By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Ben Sisson, the leading scorer and rebounder on the Highlands team that posted a winning record for the first time in nine years, was voted Division II Player of the Year by the Northern Kentucky Boys Basketball Coaches Association on Saturday.
Highlands senior forward Ben Sisson, center, scored 22 points in a win over Beechwood on Friday. (Photo by Allen Ramsey / dwcphoto.com
The 6-foot-5 senior forward is averaging 16.7 points and 10 rebounds per game for the Bluebirds, who finished the regular season with a 19-10 record. He’s also shooting 69 percent (189 of 274) from the field, which is among the best in the state.
Last season, Sisson played in only 12 games due to injuries and ended up averaging 9.2 points and 5.4 rebounds. His comeback this season has been a prime reason of the success of the Highlands team that has won 11 of its last 14 games.
Campbell County senior Reid Jolly was voted Division I Player of the Year. He’s averaging 22 points and 9.9 rebounds for the 24-4 Camels, who were voted No. 1 in the last Northern Kentucky coaches poll. Jolly is averaging 8.7 field goals per game and shooting 65 percent (243 of 374).
The leading vote-getter in Division III for the second consecutive year was Calvary Christian junior guard Mason Rusch. He’s averaging 26 points and 9.7 field goals per game for the Cougars, who finished second in the Division III conference standings.
The coaches association will select a Coach of the Year and 9th Region Player of the Year after the playoffs. They will be announced during the awards banquet on March 3 at Lloyd High School. That’s when winners of the Mr. Hustle, Defensive Award and Academic Award in each division will also be recognized.
Here is a complete list of the top players and award-winners in each division:
DIVISION I
Reid Jolly (Campbell County), Kelly Niece (Simon Kenton), Drew Wilson (Campbell County), Blaine Walters (Cooper), Nick Thelen (CovCath), Trey Meister (Scott), Ty Houston (Cooper), Chad Ohmer (Scott), Vince Rankin (Ryle), Jalen Scott (Conner), Grant Disken (CovCath), Brenden Ginn (Conner).
Player of the Year — Reid Jolly (Campbell County)
Mr. Hustle — Tanner Lawrence (Campbell County)
Defensive Award — Michael Spencer (Cooper)
Academic Award — Andrew Schmitt (Ryle)
DIVISION II
Ben Sisson (Highlands), Scotty Draud (Beechwood), Tahj Harding (Newport), Makhi McGuire (Newport), Wyatt Vieth (St. Henry), Treshaun Cody (Lloyd), Donnie Miller (Newport), Evan Mullikin (NewCath), C.J. Brannen (Beechwood), Pete Knochelman (Holy Cross), J.D. Schumacher (Brossart), Ryan Leigh (Highlands).
Player of the Year — Ben Sisson (Highlands)
Mr. Hustle — Conner Shea (St. Henry)
Defensive Award — Ben Sisson (Highlands)
Academic Award — Austin King (Highlands)
DIVISION III
Mason Rusch (Calvary Christian), Tommy Ratterman (Bellevue), Spence Macke (Silver Grove), Ben Zalla (Villa Madonna), J.J. Jinenez (Dayton), Devin Kleier (Ludlow), Ian Vanlandingham (Ludlow), Cross Dugan (Calvary Christian), Mike Schlueter (Villa Madonna), Josh Moran (Calvary Christian).
Player of the Year — Mason Rusch (Calvary Christian)
Mr. Hustle — Austin Klosterman (Dayton), Josh Moran (Calvary Christian)
Defensive Award — Ben Zalla (Villa Madonna)
Academic Award — Ben Zalla (Villa Madonna)
MIKE SWAUGER SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Austin Klosterman (Dayton), Aaron Gentry (Dixie Heights).
COURT OF HONOR AWARDS
Tim Moore (Simon Kenton), John Atkins (Newport), Gary Huhn (Holmes).
