Boys Basketball: Keystone's Liam Goran makes first-team All-Ohio; Black River's Kyle Dack co-Coach of Year in Division V

The Lorain County League had plenty to celebrate Wednesday when the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association released its boys Divisions IV-VII All-Ohio teams. Keystone junior Liam Goran earned first-team All-Ohio honors in Division V and Black River's Kyle Dack was named Division V co-Coach of the Year. A total of 10 LCL players received recognition in Divisions IV-VI. Goran averaged 20.3 points, five rebounds and 3.9 assists a game. "I was surprised a little bit," Goran said. "I was second-team last year so it was a goal of mine to make first-team. "I don't really know how to explain it but it's like everything is coming together. All of the work I did in the offseason really paid off to get this big award." Goran is the third Wildcats player to earn first-team All-Ohio honors and the first since Brett Bartlett in 2003 and '04. Keystone sophomore Colt Cowling was a second-team selection. "It's awesome. Making first-team is hard to do," Keystone coach Jeff Holzhauer said. "Liam has done everything he can as far as making himself the best basketball player he can be. He loves the game and he loves being in the gym." While Goran was excited to make the first team, he has an even bigger goal in mind for next year. "The goal for senior year is obviously Player of the Year," Goran said. "In the summer I have to work with the best players I can find and the best trainers I can find. Last summer working out with some college players and overseas players made me realize there's different levels to it and pushed me to work even harder." When Dack came to Black River last spring, the Pirates had just finished a 4-19 season, had played under three head coaches in two seasons and hadn't had a winning record since 2009. In his first season, Dack led the Pirates to a 14-10 record and their first home postseason game in school history, a sectional final win over Waynedale. "I was a little shocked, there were definitely people who had way better years than us," Dack said. "The entire coaching staff and all of the players worked really hard this year so we appreciate being noticed." Black River sophomore Parker Broadsword was recognized as an honorable mention. "We're really excited to build up this year and continue to put out a good product," Dack said. "This is a good start but by no means are we satisfied. We want to continue to get better and compete for a league championship. That's our No. 1 goal." Brookside, Oberlin and Columbia each had two players earn All-Ohio recognition. In Division IV, Cardinals junior Mason Wachter was on the third team while sophomore Zeke Lind was an honorable mention. The Phoenix had a Division VI special mention in Carmello Williams and an honorable mention in Korrie Freeman, both seniors. Juniors Logan Menge and Dylan Fisher were Division VI honorable mention for Columbia. Open Door junior Brayden Bendik was a Division VI second-team honoree. Aydan Fortner, a Firelands senior, was a Division IV honorable mention. In Division VII Lake Ridge senior Riley Kolbay was a special mention. The boys Divisions I-III All-Ohio teams will be released Thursday. Contact Todd Shapiro at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com