Deep playoff runs lead to basketball All-Area picks
Apr. 3—Several teams made deep runs in the playoffs for basketball in Stephens County and all of the teams represented in their respective classes as All-Area selections released this week.
The 2021-2022 season saw some new awards added to the list. A Player of the Year received selection as always, but this year also saw an Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year award.
Coach of the Year Awards were swept by Marlow this year as Coach Kirk Harris received the honor as the Boys' Coach of the Year while Coach Scott Tahah took the selection for Girls' Coach of the Year.
Harris got the Outlaws to the Class 3A State Semi-Finals while Tahah put Marlow a few games away from a State Tournament appearance for the Lady Outlaws.
The Banner's 2021-22
All-Area Boys Basketball Team
Coach of the Year: Coach Kirk Harris, Marlow
Player of the Year: Josiah Johnson, Marlow
Offensive Player of the Year: Tyler Stewart, Velma-Alma
Defensive Player of the Year: Avery Payne, Marlow
Newcomer of the Year: Blayd Harris, Marlow
6-Man of the Year: Dillon Ellis, Comanche
First Team:
1. Josiah Johnson, Marlow
2. Tyler Stewart, Velma-Alma
3. Avery Payne, Marlow
4. Jace Gilbert, Marlow
5. Jace Waller, Central High
6. Mason Kulbeth, Comanche
Second Team:
1. Tristan Wainscott, Velma-Alma
2. Kole Scott, Central High
3. Zane Petty, Duncan
4. Crue Garrett, Velma-Alma
5. Dillon Ellis, Comanche
6. McRay Weber, Empire
Honorable Mention:
Bray-Doyle- Ethan Bandy
Comanche- Landon Ellis and Myles Ellis
Duncan- Thomas Brown, Mason Imel and Chris Kouts
Empire- Rylan Miller, Easton Beck, Bral Torres
Marlow- Will Bergner and Julian Marroquin
Velma-Alma- Langston Walker
The Duncan Banner's 2021-22
All-Area Girls Basketball Team
Coach of the Year: Scott Tahah, Marlow
Player of the Year: Gracee Miller, Comanche
Offensive Player of the Year: Whitney Wade, Marlow
Defensive Player of the Year: Lyvia Bateman, Marlow
Newcomer of the Year: Mia Curtis, Empire
6-Man of the Year: Addie Siess, Duncan
First Team:
1. Gracee Miller, Comanche
2. Whitney Wade, Marlow
3. Kaylee Foster, Duncan
4. Lyvia Bateman, Marlow
5. Shain Ille, Velma-Alma
6. KK Smith, Empire
Second Team:
1. Mia Curtis, Empire
2. Kynli Morris, Comanche
3. Kyndle Ledford, Duncan
4. Ally Smith, Velma-Alma
5. Kently Davis, Marlow
6. Kenley Lemons, Comanche
Honorable Mention:
Bray-Doyle- Abby Kelly
Comanche- Kylie Roden, Caity Blair and Bri Keeling
Central High- Vivian Shipley and Beth Clement
Duncan- Alexis Giles, KK Miller, Addie Siess and Ariyah Harris
Empire- Adrianna Guerra, Stephanie Millan
Marlow- Korie Kizarr and Dara Hunt
Velma-Alma- Rylee McLain, Addy Smith and
Kennedy McGuire
Josiah Johnson and Gracee Miller were a near unanimous pick for Player of the Year awards. Johnson the Boys' Player of the Year while Miller was the Girls' Player of the Year.
The new awards gave Tyler Stewart the Offensive Player of the Year recognition from Velma-Alma while Whitney Wade from the Lady Outlaws took selection as Girls' Offensive Player of the Year.
Marlow High School swept the Defensive Player of the Year awards as Avery Payne was the selection for the boys' side and Lyvia Bateman was the selection for the girls' side.
Newcomer of the Year was close, however the Outlaws' Blayd Harris and Empire Lady Bulldogs' Mia Curtis were the selections as both freshman saw the court in several minutes of action.
The final individual awards included the 6-man of the year. Comanche's Dillon Ellis took the selection for the boys while Duncan Lady Demons' Addie Siess took the selection for the girls. Teams that went far in the playoffs included Velma-Alma, Marlow and Comanche, while the Duncan girls' had a big season and also represented in the All-Area selections.
All seven Stephens County coaches submitted nominations and selections were made based off stats and decisions from The Banner.
