Pottsville’s Travis Blankenhorn, Nativity’s Jeff Yordy and Upper Dauphin’s Matt “Mookie” Miller each put up big offensive numbers this past boys’ basketball season.
In the process, the trio helped take their programs to new heights.
For their performances, the three were rewarded with selections to the 2014-15 Pennsylvania Sports Writers’ All-State Boys’ Basketball teams.
The team was released Thursday by the Associated Press.
All three were named to the third team in their respective classes — Blankenhorn in Class AAA, Yordy in Class A and Miller in Class AA.
It is the first all-state selection for each.
“I was pretty excited,” Blankenhorn said when he found out by Twitter. “It was definitely an accomplishment. It is good for Pottsville, too. Most of the players on the team were from Philadelphia and knowing I was right up there with them is a good feeling.”
Blankenhorn, a 6-foot-2 senior forward, finished the season averaging 16.6 points (482 total), 6.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game for the Crimson Tide.
He also hit 69 percent (80-for-116) from the foul line, 46 3-pointers and became one of Pottville’s best defensive players.
“I was more of an all-around player than in year’s past,” Blankenhorn said.
Blankenhorn’s season high was 30 points against Tamaqua on Jan.
5. He averaged 15.9 points per game during Crimson Tide’s seven postseason contests, including 28 against Valley View in the first round of the PIAA Class AAA playoffs March 6, a 63-37 Pottsville win.
Blankenhorn finished his career with 1,588 career points, second on the Pottsville’s boys’ all-time list behind Nick Schlitzer (1,884).
The Crimson Tide went 28-1 overall this past winter, winning their sixth consecutive Schuylkill League Division I title, fifth overall league championship in six years, and first District 11 Class AAA title since 2010.
Pottsville finished the season ranked No. 6 in Pennsylvania in Class AAA in the final Pennlive.com rankings and had a 28-game winning streak, longest in program history, snapped with a 44-37 loss to Susquehanna Township in the second round of the PIAA playoffs March 10.
Yordy found out he made the team at 12:30 p.m. Thursday when he got a text from Panther Valley graduate Jake Szczecina. Yordy was pleasantly surprised.
“I put a hard work in and I am happy to see it pay off,” Yordy said.
Yordy has been pouring in points since he was a sophomore and earned his third consecutive overall league scoring title this past winter, averaging 22.4 points per game. The 6-2 senior guard also hit 55 3-pointers and shot 65 percent (77-of-119) from the foul line on the year.
Yordy scored a season-high 39 on Dec. 15 during 69-68 win over North Pocono on Dec. 15. He also put up 30 or more points in a game three other times, including 34 against a normally stingy Mahanoy Area defense during a 52-50 Hilltoppers’ victory Feb. 6.
Yordy also come through in the postseason, averaging 16.7 points per game as Nativity (15-10) reached the District 11 Class A championship game and appeared in PIAA playoffs for the first time since 2007.
“It was a good season and making states was a good accomplishment,” Yordy said. “This is good recognition for our school, too.”
He finished his career with 1,729 points and is currently second on the Hilltoppers’ all-time boys’ list behind Kevin Cuff.
Points wise, Miller had the best season of the three.
The 6-foot guard averaged 24.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, two assists and 1.9 steals per game. Miller scored a season-high 41 against Lancaster Country Day on Jan. 13 and cracked 30 or more points in a game eight times this season. He also knocked down 93 3-pointers on the year and was 83-for-125 (66 percent) from the foul line.
Miller was named the Tri-Valley League Player of the Year and led the Trojans (20-5) to their first overall league title since 2008.
He currently has 1,115 career points.
Philadelphia schools swept on-court victories in all four of last month’s PIAA boys’ basketball championships, and dominated again on the all-state teams.
Each of four players of the year selected calls the greater Philadelphia area home. Three of the four men chosen as coaches of the year also front Philadelphia-based programs.
And while players from PIAA programs were eligible to be chosen and honored by the panel, players from non-PIAA schools also were eligible for selection.
Just 12 months after claiming Class AA player of the year honors, Constitution’s Ahmad Gilbert was tagged Class A’s top performer after averaging 17.6 points per game for Robert Moore’s Generals (24-8). Gilbert scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as Constitution defeated Farrell 85-53 for its second straight state title.
Constitution won state gold for the third time in four years.
Joining Gilbert on the Class A first team are his Constitution teammate Kimar Williams, Samir Doughty of Math, Civics & Sciences, Brandon Martinazzi of Bishop Carroll, Malik Miller of Farrell and Nate Sestina of Cameron County.
Doughty is a repeat first-team selection, while Williams and Gilbert landed first-team recognition at the Class AA level.
Moore, the Class AA Coach of the Year following the 2013-14 season, was tagged the Class A Coach of the Year this time around.
Although Neumann-Goretti captured its second consecutive Class AAA championship with a 69-67 victory over Philadelphia Catholic League rival Archbishop Carroll — the Saints have won five of the last six — Carroll’s Derrick Jones was named Class AAA Player of the Year.
The 6-7 Jones, who signed in November with UNLV, capped his run of five straight double-doubles in state tournament play by popping Neumann-Goretti with a 30 point, 18 rebound performance. It still wasn’t enough.
Jones averaged 19.3 ppg for Paul Romanczuk’s Patriots, finishing his career as the Radnor school’s all-time leading scorer.
Joining Jones on Class AAA’s first team are Milik Gantz of Harrisburg Bishop McDevitt, the Neumann-Goretti duo of Quade Green and Lamarr Kimble, Nehemiah Mack of Susquehanna Township and Daron Russell of Imhotep Charter.
Jones and Mack were the lone first-team repeat selections.
Indiana’s Greg Lezanic, who piloted the Little Indians to a 25-3 record and their first WPIAL championship, was named Class AAA Coach of the Year.
Roman Catholic junior lead guard Tony Carr, whose stat line (14 points,5 rebounds,6 assists) was a major reason why the Cahillites turned back Martin Luther King 62-45 in the title game, was tagged Class AAAA’s Player of the Year.
The 6-4 Carr is uncommitted, but holds scholarship offers from George Washington, La Salle, Maryland, Penn State, Rhode Island and Temple. He averaged 12.8 ppg for Chris McNesby’s club.
Joining Carr on Class AAAA’s first team are Levan Alston of Haverford School, Chris Clover of St. Joseph’s Prep, Sammy Foreman of Martin Luther King, Matty McConnell of Chartiers Valley and Jahaad Proctor of Harrisburg.
McNesby, who guided the Cahillites to a 29-2 record and the Philadelphia Catholic League championship, was named Class AAAA’s Coach of the Year.
Conwell-Egan’s Stevie Jordan, who pocketed 21 points in the Eagles’ 62-51 conquest of Aliquippa in the Class AA title game, was named the Class AA Player of the Year. The 5-10 Jordan, just a junior, averaged 16.8 ppg.
Joining Jordan on the Class AA first team are Jair Bolden of Westtown, Nelly Cummings of Lincoln Park Charter, De’Andre Hunter of Friends Central, Stephon McGinnis of Aliquippa and Trey Staunch of West Middlesex.
Frank Sciolla was tagged Class AA’s Coach of the Year after leading Conwell-Egan (21-8) to its first state championship. Conwell-Egan had never won a postseason basketball game in 51 seasons, but won six in a three-week span.
HARRISBURG — The 2014-15 Pennsylvania Sports Writers’ All-State Boys’ Basketball teams, including each player’s school, height, class and scoring average.
CLASS AAAA
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Tony Carr, Philadelphia Roman Catholic
COACH OF THE YEAR: Chris McNesby, Philadelphia Roman Catholic
FIRST TEAM
Levan “Shawn” Alston, Haverford School, 6-4, sr, 19.4 ppg
Tony Carr, Philadelphia Roman Catholic, 6-4, jr, 12.8 ppg
Chris Clover, St. Joseph’s Prep, 6-3, sr, 20.7 ppg
Sammy Foreman, Martin Luther King, 6-1, sr, 14.2 ppg
Matty McConnell, Chartiers Valley, 6-2, sr, 29.5 ppg
Jahaad Proctor, Harrisburg, 6-3, sr, 24.4 ppg
SECOND TEAM
Cole Constantino, North Allegheny, 6-2, sr, 23.4 ppg
Kobe Gantz, J.P. McCaskey, 6-4, jr, 17.8 ppg
Kason Harrell, Hempfield (D-7), 6-2, sr, 25.2 ppg
Amir Hinton, Abington, 6-4, sr, 19.8 ppg
Lamar Stevens, Haverford School, 6-7, jr, 18.3 ppg
Lonnie Walker IV, Reading, 6-4, so, 17.0 ppg
Derrick Woods, Pennsbury, 6-8, sr, 16.3 ppg
THIRD TEAM
Nazeer Bostick, Philadelphia Roman Catholic, 6-3, jr, 12.5 ppg
Luke Connaghan, Archbishop Wood, 6-5, sr, 19.0 ppg
Ramon Creighton, Taylor Allderdice, 6-1, jr, 12.0 ppg
Jonny David, Mount Lebanon, 6-2, sr, 18.5 ppg
Gemil Holbrook, Philadelphia Roman Catholic, 6-4, sr, 13.9 ppg
David Krmpotich, La Salle College, 6-7, sr, 13.7 ppg
Jahaire Wilson, York William Penn, 6-4, sr, 18.1 ppg
CLASS AAA
PLAYER OF THE YEAR:Derrick Jones, Archbishop Carroll
COACH OF THE YEAR: Greg Lezanic, Indiana
FIRST TEAM
Milik Gantz, Harrisburg Bishop McDevitt, 6-4, sr, 18.3 ppg
Quade Green, Neumann-Goretti, 5-11, so, 17.8 ppg
Derrick Jones, Archbishop Carroll, 6-7, sr, 19.3 ppg
Lamarr “Fresh” Kimble, Neumann-Goretti, 6-0, sr, 14.5 ppg
Nehemiah “Bud” Mack, Susquehanna Twp., 6-0, jr, 14.1 ppg
Daron Russell, Imhotep Charter, 5-10, so, 16.5 ppg
SECOND TEAM
Sam Allen, Lewisburg, 6-8, jr, 21.9 ppg
Tarojae Brake, Octorara, 6-2, sr, 22.5 ppg
Daylon Carter, Ambridge, 6-4, sr, 24.0 ppg
John Castello, Mars, 6-5 jr, 17.8 ppg
Zane Martin, Neumann-Goretti, 6-2, jr, 16.5 ppg
Riley Stapleton, Indiana, 6-4, sr, 13.1 ppg
THIRD TEAM
Travis Blankenhorn, Pottsville, 6-2, sr, 16.6 ppg
Josh Creach, Beaver Falls, 6-6, so, 17.7 ppg
DaShon Giddings, Delaware Valley Charter, 6-4, sr, 16.5 ppg
Donovan Jeter, Beaver Falls, 6-5, so, 17.5 ppg
Dom Keyes, Steel Valley, 6-7, sr, 19.4 ppg
David Morris, Erie Strong Vincent, 6-1, so, 20.1 ppg
Tim Rose, Scranton Prep, 6-0, sr, 15.2 ppg
Josh Sharkey, Archbishop Carroll, 5-10 jr, 12.4 ppg
CLASS AA
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Stevie Jordan, Conwell-Egan
COACH OF THE YEAR:Frank Sciolla, Conwell-Egan
FIRST TEAM
Jair Bolden, Westtown, 6-4, jr, 17.0 ppg
Nelly Cummings, Lincoln Park Charter, 6-0, so, 24.5 ppg
De’Andre Hunter, Friends Central, 6-7, jr, 20.8 ppg
Stevie Jordan, Conwell-Egan, 5-10, jr, 16.8 ppg
Stephon McGinnis, Aliquippa, 5-9, sr, 17.0 ppg
Trey Staunch, West Middlesex, 6-5, sr, 23.6 ppg
SECOND TEAM
Kyle Datres, Loyalsock Twp., 5-10, sr, 10.2 ppg
Noah Davis, Bellwood-Antis, 6-3, jr, 24.7 ppg
Tim Guers, Germantown Academy, 6-3, sr, 16.4 ppg
Jason Kenny, Mid Valley, 6-2, sr, 21.4 ppg
LaPri McCray-Pace, Conwell-Egan, 6-2, jr, 11.4 ppg
Ryan Norkus, Seton-La Salle, 6-3, sr, 18.1 ppg
Kody Trude, West Branch, 6-4, jr, 21.4 ppg
THIRD TEAM
Julian Collazo, Lancaster Mennonite, 6-0 sr, 23.2 ppg
Vinny Dalessandro, Conwell-Egan, 6-7, jr, 10.5 ppg
Austin Gilbertson, Camp Hill Trinity, 6-2, so, 17.8 ppg
Sam Lindgren, Germantown Academy, 6-6, sr, 12.6 ppg
Matthew “Mookie” Miller, Upper Dauphin, 6-1, jr, 24.1 ppg
Romano Sebastiani, Greensburg Central Catholic, 6-4, sr, 22.7 ppg
Ben Sosa, Loyalsock Twp., 6-2, sr, 15.9 ppg
CLASS A
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ahmad Gilbert, Constitution
COACH OF THE YEAR:Robert Moore, Constitution
FIRST TEAM
Samir Doughty, Math, Civics & Sciences, 6-4, sr, 24.5 ppg
Ahmad Gilbert, Constitution, 6-7, sr, 17.6 ppg
Brandon Martinazzi, Bishop Carroll, 5-9, sr, 22.4 ppg
Malik Miller, Farrell, 6-3, jr, 20.0 ppg
Nate Sestina, Cameron County, 6-8, sr, 21.5 ppg
Kimar Williams, Constitution, 6-1, sr, 16.2 ppg
SECOND TEAM
Chad Andrews-Fulton, Constitution, 6-7, sr, 11.0 ppg
Julian Batts, Jeannette, 5-11, sr, 22.4 ppg
Caesar DeJesus, Goodling Impact Academy, 6-3, sr, 23.4 ppg
Dane Jackson, Cornell, 6-1, sr, 28.0 ppg
Sagaba Konate, Kennedy Catholic, 6-8, jr, 16.1 ppg
Tyerell Mann, Notre Dame-East Stroudsburg, 6-4, sr, 23.0 ppg
Lavelle Rush, Monessen, 6-1, jr, 18.1 ppg
THIRD TEAM
Kevin Anderson, St. John Neumann, 6-1, so, 19.1 ppg
Michael Bryja, Portage, 6-4, sr, 20.5 ppg
Bo Burleigh, North Penn-Mansfield, 6-2, sr, 18.3 ppg
Juwan Gooding, Goodling Impact Academy, 6-0, sr, 23.8 ppg
R.J. Laugand, Clarion-Limestone, 5-11, sr, 17.6 ppg
Nasza Short, St. John Neumann, 6-2, sr, 18.9 ppg
Jeff Yordy, Pottsville Nativity, 6-2, sr, 22.4 ppg