1st Team
Ellie Buchholtz (5’8” junior G/F, Kingsland): Arguably the SEC’s best all-around talented player, led Kingsland in scoring (19.4 PPG), assists (4.3 APG), and steals (3.1 SPG) while finishing second in rebounding (6.7 RPG). Said numbers (save rebounding) all exceeded Sister Lauren as a senior. Ellie scored in double digits in all but two games while hitting 18-plus-points 18 times. Joined Sister Lauren in scoring 1,000 points and, at 1,190, certainly has a shot at topping Lauren’s Kingsland scoring record (1,548). Notched 11 games of at least 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, three games of 15 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals. Led the senior-less Knights to an undefeated SEC-West title and an 18-10 season. After being All-TRC HM as a frosh and All-SEC 2nd team as a sophomore, makes the All-SEC 1st team.
Emma Geiwitz (5’9” junior G, Houston): Had another huge year reaping the whirlwind of the Hurricanes’ 1-3-1 half-court trap. Emma G. averaged a Journal-best 21.2 PPG with the most 30-point games (four) and the most 20-point games (15). Geiwitz had 12 games where she made double-digit baskets. She scored in double digits in all but two games. Chipped in 4.6 RPG, 3.1 APG, and 4.1 SPG. Had four games of 20-plus points, 5-plus rebounds, and 5-plus steals. Topped 1,000 points and heads to her senior year with 1,228, or 528 behind Houston’s all-time leading scorer Alyssa Rostad (1,756). Geiwitz has scored 494 and 594 points the past two seasons. Helped Houston to their third straight SEC-East title, and their second-best season win-wise ever (21-7). An All-SEC 2nd team pick last year, moves up to 1st Team.
Payton Danielson (5’4” senior G, Mabel-Canton): Finished off the very-rare distinguished six-year varsity career. Led the Cougars in scoring (12.3 PPG) and rebounding (10.0) to average a double-double, all from a 5’4” guard. Also led M-C in assists (2.8 APG) and steals (4.2 SPG). Had 16 double-digit scoring nights and 15 double-digit rebounding games plus a double-digit steal effort. Her last made shot gave her the M-C girl’s school scoring record (1,580). Also finishes with 988 rebounds, 359 assists, and 503 steals for a 159-game career-averages of 9.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.3 APG, and 3.2 SPG. Authored five seasons of 200-plus points, two 200-plus rebound campaigns, and three 100-plus steal seasons. Scored in double figures 78 times. An All-SEC 1st team pick after being All-SEC 2nd Team three times.
Kandace Sikkink (5’8” senior F, Fillmore Central): Had a second excellent season to be the leading scorer on a section champion and state participant team. FC’s strong interior player averaged team-best 17.1 PPG, 8.4 RPG, and 40.3% FGs. Scored in double digits in all but three games in amassing a 500-plus-point season. Topped 20-points eleven times and had seven double-doubles. Went 141 of 216 from the line (65.3%). Finished career with 943 points and 586 rebounds. Repeats as All-TRC.
Kassidy Broadwater (5’6” senior G, FC): The Falcons starting point guard sped all over the place during their state run. Averaged 9.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 4.9 APG, and 3.7 SPG. Couldn’t quite keep up to older sister Kenzie’s silly senior year (8.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 6.3 APG, 5.3 SPG), but was close. Scored a career-high 30 points in her last varsity basketball game on the state stage. Scored in double digits 12 times, had five-plus rebounds 15 times, five-plus assists 18 times, and five plus steals eight times. Couldn’t quite keep up to older sister Kenzie’s senior year (11, 16, 24, and 19 times respectively), but came close. Finished career with 558 points, 398 rebounds, 290 assists, and 288 steals. A two-time state entrant (pole vault). An All-TRC 1st Team pick.
2nd Team
Emma Breitsprecher (5’10” senior G/F, FC): The Falcons 1-3-1 defensive spearhead, opposing guards will be glad the athletic and rangy G/F is gone. A four-year player, Emma B. played on a pair of section title teams (2017, 2020) including 2020’s state qualifier. Averaged 7.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG and 1.7 SPG, but got a ton of deflections and influenced a ton of turnovers. Finishes her four-year career with 738 points and 487 rebounds. Like Broadwater, a two-time state entrant (multiple times in track). A repeat All-TRC a selection.
Sydney Torgerson (5’9” freshman F, Houston): The Hurricanes low-post weapon, Torgerson added a strong frosh campaign to her good 8th grade year. Scored a team-second-best 14.3 PPG on a team-best 57% from the field. Hit a team-best 84 of 142 free throws (59%). Averaged a team-best 9.7 RPG. Also averaged 4.1 SPG. Nearly averaged a double-double, and had 12 double-doubles. Had eight games of 10-plus points, 5-plus rebounds, and 5-plus steals. Began the year by scoring in double-digits in 19 straight and did so in 25 of 28 contests. Has nearly 600 career points and 500 rebounds with three years left. An All-SEC 2nd Team pick.
Jenny Albrecht (5’11” senior F/C, Houston): Houston’s not-offensive difference maker, averaged the odd/rare/impressive line of 4.8 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 4.1 APG, and 4.1 SPG. Was a huge defensive and rebounding asset, triggering break-outs amidst the ‘Canes 1-3-1. Had a crazy 12-assist, 13-steal game versus L-O. The only county player to post a game of double-digit scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals. A four-year player who got to see all of Houston girls basketball’s resurgence including three SEC-East titles (59-23 record). All-SEC HM.
Merredith Farlinger (6’0” junior C, Kingsland): Kingsland’s long armed-post averaged a team-best 8.7 RPG and 3.4 BPG while adding 7.8 PPG. Shot 44.5% from the field. Had seven double-doubles and a pair of eight-block, near triple-doubles (16 pts, 8 rebs, 8 blks and 18 pts, 12 rebs, 8 blks). An All-SEC 2nd team pick.
Silja Erickson (5’9” Sr. C, Chatfield): The Gophers’ interior glue and strong defender, their only senior, averaged 7.5 PPG and 5.5 RPG. Earned the girls Bob Welch Memorial award at the Winona Holiday Basketball Tournament for leadership, character, sportsmanship, and overall teamwork. An All-TRC pick.
Others Worth Mentioning
Ten other county girls basketball players made All-Conference or A-C HM. Making the All-SEC 2nd team were Lanesboro’s Payton Benson (5’4” Sr. G), Kingsland’s Sam Wernimont (5’3” Jr. G) and Houston’s Becca Rostad (5’5” Jr. G). Making the All-SEC HM were M-C’s Lauren Wyffels (5’5” Jr. G), Lanesboro’s Jessie Schrieber (5’11” Fr. C), and Kingsland’s Audrey Webster (5’5” So. G). Making All-TRC HM were Chatfield gals Tessa McMahon (5’4” So. G), Jaiden Zimmerman (5’9” So. G), and Peyton Berg (5’7” So.), R-P’s Alayna Helgemoe (5’6” Jr. G).
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