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South Webster’s Austin Loop (10) was a First Team All-Ohio selection by the Associated Press.

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By BOB STRICKLEY

PDT Sports Editor

Even though Austin Loop’s basketball career at South Webster came to a close earlier in the month at the Convo, the awards for his stand-out career keep rolling in.

The Associated Press released its Boys Division IV All-Ohio list late Tuesday night and headlining the area’s outstanding players was the 6-foot-4, three-year starter who South Webster coach Steven Ater described simply, but suitably as a winner.

“He has earned that honor and it’s so rare to have that opportunity,” Ater said. “I’m proud of him and I know his teammates are, too. When I saw it I was just so happy for him. I think it’s a justification of all the hard work he has put in throughout his career.”

It was a career Ater knew would be special from the first day he saw Loop on the court.

“For me, he was one of those kids when I came into this program, you could just tell that he had a vast knowledge of the game and you could see the potential dripping from him,” Ater said. “And he fulfilled that by adding something every year to his game.”

The sum of those parts was a player that averaged 17.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 2.8 assists in the 2011-2012 regular season and was the Div. IV Southeast District Player of the Year.

“Really, the one word I would use is growth,” Ater said of his star player. “Not only in maturity but the way he elevated his game and added something every season and became a great young man, too.”

The next step is choosing the institution of higher education where Loop will continue his playing career.

“He’s weighing his options,” Ater said. “He hasn’t committed anywhere but there are four or five schools at different levels that are interested.”

No matter where Loop lands, his high school coach has no doubt he will be successful.

“Has so much more basketball ahead of him because he has had to do so many things to help out our team,” Ater said. “I think he will blend in and be a great player at the next level.”

The future may be a mystery, but the legacy Loop leaves behind at the school that produced basketball greats like Brett Roberts and Nick Aldridge is no secret.

“He’s a winner,” Ater said. “I think he has joined the elite players in South Webster basketball.”

Notre Dame senior Tyler Noel made Third Team All-Ohio after averaging 10.9 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. Teammates J.P. Kayser and Brad Pierron earned Honorable Mention.

Chad Lands of Beaver Eastern and Levi Horsley of Glenwood each earned Special Mention.

Cody Bruce of Green joined Justin Crager and Patrick Bias of East on the Honorable Mention list.

Bob Strickley may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 203, or bstrickley@heartlandpublications.com.

Division IV All-Ohio boys basketball team, based on the recommendations of a media panel:

FIRST TEAM: Dylan Kaufman, Berlin Hiland, 6-5, sr., 17.8; Andy Hoying, Jackson Ctr., 6-5, sr., 17.1; Jett Speelman, Newark Cath., 6-7, jr., 18.1; Konnor Baker, Ada, 6-3, sr., 20.6; Wade Gelhaus, Ft. Recovery, 6-5, jr., 19.5; Austin Loop, S. Webster, 6-4, sr., 17.1; Demonte Flannigan, Cleve. VASJ, 6-8, jr., 16.5; Seth Troyer, Dalton, 5-11, sr., 17.5.

Players of the year: Dylan Kaufman, Berlin Hiland; Andy Hoying, Jackson Ctr.

Coaches of the year: Mark Schlabach, Berlin Hiland; Scott Elchert, Jackson Ctr.; Matt Ripke, Edgerton.

SECOND TEAM: Fuquan Tucker, Cols. Africentric, 6-3, sr., 14.4; Seger Bonifant, Berlin Hiland, 6-7, sr., 15.6; Thayne Recker, Arlington, 6-4, sr., 16.6; Ryan Arington, Cin. Christian., 6-6, jr., 19.1; Zach Garber, Vanlue, 6-9, jr., 19.7; Travis Combs, Manchester, 6-2, sr., 20.4.

THIRD TEAM: Alton Frizzell, Millersport, 6-3, jr., 20.4; Steven Carpenter, Lancaster Fairfield Christian Acad., 6-4, soph., 23.0; Luke Shetler, Plain City Shekinah Christian, 6-0, sr., 19.2; Zak Kirkbride, Zanesville Rosecrans, 6-6, sr., 17.3; Brody Flegal, Edgerton, 6-5, sr., 14.5; Tyler Noel, Portsmouth Notre Dame, 6-0, sr., 10.9; Matt Knight, Windham, 5-10, jr., 17.3.

Special Mention

Brandon Bailey, Bowerston Conotton Valley; Travis Tucci, Malvern; Tyler Fitzpatrick, Barnesville; Aaron Parry, Zanesville Rosecrans; Brian Kelly, Springfield Cath. Cent.; D.J. Wingfield, Cin. Lockland; Devon Foster, Day. Jefferson; Alex Baker, Sidney Lehman; Justin Mahlmeister, Ironton St. Joseph; Tate Lang, Waterford; Andrew Roseberry, Racine Southern; Cory Haner, Crown City South Gallia; Chad Lands, Beaver Eastern; Levi Horsley, New Boston Glenwood; Matt Metcalf, North Robinson Colonel Crawford; Ryan Aelker, Holgate; Duane Gibson, Cleve. VASJ; Ishaam Smith, Richmond Hts.; Tommie Scales, Richmond Hts.; Rico Jones, Richmond Hts.; Bryan Gee, Willoughby Cornerstone Christian; Darin Lewis, Cleve. Cuyahoga Hts.; Cole O’Dell, Vienna Mathews; Matt Spitler, Cortland Maplewood; Stephen Politano, McDonald; Mike Duma, Mogadore; Devaugn Adams, Youngs. Christian.

Honorable Mention

Joe Delisio, Lancaster Fisher Cath.; Zach Maughmer, Millersport; David Meurer, Newark Cath.; Justin Reife, Powell Village Acad.; Tarron Taylor, Cols. Wellington;

Jonathon Wiechman, Caldwell; Max Kapron, Malvern; Brett Price, Hannibal River; Sam Jackson, Beallsville; Brannt Pieniazek, Steubenville Cath. Cent.; Zac Lyon, Bowerston Conotton Valley;

Mark Lieberman, Day. Christian; Lucas Holden, Cin. St. Bernard-Elmwood Place; Alex Meyer, Jackson Ctr.; Roland Newsome, Yellow Springs; Wes Mink, Cin. Country Day;

Cody Bruce, Franklin Furnace Green; Justin Crager, Sciotoville Community East; Patrick Bias, Sciotoville Community East; J.P. Kayser, Portsmouth Notre Dame; Brad Pierron, Portsmouth Notre Dame; Nathan Roberts, Racine Southern; John Johnson, Crown City South Gallia; Quentin Williams, Leesburg Fairfield; Doc Seip, Mowrystown Whiteoak; Max Carnahan, Reedsville Eastern;

Nick Warnement, Tiffin Calvert; Connor Kohls, Columbus Grove; Ty Maag, Leipsic; Brent Hermiller, Miller City; Alex Opfer, Sandusky St. Mary; Gage Beaber, Gibsonburg; Jared Sturt, Tol. Maumee Valley; Kyle Stahl, St. Henry;

Tyson Lautanen, Fairport Harbor Harding; Karlton Garner, Cleve. VASJ; Brian Parker, Cleve. VASJ; Brandon Gee, Willoughby Cornerstone Christian; Frank Barber, Richmond Hts.; Zac Singletary, Elyria First Baptist;

Cody Stokes, Leetonia; Nate Scott, Wellsville; Zach Youngs, Vienna Mathews; Chris Whitman, North Bloomfield; Kenny Bolyard, Kinsman Badger; Chase Moyer, Dalton; Isaac Haver, Kidron Central Christian; Cameron Pozsgai, Windham; Hunter Van Camp, Mogadore; Dean Donatelli, Lowellville.