Photo by Nick Henthorn Martins Ferry’s Alex Reese shoots a jumpshot during the Purple Riders’ game against the Wheeling Central Maroon Knights on Dec. 23. Reese was named to the Ohio All-State Division V First Team.

COLUMBUS — Fresh off a Division VI boys basketball state championship, Monroe Central’s Mason Lang has been named the Division VI Coach of the Year by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association.

The All-Ohio teams are based on nominations from the seven districts of the OPSMA, which vote on the all-district teams from regular-season accomplishments.

Lang, in just his second year with the Seminoles, guided them to a 26-3 record and the first state boys basketball title in school history. They defeated Marion Local, 43-35, for their title at the University of Dayton last weekend. Two of the three setbacks came to W.Va. Class AA state titleist Wheeling Central, to whom they handed one of its two losses.

“It feels great, but the credit goes to the boys,” Lang said in downplaying the honor. “It’s easy to coach when you have a talented group, and we had a talented group.”

Senior standout Tucker Howell earned second team honors. The 6-2 Howell averaged 15.5 points a game. However, that number is skewed a little due to the fact that he only played three quarters a night due to blowout wins. He also averaged more than five rebounds and five assists a night.

IN DIVISION V, Martins Ferry’s Alex Reese was a repeat first-team selection. The 6-6 senior, who will attend Youngstown State University to play football in the fall, scored 22.1 points and nearly 10 rebounds as the Purple Riders advanced to the Division V regionals before bowing out.

Bellaire’s Raekwon Pettigrew, a 6-2 sophomore, was named to the second team. He averaged 23 points a game this season.

IN DIVISION VII, Steubenville Catholic’s Benji Rook was a first-team honoree. The 5-11 senior averaged 24.3 points a game and led the Crusaders to the regional tournament.

Bridgeport’s Jaleel Vincent earned second-team status. The 6-2 sophomore scored 24.3 points a night.

For a complete listing of the entire all-Ohio teams, see page B4.