COLUMBUS — Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary star LeBron James is the first sophomore to be named The Associated Press Ohio Mr. Basketball in the 14-year history of the award.

        The 6-foot-6 1/2 James, who some think eventually will jump from high school to the NBA,earlier this week was named the nation's sophomore player of the year by The Sporting News.

        Finishing behind James in the media balloting were Division II player of the year Mike Gansey of Olmsted Falls; Kevin Martin of Zanesville, and the Division I co-player of the year, J.J. Sullinger of Thomas Worthington.

        “It's an honor,” James said. “Every day I work hard to be recognized by the state and by the country. I think I deserve everything I'm getting right now, because I've worked so hard to get it.”

        St. Vincent-St. Mary is 51-1 in James' two seasons, losing only 79-78 to power Oak Hill (Va.) in Columbus in January.

        James scored 33 points in that game.

        “He's almost impossible to guard one-on-one,” Oak Hill coach Steve Smith said. “What a future that young man has in front of him.”

        James is averaging 25.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists in leading his team into the Division III state tournament.

        “He doesn't have to score to feel good about himself,” St. Vincent-St. Mary coach Keith Dambrot said. “There are a lot of guys that can score and have skills, but there are very few that can make other players better.”
       James said he's already thinking about where to play in college. Ohio State, North Carolina, Michigan State and California are his top four choices.

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