2016 Wichita Eagle/VarsityKansas.com All-Metro boys basketball team
Israel Barnes Southeast sophomore
The City League’s breakout star helped propel the Buffaloes into the state’s elite in his sophomore season after transferring from Sunrise Christian Academy. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 19.2 points and 5.8 rebounds, a frightening proposition for City League (and all of Class 6A) with two seasons left to improve.
Davon Gill Heights senior
The 6-foot-7 forward was one of the key players in Heights’ run to the 2015 Class 5A state title and followed that up with a big senior season. Gill helped guide Heights to a City League championship this season and led the team in scoring and rebounding with 12.9 points and 8.9 rebounds. Gill was good finishing at the rim and also developed a mid-range jumper to complement his post game.
Jerrick Harding Southeast senior
Harding, a first-time All-Metro selection, finished his career with 1,818 points, fourth in City League history. The 6-foot senior joined North’s Conner Frankamp as the City League’s only three-time scoring champions and led his team to the Class 6A championship game, where it lost to Shawnee Mission North. Harding averaged 27.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals.
Darraja Parnell Andover Central senior
Parnell, a 6-3 senior and two-time All-Metro selection, led the Jaguars (20-5) to third in Class 4A-I. A four-year starter, Parnell led Andover Central in scoring (22.0 points), assists (6.0) and rebounds (9.0) and shot 61.1 percent from the field. He scored 1,719 career points and had 555 rebounds and 322 assists.
Matt Pile Eisenhower junior
Pile, a 6-8 junior, led Eisenhower to a 21-2 record and its third berth in the Class 5A tournament in the past five seasons. He scored a team-high 20.1 points and averaged 15.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 4.0 blocks. In the 5A quarterfinals, Pile had 25 points and 17 rebounds.
Melvin Herring Southeast coach
Herrring led Southeast to a 20-5 record, the best in his four seasons, and a Class 6A runner-up finish. Herring has a system in place that seems like it could lead to sustained success, with one of the best players back in sophomore Israel Barnes, a burgeoning freshman post player in Richard Reed and a defense-first philosophy that his players have bought into.
All-Metro selection process
This is the 12th year for All-Metro teams selected by The Eagle, recognizing the best high school athletes in team sports throughout Sedgwick, Butler and Harvey counties.
Last month, The Eagle sent nomination ballots to all basketball coaches at the 40 high schools in Sedgwick, Butler and Harvey counties.
Coaches were asked to return the ballots with nominations of the best players within those counties that they saw this season, including their own players.
Joanna Chadwick and Tony Adame selected the teams after tabulating nominations, their own evaluation of players and additional input from coaches.
Coming Sunday
The Eagle’s 55th annual All-State boys and 41st annual All-State girls basketball teams, honoring the best players from across Kansas. All-classification teams will be included.
This story was originally published March 16, 2016 at 7:19 PM with the headline "2016 Wichita Eagle/VarsityKansas.com All-Metro boys basketball team."