By sports reporter Terry Boehmker, NKyTribune
EJ Walker, a senior forward for Lloyd, was chosen as the Division II Player of the Year by the boys basketball coaches in Northern Kentucky. His impressive numbers demonstrate why he is being elevated to the position of Mr. Kentucky Basketball.
Walker was leading the 22-6 Juggernauts with an average of 19.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists heading into Friday’s final game of the regular season. He shot 61.5 percent from the field overall, 45.5 percent from three-point range, and 68.4 percent from the free throw line.
With more than 1,823 points and 1,140 rebounds at the end of his career, the University of South Carolina prospect will already have the highest career totals in Lloyd school history.
Andy Johnson, a senior guard for Cooper in Division I, and Peyton Morris, a sophomore guard for Calvary Christian in Division III, received the other local Player of the Year honors.
With an average score of 23.8, which is among the top 20 statewide, Johnson leads the 9th Region in scoring.
Simon Kenton’s Trent Steiner was chosen as the Division I Coach of the Year. His squad finished the regular season with a 22-6 record after winning 20 of its final 22 games.
The Division II and Division III Coach of the Year winners were Calvary Christian’s Ben Mulling and Beechwood’s Ross Hart. Byron Conley of Ludlow, James Turner of Newport, and Garyn Jackson of Campbell County were the best defensive players in the three divisions.
On Sunday, March 23, at 1 p.m., at Covington Catholic High School, the Northern Kentucky Boys Basketball Coaches Association dinner will honor the top players and coaches who were chosen to receive Division I, II, and III awards.
FIRST DIVISION PLAYERSGaryn Jackson (Campbell County), Jay Bilton (Simon Kenton), Finn Louden (Conner), Austin Davie (Campbell County), Griffen Derry (Dixie Heights), Landon Warner (Conner), Athens McGillis (CovCath), Landon Lorms (Ryle), and Andy Johnson (Cooper).
Player of the YearAndy Johnson, who is CooperCoach of the YearSimon Kenton’s character, Trent SteinerPlayer of the Year for DefenseJackson, Gary (Campbell County)Mr. HustleRuthsatz, Nolan (CovCath)Academic HonorKruer Tate (CovCath)
Top players in Division II: Ian Mann (NewCath), Louie Collopy (NewCath), Mark McCutchen (Holmes), Brady Gabbard (Holy Cross), Nate Rominger (Holy Cross), Griffin Starks (Newport), Will McElheney (Holy Cross), Yamil Rondon (Newport), Jack Sullivan (Beechwood), James Turner (Newport), Anthony Blackaar (Lloyd), Carson Blackburn (Beechwood), and Nate Rominger (Holy Cross).
Player of the YearLloyd’s EJ WalkerCoach of the YearHart Ross (Beechwood)Player of the Year for DefenseNewport’s James TurnerMr. HustleLouie Collopy (NewCath), Kingston Brockett (Beechwood) Academic AwardSt. Henry’s Nate Francis
PREMIER DIVISION III PLAYERSByron Conley (Ludlow), Quinn Thomas (Villa Madonna), Cade Holtman (Heritage Academy), Arion Stuckey (Bellevue), Landon Reinhart (Heritage Academy), Spencer Brandenburg (Ludlow), Joseph Scott (Ludlow), Luke Getsy (Calvary Christian), and Marquel Kennedy (Dayton).
Player of the YearMorris, Peyton (Calvary Christian)Coach of the Year(Calvary Christian) Ben MullingPlayer of the Year for DefenseConley Byron (Ludlow)Mr. HustleQuinn Thomas’s Academic Award (Villa Madonna)The Villa Madonna’s Drew Thomas
