Best of Battle Creek at center in boys basketball? Vote here

BATTLE CREEK ― The B.O.B. is hitting the court.

The Best of Battle Creek series in the Enquirer is being expanded this year to include the top players on basketball courts throughout the area.

Each week, throughout the winter, we are going to ask, "Who is the Best of Battle Creek?" as we look at each position in basketball among the city/area high school teams. 

MORE BEST OF BATTLE CREEK :

Best Point Guard in Battle Creek area

Best Shooting Guard in Battle Creek area

Best Small Forward in Battle Creek area

Each week we will give readers choices and open our online poll for voting, with a winner decided by the following Tuesday, with polls closing at noon.

Next up are the power forwards/centers for the city/area boys basketball teams:

Meet the nominees

Seth Allabaugh

School: Calhoun Christian

Class: Senior

Why he is on this list?: An important addition to the Calhoun Christian program as a transfer, Seth Allabaugh plays the power forward position for the Cougars and is a good passer out of the post. His leadership and communication on the floor has been key for Calhoun Christian this season.

Cam Converse

School: Harper Creek

Class: Senior

Why he is on this list?: Converse is a good post defender and his physical strength makes him an important presence in the paint and allows him to play bigger than he is. A role player in the Harper Creek offense, he has shown the ability to rebound and hit the face up jumper.

Lincoln Dzwik

School: St. Philip

Class: Senior

Why he is on this list?: A returning starter, Lincoln Dzwik helped St. Philip to a league championship a year ago. Dzwik gives St. Philip size and rebounding in the paint and is a good option as a scorer in the post. He is averaging 12.2 points per game with 9.1 rebounds.

Randall Gray Jr.

School: Battle Creek Central

Class: Senior

Why he is on this list?: An important senior leader on a young Battle Creek Central team that starts two freshmen and two sophomores, Randall Gray Jr. is a team player and hard worker. His athletic and physical play gives the Bearcats a presence in the paint as an undersized center.

Lee Hall

School: Marshall

Class: Junior

Why he is on this list?: As a first-year varsity starter, Lee Hall has filled a big role as the center for a Marshall team that lost several inside players to graduation. Hall is long and can jump well and has provided key defense for Marshall while scoring 9.1 points per game and grabbing 5.2 rebounds.

Jackson Knickerbocker

School: Calhoun Christian

Class: Senior

Why he is on this list?: A captain for Calhoun Christian as a senior center, Jackson Knickerbocker has stepped up this season as a leader and an important scorer. One of the most consistent players for the Cougars, his defense as a rim protector has been key to the team's success.

Johnny Lake

School: Pennfield

Class: Senior

Why he is on this list?: As one of the top scorers in the area, Johnny Lake has already eclipsed the 1,000 point total for his career as he is putting together a standout senior season at center for a Pennfield team that is in first place in the Interstate 8 Conference. With multiple college offers on the table, Lake is on pace to set the school record for career scoring, averaging 22.2 points per game this year.

Aidan Lane

School: Athens

Class: Senior

Why he is on this list?: At 6-foot, 4-inches, 260 pounds, Aidan Lane provides important size to the Athens lineup. Showcasing good touch around the rim, with the ability to shoot the outside shot as well, Lane is averaging a double-double on the season.

Liam Lasala

School: Climax-Scotts

Class: Senior

Why he is on this list?: An important senior leader on a young Climax-Scotts team, Liam Lasala brings grit and physical play to the forward position for the Panthers and is averaging 8.6 points per game, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals.

Peyton Merlington

School: Pennfield

Class: Junior

Why he is on this list?: As a first-year starter at forward, Peyton Merlington is having a breakout junior season as he is averaging 17.2 points per game. Showing the ability to score inside and from outside the arc, he is currently ranked as one of the top 100 juniors according to Michigan Prep Hoops.

Tay'Vion Newton

School: Lakeview

Class: Senior

Why he is on this list?: A great leader, who is often asked to defend the other team's top player, Tay'Vion Newton is an undersized forward who usually holds his own against opponents bigger than him. A returning senior, he is averaging 7.2 points per game and 5.2 rebounds a game.

Julian Thompson

School: Coldwater

Class: Senior

Why he is on this list?: Julian Thompson is leading Coldwater in both scoring and rebounding as he has seen his role expand for his senior season. Averaging 11.5 points per game and 5.2 rebounds, Thompson is a three-level scorer for the Cardinals.

Bill Broderick can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X/Twitter: @billbroderick

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: List of best centers in boys basketball in Battle Creek area