Neese, Moore, York honored as AP all-staters

Sunday, April 2, 2017
Colin York of Greencastle brings the ball upcourt against Sullivan last season. York was named an honorable mention all-state selection by the Associated Press.
Banner Graphic/Joey Bennett

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — New Albany’s Romeo Langford couldn’t bring his school a second straight state championship, but he’s still widely considered the best high school basketball player in Indiana.

For the second consecutive year, the star junior earned the most votes on this year’s Associated Press All-State boys’ team. Fort Wayne Homestead’s Karissa McLaughlin earned the top honor on the girls’ all-state team. The selections were released Saturday.

Cloverdale’s Cooper Neese was named to the five-player second team, while junior teammate Jalen Moore received “high honorable mention” and Greencastle junior Colin York received honorable mention.

Cooper Neese

Neese finished fourth in the state in scoring at 27.2 points per game, and ended his career as the seventh-leading scorer in state history with 2,496 points.

Jalen Moore

Moore tied for second in the state in scoring with 27.5 points per game as the Clovers won their third straight sectional title.

York averaged 18.8 points per game, shooting 40 percent from 3-point range and 81 percent at the line.

The 6-foot-5 Langford was named a Naismith Trophy third-team All-American in early March.

Despite being slowed by a dislocated pinky finger on his shooting hand, he still led New Albany to a 25-4 record by averaging 28.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.1 blocks. His team was eliminated from the state tournament by Castle in the Class 4A regionals.

After finishing last season with 2,014 career points, Langford needs 1,021 to break Damon Bailey’s state scoring record (3,134 points) that has stood since 1990. The all-state teams were chosen by a combination of reporters and observers throughout the state.

Langford was joined on the first team by Kris Wilkes of Indianapolis North Central, a UCLA recruit and one of the front-runners for The Indianapolis Star’s Mr. Basketball Award; Jack Nunge of Castle, an Iowa recruit; Fort Wayne North senior Jaylen Butz and McCutcheon junior Robert Phinisee.

Wilkes and Phinisee made the second team last season.

Malik Williams of Fort Wayne Snider, Hamilton Southeastern of Zach Gunn, junior Aaron Henry of 4A state champion Ben Davis, and Keion Brooks, Jr., a sophomore from Fort Wayne North, were the other second-team selections.

Williams is headed for Louisville, while Gunn will play collegiately for Ball State.

Kyle Mangas of Warsaw, Mekhi Lairy of Evansville Bosse, Sasha Stefanovic of Crown Point, Mack Smith of Warren Central and Eric Hunter of Tindley made the third team.

Mangas will play collegiately for Indiana Wesleyan, while Stefanovic signed with Purdue and Smith is headed to Eastern Illinois.

McLaughlin jumped from the third team last season to the top vote-getter this season by scoring 25.8 points and dishing out 5.6 assists.

She finished with 29 points and six assists in Homestead’s 61-54 Class 4A state title game win over Pike.

McLaughlin also has some terrific talent joining her on the first team: Dana Evans of Gary West, Madison Wise of Greenfield-Central, Nicole Konieczny of South Bend St. Joseph and Katlyn Gilbert of Heritage Christian.

Rachel McLimore of Zionsville, Ajanae’ Thomas of Indianapolis North Central, Maliah Howard-Bass of Columbus North and Macee Williams of Fountain Central — all seniors — made the girls’ second team. Kayana Traylor of Martinsville was the only junior on the second team.

Seniors also took four of the five spots on the third team — Destiny Perkins of Lawrence North, Madisen Parker of Homestead, Brooke James of Princeton and Bre Lloyd of Hamilton Southeastern. Carmel’s Amy Dilk, a junior, also was a third-team selection.

Putnam County players as well as those on 2016-17 opposing teams, are highlighted in bold face.

BOYS

FIRST TEAM

Romeo Langford, 6-5, Jr., New Albany

Jack Nunge, 6-10, Sr., Castle

Kris Wilkes, 6-7, Sr., Indianapolis North Central

Robert Phinisee, 6-0, Jr., McCutcheon

Jaylen Butz, 6-10, Sr., Fort Wayne North

SECOND TEAM

Malik Williams, 7-0, Sr., Fort Wayne Snider

Cooper Neese, 6-4, Sr., Cloverdale

Aaron Henry, 6-6, Jr., Ben Davis

Keion Brooks, 6-8, So, Fort Wayne North

Zach Gunn, 6-6, Sr., Hamilton Southeastern

THIRD TEAM

Kyle Mangas, 6-3, Sr., Warsaw

Mekhi Lairy, 5-8, Jr., Evansville Bosse

Sasha Stefanovic, 6-4, Sr., Crown Point

Mack Smith, 6-1, Sr., Warren Central

Eric Hunter, 6-3, Jr., Tindley

HIGH HONORABLE MENTION: Kevin Easley, Lawrence North; Jermaine Couisnard, East Chicago Central; Jalen Adaway, Logansport; Jaylen Minnett, Terre Haute South; Alex Hemenway, Castle; Musa Jallow, Bloomington North; Bryce Bennington, Twin Lakes; Blake Bennington, Twin Lakes; Justin Crab, Twin Lakes; Damezi Anderson, South Bend Riley; Maurice Knight, Frankton; Grant Smith, Connersville; Robin Duncan, Evansville Harrison; Nike Sibande, Indianapolis Attucks; Teyon Scanlan, Indianapolis Attucks; Josh Dieball, Linton-Stockton; Courvoisier McCauley, Indianapolis Manual; Jalen Paul, Churubusco; Isaac Hibbard, New Albany; Datrion Harper, Ben Davis; Jalen Moore, Cloverdale; Matt Jennings, Logansport; Hunter White, Tindley; Ra Kpedi, Lawrence North; Johnny Bernard, Merrillville; Isaiah Thompson, Zionsville; Sterling Brown, Carmel; Chance Coyle, Bloomington South; Trayce Jackson-Davis, Center Grove; Nick Mantis, Lowell; Tyler Smith, Northeastern; Alex King, Columbus North; Michael Ertel, Mt. Vernon (Fortville); Tyler Watson, Tri-West; Trevor Lakes, Lebanon; Emannual Little, Indianapolis North Central; Mateo Rivera, Indianapolis North Central; Kobe Webster, Park Tudor; Haden Deaton, McCutcheon.

HONORABLE MENTION: Craig Young, Fort Wayne Wayne; Colin York, Greencastle; Jack Ferguson, Homestead; David Hanyard, Lafayette Jefferson; Brigham Booe, Northview; Nathan Mills, Perry Meridian; Tanner Yeryar, Shakamak; Grant Pedigo, Franklin Central; Johnathan Cory, Lowell; Gavin Griggs, Shenandoah; Jalen Owens, Terre Haute North; Jon Ross Richardson, Lapel; Mark Albers, Pendleton Heights; Michael Valle, Whiteland; Jack Hansen, Guerin Catholic; Ian Kristensen, Westfield; Richard Robertson, Fort Wayne Northrop; Avery Denhart, Lafayette Central Catholic; Keegan Fetters, Lakewood Park; Peyton Hendershot, Tri-West; Curtis Jones, Andrean; Jerron Tatum, Andrean; Vinny Stone, Argos; Trevor Lengacher, Barr-Reeve; Josh Hall, Bloomington South; Keenan Orr, Clinton Central; Drew Scott, Clinton Prairie; Parker Hazen, Columbia City; Spencer Pettit, Covington; Caleb Hamilton, Eastern Greene; Cornell Conner, Elkhart Central; De’Ante Booker, Evansville Harrison; Rilee Epley, Evansville Harrison; Dylan Penn, Evansville Memorial; Isaiah Dunham, Evansville Reitz; Cobie Barnes, Floyd Central; Luke Gohmann, Floyd Central; Anton Berry, Fort Wayne Luers; Juan Quarles, Fort Wayne North; Trejean Didier, Fort Wayne South; Jalan Mull, Fort Wayne Blackhawk; Andrew Welage, Greensburg; Al Ervin, Griffith; Cornell Hampton, Griffith; Jack Davidson, Hamilton Southeastern; Caleb Coleman, Hammond; Benito Munoz, Lafayette Harrison; Jack Mathew, Lafayette Harrison; Murray Becher, Heritage Hills; Brandon Durnell, Homestead; Anthony Barnard, Kokomo; Ben Tharp, Lafayette Central Catholic; Carson Barrett, Lafayette Central Catholic; Eddy Collins, McCutcheon; Cameron Wilbon, Merrillville; Justin Ullom, Monroe Central; Hayden Langkabel, Morristown; Caleb Randolph, North Montgomery; Jacob Sanford, North Posey; Josiah Ricketts, North Posey; Isiah James, Pike; Gabe Elliott, Pike Central; Zach Thompson, River Forest; Jordan Higgins, River Forest; Billie Webster III, Seton Catholic; Cam Chadd, Southmont; De’Avion Washington, Terre Haute South; Bennie Patterson, Tri-County; Trace Ramsey, Valparaiso; Ian Kristensen, Westfield; Brayton Cornelius, White River Valley; Nathan Walpole, Whitko; Jack DeGroot, Winamac; Sam Englert, Forest Park; Matt Cornett, South Decatur; Peyton West, Wapahani; Nik Felke, Plymouth; Tyler Snead, Martinsville; Matthew Godfrey, Guerin Catholic.

GIRLS

FIRST TEAM

Karissa McLaughlin, 5-8, Sr., Homestead

Dana Evans, 5-6, Sr., Gary West

Madison Wise, 6-1, Sr., Greenfield-Central

Nicole Konieczny, 5-9, Sr., South Bend St. Joseph

Katlyn Gilbert, 5-10, Jr., Heritage Christian

SECOND TEAM

Rachel McLimore, 5-10, Sr., Zionsville

Kayana Traylor, 5-9, Jr., Martinsville

Ajanae’ Thomas, 5-9, Sr., Indianapolis North Central

Maliah Howard-Bass, 5-9, Sr., Columbus North

Macee Williams, 6-3, Sr., Fountain Central

THIRD TEAM

Amy Dilk, 5-10, Jr., Carmel

Destiny Perkins, 5-6, Sr., Lawrence North

Madisen Parker, 5-8, Sr., Homestead

Brooke James, 5-11, Sr., Princeton

Bre Lloyd, 5-9, Sr., Hamilton Southeastern

HIGH HONORABLE MENTION: Amani Brown, Terre Haute South; Errin Hodges, Evansville Central; Shaila Beeler, Warren Central; Paige Saylor, Indianapolis Roncalli; Alexis Thomas, Evansville Central; Abby Wahl, Heritage Hills; Riley Blackwell, Plainfield; Cassidy Hardin, Center Grove; Anna Newman, Evansville North; Angel Baker, Pike; Anne Secrest, Tippecanoe Valley; Rachel Stewart, Eastern (Pekin); Jessica Nunge, Castle; Kyra Whitaker, Greensburg; Taylor Vauters, Riverton Parke; Nia Clark, Ben Davis; Caroline Newland, Evansville Memorial; Cali Nolot, North Harrison; Madison Layden, Northwestern; Aly Reiff, Whitko; Brenna Maikranz, Wood Memorial; Alah Stallings, Indianapolis North Central; Kendall Bostic, Northwestern; Mackenzie Blazek, Whiteland; Imani Guy, Columbus North; Bree Boles, Lapel; Chyna Anthony, New Albany; Emily Kiser, Noblesville; Kayla Casteel, Plainfield; Leigha Brown, DeKalb; Macy Willoughby, Carroll (Flora); Sydney Freeman, Central Noble; Zion Sanders, Evansville Central; Brooke Montgomery, Lebanon; Kyla Covington, Fort Wayne Snider; Jazmyne Geist, Homestead; Kylie Martin, West Lafayette; Ashlyn Huffman, Columbus North.

HONORABLE MENTION: Grace Hunter, Bellmont; Tayra Breitbach, Indianapolis Bishop Chatard; Reilly Olmstead, Brownsburg; Taylor Drury, Eastern (Pekin); Haja Haywood, Evansville Central; Shania Kelly, Fort Wayne Concordia; Rachel Loobie, Franklin Central; DeShawna Harper, Heritage Christian; Keya Patton, Indianapolis Cathedral; Abby Downard, Indianapolis Ritter; Jasmine Wright, Merrillville; Raegan McMurry, New Palestine; Brooke McKinley, Northridge; Jenessa Hasty, Oak Hill; Michaela White, Pike; Claire Rauck, Providence; Hannah Wolford, Providence; Daly Sullivan, South Bend St. Joseph; Brianna Cumberland, Whitko; Libby Bonner, Lafayette Central Catholic; Audrey Minix, North White; Blaine Kelly, Alexandria Monroe; Kenigia Hamilton, Anderson; Alec Fitts, Indianapolis Arlington; Kami Owens, Austin; Cameron Cardenas, Beech Grove; Katie Giller, Beech Grove; Jorie Allen, Bedford North Lawrence; Madison Tolen, Benton Central; Frankie Kontor, Indianapolis Bishop Chatard; Blake Smith, Carmel; Tomi Taiwo, Carmel; Bayleigh Walker, Cascade; Meleah Leterhman, Central Noble; Samantha Matthews, Charlestown; Alli Stumler, Christian Academy; Tatum Neal, Clinton Prairie; Britney Ballard, Columbus East; Jacki Halderman, Indianapolis Covenant Christian; Mikayla Cleary, Indianapolis Covenant Christian; Rebecca Schrad, Indianapolis Covenant Christian; Addy Simpson, Crawford County; Bailey Gasser, Delphi; Jenasae Bishop, East Chicago Central; Lanie Allen, East Noble; Abby Gressly, Eastbrook; Toni Grace, Fishers; Sylare Starks, Fort Wayne Concordia; Carissa Garcia, Fort Wayne Concordia; Delanie Hill, Franklin; Keyla Hines, Franklin Central; Sydney Tucker, Frankton; Drue Bodey, Garrett; Megan Newby, Garrett; Katie Helgason, Greenfield-Central; Sydney Parrish, Hamilton Southeastern; Sydney Jacobsen, Lafayette Harrison; Taylor Steele, Highland; Kyannah Stull, John Glenn; Raegan Walther, Kankakee; Justene Charlesworth, LaCrosse; Lexi Thompson, Lafayette Central Catholic; Brandi Norton, Lafayette Jefferson; Destynee Hampton, Lafayette Jefferson; Kylie Fehrman, Lake Central; Olivia Collins, Lewis Cass; Savanna Thompson, Lewis Cass; Emma Noal, Marquette Catholic; Sophia Noal, Marquette Catholic; Colleen Leonard, McCutcheon; Kiarra Thompson, Merrillville; Hannah Noveroske, Michigan City; Meghan Urbanski, Mishawaka Marian; Amanda Worland, Mooresville; Cameon Tabor, New Castle; Rikki Harris, Indianapolis North Central; Taylor Ramey, Indianapolis North Central; Olivia Siefert, North Decatur; Lily Hatton, North Harrison; Makinzi Meurer, North Knox; Reeva Hammelman, North Knox; Maci Heimlich, North White; Stacy Peyton, Northview; Sam Hammel, Pendleton Heights; Melody Johnson, Perry Meridian; Sadie Hill, Perry Meridian; Samantha Olinger, Plainfield; Kiara Young, Princeton; Lucy Carrigan, Rising Sun; Audrey Reed, Sheridan; Brittany Welch, Sheridan; Alexis Dellinger, South Adams; Jaelencia Williams, Southport; Hannah Dunn, Tippecanoe Valley; Meredith Brouyette, Tippecanoe Valley; Cassidy Crawford, Tipton; Courtney Raymer, Triton Central; Isabella Ratliff, Triton Central; Taylor Burns, Twin Lakes; Courtney Wise, Union City; Lindsey Syrek, University; Natalie Nickless, University; Abbi Haynes, Vincennes Lincoln; Allison Hein, Vincennes Lincoln; Grace Waggoner, Vincennes Rivet; Jaycee Parrett, Wabash; Cyndi Dodd, Warren Central; Dayton Groninger, Warsaw; Madi Jacobs, West Lafayette; Kaylie Warble, West Noble; Madeline Lawrence, Winchester; Jenna Irelan, Yorktown; Maddy Nolan, Zionsville.

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