Newark Catholic's Smith, Heath's Fulk take top Central District coaching honors

COLUMBUS — Two Licking County basketball coaches were honored Monday by the Central District for leading their teams to championship seasons.

Newark Catholic’s Rob Smith was named the girls Division IV Coach of the Year by a panel of Central Ohio media. Smith has led the Green Wave to an unbeaten season, winning the Licking County League-Cardinal Division and district championships.

Heath’s Devin Fulk was named the boys Division III Coach of the Year. Fulk led the Bulldogs to the LCL-Cardinal championship.

Newark senior Steele Meister was named to the boys Division I first team after leading the Wildcats to a share of the Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division championship.

Granville senior Jase Becker and Johnstown senior Brady Barb were named to the boys Division II third team.

Northridge senior Carter Mallernee was named to the boys Division III first team. Utica senior Roman Gamble was named to the second team and Heath junior Jaxon Duston to the third team.

NC junior Griffin Urdarovski and Liberty Christian senior Kaden Minier were named to the boys Division IV second team.

Boys named to honorable mention lists were Newark junior Braylon Morris in Division I, Granville junior Carson Murphy, Johnstown senior Kyle Siegfried and Licking Valley senior Jacob Wheeler in Division II, Heath senior Ben Mason and Northridge senior Ethan Payne in Division III and Granville Christian senior Andrew Benvie in Division IV.

NC senior Kylie Gibson and junior Sophie Peloquin were named to the girls Division IV first team. Junior Fini Kaiser represented the Green Wave on the second team.

Granville senior Harper Annarino was named to the girls Division II first team. Senior teammate Aliyah Moore was named to the second team, and Heath junior Peyton Del Cecato and Valley junior Avery Williams were named to the third team.

Johnstown senior Abigail Adkins was named to the girls Division III first team. Utica junior Abby Dickson was named to the second team, and Northridge sophomore Ava Travis was named to the third team.

Girls named to honorable mention lists were Newark freshman Calli Geller, Watkins Memorial senior Rilyn Warner and Licking Heights freshman Layla Booth in Division I, Granville freshman Elle Mortimer and Heath senior Caroline Robertson in Division II, Johnstown junior Kylie Sharp and sophomore Lauren Baughman and Utica freshman Emily Ritzer in Division III and NC sophomore Natalie Harrington, GCA senior Ella Rhoads and Liberty senior Shelby Carr.

OPSWA All-Central District basketball teams

The Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association 2023-2024 All-Central District high school boys and girls basketball teams, as selected by a media panel from the district, with height, year and regular-season scoring average:

BOYS

DIVISION I

First team: Dominique Aekins (Walnut Ridge) 5-9, sr., 18.2; Devin Brown (Olentangy Orange) 6-5, jr., 12.4; Jesse Burris (Delaware) 6-4, sr., 16.1; Kruz McClure (Westerville South) 6-4, jr., 24.3; Steele Meister (Newark) 6-4, sr., 19.0; Braylen Nash (New Albany) 6-4, sr., 17.0; Cade Norris (Hilliard Bradley) 6-4, sr., 17.4.

Second team: Jordan Fisher (Reynoldsburg) 6-5, jr., 16.0; Tyler Kropp (Olentangy Liberty) 6-8, jr., 22.3; Arness Lawson (Pickerington North) 6-3, jr., 19.3; Colin McClure (Dublin Coffman) 6-0, jr., 22.0; Jason Moore (Marysville) 6-7, sr., 20.3; Tai Perkins (Westerville North) 6-0, jr., 16.0; Landon Vanderwarker (Delaware) 6-7, jr., 16.3.

Third team: Brody Fields (Teays Valley) 6-3, so., 18.7; Kraig Gilbert (Grove City) 6-6, sr., 17.0; King Kendrick (Northland) 5-11, so., 19.0; Marquis Long (Marion Harding) 6-2, sr., 16.0; P.J. Noles (DeSales) 6-4, jr., 16.0; Amare Spiva (Pickerington Central) 6-2, jr., 14.8; Micah Young (Westerville North) 6-2, jr., 15.4.

Honorable mention: Jeb Bischoff (Hilliard Bradley); Jorden Bowens (Reynoldsburg); Colton Bruny (Lancaster); Levi Davis (Olentangy Orange); Aaron Foster (Dublin Scioto); LJ Foster (Walnut Ridge); Derek Goodman (Olentangy Berlin); Noah Gamble (Olentangy Berlin); John Glover (Mifflin); Kent Hairston (Central Crossing); Carter Hire (Olentangy); Miles Jackson (New Albany); Jahmere Johnson (West); Julian Johnson (Thomas Worthington); Dylan Joy (Olentangy Orange); Noah Kershaw (Westland); Noah Knostman (Whetstone); Te’Mar Lewis (Worthington Kilbourne); Marquis Lucas (Walnut Ridge); Devin Martin (Westerville Central); Ty Maul (Hilliard Darby); Maurice McCall (South); Nehemiah McMorris (Northland); Sam Miller (Teays Valley); Trent Minor (Big Walnut); Braylon Morris (Newark); Ulysses Ponder (Olentangy); K.J. Reynald (Gahanna); Veer Shah (Dublin Jerome); Alex Smith (Upper Arlington); Noah Smith (Reynoldsburg); Dallas Tucker (Westerville Central); Juwan Turner (Pickerington Central); Parker Van Engelehoven (Olentangy Liberty); LaJames Washington (South); Jonathan Whiteside (Gahanna).

Player of the year: Kruz McClure (Westerville South)

Coach of the year: Anthony Calo (Olentangy Orange)

DIVISION II

First team: Reggie Bagley (Whitehall) 6-5, jr., 21.0; Jaden Calloway (Hartley) 6-1, jr., 14.2; Micah Germany (Ready) 6-1, sr., 17.0; Peyton Heiss (Jonathan Alder) 6-3, sr., 21.2; Zach Jones (London) 6-2, sr., 20.5; Carson Smith (River Valley) 6-4, sr., 22.5; Phillip Towns (Linden) 5-9, sr., 22.0.

Second team: Rosean Burns (Beechcroft) 6-0, sr., 16.4; Carson Davis (Bloom-Carroll) 6-8, so., 15.3; Jovon McBride (Hamilton Township) 6-2, so., 21.8; Pharez Nicholas (Hartley) 6-5, jr., 11.2; James Nowell (Eastmoor Academy) 5-10, sr., 16.1; Dominic Theado (Watterson) 6-4, jr., 18.3; Andrew Zwick (Bexley) 6-3, sr., 17.0.

Third team: Brady Barb (Johnstown) 6-2, sr., 14.7; Jase Becker (Granville) 5-11, sr., 12.7; Jakhi Calloway (Hartley) 5-10, so., 13.7; Kevin Darthard III (Linden) 6-4, sr., 13.5; Chase Ebert (River Valley) 6-0, jr., 11.7; Marcus Hemphill (Buckeye Valley) 6-3, so., 14.0; Kayden Schaffer (Ready) 6-4, jr., 8.7.

Honorable mention: Terry Black (Marion-Franklin); Santonio Dortch (Beechcroft); Ayden Kenney (River Valley); Ryan Mark (Jonathan Alder); Carson Murphy (Granville); Blaise Ohlin (Watterson); Kyle Siegfried (Johnstown); Elijah Watkins (Eastmoor Academy); Jacob Wheeler (Licking Valley); Sean Wilkes (East).

Player of the year: Peyton Heiss (Jonathan Alder)

Coach of the year: Andreas James (Hartley)

DIVISION III

First team: Trey Booker (Pleasant) 6-1, sr., 20.6; Theo Falkenhain (Columbus Academy) 5-9, jr., 10.2; Cortez Freeman (Africentric) 6-2, sr., 22.3; Sam Johnson (Worthington Christian) 6-6, sr., 20.7; Carter Mallernee (Northridge) 6-3, sr., 23.2; Max Parish (North Union) 6-3, sr., 19.6; Caleb Ransom (Grove City Christian) 6-0, sr., 18.7.

Second team: Adonus Abrams (Harvest Prep) 6-2, sr., 14.6; Roman Gamble (Utica) 6-0, sr., 15.4; Kenyon Jones (International) 6-9, sr., 25.8; Jonah Lewis (Worthington Christian) 6-1, sr., 15.4; Holtz Maine (Fairbanks) 6-5, jr., 14.7; Brandon Roddy (Harvest Prep) 6-2, sr., 11.6; Gavin Toombs (Fredericktown) 6-5, so., 17.3.

Third team: AJ Brehm (Cardington) 5-11, jr., 14.1; Austin Buescher (West Jefferson) 6-4, so., 19.1; Jaxon Duston (Heath) 6-2, jr., 11.7; Ryker Green (Fairbanks) 6-0, jr., 12.1; MJ Jackson (Columbus Academy) 6-2, jr., 8.2; Solaiman Jalloh (Horizon Science) 6-2, sr., 15.8; Seth Vaughn (Grove City Christian) 5-9, sr., 20.5.

Honorable mention: Christoper Cooper-Patton (Africentric); Khalil Daniels (Harvest Prep); Anderson Davis (Columbus Academy); Alexander Edge (Grandview); Warren Garrison (Cardington); Miles Hall (North Union); Travin Harris (Centerburg); Reuben Holmes (KIPP Columbus); Roland Kargbo (Horizon Science); Josh Long (Madison-Plains); Ben Mason (Heath); Ethan Payne (Northridge); Jason Singleton (Columbus Academy); Blake Sipes (Fredericktown); Isaiah Sule (Centerburg); Jamari Williams (Cristo Rey); Luke Williams (Liberty Union); Tomas Winter (Liberty Union).

Player of the year: Sam Johnson (Worthington Christian)

Coach of the year: Devin Fulk (Heath)

DIVISION IV

First team: Ronald Amoah (Tree of Life) 6-1, sr., 13.2; Alex Bauermeister (Shekinah Christian) 6-2, jr., 16.3; Grant Bentley (Northmor) 6-3, sr., 19.2; Reid Evans (Madison Christian) 6-3, sr., 19.5; Davontrel Jackson (Northside Christian) 5-11, jr., 13.3; Hyde O’Rielley (Fisher Catholic) 6-2, jr., 16.7; Dominic Sammons (Patriot Prep) 6-0, sr., 13.3.

Second team: Stephen Castillo (Elgin) 5-10, sr., 14.8; Josh Cook (Northside Christian) 5-11, jr., 15.2; Eric Gottfried (Ridgedale) 5-8, so., 13.2; Kaden Minier (Liberty Christian) 5-10, sr., 17.5; Cameron Thomas (Patriot Prep) 6-4, jr., 11.3; Griffin Urdarovski (Newark Catholic) 5-10, jr., 10.1; Jax Wenger (Northmor) 6-2, jr., 15.0.

Honorable mention: Andrew Benvie (Granville Christian); Peyton Evans (Fisher Catholic); Carter Jury (Northside Christian); Roarke Marincic (Wellington); Skyler Nicholson (Wellington); Mason Sanders (Tree of Life); Gabe Scherer (Delaware Christian); Ashton Spaulding (Danville); JP Vance (Fairfield Christian); Jason Wells (Millersport); Sam Workman (Fairfield Christian); Elijah Yutzy (Shekinah Christian).

Player of the year: Grant Bentley (Northmor)

Coach of the year: Keith Lambert (Shekinah Christian)

GIRLS

DIVISION I

First team: Gigi Bower (Olentangy Liberty) 5-9, sr., 16.1; JoJo Eberhart (Marysville) 5-11, sr., 11.7; Elizabeth Hunt (Upper Arlington) 6-0, so., 16.9; Sydney Mobley (Olentangy) 6-2, fr., 17.0; Whitney Stafford (Olentangy) 5-6, so., 17.0; Berry Wallace (Pickerington Central) 6-1, sr., 17.1; Sophie Ziel (Watterson) 5-9, jr., 17.2.

Second team: Rylee Bess (Pickerington Central) 5-5, jr., 13.4; London Johnson (Canal Winchester) 6-0, so., 18.0; Sa’Mahn Johnson (Reynoldsburg) 5-6, jr., 14.8; Ella Martin (Westerville Central) 5-11, so., 15.9; Layla Merriweather (Olentangy Berlin) 5-8, sr., 16.5; Abbey Price (Marysville) 5-9, sr., 12.5; Kennedy Younkin (Teays Valley) 6-2, sr., 16.0.

Third team: Denza Allen (Big Walnut) 6-1, jr., 13.4; Jenna Grabans (Lancaster) 5-7, sr., 13.1; Zoe Guice (Westerville South) 5-7, sr., 13.0; Remy Largent (Big Walnut) 5-9, fr., 13.2; Claire Mikola (Olentangy Liberty) 5-6, jr., 9.8; Thea Palmore (Grove City) 5-10, sr., 13.0; Ze’Shari Sheppard (Groveport) 5-8, so., 19.0.

Honorable mention: Layla Booth (Licking Heights); Bella Brader (DeSales); Payten Bruns (Hilliard Darby); Quinn Buttermore (Upper Arlington); Kadence Conley (Dublin Jerome); Michaela Dunn (Canal Winchester); Tate Dudley (Hilliard Bradley); Cami Elliott (Olentangy Berlin); Angel Ezirim (Dublin Jerome); Lexi Federer (Big Walnut); Calli Geller (Newark); Savannah Hamilton (Central Crossing); Javaya Harley (Northland); Libby Henry (New Albany); Alyssa Horsley (Teays Valley); Haedyn Hull (Gahanna); Gwen Jenkins (Dublin Coffman); Mary Kidwell (New Albany); Ella Krumpak (Dublin Coffman); Gianna Lane (Hilliard Darby); Lauren Ludwig (Dublin Jerome); Daniya McDonald (Reynoldsburg); Aniya Mitchell (Marion Harding); Alexandria Mosholder (Watterson); Aubree Price (Reynoldsburg); Kenyetietta Quinn (DeSales); Chayla Rankin (Olentangy); Sophia Roush (Westerville Central); Niah Smedley (Dublin Scioto); Cameron Sparks (Watterson); Maria Stack (Olentangy Liberty); Molly Stedman (Lancaster); Addy Tweed (Marysville); Blossom Wallace (Pickerington Central); Rilyn Warner (Watkins Memorial); Nyla Washington (Pickerington North); CirRye White (Westerville South); Oliviah Wilkerson (Worthington Kilbourne); Kate Yaussy (Westerville Central); Aaliyah Younger (Gahanna).

Player of the year: Berry Wallace (Pickerington Central)

Coach of the year: Carey Largent (Big Walnut)

DIVISION II

First team: Harper Annarino (Granville) 6-0, sr., 19.8; Kaliyah Barron (East) 5-7, jr., 25.2; Aubrey Benedict (North Union) 5-8, sr., 14.9; Emily Bratton (Bloom-Carroll) 5-7, sr., 22.3; Kennedy Houston (Centennial) 5-6, fr., 19.4; Carlie Osborne (Buckeye Valley) 5-6, sr., 10.0; Evan Platfoot (Jonathan Alder) 5-7, sr., 17.5.

Second team: Jayla Dukes (Whitehall) 5-8, jr., 16.0; Ella Hazelrigg (Buckeye Valley) 6-2, jr., 13.2; Kayla Houston (Centennial) 5-9, jr., 18.9; Aliyah Moore (Granville) 5-6, sr., 10.3; Emani Tynes (South) 5-6, jr., 14.4; Zoe Wedding (North Union) 5-4, sr., 8.5; Marissa Wilkinson (Bloom-Carroll) 5-7, sr., 10.1.

Third team: Aza Corbett (Centennial) 5-10, sr., 12.5; Peyton Del Cecato (Heath) 5-8, jr., 11.0; Sha’Mya Dukes (Beechcroft) 5-4, so., 16.9; Lexie Hecker (River Valley) 5-6, sr., 10.4; Christiana Towns (Linden) 5-8, fr., 17.9; Avery Williams (Licking Valley) 5-8, jr., 11.3; Alexis Wooten (Hamilton Township) 5-8, so., 12.0.

Honorable mention: Tessa Brooks (Bloom-Carroll); Kennedy Harrah (North Union); Emily Huston (Buckeye Valley); Kaylee Jackson (Whitehall); Addison Lambert (London); Reese McClellan (Bexley); Elle Mortimer (Granville); Caroline Robertson (Heath); Halle Snyder (River Valley); Mali Thornton (Eastmoor Academy); Ke’Sia Williams (South); Bryleigh Young (Highland).

Player of the year: Emily Bratton (Bloom-Carroll)

Coach of the year: Todd Pennington (Buckeye Valley)

DIVISION III

First team: Abigail Adkins (Johnstown) 5-10, sr., 17.8; Leila Carter (International) 5-7, so., 32.1; Kamryn Grant (Africentric) 5-11, sr., 17.0; Kayla Larimore (Centerburg) 5-10, jr., 19.2; Maliyah Lofton (Harvest Prep) 5-6, so., 17.0; Natiah Nelson (Africentric) 5-10, sr., 13.0; Olivia Skillings (Mechanicsburg) 5-8, sr., 15.0.

Second team: Cally Carpenter (Fredericktown) 5-9, jr., 18.7; Addie DeLong (Mechanicsburg) 5-7, sr., 18.9; Abby Dickson (Utica) 5-5, jr., 13.5; Taylor Evans (Amanda-Clearcreek) 5-6, so., 13.1; Tatum Lusher (Grandview) 5-10, so., 17.9; Avah Steele (Pleasant) 5-9, jr., 12.4; Samiriah Thompson (Africentric) 5-10, sr., 10.0.

Third team: Jeniya Bowers (Africentric) 5-10, sr., 10.0; Jamie Custer (Worthington Christian) 5-7, sr., 14.0; Maycee Muselin (Elgin) 5-8, fr., 17.2; Israelle Smith (Harvest Prep) 5-6, so., 12.0; Ava Travis (Northridge) 5-7, so., 16.5; Whitney Waddell (Pleasant) 5-10, sr., 12.6; Lia Wall (Ready) 5-9, jr., 8.5.

Honorable mention: Hawa Ba (Horizon Science); Lauren Baughman (Johnstown); Ella Bouton (Fredericktown); Zoey Brown (West Jefferson); Emily Conley (Mechanicsburg); Ellie Fisher (Tree of Life); Monae Gamble (Harvest Prep); Sam Girton (Elgin); Abigail Hardwick (Cardington); Amor Maker (Ready); Sydney Opfer (East Knox); Kendall Owens (Columbus Academy); Emily Ritzer (Utica); Kylie Sharp (Johnstown); Tiara Shepperd (Centerburg); Gillian Spangler (CSG); Keyonna Walker (Tree of Life); Kaylie Wilson (Amanda-Clearcreek); Ashtan Winfrey (Africentric); Natalie Woodfin (Worthington Christian).

Player of the year: Kamryn Grant (Africentric)

Coach of the year: Bill Abner (Centerburg)

DIVISION IV

First team: Addie Beard (Delaware Christian) 5-9, jr., 16.5; Voni Bethel (Fisher Catholic) 5-8, sr., 16.9; Ellie Bruce (Fisher Catholic) 6-2, sr., 16.6; Sophie Peloquin (Newark Catholic) 6-1, jr., 12.0; Kylie Gibson (Newark Catholic) 5-7, sr., 15.0; Ella Proper (Danville) 5-6, sr., 14.3; Elodie Ware (Wellington) 6-0, sr., 19.0.

Second team: Haylee Beachy (Shekinah Christian) 5-5, so., 8.7; Jayda Dixon (Fisher Catholic) 5-3, sr.; 9.5; Fini Kaiser (Newark Catholic) 6-1, jr., 12.0; Lauren Leslie (Ridgedale) 5-7, sr., 8.2; Faith Thomas (Patriot Prep) 5-6, so., 25.8; Faith White (Mount Gilead) 5-7, jr., 9.3; Kiley Wray (Madison Christian) 5-9, jr., 9.0.

Honorable mention: Shelby Carr (Liberty Christian); Nakayla Cash (Fairfield Christian); Joy Freeman (Madison Christian); Natalie Harrington (Newark Catholic); Kylee Hess (Danville); Brooke Huffman (Delaware Christian); Ella Rhoads (Granville Christian); Aubrey Thomas (Mount Gilead); Rylee Thompson (Grove City Christian); Noelia Wanty (Shekinah Christian); Lexi Wray (Madison Christian).

Player of the year: Voni Bethel (Fisher Catholic)

Coach of the year: Rob Smith (Newark Catholic) 

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark Catholic's Rob Smith, Heath's Devin Fulk top Central District