2022-23 News-Herald boys basketball all-stars

Mar. 27—PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Dorian Jones

Richmond Heights, Sophomore

He's able to work inside and outside, and that was on full display for the Spartans in their state championship season. In the state round, Jones finished with 11 3-pointers in two games, including seven in the title game against Convoy Crestview. In the regular season, he averaged 20 points per game with 63 3s. Was also a threat on defense, as he averaged three steals and 1.7 blocks per game. As the leader of the young Spartans team, Jones is excited to continue to develop as an individual and as a team.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Quentin Rogers, Richmond Heights

After 49 straight wins and an undefeated season, the Spartans coach takes the top honor for the area coaches. It was a second straight title for Rogers at the helm, and this one featured a lot of players sliding into new roles and maturing as the season progressed. While their rotation wasn't deep in some games, Rogers and the coaching staff had the players ready for when their numbers were called. Different players stepped up in the big games time and again in victories over Harvest Prep, St. Edward and Lutheran East. With the entire starting lineup and several key pieces back, Rogers and the Spartans look primed for a shot at three in a row.

FIRST TEAM

(in alphabetical order)

De'Erick Barber, So., Richmond Heights

The orchestrator of the offense, Barber is a throwback to old-style point guards. Led the area with 8.8 assists per game and 3.9 steals to set up the offense.

JP Dragas, Jr., Madison

Did a little bit of everything for the Blue Streaks this season as he finished with an average of 27.1 points per game, six assists, 3.5 assists, 3.3 steals and 1.1 blocks. Can drive while also letting it go from deep with 55 3s on the year.

Aidan Fitzgerald, Sr., Lake Catholic

Led the Cougars with 18.5 points per game as the Cougars won their first district championship in six years. Improved from the inside while still a strong shooter from beyond the arc with 51 3s on the year.

Charlie Fox, Sr., Riverside

Led the Beavers' offense with 5.3 assists and 17.2 points a game for their first conference title in 14 years. Finished the season with 28 3s.

Ian Ioppolo, Jr., Mentor

The 6-foot-6 shooter led the Cardinals' offense with 22.7 points and 67 threes for the GCC champions. Became a threat inside as well as he averaged 7.1 rebounds and got into the paint more as the season progressed.

James Kosmides, Sr., Chagrin Falls

The defensive stalwart for the Tigers was one of the best-shot blockers in the state with 5.9 blocks a game. His work in the paint led the Tigers' offense as he also averaged 9.1 rebounds and 12.7 points.

Quinn Kwasniak, So., Cornerstone

Finished with 125 3s for the third-most 3s made in a season in OHSAA history. Led the area with 29.6 points per game. Was also a strong distributor with 4.4 assists.

Kyle Irwin, Sr., Mayfield

The John Carroll signee averaged a double-double with 22.2 points and 11.4 rebounds a game. Also led the Wildcats with 3.1 assists a game.

Nathan Lurie, Sr., Beachwood

The Bison leader finished with 26.2 points per game and 55 3s. His inside work allowed for him to be a double threat for the Bison as they won their first district title in a decade.

Sean Register, Jr., North

The Rangers' big man put up big numbers against every team they faced. Finished with 27.4 points per game and 12.7 rebounds for North.

Brandon Rose, Sr., Gilmour

Led the Lancers back to the regional finals as he averaged 16.6 points and 7.4 rebounds, both of which led the Lancers. Also finished with 2.2 seals and a block per game.

Hosea Steele, Jr., Richmond Heights

Was able to run any position on the floor as he averaged 15.7 points and 10.2 rebounds. Also among the area leaders with 4.9 assists a game.

SECOND TEAM

(in alphabetical order)

Marlon Barnes, Sr., Brush: The Pittsburgh signee averaged 13.1 points as the Arcs got back to the district final after they beat Akron SVSM.

Justin Belcher, Jr., University: The do-it-all guard for the Preppers, Belcher led the team with 18.9 points while also leading the team with 7.8 rebounds. Also finished the season with 3.9 assists and 2.9 steals.

Matthew Biddell, Jr., Mentor: While he slotted into the two guard spot, was also able to run the offense with 5.1 assists per game. Finished with 17.5 points per game and 7.2 rebounds as well.

Peyton Budrys-Rini, Jr., Lake Catholic: A strong No. 2 scorer for the Cougars as he finished with 18 points a game just behind Fitzgerald. Added 41 threes this season for the Cougars.

Jake Cubbison, Sr., Perry: Finished second in all-time scoring for the Pirates as he averaged 21.8 points per game.

Evan Dugger, Jr., NDCL: Led the Lions to the district semifinals with his 20.9 points per game. While still sharp from deep, connected on 72 threes this year, also worked more from inside the paint.

Adisa Molton, Sr., Gilmour: In his third year running the offense, finished with 4.3 assists while also averaging 14.9 points per game. His calm composure helped keep the Lancers even keel in their run to the regional finals.

DJ Niles, Sr., Cornerstone: Averaged a double-double for the Patriots with 14.9 points and 10.2 rebounds. His work on the inside, with 3.7 blocks per game as well, helped the Patriots advance to the regional round.

Jeremy Wilson, Jr. Richmond Heights: His work inside propelled the Spartans to the state round as he cleaned up inside with 9.2 rebounds a game and 12.4 points.

Demarris Winters, So., Richmond Heights: A dangerous 3-point shooter, finished with 75 3s and an average of 14.5 points. He also played a major role on the defensive side with a game-sealing block against St. Edward.

THIRD TEAM

(in alphabetical order)

Carter Armstrong, So., Cornerstone: A strong two-guard with Kwasniak. Finished with 16.4 points and 4.1 assists a game.

Taj Caver, Jr., Hawken: While he is a strong scorer, finished with 14.1 points and 51 3s, developed more as a passer with a talented supporting cast.

Troy Domen, Jr., Cardinal: Set the Huskies record for steals in a career as he averaged 3.1 a game. Also added 13.4 points and 5.3 assists.

Kobe Frasure-Azzano, So., Mentor: Emerged as a strong body down low for the Cardinals as he averaged 10.2 rebounds a game.

Ryan Ioppolo, Sr., Mentor: Able to work inside and out, as he finished with 10.9 points per game, 54 threes and 7.2 rebounds

Jerry Kline-Ruminski, Sr., West Geauga: The leader of a bounce-back season for the Wolverines, finished with 14.7 points and eight boards a game.

Austin Lee, Sr., Riverside: Emerged as an inside force this season as he finished with 12.1 points and 8.1 rebounds.

Noah Page, Sr., Beachwood: The number two scorer for the Bison, made his mark down low with 15 points and 8.4 rebounds.

Elijah Petrosian, Sr., Andrews Osborne: Was the go-to guy for the Phoenix as he averaged 17.9 points and 10.6 rebounds.

Brayden Richards, Jr., Perry: Did anything that the Pirates needed of him this season as he had 16.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Tyler Williams, Sr., Brush: Finished with a double-double of 12.7 points and 10.8 points, with 3.1 blocks on the other end.

HONOR ROLL

Beachwood: Josh Jones; Benedictine: Tremaine Edwards, Kris Smith; Berkshire: Jack Hastings, Miles Miller; Brush: Alijah Murray; Cardinal: Jake Bean, Paul Gall, Ethan Detweiler; Chagrin Falls: Max Crandall; Chardon: Ethan Faber, Sammy Sulka, Noah Gerlica; Cornerstone: Ryan Merill; Euclid: Xavier Vann; Fairport: Josh Parsons, James Gadomski; Geneva: Anthony Kosicek, Luke Smith, Luke Barbo; Gilmour: Dorjan Flowers, Jimmy Lawless; Harvey: Armani Hall, Dez Thomas; Hawken: Da'Ron Hill, David Dettelbach; Kenston: Max Marra; Kirtland: Gino Blasini, Nick Barisic, Owen Mueller, Vince Carriero; Lake Catholic: Nick Brandt, Robert Russell; Madison: Seth Negin; Mayfield: Rocco DiPietro; North: Dylan McDonald, Dominic Scott; NDCL: Noah Rogers, Jaxon Mangelluzzi; Perry: Owen McKoon; Riverside: Andrew Taggart, Jake Elly; South: Delond Moss; University: Ethan Nowak, Alec Congdon; VASJ: Jeremiah Martin, Quandell Wright, Sean Shenker; West Geauga: Landon Lear; Wickliffe: Walter Cable