By MIKE MARSEE

Contributing Writer

Tramane Alcorn, the floor general who led Lincoln County to its third consecutive appearance in the regional finals, has been voted The Advocate-Messenger 2021-22 Area Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

Alcorn was the top vote-getter in exclusive balloting of area coaches for The Advocate-Messenger All-Area Boys Basketball Team, prevailing in one of the closest player of the year votes ever.

Able to drive to the basket but also willing to distribute the ball to open teammates, the 5-11 senior guard led Lincoln in scoring (15.0 points per game), shot 45.2 percent from the field and averaged 5.2 rebounds.

Alcorn, a three-year starter who also contributed as a freshman for the Patriots, also was an integral part of a Lincoln defense that allowed fewer points than any other team in the 12th Region at 52.1 per game.

“Tramane is a great kid who has been a pleasure to coach,” Lincoln coach Jeff Jackson said. “He has been a staple in our program for four years, he has represented Patriot basketball the right way both on the floor and in the classroom. He has helped elevate the culture of Patriot basketball, and I’m really proud of him.”

Other players on the All-Area first team are:

• Ethan Willoughby, who finished ninth in the state and first in the region in scoring (27.8) and led Casey County and was second in the region in rebounding (11.0).

• Ethan Cooper, who ranked 15th in the state and second in the region in scoring (25.2) and led Garrard County in 3-point percentage (.385 in 247 attempts), free throw percentage (.819 in 210 attempts) and rebounding (8.1).

• Jakei Tarter, who finished second in the state in rebounding (14.7), led Boyle County in field goal percentage (.544) and ranked third on the team in scoring (11.2).

• Colton Ralston, who was second in scoring (13.6) and third in field goal percentage (.452) and fourth in rebounding (4.2) for Lincoln.

Willoughby, Cooper and Tarter received player of the year votes along with Alcorn, and the top three vote-getters were separated by a total of two points in the voting totals.

The second team consists of Trevor Ellis of Mercer County, Owen Barnes of Danville, Emmanuel Dut of Danville Christian, Jalen Dunn of Danville and Montavin Quisenberry of Boyle.

Alcorn and Quisenberry made the All-Area first team last season.

Dunn, Tarter and Ralston were second-team selections. Cooper and Ellis received honorable mention in 2022.

The All-Area team is open to players from schools in Boyle, Casey, Garrard, Lincoln and Mercer counties whose coaches participate in the voting. Coaches may not vote for players from their own teams.

Jeff Jackson, who led Lincoln to a 24-10 record, a fifth consecutive 45th District championship and the finals of the 12th Region Tournament, was voted The Advocate-Messenger Area Boys Basketball Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Ed McKinney of Danville also received a vote for coach of the year.

ADVOCATE-MESSENGER 2022-23 ALL-AREA BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM

First Team

Tramane Alcorn, Lincoln County 5-11 Sr. G 15.0 5.2

Ethan Willoughby, Casey County 6-5 Sr. F 27.8 11.0

Ethan Cooper, Garrard County 6-3 Sr. G 25.2 8.1

Jakei Tarter, Boyle County 6-4 Sr. C 11.2 13.9

Colton Ralston, Lincoln County 6-3 Sr. G 13.6 4.2

Second Team

Trevor Ellis, Mercer County 6-5 So. C 17.0 9.2

Owen Barnes, Danville 6-2 Jr. F 16.9 6.8

Emmanual Dut, Danville Christian 6-4 Jr. F 15.8 6.6

Jalen Dunn, Danville 6-0 Sr. G 13.0 7.9

Montavin Quisenberry, Boyle County 5-8 So. G 14.8 4.3

Honorable Mention

Burgin — Jacobe Taylor

Danville — Demauriah Brown, Jarius Bryant

Danville Christian — Lual Ayiei, Titus Boyd

Garrard County — Mason Sulla

Kentucky School for the Deaf — Micah Tucker

Lincoln County — Jackson Sims