2024 LebCo All-County Boys Basketball Team

The LebCo All-County Basketball Team is proudly sponsored by our friends at TJT Sports.

This past LebCo Boys Basketball season offered excitement with many close clashes, a fair share of victories, and a high level of player development as several teams worked through growing pains. The season concluded with Annville-Cleona, ELCO, and Cedar Crest, each making it to the District 3 Playoffs. Cedar Crest was the top team in LebCo (and beyond), as they claimed the Lancaster Lebanon League Championship before seeing their season conclude in the PIAA State Championship Tournament with a loss to Kobe Bryant’s alma mater, Lower Merion.

When it came to the voting process that relied heavily on the input of coaches and the fans, it was clear that many felt that the Cedar Crest players should receive top honors. Among the Falcons being recognized, it was Fernando Marquez who took home the top spot as the LebCo Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Marquez was joined as the First Team selection by teammates Owen Chernich, Leo Tirado, and RJ Young. It was nearly a clean Crest sweep, but ELCO’s Dallas George was recognized for his tremendous season that capped his successful four-year career as a starter for the Raiders.

While the list of top players was senior-heavy, there are several talented players who made this year’s list and will be returning to play next season. We wish all of the seniors the best of luck and look forward to seeing the results of the offseason work that will be reflected when the 2024-2025 LebCo Basketball begins this Winter

One thing to note is that each list is ordered by Class and then by Alphabet, with the only exception being the Player of the Year.

2024 LebCo All-County Girls Basketball Team

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First Team All-County

Fernando Marquez  (Cedar Crest, Sr.) – LebCo Player of the Year

During the Football season, “Nando” Marquez used his combination of strength and speed out of the running back position to lead the Cedar Crest Falcons to Districts. This combination of athletic ability translated well onto the hardwood. During his senior season, Marquez averaged 12.9 points per game to lead a group of unselfish players that united for a common purpose. This solid team play resulted in the Falcons winning the Lancaster Lebanon League Championship and then qualifying for the PIAA State Championship Tournament. In addition to his point totals, Marquez added 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per contest. However, it cannot be stressed enough that Marquez’s individual stats are not as impressive as the role he served for the Falcons, which operated as a complete unit, resulting in many impressive team victories on their way to a 21-8 record. He was a unanimous selection as a Lancaster Lebanon League Section 1 First Team All-Star. Now a graduate of Cedar Crest, Marquez will be taking his large 6’2” frame to IUP, where he will play Football as a member of the Crimson Hawks.

Owen Chernich (Cedar Crest, Sr.)

Chernich’s solid play as a guard for the Falcons fit the scheme for what resulted in Cedar Crest winning the Lancaster Lebanon League Championship. The senior averaged 7.5 points while knocking down 30 three-point attempts. A reliable ball-handler, Chernich led the team in assists while touting a 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Defensively, Chernich pressured the opposition, which resulted in 1.9 steals per game. Chernich was named a Lancaster Lebanon League Section 1 Second Team All-Star for his solid play. Chernich is also a talented football player and committed to playing both Basketball and Football at Lebanon Valley College.

Dallas George (ELCO, Sr.)

The ELCO Raiders made a late run at the end of the regular season, winning five of their last six games to qualify for the District 3 Championship Tournament. At the heart of this inspired effort was George, the team’s senior point guard, who led the offensive effort as the team finished with a 13-10 record. A four-year starter, George averaged 12.0 points per game while shooting an impressive 90% from the foul line to break thesingle-season school record previously held by Bryce Colleti (88%). He touted a 1.96 assist-to-turnover ratio on his way to breaking the school record for career assists after recording 98 dimes this season. Breaking a third school record, his 2.3 steals per game (75 total) also moved him into the top spot in program history for creating turnovers. For his efforts, George was named a Lancaster Lebanon League Section 3 First Team All-Star. He is now headed to McDaniel College where he will continue his Basketball journey.

Leo Tirado (Cedar Crest, Sr.)

Tirado, the shifty senior guard, provided outstanding play for the Falcons as they ran to the Lancaster Lebanon League Championship. While he may have been the smallest of the Cedar Crest starting five, his impact was just as large as his taller teammates. Tirado’s ball-handling skills resulted in a 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio and he created turnovers on the defensive end by averaging 1.6 steals per contest. Tirado was also a scoring threat, averaging 7.7 points per game, especially from long range, as he led Cedar Crest with 37 three-pointers. He was named a Lancaster Lebanon League Second Team All-Star. Next year, Tirado is headed to Alvernia University, where he plans to compete in track & Field for the Golden Wolves.

RJ Young (Cedar Crest, Jr.)

The only non-senior to make the LebCo First Team All-County Team, the 6’7” Young earned his spot by having a significant impact for Cedar Crest after battling back from injuries that cost him his sophomore season. He fit right into the team approach, averaging 9.0 points. He also used his size and athletic ability to pull down 7 rebounds per game. The most impactful aspect of Young’s game may be his defense, as he terrorized opposing teams on his way to recording 40 blocks. He was recognized for his effort by being named the Lancaster Lebanon League Section 1 Defensive Play of the Year and was selected as a Section 1 First Team All-Star.

Second Team All-County

Camden Marquette (ELCO, Sr.)

The ELCO senior had a major impact for the Raiders as they clinched a spot in the District 3 Playoffs. Marquette averaged 12.5 points to lead the team. He was especially effective from deep as he hit 25 three-pointers. Marquette also averaged 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals. He was named a Lancaster Lebanon League Section 3 Second Team All-Star. Marquette is headed to Lock Haven University, where he intends to play Soccer and compete in Track & Field.

Aiden Schomp (Cedar Crest, Sr.)

Schomp may have been the only member of the Cedar Crest starting five to be left off of the First Team list, but do not let this trick you into thinking that he was not crucial to the success that they had as a team. The 6’6” senior averaged 7.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. Many times during the season, he was called upon to step up in key situations to help guide the Falcons to victory. Showing his unselfishness, he led the team’s forwards in assists. Following the season, Schomp was named as a Lancaster Lebanon League Second Team All-Star. His next stop will be Lehigh University, where he will play Football.

Micah Gray (ELCO, Jr.)

The junior averaged 10.8 points for ELCO, as he was especially effective from beyond the arc, connecting on 37 three-point attempts. Gray also shot 72% from the free throw line. One thing that Coach Conners stresses is the ability of his players to take charges, something Gray did 14 times during the season. Gray’s solid play was a vital part of the recipe that helped the Raiders grab a spot in the District 3 Playoffs.

Jon Shay (Annville-Cleona, Jr.)

The junior Shay provided a little bit of everything for the Dutchmen, but it was his high-motor play and toughness that were the most important attributes that aided Annville-Cleona to an appearance in the District 3 Playoffs. His energy and ability to create plays were critical to the team’s success. In terms of stats, he posted impressive averages of 12.9 points and 6.1 rebounds. Shay was selected as a Lancaster Lebanon League Section 4 Second Team All-Star.

Elisha Slabach (Annville-Cleona, Jr.)

Slabach led Annville-Cleona as their primary weapon on offense. The junior averaged 18.6 points per game, giving him the honor as the 3rd leading scoring in the Lancaster Lebanon League. Many of his points came off of the 66 three-pointers he hit during the season. On the defensive end of the floor, Slabach was usually assigned the opposing team’s top offensive player to guard. Slabach was chosen as a Lancaster Lebanon League Section 4 First Team All-Star for his efforts.

Third Team All-County

Tycen Vanderploog (New Covenant, Sr.)

New Covenant finished with a 13-10 record, narrowly missing Districts. One of the main weapons the Flames had was Vanderploog, who finished the season with a healthy line of 10.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. The senior was named a CCAC West 1st Team All-Conference selection.

Hank Roesch (Palmyra, Jr.)

Palmyra’s Roesch missed a portion of the season due to injury but still successfully connected on 25 three-point attempts on his way to averaging 13.1 points per game for the Cougars. The junior did a little of everything to help his team, averaging 3.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.7 steals. Roesch was a Mid Penn Keystone All-Star – Honorable Mention selection.

Malachi Briddell (Lebanon, So.)

Briddell offered a spark for the Cedars as they worked through growing pains with the young core. At the heart of it was his play as a sophomore, during which he averaged 8.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.9 steals per contest. His solid play against Penn Manor (22 points, 4 steals) nearly resulted in an upset, as Lebanon was tied with the Comets into the 4th quarter.

Brady Krall (Northern Lebanon, So.)

The Northern Lebanon sophomore was the team leader in points, rebounds, free throw %, and blocks. Krall averaged 8.5 points and 4.8 rebounds as the Vikings improved to winning 6 games while playing with a young roster. Following the season, Krall was a Lancaster Lebanon Section 3 All-Star – Honorable Mention selection.

Jadison Shuey (Our Lady of the Cross, So.)

Our Lady of the Cross debuted their team this year, and Shuey was the main player who helped them develop. The sophomore played every minute for the Lions, averaging 9.9 points. As the year progressed, so did Shuey’s development, resulting in a season-best 28-point performance.

All-County Honorable Mention

Colson Hess (New Covenant, Sr.)

The senior averaged 9.2 points and 5.0 rebounds on his way to helping the Flames win 13 games. Following the season, Hess was selected to the CCAC West 1st Team All-Conference Team.

Hunter Mayer (Palmyra, Sr.)

The senior provided solid play for the Cougars, resulting in 7.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game. In a double overtime win over Lebanon on December 29th, Mayer scored 18 points, including hitting 4 three-pointers.

Keenan Stoner (New Covenant, Sr.)

New Covenant’s “Junkyard Dog” did it all for the Flames this past season. The senior averaged 8.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.1 steals, and 1.6 assists. Stoner was considered the team’s best all-around player.

Tyler Burgess (Palmyra, Jr.)

Pennsylvania’s “King of Hurdles” used his elite athleticism to create issues for opponents during the basketball season. Burgess averaged 8.7 points per game while pulling down 3.1 rebounds per contest. The junior also averaged 1.8 assists and 1.5 steals.

Riley Messinger (Northern Lebanon, Jr.)

The junior directed the Northern Lebanon offense, leading the team with 1.7 assists per game. Messinger also average 6.1 points per game while converting on 23 three-point attempts to lead the team. Defensively, Messinger was called upon to guard the opposing team’s best wing.

Andrew Via (Northern Lebanon, So.)

The sophomore averaged 6.8 points for the Vikings. He was especially strong when it came to swiping the ball from the other team, an effort that resulted in a team-high 30 steals. Via also led the Vikings with 60 successful free throw attempts.

Special thanks to Rachelle Isgriggs for use of her Cedar Crest team photos.

2024 LebCo All-County Girls Basketball Team