Maysville's Jarrett tabbed first team All-Ohio

NEWTON TOWNSHIP — Hayden Jarrett was more than just a scorer for Maysville, far from it.

Granted, when the Panthers needed a big basket during their 24-2 season, it was often their 6-2 senior who took it. But if they needed a key pass to set up a teammate, or a rebound to trigger a fast break, he was there for that, too.

The Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association acknowledged his stellar season on Thursday, naming him to the first team on their All-Ohio list in Division II. He and New Philadelphia's Carter Vandall were the only two East District players named to the top three teams.

Sheridan's Reed Coconis, River View's Owen Emig, Zanesville's Rashaud Hampton, Tri-Valley's Max Lyall and New Lexington's Lukas Ratliff were special mention selections, while New Lexington's Isaiah Stephens, John Glenn's Nathan Walker and Morgan's Carson Mummey were honorable mention picks.

Jarrett finished with 1,358 career points — most in school history — in a season he scored 501 and averaged 21.4 points per game.

He also led the team in rebounding and assists, as Maysville won its first district title since 2008 before a 61-38 loss to top-ranked Columbus Ready in the Athens regional.

"It’s been a big goal of mine ever since I started playing in high school," Jarrett said of making All-Ohio. "It feels really good to achieve it, knowing all the hard work I’ve put in has paid off. I wouldn’t be able to do it without my coaches and teammates."

Jarrett, known as a difficult interior matchup for much of his career, took his perimeter game to new heights as a senior. He shot 49 percent on 3-pointers, as he and junior Alex Bobb, who hit six 3-pointers in the district finals, formed the league's best backcourt tandem. Bobb, who averaged 17.3 points per game, was an honorable mention All-Ohio selection.

This year, teams couldn't slough off either player.

"Every team last year played for the drive, so I knew that extending my game would open a lot more options for me," Jarrett said. "Also wanting to play in college, I needed to be able to hit outside shots."

Also a football standout as a running back and linebacker, Jarrett said the gridiron helped his basketball career. He was among the area's top tacklers as a senior and a 1,000-yard rusher as a junior. As a senior, he proved to be a versatile pass catcher.

Player of the Year honors went to Dayton Chaminade-Julienne's George Washington III, a Michigan signee who led his team to the regional final. Coach of the Year went to Ready's Tony Bisutti, whose team took a 26-0 record into the state tournament.

Division I Player of the Year went to Pickerington Central's Devin Royal, an Ohio State signee, while Westerville North's Shan Trusley was Coach of the Year.

sblackbu@gannet.com; Twitter: @SamBlackburnTR