MOUNT VERNON — The Centerburg girls basketball team completed a memorable season this winter.
The Trojans went 19-6 and won the Know-Morrow Athletic Conferendce with a 9-3 mark, edging Danville and Cardington who tied for second at 8-4.
The architect of that campaign was Bill Abner, who was voted the Central District’s Division IV Coach of the Year, as announced by the Ohio Prep Sportswriter’s Association.
“(I’m just) so incredibly proud of this team,” Abner said on his X (Twitter) page. “19-6. KMAC champs. District runner-up, and battled with Africentric until the end.
“Just a special season and a special group of kids.”
Centerburg’s Kayla Larimore and Danville’s Ella Proper led the way for the Knox County players, both were first-team All-Central District selections in their respective divisions.
In total, 13 Knox County basketball players earned All-Central District recognition.
Larimore, a 5-foot-10 junior who averaged 19.2 points per game this year, was among the top choices in Division III.
Meanwhile, the 5-6 Proper averaged 14.3 points as a senior for the Blue Devils to make the elite unit in Division IV.
Fredericktown’s 5-9 junior Cally Carpenter averaged 18.7 points to find a spot on the Division III second-team.
Highland’s Bryleigh Young was an honorable-mention pick in Division II, as was Fredericktown’s Ella Bouton, Centerburg’s Tiara Shepperd and East Knox’s Sydney Opfer in Division III. Danville’s Kylee Hess was honorable mention in Division IV.
Other Mount Vernon-area players mentioned included Northridge’s 5-7 sophomore Ava Travis, who averaged 16.5 points, and was a third-teamer in Division III.
On the boys’ side, Fredericktown’s 6-5 sophomore Gavin Toombs landed on the second team in Division III after scoring 17.3 points.
Centerburg’s Travis Harris and Isaiah Sule, as well as Fredericktown’s Blake Sipes were each honorable-mention picks in Division III. Danville’s Ashton Spaulding earned the same distinction in Division IV.
Just beyond Knox County, Northmor’s Grant Bentley made the KMAC proud. The 6-3 senior who averaged 19.2 points, was selected the Central District Player of the Year after headlining the Division IV first team. Jax Wenger, his 6-2 junior teammate, was second team after averaging 15.0 points.
In Division III, Northridge’s 6-3 senior Carter Mallernee accrued first-team accolades after averaging 23.2 points per game. Utica’s 6-foot senior Roman Gamble, who averaged 15.4 points, was second team. Northridge’s Ethan Payne was honorable mention.
The Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association 2023-24 All-Central District high school boys and girls basketball teams, as selected by a media panel from the district, with height, year and regular-season scoring average are below:
BOYS
Division I
First team: Dominique Aekins (Walnut Ridge) 5-9, sr., 18.2; Devin Brown (Olentangy Orange) 6-5, jr., 12.4; Jesse Burris (Delaware) 6-4, sr., 16.1; Kruz McClure (Westerville South) 6-4, jr., 24.3; Steele Meister (Newark) 6-4, sr., 19.0; Braylen Nash (New Albany) 6-4, sr., 17.0; Cade Norris (Hilliard Bradley) 6-4, sr., 17.4.
Second team: Jordan Fisher (Reynoldsburg) 6-5, jr., 16.0; Tyler Kropp (Olentangy Liberty) 6-8, jr., 22.3; Arness Lawson (Pickerington North) 6-3, jr., 19.3; Colin McClure (Dublin Coffman) 6-0, jr., 22.0; Jason Moore (Marysville) 6-7, sr., 20.3; Tai Perkins (Westerville North) 6-0, jr., 16.0; Landon Vanderwarker (Delaware) 6-7, jr., 16.3.
Third team: Brody Fields (Teays Valley) 6-3, so., 18.7; Kraig Gilbert (Grove City) 6-6, sr., 17.0; King Kendrick (Northland) 5-11, so., 19.0; Marquis Long (Marion Harding) 6-2, sr., 16.0; P.J. Noles (DeSales) 6-4, jr., 16.0; Amare Spiva (Pickerington Central) 6-2, jr., 14.8; Micah Young (Westerville North) 6-2, jr., 15.4.
Honorable mention: Jeb Bischoff (Hilliard Bradley); Jorden Bowens (Reynoldsburg); Colton Bruny (Lancaster); Levi Davis (Olentangy Orange); Aaron Foster (Dublin Scioto); LJ Foster (Walnut Ridge); Derek Goodman (Olentangy Berlin); Noah Gamble (Olentangy Berlin); John Glover (Mifflin); Kent Hairston (Central Crossing); Carter Hire (Olentangy); Miles Jackson (New Albany); Jahmere Johnson (West); Julian Johnson (Thomas Worthington); Dylan Joy (Olentangy Orange); Noah Kershaw (Westland); Noah Knostman (Whetstone); Te’Mar Lewis (Worthington Kilbourne); Marquis Lucas (Walnut Ridge); Devin Martin (Westerville Central); Ty Maul (Hilliard Darby); Maurice McCall (South); Nehemiah McMorris (Northland); Sam Miller (Teays Valley); Trent Minor (Big Walnut); Braylon Morris (Newark); Ulysses Ponder (Olentangy); K.J. Reynald (Gahanna); Veer Shah (Dublin Jerome); Alex Smith (Upper Arlington); Noah Smith (Reynoldsburg); Dallas Tucker (Westerville Central); Juwan Turner (Pickerington Central); Parker Van Engelehoven (Olentangy Liberty); LaJames Washington (South); Jonathan Whiteside (Gahanna).
Player of the year: Kruz McClure (Westerville South)
Coach of the year: Anthony Calo (Olentangy Orange)
Division II
First team: Reggie Bagley (Whitehall) 6-5, jr., 21.0; Jaden Calloway (Hartley) 6-1, jr., 14.2; Micah Germany (Ready) 6-1, sr., 17.0; Peyton Heiss (Jonathan Alder) 6-3, sr., 21.2; Zach Jones (London) 6-2, sr., 20.5; Carson Smith (River Valley) 6-4, sr., 22.5; Philip Towns (Linden) 5-9, sr., 22.0.
Second team: Rosean Burns (Beechcroft) 6-0, sr., 16.4; Carson Davis (Bloom-Carroll) 6-8, so., 15.3; Jovon McBride (Hamilton Township) 6-2, so., 21.8; Pharez Nicholas (Hartley) 6-5, jr., 11.2; James Nowell (Eastmoor Academy) 5-10, sr., 16.1; Dominic Theado (Watterson) 6-4, jr., 18.3; Andrew Zwick (Bexley) 6-3, sr., 17.0.
Third team: Brady Barb (Johnstown) 6-2, sr., 14.7; Jase Becker (Granville) 5-11, sr., 12.7; Jakhi Calloway (Hartley) 5-10, so., 13.7; Kevin Darthard III (Linden) 6-4, sr., 13.5; Chase Ebert (River Valley) 6-0, jr., 11.7; Marcus Hemphill (Buckeye Valley) 6-3, so., 14.0; Kayden Schaffer (Ready) 6-4, jr., 8.7.
Honorable mention: Terry Black (Marion-Franklin); Santonio Dortch (Beechcroft); Ayden Kenney (River Valley); Ryan Mark (Jonathan Alder); Carson Murphy (Granville); Blaise Ohlin (Watterson); Kyle Siegfried (Johnstown); Elijah Watkins (Eastmoor Academy); Jacob Wheeler (Licking Valley); Sean Wilkes (East).
Player of the year: Peyton Heiss (Jonathan Alder)
Coach of the year: Andreas James (Hartley)
Division III
First team: Trey Booker (Pleasant) 6-1, sr., 20.6; Theo Falkenhain (Columbus Academy) 5-9, jr., 10.2; Cortez Freeman (Africentric) 6-2, sr., 22.3; Sam Johnson (Worthington Christian) 6-6, sr., 20.7; Carter Mallernee (Northridge) 6-3, sr., 23.2; Max Parish (North Union) 6-3, sr., 19.6; Caleb Ransom (Grove City Christian) 6-0, sr., 18.7.
Second team: Adonus Abrams (Harvest Prep) 6-2, sr., 14.6; Roman Gamble (Utica) 6-0, sr., 15.4; Kenyon Jones (International) 6-9, sr., 25.8; Jonah Lewis (Worthington Christian) 6-1, sr., 15.4; Holtz Maine (Fairbanks) 6-5, jr., 14.7; Brandon Roddy (Harvest Prep) 6-2, sr., 11.6; Gavin Toombs (Fredericktown) 6-5, so., 17.3.
Third team: AJ Brehm (Cardington) 5-11, jr., 14.1; Austin Buescher (West Jefferson) 6-4, so., 19.1; Jaxon Duston (Heath) 6-2, jr., 11.7; Ryker Green (Fairbanks) 6-0, jr., 12.1; M.J. Jackson (Columbus Academy) 6-2, jr., 8.2; Solaiman Jalloh (Horizon Science) 6-2, sr., 15.8; Seth Vaughn (Grove City Christian) 5-9, sr., 20.5.
Honorable mention: Christoper Cooper-Patton (Africentric); Khalil Daniels (Harvest Prep); Anderson Davis (Columbus Academy); Alexander Edge (Grandview); Warren Garrison (Cardington); Miles Hall (North Union); Travin Harris (Centerburg); Reuben Holmes (KIPP Columbus); Roland Kargbo (Horizon Science); Josh Long (Madison-Plains); Ben Mason (Heath); Ethan Payne (Northridge); Jason Singleton (Columbus Academy); Blake Sipes (Fredericktown); Isaiah Sule (Centerburg); Jamari Williams (Cristo Rey); Luke Williams (Liberty Union); Tomas Winter (Liberty Union).
Player of the year: Sam Johnson (Worthington Christian)
Coach of the year: Devin Fulk (Heath)
Division IV
First team: Ronald Amoah (Tree of Life) 6-1, sr., 13.2; Alex Bauermeister (Shekinah Christian) 6-2, jr., 16.3; Grant Bentley (Northmor) 6-3, sr., 19.2; Reid Evans (Madison Christian) 6-3, sr., 19.5; Davontrel Jackson (Northside Christian) 5-11, jr., 13.3; Hyde O’Rielley (Fisher Catholic) 6-2, jr., 16.7; Dominic Sammons (Patriot Prep) 6-0, sr., 13.3.
Second team: Stephen Castillo (Elgin) 5-10, sr., 14.8; Josh Cook (Northside Christian) 5-11, jr., 15.2; Eric Gottfried (Ridgedale) 5-8, so., 13.2; Kaden Minier (Liberty Christian) 5-10, sr., 17.5; Cameron Thomas (Patriot Prep) 6-4, jr., 11.3; Griffin Urdarovski (Newark Catholic) 5-10, jr., 10.1; Jax Wenger (Northmor) 6-2, jr., 15.0.
Honorable mention: Andrew Benvie (Granville Christian); Peyton Evans (Fisher Catholic); Carter Jury (Northside Christian); Roarke Marincic (Wellington); Skyler Nicholson (Wellington); Mason Sanders (Tree of Life); Gabe Scherer (Delaware Christian); Ashton Spaulding (Danville); J.P. Vance (Fairfield Christian); Jason Wells (Millersport); Sam Workman (Fairfield Christian); Elijah Yutzy (Shekinah Christian).
Player of the year: Grant Bentley (Northmor)
Coach of the year: Keith Lambert (Shekinah Christian)
GIRLS
Division I
First team: Gigi Bower (Olentangy Liberty) 5-9, sr., 16.1; JoJo Eberhart (Marysville) 5-11, sr., 11.7; Elizabeth Hunt (Upper Arlington) 6-0, so., 16.9; Sydney Mobley (Olentangy) 6-2, fr., 17.0; Whitney Stafford (Olentangy) 5-6, so., 17.0; Berry Wallace (Pickerington Central) 6-1, sr., 17.1; Sophie Ziel (Watterson) 5-9, jr., 17.2.
Second team: Rylee Bess (Pickerington Central) 5-5, jr., 13.4; London Johnson (Canal Winchester) 6-0, so., 18.0; Sa’Mahn Johnson (Reynoldsburg) 5-6, jr., 14.8; Ella Martin (Westerville Central) 5-11, so., 15.9; Layla Merriweather (Olentangy Berlin) 5-8, sr., 16.5; Abbey Price (Marysville) 5-9, sr., 12.5; Kennedy Younkin (Teays Valley) 6-2, sr., 16.0.
Third team: Denza Allen (Big Walnut) 6-1, jr., 13.4; Jenna Grabans (Lancaster) 5-7, sr., 13.1; Zoe Guice (Westerville South) 5-7, sr., 13.0; Remy Largent (Big Walnut) 5-9, fr., 13.2; Claire Mikola (Olentangy Liberty) 5-6, jr., 9.8; Thea Palmore (Grove City) 5-10, sr., 13.0; Ze’Shari Sheppard (Groveport) 5-8, so., 19.0.
Honorable mention: Layla Booth (Licking Heights); Bella Brader (DeSales); Payten Bruns (Hilliard Darby); Quinn Buttermore (Upper Arlington); Kadence Conley (Dublin Jerome); Michaela Dunn (Canal Winchester); Tate Dudley (Hilliard Bradley); Cami Elliott (Olentangy Berlin); Angel Ezirim (Dublin Jerome); Lexi Federer (Big Walnut); Calli Geller (Newark); Savannah Hamilton (Central Crossing); Javaya Harley (Northland); Libby Henry (New Albany); Alyssa Horsley (Teays Valley); Haedyn Hull (Gahanna); Gwen Jenkins (Dublin Coffman); Mary Kidwell (New Albany); Ella Krumpak (Dublin Coffman); Gianna Lane (Hilliard Darby); Lauren Ludwig (Dublin Jerome); Daniya McDonald (Reynoldsburg); Aniya Mitchell (Marion Harding); Alexandria Mosholder (Watterson); Aubree Price (Reynoldsburg); Kenyetietta Quinn (DeSales); Chayla Rankin (Olentangy); Sophia Roush (Westerville Central); Niah Smedley (Dublin Scioto); Cameron Sparks (Watterson); Maria Stack (Olentangy Liberty); Molly Stedman (Lancaster); Addy Tweed (Marysville); Blossom Wallace (Pickerington Central); Rilyn Warner (Watkins Memorial); Nyla Washington (Pickerington North); CirRye White (Westerville South); Oliviah Wilkerson (Worthington Kilbourne); Kate Yaussy (Westerville Central); Aaliyah Younger (Gahanna).
Player of the year: Berry Wallace (Pickerington Central)
Coach of the year: Carey Largent (Big Walnut)
Division II
First team: Harper Annarino (Granville) 6-0, sr., 19.8; Kaliyah Barron (East) 5-7, jr., 25.2; Aubrey Benedict (North Union) 5-8, sr., 14.9; Emily Bratton (Bloom-Carroll) 5-7, sr., 22.3; Kennedy Houston (Centennial) 5-6, fr., 19.4; Carlie Osborne (Buckeye Valley) 5-6, sr., 10.0; Evan Platfoot (Jonathan Alder) 5-7, sr., 17.5.
Second team: Jayla Dukes (Whitehall) 5-8, jr., 16.0; Ella Hazelrigg (Buckeye Valley) 6-2, jr., 13.2; Kayla Houston (Centennial) 5-9, jr., 18.9; Aliyah Moore (Granville) 5-6, sr., 10.3; Emani Tynes (South) 5-6, jr., 14.4; Zoe Wedding (North Union) 5-4, sr., 8.5; Marissa Wilkinson (Bloom-Carroll) 5-7, sr., 10.1.
Third team: Aza Corbett (Centennial) 5-10, sr., 12.5; Peyton Del Cecato (Heath) 5-8, jr., 11.0; Sha’Mya Dukes (Beechcroft) 5-4, so., 16.9; Lexie Hecker (River Valley) 5-6, sr., 10.4; Christiana Towns (Linden) 5-8, fr., 17.9; Avery Williams (Licking Valley) 5-8, jr., 11.3; Alexis Wooten (Hamilton Township) 5-8, so., 12.0.
Honorable mention: Tessa Brooks (Bloom-Carroll); Kennedy Harrah (North Union); Emily Huston (Buckeye Valley); Kaylee Jackson (Whitehall); Addison Lambert (London); Reese McClellan (Bexley); Elle Mortimer (Granville); Caroline Robertson (Heath); Halle Snyder (River Valley); Mali Thornton (Eastmoor Academy); Ke’Sia Williams (South); Bryleigh Young (Highland).
Player of the year: Emily Bratton (Bloom-Carroll)
Coach of the year: Todd Pennington (Buckeye Valley)
Division III
First team: Abigail Adkins (Johnstown) 5-10, sr., 17.8; Leila Carter (International) 5-7, so., 32.1; Kamryn Grant (Africentric) 5-11, sr., 17.0; Kayla Larimore (Centerburg) 5-10, jr., 19.2; Maliyah Lofton (Harvest Prep) 5-6, so., 17.0; Natiah Nelson (Africentric) 5-10, sr., 13.0; Olivia Skillings (Mechanicsburg) 5-8, sr., 15.0.
Second team: Cally Carpenter (Fredericktown) 5-9, jr., 18.7; Addie DeLong (Mechanicsburg) 5-7, sr., 18.9; Abby Dickson (Utica) 5-5, jr., 13.5; Taylor Evans (Amanda-Clearcreek) 5-6, so., 13.1; Tatum Lusher (Grandview) 5-10, so., 17.9; Avah Steele (Pleasant) 5-9, jr., 12.4; Samiriah Thompson (Africentric) 5-10, sr., 10.0.
Third team: Jeniya Bowers (Africentric) 5-10, sr., 10.0; Jamie Custer (Worthington Christian) 5-7, sr., 14.0; Maycee Muselin (Elgin) 5-8, fr., 17.2; Israelle Smith (Harvest Prep) 5-6, so., 12.0; Ava Travis (Northridge) 5-7, so., 16.5; Whitney Waddell (Pleasant) 5-10, sr., 12.6; Lia Wall (Ready) 5-9, jr., 8.5.
Honorable mention: Hawa Ba (Horizon Science); Lauren Baughman (Johnstown); Ella Bouton (Fredericktown); Zoey Brown (West Jefferson); Emily Conley (Mechanicsburg); Ellie Fisher (Tree of Life); Monae Gamble (Harvest Prep); Sam Girton (Elgin); Abigail Hardwick (Cardington); Amor Maker (Ready); Sydney Opfer (East Knox); Kendall Owens (Columbus Academy); Emily Ritzer (Utica); Kylie Sharp (Johnstown); Tiara Shepperd (Centerburg); Gillian Spangler (CSG); Keyonna Walker (Tree of Life); Kaylie Wilson (Amanda-Clearcreek); Ashtan Winfrey (Africentric); Natalie Woodfin (Worthington Christian).
Player of the year: Kamryn Grant (Africentric)
Coach of the year: Bill Abner (Centerburg)
Division IV
First team: Addie Beard (Delaware Christian) 5-9, jr., 16.5; Voni Bethel (Fisher Catholic) 5-8, sr., 16.9; Ellie Bruce (Fisher Catholic) 6-2, sr., 16.6; Sophie Peloquin (Newark Catholic) 6-1, jr., 12.0; Kylie Gibson (Newark Catholic) 5-7, sr., 15.0; Ella Proper (Danville) 5-6, sr., 14.3; Elodie Ware (Wellington) 6-0, sr., 19.0.
Second team: Haylee Beachy (Shekinah Christian) 5-5, so., 8.7; Jayda Dixon (Fisher Catholic) 5-3, sr.; 9.5; Fini Kaiser (Newark Catholic) 6-1, jr., 12.0; Lauren Leslie (Ridgedale) 5-7, sr., 8.2; Faith Thomas (Patriot Prep) 5-6, so., 25.8; Faith White (Mount Gilead) 5-7, jr., 9.3; Kiley Wray (Madison Christian) 5-9, jr., 9.0.
Honorable mention: Shelby Carr (Liberty Christian); Nakayla Cash (Fairfield Christian); Joy Freeman (Madison Christian); Natalie Harrington (Newark Catholic); Kylee Hess (Danville); Brooke Huffman (Delaware Christian); Ella Rhoads (Granville Christian); Aubrey Thomas (Mount Gilead); Rylee Thompson (Grove City Christian); Noelia Wanty (Shekinah Christian); Lexi Wray (Madison Christian).
Player of the year: Voni Bethel (Fisher Catholic)
Coach of the year: Rob Smith (Newark Catholic)