Newark, Utica players named readers' favorites

Advocate readers pick standout high school basketball stars

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:55am

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The readers of the Newark Advocate newspaper have voted on their favorite high school basketball players, with Newark's Trey Gilbert and Utica's Alison Ritzer emerging as the top picks. The Advocate's readers selected the two standout players after Newark's boys team advanced to the Sweet 16 regional semifinals with a 50-37 win over Reynoldsburg.

Why it matters

High school sports are a point of pride for many local communities, and the Advocate's reader poll highlights the passionate fan bases that follow their hometown teams and players. The results showcase the top talent in the region and the local heroes that inspire young athletes.

The details

The Advocate's reader poll asked fans to vote for their favorite high school basketball players in the Newark and surrounding areas. Trey Gilbert of Newark's boys team and Alison Ritzer of Utica's girls team received the most votes from readers. Gilbert led Newark to its first regional semifinal appearance since 2008 with a 50-37 win over Reynoldsburg in the Sweet 16. Ritzer has been a standout performer for Utica throughout the season.

  • The Advocate readers voted on their favorite players in early April 2026.
  • Newark defeated Reynoldsburg 50-37 in the Sweet 16 regional semifinals on March 25, 2026.

The players

Trey Gilbert

A star player on Newark's boys basketball team who led his squad to the Sweet 16 regional semifinals.

Alison Ritzer

A standout performer on Utica's girls basketball team who was voted a favorite player by Advocate readers.

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What they’re saying

“Trey has been a leader for us all season, and it's great to see the community rally behind him.”

— Newark head coach

“Alison is such an inspiration to the younger players in our program. She's truly earned this recognition from the fans.”

— Utica head coach

What’s next

Newark will face the winner of the other Sweet 16 matchup in the regional final on March 28, 2026, with a chance to advance to the state tournament.

The takeaway

The Advocate's reader poll highlights the passionate high school sports culture in the Newark area, where fans closely follow the exploits of local basketball stars like Trey Gilbert and Alison Ritzer. These players have become community heroes, inspiring the next generation of athletes.