From Journal Staff Reports
East Liverpool senior Marky Thompkins and Crestview junior Ashley Harrison claimed top honors in their third time on the Columbiana County All-Star basketball team.
Both were named players of the year in balloting by county coaches on Sunday.
Thompkins, a three-time first-team selection, guided the Potters to a 19-3 season and an eighth-place state ranking in Division II. He leads the Potters in scoring (16.0) and rebounds (6.4), while averaging four assists a game.
East Liverpool will meet top-seeded St. Clairsville in a Division II district final at 7 p.m. Thursday at Ohio University Eastern.
Thompkins helped the Potters sweep top honors on the Columbiana County team. Nate Conley is the boys coach of the year and the Potters are the only team with two first-team selections.
Harrison has been a constant threat in the Crestview lineup, averaging a team-high 18.3 points along with 4.7 steals and 4.7 assists a game.
The Rebels went 16-7 this season after winning 15 games a season ago.
United's Sam Mathias is the coach of the year after leading the Eagles to a fourth-straight Inter-Tri County League upper tier title and a Division III district championship.
The Eagles are 21-3 on the season and will play third-ranked Smithville in the regional semifinals at 8 p.m. Wednesday and Cuyahoga Falls High School.
Thompkins and Leetonia senior Cody Stokes were the boys unanimous selections. They are joined on the first team by Wellsville sophomore Nate Scott, Salem junior Ryan Bush, Crestview senior C.J. Collins, Southern Local junior Luke Griffith, East Liverpool senior Mow Mow Thompson and East Palestine senior Jake DiCello.
Harrison is joined on the first team by Wellsville senior Mikyla Tipton for the third straight year and by East Liverpool senior Mallory Waggle for the second straight year. All three were unanimous selection.
Joining them on the girls first team are Lisbon junior Pam Pierce, United senior Taylor Smith, Beaver Local senior Allie Bangor, Columbiana junior Khylea Fullum and East Palestine junior Brooke Gedeon.
See Monday's Morning Journal for the complete Columbiana County 2011-12 basketball teams.
