Valley’s best get recognized on All-Ohio basketball teams
Valley’s best get recognized on All-Ohio basketball teams
Staff report
Mark Hughes was one of the best basketball players in Ohio this season. Now he has the accolade to prove it.
The Ursuline senior point guard was named to the first-team All-Ohio in Division III by the Associated Press on Tuesday. Hughes averaged 24.5 points per game this season, leading the Irish to a 22-6 record and a second consecutive regional final appearance.
“[Mark’s] been the representative for the program the last couple years,” Ursuline head coach Keith Gunther said follow his team’s 66-45 loss to Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph on Saturday.
“I think he’s represented the school and himself very well over his career.”
VA-SJ senior Carlton Bragg, who has committed to Kansas, was named player of the year.
Hughes, who has committed to Wright State, was joined by teammate Greg Parella, who made special mention.
The team with the best record in Division III throughout the regular season was Springfield High School. The Tigers’ lone representative on the All-Ohio list was junior Graham Mincher, who made second team with 20.4 points per game.
Springfield finished the regular season unbeaten and carried a 24-0 record into a district semifinal loss to Canton Central Catholic.
Girard senior Dylan O’Hara joined Parella on the special mention list.
Junior Austin Rutecki of Lisbon, sophomore Lynn Bowden of Liberty and junior Jaden Walton of Newton Falls all made honorable mention in Division III.
Maplewood senior Nate Spitler, who averaged 22.1 points per game for the Rockets this season, made first team All-Ohio in Division IV.
Senior Trent Ferry of Leetonia and senior Paolo DePasquale of Lowellville were both named to the third team. Ferry averaged 22.4 points per game for the Bears, while DePasquale scored 22.6 per game for the Rockets.
Earning special mention were Western Reserve’s Joe Falasca and McDonald’s Anthony Pugh.
Warren JFK senior Zach Usher, Brad Woodley of McDonald, Alex Jones of Bristol, Tommy Hall of Southington and Glen Hoffman of Heartland Christian round out the Division IV honorable mention.
David Dennis of Canal Winchester Harvest Prep, Mitchell Herron of New Philadelphia Tuscarawas Central Catholic, Colton Linkous of New Madison Tri-Village and Corbin Linder of Haviland Wayne Trace shared player of the year honors.
The AP Mr. Basketball will be announced today at 6:30 p.m.