Ashland University men's basketball head coach
John Ellenwood has announced the addition of seven players – six freshmen and one transfer – to the 2026-27 roster.
CARLYLE BILLINGSLEY, 6-FOOT-8, 220-POUND FORWARD, WYOMING HIGH SCHOOL
Stats, honors and notes – As a senior, led Wyoming High School to the Division IV OHSAA state championship with a record of 26-2…For the season, averaged 13 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, and shot 71 percent from the field…Was honorable mention All-Ohio, first-team District 16, third-team All-Southwest District and first-team All-Cincinnati Hills League.
AAU Organization – Midwest Basketball Club (Cincinnati) – MHC
"Carlyle is a powerful player who brings a skill set that translates well to our post play system," Ellenwood said. "He is a state champion and has been coached extremely well to set him up for success at this level."
DEVIN HARDWICK, 6-FOOT-3, 170-POUND WING, BROOKLYN HIGH SCHOOL
Stats, honors and notes – As a senior, averaged 17.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game…Was awarded third-team All-Ohio in Division V, first-team All-Northeast District and first-team All-Chagrin Valley Conference…Set the Brooklyn High School record for points in a game (54), and ranks third all-time on the scoring chart with 1,298 career points…His father,
Robert Taylor, played for the Eagles.
AAU Organization – All-Ohio Red - EYCL
"Devin has relentless stamina and energy," said Ellenwood. "He is versatile, where he can be a scorer or distributor. He will be a great defender, and his effort is contagious. I also love the fact that he is a second-generation Eagle baller."
BRODY HATFIELD, 5-FOOT-9, 165-POUND GUARD, BIG WALNUT HIGH SCHOOL
Stats, honors and notes – Missed his entire senior season due to injury…As a junior, averaged 12.5 points and 7.0 assists, while shooting 36 percent from the 3-point line…Was honorable mention All-Ohio in Division II, first-team All-Central District and first-team All-Ohio Capital Conference…Concluded his high school career with 706 career points and 328 assists...High school teammate of current Eagle
Trent Minor.
AAU Organization – Midwest Basketball Club - MHC
"Brody is eager to get back on the court after his injury last season," Ellenwood noted. "He is a tenacious defender and brings football grit to our team. He is an unselfish player that knows when it is his time to score. Brody also has a leadership quality that will help the team win. Big Walnut and MBC have him ready to compete."
WALTER PLANTZ, 6-FOOT-8, 215-POUND FORWARD, GENOA AREA HIGH SCHOOL
Stats, honors and notes – As a senior, led team to a historic 22-0 regular season and a season record of 25-1…Averaged 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.3 blocks and 2.7 assists per game…Earned first-team All-Ohio in Division V, Player of the Year in the Northwest District, first-team All-Northwest District, Northern Buckeye Conference Player of the Year and first-team All-NBC honors…Completed prep career with 1,631 points, 923 rebounds, and 250 blocks.
AAU Organization – Ohio Buckets - EYCL
"Walt is going to be an exciting player to watch as he grows into a dominant force," Ellenwood said. "His length and skill set is tough to find at our level. He can rebound, run, and alter shots. Walt comes from winning programs that preach team basketball."
BRYAN VLOSICH, 6-FOOT-5, 180-POUND WING, ST. EDWARD HIGH SCHOOL
Stats, honors and notes – As a senior, led team to a record of 22-5, including a spot in the Final Four of the OHSAA Division I state tournament…For the season, averaged 17.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists, and shot 43 percent (74-for-173) from 3-point range…Finished prep career as the all-time leader in 3-point field goals made by a St. Edward player….In 2025-26, was first-team Division I All-Ohio, Northeast Lakes All-District Player of the Year, first-team Northeast Lakes All-District, and a f-rst-team Cleveland.com All-Star…As a senior, was voted St. Edward "Man of the Year," the highest honor bestowed on upon a student at his high school.
AAU Organization – Midwest Basketball Club - MHC
"Bryan is a lethal long-range shooter with the ability to drive the ball, as well," said Ellenwood. "To say he is a great leader is an understatement. The experiences he had at St. Ed's and MHC have prepared him for college ball."
COLBIE WEST, 6-FOOT-7, 215-POUND FORWARD, LYON COLLEGE
Stats, honors and notes – Limited to eight games last season, averaging 13.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting 54.9 percent from the field…As a junior, averaged 10.6 points and 6.8 rebounds, and made 52.2 percent from the field to go along with 41.7 percent from 3-point range…Spent a season each at both Arkansas-Newport and National Park College, both junior colleges…Has one season of eligibility remaining.
"Colbie is a tough, physical player that has the experience our team needs to win," Ellenwood said. "He has a team-first mentality, and with one season remaining, he will need to assimilate quickly. I love his hunger to be a winner."
KELLEN WILEY, 6-FOOT-2, 175-POUND GUARD, WYOMING HIGH SCHOOL
Stats, honors and notes – As a senior, led team to the Division IV OHSAA state championship with a record of 26-2…For the season, averaged 17.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.0 steals per game…Was second-team Division IV All-Ohio, District 16 Player of the Year, Cincinnati Hills League (CHL) Player of the Year, Southwest District Ohio Player of the Year, first-team All-CHL, first-team Division IV/District 16 and first-team All-Southwest Ohio…Completed prep career with 1,660 career points, 513 assists, 239 steals and 178 block – all school records.
AAU Organization – Midwest Basketball Club (Cincy) - MHC
"Kellen is a special talent that can do it all," said Ellenwood. "He will have a lot of responsibility as a freshman. I have complete confidence in his abilities and leadership. He plays with an edge that few have on the court. Wyoming High and MBC have been excellent for Kellen's growth. Eagle fans are going to be impressed."
Ashland men's basketball has earned 230 victories and two conference championships, and made five NCAA Division II postseason appearances, over the last 12 seasons. In 2025-26, the Eagles went 20-11 overall and 13-7 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, qualified for a conference tournament for the 12
th straight season and went to the D-II playoffs.
