1st Team
Mikkel Schutte (6’4” Sr. F/C Houston): The Hurricanes rangy stat-stuffing double-double machine, Schutte had a stellar senior year, putting up the extremely rare stat line of 20.5 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 5.3 APG, 2.5 SPG, and 3.7 BPG. Led his team in all five categories. In SEC-league games, finished top three in all five (1st rebounding/blocks, 3rd scoring/assists/steals). Led his team and all Journal-covered boys in scoring. Scored in double figures in all but two games, hitting for 20-plus 13 times and 30-plus four times. Had a six-game string where he hit for 20-plus, averaging 28.2 PPG. Had a five-game span where he topped 29 four times, averaging 30.6 PPG. The rare player to have a 40-point game, and did so as both a junior and senior. Had 21 double-doubles in 27 games and no less than eight rebounds every game. Had three or more blocks 19 times. Had five or more assists 19 times. Had a trio of “fantasy” basketball stud performances (22 pts, 10 rebs, 6 asts, 7 stls, 9 blks vs Lanesboro; 35 pts, 11 rebs, 8 asts, 8 blks versus G-E; 20 pts, 8 rebs, 7 asts, 8 stls versus M-C). Shot efficiently including hitting 141 of 188 free throws (75%). Topped 1,000-points as a senior, finishing with 1,172. An All-SEC 2nd team selection.
Alex Van Gundy (6’2” Sr. G Houston): Completed an excellent stand-out three-year career, Houston’s fast lead guard averaged 20.4 PPG while adding 6.1 RPG and 2.0 SPG this past year. Joined with Schutte to be the only SEC teammates to each average 20 PPG. In league games, Alex was the SEC’s fourth leading scorer. An excellent fast twitch athlete, A.V.G scored in double figures every game but two and topped 20 points a county-high 15 times. Had a six-game string where he topped 20-points, averaging 24.7 PPG. Hit three or more threes in a game 12 times. Shot efficiently including hitting 84 of 104 free throws (80.8%). Entered this season already over 1,000 career points (averaged 16.9 PPG as a junior) and finishes career with 1,565. Said total is second in Hurricanes history behind Andy Sires’ 1,673. An All-SEC 1st team pick after making 2nd Team in 2019 and Honorable Mention in 2018. Van Gundy was the county’s only 1st Team All-SEC pick.
Reid Johnson (6’2” Jr. G Chatfield): For a third straight year, Johnson used his b-ball abilities to lead the Gophers in scoring. For a third straight he upped his offensive ante. After scoring 11.8 PPG in 2018 (frosh) and 16.6 PPG in 2019 as a sophomore, averaged 19.2 PPG in 2020. Those three excellent seasons allowed the select scorer to surpass 1,000 career points. He is over 1,200 heading to his senior year. Johnson added a team-best 6.6 RPG plus 2.7 APG, and 2.5 SPG. Shot efficiently, hitting 41.8% of threes, 46.7% of field goals, and 81.9% of free throws. Scored in double figures in every game but one game, topping 20 eleven times and 30 twice. Had four double-doubles from a guard position while authoring multiple steals 22 times. Ended the year with 19 straight games of multiple steals and 21 games of double-digit scoring. A repeat All-TRC pick.
Haidyn Gunderson (6’2” Sr. G Fillmore Central): Made the most of his one-year of varsity, leading the Falcons in scoring at 17.5 PPG, rebounding at 8.2 RPG, assists at 3.8 APG, an steals at 2.1 SPG. The crafty Australian also was FC’s top overall shooter, hitting 46.6% of his field goals, 35.7 % of his threes, and 68.2% of his free throws. Scored in double figures in 24 of 27 games, topping 20 eleven times and 30 twice. Had 10 doubles-doubles from a guard position, grabbing at least five rebounds in 23 of 27 games. Flirted with a triple double versus Houston (30 pts, 11 rebs, 8 asts). An All-TRC snub, made All-TRC HM.
Justin Ruberg (6’3” So. F Rushford-Peterson): Used his crafty interior post abilities and all-around ball skills to lead the Trojans in scoring at 15.6 PPG, rebounding at 8.4 RPG, and assists at 3.4 APG. It was a stand-out sophomore campaign. Notched 11 double-doubles. Scored in double-digits in 24 of 27 games including his last 20 contests. Shot efficiently, hitting 157 of 330 field goals (47.6%) and 74 of 101 free throws (73.3%). Had 14 games of 50% or better field goal percentage, notable as it was a sophomore playing inside against upperclassmen (and a stacked TRC talent pool). All-TRC pick after making All-TRC HM last year.
2nd Team
Luke O’Hare (6’4” J. F Rushford-Peterson): The Trojans’ second leading scorer at 14 PPG and rebounder at 5.4 RPG. Added 2.4 APG. O’Hare scored in double figures in 24 of 27 games, barely playing in one of the three misses. Made shots at strong rates, 149 of 306 field goals (48.7%) and 69 of 89 free throws (77.5%). Had 11 games of 50% of better field goal percentage, coming from a guy who excels in the mid-range. Heads to his senior year with over 900 career points. Repeats as All-TRC.
John Prestemon (6’0” Fr. G Lanesboro): The Burros’ all-around point guard, averaged a team second-best 12.4 PPG, team-bests in rebounds with 6.6 RPG, assists with 4.9 APG, and steals with 2.3 SPG. Authored 16 double-digit scoring games, four double-digit rebounding games, and a pair of double-digit assist games, the only Journal-covered guy to do each multiple times. Had nine games of 10-plus points, 5-plus rebounds, and 5-plus assists, two games of 10-plus points, 5-plus rebounds, 5-plus assists, and 5-plus steals. An All-SEC 2nd Team pick.
Caiden Danielson (6’1” Sr. G Houston): The third hub of Houston’s senior triple-threat, Danielson averaged 13.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 2.5 SPG. Like classmates Van Gundy and Schutte, an efficient scorer. Hit double figures in 19 games of 27 games. All-SEC HM.
Brady Musel (6’8” Sr. C Kingsland): Fought through knee issues to lead the Knights in scoring at 12.8 PPG, rebounding at 7.6 RPG, and blocks at 2.5 BPG. Averaged 3.7 PPG, 2.0 RPG in just 15 games as a junior. Shot 74% from the free throw line and 46% from the field. A throw-back big-man with good interior skills, but his half-court strengths were less served for today’s open court game.
Sawyer Johnson (6’0” Jr. G Lanesboro): The Burros’ leading scorer at 13.2 PPG mostly because of his deep shooting. Johnson hit 84 of 243 three-pointers (35%), the most of any Journal-covered athlete. Hit three-plus threes in a game 16 times, and five-plus five times. Scored in double figures in 20 of 27 games. All-SEC HM.
Landon Bance (5’11” Sr. G Chatfield): Averaged 11.8 PPG mostly due to his long-range abilities. Scored in double digits 16 of 26 games. Hit a team-best 69 of 188 threes, a solid 36.7%. Nailed three or more threes 11 times. Ended his career hitting multiple threes in 11 straight games. Hit 86 of 201 threes last year for a two-year tally of 155 for 389 (39.8%). A repeat All-TRC HM pick.
Others Worth Mentioning
Malachi Bunke (5’9” So. G Rushford-Peterson): The third cog of R-P’s three-pronged scoring attack (Ruberg, O’Hare), Bunke averaged 10.4 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and a team second-best 3.4 APG. The Trojans main ball handler and top shooter hit 56 of 138 threes, a very nice 40.6% clip. All-TRC HM.
Zach Haugerud (6’0” Jr. G Fillmore Central): Averaged a team-second-best 14.8 PPG while chipping in 3.3 RPG. Scored in double figures in 22 of 28 games. Shot an excellent 73% from the FT line. All-TRC HM.
Walker Erdman (6’2” So. G Kingsland): Kingsland’s top ball-dominant scorer, put up a team second-best 11.3 PPG while adding 4.5 RPG. Hit 71 of 97 free throws (73%).
Luke Howard (5’9” Sr. G Kingsland): The Knights’ two-year starting point guard, averaged 6.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 1.9 APG, and 1.5 SPG. All-SEC HM.
Gavin Johnson (6’1” Jr. F/C Mabel-Canton): The Cougars’ leading scorer at 8.2 PPG and rebounder at 4.6 RPG. Averaged 10.3 PPG and 5.4 RPG M-C’s last 12 games. All-SEC HM.
*All stats are calculated by Paul Trende, taken from stats sent to him by coaches. Subject to error.
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