All-Union big school boys basketball

Southeast Conference (SEC) boys basketball gave fans everything they could have asked for in 2022-23.

After the dust cleared on the SEC season, just one team sat at the top, that team being the Panthers of Mt. Pleasant.

The Panthers finished with an 8-2 record for the top spot in the conference.

Washington followed close behind with a 7-3 SEC record, along with Burlington.

Fairfield ended just one game back from the pair at 6-4.

On this years All-Union big school boys basketball list, Mt. Pleasant leads the way with three distinctions.

The Panthers come away with the captain, coach and one player.

Washington and Fairfield both earn two player selections.

This year’s list features five seniors and one junior.

COACH: Eric Rawson, Mt. Pleasant

Mt. Pleasant head coach Eric Rawson helped the Panthers to one of their best seasons in the past four years.

The Panthers finished with an overall record of 18-6 and won the SEC crown at 8-2.

At one point through the season, the Panthers reach as high as No. 8 in the Class 3A rankings.

Rawson and the Panthers season ended to Solon in the second round of the Class 3A Region 6 bracket.

CAPTAIN: Payton Hagans, junior, Mt. Pleasant

Mt. Pleasant guard Payton Hagans is the sole player on this years’ list that in not a senior.

Hagans proved in his junior campaign to be one of the top players in the area.

His standout season was cut short right before postseason play by an injury.

Prior to the injury, Hagans was an scoring machine with the ball in his hands. He also wasn’t too bad on the defensive end as well.

Hagans averaged 20.7 points per game, the second-most in the SEC.

He was third in the league with 8.2 rebounds per game and 3.5 assists per game. He was also second in steals with 2.4 a contest.

Max Weaton, senior, Fairfield

When it comes to post presence and finishing ability on the block, it doesn’t get much better than Fairfield’s Max Weaton.

The senior forward once again put up an outstanding stat line in his final season for the Trojans.

Weaton averaged a double-double, finishing third in the league with 19.5 points per game and leading the SEC with 13.6 rebounds per game and 1.3 blocks.

Ethan Patterson, senior, Washington

Not many could shoot the ball better than Washington’s Ethan Patterson.

The Demon’s playmaker and lead guard showed again why he was one of the top players.

Patterson averaged 19.5 points per game, which tied for third in the conference. He led the league with four assists per game. He also led the SEC in three pointers made per game at 2.8.

JJ Lane, senior, Fairfield

Need a big time shot at the buzzer, Fairfield guard JJ Lane could deliver.

Lane was one of the most clutch players in the SEC and off the dribble one of the most dangerous.

Lane finds his way onto the list after scoring 18.2 points per game, the fifth-most in the SEC. He also finished second in the league with 3.7 assists a night.

Aaiden Ashton, senior, Mt. Pleasant

Mt. Pleasant’s Aaiden Ashton was one of the best at getting to the cup in the SEC.

The senior guard was fantastic at finishing around the rim as his 14.5 points per game ranked second for Mt. Pleasant and seventh in the SEC.

He also added 5.1 rebounds a game, which ranked third for the Panthers.

Ajay Six, senior, Washington

Ajay Six was an integral part of Washington’s success this season.

The forward did a little bit of everything for the Demons, whether scoring, rebounding or defending.

Six finished his senior season averaging 10.4 points a game, along with 5.8 rebounds. The points per game ranked second on the Demons, while his rebounds were a team-best.