Conference Preview: Licking County League First & Second Teams

<p class="p1"><span class="s1">We continue our conference previews with the Licking County League. Last season Granville and Johnstown were amongst the top rightfully so, but both lost some talent. Also, returning some key pieces. </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">So, it’ll be interesting as always in the LCL. Here we take a look at first and second team all-conference!</span></p> <h3>First Team:</h3> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Jake Stone</b> (6’0” / G 2020 / Granville): Granville gets their leading scorer back from a year ago. Last year sitting amongst the best of the LCL, Granville was tough and should be once again. Stone is a guard that can fill it up and will once again score in the double figures. Expect Stone to be one of the best in the league. </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Markeece Brown</b> (6’2” / G 2020 / Licking Heights): I was able to watch Brown quite a bit a few months ago with Miller Factory. Despite being one of the bottom teams in the league Brown was one of the best scorers. A tough player that finishes everything around the rim. I expect his scoring to go up even more with Licking Heights losing a top player to transfer. Expect a big season from the junior. </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Jake Lusk</b> (6’3” / WF 2021 / Johnstown): Johnstown lost last years leading scorer Owen Hazelbaker to the the Division ll level. But, they return a talented junior in Lusk that has a couple years of varsity experience and is the teams returning leader in terms of scoring the ball. Lusk can finish around the rim with the best of them. A very physical player that can out muscle his opponent often. Expect a big year for Lusk as he will be that guy for the Johnnies. </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Marcus Peaks</b> (6’4” /<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>PF 2020 / Watkins Memorial): Peaks may be the toughest player in the Licking County League overall. A matchup problem inside, just has a burst that his opponents don’t. Will once again be a double double guy this season for Watkins Memorial. Finishing everything around the rim is a huge part of his game that will be on display once again this season. </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Brandon McLaughlin </b>(6’6” / PF 2022 / Heath): McLaughlin is the best big in the LCL and is a tough outing for any team. A four at the next level McLaughlin is exactly what coaches want modern day. A player that can effect the game on both sides and block shots. Putting up 13 points a game last year, expect that number to go up even more as he’s still that same double-double kind of player.</span></p> <h3>Second team:</h3> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Connor Roesink - Newark Catholic </b></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Josh Carney - Heath </b></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Reece McNeely - Watkins Memorial</b></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Will Skerbetz - Granville </b></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Ethan Curry - Licking Valley</b></span></p>