JTV Sports Boys’ Basketball Player of The Year

Player of the Year

Mekhi Wingfield, Concord, Senior:  Mekhi Wingfield is the 2024 JTV Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Wingfield was this season’s Big 8 Conference MVP and ended his career in 2nd place as the all-time leading scorer in Concord history. Wingfield averaged 25 points per game and led a young Concord team to a 12-0 conference record.

Top 10 Players

DeVonta Habern, Napoleon, Senior: DeVonta averaged 15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals per game to lead the Napoleon Pirates to a district final appearance. Habern was named the Cascades Conference MVP this season and all-first team the last two seasons. He also set records for steals in a season and a career. He plans to play basketball at the collegiate level and is still undecided on a school.

Luke Tropea, Lumen Christi, Junior: Luke Tropea led Lumen Christi to a 22-5 record and a regional championship this season. Lumen Christi had great wins this season including two over 20-4 Michigan Center, 20-4 Napoleon, 25-1 Laingsburg, and Riverview Gabriel Richard (who made the Final Four). He averaged 13 points and 4 assists on 38% 3-pt shooting. 

Luke Soper, Hanover-Horton, Junior: Soper was just one half of a dynamic duo for the HH Comets this season. He averaged 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists along with surpassing 1,000 career points as a junior.

Logan Blackledge, Hanover-Horton, Junior: Logan Blackledge was the other half of the Comets’ dynamic duo this year, also surpassing 1,000 career points. He averaged 16 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals for Hanover Horton this season.

Duncan Moffitt, Northwest, Senior: Duncan Moffitt left his mark in Mounties basketball history, becoming the all-time leading scorer along with records for career three-pointers (178) and made three-pointers in a game (8). This season, Moffitt averaged 19 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals per game to lead the Mounties.

Derek Sanders, Columbia Central, Junior: Derek Sanders averaged 19 points per game this season to lead the Golden Eagles and was selected to the Cascades Conference dream team.

Conner Cole, Columbia Central, Senior: Conner Cole averaged 15 points per game this season for Columbia Central and was selected for the Cascades 1st-team all-conference.

Brayden Lape, Grass Lake, Junior: Lape was the leader for the Grass Lake Warriors this season, and was selected for the Cascades 1st-team all-conference. He averaged 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals per game for GL.

Issac Lanham, Jackson Christian, Senior: Issac Lanham was named to SCAA first team all-conference and led the Royals with 14 points and 9 rebounds per game on 52% shooting this season.

Hunter Clemons, Michigan Center, Senior: The Kalamazoo College football commit led the Cardinals on the hardwood this year with 13 points and 3 rebounds per game.

Other Nominees Earning Consideration

Tre Collins, Michigan Center, Freshman: Tre Collins made his mark as one of the area’s top players this season as just a Freshman. Collins averaged 9 points and 3 assists per game for the Cardinals.

Koronnis Davis, Jackson, Senior:  Koronnis Davis led the Jackson Vikings this season with 12 points per game.

Holden VanPoppel, Napoleon, Senior: VanPoppel was a key player for the Pirates in their back-to-back conference championships the last two years. He averaged 9 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals per game this season.

Travis Collins, Michigan Center, Sophomore:  Travis Collins averaged 8 points and 3 rebounds for the Cardinals in his sophomore season.

Kasen Burgess, Lumen Christi, Senior: Burgess was a key player for the Titans this season and throughout their playoff run. He averaged 10 points per game on 51% shooting this season.

Jaden Watson, Michigan Center, Sophomore: Watson became a dominant player down the stretch this season for the Cardinals, averaging 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

Jacob Collins, Grass Lake, Junior: Collins was the second leading scorer for the Warriors this season, averaging 11 points and 7 rebounds.

Haydyn Hinkle, Michigan Center, Sophomore: Hinkle was a do-it all-type player for MC this season. He averaged 8 points and 5 rebounds in his sophomore campaign.

The list was tabulated by JTV Sports writer/photographer Jeff Steers and Sports Announcer & Producer David Rice. The list was based on nominations from area coaches. Thank you to coaches for taking the time to nominate deserving players so JTV could honor the best boys high school players in the area.