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

Brock Netter, Staff Writer

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.

Joedy Ater | Adena | Forward | Junior

While the season’s results didn’t pan out as the Warriors had hoped, Ater showed himself to be everything they hoped for and more. He finished the season as the team’s leading scorer at 15.9 points per night, alongside 5.1 rebounds, as Adena competed nightly inside the SVC. He was named first-team SVC and second-team all-district. 

Landon Barnett | Whiteoak | Guard | Senior

Whiteoak hasn’t had a shortage of shooters in previous history, and Barnett was the latest example. Never shy to put the ball up, he routinely won any man-to-man matchup as he led the Wildcats with a league-high 17.1 points per night, which included his 1,000th career point. He was an all-SHAC and first-team all-district selection. 

DeAndre Berry | Portsmouth | Guard | Junior

Portsmouth has had a long history of excellence in basketball alongside some outstanding players. Berry joined that group while showcasing his talents. While the season, as a whole, wasn’t as fruitful, the junior forward showed out nightly as he put up 16.9 points a game, 5.2 rebounds and a team-leading 3.7 assists. That earned him all-OVC and second-team all-district honors. 

Garrett Brown | Vinton County | Forward | Junior

Vinton County got back to its winning ways, and Brown was the catalyst behind upholding its standard. After being named the TVC Offensive Player of the Year on the gridiron, he carried that momentum to hardwood as he scored 19 points and six rebounds a night while guiding the Vikings to the TVC championship. He was named all-TVC and first-team all-district. 

Colt Buckle | Valley | Guard | Senior

In the past couple of seasons, Buckle wasn’t asked to do too much scoring. His job was mainly to run the show. But he took his game to a whole new level in his final campaign. Taking on more of a scoring role, he put up 16.1 points per night while still leading the team in assists as well. He was a second-team all-district selection. 

Brady Chisman | Lynchburg-Clay | Guard | Senior 

The SHAC was plentiful with players who had no issue letting the ball fly, and Chrisman fit that mold. He often connected with nylon, putting up 17 points per night, which was a team-high for the 15-win Mustangs. His efforts were more than enough to earn him a spot on the all-SHAC and first-team all-district teams. 

Isaac Clary | Gallia Academy | Center | Senior

It’s impossible to miss Clary on the court, or in any other capacity for that matter. He’s 6-foot-8 with a massive frame and he had no issues using it to his advantage on the hardwood. Leading the Blue Devils to 16 wins and a sectional championship, he ended the season averaging 20.2 points a game. He was named all-OVC and a first-team all-district selection. 

Casey Cline | Westfall | Guard | Senior

Cline 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 Westfall had no problems turning him loose. A threat to score 25 points on any night, he finished the season averaging 16 points, which was enough to earn him first-team SVC and second-team all-district honors.

Bransyn Copas | North Adams | Guard | Junior 

Anyone who watched Copas this season knows he score anywhere and at anytime he wants. North Adams’ tournament run proved that as “Cowboy” Copas was nothing short of spectacular, leading his Green Devils to their first district championship since 2009, averaging 17.2 points a night. He was named all-SHAC and first-team all-district. 

Jace Copley | Valley | Forward | Junior

In his first two seasons, Copley made a living shooting from deep. REAL deep. He turned up his level of aggression this season, making Valley just as formidable as ever. Leading the Indians to 18 wins and a sectional championship, the junior sniper put up a team-high 21 points per night, earning himself first-team SOC and first-team all-district honors.

Briley Cramer | Circleville | Forward | Junior

A lot of responsibility was placed on Cramer’s plate, and the junior forward managed to perform with a nice balancing act throughout the season. Leading the Tigers to 12 wins, including a tournament upset of No. 3 Miami Trace, the 6-foot-3 slasher ended the season averaging 18 points and 5.3 rebounds a night, earning first-team MSL and second-team all-district honors. 

Jordan Ermalovich | Senior | Guard | South Point

While Ermalovich may have only scored 8.4 points per game, there’s no denying he was an imperative piece to a district championship puzzle. The senior helped the Pointers capture their first district title in 33 seasons and put the clamps down on a regional final berth. He was an all-conference and all-district selection and cements a legacy of success behind him.

Cyan Ervin | Wellston | Forward | Senior

A season-ending injury derailed his season, but Ervin had already done enough to earn a spot on the list. In just 13 games, he broke Wellston’s single-game scoring record and helped his Golden Rockets defeat Vinton County for the first time since 2011. Oh, he also averaged 31.6 points and seven rebounds a game, earning himself all-TVC and second-team all-district honors. 

Dax Estep | Paint Valley | Forward | Senior 

Depth was not the Bearcats’ best friend this season, but when you have a guy like Estep on your side, he makes up for it. A constant force and a matchup nightmare for opposing teams, the 6-foot-5 senior was a double-double machine, averaging team-highs of 18.6 points and 12.7 rebounds a night, making him a first-team SVC and first-team all-district selection. 

Larkin Friend | Junior | Guard | Fairfield

At one point, Fairfield was the hottest team in Division III … in the state. The Lions started out the season by winning their first 24 contests before falling in a district championship game. Friend was magnificent during all 25 games, posting 8.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists per night. When you couple those numbers with 1.6 steals and a 54.6 shooting percentage, you get a special player.

Andrew Guthrie | Miami Trace | Forward | Senior

A mountain of an individual at a towering 6-foot-8, Guthrie was the driving force behind the best season for the Panthers since making a district final back in 2017. He led the team to 18 wins while putting up 17 points per night and led the team in rebounds as well, earning a spot on the all-FAC team and first-team all-district list. 

Drew Haggy | Western | Guard | Sophomore

Haggy was no longer a secret after helping Western make a regional final last season. It was his time to make his mark, and he picked up right where he left off. He led a pesky Indian team nearly back to a district final, dropping 15.9 points a game and showcasing himself to be a top player to watch next season. He earned SOC and second-team all-district honors. 

Blake Hoops | Unioto | Guard | Sophomore

The Shermans haven’t had a shortage of go-to guys in big situations, and Hoops stepped right into that role. Never afraid to take a big shot, his hard-nosed, physical style of play led the Shermans to 14 wins while he put up 10.2 points each night alongside four rebounds. He was a second-team SVC and second-team all-district selection. 

Evan Jarvis | Jackson | Forward | Senior

After being a key piece in Jackson’s run to a district final last season, it was Jarvis’ turn to have the spotlight. Helping the Ironmen win 12 games, including cornerstone victories over Washington and Alexander, the senior forward finished the season dropping 15.8 points. His nightly effort was enough to earn him all-FAC and second-team all-district. 

Owen Johnson | Coal Grove | Guard | Sophomore

The Hornets may have only won six games, but they have a rising star in Johnson. He showcased some big moments, like dropping 39 points and a buzzer-beater against Portsmouth. After averaging 18.5 points a night, Johnson’s name is going to be one you’re going to be reading about for the next two seasons. He was an OVC and second-team all-district selection. 

Bennett Kayser | Minford | Forward | Sophomore

It took about three games to realize that this sophomore class, one that features Kayser, is going to be special. Kayser himself, showcased the ability to get inside, finish at the rim while also adding a little midrange game as well. His contributions to the Falcons’ 22-win season included scoring 14.8 points and grabbing seven rebounds, earning a second-team all-district nod. 

Neil Leist | Eastern | Forward | 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 12 wins, including big ones over Valley and Wheelersburg. They nearly knocked off district champion Federal Hocking while Leist put up 15 points a game. He was all-SOC and a first-team all-district selection. 

Tanner Lemaster | Washington | Forward | Senior

Lemaster’s talents are no secret by any stretch, and he has no issues whether on the gridiron, hardwood or the diamond showing them. Leading his Blue Lions to a 20-win season, and FAC and sectional championships, the 6-foot-6 standout put up 16.6 points a night to pair with eight rebounds. He was named the FAC Player of the Year and first-team all-district. 

Caleb Lovely | South Point | Forward | Junior

A lot of things come to mind when thinking about Lovely’s game. But to keep it simple, he is a walking bucket. The 6-foot-3 standout is a natural scorer with a smooth jumper that helped propel his Pointers to their first district championship since 1990 and a regional final appearance. He ended the season averaging 23 points a game, earning OVC Player of the Year and Division III District co-Player of the Year honors. 

Connor Lintz | Northwest | Guard | Junior

Lintz has been a player on the rise since he donned the red and blue of Northwest as a freshman, and this was his breakout season. Guiding the Mohawks to their first winning season in quite some time, he finished the year putting up 21 points per game. He’s back for one more year after earning all-SOC and first-team all-district honors. 

Myles Montgomery | Minford | Guard | Sophomore

In a word, Montgomery is spectacular. Put the ball in his hands, move out of the way and watch him operate. He’s worth the price of admission, and more. Following a standout freshman year, he showcased his skills even further for the SOC II and sectional champion Falcons by averaging 23.1 points, nearly six assists and four rebounds. He was the SOC II Player of the Year, the SOSA POY and the Division III District Co-POY.

T.J. Mootz | Fairfield | Forward | Senior

Midway through the Lions’ season, Mootz was suddenly thrusted into the role as their go-to guy and he took to the job like a fish to water. A towering presence at 6-foot-5, he helped his team complete an undefeated regular season and make a district final appearance for the fourth straight season, scoring 14.1 points and six rebounds per night. He was named all-SHAC and first-team all-district. 

Xzander Ream | Zane Trace | Forward | Senior 

Ream possessed all the athleticism imaginable, and his consistency matched his talents night in and night out. Leading the Pioneers to 21 wins and an SVC championship in Gold Ball fashion, he poured in 21.1 points a night, leaving no doubt he was one of the top players in the area. He was named SVC Player of the Year and first-team all-district. 

Nalin Robinson | Zane Trace | Forward | Senior

Ream operated from the outside, and Robinson dominated on the inside. It was a deadly 1-2 punch that led to successful results. Powering his way around the post, the 6-foot-5 mammoth was a near double-double machine as he finished the season averaging 12.9 points and nine rebounds a night, helping the Pioneers to a district final appearance. He was named first-team SVC and second-team all-district. 

Levi Sampson | Senior | Center | Green

It’s been well-documented but in case you forgot, Green had its best season in what seems like ages this past winter. The last time the Bobcats had won a district title was 1997 and Sampson helped break that streak. He was the SOC I Player of the Year after leading Green to the league championship and 20 wins. He was also a first-team All-Ohioan, marking his third career all-state honor.

Caleb Schmelzer | Junior | Forward | Fairfield Union

The Falcons were 24-4, won the program’s second-ever district title and made their first-ever regional final appearance. Schmelzer was at the center of that storm, averaging 15 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. The forward shot 53 percent from the floor and when Fairfield Union needed him the most at crunch time, he always provided an answer.

Braden Schreck | Sophomore | Guard | Ironton

Put simply, Schreck was the engine that kept the Tigers running all year long. Just a sophomore, the guard led the 17-win team in scoring 18 points per game alongside 5.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists each night. When you think about the potential and his room to grow, you can go ahead and pencil in his transition into an all-out superstar over the next two seasons.

Dominic Sparks | Senior | Center | Notre Dame

Sparks was, quite literally, the man in the middle of the Titans’ success. Per usual, he was dominant in the post and helped the Titans reach a district championship game while averaging 11 points. He was an all-league and all-district selection before receiving an honorable mention All-Ohio nod. Notre Dame will, without a doubt, miss their big man in the middle next year.

J.D. Thacker | Fairland | Forward | Senior

The Dragons were top dogs in the OVC, and Thacker did everything in his power to keep it that way. They still managed to win 15 games and make a sectional championship, nearly knocking off South Point while the senior forward averaged 10.4 points and almost six rebounds each night. He was named all-OVC and second-team all-district. 

Ne’Miagh Waugh | Sophomore | Guard | Logan Elm

While the Braves were riddled with injuries this season, Waugh stepped up in a big way after most thought he’d be a role player to begin the year. He was the main reasony why the Braves became a force to be reckoned with by season’s end, averaging 13.9 points per game but having the ability to score 20-plus on any given night. He’ll be even better as a junior.

Honorable Mention Selections

Caleb Redding, Fairfield Union; John Wall, Washington; Tre King, Chillicothe; Isaiah Haithcock, Washington; Shaun Terry, Ironton; Dannie Maynard, Chesapeake; Blake Porter, Rock Hill; Carson Osbourne, North Adams; Mason Sims, Peebles; Kade Walkup, Eastern Brown; Jackson Schwamburger, Wheelersburg; Kade Kinzel, Oak Hill; Nolan Wright, Wheelersburg; Joe Hannah, Minford; Jackson Shoemaker, Minford; Erikai Jackson, Ironton St. Joe; Abe McBee, Green; Myles Beasley, New Boston; Cody Metzler, Notre Dame; K.B. Perkins, Unioto; Dalton Black, Huntington; Brent McGuire, Piketon; Cole Miller, Paint Valley; Connor Smith, Southeastern; Braydn Cain, Vinton County

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