LebCo Athlete of the Week: RJ Young (Week Ending February 2, 2024)

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RJ Young

During the Week of January 27th, RJ Young again reminded the Cedar Crest faithful of the impact that he could have on the basketball court late in the season. In a loss to Central York, the defending state champion, the senior big man put together an impressive line of 20 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, & 2 blocks. He then followed it up with another impressive performance, helping the Falcons to defeat Manheim Township. In the victory over the Blue Streaks, Young had 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks. In the game, he also shot a near-perfect 11-12 from the foul line. Young’s stats wowed the LebCoSports.com voters, who in turn selected him as a LebCo Athlete of the Week.

Young’s perspective comes in part from his veteran status. As the only returning starter from the 2024 Falcons that won the Lancaster Lebanon League Championship, Young entered the season with the goal of repeating the success he experienced as a junior. After again being crowned as the LL Section 1 Champions, Young and his teammates barreled towards a return appearance in the Lancaster Lebanon League Championship games with wins over Lancaster Country Day and Conestoga Valley. In the semifinal game against CV, Young scored a team-high 17 points.

In Friday night’s Championship, Young led his teammates onto the court to face Warwick in a rematch of last year’s final test. A back-and-forth contest ensued, with the Falcons breaking away in the 4th quarter to earn the 45-40 victory. A key moment in the game came with just over a minute left when Young slammed it down with authority, a sign that Crest was well on its way to repeating as the LL League Champs. Young finished the game with 14 points, tying the team-high with fellow senior Danny Speaks.

Young, Speaks, and the rest of the Falcons did not heed the words of Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker delivered at the Eagles Parade earlier on Friday when she said, “Nothing is possible when we work together as a team.”

They did work together as a team and have accomplished A LOT. Winning two straight League Championships is monumental for a program that has now won its 5th title in the span of just eleven seasons. Cedar Crest Boys Basketball now has won a total of six LL Championships in its history.

Young played a foundational role in Coach Tommy Smith’s scheme, which delivered the latest round of championships. This success has followed Young missing much of his freshman and sophomore years due to injuries. Healthy these past two years, the 6’7″ post player has asserted himself as one of the best players in the Lancaster Lebanon League.

Young said of the success that has resulted from him being on the floor, “Last year, we won the Section and League and made a deep push in playoffs. Now, I feel that this year, we are in the same position to win, if not do better. This thought makes me really happy and grateful for the opportunity.”

The senior leader understands that he is nothing without the hard work of his teammates. He said, “I’m thankful to my teammates for giving me the ball and giving me the confidence to make the right play.” He also expressed gratitude to the coaches “for putting me and the team in a position to succeed.”

The success Young has found is not limited to the hardwood. This past Fall, Young was healthy enough to return to the gridiron and helped Cedar Crest win its first District 3 Playoff game in 27 years. He now has his sights set on helping lead his teammates to new heights on the basketball court.

Given what Young has revealed about himself, he will always find ways to compete. Young’s competitive nature is part of his DNA. His father, Ross, was a key player for the Lebanon Cedar powerhouse teams in the mid-nineties and went on to have an impressive collegiate career at Lebanon Valley College. However, the competitive fire doesn’t come solely from his dad, as his mother, Meghan, also contributed with her achievements as a member of two MAC Championship Field Hockey teams during her time at The Valley.

After high school, Young plans to follow in his father’s footsteps by pursuing a degree in Finance. Do not be surprised if he finds an opportunity to continue his athletic career at the collegiate level.

In his spare time, Young likes to golf and hang out with friends. He is also a fan of the WWE, and he even had the opportunity to travel to Dallas to attend Wrestlemania 32 back in 2016. A fan of John Cena, he would like to see “The Leader of the Cenation” claim his 17th title.

For now, Young just saw his dream of winning his 2nd title come true. Over the course of the next month, he will have a chance to take to the floor with his teammates to make a deep postseason run. With a record of 17-7, the Falcons will enter Districts as the #12 seed. Their journey continues on Tuesday with a road game against Wilson. We wish Young and all of Falcon Nation the best as they look to push the limits.

“F-A-F-A-L-E-S!”

Let’s try that again.

“F-A-L-C-O-N-S!”

And remember, “Anything is possible.”

Photos for this article were provided courtesy of Rachelle Isgriggs & David Bray (@Keystone Basketball)

Check out our article about another recent LebCo Athletes of the Week: Kailah Correa

Riley Hatzfeld . . . Coming soon!

For a full list of recent nominees, check out: Athlete of the Week Voting: January 27 – February 2

Previous Winners

Jason Foutz (Week of December 2nd)

Robert Santiago (Week of December 9th)

Kane Kline (Holidays)

Aaron Seidel (Week of January 6th)

Elisha Slabach (Week of January 13th)

Karter Adams (Week of January 20th)