Valley players named to All-Ohio third team

Staff report

Three Mahoning Valley high school boys basketball players have been selected third team all-Ohio by the Associated Press,

The three are Springfield’s Jake Ford, LaBrae’s Tyriq Drake and Champion’s Lucas Nasonti were picked for the Division III third team.

The all-Ohio teams released on Tuesday are based on the recommendations of media from throughout the state.

Drake averaged 14 points per game in helping the Vikings to a 22-0 regular-season.

Ford scored 25 points per game as the Tigers advanced to the district semifinals.

Nasonti averaged 23 points a game for the Golden Flashes.

South Range senior Dan Ritter was selected for Special Mention honors. His Raiders enjoyed a 21-1 regular-season, the only loss coming to LaBrae in the season-finale. The Raiders also finished as a district semifinalist.

Ritter’s twin brother Anthony was among the Valley players who earned Honorable Mention status. Joining him was South Range teammate Brandon Youngs, LaBrae’s Aaron Iler and Brookfield’s Brian Hiner.

Grand Valley’s Jude Cunningham also was named Honorable Mention.

In Divivision II, Jefferson’s Sam Hitchcock was honored with second-team status. The Falcon averaged 24 points per game.

Ursuline’s Anthony Howell and Struthers’ Andrew Carbon were named Special Mention.

Howell’s Irish won their fourth straight district title. Ursuline’s season ended last Thursday with a 76-52 loss to Cleveland Central Catholic in the regional semifinals.

Howell’s teammate Anise Algahmee was named Honorable Mention, as were Poland’s Braeden O’Shaughnessy, Lakeview’s Chris Muir and Edgewood’s Marcus Ernst.