Allegany's Chris Manherz voted area boys basketball Player of the Year

CUMBERLAND — It will be some time before a player like Chris Manherz graces the area again. The senior overcame his size standing at 5-foot-8 to average more than 23 points per game and eclipse 1,000 for his career, all in pursuit of a region championship — something Allegany achieved for the first time since 2017. The lightning-quick Manherz was rewarded for his efforts by being voted area boys basketball Player of the Year in a landslide.

“First I want to thank God for putting me in this position,” Manherz said. “I’m really grateful for my coaches and the entire coaching staff for believing in me and pushing me all season. “My teammates mean a lot to me too.

They trusted me and we all worked for each other every night. I also want to thank my family and friends for always supporting me. Not just this year but over the years.

” The award was decided at a meeting of the area’s head coaches last week. Seven voted and Manherz received five nods. East Hardy’s Gideon Good, Fort Hill’s Liam Hamilton, Frankfort’s Jeremy Phillips, Northern’s Jayden McNally, Petersburg’s Kaleb Kuhn and Union’s Braylon Ward were also finalists.