Best in state: District 10 stars named to Pa. Sports Writers boys basketball all-state team
Nate Edwards emerged as one of the top point guards in District 10 this past winter.
His tenacious defense and fearless drives to the basket led Girard to the D-10 Class 3A championship and a run to the PIAA semifinals.
As a result of his impressive season, the Penn State Behrend recruit was named to the Pennsylvania Sports Writers boys basketball all-state team on Wednesday.
“It is an honor to be able to accept this award. It can’t go without saying the huge role my teammates, coaches, and family play in this accomplishment,” Edwards said. “A big thanks goes out to all of them for their support and how they pushed me throughout these past few seasons.”
Edwards was named to the Class 3A third team, while Franklin standouts Jalen Wood and Damon Curry were voted to the second team. McDowell standout and IUP recruit Tyler Grove was named to the Class 6A third team, Erie First Christian sophomore Aaron Collins was named to the 2A second team and Farrell sophomore Danny Odem was named to the 1A third team.
Edwards averaged 16.1 points per game this past winter and took on a big-time leadership role for the YellowJackets.
“Being an all-state selection is an amazing and well-deserved honor for Nate. He has been a model of commitment, hard work, and a team-first player over the past four years,” said Girard coach Mark Schrier. “Our team and I know how much Nate means to us, but it’s a proud moment when we see someone who so greatly represents our program mantra of 'together' receive this type of recognition.”
Grove put together a big senior season as he averaged 22.6 points per game for the Trojans. From long-distance 3-pointers to big-time dunks, Grove led McDowell to the D-10 Class 6A title and a deep PIAA playoff run.
“Tyler truly earned this recognition. The amount of time he puts into getting better is awesome to see first-hand,” said McDowell coach Kevin O'Connor. “Every season, Tyler has enhanced his skill set and became stronger. His success is no secret and his parents played a huge role in his success. I'm so proud of him.”
Collins will become a 1,000-point scorer as a junior after a big sophomore season. After helping Erie First win a D-10 title last winter, Collins led all of D-10 with 24.1 points per game this season.
“Words can't describe how happy and proud I am for Avery Collins to be named to the PA All-State Team,” said Erie First coach Duke Gartrell. “Avery Collins the person is even more special than Avery Collins the basketball player. He exemplifies student-athlete in every sense and this award is well-deserved. The Collins family have been an instrumental part of the Erie First Christian Academy community for several years and we are grateful for them. His teammates are special to him, they wear this honor extremely proud of their brother and our Eagle Family.”
2023-24 PENNSYLVANIA ALL-STATE BASKETBALL TEAMS
CLASS 6A
1st Team
Jalil Bethea, 6-4, senior, Archbishop Wood*
Nick Coval, 6-2, senior, Parkland
Greg Guidinger, 6-7, senior, Central York
Shareef Jackson, 6-7, junior, Roman Catholic
Yadiel Cruz, 6-2, senior, Reading
Jaron McKie, 6-3, junior, St. Joseph’s Prep
2nd Team
Nyle Ralph-Beyer, 6-3, senior, West Chester Henderson
J.J. Kelly, 6-6, junior, Chambersburg
Josh Reed, 6-3, senior, Archbishop Wood
Jaydon Smith, 6-5, senior, Carlisle
Ben Rill, 6-8, junior, Central York
Ethan Benne, 6-6, senior, Penn Manor
3rd Team
Jacob Nguyen, 6-4, junior, Spring-Ford
Donovan Fromhartz, 6-6, junior, Downingtown West
Ben Natal, 6-2, junior, Central York
Tyler Robbins, 6-9, junior, Upper St. Clair
Tyler Grove, 6-6, senior, McDowell
Wayne Fletcher, II, 6-3, junior, Central Dauphin
*Class 6A Player of the Year
Coach of the Year
Jeff Hoke, Central York
CLASS 5A
1st Team
Ahmad Nowell, 6-1, senior, Imhotep, Charter*
Thomas Sorber, 6-9, senior, Archbishop Ryan
Darren Williams, 6-3, senior, Archbishop Ryan
Elijah Guillory, 6-5, senior, Moon
Jaen Chatman, 6-1, junior, East Stroudsburg South
Naeem Colston, 6-5, senior, Samuel Fels
2nd Team
Cameron Rowell, 6-5, senior, Franklin Regional
Adrian Brito, 6-6, junior, Pocono Mountain West
Deuce Ketner, 6-6, senior, Bonner-Prendergast
Kevin Rucker, Jr., 6-5, senior, Bonner-Prendergast
Evan Berger, 6-4, senior, Thomas Jefferson
Abdurahman Coulibaly, 6-4, senior, West Philadelphia
3rd Team
Mason Fedor, 6-4, senior, Abington Heights
Zaahir Muhammad-Gray, 6-6, sophomore, Imhotep Charter
Zachary Campbell, 6-4, senior, Murrell Dobbins Tech
Josh Smith, 6-1, junior, Mechanicsburg
Adrien Varella, 6-3, junior, Holy Ghost Prep
Max Lebisky, 6-5, senior, Phoenixville
Will Marion, 6-0, senior, Abington Heights
*Class 5A Player of the Year
Coach of the Year
Ken Bianchi, Abington Heights
CLASS 4A
1st Team
Brandin Cummings, 6-4, senior, Lincoln Park*
Meleek Thomas, 6-4, junior, Lincoln Park
Larenzo Jerkins, 6-5, senior, Neumann-Goretti
Peter Kramer, 6-5, senior, Hampton
Max Hurray, 6-2, senior, North Catholic
Aasim Burton, 6-3, senior, Cardinal O’Hara
Christopher Meakin, 6-8, senior, Littlestown
2nd Team
Zion Moore, 6-3, junior, Belle Vernon
Khaafiq Myers, 5-10, senior, Neumann-Goretti
Donte Tisinger, 6-2, junior, Greater Johnstown
Aidan Sallie, 6-4, junior, Big, Spring
Rowan Carmichael, 5-11, junior, Avonworth
Bradyn Foster, 6-8, senior, Highlands
3rd Team
Torrey Brooks, 6-1, sophomore, Neumann-Goretti
Ian Williams, 5-11, sophomore, Archbishop Carroll
Carter Wamsley, 6-6, junior, Eastern York
Jahrel Vigo, 6-2, junior, Allentown Central Catholic
Kingston McCoy, 6-2, senior, Berks Catholic
Luca Foster, 6-6, sophomore, Archbishop Carroll
*Class 4A Player of the Year
Coach of the Year
Mike Bariski, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter
CLASS 3A
1st Team
Joseph Roth, 6-5, senior, Ellwood City*
Zane Conlon, 6-5, junior, Devon Prep
Owen Schlager, 6-3, junior, Trinity
Terek Crosby, 6-3, senior, Yough
Karson Dominick, 6-2, senior, North Penn-Mansfield
Rylan Muniz, 6-0, senior, Executive Education
2nd Team
Jalen Wood, 5-10, senior, Franklin
Jude Haigh, 6-5, junior, Bishop Guilfoyle
Damon Curry, 6-5, senior, Franklin
Nate Whysong, 6-3, senior, Chestnut Ridge
Matt Machalik, 6-1, senior, Palmerton
Jake Dallas, 6-2, junior, York Catholic
3rd Team
Reece Craft, 6-7, junior, Devon Prep
Nate Edwards, 6-0, senior, Girard
Sair Alsbrooks, 6-6, senior, MCS Charter
Malik Myatt, 6-3, sophomore, MCS Charter
Eli Teslovich, 6-1, senior, Shady Side Academy
Bobby Fadden, 6-1, sophomore, Mohawk
*Class 3A Player of the Year
Coach of the Year
Jason Fisher, Devon Prep
CLASS 2A
1st Team
Kyree Latimer, 6-4, senior, Constitution*
Cameron Lindsey, 6-2, senior, Aliquippa
Josh Pratt, 6-1, sophomore, Aliquippa
Connor Cranage, 5-10, senior, Blue Ridge
Michael Hughes, 5-10, junior, Holy Cross
Perry Fields, 6-3, senior, Constitution
2nd Team
Tyree Turner, 6-0, senior, Greensburg Central Catholic
Avery Collins, 6-0, sophomore, Erie First Christian
Trey Keating, 6-2, sophomore, Nativity BVM
Owen Koleno, 6-1, junior, West Branch
Noah Confer, 6-3, senior, Muncy
Jon Updyke, 6-3, senior, Conemaugh Township
3rd Team
Cody Fisher, 6-3, sophomore, Lancaster Mennonite
Waid Gainer, 6-1, junior, Halifax
Davis Fleming, 6-4, junior, Curwensville
Nasir Williams, 6-1, junior, Sankofa Freedom Academy
Landon Francis, 5-11, junior, Otto-Eldred
Tanner Zawada, 6-0, junior, Mahanoy
*Class 2A Player of the Year
Coach of the Year
Nick Lackovich, Aliquippa
CLASS 1A
1st Team
Pace Prosser, 6-2, senior, Berlin-Brothersvalley*
Nate Brazil, 6-1, senior, Imani Christian Academy
Jack Bracken, 6-5, senior, Harmony
Courtney Wallace, 6-2, junior, Neighborhood Academy
Craig Jarvis, 6-2, senior, Berlin-Brothersvalley
Lorenzo Gardner, 6-4, senior, Monessen
2nd Team
R.J. Sledge, 5-10, junior, Imani Christian Academy
Luke Repko, 5-10, senior, Bishop Carroll
Stephen Smucker, 6-1, junior, Linville Hill Christian
Rowan Gorsuch, 6-1, senior, Williamsburg
Xavier Spears, 6-3, senior, Notre Dame East Stroudsburg
Jeremy Dietz, 6-1, junior, Conemaugh Valley
Lucas Stanley, 6-2, junior, Union
3rd Team
Bryce Nicholson, 5-7, junior, Turkeyfoot Valley
Jace Casses, 5-8, sophomore, Bishop Carroll Catholic
Danny Odem, III, 5-10, sophomore, Farrell
Giovanni Sejuste, 6-1, junior, Linville Hill Christian
Dawson Camper, 6-3, senior, Union
Brody Pentz, 6-1, junior, Bucktail
*Class 1A Player of the Year
Class 1A Coach of the Year
Tanner Prosser, Berlin Brothersvalley
NON-PIAA
1st Team
Will Riley, 6-9, junior, Phelps*
Jordan Dill, 6-1, sophomore, Germantown Friends
Ryan Williams, 6-3, senior, Malvern Prep
Devin Booker, 6-4, junior, Cristo Rey
Matt Gilhool, 6-11, junior, Penn Charter
Bryce Rollerson, 6-junior, Germantown Academy
2nd Team
Kevin McCarthy, 6-4, senior, Episcopal Academy
Cameron Wallace, 6-5, junior, Westtown
K.J. Cochran, 6-4, junior, Perkiomen
Gabe Tanner, 6-4, junior, Perkiomen
Silas Graham, 6-2, freshman, Haverford
Onyx Nnani, 6-9, junior, Phelps
Jake West, 6-3, junior, Penn Charter
*Non-PIAA Player of the Year
Coach of the Year
Tom Baudinet, Perkiomen
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: District 10 stars named to boys basketball all-state team in PA
