Gator Nichols and Stehl Bates dominated many statistical categories on teams that were largely unblemished in 2025-26.
That was reflected in the All-Muskingum Valley League squads released by its coaches.
Nichols, recently named Division IV Player of the Year by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association for the second straight season, repeated as Small School Player of the Year in the league. Bates, a second-team All-Ohioan in Division IV, was the Big School Player of the Year.
Coaches of the Year, by virtues of their league titles, were John Glenn’s Eric Sheck and Maysville’s Dave Brown.
Bates and Nichols were unanimous first-team picks in their divisions, along with Maysville senior Jordyn Watson in the Small and Tri-Valley senior Ryan Lamonica in the Big. Both were third-team All-Ohio selections.
Nichols led all area scorers at 23.6 points per game in the regular season and shot 40 percent on 3-pointers, hitting 68. He finished as Maysville’s all-time leading scorer.
Watson, like Nichols a three-year starter, produced 15.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and was among the state’s top free throw shooters. His 45-point game against defending state champion Cleveland Heights Lutheran East ranked third in school history.
Bates hit at a 20.4 scoring clip for a Muskies team that was not challenged in league play outside of their loss to the Panthers in the second game of the season. He shot 53 percent from the field, including 43 percent on 3s, and also averaged 5.1 assists and 3.4 steals.
Lamonica, a versatile 6-4 forward, was second to Nichols in scoring (21.0) and led the area in rebounding (10.9) as the unquestioned go-to scorer for the Scotties, who won 13 games despite losing all five starters.
Others on the first team in the Big School were John Glenn seniors C.J. Dolan and Brayden Davis, Sheridan junior Colin Mallernee, Philo junior Rusty Trout and Morgan senior Luke Coleman; second team picks were John Glenn senior Cooper Briggs, Sheridan senior Owen Cains, Philo junior K.J. Philip and River View seniors Carter Wesney and Layton Massie.
Dolan produced 14.6 points, 4.8 assists, 2.5 steals and shot 53 percent from the field.
Small school first-teamers included Maysville senior Kane Roehrig, West Muskingum senior Kyle Porter and sophomore classmate Noah Morrison, Coshocton sophomore Mason Williams, New Lexington junior Eli Stephens and Meadowbrook senior Jake Burris.
Porter, the leading scorer on a balanced Tornadoes squad with three players averaging double figures, averaged 16.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and shot 47 percent on 3-pointers. He was special mention All-Ohio in Division V.
West Muskingum senior Tavin Bennett, Maysville senior Landen Iden, Coshocton senior J.J. Herman and junior Champ Haley, New Lexington junior Lane Ratliff and Crooksville junior Hodge Taylor were second-team selections.
The Small School honorable mention list featured Maysville senior Kade Rock, West M junior Carter Smith, Coshocton sophomore Kash Murphy, Meadowbrook senior Michael Ray and Crooksville senior Kyson Riggs.
Philo junior Carter Crabtree, River View senior Chase Wright, Sheridan junior Logan Russell, John Glenn senior Ben Stamm, Tri-Valley junior Colten Rollison, Sheridan junior Tyce Whiteman, Morgan junior Carsen Huck and Tri-Valley senior Oliver Baker were honorable mention in the Big School.
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Gator, Bates lead All-MVL boys basketball picks
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