Sestina, Laugand named all-staters

For the second straight year, District 9 has two boys on the Pennsylvania Sports Writers All-State Basketball teams. And also for the second straight season, the All American Award & Engraving/D9Sports.Com’s District 9 Co-Players of the Year landed on the all-state team.

Cameron County’s Nate Sestina and Clarion-Limestone’s R.J. Laugand, both seniors, landed on separate Class A all-state lineups. Sestina was a first team selection while Laugand made it on to the third team.

Sestina, the 6-foot-9 Bucknell University recruit, averaged 21.5 points and 14.3 rebounds per game while adding 3.4 assists, 2.9 blocks and 1.6 steals per contest. He had 26 double-doubles in 28 games and shot 63.4 percent (256-of-404 from the field.

Also on the Class A first team is Samir Doughty of Math, Civics & Sciences, Ahmad Gilbert and Kimar Williams of Constitution, Brandon Martinazzi of Bishop Carroll and Malik Miller of Farrell.

The third-team pick Laugand averaged 17.6 points, 8.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while recording nine points/assists double-doubles. He shot 49.2 percent (192-of-390) from the floor, hitting 37 3-pointers while connecting on 83.2 percent (89 of 107) of his free throws.

Other third-teamers were Kevin Anderson and Nasza Short of St. John Neumann, Michael Bryja of Portage, Bo Burleigh of North Penn-Mansfield, Juwan Gooding of Impact Academy and Jeff Yordy of Pottsville Nativity.