guard | Senior 

Anyone who watched Schweickart this season knows he can score anywhere, and at any time, he wants. With toughness in the paint, and as a three-level scorer and a natural-born leader, he led the Green Devils to their third straight district championship, averaging 17.5 points a night and nearly six rebounds a night. He was named first-team all-SHAC and the Division VI District Player of the Year. 

Cobra Sharp | Vinton County | Guard | Senior

After three years atop the TVC, Vinton County took a small step back. But Sharp was as sharp — pun intended — as ever. With the ball in his hands at every moment, he led the Vikings to 12 wins as he put up 22.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and four assists per night while also collecting his 1,000th career point. He was named all-TVC and first-team all-district.

Brody Smith | Fairfield | Guard | Sophomore 

Fairfield needed a new go-to guy to make something happen when things broke down. Enter Smith. Just a sophomore, he was magnificent during all 25 games, posting a team-high 17 points and nearly four rebounds per night as he helped lift the Lions to a sixth-straight district final appearance. He was named first-team SHAC and first-team all-district.

Ethan Smith | Symmes Valley | Guard | Senior

Smith is one of the best in the area at putting the ball in the bucket. Never shy to put the ball up, he routinely won any man-to-man matchup as he led the Vikings to 15 wins while scoring 23.4 points per night, which included his 1,000th career point and a 53-point outing. He was an all-SOC and first-team all-district selection. 

NeMiah Waugh | Logan Elm | Forward | Senior

While the season’s results didn’t pan out as the Braves had hoped, Waugh was just as spectacular as he was last season. He finished the season as the team’s leading scorer at 17.5 points per night, alongside 6.5 rebounds. He was named first-team MSL and was a first-team all-district selection. Replacing his production surely won’t be easy. 

Boston Webb | Eastern | Guard | Sophomore

Webb has range. Deep range. He can get as hot from distance as anyone in the area, which was a key part in Eastern’s district title-winning season. Just a sophomore, he put up 13.6 points per game, earning himself first-team SOC II and second-team all-district honors. It’ll be Webb’s show to run next year. Watch what he does.

Lane Williams | Southeastern | Guard | Senior

Williams has been a player on the rise since he donned the blue and white of Southeastern, and this was his breakout season. Guiding the Panthers to their first winning season since 2014-15, and most wins (15) since 2013-14, he finished the year putting up 12.1 points, 4.2 assists and 2.5 steals per game. He was named first-team all-SVC and first-team all-district. 

Bodhi Wolford | Jackson | Forward | Junior 

Depth was not the Ironmen’ best friend at times this season, but when you have a guy like Wolford on your side, he makes up for it. A constant force and a matchup nightmare for opposing teams, the 6-foot-2 junior led a balanced 17-win Jackson team with 13.4 points per game, making him a first-team FAC and first-team all-district selection. Watch out for Jackson next season with everyone back in the fold, a group led by Wolford. 

Honorable Mention Selections

Stephen Jenkins, Jackson; Caydon Cox, Chillicothe; Skye Salyers, Miami Trace; Tate Davis, Hillsboro; Blake Hoops, Unioto; Joe Wray, Westfall; Carson Free, Paint Valley; Jackson Shoemaker; Minford; Declan Davis, Eastern; Christian White, South Webster; Will Kegley, West; Drew Haggy, Western; Colben Beucler, Oak Hill; Chase Davis, Valley; Kaden Perkins, Chesapeake; Cliff Fransen, Fairland; Leo Martin, Athens; Alec Thompson, Nelsonville-York; Wes Briggs, Wellston; Kole Nungester, Circleville; Keegan Arnett, Fairfield Union; Logan McIntosh, Fairfield; Zander Roades, Whiteoak; Denver Clinton, Lynchburg-Clay

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