Forward Ryan Mueller '22 of the Gilmour Academy boys basketball team recently earned a prestigious accolade for his efforts this past season.

Mueller was named as an All-Ohio Honorable Mention selection after his standout junior season.

Mueller led the Lancers in scoring (13.3) and rebounding (8.8) this past season while shooting 51.7 percent from the floor.

"While many people outside Gilmour were surprised by Ryan's season output, I certainly was not," head coach Dan DeCrane said. "Ryan has invested in his game like no other player I have seen over the past year. He is constantly working out at our team functions, developing his strength and athleticism with outside training and finding extra workouts at every opportunity. His development truly shined this season as he averaged nearly a double-double in being a monumental player on both ends of the floor."

Mueller was a workhorse for Gilmour, leading the team with 620 minutes played, and also topped the team in made field goals (106). He added 37 assists, 20 steals and 19 blocks on the campaign, and the 6-foot-6-inch forward demonstrated his ability to score from distance by draining 14 three-pointers.

"Ryan has a very high basketball IQ," DeCrane said. "He picks up schemes extremely well and truly understands what we are trying on both ends of the floor. He has a major ability to vertically defend the rim as well as attack above it."

Mueller also was a key factor in Gilmour advancing to an OHSAA regional final for only the second time in program history. He tied for game-high honors with 18 points in the Lancers' postseason opener before tallying a double-double in an upset win at Warrensville Heights High School. Mueller had 11 points and 10 rebounds in the win over the Tigers, the top seed in the Lancers' playoff district.

Mueller followed that up with a game-high 11 points, on 5-of-6 shooting, along with seven rebounds in Gilmour's 42-38 win over Padua Franciscan High School that clinched the district title. He finished with a nearly identical stat line in the Lancers' regional semifinal win, contributing 11 points and eight rebounds in a 59-52 win over Chaney High School.

With the Lancers coming off one of the best seasons in recent years, Mueller is one of three All-District honorees that will return for Gilmour next season.

"I believe Ryan is one of the most improved players in northeast Ohio," DeCrane said. "He continues to grow in all phases of his game. The best is certainly yet to come."

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