By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Three players who led their Northern Kentucky high school teams to region championships and attained first-team all-state honors are among the finalists for the 2017 LaRosa’s High School MVP of the Year Awards.
Scott basketball player Jake Ohmer is one of six finalists for the male award. He was the driving force behind the Eagles’ first trip to the state basketball tournament since 1989 after winning the 10th Region championship. Scott made it to the state semifinals with Ohmer averaging 35.3 points and 11.7 rebounds in three tournament games.
The six finalists for the female award include Abby Zoeller and Ally Niece, two outstanding student-athletes at Simon Kenton. Zoeller was the leading scorer on the girls’ soccer team that won a regional title and made it to the semifinals of the state playoffs. Niece was the leading scorer on the girls’ basketball team that won a regional title and made it to the quarterfinals of the Sweet 16 state tournament.
The other finalists for the LaRosa’s High School MVP of the Year awards are from high schools in Greater Cincinnati. The winners will be announced during televised ceremonies that begin at 2 p.m. Sunday on WCET-TV.
This year’s inductees into the Buddy LaRosa Sports Hall of Fame will also be part of Sunday’s ceremonies. One of the inductees will be Irv Goode, a former Boone County High School football player who went on to play in the NFL.
This is the 31st year that LaRosa’s has honored high school athletes in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati for their achievements. Athletes nominated by local high schools, coaches and fans are voted on by a selection committee.
Here is a list of the finalists for the 2017 LaRosa’s High School MVP of the Year awards:
MALE MVP
C.J. Fleming (La Salle) –– McDonalds All-American in basketball.
Grant House (St. Xavier) –– Swimming All-American with 17 Ohio state championships.
Albert Kalala (Withrow) –– National high school champion in high jump.
Jake Ohmer (Scott) — All-state basketball player who averaged 27.8 points and 8.4 rebounds.
Luke Waddell (Loveland) — Two-sport standout in football and baseball.
Jarell White (La Salle) — Two-way starter in football on three state championship teams.
FEMALE MVP
Elle Buffenbarger (Mason) — Record-setting all-state softball pitcher.
Niyah Carpenter (Withrow) — All-American in track with six state championships.
Sophie Gorman (McNicholas) — All-American soccer player for state champion team
Ally Niece (Simon Kenton) — All-state basketball player averaged 19.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists.
Ashley Volpenhein (Mason) — Swimming All-American with seven Ohio state championships
Abigail Zoeller (Simon Kenton) — Soccer All-American scored 35 goals with 21 assists for 91 points.