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Reading's Walker, Wood's Gillespie highlight AP All-State Honorees

04/14/2017, 12:05pm EDT
By Michael Bullock

Lonnie Walker (above) was named PIAA 6A Player of the Year after leading Reading to its first-ever state championship. (Photo: Mark Jordan/CoBL)

By Michael Bullock (@thebullp_n)
For the Associated Press

~~

HARRISBURG -- Lonnie Walker certainly saved the best for last.

Not only for himself, mind you, but also for his school and the basketball-happy community that he happily calls home.

Capping a tremendous career, the 6-5 Walker put an exclamation point on his four-year career last month by leading the Red Knights (30-3) to their first PIAA Class 6A championship before a record crowd at Hershey’s Giant Center.

As a result of that win in the 6A final and an assortment of other individual accolades — Reading defeated Pine-Richland 64-60 in the Class 6A championship game on March 25 — Walker has been chosen the Class 6A player of the year by the panel of Pennsylvania sports writers that selected the all-state teams.

Rick Perez, who piloted Reading to its elusive first state championship, was tagged the Class 6A coach of the year.

Joining the Miami-bound Walker on the first team — Walker averaged 18.4 points per game — are 6-1 Nick Smith of North Hills, 6-6 Sam Iorio of Parkland, 6-4 Andrew Petcash of Pine-Richland, 6-1 DeShawn Millington of Carlisle and 6-4 Izaiah Brockington of Archbishop Ryan.

All six first-team selections are seniors.

And while Reading giddily celebrated its first state boys basketball championships, one night earlier Archbishop Wood eagerly put the finishing touches on its first state tournament appearance by pocketing the PIAA Class 5A title with a convincing 73-40 triumph over Meadville at Hershey’s Giant Center.

The Vikings (28-3) closed in style, too, by winning their last 22 games.

Senior floor general Collin Gillespie, who nearly popped a triple-double in Wood’s championship-game appearance, fittingly capped his career as Class 5A’s player of the year. The 6-2 Gillespie, who averaged 22.7 ppg, is headed for Villanova.

Fourth-year skipper John Mosco, who directed the Warminster school to Philadelphia Catholic League and District 12 titles before hoisting its first state championship trophy, is the Class 5A coach of the year.

Joining Gillespie on the 5A first team are 6-1 Eli Brooks of Spring Grove, 6-4 Robby Carmody of Mars, 6-2 Armoni Foster of Meadville, 6-9 Taylor Funk of Manheim Central and 6-8 Jarrod Simmons of Moon.

Of the six first-teamers, only Carmody is a junior.

Although Philadelphia’s Imhotep Charter collared its fifth state championship since 2009 — Andre Noble’s powerful Panthers (31-2) decked Erie Strong Vincent 80-52 in the Class 4A title game — capturing state gold was one of the few things missing from senior guard Daron Russell’s impressive basketball resume.

Not now.

That said, the 5-11 Russell (18.0 ppg) can add another line while he’s at it since the Rhode Island recruit was named Class 4A’s player of the year. Noble, the Class 4A coach of the year, made it an Imhotep sweep of the individual awards.

Joining Russell on the Class 4A first team are 6-3 teammate David Beatty, 6-1 David Morris of Erie Strong Vincent, 6-7 Josh Creach of Beaver Falls, and 6-5 Germantown Academy teammates Evan-Eric Longino and Kyle McCloskey.

All six Class 4A first-team selections are seniors.

Quade Green also added to his growing resume during Pennsylvania’s exhausting postseason, as the 6-0 Neumann-Goretti senior now owns four state championship medals after leading the Saints past Lincoln Park 89-58 in the Class 3A final.

Green, the Kentucky-bound recruit who averaged 22.8 ppg for the perennially powerful Saints (24-7), was tagged the Class 3A player of the year.

Carl Arrigale, who has been on the sidelines for all seven of Neumann-Goretti’s state championship runs, was named Class 3A’s coach of the year.

Joining Green on the Class 3A first team are 6-8 teammate Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, the Westtown triumvirate of 6-11 Mohamed Bamba, 6-5 Brandon Randolph and 6-7 Cameron Reddish, and 6-0 Nelly Cummings of Lincoln Park.

Only Reddish is a junior.

Another Philadelphia-based Green was recognized by the statewide panel, as Constitution’s diminutive Tamir Green was tagged the Class 2A player of the year after leading the Generals to the Class 2A championship game.

Despite 21 points from the 5-8 senior — Green, who missed a potential game-winning shot at the end of regulation, averaged 20.0 ppg for the Generals (19-10) — Constitution lost 68-63 in overtime to Sewickley Academy.

Win Palmer, who led Sewickley Academy (25-4) to its first state title since 2010 and its third overall, was named Class 2A’s coach of the year.

Joining Green on the Class 2A first team are 6-6 teammate Maurice Waters, the Sewickley Academy duo of 5-10 Chris Groetsch and 6-5 Nate Ridgeway, 6-4 Malik Archer of Math, Civics & Sciences and 6-5 Brock Burleigh of North Penn-Mansfield.

Ridgeway, just a sophomore, is the lone underclassman on the Class 2A first team.

Pennsylvania’s smallest classification also sported plenty of talent, as 6-5 Kevin Anderson of Williamsport’s St. John Neumann was named the Class 1A player of the year after averaging 19.2 points per game for the Golden Knights (27-1).

Anderson, who will continue his career at the University of Delaware, never lost a regular-season game in his four seasons at Neumann.

Rick Mancino of Kennedy Catholic, who piloted the Golden Eagles (26-2) to their second straight PIAA championship, was named Class 1A coach of the year for the second year in a row. Mancino’s club defeated Girard College 73-56.

Joining Anderson on the Class 1A first team are the Kennedy Catholic tandem of 6-5 Maceo Austin and 6-2 Drew Magestro, Monessen’s potent 6-2 pair of Jaden Altomore and Justice Rice, and 6-8 Mikeal Jones of Girard College.

Austin is a sophomore, while Jones is a freshman.

~~~~

2016-17 Pennsylvania Sports Writers All-State Boys Basketball teams
Includes each player’s school, height, class and scoring averages


Archbishop Ryan senior Izaiah Brockington (above) was named to the 6A First Team. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

CLASS 6A
FIRST TEAM
Izaiah Brockington, Archbishop Ryan, 6-4 sr, 18.6 ppg
Sam Iorio, Parkland, 6-6 sr, 25.0 ppg
DeShawn Millington, Carlisle, 6-1 sr, 19.1 ppg=
Andrew Petcash, Pine-Richland, 6-4 sr, 21.0 ppg

Nick Smith, North Hills, 6-1 sr, 26.0 ppg
Lonnie Walker IV, Reading, 6-5 sr, 18.4 ppg

SECOND TEAM
Austin Butler, Greater Latrobe, 6-4 sr, 29.2 ppg
Eric Dixon, Abington, 6-6 soph, 19.2 ppg
Justin Jaworski, Perkiomen Valley, 6-1 sr, 22.2 ppg
David Kachelries, Emmaus, 6-0 sr, 23.8 ppg
Tyrese Martin, William Allen, 6-6 sr, 20.7 ppg
Stanley Scott, Williamsport, 6-3 sr, 20.0 ppg
Jalen Vaughns, Pocono Mountain West, 6-5 sr, 23.1 ppg

THIRD TEAM
Mark Flagg, Pennsbury, 6-8 sr, 18.3 ppg
Drew Friberg, State College, 6-6 jr, 17.3 ppg
Phil Jurkovec, Pine-Richland, 6-5 jr, 16.0 ppg
Matiss Kulackovskis, Archbishop Ryan, 6-7 sr, 17.7 ppg
Marc Rodriguez, Father Judge, 6-2 sr, 19.7 ppg
Chris Whitaker, Harrisburg, 6-3 sr, 19.8 ppg
Talek Williams, William Allen, 6-3 sr, 17.8 ppg

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Lonnie Walker IV, Reading
COACH OF THE YEAR: Rick Perez, Reading

~~~


Collin Gillespie (above) earned 5A Player of the Year honors for leading Wood to its first state title as well. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

CLASS 5A
FIRST TEAM
Eli Brooks, Spring Grove, 6-1 sr, 29.7 ppg
Robby Carmody, Mars, 6-4 jr, 26.2 ppg
Armoni Foster, Meadville, 6-2 sr, 26.2 ppg
Taylor Funk, Manheim Central, 6-9 sr, 24.3 ppg
Collin Gillespie, Archbishop Wood, 6-2 sr, 22.7 ppg
Jarrod Simmons, Moon, 6-8 sr, 19.1 ppg

SECOND TEAM
Jackson Danzig, Abington Heights, 6-5 jr, 12.4 ppg
John Harrar, Strath Haven, 6-9 sr, 19.5 ppg
Antonio Ionadi, Hampton, 6-2 sr, 21.8 ppg
Tyler Norwood, Penncrest, 6-0 jr, 23.0 ppg
Tyree Pickron, Archbishop Wood, 6-3 jr, 13.5 ppg
Daeqwon Plowden, Mastery Charter North, 6-5 sr, 16.0 ppg
Antonio Rizzuto, Northeastern York, 6-2 jr, 19.0 ppg

THIRD TEAM
Cade Alioth, Mechanicsburg, 6-5 sr, 18.5 ppg
Matt Cerruti, Archbishop Wood, 6-5 sr, 12.0 ppg
Matt Faw, Upper Merion, 6-7 sr, 18.0 ppg
Dylan Hastings, Solanco, 6-9 sr, 18.8 ppg
Fred Mulbah, Northeastern York, 5-9 jr, 16.7 ppg
Jamar Sudan, Chester, 6-6 sr, 15.7 ppg
George Tinsley, Abington Heights, 6-5 soph, 13.2 ppg

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Collin Gillespie, Archbishop Wood
COACH OF THE YEAR: John Mosco, Archbishop Wood

~~~


Daron Russell (above) capped off his career as the best-ever at Imhotep with a 4A State Player of the Year award. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

CLASS 4A
FIRST TEAM
David Beatty, Imhotep Charter, 6-3 sr, 12.5 ppg

Josh Creach, Beaver Falls, 6-7 sr, 23.0 ppg
Evan-Eric Longino, Germantown Academy, 6-5 sr, 23.7 ppg
Kyle McCloskey, Germantown Academy, 6-5 sr, 20.5 ppg
David Morris, Erie Strong Vincent, 6-1 sr, 23.5 ppg
Daron Russell, Imhotep Charter, 5-11 sr, 18.0 ppg

SECOND TEAM
Nick Alikakos, Episcopal Academy, 6-7 sr, 17.0 ppg
Paddy Casey, Scranton Prep, 6-0 sr, 15.1 ppg
Conner Delaney, Episcopal Academy, 6-0 sr, 18.8 ppg
Amos Luptak, Quaker Valley, 5-11 sr, 12.0 ppg
Nisheem McNeal-Wright, Universal Audenried, 6-2 sr, 25.0 ppg
Will Myers, Clearfield, 6-3 sr, 17.1 ppg
Donta Scott, Imhotep Charter, 6-7 soph, 10.6 ppg

THIRD TEAM
Logan Bailey, Scranton Prep, 6-3 sr, 13.3 ppg
Marcus Hooker, New Castle, 6-0 jr, 14.3 ppg
Patrick Robinson, Conwell-Egan, 6-2 jr, 17.9 ppg
Geno Stone, New Castle, 6-1 sr, 16.4 ppg
Coletrane Washington, Quaker Valley, 6-4 jr, 15.0 ppg
Darius Wise, Beaver Area, 5-10 sr, 25.0 ppg
Ryan Young, Bethlehem Catholic, 6-9 jr, 13.9 ppg

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Daron Russell, Imhotep Charter
COACH OF THE YEAR: Andre Noble, Imhotep Charter

~~~


Quade Green (above) went 4-for-4 in state championships and capped it off with the 3A PoTY award. (Photo: Josh Verlin/COBL)

CLASS 3A
FIRST TEAM
Mohamed Bamba, Westtown, 6-11 sr, 14.0 ppg
Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, Neumann-Goretti, 6-8 sr, 16.6 ppg
Nelly Cummings, Lincoln Park Charter, 6-0 sr, 29.9 ppg
Quade Green, Neumann-Goretti, 6-0 sr, 22.8 ppg
Brandon Randolph, Westtown, 6-5 sr, 18.9 ppg
Cameron Reddish, Westtown, 6-7 jr, 16.2 ppg

SECOND TEAM
Joe Batt, Greenville, 6-2 jr, 19.8 ppg

Antwuan Butler, Delaware Valley Charter, 6-0 jr, 14.3 ppg
Timmy Edwards, Camp Hill Trinity, 6-4 sr, 18.6 ppg
Austin Gilbertson, Camp Hill Trinity, 6-3 sr, 15.4 ppg
Mahki Morris, Delaware Valley Charter, 6-3 sr, 18.5 ppg
Matt Popeck, Washington, 6-1 sr, 25.4 ppg
Brandon Stone, Southmoreland, 6-10 jr, 25.0 ppg

THIRD TEAM
Michael Buckmire, Germantown Friends, 6-1 sr, 22.1 ppg
Ja’Mier Fletcher, Steel Valley, 6-6 jr, 19.0 ppg
Kenny Fukon, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, 6-2 sr, 15.4 ppg
Etai Groff, Shady Side Academy, 6-3 sr, 22.0 ppg
Matt Holsinger, Central Cambria, 6-6 jr, 16.9 ppg
Melik Martin, York Catholic, 6-6 sr, 16.7 ppg
Sam Sessoms, Shipley School, 5-11 jr, 23.0 ppg

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Quade Green, Neumann-Goretti
COACH OF THE YEAR: Carl Arrigale, Neumann-Goretti

~~~

CLASS 2A
FIRST TEAM
Malik Archer, Math, Civics & Sciences, 6-4 sr, 21.0 ppg
Brock Burleigh, North Penn-Mansfield, 6-5 sr, 21.2 ppg
Tamir Green, Constitution, 5-8 sr, 20.0 ppg
Chris Groetsch, Sewickley Academy, 5-10 sr, 14.3 ppg
Nate Ridgeway, Sewickley Academy, 6-5 soph, 17.3 ppg
Maurice Waters, Constitution, 6-6 sr, 16.0 ppg

SECOND TEAM
Dan Callen, Clarion-Limestone, 6-7 sr, 18.9 ppg
Spencer DeMedal, Wilmington, 6-1 sr, 20.7 ppg
Mitchell King, Bishop Canevin, 6-0 sr, 19.0 ppg
Neal McDermott, Greensburg Central Catholic, 6-3 sr, 20.4 ppg
Mason Mraz, Laurel, 6-3 sr, 27.0 ppg
Justin Pryor, Sewickley Academy, 6-3 sr, 14.3 ppg
Joel Santana, Shenandoah Valley, 5-11 sr, 19.9 ppg

THIRD TEAM
Jeff Fry, Muncy, 6-0 sr, 19.6 ppg
Jared Green, Coudersport, 6-0 jr, 16.8 ppg
Tymair Johnson, Math, Civics & Sciences, 5-11 sr, 9.2 ppg
Mike Joseph, Mahanoy Area, 5-11 sr, 22.1 ppg
Brandon Mohammed, Marian Catholic, 6-5 sr, 15.8 ppg
A.J. Myers, Chartiers-Houston, 6-1 sr, 24.3 ppg
Jesse Turkson, Julia Masterman, 6-4 sr, 21.4 ppg

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Tamir Green, Constitution
COACH OF THE YEAR: Win Palmer, Sewickley Academy

~~~

CLASS 1A
FIRST TEAM
Jaden Altomore, Monessen, 6-2 sr, 21.9 ppg
Kevin Anderson, St. John Neumann, 6-5 sr, 19.2 ppg
Maceo Austin, Kennedy Catholic, 6-4 soph, 19.2 ppg
Mikeal Jones, Girard College, 6-8 fr, 22.0 ppg
Drew Magestro, Kennedy Catholic, 6-2 sr, 20.0 ppg
Justice Rice, Monessen, 6-2 sr, 18.7 ppg

SECOND TEAM
DeAireus Brown, York Country Day, 6-0 sr, 19.7 ppg
Daiquan Copeland, Girard College, 6-4 jr, 20.3 ppg
Nate DaCanal, Elk County Catholic, 6-2 sr, 15.3 ppg
Dylan Gordon, Southern Fulton, 6-5 sr, 20.0 ppg
Mikell McGee, Fannett-Metal, 5-9 sr, 25.8 ppg
Jordan Ray, York Country Day, 6-3 sr, 19.8 ppg
Kenny Robinson, Imani Christian, 6-1 sr, 25.0 ppg

THIRD TEAM
Brady Fyfe, Shade, 6-3 soph, 23.0 ppg
Jalen Gorham, York Country Day, 6-5 soph, 15.7 ppg
Mohamed Konate, Kennedy Catholic, 6-4 sr, 10.1 ppg
Nick Porter, Saltsburg, 6-0 sr, 21.2 ppg
Ramfis Rodriguez, Lincoln Leadership, 6-3 sr, 21.0 ppg
Zeke Snowden, Faith Christian, 6-5 sr, 16.0 ppg
Marcin Wiszomirsky, Kennedy Catholic, 6-7 sr, 13.0 ppg

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Kevin Anderson, St. John Neumann
COACH OF THE YEAR: Rick Mancino, Kennedy Catholic


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