Walgate earns player of the year honors on all-district team

Medina Christian Academy junior R.J. Walgate headed a list of area boys named last week to the All-Northeast Ohio Inland District basketball teams. Teams were selected in all seven divisions by a panel of media members from the area in which the schools compete.

Walgate, a 6-foot-7 forward who helped lead the Knights to a strong season, was named Division VII co-player of the year along with Collin Kalaher, a junior from Columbiana Heartland Christian. Walgate averaged 18.5 points per game to lead Medina Christian.

Joining Walgate on the team was classmate Sam Dorman. The 6-5 forward averaged 14.5 points.

The Knights finished 15-10 overall against a challenging schedule. They fell in the Smithville District championship game on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Fairport Harding. Medina Christian returns most of its key players next season.

Highland senior Joshua Butcher also earned first-team honors in Division II. The 6-4 forward averaged 17.8 points, leading the Hornets to a 17-7 overall record and an 11-3 mark in the Suburban League American Conference, where they won the division title by one game over Tallmadge. Highland junior Jake Weber received honorable mention.

Cloverleaf junior Isaac Smith was named first team in Division IV. Smith averaged 21.5 points to lead the Colts to a 12-12 record and was the only Cloverleaf player recognized.

Cloverleaf finished 6-8 in the Metro Conference, which the school announced it will leave after two more seasons. The Colts will join the Principals Athletic Conference in 2028-29.

Medina senior forward Garrett Myers earned second-team honors in Division I, averaging 13.5 points. He was joined by honorable mention selections Ryan Harubin and Beckett Miller, a senior and junior, respectively, as the Bees finished 14-9 against a strong schedule.

Medina went 8-6 in its final season in the Greater Cleveland Conference, finishing third behind Brunswick and Euclid. The Bees will move to the Suburban League National Conference next season, joining county rivals Wadsworth and Highland.

In Division III, Buckeye senior Turner Dolata was named second team. The 6-5 senior averaged 17.6 points for the Bucks, who finished 13-11 overall and 8-6 in the Cleveland West Conference behind Lakewood and Westlake.

All-district selections are primarily based on regular-season performance and often include input from coaches. All-Ohio teams were expected to be announced this week.