Three earn Northwest District first team

Three area players were selected to the first team in their respective divisions as the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association released its Northwest District boys basketball selections. A panel of OPSMA members from Bucyrus, Celina, Defiance, Findlay, Fremont, Lima, Mansfield, Norwalk, Sandusky, Tiffin, and Toledo selected the teams on March 2 in Findlay. Two Firelands Conference standouts earned their spots on the first team in Division VII. After averaging a double-double this season, Plymouth senior Jarrett Burrer was a first-team choice. Also the FC and OHSBCA District 6 Player of the Year, Burrer averaged 19 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game in the regular season. Burrer led the FC in scoring and was fourth in rebounding and second in assists in helping the Big Red (15-9, 9-5) to a sectional title. He also shot 50.5 percent from the field on his way to surpassing 1,000 career points this season. Joining him on the first team was Monroeville senior Cole Perry. The 6-foot-6 post helped the Eagles (18-6, 11-3) to the conference title outright, marking the first FC championship for the program in 42 years. Perry averaged 12.8 points and 10 rebounds per game during the regular season. He also led the FC in field goal percentage (58.5) and was tied for second in rebounds. The third area selection to a first team came in Div. V, where Willard sophomore Jaxson Hall earned the spot. Similar to the District 6 first team, Hall was the lone underclassman on the first team, which included four players each from district champions Genoa and SBC Bay foe Margaretta. Hall averaged 21.5 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.2 steals per game during the regular season for Willard. He also shot 54 percent from the field for the Crimson Flashes. Willard finished 18-5 overall (8-2 SBC Bay), which tied the third-most wins in a regular season over the past 20 years for the program. Three area players also earned second team, including another pair of FC standouts in St. Paul senior Landon Fries and South Central senior Bryan Chaffee in Div. VII Fries averaged 17.6 points per game for the Flyers (12-11, 7-7), which helped him finish 13th in the program for points in a season (404) and 19th for points in a career (733). Chaffee averaged 18 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.7 steals per game for the Trojans (12-13), who reached a district title game this season. Edison senior guard Cole Leimeister was also second team in Div. V. He averaged 20.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per contest. Leimeister finished with 1,023 career points and is the program record holder for career three-pointers. Four area players were selected to the third team, including Leimeister's classmate, Coltyn Meagrow, in Div. V. He averaged 18.1 points and 8.7 rebounds per game for the Chargers (11-13, 2-8). In Div. VII, third team selections included Monroeville senior Maverick Myers (14.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists) and Plymouth sophomore Izaya Reynolds (14 points, 8.6 rebounds). In Div. VI, New London freshman Henry Thomas (15 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists) was third team, while senior teammate Jaxson Schaffer (12.2 points, 6.1 rebounds) is honorable mention. The duo helped the Wildcats to 13 wins after the program won just 10 games over the previous five seasons. In Div. V, earning honorable mention included Western Reserve senior Chase Hipp (13.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists) and Willard senior Mason Dawson (12.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists). Honorable mention choices in Div. VII included South Central senior Wes June (16.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists), St. Paul junior Nate Griffin (14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists), and Monroeville senior Derek Ackerman (10.1 points, 5.1 rebounds). Second-year Monroeville coach Bob Fries earned Co-Coach of the Year honors in Div. VII with Aaron Elwer from Delphos St. John's and Montpelier's Nick Ramos. Blake Ackerman, an All-Ohio selection and the team's leading scorer last season, was lost for the season because of an injury. His twin brother, Derek, missed the first eight games of the season. The Eagles also didn't have three other players who started games miss multiple games, and they trailed Plymouth by three games with five FC games remaining to win the title outright. The 18 wins are also tied for the most wins in a season over the past 42 years as well. -------------------------------- OPSMA 2025-26 Northwest District boys basketball teams FINDLAY — As selected by a panel of media members for the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Media Association. DIVISION V FIRST TEAM: Julian Washington, Castalia Margaretta, 6-4, sr., 24.4; Walter Plantz, Genoa Area, 6-8, sr., 22.4; Jaxson Hall, Willard, 6-3, so., 21.5; Lincoln Holler, Findlay Liberty-Benton, 6-6, sr., 18.7; Blake Rhonehouse, Paulding, 6-1, sr., 15.3; Judah Keller, Castalia Margaretta, 6-0, sr., 13.2; Ryan Routson, Genoa Area, 5-7, sr., 13.4. PLAYERS OF THE YEAR: Julian Washington, Castalia Margaretta; Walter Plantz, Genoa Area. COACHES OF THE YEAR: Jon Sandwisch, Genoa Area; Greg Badenhop, Liberty Center. SECOND TEAM: Jack Badenhop, Liberty Center, 6-4, fr., 14.4; Reid Irwin, Findlay Liberty-Benton, 6-1, sr., 8.7; Cole Leimeister, Milan Edison, 5-10, sr., 20.5; Quentin Conway, Huron, 6-1, sr., 15.9; Brayden Luidhardt, Pemberville Eastwood, 6-2, so., 17.6; Zach Hallett, Oak Harbor, 6-1, jr., 15.0; Tyson Manz, Paulding, 6-6, so., 15.1; Landon Knapke, Coldwater, 6-1, sr., 12.9. THIRD TEAM: Coltyn Meagrow, Milan Edison, 6-4, sr., 18.1; Alex York, Delta, 6-1, sr., 15.2; Wyatt Gericke, Archbold, 6-3, so., 12.6; Xander Kuckuck, Paulding, 6-3, sr., 13.0; Morgan Harris, Archbold, 6-4, jr., 11.6; Drew Luidhardt, Pemberville Eastwood, 5-11, sr., 11.7; Avi Hanusz, Toledo Ottawa Hills, 6-1, sr., 11.7. HONORABLE MENTION: Kale Bailey, Castalia Margaretta; Parker Schafer, Huron; Chase Hipp, Collins Western Reserve; Mason Dawson, Willard; Ethan Gray, Liberty Center; Evan Reinhard, Swanton; Isaiah Badenhop, Liberty Center; Brady Haselman, Swanton; Cam Schumaker, Pemberville Eastwood. DIVISION VI FIRST TEAM: Jordan Priddy, Lima Central Catholic, 6-2, sr., 27.1; Mack Hieber, Hamler Patrick Henry, 6-6, sr., 22.2; Brayden Holt, North Robinson Colonel Crawford, 6-1, sr., 19.7; Brayden Mescher, Maria Stein Marion Local, 6-2, sr., 13.1; Reid Creager, Hamler Patrick Henry, 6-3, jr., 18.6; Payne DeGray, North Robinson Colonel Crawford, 6-5, sr., 15.5; Will Sensabaugh, Spencerville, 5-11, jr., 19.9; Max Hammons, Van Wert Lincolnview, 5-9, jr., 17.8; Reece Walby, Gibsonburg, 5-11, jr., 18.2; Kee'Ran Stokes, Maumee Valley Country Day, 5-10, jr., 21.2; Karter Goon, Ashland Crestview, 6-2, sr., 18.0; Quinten Eisel, Metamora Evergreen, 6-3, sr., 15.5. PLAYERS OF THE YEAR: Brayden Holt, North Robinson Colonel Crawford; Jordan Priddy, Lima Central Catholic; Mack Hieber, Hamler Patrick Henry. COACHES OF THE YEAR: Mark Bunn, Van Buren; Kurt Goettemoeller, Maria Stein Marion Local; Tony Egbert, Gibsonburg. SECOND TEAM: Austin Zimmerman, St. Henry, so., 10.6; Trevon Baxter, Columbus Grove, 6-1, sr. 13.8; Kale Ahrens, Maria Stein Marion Local, 6-3, jr., 12.5; Dane Ewers, Defiance Ayersville, 6-4, so., 20.4; Jeybrehm Price, Maumee Valley Country Day, 6-5, jr., 15.2; Luke Mason, Attica Seneca East, 5-9, sr., 17.0; Drew Stanek, Bucyrus Wynford, 6-3, so., 19.2; Ashton Miller, Bascom Hopewell-Loudon, 6-3, jr., 16.4; Zack Zimmerman, Ada, 6-3, sr., 15.4; Cole Bishop, Van Buren, 5-10, sr., 8.8; Carson Slates, Elmore Woodmore, 5-9, sr., 18.2; Jeremiah Peake, Defiance Ayersville, 6-2, jr., 16.2. THIRD TEAM: Owen Traxler, Bloomdale Elmwood, 5-11, jr., 14.5; Owen Sensabaugh, Spencerville, 5-11, sr., 12.0; Aiden Morant, Gibsonburg, 6-2, sr., 14.5; Jack Huelsman, St. Henry, 6-0, sr., 10.1; Henry Thomas, New London, 5-10, fr., 15.1; Chase Stone, Carey, 6-5, sr., 11.5; Levi Panico, Sherwood Fairview, 6-4, sr., 11.0; Will Rampe, Van Buren, 6-3, sr., 9.7; King Beard, Kansas Lakota, 6-6, sr., 14.0; Lance Maenle, Haviland Wayne Trace, 6-2, sr., 13.1; John DeGray, North Robinson Colonel Crawford, 6-3, jr., 8.4; Hayden Perrott, Convoy Crestview, 6-0, sr., 15.9. HONORABLE MENTION: Daniel Wells, Ashland Crestview; Josiah Schleusener, Mansfield Christian; Jaxson Schaffer, New London; Hunter Wasserman, Gibsonburg; Drew Spoerr, Ashland Crestview; Will Ruetz, Metamora Evergreen; Josh Lieb, Defiance Tinora; George Allendorf, Metamora Evergreen; Troy Manz, Metamora Evergreen; Kellen Frankart, Bascom Hopewell-Loudon; Avery Shilling, Kansas Lakota; Will Sheets, Convoy Crestview; Keagan Jones, Harrod Allen East; Landon Best, Columbus Grove; Brady Basinger, Columbus Grove; Brady Parker, Lima Central Catholic; Gavin Evans, Van Wert Lincolnview; Amir Warner, Lima Perry; Sae Robinson, Maumee Valley Country Day; Grant Kremer, Maria Stein Marion Local; Dylan Coppler, Bucyrus; Charlie Randall, Bucyrus; Parker Weithman, North Robinson Colonel Crawford; Peyton Baker, North Robinson Colonel Crawford; Reed Johnson, Bucyrus Wynford; Ethan Pond, Rockford Parkway; Gavin Quellhorst, New Bremen; Gavin Dicke, New Bremen; Josiah Michalski, Toledo Christian; Nasir Wilson, Maumee Valley Country Day; Nick Elchert, Kansas Lakota; Levi Tiell, Sycamore Mohawk; Collin Smith, Bascom Hopewell-Loudon; Jaron Depinet, Attica Seneca East; Carter Clemens, Haviland Wayne Trace; Tanner Laukhuf, Haviland Wayne Trace; Finn Martin, Van Buren; Carson Conley, Ada; Kayleb Hickman, Ada; Brayden Kitzler, Carey; Kyler Boes, Carey; Grant Inbody, Mount Blanchard Riverdale; Alex Homan, Van Buren. DIVISION VII FIRST TEAM: Cameron Elwer, Delphos St. John's, 6-2, sr., 29.4; Calvin Willow, Arlington, 6-10, sr., 18.8; Jarrett Burrer, Plymouth, 6-4, sr., 19.0; Isaac Stoner, Arcadia, 6-0, sr., 19.5; Logan Ritzler, Tiffin Calvert, 5-11, sr., 19.1; Jack Leppelmeier, Pettisville, 6-2, sr., 22.9; CJ Fidler, Montpelier, 6-2, so., 22.4; Briggs Gallehue, Edon, 6-4, sr., 20.4; Will Donovan, Stryker, 6-1, sr., 22.4; Cole Alberts, Minster, 6-8, sr., 15.7; Zaine McMichael, Antwerp, 6-1, sr., 22.3; Cole Perry, Monroeville, 6-6, sr., 12.8; Andrew Elwer, Delphos St. John's, 6-2, jr., 15.6. PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Cameron Elwer, Delphos St. John's. COACHES OF THE YEAR: Bob Fries, Monroeville; Aaron Elwer, Delphos St. John's; Nick Ramos, Montpelier. SECOND TEAM: Landon Fries, Norwalk St. Paul, 5-11, sr., 17.6; Ashton Miller, Ottoville, 6-2, sr., 18.0; Ayden Cavinee, Arlington, 6-1, sr., 14.0; Isaac Gallagher, Old Fort, 6-3, sr., 16.1; Luke Kern, McComb, 6-1, so., 17.0; Bryan Chaffee, Greenwich South Central, 6-1, sr., 18.0; Cayden Wikel, Sandusky St. Mary Central Catholic, 5-8, jr., 13.6; Kody Lawhorn, Crestline, 5-7, jr., 16.1; Beau Sanders, McGuffey Upper Scioto Valley, 6-2, jr., 16.5; Erick Graham, Oregon Cardinal Stritch, 6-1, jr., 14.4; Zach Whitley, Pioneer North Central, 5-10, jr., 15.8; Corbin Chrisman, Edon, 5-11, jr., 14.7; Kenneth Smeltzer, Montpelier, 6-2, sr., 10.7. THIRD TEAM: Calvin Menke, Fort Jennings, 5-10, sr., 14.5; Owen Grime, Kalida, 6-0, so., 10.5; Cole McClurg, Minster, 6-1, sr., 11.4; Bradley Williams, Stryker, 5-10, sr., 14.3; Maverick Myers, Monroeville, 6-2, sr., 14.3; Hunter Caudill, New Washington Buckeye Central, 5-10, sr., 17.1; Kieran Barnett, Crestline, 6-2, sr., 10.8; Izaya Reynolds, Plymouth, 6-5, so., 14.0; Xavier Blackman, Oregon Cardinal Stritch, 6-1, sr., 11.9; Henry Beisner, Old Fort, 6-7, sr., 9.8; Grady Otterbacher, Tiffin Calvert, 6-4, jr., 8.4; Camden Verhoff, Pandora-Gilboa, 6-0, sr., 13.1; Owen Roszman, Vanlue, 6-0, sr., 16.3. HONORABLE MENTION: Wesley Roberts, Mansfield St. Peter's; Markeis Johnson, Mansfield St. Peter's; Cooper Day, Lucas; Nate Griffin, Norwalk St. Paul; Derek Ackerman, Monroeville; Wes June, Greenwich South Central; Leo Will, Sandusky St. Mary Central Catholic; Hayden Sharps, Montpelier; Wesley Hartsock, Montpelier; Brady Everetts, Edgerton; Frankie Kovach, Lakeside Danbury; Alec Hohman, New Riegel; Vincenzo Lyons, Tiffin Calvert; Grant Havens, Old Fort, Dimitri Carter, Old Fort; Henry Rump, Miller City; Grady Troyer, Miller City; Monty Rayle, Continental; Harrison Reppart, Mt. Victory Ridgemont; Derek Shultz, Lima Temple Christian; Easton Elwer, Delphos St. John's; Tyce McClain, Delphos St. John's; King Wilson, Jr., Oregon Cardinal Stritch; Hayden Hafner, New Washington Buckeye Central; Jeremiah Fishpaw, New Washington Buckeye Central; Weston Clark, Crestline; Quentin Kapp, Crestline; Aiden Faeth, New Riegel; Parker Jones, New Knoxville; Trenton Heacock, Arlington; Grady Bronston, Arcadia; Tripp Brubaker, Arcadia; Zander South, North Baltimore; Carson Reese, Rawson Cory-Rawson; Jake Cook, Dola Hardin Northern; Austin Inbody, Rawson Cory-Rawson.