💚 What A #MalvernPride Senior Class!! They are AMAZING!
Cheerleading
Porshe Buchman - Porsche is with her parents, Hollee and William Buchman. Porsche is a 3 year letter winner in Cheerleading. She participates in the Health Technology program at RG Drage Career Center. After high school graduation in the spring, Porsche plans to enlist in the Marine Corp.
Cheerleader Porshe Buchman
Leah Irvine - Leah is with her parents, Melanie Kidder, Kevin Irvine, and Rusty Brown. Leah is a 2 year letter winner in cheerleading and cross country, and a 3 year letter winner in track. She is Secretary of the National Honor Society, Secretary of the Foreign Culture Club and a member of the HER Club. Leah is a peer partner and worked in the high school office. In her spare time, she takes college credit plus classes for college. After high school graduation in the spring, Leah plans to attend Kent State University and major in Business.
Cheerleader Leah Irvine
Melia Kerns - Melia is escorted onto the court this evening by her parents, Melinda Mocher and John Kerns. Melia will earn her 2 year letter in cheerleading. She is also a letter winner in track. Melia is a member of the HER Club, Foreign Culture Club, National Honor Society, Science Club, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. She worked in the high school office and helped with the Back Pack program here at Malvern. Melia also takes college credit classes for college. After high school graduation, she plans to attend West Liberty University for Dental Hygiene and minor in Business.
Cheerleader Melia Kerns
Rayne Theiss - Rayne is walking with her mother and step-father, Sheri and Jeff Verboski and her grandparents, Linda and Charlie Theiss. Rayne is 3 year letter winner in Cheerleading and a 4 year letter winner in Cross Country. She will letter for the 4th time in track in the spring. Rayne participates in the Health Technology program at RG Drage Career Center. After high school graduation, She plans to receive her Associate’s Degree in Radiology.
Cheerleader Rayne Theiss
Basketball
Evan Debo - Evan is escorted onto the court this evening by his parents, Jayme and Chris Debo. Evan is a 2 year letter winner in basketball, and will be a 4 year letter winner track in the spring, where he was an IVC Honorable Mention selection a year ago. Evan is a member of the National Honor Society and Big Brothers/Big Sisters here at Malvern. He plans to attend The Ohio State University, majoring in Finance. Coach Tucci says, Evan has been a tremendous teammate for our Hornets. He has settled into an important role off the bench for us. He has made some big shots for us, and he always gives 100% effort. Evan is such a great kid, and he is so valuable to our team.
#30 Evan Debo
Jordin Detchon - Jordin is with his parents, Barbara and Mike Detchon. Jordin is a 2 year letter winner in basketball and a 2 year letter winner in football, where he was named to the IVC 2nd Team in the fall. Jordin also lettered 1 year in track. He plans to enter the workforce after graduation. Coach Tucci says, Jordin has played basketball for Malvern since the 4th grade. His improvement every year has been fun to watch. I remember him being a little guy, and now he is playing in the post. Jordin is a tremendous rebounder and defender for the Hornets. He has helped us win a lot of games.
#20 Jordin Detchon
Drake Hutchison - Drake is walking with his parents, Rockell and Andy Hutchison. Drake is a 3 year letter winner in basketball, where he was an East District Honorable Mention selection a year ago, a 4 year letter winner in football, where he earned 1st Team honors in the IVC and East District in the fall. Drake also lettered twice in baseball. He plans to attend college and major in Business after high school graduation in the spring. Coach Tucci says, This is the end of an era, as Drake is the last of the Hutchison boys to play for the Hornets. Drake was the 6th man on last year’s undefeated team. He has really dedicated himself to basketball, and his hard work has paid off. He runs our show, and he currently leads the area in assists per game. He has improved defensively. It is gonna be strange next year without one of Andy and Turtle’s boys out here leading the Hornets.
#10 Drake Hutchison
Braidon Miller - Braidon is with his parents, Holly and Steve Miller. Braidon will be a 4 year letter winner in basketball and earned 3 letters in football, where he was named to the All Ohio 2nd Team in the fall. Braidon will also letter for the 4th time in baseball in the spring, where he earned 2nd Team District honors a year ago. After graduation from Malvern High School, Braidon would like to study Business and continue playing football at the college level. Coach Tucci says, What a great addition to the squad Braidon has been! I remember him saying that basketball was his worst sport, but he really liked it and wanted to play. I am so glad he played. He simply changes the game on the defensive end. His rebounding and blocked shots have set the tone for us this season. He is such a great kid, and he has really blended right in with the other players. That says a lot about him, but in all seriousness, that says a lot about our guys as well.
#24 Braidon Miller
Rodney Smith - Rodney is escorted onto the court this evening by his parents, Kathy and Mike Earl. Rodney is a 3 year letter winner in basketball, where he was a 2nd Team IVC and East District selection a year ago. Rodney earned 4 letters in football, where he was named All Ohio 1st Team and selected to play in the All Ohio North/South All Star game in the spring. Rodney also earned a letter in baseball and track. After high school graduation, he plans to attend Ashland University, majoring in Business Marketing, and continue his football career. Coach Tucci says, Rodney has certainly left his mark in football and basketball at Malvern High School. He has achieved a lot of individual awards for his stellar performances. This year, Rodney has developed into our leading scorer. He is averaging 17.6 points per game, and he currently has 882 career points. I am so proud of Rodney, and I hope he continues to play at a high level.
#11 Rodney Smith
Eric Swain - Eric is walking with his parents, Jane and Roger Swain, along with his sisters’, Courtney and Stephanie. Eric is a 2 year letter winner in basketball and will earn his 4th letter in track in the spring, where he was the team’s Hornet Award winner a year ago. Eric is a member of the National Honor Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Pleasant Grove Chapel. After graduation, he plans to attend either the Ohio State University or Kent State University to major in Educational Psychology. Coach Tucci says, Eric has continued to grow as a player throughout his career. He is a very good, under the radar, defensive player and ball handler. Eric has the ability to score points in bunches. His presence at the 3 point line has created space for for Drake and Rodney to make their drives to the basket. His big 3 pointers helped the Hornets beat Minerva for the 15th straight year! I am so proud of the all around player that Eric has become.
#3 Eric Swain
Jared Witherow - Jared is with his parents, Stephanie and Jeremy Witherow. Jared is a 3 year letter winner in basketball, where he earned IVC Honorable Mention last year, a 4 year letter winner in football, where he was the IVC North Player of the Year in the fall. Jared also earned 2 letters in baseball. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Peer Partners, and a member of the Lighthouse Team. Jared also takes college credit classes here at Malvern. After graduation from high school, he intends to attend college and double major in History and Art History. He plans to pursue a career in the Museum field. Coach Tucci says, Jared is the straw that stirs the drink for the Hornets. His relentless style of play has been a key factor in the success of the Hornets for the last 3 years. He is so unselfish and always puts the team first. An example of that is he volunteered to come off the bench tonight, so that the other seniors could get a start on senior Night. What a kid!
#22 Jared Witherow
Coach Tucci says, these 7 seniors will always have a special place in my heart. They are extremely great guys. They are all good students, and they all have such bright futures. I am so proud of each and every one of them. In the last 3 years, the Malvern Hornets have a record of 67-6. Their record in this gym is 32-1. Wow! What a group of winners!!!
We want to wish our senior basketball players and cheerleaders the best of luck during the postseason basketball tournament and the remainder of their senior year at Malvern High School and RG Drage Career Center.