MADISON TOWNSHIP, Ohio — He is perhaps the most celebrated athlete in Madison history, but you would never know it by talking to him.
Tyrell Ajian doesn’t have a major league ego to go with his major league talent.
The Richland Source Player of the Year, Ajian is headed to the University of Kentucky to play football in the fall. On the basketball court, he was was a four-year starter and Madison’s 10th 1,000-point scorer. He likely would have shattered Ryan Pore’s career scoring record were it not for a foot injury that cost him 12 games his sophomore year.
“If not for a broken foot his sophomore year, he would have demolished our scoring record,” Madison basketball coach Tim Mergel said. “To have a kid of his character, talent and ability, it’s once-in-a-lifetime.”
The 6-foot-1 point guard was selected the Ohio Cardinal Conference Player of the Year after averaging 19.4 points, five rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals a game. He was a District 6 first team selection in Division II and a Northwest District second-teamer. Ajian was an honorable mention selection All-Ohioan as the Rams finished 12-11.
Cade Stover, Lexington: Like Ajian, Stover is a major college football recruit with offers from Kentucky, Oklahoma and Virginia.
The 6-foot-5 sophomore forward averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.7 steals a game, helping the Minutemen (17-8) reach the district championship game for a second straight year. Stover was an Ohio Cardinal Conference and District 6 first team pick and an All-Northwest District second-teamer.
Jared Jakubick, St. Peter’s: The junior and son of Spartans’ coach and local legend Joe Jakubick was selected Ohio’s Division IV Player of the Year. He led St. Peter’s to the regional championship game for a second straight year, averaging 18.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.4 steals a night. Jakubick was the District 6 and the Northwest District Player of the Year in Division IV.
Mason Campbell, St. Peter’s: The 6-foot-3 junior forward averaged 16.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.4 steals a game. Like Jakubick, Campbell scored his 1,000th career point this season. Campbell was an All-Ohio honorable mention selection and a Northwest District second-teamer.
Jackson Todd, Ontario: Veteran coach Joe Balogh said Todd was one of the hardest workers he has coached in 30-plus years at Ontario. The 6-foot-1 senior averaged 13.9 points a game and was selected to the District 6 second team. He was a Northwest District honorable mention selection.
Honorable Mention: B.J. Patrick, Mansfield Senior; Kyle Jackson, Madison; Traevin Harrison, Lexington; A.J. Nickoli, Lexington; Chance Barnett, Clear Fork; Griffin Gerwig, Ashland; Garrett Denbow, Ashland; Trey Jordan, Ontario; Quan Jackson, Ontario; Davey Hipp, Shelby; Brock Kehres, Shelby; Tyson Kent, St. Peter’s; Elijah Cobb, St. Peter’s; Jared McPeek, Mansfield Christian; Kyle Kurtz, Mansfield Christian; Josh Murphy, Lucas; Dylan Dennison, Lucas; Ty Clark, Crestline; Shawn Swindall, Loudonville; Isiah Alsip, Galion; Andrew Wolf, Hillsdale; Colton Stevens, Crestview.
