St. John Neumann’s Hill brothers both named to Class A all-state team

David and Davion Hill played against elite players last summer while competing in Missouri. Each faces some of his stiffest competition, however, when playing against each other.

Fortunately for St. John Neumann, the Hill brothers played together the past two seasons. David graduates this June, so the Hills will not play high school basketball together.

But they will forever be linked. And whenever they relive their two years playing together, the brothers will know they helped one another become two of the state's best players.

David and Davion were each named to the Class A first team all-state basketball team Monday evening. Davion, a sophomore, earned his second straight first team selection and David his third straight overall selection after being third team as a sophomore and second team a year ago. Adding their older brother Alize Johnson to the equation that makes it seven all-state selections for this basketball passionate family.

"It's definitely great being able to share that achievement with my brother," Davion said. "Especially our last year playing with each other because I know we both went out with a bang our last time teaming up."

The Hills helped Neumann capture a second straight district championship and reach the state quarterfinals. They were the area's top two scorers, and each stuffed the stat sheet nearly every game. David will head to prep school and then play at Towson in 2023. Davion already has received multiple Division I offers.

Together, David and Davion formed one of the best basketball brother tandems in area history and their two years together resulted in consecutive league and district championships. Both were excellent big-game players who could take games over and they nearly willed Neumann to a dramatic comeback win in the state quarterfinals, scoring every fourth-quarter point in a 72-70 loss against eventual champion Pottsville Nativity.

Separate they are dynamic, but together David and Davion were virtually unstoppable.

"I feel like we've really helped each-other excel with our basketball careers so far," Davion said. "Just having the brother bond and seeing each other every day and knowing each other so well, it helps us on the court because we know each other’s every move."

David utilized a lot of moves to be the area’s leading scorer and make his third straight all-state team. The senior guard averaged 22.8 points per game and recorded multiple double-doubles in addition to being among team leaders in assists.

The Mid-Penn's MVP, David closed his scholastic career with 1,583 points despite missing eight games as a junior because of injuries and having his senior year shortened because of the COVID pandemic. He often elevated his performance in Neumann’s biggest games and collected three playoff double-doubles, going for 33 points and 12 rebounds in the district championship against North Penn-Liberty. During his four years, David helped Neumann win 74 games, along with four league championships and two district crowns.

Davion has joined his older brothers as multiple time all-state honorees and is halfway there to completing something truly remarkable. He is still getting better, still growing stronger and Davion has a shot at becoming a four-time first teamer if he continues ascending.

"It's very exciting being named first team all-state for both of my first two years of high school because I know not too many people have done that and I know I could potentially be all state all for years of my high school career," Davion said.

After producing one of the best freshman seasons in area history, Davion picked up where he left off in 2021, averaging 22.2 points per game. He became a more lethal shooter and played both guard positions while possessing the quickness to blow by defenders or bang with tall players in the post.

Like David, Davion was at his best in the playoffs, scoring at least 25 points in every game, going for two double-doubles and scoring 34 points with 13 rebounds against Nativity. He became the area’s first sophomore since Tony Fannick in 2006 to reach 1,000 points and has produced 1,093 in just 45 high school games.

All that is impressive, but like David before him, Davion is only focused on the next challenge. The work continues.

"It's great motivation for me because every year I want to improve my game and get better and better and be a great teammate to my team," Davion said. "I know all the accolades and accomplishments will come with it but as long as my teammates and coaches see me as a leader and role model for younger guys coming up and even older guys, that's all that really matters to me."

Pennsylvania Sports Writers All-State

CLASS A

FIRST TEAM

Elijah Sechler, Sr., Berlin Brothersvalley; David Hill, Sr., St. John's Neumann; Davion Hill, 6-0 So., St. John's Neumann; Vince Fryock, Sr., Shade; Kegan Hertz, Sr., Pottsville Nativity; Marquis Ratcliff, Sr., Pottsville Nativity.

SECOND TEAM

Aaron Bailey, Sr., Notre Dame-East Stroudsburg; Kaden Koleszarik, Sr., Shade; Vinnie Cugini, So.., Aquinas Academy; Noah Spencer, Sr., North Penn-Liberty; Abe Countryman, Sr., Berlin Brothersvalley; Scotty Zoscin, Sr., Weatherly.

THIRD TEAM

Matt Stanley, So., Union; Kevaughn Price, Jr., Bishop Canevin; DeMajh Salisbery, So., La Academia; Dom Elliott, Sr., Bishop Canevin; Devon Hemer, Sr., Rochester; JD Azulay, Jr., Rochester.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR -- Elijah Sechler, Berlin Brothersvalley

COACH OF THE YEAR -- Mike Walborn, Pottsville Nativity