First Team All-BCSN
After consulting with area high school coaches, BCSN Toledo/Erie play-by-play announcers, basketball 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. This list focuses on players within the Buckeye Broadband/BCSN footprint in the Toledo and Sandusky markets while also recognizing outstanding players from the 13abc (BCSN’s television partner) viewing area.
KEY DATES
Top 30 Announced – Friday, February 4th
Top 10 Announced – Friday, February 25th
Top 5 Announced – Friday March 11th
*All lists will be revealed during Gameday Nation and Gameday Nation Overtime at 10:30pm on BCSN. Channel 8/608HD on Buckeye Broadband.
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 BOYS
Chico Johnson, Central Catholic HS Junior
He’s one of the most dynamic and explosive players in the area and has helped lead the Fighting Irish to the regional tournament. He averages 15.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. He was named District 7 Player of the Year and was named 1st Team All-TRAC. He currently has college scholarship offers from Toledo, Ohio, Akron, Kent State, Bowling Green, and Eastern Michigan. Coach Mike Floyd said, “Chico is not only a phenomenal basketball player and athlete, but he is one of the most selfless players I have ever been around. His only concern is if our team does well and that sets the tone for our entire program. It has been fun watching his growth and development the past three years, and we look forward to having him around for another year.”
C.J. Hornbeak, St. John’s Jesuit HS Junior
The Titans go-to guy averaged 19.4 points, 2.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. He was named First Team All-TRAC, First Team All-District, and became only the third player in school history to pass the 1,000 point mark during his junior season. Right now, he stands 11th overall in school history on St. John’s all-time scoring list. Coach Mike Schoen said, “CJ is a winner. He always performs his best in the biggest moments.”
Khalil Luster, Lima Senior HS Senior
Simply put, he’s been one of the most pivotal players in the history of Lima Senior HS. In his four years in a Spartans uniform, he helped to lead the team to four straight TRAC conference titles and four district titles. While averaging 16.8 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals per game, Luster was named 1st team All-Three Rivers Athletic Conference. He is a 1,000 point scorer and a four-year starter for the Spartans. He is currently being recruited by several schools at the junior college level, Division Two and NAIA levels. Coach Quincey Simpson said, “Khalil is a great leader. Kids like him don’t come around that often. He’s a true gym rat and a true gem to have in the program for four years. He’s made life really easy for me. He will be greatly missed.”
Max Roth, Findlay HS Senior
Coach Jim Rucki makes it plain and clear. “Max is the most explosive athlete that I have coached at Findlay,” he said. The senior averaged 19.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He was named TRAC Player of the Year, 1st Team All-District 8, and was a 1,000 point career scorer for the Trojans. He holds the career steals record for the school and has signed to play at the University of Findlay.
Sean Craig, Northview HS Senior
As soon as he wakes up each morning, Sean can get you a double double. He poured in 26.9 points, 13.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.0 block per game for the Wildcats. He was named District 7 Players of the Year and the Northern Lakes League Player of the Year. Entering the regional tournament, Sean has 1,835 points and 1,117 rebounds. In his four years in high school, Northview’s record is 83-17. He is committed to the University of Indianapolis and his coach Jeremy McDonald said, “Sean is an incredible high school basketball player that literally does everything well.”
TOP 5 GIRLS
Brinn Hunt, Central Catholic HS Senior
She made clutch shots all season long and averaged 11.4 points and 5.4 rebounds for the Fighting Irish while shooting 35% from three-point land, 40% overall, and 86% from the free throw line. She is a Malone University signee after being named the TRAC Player of the Year and 1st Team All-District. Coach Ericka Haney said, “Brinn has been the glue for our team! As the captain she led the locker room, the team culture, and got us a bucket when we needed it the most! Malone is getting a great player and person!”
Elise Bender, Anthony Wayne HS Freshman
She broke onto the high school scene with a bang. Elise averaged 16.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals a game. As her team enters the state semifinals, she is shooting 54% on two-point field goals, 30% on three-point field goals, and 72% at the free throw line. She was named 1st team All-NLL and 1st Team All-District 7. She has set the freshman school single-season mark for points with 409 with at least one more game to play. The school’s all-time single-season record was set by Allison Papenfus’ 467 points. She is currently tied for the most free throws made in a season at 83. She also had a season high 30 points and 16 rebounds vs. Springfield in the district finals. Already as a freshman, multiple Division One universities in the Midwest have begun to express a high level of interest in her. Coach Jami Carter said, “The contributions Elise has provided on the court for our team is obvious. Her statistics and our team’s overall success are the most recognizable but what is not seen is the competitiveness and an unrelenting desire to succeed every day. She does it all while maintaining a high level of unselfishness and a team-first attitude.”
Kendall Braden, Toledo Christian HS Sophomore
She moves with quickness and grace on the court while averaging 22.2 points, 4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists a game for the Eagles. She had 54 steals and shot 53% on two-point field goals, 45% on three-point field goals and 70% on free throws. During one special week this season, she made 22 of 28 three pointers. Kendall, who holds a 3.9 GPA, currently has scholarship offers from the University of Toledo, Wright State, Eastern Tennessee State and has garnered interest from several Power Five conference programs. Coach Tim Wensink said, “Kendall is a great team player and is the hardest working girl I have ever seen. She is a special player. I am honored to coach her.” She was named the TAAC Player of the Year and District 7 player of the year.
Kendall Carruthers, Springfield HS Junior
The Co-NLL Player of the Year averaged 15 points, 3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 3 steals per game for the Blue Devils. A three-year, varsity starter, Kendall was also named First Team All-District and reached 667 career points, well within reach of 1,000 next season. Her college recruiting interest includes Chicago State, Howard University, Ferris State, St. Mary’s, Ball State, and South Alabama. Coach Cliff Hodges said, “Kendall is a very good basketball player. She lets the game come to her and takes the shots when she feels the team needs her to do so. She rarely forces shots and does a great job getting her teammates involved. Throughout the season she was clutch, hitting big shot after big shot. It’s been easy as a coach when you have a player of her caliber willing to do whatever it takes to win.”
Sinai Douglas, Start HS Sophomore
The District 7 Player of the Year and City League Player of the Year averaged 17 points, 3 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game for the Spartans. She currently has college scholarship offers from Cincinnati, Xavier, Oakland, Miami, Toledo, and Dayton. Coach Dane Franklin said, “Sinai has the ability to take over a game at any given moment because of her work ethic. We are fortunate to have her in our program.”
TOP 10 – BOYS
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Antione West – Whitmer
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Chico Johnson – Central Catholic
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C.J. Hornbeak – St. John’s
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Derek Vorst – Rossford
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Jerry Easter, Jr. – Emmanuel Christian
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Kasey Hunt – Northview
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Khalil Luster – Lima Senior
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Max Roth – Findlay
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Romel Hightower – Scott
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Sean Craig – Northview
TOP 10 – GIRLS
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Brinn Hunt – Central Catholic
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Brooklyn Thrash – Elmwood
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Destiny Robinson – Fremont Ross
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Elise Bender – Anthony Wayne
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Emma Pedroza – Napoleon
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Kendall Braden – Toledo Christian
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Kendall Carruthers – Springfield
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Kylie Leibacher – Margaretta
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Marisa Seiler – Wauseon
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Sinai Douglas – Start
TOP 30 – BOYS
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A.J. George – Ottawa Hills
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Antoine West – Whitmer
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Ayden Carter – Fremont Ross
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Ben Morrison – Rossford
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Brent Moss – Lima Senior
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Bryce Reynolds – Elmwood
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C.J. Hornbeak – St. John’s
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Chico Johnson – Central Catholic
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Conye Gaston – Toledo Christian
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Dante Mays – Bowsher
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Derek Vorst – Rossford
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Dylan Hohler – Huron
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Jacob Meyer – Eastwood
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Jake Bishop – Findlay
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Jake Leibacher – Margaretta
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Jarrein Alexander – Sandusky
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Jerry Easter, Jr. – Emmanuel Christian
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Joshua Mack – Napoleon
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Kam Hughes – Cardinal Stritch
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Kannon Klusmeyer – Perrysburg
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Kasey Hunt – Northview
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Khalil Luster – Lima Senior
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Matt Watkins – Perrysburg
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Max Roth – Findlay
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Nate Houston – Emmanuel Christian
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Nic Borojevich – Swanton
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Romel Hightower – Scott
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Ryan Jackson – Bowling Green
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Sean Craig – Northview
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Stone Edwards – Start
TOP 30 – GIRLS
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Alysia Lawson – Bowsher
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Brinn Hunt – Central Catholic
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Brooklyn Thrash – Elmwood
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Brooklyn Vaughn – Central Catholic
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Carly Maple – Northview
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Chloe Kilbride – Perrysburg
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Da’Caiya Lanier – Port Clinton
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Delani Robinson – Lake
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Dekota Smith – Notre Dame Academy
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Denni Lawrence – Whitmer
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Destiny Robinson – Fremont Ross
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Elise Bender – Anthony Wayne
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Emma Bollinger – Bellevue
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Emma Pedroza – Napoleon
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Emily Baer – Central Catholic
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Jada Shoup – Whitmer
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Jada Dimes – Bowsher
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Janiah Holmes – Fremont Ross
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Kendall Braden – Toledo Christian
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Kendall Carruthers – Springfield
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Kylie Leibacher – Margaretta
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Lauren Gerken – Liberty-Benton
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Mackenzie Royal-Davis – Toledo Christian
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Madi Michaelson – Northview
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Marisa Seiler – Wauseon
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Natiah Nelson – Rogers
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Paige Brown – Southview
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Ryann Steinbrink – Oak Harbor
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Sinai Douglas – Start
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Sophie Chipps – Napoleon