Number of Beaver County boys basketball players, coaches receive All-State honors

Ethan Morrison, Special to the Times

On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania All-State awards were announced by the PA Sports Writers with a multitude of players from the Beaver Valley and two coaches winning coach of the year accolades for their efforts throughout the year.

Below are the PA Sports Writers All-State teams in classifications 6A to 1A.

Class 6A

(No Beaver County products)

First Team

Jalil Bethea, Archbishop Wood

Nick Coval, Parkland

Greg Guidinger, Central York

Shareef Jackson, Roman Catholic

Yadiel Cruz, Reading

Jaron McKie, St. Joseph’s Prep

Second Team

Nyle Ralph-Beyer, West Chester Henderson

J.J. Kelly, Chambersburg

Josh Reed, Archbishop Wood

Jaydon Smith, Carlisle

Ben Rill, Central York

Ethan Benne, Penn Mannor

Third Team

Jacob Nguyễn, Spring-Ford

Donovan Fromhanrtz, Downington West

Ben Natal, Central York

Tyler Robbins, Upper Saint Clair

Tyler Grove, McDowell

Wayne Fletcher, Central Dauphin

Class 5A

Moon’s Elijah Guillory shoots over Franklin Regional’s Colin Masten during Monday’s PIAA class 5A semifinal game at Peters Township High School.
Moon’s Elijah Guillory shoots over Franklin Regional’s Colin Masten during Monday’s PIAA class 5A semifinal game at Peters Township High School.

Elijah Guillroy, Moon Area

Moon Area senior Elijah Guillroy was awarded first team all-state in Class 5A by the PA Sports Writers after putting together an impressive senior season with the Tigers.

The guard was dominant in all areas on the floor as he averaged just over 21 points per game, while also averaging 6.7 rebounds per game, 3.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game.

The Youngstown State commit helped lead Moon Area to its first WPIAL championship since the 2017 season as he recorded 11 points in the Tigers 53-48 victory over the Panthers.

Guillroy also helped lead the Tigers to the PIAA State semifinals before eventually falling to PIAA runner-up Franklin Regional, where he put up 14 points in his final high school career.

First Team

Ahmad Noweli, Imhotep Charter

Thomas Sorber, Archbishop Ryan

Darren Williams, Archbishop Ryan

Elijah Guillory, Moon Area

Jaen Chatman, East Stroudsburg South

Naeem Colston, Samuel Fels

Second Team

Cameron Rowell, Franklin Regional

Adrian Brito, Pocono Mountain West

Deuce Ketner, Bonner-Prendergast

Kevin Rucker Jr., Bonner-Prendergast

Evan Berger, Thomas Jefferson

Abdurahman Coulibaly, West Philadelphia

Third Team

Mason Fedor, Abington Heights

Zaahir Muhammad-Gray, Imhotep Charter

Zachary Campbell, Murrell Dobbins Tech

Josh Smith, Mechanicsburg

Adrien Varella, Holy Ghost Prep

Max Lebisky, Phoenixville

Will Marion, Abington Heights

Class 4A

Lincoln Park's Brandin Cummings comes to the bench after a 37-point performance in the PIAA Class 4A Boys Basketball Championship against Archbishop Carroll at the Giant Center on March 21, 2024, in Hershey. The Leopards won, 80-50, to claim back-to-back titles.
Lincoln Park's Brandin Cummings comes to the bench after a 37-point performance in the PIAA Class 4A Boys Basketball Championship against Archbishop Carroll at the Giant Center on March 21, 2024, in Hershey. The Leopards won, 80-50, to claim back-to-back titles.

Player of the Year — Brandin Cummings, Lincoln Park

After surpassing 2,000 points in his career and winning yet another WPIAL and PIAA state title, Cummings was given all-state first team and earned all-state player of the year honors in his senior season.

Cummings was an unstoppable force in his senior season with the Leopards as he was one of the top scorers in all of the WPIAL, averaging 24.2 points per game across 30 games.

In his final game of his high school career in the PIAA State Championship, the Pitt commit shot 14-for-18 from the field, recording 37 points and knocking down seven straight three-pointers.

Cummings caps off his impressive career with Lincoln Park as he finishes as a three-time WPIAL champion and a two-time PIAA state title winner.

Lincoln Park's Meleek Thomas (5) floats a one-handed shot into the basket for two during the PIAA Class 4A Boys Basketball Championship against Archbishop Carroll at the Giant Center on March 21, 2024, in Hershey. The Leopards won, 80-50, to claim back-to-back titles.
Lincoln Park's Meleek Thomas (5) floats a one-handed shot into the basket for two during the PIAA Class 4A Boys Basketball Championship against Archbishop Carroll at the Giant Center on March 21, 2024, in Hershey. The Leopards won, 80-50, to claim back-to-back titles.

Meleek Thomas, Lincoln Park

Thomas joins Cummings, garnering first team all-state honors after yet another impressive season with the Leopards.

As a junior, Thomas was a force out on the floor averaging 22.4 points per game, scoring 627 points over the course of 28 games in his third season with the program.

In the PIAA State Championship, Thomas put together an impressive line finishing with a double-double with 16 points while grabbing 14 rebounds in the victory.

Thomas will return next season to Lincoln Park looking to finish his high school career on top with a slew of Power Five and high-major offers awaiting him at the next level.

Lincoln Park head coach Mike Bariski reacts as he gets soaked with water during locker room celebrations at the Giant Center on March 21, 2024, in Hershey. The Leopards defeated Archbishop Carroll, 80-50, to win back-to-back state titles.
Lincoln Park head coach Mike Bariski reacts as he gets soaked with water during locker room celebrations at the Giant Center on March 21, 2024, in Hershey. The Leopards defeated Archbishop Carroll, 80-50, to win back-to-back state titles.

Coach of the Year — Mike Bariski, Lincoln Park

Bariski was awarded coach of the year honors from the PA Sports Writers after pulling off an improbable run to capture back-to-back state titles for Lincoln Park.

Bariski, who is also the Leopards' Athletic Director, built Lincoln Park up for success in the early parts of the season challenging the team with a tough non-conference schedule, which saw it play teams outside of its classification along with playing some of the top teams in the northwest when his team took a trip out to Portland, Ore. in December. Lincoln Park also played in the Burger King Classic up in Erie, Pa. which featured some of the top teams in the country, including a rematch of the state championship from the 2022-23 season as it faced Neumann Goretti.

That tough non-conference schedule paid dividends for Barkiski and his squad as it continued to build up their championship mettle as the Leopards rolled onto finishing undefeated in their section and came back from the brink in the PIAA quarterfinals against Uniontown.

The WPIAL and state title comes as fourth state-title in Bariski’s 15-year coaching career.

First Team

Aasim Burton, Cardinal O’Hara

Brandin Cummings, Lincoln Park Performing Arts

Max Hurray, North Catholic

Larenzo Jerkins, Neumann-Goretti

Peter Kramer, Hampton

Christopher Meakin, Littlestown

Meleek Thomas, Lincoln Park Performing Arts

Second Team

Rowan Carmichael, Avonworth

Bradyn Foster, Highlands

Zion Moore, Belle Vernon Area

Khaafiq Myers, Neumann-Goretti

Aidan Sallie, Big Spring

Donte Tisinger, Greater Johnstown

Third Team

Torrey Brooks, Neumann-Goretti

Luca Foster, Archbishop Carroll

Kingston McKoy, Berks Catholic

Jahrel Vigo, Allentown Central Catholic

Carter Wamsley, Eastern York

Ian Williams, Archbishop Carroll

Class 3A

Ellwood’s Joe Roth shoots during Wednesday’s PIAA Class 3A second round playoff game against Mohawk at New Castle High School.
Ellwood’s Joe Roth shoots during Wednesday’s PIAA Class 3A second round playoff game against Mohawk at New Castle High School.

Player of the Year — Joseph Roth, Ellwood City

Roth capped off an incredible high school career registering over 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, and was awarded first-team all-state and player of the year honors.

Roth was a dominant force over the course of his senior season, averaging 25.2 points 14.6 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 2.1 steals per game. He scored 700 points in 28 games this season, marking the most points in a single season over the course of his high school career, while hitting shots at a 59% from the field, 29% from beyond the arc, and 63% from the charity stripe.

The senior guard helped guide his team to the PIAA state playoffs to finish off one of the best careers by a player in Ellwood City boy’s basketball history.

First Team

Zane Conlon, Devon Prep

Terek Crosby, Yough

Karson Dominick, North Penn-Mansfield

Rylan Muniz, Executive Education Academy Charter

Joseph Roth, Ellwood City

Owen Schlager, Trinity

Second Team

Damon Curry, Franklin Area

Jake Dallas, York Catholic

Jude Haigh, Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic

Matt Machalik, Palmerton Area

Jalen Wood, Franklin Area

Nate Whysong, Chestnut Ridge

Third Team

Sair Alsbrooks, Math, Civics and Sciences Charter

Reece Craft, Devon Prep

Nate Edwards, Girard

Bobby Fadden, Mohawk Area

Milak Myatt, Math, Civics and Sciences Charter

Eli Teslovich, Shady Side Academy

Class 2A

Aliquippa senior Cam Lindsey takes in the moment after the Quips won PIAA Class 2A Boys Basketball Championship against Holy Cross at the Giant Center on March 22, 2024, in Hershey. After finishing as runners-up the last two seasons, the Quips finally claimed gold with a 74-52 win.
Aliquippa senior Cam Lindsey takes in the moment after the Quips won PIAA Class 2A Boys Basketball Championship against Holy Cross at the Giant Center on March 22, 2024, in Hershey. After finishing as runners-up the last two seasons, the Quips finally claimed gold with a 74-52 win.

Cameron Lindsey, Aliquippa

Even though Cameron Lindsey will be heading to play linebacker at Pitt in the fall, he was still a dominant force on the hardwood as he helped guide Aliquippa to back-to-back WPIAL football and basketball titles and the school’s sixth state championship in program history.

Lindsey was a dominant force inside the paint as he was a stout defender and had the ability to score inside and grab rebounds with ease.

In the final game of his high school career he capped a storybook athletic career in both high school and basketball scoring 10 points and grabbing six rebounds en route to helping guide the Quips as the fifth team in the state to win a football state title and a state basketball title in the same season.

Aliquippa's Josh Pratt leaps into the air as he goes to the basket during the PIAA Class 2A Boys Basketball Championship against Holy Cross at the Giant Center on March 22, 2024, in Hershey. The Quips won, 74-52, to claim their sixth title in program history.
Aliquippa's Josh Pratt leaps into the air as he goes to the basket during the PIAA Class 2A Boys Basketball Championship against Holy Cross at the Giant Center on March 22, 2024, in Hershey. The Quips won, 74-52, to claim their sixth title in program history.

Josh Pratt, Aliquippa

After transferring into the Aliquippa program from Lincoln Park after his freshman season, Pratt has played a key role on both the offensive and defensive side of the basketball for the Quips in their WPIAL and PIAA title runs.

Pratt was a defender that was stout on the defensive side of the floor forcing a number of steals and turnovers which helped his team push the pace in transition throughout the course of the season which played into the Quips style of play.

With the success on the defensive end, Pratt excelled offensively converting on fast breaks and also having the ability to hit from a considerable clip from beyond the arch.

In the team’s WPIAL Championship game against Greensburg Central Catholic, Pratt shot 13-20 knocking down seven three pointers and finishing with three steals and 33 points.

Then in the state championship game, Pratt finished with 36 points shooting 14-for-19 from the field in the victory.

Aliquippa head coach Nick Lackovich smiles after the Quips defeated Holy Cross, 74-52, in the PIAA Class 2A Boys Basketball Championship at the Giant Center on March 22, 2024, in Hershey.
Aliquippa head coach Nick Lackovich smiles after the Quips defeated Holy Cross, 74-52, in the PIAA Class 2A Boys Basketball Championship at the Giant Center on March 22, 2024, in Hershey.

Coach of the Year — Nick Lackovich, Aliquippa

Lackovich was honored as Class 2A coach of the year after helping Aliquippa secured its sixth state title in program history.

After failing to capture PIAA gold the past two seasons, it was a different story this season as Lackovich helped his team capture the elusive PIAA gold with a victory over Holy Cross.

Lackovich used an uptempo style with the right type of athletes to capture WPIAL and PIAA titles while also tying the school with New Castle for the most district titles in the conference’s history.

Even with most of the team’s players not getting any rest due to the Quips football team winning the WPIAL and state championship, Lackovich got his squad conditioned in a quick turnaround once Aliquippa returned home from Mechanicsburg and helped guide his team back-to-back titles in football and boys basketball for the second time in the programs history.

Lackovich led his team to a 27-5 record overall and a perfect 10-0 record in conference play which capped off an impressive season after coming up short the past two seasons in the state championship.

First Team

Connor Cranage, Blue Ridge

Perry Fields, Constitution

Michael Hughes, Holy Cross

Kyree Latimer Constitution

Cameron Lindsey Aliquippa

Josh Pratt, Aliquippa

Second Team

Avery Collins, Erie First Christian Academy

Noah Confer, Muncy Area

Trey Keating, Nativity BVM

Owen Koleno, West Branch

Tyree Turner, Greensburg Central Catholic

Jon Updyke, Conemaugh Township Area

Third Team

Cody Fisher, Lancaster Mennonite

Davis Fleming, Curwensville

Landon Francis, Otto-Eldred

Waid Gainer, Halifax Area

Nasir Williams, Sankofa Freedom

Tanner Zawada, Mahanoy Area

Class 1A

(No Beaver County products)

First Team

Jack Bracken, Harmony Area

Nate Brazil, Imani Christian Academy

Lorenzo Gardner, Monessen

Craig Jarvis, Berlin Brothersvalley

Pace Prosser, Berlin Brothersvalley

Courtney Wallace, Neighborhood Academy

Second Team

Jeremy Dietz, Conemaugh Valley

Rowan Gorsuch, Williamsburg

Luke Repko, Bishop Carroll Catholic

R.J. Sledge, Imani Christian Academy

Stephen Smucker, Linville Hill Christian

Xavier Spears, Notre Dame East Stroudsburg

Lucas Stanley, Union Area

Third Team

Dawson Camper, Union

Jace Casses, Bishop Carroll Catholic

Bryce Nicholson, Turkeyfoot Valley Area

Danny Odem III, sophomore Farrell

Brody Pentz, Bucktail Area

Giovanni Sejuste, Linville Hill Christian

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Number of Beaver County boys basketball players, coaches receive All-State honors

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