DiRenna Award finalists are announced

The Greater Kansas City Basketball Coaches Association and Dr. James A. DiRenna Jr. have announced the finalists for the DiRenna Award, given annually to the top high school boy and girl basketball players in the Kansas City area.

The DiRenna Award winners will be announced on April 10 at the GKCBCA All-Star Challenge Awards Show at the College Basketball Experience.

The boys finalists:

Clayton Custer, Blue Valley Northwest: A senior, Custer led the Huskies to a 23-2 record and the Kansas 6A state title.

Monte Harrison, Lee’s Summit West: Harrison, a senior, has led the Titans to this week’s Missouri Class 5 state tournament.

Kevin Puryear, Blue Springs South: A junior, Puryear averaged 19 points and 8.5 rebounds per game for the Jaguars.

Joe Schneider, Lansing: Schneider, a senior, led the Lions to a 25-0 record and the Kansas 5A state championship.

Tyrone Taylor II, Grandview: A senior, Taylor recently broke the career scoring record of current NBA player Alec Burks.

The girls finalists:

Becca Jonas, Truman: A senior, Jonas averaged 18.5 points per game and led the Patriots to a 25-2 record.

Imani Johnson, Lee’s Summit North: Johnson, a senior, has led the Broncos to this week’s Missouri Class 5 state tournament.

Tyler Johnson, Leavenworth: A junior, Johnson led the Pioneers to a 24-1 record and the Kansas 5A state title.

Kylee Kopatich, Olathe South: Kopatich, a junior, led the Falcons to a 22-3 record and third place in Kansas Class 6A.

Monique Townson, Staley: A senior, Townson averaged 25 points and seven rebounds per game this season.

This story was originally published March 18, 2014 at 10:56 PM with the headline "DiRenna Award finalists are announced."