2026 First Team All-BCSN Basketball
Beginning in late January/early February we will name a Top 30 Watch List for the best boys and girls basketball players in the area. We will compile those lists consisting of 60 names through the input of BCSN play-by-play and analyst personnel, Sports Nightly personnel, and area coaches.
We will narrow the list in subsequent weeks to the Top 10 and then we’ll announce the top 5 boys and top 5 girls in mid-March.
The top 5 boys and girls will each have online profiles posted to bcsnnation.com and TV features on Sports Nightly or Game Day Nation.
After consulting with area high school coaches, BCSN play-by-play announcers, analysts, and Sports Nightly anchors and reporters, we have compiled a list of the Top 30 boys and Top 30 girls basketball players in the Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan region.
KEY DATES
- Top 30 Announced – Friday, January 30th
- Top 10 Announced – Friday, February 20th
- Top 5 Announced – Friday March 13th
*All lists will be revealed during Gameday Nation and Gameday Nation Overtime at 10:00pm on BCSN or NLL Network and the BCSN+ APP. Channel 8/608HD or 9/609HD on Buckeye Broadband or Stream TV channel 25 or 26.
The Top 5 boys players and the Top 5 girls players will be deemed First Team All-BCSN. They will each have online profiles posted to BCSNnation.com and TV features on BCSN.
Top 5
FINAL TOP 5 BOYS
Race Kowalczyk, St. John’s
The 6’6” senior averaged 19.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists this season. He shot 42 percent from three-point range, and 86 percent from the free throw line. Kowalczyk, who has signed to play at Bradley University, is a three-time First Team All-CHSL selection. It’s the second time he’s been named First Team All-BCSN and he was a key member of a Titans team that won the CHSL Tournament title. He earned First Team All-District honors and he’s one of 12 players in school history to score 1,000 career points. Head Coach Mike Schoen said, “Race is an absolute gym rat. His love for the work and his competitive nature has been the driving force for his success. This year his defense and leadership have been catalysts for our team’s late season success. He has won multiple championships at SJJ and left his mark on the storied history book of SJJ basketball.”
Manny Johnson, Central Catholic
The 6’3” senior averaged 14.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.8 steals per game this season. He was named First team All-CHSL and the District Player of the Year. After leading the Fighting Irish on a deep tournament run, he will play at Eastern Michigan University next season. Central Catholic head coach Mike Floyd said, “Manny is the ultimate competitor and does anything necessary in order for us to be successful. His impact goes well beyond the stat sheet as he typically guards the other team’s best player, handles the ball against pressure, and gets us into our offensive sets and keeps us organized. He has grown as a leader and is a great teammate that celebrates their successes as well. We are not in the position we are in without Manny Johnson.”
Julian Washington, Margaretta
The 6’5″ senior averaged 23.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 2.9 steals per game for the Polar Bears. He made 83 percent of his free throws and 44 percent of his three-point attempts. He will play at the University of Dayton next season after leading Margaretta on a deep postseason run. He was a three-time First Team All-SBC performer and is the school’s all-time leading rebounder. He’s also second all-time in assists. He scored 51 points in one game this season. Head coach Steve Keller said, “Julian is a tremendous player, but an even better young man. He is a team player and has been exceptional for our program. He is explosive, efficient, enthusiastic, and most importantly humble. He works extremely hard at his game and wants to be the best he can be.”
Alan Horton, St. Francis
The 6’9” power forward will play for the Miami Redhawks next season following a stellar season for the Knights. He averaged 14.5 points and 10 rebounds this season. He also added 37 assists and 49 blocks. He was a McDonald’s All-American nominee and was named First Team All-CHSL and he was tabbed the District 7 Player of the Year. Coach Jamie Kachmarik said, “Alan is a very skilled post player. His footwork in the post is very advanced for his age. Alan has worked extremely hard over the last year to develop his perimeter game to go with his inside game. The college game will allow him more freedom in the post as there will be less double or triple teams. Alan is a coach’s dream. He gave it everything he had in off-season workouts, the weight room, practices, and in games. He is an incredible young man, after every workout or practice he made sure he went to each coach individually and thanked them. His parents need to be praised.”
Walter Plantz, Genoa
The 6’8″ senior has been the clear-cut leader of a Genoa team that went on a deep postseason run. He averaged 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.3 blocks, and 2.7 assists per game. He been named the Northern Buckeye Conference and District Player of the Year. He is second in school history with 1,589+ points and he will play next year at Ashland University. Coach Jon Sandwisch said, “Walter has been a dominant force from the moment he stepped on the court as a freshman. This season he’s elevated his game to another level and, in my opinion, has established himself as one of the best players in the state of Ohio, regardless of division.”
FINAL TOP 5 GIRLS
Leah Pike, Anthony Wayne
The 6’0” senior averaged 20 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. She was named the Northern Lakes League Buckeye Division Player of the Year and District Player of the Year. She ranks in the top four all-time in program history in the following categories: assists (1st), points (2nd), blocks (2nd), steals (3rd), three pointers made (3rd), and rebounds (4th). She scored 1,278 points during a high school career that included trips to the district, regional, and state finals. Coach Chandler Adams said, “Leah is one of the most selfless, great players I have ever been around. Leah has always cared more about winning and doing whatever the team needs than anything she could accomplish individually.” She will play college volleyball at Ball State.
Elly Evarts, Gibsonburg
The 5’8″ junior averaged 20 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 4.2 steals per game. She made 39 percent of her three pointers and shot 75 percent from the free throw line. It’s the second time she has been named First Team All-BCSN after she led the Sandusky Bay Conference in six categories. She has made 253 three pointers in her high school career and with one season to play she is already the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,587 points. She led a Golden Bears team to a 15-0 conference record. She was named First Team All-Sandusky Bay Conference and District Player of the Year. She has Division I college scholarship offers from the following programs: Bradley, Duquesne, Northern Illinois, Akron, Detroit Mercy, Wright State, Long Island, Purdue Ft. Wayne and Cleveland State. Head Coach Bo Evarts said, “Elly has positively impacted our program for the past three years by being a leader both on and off the court. Her hard work and dedication has led to the most successful era in Gibsonburg girls basketball history. We are excited to see what the future will bring to both her and the team.”
Kaitlyn Turinsky, Bellevue
The 6’3” senior has been consistently reliable this season. She fills up the stat sheet averaging 12.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 3.0 steals per game. She played a key role on the 2025 Bellevue state championship team and this season she was named First Team All-SBC, the District 6 Player of the Year, and the NW Ohio Player of the Year. She scored her 1,000th point this season and she is the school’s all-time leader in blocks and rebounds. She will play college basketball at Youngstown State University after leading her team to the state tournament in Dayton. Head Coach Kory Santoro said, “KT has been a big reason for our team’s success since she entered high school at Bellevue. She is one of the top post players in the state and will go down as the top post here at Bellevue.”
Kallie Thames, Notre Dame
The 5’7” senior scored 13.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3.5 steals per game. She was named First Team All-CHSL, the District 7 Player of the Year, and the NW Ohio Co-Player of the Year. Her versatility to score in multiple ways made her a valuable asset to the Eagles’ offense and she was a lock down defender. Coach Travis Galloway said, “Kallie had a remarkable season for us. Her leadership and abilities led us to a District Championship and a Regional Final appearance.“
Kendell Skiver, Ottawa Hills
The 6’1” sophomore has already scored 1,000 career points in two seasons and is a two-time Toledo Area Athletic Conference Player of the Year. This season she scored 655 points, grabbed 250 rebounds, had 50 assists, 50 blocks, and 114 steals. She scored 44 points in a single game and was a First Team All-District standout for a Green Bears team that won a district title for the first time in 20 years. Head Coach Tim Lambert said, “Kendell is a phenomenal athlete whose work ethic sets the standard for those around her. Her outstanding teamwork is completed by a leadership presence that continues to grow both on and off the court.”
Top 10
Top 30
