Boys Basketball
Honorable Mention
Griffin Glynn- Kuemper
Glynn was instant energy on both ends of the floor for Kuemper. He exploded into the season with 24 points in their season opening win over Carroll. As the season progressed he continued to provide energy and a spark coming off the bench. He was a huge part of their win over West Marshall in the District Final and was key in their rally against Union in the SubState Final. Glynn has the ability to score inside or outside and is a tough defender and passer.
Stone Sibenaller- Carroll
The senior was a big part of what Carroll did this season, being one of their best scorers and passers. He was really strong on corner three’s along with being a threat from well beyond the arc. Sibenaller was a strong ball handler and passer but his ability to knock down free throws was key in his position as a point guard. His performance against Saydel was a big reason the Tigers dominated that game, hitting seven-threes, finishing with 21 points.
Brody Schultes- Audubon
Schultes led the Wheelers in scoring this season, playing most of the season as their 6th man. He is a strong three-point shooter but has the ability to drive and create his own shot or shots from his teammates. His defense is underrated, matching up against the opponents top outside threats and doing a nice job against them. He can read passing lanes and can lock down a scorer in man-to-man. He should be a key for a strong returning unit for Audubon next season.
Parker Hays- Coon Rapids Bayard
Hays was a key part of a great season for the Crusaders, helping them to advance to their first SubState final since 2010. Hays worked hard to become a good shooter from the outside and hit some key shots in big games. But it’s his defense that sets him apart from most other players. His work ethic on the defensive end is outstanding. He is terrific using his quickness and athleticism to shut down some of the top players the Crusaders faced this season. His defense in their win over Mount Ayr may have been the difference in the District Final. Hays was a strong rebounder as a guard.
Evan Myers- South Central Calhoun
Myers gives the Titans a strong rebounder and scorer to build around in the future, putting together a solid sophomore campaign. He shoots the ball well from the outside and knows how to use his length and athleticism to score inside. He averaged nearly 3 offensive rebounds a game this season and his playing time grew as the season progressed. Myers had a strong season defensively and looks to have a bright future on that side of the ball.
Andrew Anderson- South Central Calhoun
Anderson wrapped up a strong career for South Central Calhoun with another outstanding season. He shoots the ball from the outside and has the ability to attack the room but it’s his unselfish play that is his biggest asset. He sees the floor well and is known to make the extra pass, getting his teammates a good shot. He led the team with over 4 assists per game while scoring when the team needed him to. Anderson is a strong defensive player, pacing the team in steals.
3rd Team
Caden Oswald- Coon Rapids Bayard
Oswald is a tremendous defender, using his physicality to help slow down guys on the perimeter while also being strong enough if they try to post him up. He isn’t just a strong player on the defensive side. He has become a very capable offensive player, shooting the ball well from the three point line this season. Oswald has always been good at taking the ball to the hole and scoring with contact. He is a strong passer, leading the Crusaders with over 4 assists per game and a 2.15 assist to turnover ratio. His defense and passing was instrumental in their big win over Woodbine in early February.
Sam Julin- East Sac
Julin came into the season with a target on his chest as the main offensive threat returning for the Raiders. Even with that target, he had a strong senior season and is one of the elite shooters in the area. Julin is capable of going off from beyond the arc, but did a nice job not forcing shots. He hit nearly 39% from beyond the arc, helping him average nearly 14 points per game. He sees the floor well, doing a nice job this season getting teammates involved. His defense is underrated. He is a smart player that reads plays well, helping him get into passing lanes and tip balls or come up with steals.
Austin Christensen- Audubon
He missed the early part of the season as he recovered from an injury in the football season. He made an immediate impact on both ends of the floor. His relentless energy and determination to be the best player on the floor, oftentimes made him the most important player in the game. Christensen is a great rebounder, using his quickness, athleticism and motor to outside hustle people on the glass. He averaged nearly 10 rebounds per game with nearly 4 of them coming on the offensive glass. His length is a strength defensively as well, making it tough on opposing bigs to score inside. The junior will be a force for the Wheelers next season.
Jack Badding- Kuemper
Badding was quietly important for Kuemper this season, giving them a great passer and shooter and an underrated defender. He is a strong shooter from outside the three-point line but it’s his midrange game that sets him apart from many other players. He does a nice job clearing space to get off shots against taller players. Badding sees the floor extremely well, finding teammates on the perimeter or inside, using the bounce to set up the passing angels. His defense can be overlooked, due to his offensive skills but he averaged over 2 steals per game.
Tregan Beiter- Kuemper
The senior will be missed next season as he is the type of player, coaches love to coach. He plays hard every moment he’s on the floor. Makes most of his impact defensively, taking pride in playing with effort. He is 6th all-time in career steals with 123. Beiter just isn’t an impact player on defense, giving the Knights another player that could shoot the three well. He hit nearly 40% from beyond the arc this season. That was only part of his offensive skills. He has always been strong getting to the rim, attacking the defense, creating shots for himself or teammates. He adds a nice midrange game.
Jared Mohr- Carroll
The junior took another step forward for the Tigers this season, growing his offensive game, leading them in scoring with nearly 13 points per game. He does a nice job of using his length to score inside but is a more than capable scorer in the midrange and from the outside. He had a big 3rd quarter against Storm Lake in the District Final, giving them a chance to knock off the ranked team on the road. His length helps him on the boards, averaging over 5 rebounds per game. Mohr had a good year defensively, reading passing lanes and helping Carroll create turnovers. He finished the season averaging nearly 2.5 steals per game. He will be a critical part of the Tigers next season.
2nd Team
Brock Badding- Kuemper
Badding has been known as one of the best if not the best shooter in the state in his first couple seasons with the Knights. He grew in many areas this season, becoming a strong defender, having a great defensive game against Glenwood. He became a shot blocker this season, showing that in their game against Union in the SubState final, blocking three shots, including two very impressive hustle plays that ended in important blocked shots. He is still one of the best shooters, helping him score over 12 points per game. He is the career leader in made threes Kuemper history and had the 6th most in a single season with 62 this season. Badding doesn’t back away from taking big shots late in games and hit a key shot in their win over West Lyon. Brock is an elite free throw shooter.
Cole Higgins- South Central Calhoun
Higgins capped his career with another big season, batting an injury late in the season but came back to help the Titans earn a win in the postseason against Pocahontas Area. He scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds along with dishing out 5 assists in the game. Higgins does everything well, using his length and athleticism to rebound and create shots for himself and for teammates. He can shoot the three but his biggest strength this season was the midrange game and around the rim. He averaged over 3 offensive rebounds per game, to go with nearly 9 rebounds overall. He led the Titans with over 16 points per game but didn’t force things with over 2.5 assists per game. He is a strong defender and free throw shooter as well.
Ty Heydon- Coon Rapids Bayard
Heydon was a huge part of the Crusaders run to a conference title and advancing to a SubState Final. He grew during the offseason, moving from a guard to a post player. It turned out to be the perfect move for him and his team. He set a single game rebounding record with 21 against Paton Churdan in early February. That was a flash in the pan, he averaged over 11 rebounds per game, setting a new school single season record with 277 rebounds. He is relentless on the glass and has the uncanny ability to explode off the ground quickly more than once, allowing him to tip the ball away from opponents, then go back up and get the ball before anyone else can jump the second time. He reads where the ball is coming off the rim and is athletic in getting to the ball. Heydon isn’t just a rebounder, he scored nearly 11 points per game and is a strong passer and defender as well. Just a sophomore, his future is unlimited.
Jonathan Bergmeier- Glidden Ralston
The senior was known as a great offensive player earlier in his career, especially as a three-point shooter. He became an all-around player this season and his offensive game grew more than any player in the area. He attacked the lane, showing the ability to score at the rim, over bigger defenders. His midrange game was really strong, making him a nightmare for most defenders. He led the Wildcats with nearly 18 points per game. Bergmeier was an improved defender this season, averaging 2 steals per game and using his athleticism to block shots as well. He became a good rebounder, averaging 4 per game. His ability to attack the lane this season improved his ability to create shots for teammates, averaging 2.5 assists per game.
Wyatt Ragaller- Ar-We-Va
Ragaller is a fierce competitor, thriving on the defensive end while attacking defenses on the offensive end. He does a nice job using his quickness and mental toughness to shut down some of the top scorers on the Rockets schedule. He enjoys the challenge of having to guard the opponents best offensive players. He averaged 3 steals per game. Ragaller isn’t just a defensive force, he can score as well. He shoots the ball well from three but his strength is attacking the rim. He is very quick, allowing him to beat defenders off the dribble and get to the rim. Those talents allowed him to average over 15 points per game. He shot nearly 49% from the field.
Blayne Smith- Ar-We-Va
The senior had another really strong season for the Rockets. He is a really good rebounder, using his ability to get off the ground quickly and reading where the rebound is going. He pulled down over 7 defensive rebounds per game, helping him average over 9 rebounds a game as a whole. Smith is a good scorer, able to create his own shot, coming off a screen or off the dribble. He finished the season averaging over 16 points per game while shooting over 38% from the field. His outside shot helped him be able to fake defenders and use his ability to attack the lane and rim. He has had a good midrange game during his career. Smith is a strong defender, using his length to help contain the opponents and his jumping ability allows him to block shots.
1st Team
Ben Ramsey- IKM-Manning
Ramsey was the top scorer in the area having the ability to score from the outside, midrange and at the rim. He uses quickness to get by defenders while also being strong enough to fight through the physicality once in the lane. His ability to jump quickly makes it tough for defenders to contest his shots, especially on the dribble drive. He adds a quick release from deep that allows him to get shots off with defenders contesting the shots. He finished the season averaging over 22 points per game while shooting over 41% from the field. He sees the floor well, helping create shots for his teammates and does a nice job on the boards, averaging over 4 rebounds per game. Ramsey is confident in his ability to score, making him comfortable in late game situations. He went over 1,000 points in his career.
Trevon Keely- Paton Churdan
Keely is an outstanding young player that gives the Rockets hope in the future. He is explosive, helping him blow by defenders or go over them at the rim. He isn’t afraid to attack taller defenders and was able to dunk in traffic multiple times through the season. He is an all-around player, able to score, rebound, pass and defend. Keely averaged nearly 19 points per game while grabbing over 7 rebounds per game. He is adept at rebounding on both the offensive and defensive glass. Keely led the Rockets in scoring, but also led them in assists at nearly 4 a game. His athleticism allows him to be a great defender on the perimeter, making nearly 3 steals per game and helping to contain perimeter scorers. Just a sophomore, his career is going to be fun to watch over the next two years.
Dylan Schon- Kuemper
Schon had a tremendous year, earning discussion as the Rewind Player of the Year, coming off the bench for the Knights. He had immediate energy on both ends of the floor, playing with a passion and intensity. Schon found ways to score against taller players, using great footwork in the post along with a good knowledge of how to make it tough on defenders to contest his shot in the lane. He handles the ball really well, helping him attack players from the perimeter and beat them into the lane. He can finish with both hands, at the rim. He finished the season averaging almost 14 points per game while shooting over 67.9% from the field, the school record for shooting percentage in a season. There were a lot of games this season that Kuemper began to pull away from teams after he entered the game. He is a good rebounder, averaging over 2 offensive rebounds per game and nearly 6 per game overall. He’s a strong defender, making him a good all-around player.
Carson Kanne- Kuemper
Kanne is the ultimate teammate and old fashioned point guard, looking to get teammate shots and not worried about his own scoring. He became the all-time leader in assists (440) in Kuemper history and the single season assist (171) holder. He averaged over 7 assists per game. He is terrific at creating passing lanes and getting teammates open looks, especially at the rim. His vision is outstanding, seeing passes most players don’t see and aren’t able to make. Kanne isn’t just a passer. He can shoot the ball really well, leading the State in three point percentage for most of the season. He ended the season hitting over 51% from beyond the arc, helping him shoot 63% from the field overall. He has a strong floater in traffic and finds a way to attack the rim against bigger players. He is an underrated defender and rebounder, averaging over 3 rebounds per game. Kanne is 3rd all-time in free throw percentage at 79.04%, making 132 in his career and is 8th all-time in career steals with 109.
Ryan Clair- Kuemper
Clair was a force inside for the Knights and showed the ability to score from the outside, hitting over 42% from beyond the arc. His athleticism allowed him to lead the break, finding teammates or scoring on his own on the break. He was critical for the Knights early against Union in the SubState Final, and had several big games against some of the top teams on their schedule. He battled well against the size of Dowling, proving he can square up against taller players. He finished the year scoring 15 points per game. He understands how to use his length on the boards. He reads the ball in the air well, anticipating where the rebound will be, averaging over 3 offensive and defensive rebounds per game. He is a strong passer out of the post and is a strong defender. Clair shot over 66.35% from the field and hit over 79% from the free throw line. His field goal percentage ranks 2nd in season single school history. He is 3rd in school history for made shots in a season with 138. Clair went over 1,000 career points this season. Clair received votes for the Player of the Year.
Player of the Year
Cal Heydon- Coon Rapids Bayard
Heydon was tremendous for the Crusaders, helping lead them to a conference title and a Sub-State Final. He is extremely strong with the ball, scoring inside or outside, leading the break or helping the team break full-court pressure. Heydon plays like a guard when needed but is tough to defend or score against in the post. He plays with great effort all game and adjusts well to what opponents are trying to do. He finished the season averaging over 22 points per game, setting a new school record for points in a season and could become the all-time leading scorer in Crusaders history. He shot over 56% from the field, hitting over 38% from beyond the arc. Heydon may have been his best in the biggest games of the season. He was crucial in the Crusaders huge win over Woodbine that helped them earn a share of the RVC crown and nearly led a comeback against the Tigers in the SubState Final. He scored 21 points and pulled down 20 rebounds in their win over Mount Ayr in the District Final. Heydon is a tremendous rebounder, pulling down nearly 8 rebounds per game. He is an underrated passer, dishing out 3 assists per game. Heydon is a junior and should lead what could be an extremely strong team returning next season.
Coach of the Year
Cory Meyer- Coon Rapids Bayard
Meyer led the Crusaders to their first conference crown since the 1990s as they advanced to a SubState Final for the first time since 2010. He is an elite defensive mind, holding teams well below their average. He does a tremendous job getting kids to buy into playing with great intensity on the defensive end, giving up 50 or more points in just six games this season. His teams always get better as the season goes on and are never an easy out. Coaches that face his teams talk about how well prepared his teams are and how difficult they are to score against and beat. Meyer also puts his team in a good position to score, finding his team’s strengths, allowing them to put pressure on defense. They ended the season 22-3 overall and 15-1 in the Rolling Valley Conference. Two of their three losses came on the road to teams ranked in the top 5 at the time of the game. Both of those losses were by 4 points or less. They lost twice to Woodbine, which advanced to State with the second loss coming by just 9 points as they were in every game they played this season.
