Sitler, who played in 26 games for the 2023-24 District 10 4A champion Dragons (20-6) as a junior, started every game this season as a senior for Warren’s 17-5 Region 5 champs (13-1 in region). He was named a first-team region all-star by a vote of the region’s coaches.

Senior point guard Leihden Wotorson and juniors Logan Crissey and Lucas Thrift were voted to the second team in the eight-team region.

Sitler did his most damage against Region 5 opponents, including a season-high 29 points on Jan. 21 at Corry. He averaged 12.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.5 steals for the regular season, but averaged 16.3 points (114 points in seven games) the second time through the region schedule.

“The region coaches recognized Chase for his solid offensive numbers, but for us, he was also our defensive stopper,” said Warren coach Jeff Berdine. “We normally assigned him the other team’s best player, and he did a very good job defensively on them all year. We’ve had success in the past with using Tommy Nyquist like that, and we put Chase in that role this year and he excelled.”

Photo courtesy of Mark Evans LOGAN CRISSEY

Crissey has scored 512 points over two seasons as a starter, including being fifth starter in 2024 as a sophomore on the D10 title team (Warren’s first district title in 40 years).

This season, Crissey was Warren’s most consistent offensive threat, scoring in double figures in 18 of 22 games, including 20 or more points four times. He averaged 15 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.

Also a junior, Thrift — like Sitler — got stronger as the season progressed. He scored 29 points over two games in the Joe DeCerbo Memorial Holiday Showcase Dec. 29 and 30 at Allegany-Limestone Middle/High School. He had eight more games in double figures the rest of way, including a season-high 27 points on Jan. 25 in a win over Brookville.

Thrift averaged 11.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 20 games.

Wotorson played one season as starting point guard after transferring to Warren Area High School from Sheffield, where he was named a District 9 Allegheny Mountain League (AML) all-star in 2023-24 as a junior.

Photo courtesy of Mark Evans LEIHDEN WOTORSON

This season, Wotorson scored in double figures nine times, including 34 points over two region wins against Titusville. He averaged 9.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 18 games.

Due to transfer rules, Wotorson was ineligible for the playoffs, and his importance to the team was evidenced in Warren’s first loss in three games against Oil City in the first round of the D10 4A playoffs.

“Awesome to see them rewarded for a great season,” said Berdine. “Everyone puts in a lot of time and effort, so to see them get rewarded and have four of them on the first or second team is great.

“I was hopeful Chase would get recognized as a possible region MVP; all three of the players who got a part of (Region 5 Players of the Year) definitely deserved it,” added Berdine.

Region 5 All-Stars

Photo courtesy of Mark Evans LUCAS THRIFT

First team

Will Findlan – Franklin – 12

Carson Papay – Fort LeBoeuf – 12

Will McMahon – Oil City – 12

Shakiir Jordan – Conneaut – 12

Chase Sitler – Warren – 12

Alex Brady – Conneaut – 11

Second team

Logan Crissey – Warren – 11

Kamdyn Moon – Corry – 11

Hunter Villa – Fort LeBoeuf – 12

Lucas Thrift – Warren – 11

Leihden Wotorson – Warren – 12

Nevin Stinson – Oil City – 11

Region champion – Warren

Region tri-players of the year – Carson Papay, Fort LeBoeuf; Will Findlan, Franklin; Chase Sitler, Warren