MHS sophomore Jayson Moore goes up for a basket during a tournament game at Big Walnut. Moore has been named to the Ohio Capital Conference Cardinal Division first team. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Monarch senior Kade Focht (11) shoots over a defender. Focht has been named to the OCC Cardinal Division honorable mention list for the 2021-2022 season. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Nick Wever of Marysville pops in a jumper during a 2021-2022 game. Wever has been named to the OCC Cardinal Division special mention list. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
The Ohio Capital Conference Cardinal Division has recognized three Marysville High School boys basketball players.
Sophomore Jayson Moore has been named to the division’s first team for the 2021-2022 season.
Senior Kade Focht earned honorable mention and junior Nick Wever was named to the special mention list.
Moore, who saw varsity action last year as a freshman, more than showed his hoop prowess after coming back from an injury.
“Jayson came back from a bad injury and after six games, really turned it up to a level we were hopeful to see,” said first-year Monarch head coach Mark Tinklenberg.
Moore, a 6-7 post player, helped lead Marysville to an 11-12 record.
He averaged 14.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.
“To average a double-double in your sophomore season is something not many players can say,” said Tinklenberg.
“His ability to play and defend every position set us up for a great late-season run.”
The Monarchs stood with a record of 3-9 at the midway point of the campaign. They won eight of their final 11 games.
Moore’s return played a big role in MHS’ turnaround.
Moore also earned honorable mention accolades for the Central District in Division I.
Focht saw limited varsity action a year ago as a junior as the Monarchs were led that season by seniors Jack Christian (the program’s all-time leading scorer) and 6-6 post player Garret Taylor.
Focht battled through injuries this winter to finish with a solid senior campaign.
He averaged 6.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, while dishing for two assists per outing.
“Kade played through a lot of injuries,” said Tinklenberg. “However, he led us as a senior every day in practice and games.”
Wever made huge strides during his first season of varsity basketball.
“Nick is as good of a catch-and-shoot player there is in the area,” said Tinklenberg.
Wever hit 64 three-pointers (a new school single-season record) and connected on 37% of his shots from beyond the arc.
“Nick fell in love with the process this year and will certainly be our senior leader next season,” said Tinklenberg. “He puts in endless amounts of time to expand his game.”
Wever nearly joined Moore in double-figure scoring as he averaged 9.9 points per contest.