E-G All-Area Boys basketball | Drew Whitlatch named Player of the Year

LANCASTER — For some players, when they become seniors, something seems to click and they are able to take their game to another level. That is exactly what happened for Lancaster senior Drew Whitlatch, who played with more of a sense of urgency, used his ultra-athletic ability and parlayed it into a fantastic season. Most nights Whitlatch was the best player on the floor, even though the Golden Gales played in one of the toughest conferences — the Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division — in the state, Whitlatch more than held his own.

For his efforts, Whitlatch is the 2026 Eagle-Gazette Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Millersport’s Tyler Coward, who led the Lakers to a 16-8 overall record, including a win over the Mid-State League-Cardinal Division champion Zanesville Rosecrans, is the 2026 Eagle-Gazette Blys Basketball Coach of the Year. After starting the season with two losses, the Lakers quickly turned their season around, winning six straight and were in the thick of the league race right up to the end.

More: Whitlatch is outstanding in Lancaster's frustrating loss against Coffman Whitlatch finished the season averaging 17. 0 points, 3. 8 rebounds and 2.

0 assists per game. He had 38 steals, connected on 24 3-pointers, and went 90-for-116 at the free throw line (77. 6%).