Last week, the Mount Vernon News printed the list of 2022-2023 girls basketball All-League honorees and this week, it is the boys’ turn. In conference and All-Ohio postseason awards, 32 student-athletes from 10 local schools earned honors.
Knox Morrow Athletic Conference
In the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference (KMAC) season, Fredericktown went undefeated at 12-0, topping second-place Centerburg by three games. Mount Gilead’s Matt Bland was leading scorer at 20.6 points per game, Mount Gilead’s Aaron Gannon led in rebounds at 7.7 rpg and Northmor’s Jax Wenger was assist leader at 5.3 apg. Defensively, Gannon had the most blocks at 1.9 bpg and Danville’s Spencer Payne was top in steals at 2.5 spg. Bland was selected KMAC Player of the Year, and Fredericktown head coach Derek Dibling was Boys Basketball Coach of the Year.
First Team selections
First Team honorees were seven players selected from five teams: Colton Martin, Centerburg; Grayson Reynolds, Centerburg; Spencer Payne, Danville; Matthew Bland, Mount Gilead; Grant Bentley, Northmor; Kaid Carpenter, Fredericktown and Brady Lester, Fredericktown.
Second Team Selections
The seven Second Team honorees came from six different teams: Journey Williamson, Cardington-Lincoln; Walker Weckesser, Danville; Carter Wesney, East Knox; Teegan Ruhl, Fredericktown; Luke Bean, Fredericktown; Aaron Gannon, Mount Gilead and Jaxson Wenger, Northmor.
Honorable Mention
The seven Honorable Mention players are: AJ Brehm, Cardington-Lincoln; Trevin Harris, Centerburg; Max Payne, Danville; Jaxon Lester, East Knox; Trevor Bellman, Fredericktown; Carter Kennon, Mount Gilead and Maxton Lower, Northmor.
All-Academic
The KMAC recognizes one senior from every school for every sport as an All-Academic winner. The All-Academic winner must have a GPA of at least 3.5. All-Academic winners are: Ryan Clinger, Cardington-Lincoln; Owen Lyons, Danville; Mitchell Williams, East Knox; Ben Mast, Fredericktown and Carter Kennon, Mount Gilead.
KMAC All-Central District Division III and IV
KMAC players named to the Second Team All-Central District Division III are: Matt Bland, Mount Gilead and Kaid Carpenter, Fredericktown. Making Third Team is Colton Martin, Centerburg. Earning All-Central Honorable Mention are: Aaron Gannon, Mount Gilead; Carter Kennon, Mount Gilead and Brady Lester, Fredericktown. Earning a First Team selection in All-Central District Division III is Grant Bentley, Northmor. A Division IV Second Team honoree is Jaxon Wenger, Northmor and earning a Third Team nod is Walker Weckesser, Danville, while Blue Devils teammate Max Payne, Danville, was an Honorable Mention honoree.
Licking County League
In Licking County League Cardinal Division play, Utica finished in fourth place at 6-5 and Trenton Collins was named to the LCL First Team and teammate Roman Gamble was named to the Second Team. Zach Heckman earned Honorable Mention. Collins was also selected to First Team All-Central District Division III and Utica’s Roman Gamble earned Honorable Mention.
Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference
In MOAC play, Highland had a tough 2-12 conference season, but Brock Church of the Fighting Scots earned MOAC Honorable Mention status. Highland’s Gavin Toombs earned All-Central District Division II Honorable Mention honors.
Ohio Cardinal Conference
In OCC play, Mount Vernon finished in fifth place with a 4-8 mark. Mount Vernon’s Hudson Rohler was named to the First Team and Yellow Jackets players Caden Rowland and Trevor Buttke earned Honorable Mention status. Rohler also received All-Central District Division I Honorable Mention honors.
