Two years ago, 2025 All-Blade boys basketball player of the year Makhi Leach made a difficult decision.

After two seasons playing significant minutes for a talented Central Catholic boys basketball team, including his sophomore year as a productive starter, the 6-foot-3 guard had an urge to reunite with one of Ohio's top players.

Before reaching high school, he had been teammates with Whitmer's Antione West between grades 5-8, and had developed a bond with the then budding Panthers star. West, also a 6-3 guard, had enjoyed a terrific freshman season at Whitmer, and became a first team Division I All-Ohioan as a sophomore in 2022-23.

Leach transferred to Whitmer and never regretted his move, despite the fact that Central advanced to back-to-back regionals – in Division II last season, and in D-III this past season.

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With the Panthers, Leach and West led Whitmer to the Division I state semifinals last season. And, entering their senior season, Leach had committed to play at Bowling Green State University and West committed to play at 2024 NCAA tournament runner-up Purdue University.

“For us, he was unbelievable,” Whitmer coach Anthony Stacey said of Leach. “That's why he was player of the year in the league and the district. He was just special the entire year. He took a huge jump.

“Without him the past two years, we don't get to the final four last year, and we do not get to the sweet 16 this year. He had an incredible two years here, and was a pleasure to coach. Not many like him have come along, and I was proud to be a part of his journey.”

Despite a bumpy road of injuries, illnesses, and suspensions that negatively impacted the Panthers' progress in 2024-25, the duo ultimately led Whitmer back to the D-I regionals this season.

As for Leach, an illness that forced West to miss six early-season games, he assumed the role as the team's court leader. He not only embraced the role, but thrived in it.

“We built a chemistry by knowing our strengths and weaknesses,” Leach said of teaming with West. “We knew where we wanted to go in life, and we knew what each other was thinking, and what we needed to get done.”

With West sidelined, Leach took the on-court reins for the Panthers.

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“We actually had a talk midway through the season,” Leach said of West. “He said, 'Dude, if I can't show up, I definitely need you to.' He encouraged me to take up that role [as team leader], and his demeanor always showed it. When I scored, he was happy for me. He played a big role in my success.”

In 24 games for the 17-8 Panthers, Leach averaged 21.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 60 percent on 2-pointers, 38 percent on 3-pointers, and 81 percent at the foul line.

This work enabled Whitmer to stay competitive while West was out of action, and enabled the Panthers to share the Northern Lakes League's Buckeye Division title with Perrysburg (each 7-1).

“Even though he had a really good year last year, he took a huge jump this year,” Stacey said. “That's usually hard to do when you're already a good player. He did that. With Antione out [with illness] , he took on the role of scoring and setting the tone, and that continued even after Antione came back.

“His game continued to get better, and he got so efficient at scoring. He finishes so well, getting downhill right-handed and left-handed. He's an excellent free-throw shooter, and a really good 3-point shooter.”

The senior-year performance led Leach to be honored as the top player on the 30th All-Blade boys basketball team.

On the first All-Blade team in 1996, the boys player of the year was Liberty-Benton's 6-9 senior A.J. Granger, who had helped the Eagles to a 27-0 Division IV state championship season the year before. Four years later, he was a starter on Michigan State's 2000 NCAA championship team.

In receiving his accolade, Leach succeeded his close friend and talented teammate West, who was the 2024 Blade player of the year after earning his second first team D-I All-Ohio selection last season.

Beyond the six games he missed, West was not at 100 percent for a while after his return, but managed to average 17.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 19 games. He was named second team All-Ohio, and selected All-Blade for the third time.

“I definitely think it was a great choice to make for me, coming over here and opening up some doors for the future,” Leach said. “It also helped me work on some things I needed to work on from the past.

“My junior year was really special because it showed what we were capable of as a team, and what standards we were held to. It was a great experience going down to Dayton and competing against a great team.”

The team's in-season hurdles made Leach's senior season a bit frustrating, but also provided a chance to learn.

“I had to find the positives in the situation, and had to make the best out of it,” Leach said. “I had to take advantage of that [leadership] opportunity, and see what I was capable of doing.”

This season, Leach was named NLL Buckeye Division and Northwest District D-I player of the year, and was named first team All-Ohio.

“The ability to score at all three levels, combined with his athleticism, made Makhi the toughest guy to guard on our schedule,” said Jeremy McDonald, coach at NLL Buckeye foe Northview. “He also improved his shooting range this year, which created even more issues for opposing defenses.”

McDonald's sentiment was echoed by another Buckeye Division coach, Anthony Wayne's Josh Arthur.

“As an opposing coach one of our primary focuses was containing Makhi Leach, a dynamic three-level scorer with an explosive vertical, and the strength of an ox,” the Generals' coach said. “Not only does he excel offensively, but he’s also a tenacious defender, making him the complete package on both ends of the floor. “His ability to impact the game in so many ways is a big reason why he’s earned a Division I scholarship to Bowling Green State University.”

Stacey was impressed with one of Leach’s intangible assets.

“Khi hates to lose, which is a unique characteristic,” Stacey said. “It's not always the case with a lot of kids. He hates to lose, and he set the tone. He was locked in, and he guards like crazy.

“He was asked to guard the other team's No. 1 or No. 2 player on a regular basis, which says a lot about a kid who is going Division I and was our leading scorer.”

Stacey said he is excited that Leach has chosen to play at BGSU.

“I'm obviously very excited that he's going to my alma mater,” Stacey said. “He's an unbelievable kid and player who comes from a great family. I think his game is going to translate well to the next level because he shoots the ball really, really well.

“He's a very good 3-point shooter, which is really important in the college game. He gets to the basket, he's athletic, he's tough. The biggest adjustment is just going to be strength, and the speed of the game in college. That's a surprise for everybody.”

Stacey starred for the Falcons from 1995-2000. He finished with 1,938 points (No. 2 all-time at BG), 226 steals (No. 1), and his 760 career rebounds (No. 10). He was twice named first team All-Mid-American Conference (1999 and 2000) before playing 10 seasons professionally overseas.

Stacey later spent five seasons as a BGSU assistant (2015-20) before becoming Whitmer's head coach.

“I look forward to watching him and cheering him on,” Stacey said of Leach. “We've got season tickets, and I'm going to be there to watch him, cheer him on, and to boo him if he shoots air balls.”

First Published April 3, 2025, 1:00 p.m.