Click here to subscribe today or Login.
The Wyoming Valley Conference boys basketball coaches selected their divisional all-stars recently.
The Dallas backcourt of seniors Austin Finarelli and Nick Nocito were selected as co-MVPs of Division 1. Holy Redeemer senior guard Justice Shoats was chosen the Division 2 MVP.
Finarelli and Nocito both reached 1,000 career points this season in helping Dallas set a school record with 27 victories and to a trip to the PIAA Class 4A state semifinals where the season ended with a loss to Neumann-Goretti. Both were four-year starters.
Shoats had another outstanding season, eclipsing the 1,500-point total for his career. He was instrumental in Redeemer winning the WVC Division 2 and District 2 Class 3A championships and advancing to the PIAA 3A state semifinals where the season ended with a one-point overtime loss to Devon Prep.
Joining Finarelli and Nocito on the first team was teammate Mike Cumbo, a sophomore who took his game to a new level. Other members of the first team were Pittston Area 1,000-point scorer JJ Walsh, Tunkhannock 3-point ace Ben Chilson, Hazleton Area leading scorer Josin Guerra and Wyoming Valley West big man Johnathan Mann. Chilson is a junior while the others are seniors.
Dallas’ Mark Belenski was chosen the coach of the year after leading Dallas to a 27-4 record.
Division 1 second-team selections were: Crestwood senior Zayne Dunsmuir; Crestwood junior Drew Sechleer; Hazleton Area sophomore Luke Gennaro; Pittston Area senior Dominic Jannuzzi; and Wilkes-Barre Area senior Nyquon Santos-Hollman.
Shoats was joined on the Division 2 first team by a pair of teammates — Matt Prociak, a 6-foot-5 senior who was tough inside and able to hit 3-pointers, and Zach Perta, a junior guard who excelled at both ends of the court.
Other members of the first team were Nanticoke Area sophomore big man Jaidyn Johnson, Wyoming Area sophomore shooter Dane Schutter and Hanover Area junior guard Elijah Noe.
Redeemer’s Paul Guido was chosen coach of the year after leading the Royals to a 24-5 record.
Second-team selections were: Hanover Area senior Mike Merth; Nanticoke Area senior Chris Johnson; Nanticoke Area sophomore Payton Kepp; Wyoming Area senior Evan Melberger; and Wyoming Seminary junior Isaiah Stull.