CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – With the conclusion of the 2022-23 boys’ high school basketball season, it’s time to honor players representing Montgomery County schools with the Clarksville Now All-Area Basketball Team and Player of the Year.
There’s a wide variety of talented individuals who make up each high school team, but these players separated themselves from the rest. All statistics were contributed by Clarksville-area coaches, and the players are listed by class and school in alphabetical order.
Clarksville Now 2022-23 All-Area Boys’ Basketball Team
Senior Forward: Eddie Ricks III, Clarksville Academy – Ricks was one of two student-athletes from Clarksville to be recognized as a Mr. Basketball finalist for their division. Ricks contributed to a final four run, and he finished averaging 23.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.6 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.
Senior Forward: Jacques Wyatt, Clarksville Academy – Wyatt played a big role in Clarksville Academy’s postseason run too. He was the second leading scorer on the Cougars final four team with 11.5 points per game. He also was ranked second in rebounds with 4.4 per game. Additionally, Wyatt averaged 1.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game.
Senior Guard: Aidan Blaszkowski, Fort Campbell – Blaszkowski is one of five county players to average at least 15 points per game. He also averaged 4 rebounds per game and shot 30% from three-point range for the Falcons.
Senior Guard: Nazier Leonard, Northeast High – Leonard was one of the most natural scorers in Montgomery County. Early in the season, the senior guard broke the all-time record for most points in a game by an Eagles player. When it was all said and done, Leonard averaged 22 points, 6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He also shot 52% from the field and 31% from three.
Senior Guard: Messiah Ward, Rossview High – Ward served as a key senior leader for the Hawks on and off the court throughout his final year with the team. He was one reason the team built a 20-game winning streak before being eliminated to qualify for state. Ward averaged 13.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game this year.
Senior Guard: Kayden Pace, West Creek High – Pace was a lethal threat on the floor for the Coyotes and served as one of the team’s senior mentors. The senior guard finishes his last season with West Creek averaging 12 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals per game.
All-Area team Class of 2024
Junior Forward: Kellen Howard, Clarksville High – Howard was one continuous bright spot for the Wildcats. He was one of their most effective and efficient scorers, averaging 10.6 points per game. Howard also made 37 three-pointers on the year and had a free throw percentage of 85%.
Junior Guard: Keshawn Papillion Kenwood High – Papillion was one of the most productive players in the Clarksville area. He did it all for the Knights and proved he was a stat sheet stuffer. He averaged 18 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists per game. Papillion was also an elite on-ball defender this season as well. He averaged 3 steals per game.
Junior Forward: Marquice Crutcher, Montgomery Central – While Montgomery Central didn’t have the season they hoped for, Crutcher stepped up and proved himself as a reliable threat on the court. The junior guard averaged 9.9 points per game, but he made a true difference on the glass. Crutcher averaged 7.3 rebounds per game.
Junior Guard: Taetum Carney, Northeast High – Carney is another Northeast guard that stood out from this year, and he did it all on the court. The junior guard averaged 12 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals per game. Carney should look for an expanded role next season with the loss of their top point scorer.
Junior Guard: Tacarey Monday, Northwest High – Monday was a leader for the Vikings all season long, and when the time came, he led the program to two postseason wins. The junior guard averaged 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals per game.
Junior Guard: Cam Ward, Rossview High – Ward was another Hawk to score in double figures. The junior guard averaged 11.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Rossview Head Coach Johnny Jackson described Ward as the team’s best on-ball defender earlier in the season as well. He averaged 1.6 steals per contest.
Junior Forward: Landon Hankemeier, Rossview High – Hankemeier was a difference maker in every phase of the game for the Hawks this year, and his stats speak for themselves. The junior guard averaged 10.3 points per game, which ranked third on his team. He also was second on the team in rebounds per game with 5.6.
Class of 2026
Freshmen Guard: Kameron Bowers, West Creek High – Bowers is the lone freshmen and underclassmen that made the all-area team. While this was his first season playing for West Creek High, he looked as though he was a seasoned veteran. Bowers averaged 12 points, 3 assists and 2 steals per contest.
Clarksville Now Player of the Year
Eddie Ricks III, senior forward for Clarksville Academy, has earned Clarksville Now Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season.
His ability to play at an elite level on offense and defense is one reason he was named a Mr. Basketball finalist for the second consecutive season. During the past two seasons, the 6-foot-7 forward has also contributed to back-to-back final four appearances.
Ricks will attend Morehead State University where he’ll continue to education and basketball career. Morehead State is coming off a season where they finished with an overall record of 23-11. This season, their roster is made up of a combined total of seven seniors and graduate students. Ricks will help fill the void the upperclassmen leave behind when the recruit steps on campus next year.
Earlier in the season, Clarksville Academy Head Coach Matt Hoppe mentioned that he could see can go into college next year and play major minutes at Morehead State.