COLUMBUS — East Knox senior Shane Knepp has been named Div. IV Central District Player of the Year by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association.
The OPSWA’s Central District media panel met last week to determine this year’s all-district teams. The teams were announced Monday. Knepp was one of 26 Knox County basketball players to earn all-district honors this season.
Knepp led the Knox-Morrow Athletic Conference in scoring during the regular season, averaging 18.2 points per game.
The 5-foot-11 senior – who also earned first-team all-district and honorable-mention all-Ohio honors in football last fall – proved capable of scoring in a variety of ways this winter. He used his speed, strength and finishing ability to attack the basket at will, while also serving as one of the conference’s top three-point shooters.
And Knepp scored efficiently. He shot 49% from the field, 38% from three-point range, and 78% from the free-throw line during the regular season.
But Knepp was more than just a scorer for the Bulldogs, who finished second in the KMAC behind Centerburg. He was also the team’s primary ball-handler, and he proved to be one of the conference’s top distributors, ranking second in assists at 3.5 per game.
Knepp finished near the top of the conference in rebounding as well, hauling down 5 boards per game. And he served as one of the conference’s top defenders, leading the conference in steals (2.8 per game) and ranking 10th in blocks (0.4 per game).
Knepp was named District 11 Player of the Year by a panel of area coaches last week, and he also recently earned first-team all-KMAC honors. He was recognized Monday as the top player in the OPSWA’s Division IV Central District, which includes 19 schools across eight counties in central Ohio.
Knepp scored a game-high 18 points in East Knox’s sectional championship win over Patriot Prep on Friday. The third-seeded Bulldogs (17-6) will face the sixth-seeded Berne Union Rockets (12-10) in the Division IV district semifinals on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Heath High School.
DIVISION IV
Knepp, a first-team selection, wasn’t the only Knox County hooper to earn Division IV all-district honors this season.
East Knox senior Peyton Lester and Danville sophomore Walker Weckesser both earned third-team all-district honors for their play this season.
East Knox senior Dillon Moreland was named honorable mention all-district, alongside Danville seniors Darren Mickley, Cam Miller and Wyatt Weckesser.
On the girls side, Danville senior Brooklynn Hess earned first-team all-district honors. East Knox senior Laura Keith was named second-team all-district.
Danville sophomore Ella Proper and East Knox senior Alexandria Magers both earned third-team all-district honors.
Four Knox County girls basketball players were named honorable mention all-district, including: Danville senior Alenah Boeshart, Danville sophomore Kylee Hess, East Knox junior Shanda Melick, and Danville senior Camie Newbold.
DIVISION III
Centerburg senior Mick Mead, recently named KMAC Player of the Year, earned first-team all-district honors in Division III.
Fredericktown junior Kaid Carpenter was named second-team all-district, while junior Teegan Ruhl earned honorable mention status.
On the girls side, Fredericktown senior Gabby Daniels earned second-team all-district honors.
Centerburg senior Chloe Goulter and freshman Kayla Larimore were named honorable mention all-district, alongside Fredericktown senior Audrey Bouton and freshman Cally Carpenter.
DIVISION I
Mount Vernon seniors Nolan Belcher and Beau Bridges both earned honorable mention all-district honors in Division I.
On the girls side, Mount Vernon senior McKenna Brokaw was named honorable mention all-district for her play this winter.
Here are the full all-district teams, broken down by division (names, grades and scoring averages included for each player):
DIVISION I
BOYS
First team: Drey Carter (Westerville South) 6-8, sr., 17.8 points per game; Quinn Corna (Upper Arlington) 6-3, sr., 19.8; Cooper Davis (Olentangy Liberty) 6-4, sr., 20.1; Sean Jones (Gahanna) 5-10, sr., 21.0; Cade Norris (Hilliard Bradley) 6-3, so., 17.2; Devin Royal (Pickerington Central) 6-6, jr., 19.6; Ajay Sheldon (Dublin Coffman) 6-1, sr., 22.5.
Second team: Grant Burkholder (Newark) 5-10, jr., 15.7; Jesse Burris (Delaware) 6-4, so., 19.7; Derrick James (Canal Winchester) 5-9, sr., 18.5; Ryan Nutter (Dublin Jerome) 6-3, jr., 10.7; Jerry Saunders (Pickerington North) 6-1, sr., 14.7; Javan Simmons (Gahanna) 6-7, sr., 12.5; Chase Walker (St. Charles) 6-8, jr., 18.3.
Third team: Dominique Aekins (Walnut Ridge) 5-9, so., 18.2; Dior Conners (Pickerington North) 6-2, sr., 14.5; Rob Dorsey (Northland) 5-9, sr., 17.0; Nick Heath (Upper Arlington) 6-3, sr., 15.2; Ayden Parsons (Worthington Kilbourne) 6-1, sr., 20.3; KJ Satterfield (Whitehall) 6-4, jr., 22.0; Alex “Sonny” Styles (Pickerington Central) 6-5, sr., 9.7.
Honorable mention: Na’Varion Adams (Walnut Ridge); Will Baden (Big Walnut); Nolan Belcher (Mount Vernon); Beau Bridges (Mount Vernon); Dante Collier (Licking Heights); Devonte Curry (Briggs); Eljae Deas (Gahanna); Shiman Diawara (Whetstone); Cameron Dyas-Rogers (Teays Valley); CC Ezirim (Dublin Jerome); Daniel Fetty (Grove City); Sam Finck (Lancaster); Lethaniel Foster (Mifflin); Cortez Freeman (Canal Winchester); Peyton Frey (Hilliard Davidson); Cam Gilkerson (Hilliard Darby); Gavin Headings (Pickerington Central); Julian Heckman (Reynoldsburg); Corey Hudson (Pickerington North); Elijah Hughes (Whitehall); Donavan Hunter (Westerville South); Caleb Iheukwu (Westerville North); Jason Inbody (Olentangy Berlin); Isaiah Johnson (Westerville South); Luke Kuhlman (Dublin Jerome); Noah Lawrence (Westerville North); Elias Lewis (Olentangy Orange); Jake Lowman (Delaware); Trey Majidzadeh (Olentangy Liberty); Mike McCollum (Olentangy Orange); Davion McDonald (Sohn McGee (Central Crossing); Steele Meister (Newark); Jason Moore (Marysville); Jayden Nervis (Hilliard Davidson); Ryan Paris (Hilliard Davidson); Justin Perry (New Albany); Carter Reese (Westerville North); Gio Roberts (Hilliard Darby); Ethan Schell (Newark); Wes Stokes (Marion Harding); Dylan West (Lancaster); Kenyatta Whiteside (Groveport); Reign Winston (Westervillle South); Joey Zalewski (Thomas Worthington).
Player of the year: Sean Jones (Gahanna)
Coach of the year: Richie Beard (Dublin Jerome)
GIRLS
First team: Tessa Grady (Dublin Coffman) 6-2, jr., 14.0; Madison Greene (Pickerington Central) 5-7, jr., 17.0; Chloe Jeffers (Delaware) 5-11, sr., 22.2; Mya Perry (Reynoldsburg) 5-11, sr., 18.5; Imarianah Russell (Reynoldsburg) 6-0, sr., 24.8; Charia Smith (Northland) 6-3, sr., 22.7; Maddie Vejsicky (Newark) 6-0, sr., 13.0.
Second team: Gigi Bower (Olentangy Liberty) 5-9, so., 13.0; Alexia Gartner (Watkins Memorial) 5-9, sr., 13.0; Nelia Guice (Westerville South) 5-8, jr., 12.7; Kierstyn Liming (Hilliard Davidson) 5-9, sr., 16.7; Laila Marshall (Gahanna) 5-7, jr., 11.5; Justice Steinman-Ross (Marion Harding) 6-0, sr., 19.4; Berry Wallace (Pickerington Central) 6-1, so., 14.0.
Third team: Taylor Covington (Dublin Coffman) 5-9, sr., 8.0; Jojo Eberhart (Marysville) 5-8, so., 9.4; Olivia Keeney (Grove City) 5-8, jr., 16.4; Alyssa Gest (Upper Arlington) 5-6, sr., 13.5; Kiley Graham (Watterson) 6-2, jr., 11.2; Gwen Stare (Newark) 5-9, sr., 10.0; Mali Thornton (Eastmoor Academy) 5-8, so., 17.0.
Honorable mention: Nahdia Alcorn (Northland); McKenna Brokaw (Mount Vernon); Leah Brown (Marysville); Tayen Brown (Hilliard Darby); Macy Chapman (Hilliard Bradley); Abbey Coleman (Big Walnut); Olivia Cooper (Pickerington Central); Kayla Curry-Brown (Westerville North); Adi Dorman (Pickerington North); Emoni Finch (Westerville North); Tara Flynn (Dublin Coffman); Chaneya Garner (Thomas Worthington); Jenna Grabans (Lancaster); Briana Hamilton (Northland); Alyssa Haynes (Watkins Memorial); Jenna Horsley (Teays Valley); Dylan Hunt (Pickerington North); Clarke Jackson (Gahanna); Gwen Jenkins (Hilliard Davidson); Leila Jones (Westerville South); Katie Kaucheck (New Albany); Hayden Kershaw (Westland); Ava Krutowskis (Marysville); Lisa Kuhlman (Dublin Jerome); Cassidy Lafler (Dublin Coffman); Kasheenah Lovinsky (Licking Heights); Mara McGlone (Worthington Kilbourne); Sophia Midura (Delaware); Makiya Miller (Reynoldsburg); Taliyah Morgan (Walnut Ridge); Tamara Ortiz (Westerville South); Kate Ratliff (Canal Winchester); Kalleigh Rennie (Watkins Memorial); Jordan Rich (Olentangy Liberty); Jenna Shackleford (Newark); Nya Shellow (Independence); Bridget Stafford (Olentangy); Music Thornton (Eastmoor Academy); Daeschell Wilson (Mifflin); Lauren Wood (New Albany); Delores Woodyard (Mifflin); Kate Yaussy (Westerville Central); Kennedy Younkin (Teays Valley).
Player of the year: Imarianah Russell (Reynoldsburg)
Coach of the year: Ronald Bailey (Gahanna)
DIVISION II
BOYS
First team: Dennis Asoro (Eastmoor Academy) 6-9, sr., 19.1; Evan Dozer (Bloom-Carroll) 6-2, sr., 22.7; Amani Lyles (Beechcroft) 6-8, sr., 20.6; Brandon McLaughlin (Heath) 6-8, sr., 17.4; Owen Osborne (Buckeye Valley) 5-9, sr., 16.5; Atticus Schuler (DeSales) 6-7, sr., 18.2; Lason Walker (Linden) 6-5, sr., 23.0.
Second team: Chris Mitchell (Bexley) 6-5, sr., 14.3; Cole Rhett (Watterson) 6-6, sr., 12.0; Jared Rose (Bloom-Carroll) 6-3, sr., 14.8; Troy Scowden (Buckeye Valley) 6-7, sr., 14.0; JJ Simmons (Beechcroft) 5-11, sr., 18.5; Carson Smith (River Valley) 6-4, so., 19.2; LB Towns (Linden) 5-9, sr., 18.0.
Third team: Henry Brandt (Bexley) 6-1, jr., 16.7; Garrett Fitzpatrick (Highland) 6-6, sr., 13.0; Peyton Heiss (Jonathan Alder) 6-2, so., 14.9; Zach Jones (London) 6-1, so., 15.2; Dante Varrasso (Granville) 6-0, so., 14.0; Keylan Williams (Heath) 6-5, sr., 12.3; Lajames Washington (South) 6-2, so., 12.0.
Honorable mention: Amari Gaston (Hartley); Tito Glass (Marion-Franklin); Reece Huber (Heath); Isaiah Jones (London); Karson Lang (River Valley); Maurice McCall (South); Hanid Muse (Horizon Science); Carson Myers (River Valley); James Nowell (Eastmoor Academy); Rex Rader (Granville); Antwoin Reed (Beechcroft); Isaiah Skinn (Centennial); Colby Stough (Licking Valley); David Unuigbe (Horizon Science); Grant Welsch (Jonathan Alder).
Player of the year: Amani Lyles (Beechcroft)
Coach of the year: Andy Gast (Buckeye Valley)
GIRLS
First team: Emily Bratton (Bloom-Carroll) 5-7, so., 17.4; Mary Ferrito (Jonathan Alder) 5-9, sr., 18.2; Hannah Logan (River Valley) 5-10, sr., 18.0; Daniya McDonald (Whitehall) 6-0, so., 20.4; Kiki McElrath (Hartley) 5-6, jr., 17.1; Cate Schieber (Granville) 5-9, sr., 12.5; Ella Wigal (Granville) 5-11, jr., 15.5.
Second team: Ella Brandewie (Hartley) 6-3, jr., 11.6; Alana Kramer (London) 5-8, jr., 13.2; Reese Pittman (Bloom-Carroll) 5-6, sr., 11.7; Evan Platfoot (Jonathan Alder) 5-7, so., 10.2; Sydnie Smith (Bexley) 5-10, jr., 13.7; Emma West (Highland) 5-10, sr., 13.3; Kylee White (Licking Valley) 5-6, sr., 13.6.
Third team: Alexis Cashwell (Hartley) 5-9, sr., 9.2; Deziah Dupree (Beechcroft) 6-0, fr., 13.5; Brooke Greer (Whitehall) 5-4, sr., 10.8; Brooklyn Mosher (River Valley) 5-11, jr., 12.6; Emma Seagraves (Bloom-Carroll) 5-10, jr., 9.5; Emma Spangler (Columbus School for Girls) 5-8, sr., 9.1; Marissa Wilkinson (Bloom-Carroll) 5-7, so., 10.2.
Honorable mention: La’Larra Bays (Beechcroft); Abby Dickson (Utica); Grace Heilman (Bexley); Taliyah Holmes (Heath); Katie Hooley (Jonathan Alder); Harper Annarino (Granville); Camryn Martindale (Lakewood); Bella Parker (Hartley); Sofie Sheridan (Bexley); Lauren Sloan (Columbus School for Girls).
Player of the year: Emily Bratton (Bloom-Carroll)
Coach of the year: AJ Ireland (Bloom-Carroll)
DIVISION III
BOYS
First team: Mckinnon Mead (Centerburg) 6-0, sr., 17.9; Chase Ouellette (Wellington) 6-6, sr., 22.8; Kaleb Schaffer (Ready) 6-5, jr., 15.3; Nyelle Shaheed (Harvest Prep) 6-5, jr., 17.0; Dailyn Swain (Africentric) 6-8, jr., 21.0; Zach Vernon (North Union) 6-7, sr., 15.2; Dan Wagner (Africentric) 6-1, sr., 16.2.
Second team: Grant Bentley (Northmor) 6-2, so., 16.5; MJ Book (West Jefferson) 6-4, sr., 18.2; Trey Booker (Pleasant) 6-0, so., 15.1; Trenton Collins (Utica) 6-3, jr., 19.8; Sam Johnson (Worthington Christian) 6-5, so., 15.5; Kevin Reeves (Columbus Academy) 6-7, so., 14.5; Luke Ruth (Ready) 6-2, jr., 12.1.
Third team: Kaid Carpenter (Fredericktown) 6-5, jr., 16.8; Elijah Chafin (Mount Gilead) 6-0, so., 17.0; Owen Davis (North Union) 6-2, jr., 14.9; Jacob Denney (Liberty Union) 6-6, sr., 13.4; Nate Grim (Elgin) 6-5, sr., 10.2; Zyaun Hutson (Harvest Prep) 5-5, jr., 12.0; Cody Siegfried (Johnstown) 6-4, jr., 13.7.
Honorable mention: Adonus Abrams (Harvest Prep); Tommy Anthony (Worthington Christian); Dominic Avila (Cristo Rey); Michael Beardon (Madison-Plains); Jackson Brown (Liberty Union); Paul Butterman (Mount Gilead); Tanner Compton (Columbus Academy); Seth Cooper (Utica); Alex Crowe (Fairbanks); Isaac Dillon (Elgin); Carter Kennon (Mount Gilead); Jonah Lewis (Worthington Christian); Jujuan McLester (International); Tayvon Miller (Amanda-Clearcreek); Nic Minder (Northridge); Kalib Riddle (Liberty Union); Clayton Rhyne (Amanda-Clearcreek); Carson Rife (Elgin); Teegan Ruhl (Fredericktown); Charlie Russell (Ready); Harrison Sager (Elgin); Josiah Smith (Africentric); Preston Steele (Africentric); AJ Taylor (Wellington); Justin Townley (Northridge); Ian Travis (Northridge); Sam Whitaker (International); Asher Wilson (West Jefferson); Cade Ziegler (Fairbanks).
Player of the year: Dailyn Swain (Africentric)
Coach of the year: Tony Bisutti (Ready)
GIRLS
First team: Abigail Adkins (Johnstown) 5-9, so., 16.0; Kyla Columber (Pleasant) 5-6, sr., 16.6; Kamryn Grant (Africentric) 5-11, so., 15.0; Beth Hardwick (Cardington) 5-10, sr., 15.0; Blessing King (Worthington Christian) 5-10, sr., 14.1; Meghan Mayotte (Worthington Christian) 5-8, jr., 14.6; Sophie Spolter (Columbus Academy) 5-5, sr., 17.6.
Second team: Emily Buckley (Amanda-Clearcreek) 5-11, jr., 14.3; Gabby Daniels (Fredericktown) 5-8, sr., 13.4; Kambry Edwards (Cardington) 5-4, sr., 10.0; Ariel Grace (Africentric) 5-5, jr., 8.0; Macy Miller (Fairbanks) 5-8, jr. 12.2; Abbey Price (North Union) 5-8, so., 12.2; Meghan Weakley (Worthington Christian) 5-10, jr., 11.2.
Third team: Christyn Anthony (Harvest Prep) 5-9, jr., 12.9; Brooke Barb (Johnstown) 5-10, sr., 8.8; Aubrey Benedict (North Union) 5-7, so., 13.2; Brooklyn Mathews (Elgin) 5-6, sr., 12.6; Hope Orders (Ready) 5-10, jr., 10.1; Taylor Roberts (West Jefferson) 6-0, sr., 12.1; Samairah Thompson (Africentric) 5-8, so., 10.0.
Honorable mention: Audrey Bouton (Fredericktown); Cally Carpenter (Fredericktown); Jada Davis (North Union); Darla Dorman (Northridge); Madilyn Elson (Mount Gilead); Chloe Goulter (Centerburg); Elaina Lahmers (Fairbanks); Kayla Larimore (Centerburg); Mikayla Linkous (Cardington); Brooke Mannon (West Jefferson); Lashae Martin (KIPP Columbus); Ember McClaskey (Liberty Union); Delaney Peck (Liberty Union); Raziah Riley (KIPP Columbus); Sierra Schlosser (Ready); Jaeda Tagoe (Worthington Christian); Whitney Waddell (Pleasant); Zoe Wedding (North Union); Reghan Wheatley (Ready).
Player of the year: Blessing King (Worthington Christian)
Coach of the year: Bre Jackson (North Union)
DIVISION IV
BOYS
First team: Joe Benvie (Granville Christian) 6-3, sr., 20.9; Cole Canter (Newark Catholic) 6-3, sr., 16.5; Danny Claypool (Grandview) 5-8, jr., 11.8; Micah Fisher (Tree of Life) 6-2, jr., 14.3; Shane Knepp (East Knox) 5-11, sr., 18.2; Braydan Taylor (Grove City Christian) 6-2, jr., 17.2; Landon Vanderwarker (Northside Christian) 6-7, fr., 18.5.
Second team: Connor Beck (Delaware Christian) 6-3, sr., 16.3; Brandon Buchanan (Newark Catholic) 6-3, sr., 11.6; Trey Holliman (Grandview) 5-9, jr., 13.5; Trey Johnston (Millersport) 5-10, jr., 17.4; Aiden Leslie (Grandview) 6-0, sr., 11.1; Josh Onabanjo (Liberty Christian) 6-1, jr., 16.0; Caleb Ransom (Grove City Christian) 6-0, so., 13.5.
Third team: Luke Strine (Ridgedale) 5-10, sr., 15.5; David Crow (Tree of Life) 6-2, sr., 11.0; Brae Friesner (Berne Union) 5-9, sr., 14.0; Michael Levacy (Millersport) 6-5, jr., 12.3; Peyton Lester (East Knox) 6-2, sr.; 8.5; Seth Vaughn (Grove City Christian) 5-9, so., 15.1; Walker Weckesser (Danville) 6-1, so., 11.4.
Honorable mention: Evan Adair (Liberty Christian); Brendon Austin (Granville Christian); Josh Burke (Fisher Catholic); Alec Gordon (Ridgedale); Nick Hickman (Cardington); Ben Hopple (Fairfield Christian); Matt Keener (Fairfield Christian); Darren Mickley (Danville); Cam Miller (Danville); Dillon Moreland (East Knox); Nate Nemeth (Berne Union); Keith Prysock (Patriot Prep); Jordan Ross (Millersport); Clay Showalter (Shekinah Christian); David Tonger (Madison Christian); Matt Tranel (Delaware Christian); Wyatt Weckesser (Danville); Kyler Yates (Tree of Life); Andre Yutzy (Shekinah Christian).
Player of the year: Shane Knepp (East Knox)
Coach of the year: Bill Brown (Tree of Life)
GIRLS
First team: Ellie Bruce (Fisher Catholic) 6-2, so., 15.6; Chloe Chard-Peloquin (Newark Catholic) 6-2, sr., 14.1; Brooklynn Hess (Danville) 5-11, sr., 12.9; Sophia Kline (Berne Union) 6-1, jr., 19.9; Gianna Lane (Tree of Life) 5-7, fr., 21.9; Katie Neuhart (Delaware Christian) 5-8, sr., 21.7; Lexi Wenger (Northmor) 5-8, sr., 15.7.
Second team: Voni Bethel (Fisher Catholic) 5-7, so., 10.1; Rylee Davis (Madison-Plains) 5-11, sr., 10.9; Abbi Evans (Berne Union) 5-4, jr., 7.0; Hannah Hubbard (Granville Christian) 5-5, sr., 16.5; Laura Keith (East Knox) 5-9, sr., 15.2; Raylynn Mullins (Ridgedale) 5-10, sr., 16.2; Paris Richardson (Tree of Life) 5-10, sr., 11.0.
Third team: Alexis Burkhalter (Wellington) 5-7, sr., 13.5; Kylie Gibson (Newark Catholic) 5-6, so., 9.2; Alexandria Magers (East Knox) 5-5, sr., 12.8; Baylee Mirgon (Berne Union) 5-11, jr., 6.8; Ella Proper (Danville) 5-6, so., 12.0; Elisha Smith (Tree of Life) 5-10, sr., 7.8; Darynne Zeller (Granville Christian) 5-4, sr., 11.4.
Honorable mention: Addie Beard (Delaware Christian); Alenah Boeshart (Danville); Shelby Carr (Liberty Christian); Mina Gronbach (Berne Union); Eli Hall (Shekinah Christian); Kylee Hess (Danville); Chloe Kelly (Madison-Plains); Shanda Melick (East Knox); Camie Newbold (Danville); Lannah Prysi (Fairfield Christian); Ella Rhoads (Granville Christian); Brooklyn Smith (Newark Catholic); Reagan Swihart (Northmor); Caitlyn Thiel (Ridgedale).
Player of the year: Sophia Kline (Berne Union)
Coach of the year: Ben Patrick (Tree of Life)
