4 county players earn all-state basketball selections; Prossers garner top honors in 1A

What the Berlin Brothersvalley boys' basketball program has accomplished in recent history is nothing short of spectacular. The Mountaineers have won five straight District 5 Class 1A crowns and played in three of the last four PIAA title games .

Berlin's achievements have not gone unnoticed.

The Pennsylvania Sports Writers named Berlin senior guard Pace Prosser Class 1A Player of the Year. Meanwhile, Tanner Prosser collected his second straight Coach of the Year honor.

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Berlin senior guard Craig Jarvis earned his second straight first-team selection. Among the other Somerset County players chosen, Turkeyfoot Valley junior guard Bryce Nicholson made the third team in 1A while Conemaugh Township senior guard Jon Updyke nabbed a second-team honor in 2A.

"Pace has become a really good player and a leader for us," said Tanner Prosser. "I know Pace and Craig did everything they could to try and get that state championship. Those two guys did more than we could have ever asked to get the program to where it is now. We are really going to miss them and what they brought to the program. When you have two guys that are in the top five or six players in the state in 1A, if not the top two, you have a lot of talent."

Pace Prosser is a 3-time all-state basketball honoree. He was a second-team selection as a sophomore and backed that up with a first-team nod as a junior, then finished his career with a Player of the Year accolade.

"It's a really cool way to cap off a career," said Pace Prosser. "I would have rather won a state championship, but this is a great personal honor. Obviously, this honor doesn't come without a team that has had great success. I want to thank all of my teammates. Without them, I'm not put in the position to succeed."

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Prosser poured in 792 points (25.5 points per game), surpassing 2,000 for his career. He grabbed 255 rebounds to go along with 218 assists and 96 steals, which were all team-highs. The Gannon University recruit finished his career with 2,281 points.

Prosser joins Berlin alum Elijah Sechler, who was tabbed Player of the Year in 2020-21. Prosser is also a 2-time Pennsylvania Football Writers all-state selection as a defensive back.

"Sports has probably been the biggest part of my entire life, thus far, "Pace Prosser said. "To do this in such a small community that I know appreciates it, is special. I just went out there and gave it my all, put a lot of time into it, and it's nice to see it pay off."

Berlin won 98 games the past four years, including a 28-3 mark this past season. Prosser improved to 369-129 However, while, two consecutive Coach of the Year selections are special, Prosser wanted one more win for his players.

"For me, individually, I'm disappointed I couldn't do a better job for the kids and get them over the hump," the 19-year head coach said. "We've been fortunate to have terrific players that have been really committed to winning, playing the game the right way and representing our school the right way.

"As a program, this is a nice award to be recognized for the success we've had and to be able to do it the right way. Thanks to the coaching staff all the way down through the elementary and junior high. We've been very fortunate to have great people around us to make my job a lot easier."

Jarvis delivered 663 points (21.4), surpassing 1,500 this season. He finished his career with 1,703 points. Jarvis added 174 rebounds and tallied 79 assists and 36 steals this year.

"This means a lot. This wouldn't be possible without my teammates and coaches," Jarvis said. "Big thanks to them. Without them, two first-team all-state selections wouldn't be possible.

"This year, I got better at taking the ball to the basket and playing off the dribble. Being in the weight room, getting stronger and adapting to the game more has really helped."

The evolution of Jarvis' game has been resounding.

"Craig's game – everything we've asked him to do and work on – he's really put the time and effort in to improve," Coach Prosser said. "His freshman year, he wasn't even ready to be on the varsity floor. He was a huge contributor the next year to now, being one of the best players in the state. You don't just grow into that. You've got to work on yourself as an athlete, a basketball player and be mentally strong. Craig did all of those things."

Meanwhile, Nicholson helped Turkeyfoot to a WestPAC and District 5 title game appearance as well as a second consecutive trip to the PIAA playoffs.

He provided 686 points (26.4), surpassing 1,000 for his career, 143 rebounds, 127 steals and 100 assists.

"This is very surprising. I would have never thought that I'd get something like this," Nicholson said. "Having (Eric) Swank back as my coach this year really helped me. He has been there for me a lot over the years. I want to thank him and my brother, Blake for pushing me."

While only 5-foot-9, Nicholson makes up for it with his tenacious play at both ends of the floor.

"He's meant a tremendous amount to this program, not only his scoring, but his defense and the amount of steals he's gotten over this past year," Swank said. "He's the person that makes this team click. His outside shot has gotten tremendously better, and at the front end of our press, he's a machine at creating turnovers. His quickness makes him such an asset."

Updyke was the lone senior on a Conemaugh Township squad that went 22-6 and earned its fourth straight District 5-2A championship.

He also won a D6 title as a freshman at Greater Johnstown, before transferring to Conemaugh Township. Updyke's maturation led him to this honor.

"At the beginning of the season, coach (Chuck Lesko) told me I needed to step into a leadership position," Updyke said. "That's not something I was unfamiliar with. I think I've done well with that my entire career. I couldn't be more thankful for the guys I have on my team. They stepped up and helped me when I wasn't doing my best. They definitely helped me get to where I am today."

Updyke surpassed both 1,000 points and 500 rebounds for his career this season. He contributed 563 points (20.1) to go along with 206 rebounds, 120 assists, 101 steals and 22 blocked shots. He led Conemaugh Township in nearly every category.

"This is all pretty surreal, to be honest," he said. "If you would have asked me a couple years ago if I would have been able to accomplish what I have with the teams I've had over the last four years, I would have told you that you were crazy. I am just extremely thankful for my coaches and teammates."

Lesko spoke highly of his senior stalwart, who also won PIAA Class 2A track and field gold in the 4x100 relay a year ago.

"His stats speak for themselves," Lesko said. "More as a leader, I look at what he did with this group of essentially four very young players. He led in every way you could. He led by example. He led by word. He led by deed. He was just a true team captain and senior leader.

"I'm not surprised he was selected. He played every facet of the game. He was a scorer, a rebounder, he could pass, and he made a lot of steals. He is a well-rounded basketball player and athlete on the gridiron and track as well. As a student-athlete, there's not much left for him to accomplish. In my tenure, I'm not sure if we've seen someone who could do the things Jon did."

Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: 4 county players earn all-state basketball selections; Prossers garner top honors in 1A