With league title chases drawing close and tournament play right around the corner, it is time to highlight some of the area's best boy’s high school basketball players, those considered prospects to be honored on the 2021 All-Blade team.
The remainder of the regular season will settle most arguments, and the state tournament also will be a determining factor.
Here is a look at some of the area's top players.
AT THE FOREFRONT
Sean Craig, Northview: The 6-foot-6 junior forward is a third-year starter for the 13-2 Wildcats, and a versatile, polished double-double machine the past two seasons. After averaging 20.3 points and 13.1 rebounds last season on a 15-11 Northview team that reached the Division I district final, Craig was named second team All-Ohio. He is contributing 18.7 points and 11.5 boards on a more balanced Northview team this season.
Jhaiden Wilson, Cardinal Stritch: At 5-8, the Cardinals' ultra-quick combo guard is an offensive force who has proven harder to contain as his career has progressed. Highlighted by a school-record 48 points (including eight 3-pointers) in a win at Kenton, Wilson, who has committed to Wayne State University, leads all area scorers at 25.8 points per game. He has tallied more than 1,000 points for Stritch.
Kaleb Wanamaker, Start: Likely not on anyone's radar as a star player entering this season, the 6-0 Wanamaker has gone from his role as a backup guard on a 21-5 Spartans squad that reached last year's Division I regionals, to being the City League’s top player this season at 21.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
Cole McWhinnie, Toledo Christian: A third-year starter and fourth-year varsity player for an Eagles team coached by his father, Dave, Cole McWhinnie has developed into a superb ball-handler and dead-eye perimeter shooter is averaging 20.0 points per game. He will play at Hillsdale College.
A.J. Adams, Findlay: A reliable producer the past two seasons for the Trojans, the 6-5 forward earned first team All-TRAC honors last season, and this year has led 10-3 Findlay at 15.8 points and 6.0 rebounds. Recently reaching 1,000 career points, Adams has a offer from the University of Findlay.
NOT FAR BEHIND
Ben Morrison, Rossford: A fundamentally sound, all-around contributor as a 6-3 forward-guard, Morrison has emerged as the most consistently productive player on a balanced Bulldogs squad that is 17-0 and ranked No. 4 in Ohio in Division II. Morrison is averaging 14.5 points on 52 percent shooting.
Cli'Ron Hornbeak, St. Francis: A 6-10 post player headed to Kent State, Hornbeak has improved his all-around game – inside and outside – from last season. This season he is contributing 12.8 points and 6.8 rebounds for a 5-8 Knights team.
CamRon Gaston, Rossford: An important cog for the 17-0 Bulldogs, this 5-10 point guard is a superb ball-handler and pass-first creator equally capable of scoring off the dribble and from the perimeter. He is averaging 11.0 points per game, and has over 1,000 points and 400 assists in his career.
Brady Lichtenberg, St. John's: The 6-2 guard is a third-year starter, and is averaging 13.5 points per game this season for the 9-3 Titans. His college future lies in football as a quarterback at the University of Cincinnati, but Lichtenberg has consistently improved on the hard court, as well.
Grant Pahl, Southview: The 6-2 guard is a third-year starter for the Cougars. Averaging 16.0 points per game, Pahl is Southview's top scorer, and is also the team's top all-around defender
IN THE HUNT
Trevor Wensink, Toledo Christian: A four-year varsity played for the Eagles, Wensink is the team's top all-around athlete. He is averaging 16.6 points and 5.9 rebounds for the 14-3 Eagles.
Jonas Tester, Wauseon: An emerging talent last year for Wauseon, the 6-2 Tester is the top producer for the 15-2 Indians this season at 15.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
Kannon Klusmeyer, Perrysburg: Still growing into his role as a first-year starter and team leader, the 6-4 junior guard has made great strides for the 10-7 Yellow Jackets, averaging 12.6 points per game.
Nate Houston, Rogers: Hindered by his team's late start to the season, the explosive 6-1, junior guard reached the starting lineup late last season for a 22-3 Rams team. This year he has averaged 14.8 points and 6.3 rebounds for an inexperienced 3-8 Rogers team.
Chico Johnson, Central Catholic: An up-and-coming talent as a 6-3 sophomore guard in his second year as a starter, Johnson has paced a rebuilt 4-7 Irish team at 16.2 points per game.
ON THE RADAR
C.J. Hornbeak, St. John's; Kasey Hunt, Northview; J.R. Lumsden, Maumee Valley; Connar Penrod, Wauseon; Evan Lumbrezer, Evergreen; Cayden Jacoby, Pettisville; Bryce Reynolds, Elmwood; Jaquan Pack, Scott; Noah Hagdohl, Clay; Garrett Pike, Anthony Wayne.
First Published February 7, 2021, 9:22 p.m.
