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Area students awarded in writing competition

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Basketball is a way of life for Times Leader Boys Basketball Player of the Year BobbyPlanutis

<p><strong>Tyler Evans</strong></p><p><strong>Berwick</strong></p><p><strong>Forward, Sr.</strong></p><p>Two-time Division 1 all-star and All-WVC second-team selection last season. &#8230; Berwick&#8217;s all-time leading scorer with 1,441 points. &#8230; Averaged 21.4 points and 7.8 rebounds as the Dawgs played for a district title for the first time since 1980. &#8230; Had 68 assists, 62 3-pointers and shot 77 percent from the foul line. &#8230; Constantly showed the ability to take over a game, including an incredible 24-point, 14-rebound game in a D2-3A quarterfinal win against Nanticoke.</p><p><strong>Robbie Hopkins</strong></p><p><strong>Crestwood</strong></p><p><strong>Guard, Sr.</strong></p><p>Two-year starter who ran the offense for the Comets. &#8230; Demonstrated strong ball-handling skills and made smart decisions throughout his career. &#8230; Did a lot of the things that didn&#8217;t show up in the box score. &#8230; Led Crestwood with a 12.5 scoring average in WVC Division 1 games. &#8230; Also hit a team-leading 28 3-point baskets and shot 77 percent from the free-throw line. &#8230; Showed toughness despite being 5-foot-10 and 135 pounds.</p><p><strong>Dajon Rush</strong></p><p><strong>GAR</strong></p><p><strong>Guard, Sr.</strong></p><p>Named the WVC Division 2 MVP has he helped GAR to the divisional title. &#8230; Led Division 2 in scoring with a 16.1 points average and shot 85 percent from the foul line. &#8230; Finished the season with 393 points, 116 assists, 113 rebounds and 55 steals. &#8230; Only Grenadier to start all 27 games and scored in double figures in all 13 WVC games, including scoring over 20 points twice.</p><p><strong>Keyshawn Palmer</strong></p><p><strong>GAR</strong></p><p><strong>Center, Jr.</strong></p><p>First-year starter and varsity player who established himself as one of the top rebounders in the WVC. &#8230; Extremely aggressive in the paint, with many of his rebounds leading to put-backs. &#8230; Finished with 203 rebounds and blocked 47 shots. &#8230; Still honing his skills offensively, yet scored 268 points and averaged 12.8 in WVC play. &#8230; Shot 64 percent from the foul line. &#8230; Could be the WVC&#8217;s premier big man next season.</p><p><strong>Tony Maloney</strong></p><p><strong>Tunkhannock</strong></p><p><strong>Guard, Sr.</strong></p><p>Two-year starter known as an incredibly hard worker &#8230; Averaged 18.7 points and eight rebounds in WVC and non-conference games. &#8230; Scored in double figures in 12 of 14 WVC games. &#8230; Scored a season-high 39 points against Dallas, where he tied the school record with nine 3-pointers. &#8230; Finished the WVC season with 46 3-pointers. &#8230; Shot 82 percent from the foul line the past two seasons.</p><p><strong>Devin Rajza</strong></p><p><strong>Coughlin</strong></p><p><strong>Guard, Sr.</strong></p><p>Three-year starter who helped Coughlin finish with a winning overall record for the first time since the 2008-09 season. &#8230; Paced the entire WVC with 48 3-point baskets during the season. &#8230; Led Coughlin with a 14.9 scoring average and hit 77 percent of his free throws. &#8230; Although listed as a shooting guard, he was also capable of sliding over to the point at times and keeping the offense moving.</p><p><strong>Scott Stout</strong></p><p><strong>Nanticoke</strong></p><p><strong>Guard, Sr.</strong></p><p>Two-time Times Leader All-WVC selection and Division 2 Co-MVP during the 2014-15 season. &#8230; A complete player with a diversified skill set who could fit into any style or system. &#8230; Averaged 15 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists during the season. &#8230; Shot 83 percent from the foul line and hit 44 3-point shots. &#8230; One of the best all-around players in the WVC throughout his career.</p><p><strong>Omar Kelly</strong></p><p><strong>Meyers</strong></p><p><strong>Guard, So.</strong></p><p>Selected the Division 3 MVP after helping Meyers to the divisional title and the D2-2A championship. &#8230; Known more for his defensive ability right now and shut down the opponent&#8217;s top scorer on numerous occasions. &#8230; Two-year starter who is still developing as an offensive player. &#8230; Averaged 9.5 points in WVC play and shot 77 percent from the foul line and hit 16 3-pointers throughout the season. Averaged 4.5 assists while turning over the ball fewer than three times per game.</p><p><strong>Brent Piontkowski</strong></p><p><strong>Nanticoke</strong></p><p><strong>Forward, Sr.</strong></p><p>Two-time divisional all-star and a Times Leader All-WVC second-team pick in 2014-15. &#8230; Not your typical 6-foot-6 high schooler as he had the ability to shoot from the perimeter and mid-range to stretch the defense. &#8230; Averaged 11 points and hit 17 3-pointers in all games. &#8230; Grabbed 5.4 rebounds and recorded 2.3 assists per game. &#8230; Shot 63 percent from the foul line. &#8230; One of the most versatile big men in recent years, especially on the offensive end.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Devin Rajza of Coughlin </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DevinRajza.jpg</photo0><caption0>Devin Rajza of Coughlin </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DajonRush.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Dajon Rush GAR </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DajonRush.jpg</photo1><caption1>Dajon Rush GAR </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_OmarKelly.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Omar Kelly Meyers </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_OmarKelly.jpg</photo2><caption2>Omar Kelly Meyers </caption2><photoCredit2></photoCredit2></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_ScottStout.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Scott Stout Nanticoke </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo3>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_ScottStout.jpg</photo3><caption3>Scott Stout Nanticoke </caption3><photoCredit3></photoCredit3></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL033016Brent-Piontkowski-.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Brent Piontkowski Nanticoke Basketball </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo4>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL033016Brent-Piontkowski-.jpg</photo4><caption4>Brent Piontkowski Nanticoke Basketball </caption4><photoCredit4></photoCredit4></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL033016Robbie-Hopkins-.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Robbie Hopkins Basketball Crestwood </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo5>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL033016Robbie-Hopkins-.jpg</photo5><caption5>Robbie Hopkins Basketball Crestwood </caption5><photoCredit5></photoCredit5></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL033016Keyshawn-Palmer.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Keyshawn Palmer Basketball GAR </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo6>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL033016Keyshawn-Palmer.jpg</photo6><caption6>Keyshawn Palmer Basketball GAR </caption6><photoCredit6></photoCredit6></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL033016Tony-Manoley.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Tony Maloney Basketball Tunkhannock </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo7>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL033016Tony-Manoley.jpg</photo7><caption7>Tony Maloney Basketball Tunkhannock </caption7><photoCredit7></photoCredit7></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TylerEvans.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Tyler Evans Berwick </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo8>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TylerEvans.jpg</photo8><caption8>Tyler Evans Berwick </caption8><photoCredit8></photoCredit8></div></div>

2016 Times Leader Boys Basketball All-Stars