By JOHN LIKANJE
Eric Hillsman led Bishop Kearney to the sectional semifinals. Mykel White guided Aquinas to the sectional quarterfinals. Andrew Eschner ushered Northstar Christian to its fourth sectional title in the last seven years. The pair of seniors and freshman forward were named the Players of the Year as announced by the Private/Parochial League coaches.
White’s scoring output of 16.5 points per match during the regular season ranked tied for ninth in class AA as he garnered co-Division I Player of the Year. The senior guard finished with averages of 15.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.6 deflections. White converted 48.1 percent of his field goals and 76.6 percent of his free throws as well. The 6-foot-2 guard piloted the L’il Irish, which averaged 59.0 points per game and held the opposition to 54.8, to a 15-7 record, the No. 5 seed in class AA and a 62-54 victory over Rush-Henrietta in the sectional quarterfinals.
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Jayon Alexander and Chris Leysath joined White on the Division I All-League team. Alexander was second on the L’il Irish in scoring with 14.3 points while Leysath finished right behind her at 13.5. Alexander corralled 6.6 boards, dished out 2.6 assists, deflected 1.9 passes and swiped 1.6 steals as well. The sophomore guard connected on 45.3 percent of his shots. Leysath added 9.7 rebounds and shot 48.7 percent from the field.
Hillsman stepped up as the Kings’ leading scorer with 17.0 points per game during the regular season to earn co-Division I honors. The freshman forward concluded the campaign with averages of 16.0 points and 10.2 rebounds. Hillsman recorded 20 double-doubles and a pair of triple-doubles as well. The 6-foot-6 forward steered his squad, which averaged 69.3 points per contest and held the opposition to 60.0, to a 15-7 record, the No. 4 seed in class B1 and a 72-65 victory over Vertus in the sectional quarterfinals.
Alejandro Aguilar and Colin Gentile joined Hillsman on the Division I All-League team. Gentile was second on the Kings in scoring with 14.0 points per contest. Aguilar contributed nine points and three boards per match.
Chris Powell rounded out the list of the Division I All-League First Team for UPrep. The sophomore guard averaged 21.0 points and led the Griffins to back-to-back victories over Franklin and Bishop Kearney during the regular season.
Eschner was the Knights’ leading scorer and rebounder with a double-double of 23.2 points and 13.1 rebounds and named Division II Player of the Year. The senior forward concluded his Varsity career by escorting his club, which averaged 66.7 points per game and held the opposition to 57.6, to a 16-9 record, the No. 5 seed in class C1 and a sectional championship.
Christian Coleman and Kam McDonald earned Division II All-League honors for Rochester Academy. McDonald finished second on the Racers in scoring with 15.5 points along with 5.4 assists, 3.7 steals and 3.3 rebounds. Coleman averaged 14.4 points, 8.3 boards, 2.6 steals, 1.9 assists and 1.3 blocks per contest.
E’mere Fulton and Jayden Ridley-Smith earned Division II All-League honors for Vertus. Ridley-Smith led the Warriors with 16.0 points per game. Fulton scored 15.0 points per game.
Ethan Krog (Charles G. Finney) rounded out the list of the Division II All-League Team. The sophomore guard scored 15.3 points per match and led the Falcons to the sectional quarterfinals as the No. 9 seed in class C3.
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