BEVERLY - Shon Smith is an early riser when it comes to polishing his basketball skills on the hardwood.
Just ask Eric Henniger.
"Shon loves the game," said the first-year Fort Frye head basketball coach. "He often came in at 6:30 a.m. before school started for a shootaround.
Article Photos
Photo courtesy of Pam Brooker
Fort Frye’s Shon Smith, right, shoots over Warren’s Michael Hall during a regular season game. Smith was named to the All-Ohio Division III first team Tuesday.
"He works at it, and he's a tough player."
All of that hard work has paid off as the 5-foot-10 Smith was honored as as an Ohio Division III first-team selection by the Associated Press Tuesday night.
"It's pretty crazy, pretty cool," said Smith on learning of his selection to the first team. "It's been one of my goals to be a first teamer before I graduate.
Fact Box
AP Boys Division III All-Ohio
H.S. basketball team
COLUMBUS - The 2012-13 Associated Press Division III All-Ohio boys basketball team, based on the recommendations of a media panel:
DIVISION III
FIRST TEAM: Isaac McGlone, Carroll Bloom-Carroll, 6-2, sr., 20.6; Shon Smith, Beverly Fort Frye, 5-10, sr., 20.4; Kevin Johnson, Cin. Summit Country Day, 6-2, sr., 19.4; Peyton Aldridge, Leavittsburg LaBrae, 6-7, jr., 19.6; John Davis III, Beachwood, 5-10, jr., 20.3; Zac Carter, Ironton, 5-9, sr., 24.1; T.J. Metzger, Ottawa-Glandorf, 6-1, sr., 16.9; Evan Bradds, Jamestown Greeneview, 6-9, sr., 23.1.
Players of the year: Kevin Johnson, Cin. Summit Country Day; Isaac McGlone, Carroll Bloom-Carroll; John Davis III, Beachwood.
Coaches of the year: Jim Linder, Haviland Wayne Trace; Brian Terrill, Richwood North Union; Brian Neal, St. Bernard Roger Bacon.
SECOND TEAM: Ryan Logan, Fredericktown, 6-7, sr., 23.0; Cody Schau, Martins Ferry, 6-3, sr., 27.1; Jeremy Quinlan, Brookfield, 6-3, sr., 23.2; Ryan Geise, Findlay Liberty-Benton, 6-0, jr., 13.5; Tim Ludlow, Burton Berkshire, 6-4, sr., 23.4; Austin McBee, Minford, 6-0, sr., 21.3.
THIRD TEAM: Drew Crabtree, Richwood North Union, 6-0, sr., 16.1; Jacob Bailey, Belmont Union Local, 6-0, sr., 20.6; Ryan Strollo, Youngs. Ursuline, 6-2, sr., 16.7; Austen Reiser, East Palestine, 6-3, sr., 21.7; Tyson Dietrich, Archbold, 6-3, sr., 14.6; David Linane, Gates Mills Gilmour Acad., 5-11, sr., 17.4; Ishmael Hargrove, Bedford Chanel, 6-4, jr., 13.2; Trey Fletcher, Ironton, 6-6, sr., 20.5; Chase Lawson, Sardinia Eastern Brown, 6-2, sr., 18.3; Andrew Benintendi, Cincinnati Madeira, 5-11, sr., 25.1.
Special Mention
Daniel Aronowicz, Gahanna Cols. Acad.; Joey Schmitz, Carroll Bloom-Carroll; Duane Troyer, Sugarcreek Garaway; Korey Lafferre, Woodsfield Monroe Central; Zach Roe, Lore City Buckeye Trail; Kyle Ahrens, Versailles; Carlas Jackson, St. Bernard Roger Bacon; Zach Stopper, Columbia Station Columbia; Mitch Seelinger, Kirtland; Tim Cross, Andover Pymatuning Valley; Ethan Nobbe, Wickliffe; Jayllen Carter, Portsmouth; Javon Thompson, Chesapeake; Craigen Moore, Piketon; Trent Arey, Peebles; Alex Bates, Smithville; Drew Kline, West Salem Northwestern; Derek Drewes, Defiance Tinora; Lance Foor, Paulding; Martyce Kimbrough, Lima Cent. Cath.
Honorable Mention
Ethan Harris, Mount Gilead; Hunter Martin, Sugar Grove Berne Union; William Orr, Johnstown-Monroe; Justin Spaulding, Marion Elgin; Andy Treasure, Cols. Grandview Hts.;
Zak Keesee, West Lafayette Ridgewood; Justin Huey, Zanesville West Muskingum; Zach Schlimm, Magnolia Sandy Valley; Danny Neuhart, Sarahsville Shenandoah; Tyler Walter, Sugarcreek Garaway; Chandler Lang, Beverly Fort Frye;
Frank Catrine, Middletown Fenwick; Tyler Estep, Cin. Reading; Andrew Goodpaster, Carlisle; Marcus Scott, Cin. Taft; Antonio Woods, Cin. Summit Country Day;
Quintin Ratliffe, Andover Pymatuning Valley; Jacob Simon, Columbia Station Columbia; Jordan Richardson, Beachwood; Colin Zucker, Gates Mills Gilmour; Jason Moore, Oberlin; Gerell Williams, Lorain Clearview;
Dakota Hoffman, Belpre; Shawn Parsons, Stewart Federal Hocking; Marc Carter, Nelsonville-York; Michael Hafer, Portsmouth West; Dylan Miller, Wheelersburg; Trevor White, Ironton; Wes Beam, Chillicothe Zane Trace; Brandon Barnes, South Point; Conor Markins, Coal Grove Dawson-Bryant; Alec Smith, Lynchburg-Clay; Nathan Scott, Sardinia Eastern Brown; Zach Farmer, Piketon; Luke Hammond, Oak Hill; Hayden Dunn, Lucasville Valley; Jordan West, Lucasville Valley;
Craig Randall, Girard; Nick Peyakov, Akron Manchester; Eoghan Bees, New Middletown Springfield; Malachi Nolletti, West Salem Northwestern; Matt Kick, Apple Creek Waynedale; Will Burger, Louisville Aquinas;
Michael Rosebrook, Ottawa-Glandorf; Justin Meek, Carey; Dalton Sinn, Haviland Wayne Trace; Cory Mossing, Metamora Evergreen; Cameron Mack, Ontario; Dane Held, New London.
AP Boys Division IV All-Ohio
H.S. basketball team
COLUMBUS - The 2012-13 Associated Press Division IV All-Ohio boys basketball team, based on the recommendations of a media panel:
FIRST TEAM: Jett Speelman, Newark Cath., 6-7, sr., 18.3; Max Kapron, Malvern, 6-5, sr., 19.4; Ryan Arington, Cin. Christian, 6-6, sr., 24.2; Chad Oliver, Bristolville Bristol, 5-11, sr., 24.7; Duane Gibson Jr., Cleve. VASJ, 6-3, sr., 11.9; Chad Lands, Beaver Eastern, 5-10, sr., 21.2; Zach Garber, Vanlue, 6-10, sr., 23.0; Eric Cellier, Tol. Christian, 6-2, sr., 21.7.
Players of the year: Zach Garber, Vanlue; Jett Speelman, Newark Catholic.
Coaches of the year: Michael Bates, Cols. Africentric; Josh Sagester, New Madison Tri-Village; Eric Rosenbeck, St. Henry.
SECOND TEAM: Steven Carpenter, Lancaster Fairfield Christian, 6-3, jr., 19.8; Brandon Bailey, Bowerston Conotton Valley, 6-6, sr., 22.0; Matt Knight, Windham, 6-0, sr., 16.8; Wade Gelhaus, Fort Recovery, 6-5, sr., 19.7; Kyle Stahl, St. Henry, 6-4, sr., 18.5; Curtis Geise, Delphos St. John's, 5-10, sr., 20.4; Kyle Pipenger, New Madison Tri-Village, 6-3, sr., 21.4; Demonte Flannigan, Cleve. VASJ, 6-8, sr., 15.9; Justin Mahlmeister, Ironton St. Joseph, 6-4, sr., 18.0.
THIRD TEAM: Kenny Robinson, Cols. Africentric, 6-1, sr., 15.1; Brett Price, Hannibal River, 6-2, sr., 20.2; Daylen Williams, Youngs. Christian, 6-0, sr., 17.4; Brandyn Reinhart, New Riegel, 6-4, sr., 21.3; Ben Riehle, Edgerton, 6-4, sr., 18.5; Rico Jones, Richmond Hts., 6-1, sr., 11.9; Tavares Pickett, Beaver Eastern, 6-3, sr., 15.0.
Special Mention
Justin Potochnik, Lancaster Fairfield Christian; Bryce Staats, Danville; Teryn Jarrett, Beallsville; Jonathon Wiechman, Caldwell; Zach Herrington, Steubenville Cath.; Darryl "DJ" Iles, Fayetteville-Perry; Alex Meyer, Jackson Center; Grant Zawadzki, Troy Christian; Carlton Bragg, Cleve. VASJ; Jameel Moore, Richmond Hts.; Devin Gabriel, North Ridgeville Lake Ridge Acad.; Tyson Lautanen, Fairport Harbor Harding; Shane Buckley, New Boston Glenwood; J.P. Kayser, Portsmouth Notre Dame; Justin Crager, Sciotoville Community East; Max Carnahan, Reedsville Eastern; Tristen Wolfe, Racine Southern; Doc Seip, Mowrystown Whiteoak; Quentin Williams, Leesburg Fairfield; Matt Seitz, McDonald; Chase Moyer, Dalton; Josh Woodrich, Kidron Central Christian; Nate Scott, Wellsville; Nick Ballone, Lowellville; Hunter Van Camp, Mogadore.
Honorable Mention
Joe Delisio, Lancaster Fisher Cath.; Nathan Durbin, Cols. Tree of Life; Alton Frizzell, Millersport; David Meurer, Newark Cath.; Trevon Saunders, Cols. Africentric;
Austin Dorris, Shadyside; Ryan Fletcher, Steubenville Cath.; Trey Tucci, Malvern; David Cline, Zanesville Rosecrans; Todd Ropp, Berlin Hiland; Marek Walzcak, Strasburg-Franklin;
Dane Blumenstock,Union City Mississinawa Valley; Tyler Cook, New Madison Tri-Village; Trey Everett, Sidney Fairlawn; Roland Newsome, Yellow Springs; Caleb Tregre, Cin. Country Day;
Frank Barber, Richmond Hts.; Bryan Gee, Willoughby Cornerstone Christian Acad.; Brian Parker, Cleve. VASJ; Isaiah McQueen, Willoughby Cornerstone Christian Acad.; Arthur Christian, Richmond Hts.;
Tyler Rowe, Willow Wood Symmes Valley; Kevin Lewis, Portsmouth Notre Dame; Patrick Bias, Sciotoville Community East; Levi Cook, South Webster; Austin Shriver, Waterford; Elijah Rader, Corning Miller; Seth Goddard, South Webster; Brayden Greer, Crown City South Gallia;
Cameron Pozsgai, Windham; Clay Bowe, Dalton; Luke Griffith, Salineville Southern; Glen Hoffman, Columbiana Heartland Christian; Brandon Lee, Bristolville Brisol; Stephen Politano, McDonald;
Austin Adams, Oregon Stritch; Lucas Janowicz, Tol. Ottawa Hills; Devin Mangas, Leipsic; Will Vorhees, Columbus Grove; Dalton Perry, Old Fort; Elijah Kahlig, Fort Recovery; Carson Manger, New Bremen.
"I'd like to give a lot of credit to my teammates and coaches."
Last year, Smith averaged 18.6 points per game and was a third-team all-state honoree.
This winter, the Cadet senior standout improved his ppg to 20, and led the Beverly-based high school to a 15-8 overall record and a share of the Pioneer Valley Conference title. During one game against Warren, which is scheduled to play Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary in a D2 state tournament semifinal game at Value City Arena in Columbus Thursday, he poured in a career-high 37 points, including 23 in the fourth quarter.
Smith also had a 31-point game against Shenandoah. Last year, he tallied 35 in the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference championship game against Magnolia (W.Va.).
During his prep career, Smith scored a career 1,277 points, including 459 in his senior season.
This winter, he averaged 4.3 rebounds per game (rpg), 3.4 assists per game (apg), and had a total of 61 steals in 23 games.
From the foul line, Smith was a deadeye, converting 88 of 116 (75.9 percent).
"Shon has always had the ability to step up whenever we needed a bucket," Henniger said.
Smith said he's planning to play in the Ohio North-South All-Star basketball game and the 12th annual BACF (Battle Against Cystics Fibrosis) All-Star hoops contest, which is scheduled to tip off at Parkersburg South's Rod Oldham Athletic Center on April 5..
He's also hoping to compete at the collegiate level next season.
Currently, Smith is a student and employed at Lakeside Golf Course. Last fall, he was a standout golfer for the Cadets.
Smith is the son of Steve and Stephanie Smith of Beverly.
Joining Smith as an All-Ohio honoree was Fort Frye teammate Chandler Lang, who was selected honorable mention.
Lang, a senior, averaged 9.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, and 2.4 apg. He also had 40 steals, and from 3-point range, he was 24 of 70 (34.3 percent).
"Chandler was a stud defensive player for us," Henniger said.
Last fall, Lang was a standout quarterback on the Fort Frye football team that made the playoffs.
Belpre's Dakota Hoffman and Shenandoah's Danny Neuhart each was honorable mention all-state.
Making the team as a special mention pick was Monroe Central's Korey Lafferre.
In Ohio Division IV, Waterford's Austin Shriver was All-Ohio honorable mention, and Jonathon Wiechman of Caldwell was special mention.
