Here are your North All-Stars for the 44th News Journal Classic
MANSFIELD — Here are the 12 all-stars playing for North coach John Kurtz and his Crestview staff in the 44th News Journal All-Star Classic at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 24, at Lexington High School.
Tickets will be $8 at the door.
Jayden Jeffries
School: Madison
Vitals: 6-4 Forward
Stats: Averaged 23.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.9 blocks for the Rams. Shot 55% from the field, 31.1% from 3 and 71.1% from the free-throw line. Earned first team All-District 6 in Division I, first team All-Northwest District in Division I and first team All-Ohio Cardinal Conference. Program’s ninth 1,000-point scorer.
Coach's Comment: Jayden had a very good junior season averaging over 17 ppg and 6 rpg but his senior season has been outstanding. He has averaged 23.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg and 2.6 apg. He can score on all 3 levels, demonstrating tremendous footwork in the post and on the perimeter. Despite his scoring prowess, he is an eager passer, a great teammate and one of the best guys you'll ever meet. He has played varsity basketball for Madison since his freshman year and has improved each and every year because he's a gym rat who loves to play and compete. Jayden's contributions to the Madison basketball program have been immense and we're proud to nominate him for the all-star game. – Chris Armstrong.
Baden Forup
School: Lexington
Vitals: 6-7 Post
Stats: Averaged 15 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks for the Minutemen. Shot 59% from the field and 80% from the free-throw line. He earned first team All-Ohio Cardinal Conference, District 6 and Northwest District in Division II.
Coach's Comment: Baden has been the centerpiece of our team for three seasons and I am excited to see how he finishes his basketball career as he looks to play at the next level after high school. – Scott Hamilton.
Gage Weaver
School: Ontario
Vitals: 6-2 Forward
Stats: Averaged 13 points, seven rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.5 assists for the Warriors. Shot 55.3% from the field and 72% from the free-throw line. First team All-Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference, second team All-District 6 in Division II and honorable mention All-Northwest District in Division II. All-America soccer player in 2021 and is a two-time first team All-Ohioan in 2021 and 2022. Also an all-conference and all-district baseball player.
Coach's Comment: Getting Gage back this year from an injury was a huge boost for our team. His athletic ability allows us to put him inside and outside which makes him a tough matchup. His willingness to compete sets him apart from others. – Tim Mergel.
Isaac Blair
School: South Central
Vitals: 6-0 Guard
Stats: Averaged 22.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.6 steals and 0.4 blocks for the Trojans. Shot 54% from the field and 65% from the free-throw line. A first team All-Firelands Conference, first team All-District 6 and first team All-Northwest District player, Blair is also a state champion in track as a member of the 4x400 team. A 1,000-point scorer in basketball, he is also a first team All-Ohio wide receiver in football and will be a rare three-sport All-Ohioan before his career is over.
Coach's Comment: Isaac Blair has one of the most dynamic offensive skill sets I have ever coached. He is extremely explosive with the ball in his hands. He has a great feel for the game but also understands what he needs to do to give us a chance to win. He has a real chance to be All-Ohio in 3 different sports. – Brett Seidel.
Corbin Toms
School: Lucas
Vitals: 6-2 Point Guard
Stats: Averaged 13 points, 4.4 assists, 3 rebounds and two steals for the Cubs. Shot 46% from the field and 34% from 3. First team All-Mid-Buckeye Conference, second team All-District 6 and third team All-Northwest District in Division IV. Also an All-Ohio football player who holds the career record for starts with 50.
Coach's Comment: Corbin is a great kid that works hard and is a well-known athlete in our area. He is a great PG and has been one of the better athletes in the area for the past few years. He and his senior class will go down as one of the most successful to ever go through Lucas. – Taylor Iceman.
Braxton Hall
School: Ontario
Vitals: 5-9 Guard
Stats: Averaged 10.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and one assist for the Warriors. Shot 50% from the field and 46 % from 3. And All-MOAC basketball player, Hall earned second team all-district in football and was an honorable mention All-MOAC player in baseball.
Coach's Comment: Braxton is an elite athlete. His athletic ability allows him to get to the rim against bigger opponents and finish. He is also one our top offensive rebounders. This season, his shooting percentage increased which bring another threat to his game. – Tim Mergel
Andrew Smollen
School: Lucas
Vitals: 6-2 Forward
Stats: Averaged 11 points, five rebounds, 1.6 assists and one steal for the Cubs. Shot 48% from the field and 46% from deep. Second team All-Mid-Buckeye Conference, second team All-District 6 in Division IV and honorable mention All-Northwest District. All-Ohio football player and earned Mansfield News Journal Player of the Year honors in baseball where he was a first team all-district pitcher and a Mid-Buckeye Player of the Year honoree.
Coach's Comment: Andrew is a hardworking kid that can shoot it as well as anybody in our area. He was the QB for our football team and was the MNJ baseball player of the year last year as a junior. This should tell you all you need to know about Andrew. He is a winner!! – Taylor Iceman.
Tyler Sanderson
School: Buckeye Central
Vitals: 6-1 Guard
Stats: Averaged 14 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.5 steals and one block for the Bucks. He shot 38.9% from the field and 56% from the free-throw line. Second team All-Northern 10 Conference, second team All-District 6 in Division IV and third team All-Northwest District in Division IV. Earned six varsity letters in three sports.
Coach's Comment: Tyler has improved in all aspects of his game over the years. He has become a leader for the BC basketball program. Tyler has brought other players along with him to improve at the game of basketball. He is a hard worker on and off the basketball court. Tyler takes his academic achievement very seriously. He is an honors student at Buckeye Central. I have enjoyed working with Tyler on the game of basketball. More importantly, I have enjoyed getting to know him as a person. Tyler has played with a torn meniscus most of this season. He is a pretty tough kid. – Tom Howell.
Jed Brannon
School: Mapleton
Vitals: 6-3 Forward
Stats: Averaged 11.1 points, 12 rebounds, 3.3 assists, two steals and one block for the Mounties. Shot 53% from the field and 56% from the free-throw line. An All-Northeast Inland District and All-Firelands Conference player, Brannon will finish his career as the all-time leading rebounder in Mapleton history.
Coach's Comment: Jed is an incredible young man who will be successful in whatever career path he chooses. He is well respected by all his teachers, coaches and teammates. His work ethic has made a lasting impact on the basketball program at Mapleton and his leadership will be missed. Aside from being a stellar athlete and basketball player, Jed’s character and attitude are a perfect fit for a nomination to this year’s All-Star game. – Nick Hickey.
Feree Kent
School: St. Peter’s
Vitals: 5-9 Point Guard
Stats: Averaged 19.4 points, seven rebounds, 3.8 assists, four steals and two bocks for the Spartans. Shot 39% from 3 and 69% from the free-throw line. First team All-Mid Buckeye Conference, honorable mention All-District 6 and honorable mention All-Northwest District honoree. Earned 10 varsity letters during his career.
Coach's Comment: Feree is a dynamic player and person. He had the pedigree that flows through his veins. He will join in the Kent family tradition of being a News Journal All-Star. – Mike Barrett.
Heath Kash
School: Crestview
Vitals: 5-11 Guard
Stats: Averaged 12 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals and two assists for the Cougars. Shot 56% from the field and 35.5% from 3 while knocking down 88.5% of his free throws. An All-Firelands Conference, honorable mention All-District 6 and honorable mention All-Northwest District honoree. Kash is a three-year letterman in basketball who led the Cougars to program records for wins in a season and longest winning streak while winning the first Firelands Conference championship in 23 years.
Coach's Comment: Heath has been a three-year starter and an important part of our success at Crestview. A good 3-point shooter who spends a lot of time in the gym. – John Kurtz.
Owen Barker
School: Crestview
Vitals: 6-3 Forward
Stats: Averaged 10 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals and two blocks for the Cougars. An honorable mention District 6 and Northwest District player, Barker led the Cougars to a historic season that included the most wins in program history, longest winning streak and the team's first Firelands Conference championship in 23 years. He is a first team All-Ohio football player and a Northwest District Lineman of the Year in 2022. Led his team to three consecutive Firelands Conference championships.
Coach's Comment: Owen is a two-year starter for us at Crestview and is one of our top rebounders and shot blockers. He has help us become a successful program. – John Kurtz.
North Coach: John Kurtz, Crestview
Resume: Began coaching career in 1988 as the head coach at Temple Christian and was there until 1992 before spending two years as an assistant coach at Mansfield Christian under Keith Clark. He returned to Temple Christian in 1994 as head coach and compiled a record of 211-128, including a perfect 22-0 season in 1998, before leaving coaching in 2006. He returned to coaching in 2008, taking the top job at Crestview, where he posted a 32-34 record in three seasons before leaving for the head coaching position at Mansfield Christian to coach his son. He posted a 91-70 record from 2011-2018 before stepping down. He returned to Crestview in 2020 and had a combined record of 82-54 during his two stints at Crestview. He owns a career record of 384-252.
jfurr@gannett.com
740-244-9934
Twitter: @JakeFurr11
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Here are your North All-Stars for the 44th News Journal Classic
