The Journal-World’s 2016-17 All-Area boys basketball team, from front left, Kobe Buffalomeat, Lawrence; Tucker Flory, Veritas Christian; Zach McDermott, Bishop Seabury; Mikey Wycoff, Bishop Seabury; Cameron Clark, Free State; Garrett Luinstra, Free State. From back left, Jackson Mallory, Lawrence; Chandler Caldwell, Tonganoxie; Canaan Daniels, Perry-Lecompton; Player of the Year Mitchell Ballock, Eudora; Jay Dineen, Free State; Coach of the Year Sam Stroh, Free State.

Player of the Year: Mitchell Ballock, Eudora

There was no defense that Ballock couldn’t solve, leading the Cardinals to a 19-3 record and a Frontier League title. The 6-foot-5, left-handed Creighton signee averaged 25.5 points per game. He led his team with 8.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.9 blocks per game, earning Gatorade Kansas Player of the Year honors.

Coach of the Year: Sam Stroh, Free State

Stroh was named the Sunflower League’s Coach of the Year after leading the Firebirds to their first league title since 2005 and third place in the Class 6A state tournament. It was the school’s first appearance at state since 2013 and tied its best finish in program history.

First team

Kobe Buffalomeat, Lawrence — The 6-7 center was dominant in the paint, shooting 67 percent from the floor on his way to 10.7 points per game. Buffalomeat, a second-team all-Sunflower League pick, averaged 4.8 rebounds and led the Lions with 36 blocks. He’s signed to play football at Illinois State.

Chandler Caldwell, Tonganoxie — Caldwell led the Chieftains in scoring (10.2 points per game) and rebounding (4.5 boards per game). The 6-3 junior received an all-Kaw Valley League honorable mention, shooting 43 percent from the floor and blocking 11 shots.

Cameron Clark, Free State — Clark only improved as the season progressed, helping the Firebirds to their first state tournament berth in four years. The 6-7 senior forward averaged 12 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, receiving third-team all-Sunflower League recognition.

Canaan Daniels, Perry-Lecompton — Daniels was a first-team all-Big Seven League selection after leading the Kaws with 16 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game. An 86 percent shooter at the free-throw line, the junior helped PLHS to a 12-9 record.

Jay Dineen, Free State — Known for his toughness on the court, Dineen helped the Firebirds to an 18-7 record and was picked third-team all-Sunflower League. He averaged 7.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and a team-high 3.5 assists. An all-state linebacker, he’s signed to play football at Kansas.

Tucker Flory, Veritas Christian — Only a sophomore, Flory led the Eagles to a KCAA state championship and was named the tournament’s MVP (61 points in three games). The 6-3 forward averaged a team-best 15 points per game, which included eight 20-point outings.

Tanner Jackman, Baldwin — A two-year starter, Jackman averaged 7.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. The 6-1 senior, who received an all-Frontier League honorable mention, led the Bulldogs in rebounding and was the most frequent player at the free-throw line.

Clarence King, Lawrence — Named the Sunflower League’s best sophomore, King led the Lions to their third straight Class 6A Final Four appearance with a team-high 13.2 points per game. He led LHS with 55 steals, adding 4.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.

Garrett Luinstra, Free State — In his first year in the Firebirds’ starting lineup, Luinstra transformed into the team’s go-to scorer. The 6-1 point guard shot 40 percent from behind the 3-point arc and scored a team-high 15 points per game. Luinstra earned first-team all-Sunflower League honors.

Jackson Mallory, Lawrence — Mallory led the Lions to the Class 6A state championship game for the second time in three years. The 6-3 senior guard, a first-team all-Sunflower League pick, averaged 10.1 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists. He was one of the team’s top defenders, snagging 44 steals.

Zach McDermott, Bishop Seabury — Leading the Seahawks to third place in the Class 2A state tournament, their best finish in school history, McDermott averaged 13.7 points per game. The talented 6-2 point guard set up his teammates for open shots, helping his team to a 20-5 record.

Mikey Wycoff, Bishop Seabury — Wycoff was one of the top scorers in the state, averaging 24.7 points in his senior season. With his strong drives and sharpshooting, the explosive 6-1 guard couldn’t be contained by opponents. He averaged 21.1 points in his career, crossing the 1,000-point milestone.

Honorable mention

Toby Baker, Perry-Lecompton; Hayden Brown, Eudora; Brett Chapple, Lawrence; Shannon Cordes, Free State; Thomas DiZerega, Bishop Seabury; Weston Flory, Veritas Christian; David Hornberger, Eudora; Trey Huslig, Veritas Christian; Bansi King, Bishop Seabury.