Meet the GameTimePA 2024 YAIAA boys' basketball all-stars, player of the year
Today, the GameTimePA staff unveils its YAIAA boys' basketball all-star team for the 2023-24 season. It was a historic season for the league with Central York winning the PIAA Class 6A title. Six local teams made the state playoffs.
That means there was a significant amount of talent to sift through. Some of these choices were no-brainers. Others were much harder to make.
Enjoy reading about the accomplishments of this year's team.
Player of the Year
Greg Guidinger, Central York, 6-7, sr.
The lone senior in the rotation for a team with impossibly high expectations. And yet Guidinger helped his team live up to them. The 6-foot-7 senior averaged 18.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.9 assists while making 55 3-pointers. Yes, he had a lot of talent around him. But he also could've scored more points if he wanted to. He had 26 points and 11 rebounds against York Suburban in Central York's YAIAA championship victory. Then he hit his lowest moment — scoring just 11 points and fouling out in a stunning District 3 quarterfinals loss to Red Lion. In a heartbroken locker room, Guidinger delivered a passionate speech and implored the Panthers to believe they could still win a state title. He averaged 18 points over the next six games — including 23 in the second round against Red Lion — to lead Central to the championship game. In the final game of his career, he scored just seven points but led the Panthers with eight rebounds and had a key blocked shot in the final minute of a 53-51 win over Parkland. Previously known as a finesse player, he played with a much-needed physicality and toughness in the state playoffs. He finished his career as Central York's all-time leading scorer with 1,621 points. He has yet to make a college decision, but received three NCAA Division II offers this season after previously announcing four Division I opportunities.
First team
Ben Natal, Central York, 6-2, jr.
There were nights Natal looked like best player on the floor despite being surrounded by multiple high-level recruits. The combo guard played with a stunning mix of smoothness and explosiveness. Natal could beat you off the bounce or from behind the arc. He would be surrounded by defenders and yet still get to the rim — almost gliding by them rather than bursting past them. And he had an remarkable sense of the moment. He nailed a game-winning turnaround jumper in the regular season finale against Red Lion that barely left his finger tips in time. He threw down an emphatic dunk against the Lions in the state playoffs that seemed impossible for a player of his height. And he scored three pivotal points in the final 90 seconds of the state championship game that proved to be the difference. He averaged 15.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists and is already closing in on 1,200 career points. He will likely get attention from Division I schools this offseason.
Ben Rill, Central York, 6-8, jr.
Central York rarely faced an opponent who could match up with Rill physically. So teams tried to slow the 6-foot-8 junior down by hammering Rill with double-teams — hoping they could even things up with the Panthers if they took him out of the game. As a result, Rill's scoring dropped in the regular season after he led the YAIAA in points a year ago. But in the biggest games of the year, his presence down low gave Central York an advantage over everyone. He averaged 18.5 points in the state playoffs and led the Panthers in points in the two biggest games of the season — scoring 28 against Reading in the semifinals and 17 against Parkland in the final. His first-half performance against Parkland was a masterclass of low-post moves, overpowering physicality and even some impressive 3-point shooting. And when the Panthers were struggling with free throws down the stretch, Rill came through with two clutch makes. Overall, Rill averaged 14.9 points and 9.0 rebounds on the season. He reached 1,000 career points in his first two seasons at Central York and has received attention from Division I schools.
Joe Sedora, Red Lion, 6-5, sr.
Probably the most underrated player in the league last season, Sedora broke his ankle at the end of October. His doctor told him to prepare to miss the entire season. Instead, he returned in early January after nine games. Red Lion head coach Steve Schmehl cautioned that his star player likely wouldn't be 100% at any point. Regardless of how healthy he truly was, Sedora played outstanding over 21 games and led the Lions on a memorable run. He averaged 19.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists and shot 49% from the field. He made 43 3-pointers while shooting 33% from behind the arc. The Lions were 5-4 when he returned to the lineup and finished 20-10 while reaching the District 3 Class 6A semifinals and PIAA second round. An affable interview off the court, Sedora was intense once he stepped on the floor. He willed his team to a 66-65 win over Central York in the District 3 quarterfinals — scoring 19 points, hitting the game-winning free throw and loudly imploring his teammates to "finish" the job. He scored 27 points in a state playoff win over Emmaus and reached 1,000 points in the final game of his career against Central York.
Nasir Barnes, York Suburban, 6-1, fr.
In the preseason, York Suburban head coach Mitch Kemp said Barnes was "someone who can change a program." That turned out to be a correct assessment. The Trojans went from 7-15 last season to 23-8 and the second round of the state playoffs this year. That wasn't due to just one player, but Barnes was certainly the driving force. A dynamic scorer who might've been a better passer, Barnes averaged 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists. He shot 44% from the field and 36% from 3-point range while knocking down 48 treys. The freshman phenom was named the coaches' YAIAA Division II Player of the Year and then proved he could compete against the biggest schools in the league by scoring 20 and 18 points, respectively, in league playoff wins over Dallastown and Red Lion. Prior to the YAIAA game against Central York, Kemp raised eyebrows when he called his point guard the best player in the league. Barnes made that statement credible with a game-high 29 points in an 18-point loss to the Panthers. Barnes led the Trojans to the District 3 Class 5A semifinals, but he missed their two state playoff games with an injury.
Carter Wamsley, Eastern York, 6-6, jr.
He faced high expectations this season coming off a trip to the PIAA Elite Eight, but he also had to go through some growing pains with a new head coach and the graduation of 1,000-point scorer Austin Bausman. Wamsley played inconsistently at times in the regular season but proved his dominance in the playoffs. He had 31 points in a three-point loss to Central York in the YAIAA tournament and looked like the best player on the court. Then he led the fifth-seeded Golden Knights to a District 3 Class 4A championship with 20 points and 11 rebounds in the title game against Big Spring. Wamsley helped Eastern York reach the PIAA quarterfinals for the second straight season. He had 15 points in Eastern's final win of the season against Valley View and a team-high 18 in a season-ending, six-point loss to Hampton, which featured 6-foot-9 Liam Mignogna. Wamsley averaged 15.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game and the Knights finished 20-9. He reached 1,000 career points midway through the season. He's previously announced an offer from Towson University.
Coach of the Year: Jeff Hoke, Central York
Yes, he had more talent at his disposal than any coach in the league — and probably every coach in District 3 and most in the state. But Hoke guided Central York to a dream 29-3 campaign and historical accomplishments as the first York County public school and first local 6A school to win a state title. Along the way, his Panthers faced different challenges than their YAIAA rivals — crazy hype, pressure and a huge target on their backs. It seemed to boil over during a disappointing loss to Red Lion in the District 3 quarterfinals, a game that exposed Central's flaws of not rebounding or playing with energy consistently. But the Panthers bounced back to win seven straight games and the state title — knocking off suburban Philadelphia power Garnet Valley, heated rival Red Lion, Pittsburgh champion Upper St. Clair and defending state champion Reading along the way. It culminated with a 53-51 win over Parkland, a game where the Panthers needed to rebound and defend in order to win. Hoke's players enthusiastically drenched him with water in the euphoric locker room — a sign they understood his importance to their success.
Second team
Christopher Meakin, Littlestown, 6-8, sr.
The top player in YAIAA Division III, Meakin led the Bolts to a 19-9 record and a division title. He averaged 22.1 points and 10 rebounds per game while shooting 48% from the field and knocking down 32 3-pointers. He scored 30 points four times including 33 in a state playoff loss to Neumann-Goretti in his final game. He finished his career with 1,666 points, most in Littlestown history and second-most for a boys' player from Adams County. He will play college basketball for Division II Frostburg State.
Jake Dallas, York Catholic, 6-3, jr.
He led the YAIAA in scoring average at 23 points per game while shooting 47% from the field. He made 51 3-pointers and shot 35% from behind the arc. He also averaged 4.7 rebounds per game. Dallas reached 1,000 career points during the season and led York Catholic to a 12-12 record and an appearance in the District 3 Class 3A semifinals.
Chris Williams, Red Lion, 6-2, sr.
Nobody was more dynamic in transition than Williams. The 6-foot-2 senior threw down dunks that teammates will likely never forget and opponents will probably have nightmares about. He averaged 15.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and shot 57% from the field. He played with a toughness and swagger that the Lions fed off of during their impressive playoff run.
Avin Myers, Spring Grove, 6-3, sr.
An efficient scorer who played bigger than his size. Myers averaged 19.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 49% from the field. He thrived at getting to the rim and hitting midrange jumpers, but still knocked down 21 3-pointers. Myers scored 41 points in the final game of his career — a win over South Western. He became Spring Grove's first 1,000-point scorer since Eli Brooks graduated. He will play college basketball for Division III Albright.
Kobe McNealy, Dallastown, 6-1, sr.
Perhaps the most improved player in the league. McNealy wasn't even an honorable mention coaches all-star last season but established himself as one of the best players in YAIAA Division I this season. McNealy averaged 17.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game and was remarkably efficient. He shot over 65% on 2-point attempts and over 40% from 3-point range while making 56 shots behind the arc. He led Dallastown to a 13-11 record and the YAIAA and District 3 Class 6A playoffs despite top athlete Michael Scott missing the second half of the season with an injury.
David Warde, York High, 6-1, jr.
Previously a versatile role player, Warde was forced to become more of a scorer this season due to graduation and transfers. He responded by averaging 14.8 points per game while making 53 3-pointers and shooting 45% from the field. He remained one of the league's best defenders and averaged 3.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.4 steals per game. Warde played some of his best basketball down the stretch when York High needed him most after its best scorer was dismissed from the team. He helped the Bearcats finish 14-9 and scored 27 points in a District 3 Class 6A playoff loss to Red Lion. He's gotten interest from Division I football programs.
Honorable mention
Bermudian Springs: Tyson Carpenter
Dallastown: Jalen Cook
Delone Catholic: Cam Keller, Luke Rebert
Eastern York: Justin Strausbaugh
Hanover: Ethan Killinger, Ethan Herndon
Kennard-Dale: Levi Sharnetzka, Dylan Logue
Littlestown: Zyan Herr
New Oxford: Idriz Ahmetovic, Brennan Holmes
Northeastern: Evan Jennings
Red Lion: Isaiah Ogurcak
Susquehannock: Joe Fuller
West York: Mark Walker, Luke Hoffman
York Suburban: Kai Stryhn
York County Tech: Jordan Overton
Matt Allibone is a sports reporter for GameTimePA. He can be reached at 717-881-8221, mallibone@ydr.com or on Twitter at @bad2theallibone.