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Louisville's Will Aljancic, Jackson's Tim Debevec lead All-Stark County boys basketball honors

josh weir, the repository
·7 min read
Jackson High’s boys varsity basketball coach Tim Debevec celebrates with the bench as the final seconds tick off the clock of their win over Solon in their district semifinal game at Twinsburg High School Wednesday, March 2, 2022.
Jackson High’s boys varsity basketball coach Tim Debevec celebrates with the bench as the final seconds tick off the clock of their win over Solon in their district semifinal game at Twinsburg High School Wednesday, March 2, 2022.

A senior scoring machine and a successful veteran head coach headline the 2022-23 Canton Repository All-Stark County boys basketball honors.

Louisville's Will Aljancic (1) draws the foul in the first half as Massillon's Dre'Shaun Jackson, left, and Elijah Farrington defend, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023.
Louisville's Will Aljancic (1) draws the foul in the first half as Massillon's Dre'Shaun Jackson, left, and Elijah Farrington defend, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023.

Louisville's Will Aljancic is the Stark County Player of the Year for a second straight season, while Jackson's Tim Debevec is the Stark County Coach of the Year.

Aljancic averaged 22.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in leading the Leopards to a 19-5 record and a Division I district semifinal appearance. The University of Findlay recruit earned first-team All-Ohio. More on Aljancic is included in the all-county first-team bios below.

Debevec, in his 12th season as Jackson's head coach, guided the Polar Bears to a share of their first Federal League title since 2019 and a district runner-up finish. Jackson went 19-7 overall and 9-3 in the league, finishing tied for first with Green. It lost to Stow 38-37 in the district championship game. It was Jackson's third straight district final appearance and ninth in 10 years.

Last year's all-county basketball teams: Canton Repository 2021-22 All-Stark County winter sports teams are announced

Last season's players of the year: Canton Repository Stark County high school players of the year for 2021-22 school year

2022-23 Repository All-Stark County boys basketball teams

Lake's Chance Casenhiser goes to the hoop against Hoban during their game at Archbishop Hoban High School on Tuesday in Akron. Hoban beat Lake 51 to 45.
Lake's Chance Casenhiser goes to the hoop against Hoban during their game at Archbishop Hoban High School on Tuesday in Akron. Hoban beat Lake 51 to 45.

FIRST TEAM

Will Aljancic, Louisville, sr.; Diego Allen, Alliance, sr.; Chance Casenhiser, Lake, jr.; Elijah Farrington, Massillon, sr.; Jahlil Graham, McKinley, sr.; Julius Kimbrough, St. Thomas Aquinas, jr.; Ja'Corey Lipkins, GlenOak, jr.; Kyle Monterrubio, Jackson, soph.; Hayden Nigro, Louisville, jr.; Brody Pumneo, Fairless, sr.; Dylan Rouse, Central Catholic, sr.; Owen Woolbert, Jackson, sr.

Player of the Year: Will Aljancic, Louisville.

Coach of the Year: Tim Debevec, Jackson.

SECOND TEAM 

Hoover’s Wesley Collins brings the ball down court against Massillon’s Carlen Greene on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023.
Hoover’s Wesley Collins brings the ball down court against Massillon’s Carlen Greene on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023.

Wesley Collins, Hoover, sr.; DaMonte' DeGraffenried, Central Catholic, sr.; Dantae Faiello, Sandy Valley, jr.; Tra'Sean Foster, McKinley, sr.; Garrett Gonzalez, Minerva, jr.; Brayden Gross, Louisville, soph.; J.R. Jackson, Alliance, fr.; Zander Sabin, Perry, sr.; Caleb Shilling, East Canton, jr.; Poochie Snyder, Canton South, jr.; Matt Warder, Lake Center, jr.; Reese Zerger, GlenOak, soph.

HONORABLE MENTION

Alliance: Brendan Zurbrugg. Canton South: Tavon Castle. Central Catholic: Luke Vlacovsky. East Canton: Jaedyn McLeod. Fairless: Carson Colucci. GlenOak: Bryce Broom, Jaylen McElroy. Hoover: Hunter Ross. Jackson: Mitch Finefrock, James Bossart. Lake: Landyn Roth. Lake Center: Tanner Norman. Louisville: Beau Siegfried. Marlington: Casey Miller, Beau Himmelheber. Massillon: Chris Knight. McKinley: Reed Sims Jr. Minerva: Rowen Hoffee. Northwest: Chase Badger, Ian Ziegler. Perry: Joel Brown. Sandy Valley: Nick Petro, Jordan Wigfield. St. Thomas Aquinas: Tajon Grogan, Deshaun Leishman. Tuslaw: Troy Harbeitner.

D1 and D2 All-Ohio teams: Ten Stark, Summit area boys basketball players earn All-Ohio on top three teams in Division I, II

Meet the Repository All-Stark County First Team

Will Aljancic finished his high school career as Louisville's all-time leading scorer with 1,409 points.
Will Aljancic finished his high school career as Louisville's all-time leading scorer with 1,409 points.

Will Aljancic, Louisville

6-7, senior

Repository Stark County Player of the Year for the second straight season. ... A wing and University of Findlay recruit who can score the basketball in a variety of ways. ... Second-leading scorer in Stark County for second straight season, averaging 22.1 points. Louisville's all-time leading scorer with 1,409 points, which rank 19th in Stark County history. ... District 4 coaches association Division I Player of the Year. First Team All-Ohio. ... Shot 51.3% from the floor. Averaged 5.6 rebounds. ... Led Louisville to 39 wins the last two years, including a Division II district championship last season.

Alliance's Diego Allen collects a rebound at West Branch, Friday, Jan. 27, 2023.
Alliance's Diego Allen collects a rebound at West Branch, Friday, Jan. 27, 2023.

Diego Allen, Alliance

6-7, senior

A lefty who is a force in the low post and on the glass. Averaged 15.5 points and county-best 9.7 rebounds (5.6 of those coming on the offensive end) in leading Aviators to a share of the Eastern Buckeye Conference championship. ... Shot 58.6% from the floor and averaged 1.7 blocks. ... District 4 coaches association Division II Player of the Year. All-Northeast District and All-Eastern Buckeye Conference first team. Two-time Repository All-Stark County first-team selection.

Green's Brady Rollyson, left, and Nikola Bundalo defend Lake's Chance Casenhiser in the first half at Green, Friday, January 27, 2023.
Green's Brady Rollyson, left, and Nikola Bundalo defend Lake's Chance Casenhiser in the first half at Green, Friday, January 27, 2023.

Chance Casenhiser, Lake

6-0, junior

Stark County's leading scorer this season, averaging 23.2 points. Scored a school-record 45 points in January win vs. Perry. ... Electric guard who attacks fearlessly and finishes in a variety of ways around the rim. ... Two-time Repository All-Stark County first-team selection. ... Third-team All-Ohio. First teamer for Northeast Inland District, District 4 coaches association and Federal League. ... Averaged 3.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals. Shot 48.4% from the floor, 78.5% from the foul line.

High school basketball stats: Final 2022-23 boys and girls high school basketball statistical leaders for Stark County area

Massillon’s Elijah Farrington (24) and Hoover’s Wesley Collins (10) go after a loose ball Friday, Jan. 6, 2023.
Massillon’s Elijah Farrington (24) and Hoover’s Wesley Collins (10) go after a loose ball Friday, Jan. 6, 2023.

Elijah Farrington, Massillon

6-6, senior

Late-blooming big man who can do damage in the paint or from the perimeter. ... Averaged 19.5 points, third most in the county, in leading Tigers to 14 wins. ... Shot 49.9% from the floor and 36.9% from the 3-point line. Averaged 8.3 rebounds. ... First-team All-District 4 coaches association. Second-team All-Northeast Inland District.

McKinley's Jahlil Graham looks for a lane to the basket vs. Buchtel's Khoi Thurmon, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023.
McKinley's Jahlil Graham looks for a lane to the basket vs. Buchtel's Khoi Thurmon, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023.

Jahlil Graham, Canton McKinley

5-11, senior

Explosive point guard with deft pull-up jumper. ... Averaged team highs of 12.7 points and 4.5 assists. Ranked third in the county in assists per game. Totaled career high-tying 36 points to go with nine assists in season-opening win vs. Louisville. ... Mount Union recruit. ... District 4 coaches association first team. Two-time Repository All-Stark County first-team selection.

St. Thomas Aquinas' Julius Kimbrough takes a shot at Mogadore.
St. Thomas Aquinas' Julius Kimbrough takes a shot at Mogadore.

Julius Kimbrough, St. Thomas Aquinas

6-4, junior

Long, athletic wing who runs the floor well and impacts the game in multiple ways. ... Averaged team highs of 13.7 points and 5.6 rebounds for 16-win Knights. Shot 47.0% from the floor. ... First-team District 4 coaches association and Northeast Inland District. Two-time Repository All-Stark County first-team selection. ... Led Knights to second straight Portage Trail Conference title and a Division III district semifinal appearance after playing in a D4 regional final last year.

D3 and D4 All-Ohio teams: Justin Rupp, Braylon Wenger earn first-team All-Ohio boys basketball in Divisons III, IV

GlenOak's Ja'Corey Lipkins goes to the hoop with pressure from Green's Jarrett Taylor in the first half at GlenOak Friday, Feb. 10, 2023.
GlenOak's Ja'Corey Lipkins goes to the hoop with pressure from Green's Jarrett Taylor in the first half at GlenOak Friday, Feb. 10, 2023.

Ja'Corey Lipkins, GlenOak

6-1, junior

Talented lefty guard led Golden Eagles to 18 wins and nearly a Federal League title. ... Averaged team-high 14.7 points to go with 4.2 rebounds. Shot 78.7% from the foul line. ... Two-time Repository All-Stark County first-team selection. ... First-team District 4 coaches association. Second-team Northeast Inland District.

Jackson's Kyle Monterrubio drives against Stow's Tyler Fleishour in a Division I district final at Alliance High School, Saturday, March 4, 2023.
Jackson's Kyle Monterrubio drives against Stow's Tyler Fleishour in a Division I district final at Alliance High School, Saturday, March 4, 2023.

Kyle Monterrubio, Jackson

6-1, sophomore

Slashing wing with knack of getting to the rim and strong all-around game. Emerged as key cog for 19-win Jackson team, which won a share of the Federal League championship and advanced to a district final. ... Averaged 12.5 points on 55.4% shooting from the floor. Also shot 42.6% from 3-point range and 71.0% from the foul line. ... Added 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. ... Second-team All-Northeast Inland District and All-Federal League. Only sophomore on Repository All-Stark County first team.

Louisville's Hayden Nigro is tied up by Massillon defenders Jadyce Thigpen, left, and Chris Knight in the first half, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023.
Louisville's Hayden Nigro is tied up by Massillon defenders Jadyce Thigpen, left, and Chris Knight in the first half, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023.

Hayden Nigro, Louisville

6-4, junior

Play-making lefty can get his own or set up others. Tough to keep out of the lane. ... Averaged 15.0 points. Scored career-high 41 points vs. Alliance in January while setting a school record with 19 free throws made. ... Repository All-Stark County first team for second straight season. District 4 coaches Association first team. Northeast Inland District second team. ... Shot 50.4% from the floor. Averaged 3.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists.

Fairless High School’s Brody Pumneo is guarded by Tuslaw’s Troy Harbeitner on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022.
Fairless High School’s Brody Pumneo is guarded by Tuslaw’s Troy Harbeitner on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022.

Brody Pumneo, Fairless

6-0, senior

One of the best three-sport athletes in the area. On the basketball floor, a guard who stars on both ends of the floor. ... Averaged 19.3 points, which ranked fourth in the county this season. Scored 1,022 career points to rank sixth in Fairless history. ... Added 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 steals per game. ... Northeast Inland, District 4 coaches association and Principals Athletic Conference first team.

Central Catholic's Dylan Rouse drives for a layup vs. Canton South, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022.
Central Catholic's Dylan Rouse drives for a layup vs. Canton South, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022.

Dylan Rouse, Canton Central Catholic

6-6, senior

Versatile senior forward impacted the defensive-minded Crusaders in just about every way. ... Averaged 12.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.1 steals. Shot 50.0% from the floor and 72.8% from the foul line. ... Led Central in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks while helping Crusaders win first district championship since 2018. ... Northeast Inland District first team. ... University of Findlay baseball recruit.

Jackson's Owen Woolbert scores over Stow's AJ Pestello in the fourth quarter of the Division I district final Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Alliance High School.
Jackson's Owen Woolbert scores over Stow's AJ Pestello in the fourth quarter of the Division I district final Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Alliance High School.

Owen Woolbert, Jackson

6-7, senior

Athletic big man who impacted game on both ends. ... Federal League Player of the Year, led Jackson to share of first league championship since 2019 and a district final appearance. ... Averaged team highs of 14.2 points and 8.6 rebounds. Shot county-best 61.5% from floor. ... Third-team All-Ohio. First-team Northeast Inland District and District 4 coaches association. ... Harvard volleyball recruit.

Reach Josh at josh.weir@cantonrep.com

On Twitter: @jweirREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: All-Stark County high school boys basketball for 2022-23