Malaki Branham, Kobe Johnson win Player of the Year on All-Ohio teams

On Apr 6, 2021

STVM's Malaki Branham dunks during the second half of a Division II regional semifinal against Struthers, Thursday, March 11, 2021, in Barberton, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]

St. Vincent-St. Mary senior Malaki Branham joined select company today, earning the state’s Division II Player of the Year honor from the Ohio Prep Sports Writers Association.

The OPSWA All-Ohio boys basketball teams for Division I and II were released Tuesday morning.

In being voted the Division II player of the year by an OPSWA media panel, Branham becomes the first Summit County player to win a state player of the year in any division since Pete Nance of Revere in 2018. Branham is the first STVM player to win the award since Jayvon Graves won a share of the Division II award in 2017. Henry Baddley also won a share of the honor in 2016. No STVM player had won a state player of the year outright in a division since LeBron James won three in a row from 2001-2003.

The 6-foot-5 Branham is a first-team All-Ohio selection for the second straight year, too, after leading the Irish to the Division II state championship. The Ohio State recruit scored 37 points in the title game for the Irish. It was the second state championship he won during his STVM career, having also helped the team win one as a freshman. He also helped the Irish finish as the Division I state runner-up in 2019.

Branham averaged 22.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game during the regular season, shooting 65% from the field and 80% from the free throw line. It’s the second straight year he scored better than 21 points per game, as he helped the Irish win 45 games over the last two years.

Branham was one of two Northeast Ohio basketball stars to earn top player honors in their division Tuesday. Canton McKinley senior Kobe Johnson is the state’s Division I Player of the Year.

Johnson, a 6-4 combo guard headed to West Virginia next season to play for Bob Huggins, averaged 20.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists for the Bulldogs this season. He shot 51.1% from the floor and 40.6% from 3-point range as McKinley won the outright Federal League championship and finished as a district runner-up.

Johnson — a repeat first-team All-Ohio pick — is the first Stark County player to receive the state’s top honor in Division I since GlenOak’s Kosta Koufos and McKinley’s Raymar Morgan earned the award in consecutive seasons in 2007 and 2006, respectively.

It was Morgan’s McKinley career scoring record that Johnson broke this season. Johnson finished with 1,566 career points, which rank seventh in Stark County history.

OPSWA ALL-OHIO BOYS BASKETBALL TEAMS

DIVISION I

First team

Kobe Rodgers, Cin. St. Xavier, 6-3, sr., 18.1; Gabe Cupps, Centerville, 6-2, so., 16.2; Logan Duncomb, Cin. Moeller, 6-9, sr., 13.4; Tasos Cook, Westerville Central, 6-2, sr., 21.2; Sean Jones, Gahanna Lincoln, 5-10, jr., 17.5; Kobe Johnson, Canton McKinley, 6-4, sr., 20.8; Corey Tripp, Medina, 6-3, sr., 24.1; Luke Chicone, Mentor, 5-11, sr., 23.1; Elmore James IV, Brush, 6-3, jr., 29.8; Sean Craig, Sylvania Northview, 6-7, jr., 20.2.

Player of the Year: Kobe Johnson, McKinley

Coach of the Year: Tom Souder, Worthington Kilbourne; Bob Krizancic, Mentor

Second team

Rich Rolf, Centerville, 6-7, sr., 15.1; Nate Johnson, Lakota East, 6-3, sr., 17; Alex Williams, Cin. Moeller, 6-4, sr., 16; Keaton Norris, Hilliard Bradley, 5-11, sr., 18.1; Jalen Sullinger, Thomas Worthington, 5-10, sr., 18.6; Quentin Toles, Perry, 6-0, sr., 25.2; Marquis Barnett, Brunswick, 6-3, sr., 24.8; Chaze Harris, Bedford, 6-4, sr., 23.0; Daniel Young, Shaker Hts., 6-2, jr., 25.4; A.J. Adams, Findlay, 6-5, sr., 16.4; Luke Denbow, Ashland, 6-1, Jr., 21.8.

Third team

T.C. Molk, Dover, 6-0, jr., 15.8; Prophet Johnson, Huber Heights Wayne, 6-4, sr., 20.1; Ian Schupp, Worthington Kilbourne, 6-5, sr., 18; Ajay Sheldon, Dublin Coffman, 6-1, jr., 23.5; Tre Massey, Brunswick, 6-2, sr., 23.7; Erik Stern, Walsh Jesuit, 6-8, sr., 21.1; Brandon Ford, Ashtabula Lakeside, sr., 24.1; Seth Wilson, Lorain, 6-3, sr., 23.2; Marcus Steele, Solon, 6-0, sr. 20; Khalil Luster, Lima, 5-6, jr., 13.8.

Special mention

Isaiah Young, Hoban; Michael Skeriotis, Jackson; Ayden Hall, Dover; Henry Hinkle, Olentangy Liberty; Garner Wallace, Pickerington Central; Brady Lichtenberg, Tol. St. John’s; Kaleb Wanamaker, Tol. Start; Grant Pahl, Sylvania Southview; Cli’Ron Hornbeak, Tol St. Francis; Frank Waganfeald, Oregon Clay; Kasey Hunt, Sylvania Northview.

Honorable mention

Tom House, Centerville; Nathan Dudukovich, Lakota West; Justin Lovette, Cin. LaSalle; Trey Killens, Mason; Avante Martin, Sidney; Bowen Hardman, Princeton; Logan Woods, Fairfield; Casey George, Pickerington North; Jaiden Guice, Westerville South; Drey Carter, Westerville South; Jason Foster, Olentangy Orange; Tyrese Hughey, Thomas Worthington; Brock Waits, Grove City; Tanner Ware, Hoover; Sam Oliver, GlenOak; Zack Oddo, Green; Brayden Hamilton, Wooster; Christian Howard, Medina; Khoi Thurmon, Copley; Brent Walker, McKinley; Rico Pickett, Walsh Jesuit; Solomon Callaghan, Wadsworth; JJ Vaughan, Lake; Kevin James, Jackson; Luke Sabo, Massillon; Todd Simons, Austintown Fitch; Michael Bova, Lakewood St. Edward; Omar Abuhamdeh, North Royalton; Jonah Waag, Mentor; E.J. Farmer, Cle. Hts; Henry Raynor, Cle. St. Ignatius; Allan Eason, Parma; Stefan Stanic, Parma Normandy; Eli White, Ashland; Max Roth, Findlay; C.J. Hornbeak, Tol. St. John’s; Garret Pike, Whitehouse Wayne.

DIVISION II

First team

Jake Singleton, Meadowbrook, 5-11, jr., 20.5; AJ Braun, Fenwick, 6-10, sr., 16.6; Ben Knostman, Tippecanoe. 6-4, sr., 15.4; Paul McMillan IV, Cin. Woodward, 6-2, jr., 28.2; Desmond Watson, Col. DeSales, 6-5, sr., 25.9; Trey Robertson, Waverly, 5-11, Jr., 25.7; Chris Livingston, Buchtel, 6-7, jr., 32.0; Malaki Branham, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, 6-5, sr., 22.0; George Mangas, Lima Shawnee, 6-4, sr., 31.3; TJ Pugh, Shelby, 6-6, sr., 25.6.

Player of the Year: Malaki Branham, Akron STVM

Coach of the Year: Travis Kinn, Tiffin Columbian

Second team

Ryan McCort, St. Clairsville, 6-1, jr., 18.5; A.J. Clayton, Philo, 6-8, sr., 23.3; Brayden Sipple, Blanchester, 6-4, sr., 33.9; Isaiah Walker, Wyoming, 6-6, sr., 22; Anthony McComb, Trotwood-Madison, 6-2, sr., 26.6; Ashton Price, Bay Village, 6-0, Sr., 25.9; Ramelle Arnold, Warrensville Hts., 5-11, Sr., 18.4; Jackson Izzard, Plain City Alder, 6-3, sr., 18.6; Amani Lyles, Col. Beechcroft, 6-8, jr., 21.6; Isaac Ward, Logan Elm, 5-10, Sr., 20.2; Sencire Harris, Akron STVM , 6-4, jr. 14.0.

Third team

Dominic Cork, Cambridge, 6-6, sr., 16.0; Davis Singleton, Meadowbrook, 6-3, sr., 12.8; CamRon McKenzie, Cin. Hughes, 6-2, sr., 22.9; Jaylen Anderson, Perry, 6-1, Perry, Sr., 22.8; Brady Toth, Chardon, 6-5, Sr., 20.3; Jaden Hameed, Warrensville Hts., 5-11, Sr., 17.8; Josh Petrilla, Holy Name, 6-7, Sr., 20.0; Brandon McLaughlin, Heath, 6-8, jr., 17.7; JJ Simmons, Col. Beechcroft, 6-0, jr., 21.6; Garrett Chapin, Norwalk, 6-4, sr., 14.6.

Special mention

Seth Dennis, Vincent Warren; Braxton Hammond, Jackson; Ryan Scott, Hillsboro; Logyn Ratliff, New Lexington; Landen Russell, Sheridan; Isaac Clary, Gallia Acad.; Brayden Whiting, Athens; Isaac Little, Unioto; Noah Peeples, Buchtel; Trey Metzka, Struthers, Sharrod Taylor, Youngs. Chaney; Jimmy Salamone, Revere; Tommy Reynolds, Norton; Cole Dailey, East Liverpool; Zion Sawyer, Steubenville; Ryan Walsh, Keystone; Evan Dozer, Bloom-Carroll; Shamarion Rogers, Col.Linden; Logan Beaston, Tiffin Columbian; Connar Penrod, Wauseon; CamRon Gaston, Rossford; Griffin Shaver, Ontario; Chico Johnson, Tol. Cent.Cath.; Owen Treece, Van Wert; Tyson Elwer, Lima Shawnee.

Honorable mention

Andrew Rinn, Revere; Eric Holley, Akron East; Ramar Pryor, Akron STVM; Travonne Jackson, Buchtel; Jaxon Hendershott, West Branch; Aiden Slocum, Struthers, Drew Weir, Salem; Shamar Blackmon, Canton South; Will Aljancic, Louisville; Noah Sallade, Minerva; Zavea Green, E.Liverpool; Carter Vandall, New Philadelphia; Peyton McKinney, W.Holmes; Quentin Stottsberry, Maysville; Luke Lyall, Tri-Valley; Lucas Hagan, Indian Valley; Gabe Chalfin, Logan Elm; Ryan Magill, Fairfield Union; Tanner Lemaster, Washington CH; Tony Munos, Marietta; Brayden Sallee, Vincent Warren; Braylon Damron, Vinton County; Bryson Badgley, Greenfield McClain; Ethan Malone, Sheridan; Max Stepaniak, Hamilton Ross; Mason Weisbrodt, Batavia; Danny Austing, Cleves Taylor; Jakada Stone, Cin.Aiken; Sam Nunn, Hamilton Ross; Justin O’Neal, Dayton Dunbar; Jacob Connor, Kettering Alter.; Ethan Bell, River Valley; Maurice Barnes, Col. South; Mekhi Bloodworth, Col. East; Carsyn Crouch, Granville; Reece Huber, Heath; Ansoumane Oulare, Horizon Science; Trey Scowden, Buckeye Valley; Nathanael Sulka, Chardon; Mitchell Hodges, Firelands; Ryan Mueller, Gilmour Acad.; Jack McMullen, Chagrin Falls; Tyler DeSimpelare, Lutheran West; David Rice, Parma Padua; Logan O’Brien, Holy Name; Ben Morrison, Rossford; Gavin Carey, Upper Sandusky; LeTrey Williams, St. Marys; Sam Siegel, Sandusky Perkins; LJ Reaves, Tiffin Columbian; Ben Morrison, Rossford; Cody Lantz, Shelby; Gavin Carey, Upper Sandusky; LeTrey Williams, St….

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Malaki Branham, Kobe Johnson win Player of the Year on All-Ohio teams

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