The 2014 Journal-World All-Area Boys Basketball team, from left, Mikey Wycoff, Seabury Academy; Chad Berg, Baldwin; Justin Roberts, Lawrence; Cole Moreano, Free State; Andrew Ballock, Eudora; Kyle Deterding, Eudora; Mitchell Ballock, Eudora; Quinton Verhulst, De Soto; Carter Mann, Wellsville; Anthony Bonner, Lawrence; and Isaac McCullough, Ottawa.

The 2014 Journal-World All-Area Boys Basketball team, from left, Mikey Wycoff, Seabury Academy; Chad Berg, Baldwin; Justin Roberts, Lawrence; Cole Moreano, Free State; Andrew Ballock, Eudora; Kyle Deterding, Eudora; Mitchell Ballock, Eudora; Quinton Verhulst, De Soto; Carter Mann, Wellsville; Anthony Bonner, Lawrence; and Isaac McCullough, Ottawa.

Player of the Year

Mitchell Ballock, Eudora

The 6-foot-5 freshman wing opened the season by scoring 40 points in his varsity debut and ended the year scoring a team-high 20 points to help the Cardinals win a Class 4A-II state championship. He picked up postseason first-team all-state and All-Frontier League honors.

Coach of the Year

Kyle Deterding, Eudora

Despite injuries early in the season, Deterding was able to get the Cardinals rolling at the right time and led Eudora to its first state championship in school history. EHS finished with a 20-5 record, using a starting lineup of Andrew Ballock, Mitchell Ballock, Austin Downing, Zachary Scroggin and Skyler Shockley.

First team

Andrew Ballock, Eudora — Andrew Ballock missed the first six games of the season because of a fractured ankle from football, but he made a huge impact once he returned. The 6-foot-3 senior scored 14.4 points per game and set a program record for points in a career. He will play at Missouri Southern next season.

Mitchell Ballock, Eudora — The Cardinals could always turn to Mitchell Ballock to make a play, as he averaged 20.2 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists per game. He’s extremely tough to defend with his ability to finish strong in the lane, knock down jump shots and find teammates when they’re open.

Chad Berg, Baldwin — The 5-foot-10 senior was one of the best shooters in the Frontier League, scoring 13 points per game while shooting 41 percent behind the three-point line. Berg also was a strong passer, dishing four assists per turnover, to help the Bulldogs win the league with an 18-4 record.

Anthony Bonner, Lawrence — The 6-foot-3 combo guard can drive to the hoop, create off the dribble and spot up and shoot. Bonner averaged 16 points per game on 51 percent shooting, including 41 percent from behind the arc. He also finished third on the Lions with 3.9 rebounds a game.

Carter Mann, Wellsville — A huge producer for the Eagles throughout the year — 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 assists a game — the senior led Wellsville to a sub-state championship and a berth into the 3A state tournament. He also picked up first-team All-Pioneer League honors.

Isaac McCullough, Ottawa — Opposing defenses threw everything they could at the 6-foot-4 freshman guard, including face-guarding and different zones. None of it worked, as McCullough averaged 18.6 points per game, while also grabbing 5 rebounds a night.

Cole Moreano, Free State — When the Firebirds had trouble scoring, they usually turned to Moreano, a 6-foot-4 lefty who shot 55 percent from the field and 49 percent from deep. He averaged 12 points and four rebounds per game, but was limited in the postseason because of a torn labrum in his shoulder, which required surgery.

Justin Roberts, Lawrence — The Sunflower League’s Sophomore Player of the Year led the Lions with 17 points per game while also dishing out a team-high 75 assists and playing stingy defense. Roberts helped LHS to a 17-5 record before falling in the sub-state championship.

Quinton Verhulst, De Soto — A 6-foot-5 senior, Verhulst earned first-team All-Frontier League honors for the second straight year, posting 18.8 points, 6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. He will play basketball at the University of Saint Mary next year.

Mikey Wycoff, Bishop Seabury — The Seahawks went as far as their 6-foot freshman point guard could take them. Wycoff averaged 18.5 points per game on 51 percent shooting, but was hobbled at the end of the year after rolling his ankle.

Honorable mention

John Barbee, Lawrence; Quentin Blaue, Ottawa; Cornell Brown, Baldwin; Michael Burton, Baldwin; Jack Dale, Tonganoxie; Austin Downing, Eudora; Weston Gloss, Santa Fe Trail; James Grizzle, Tonganoxie; Clayton Holmberg, Mill Valley; Shamus Kearney, Wellsville; Logan Koch, Mill Valley; Khadre Lane, Free State; Zach Linquist, Perry-Lecompton; Chase Logan, Santa Fe Trail; Price Morgan, Lawrence; Cole Silsby, Wellsville; Tyler Smith, Ottawa; Chad Stieben, Veritas; Dalton Verhulst, De Soto; Blake Winslow, Free State.