This year’s boys All-County team is headed by a first squad that is all from just two teams. State-entrant R-P boast three while Kingsland and its superb backcourt has the other two first-teamers.
1st Team
Ben Ansell (6’5” Sr. C, R-P): “MVP” was the offensive finisher that R-P rode to state. Ansell went from averaging 2.1 points-per as a junior, with two double-digit efforts, to a team-high 13.2 points-per as a senior, with 23 double-digit efforts. He was likely the TRC’s most improved player. Over his last 15 full games played, he averaged 16.2 PPG. Included was 57 combined points (25-35 FGs) in two Section “Final Four” contests. He also led R-P in their three state level games with 15 PPG. Shot an incredible 63.7% from the field (only two games of sub-50% shooting). Chipped in 4.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals. An All-TRC pick.
Jake Paulson (6’2” Sr. F/G, R-P): The Trojans most versatile player, their most explosive all-around athlete, and most key offensive/defensive instigator. Paulson averaged 9.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.8 steals per game. He was team-leader in steals, second in rebounds and assists, third in scoring. Had 16 double-digit scoring efforts, 14 five-plus rebound efforts, 11 five-plus assist efforts, and five five-plus steal efforts. Shot a solid 45% from the field. An All-TRC pick.
Zach Bubany (5’10” Sr. G, Kingsland): The Knights dynamic range-less point guard again stirred the black and silver’s drink. Bubany averaged a team second-best 12.2 points and a team-best 5.6 assists per game. Zach had 18 double-digit scoring efforts and 17 five-plus assist efforts. Included were two point-assist double-doubles. Chipped in 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals per with 66 made threes. Hit three or more threes 12 times. Made 53 of 70 free throws (70%). A three-year starter, Bubany finished with over 850 career points. An All-TRC pick.
Wyatt Pruter (6’2” Jr. G, Kingsland): The Knights’ top scorer (15.1), Pruter hit double-digits in all but four games (and had 8 or 9 in those contests). He more than doubled his PPG output from sophomore year (6.9). Pruter had his two best games (27/29) against Chatfield. Chipped in 2.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while hitting a team-best 67 threes. Hit three or more threes in a game 12 times. Also was the Knights top free throw shooter by makes (79 of 104), second by percentage (75%). An All-TRC pick.
Landon Skalet (5’11” Jr. G, R-P): The Trojans point guard marksman, Skalet was second on the team in scoring (10.9), tops in assists (3.5). Added 2.2 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game. Had 18 double-digit scoring efforts while leading R-P in made threes (79) at a very high clip (44.9%). Hit at least one trifecta over R-P’s last 26 games. Hit three or more threes in a game 12 times. Had one two-game span (Southland, St. Charles) where all of his shots were threes and he went 10 of 12. Had 10 five-plus assist games. An All-TRC pick.
2nd Team
Drew Wyffels (5’10” Jr. G, M-C): The Cougars’ everywhere-point-guard, Wyffels led the team in scoring (14.0), assists (7.3), and steals (2.5) per game, all for a second straight year. He added 5.3 rebounds. Scored in double figures in all but four games. Had four 20-plus point games, 18 five-plus rebound games, and 23 five-plus assist games. Wyffels had three point-assist double-doubles including 25 and 15 versus Kee. Shot 68% from the free throw line (79 of 116). Now has over 850 career points. A 1st team All-SEC pick after being 2nd team last year.
James Hongerholt (6’2” Jr. F, Houston): Stats weren’t available on the Hurricanes’ top player, but a rough estimate had him in the upper teens in points and high singles for rebounds. An All-SEC 2nd Team pick.
Carson Schwichtenberg (6’0” Jr. G, Lanesboro): Led the Burros in scoring (15.4), and assists (3.0), was third in rebounding (4.5). It’s the fourth straight year a Schwichtenberg has powered Lanesboro (older brother Cole was leading scorer the past three seasons). Carson hit double-figures in all but four games and scored 20-plus a county-high seven times. Hit 56 threes after hitting 61 as a sophomore. An All-SEC 2nd team selection.
Ian Meisner (6’8” Sr. C, Kingsland): The Knights’ wall inside, Meisner averaged 11.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per while shooting 54% from the field. Notched 17 double-digit scoring games. Upped his scoring considerably from junior year (6.6 per). Had 10 games in which he blocked three-plus shots. All TRC HM.
Nate Haugerud (5’10” Sr. G, FC): The Falcons’ best all-around contributor affected the game in all ways. He led FC in rebounding (6.2) assists (4.0) and steals (2.1) while finishing second in scoring (8.0). Hit 83 of 120 free throws (69%). Had 20 games of five-plus rebounds from a guard position. Upped production big from junior year (2.3 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.7 SPG). All-TRC HM.
Honorable Mentions
Reid Johnson (6’1” Fr. G, Chatfield): The Gophers’ leading scorer as just a frosh (11.8), added 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. Pulled the rarity; a 30-point game from a freshman (versus Southland). All-TRC HM. Josh Peters (5’10” Jr. G, FC): Led FC in scoring (10.1) behind his three-point shooting (61 made threes) and open court abilities (2.1 steals). Added 2.7 rebounds per game. All-TRC HM. Dawson Dahl (6’1” Sr. F, R-P): A Trojan glue-guy, Dahl averaged 6.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. Led R-P on the boards while shooting 49.7% from the field. All-TRC HM. Payton Hahn (6’2” Sr. G/F, R-P): Despite missing games with injury, averaged 8.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. All TRC HM. Blake Henry (6’1” Jr. C, M-C): The Cougars’ second leading scorer (8.7) and top rebounder (7.0), Henry was maybe M-C’s grittiest player. All-SEC HM. Andrew Luck (6’1” Jr. G/F, Lanesboro): The Burros’ second leading scorer (12.5). Chipped in 4.5 rebounds per game. Hit double figures in 17 games. Averaged 16.7 points his final six games. All-SEC HM. Jackson Rindels (6’0” senior G, Kingsland): The Knights’ designated defender, Rindels averaged 4.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. All-TRC HM. Alex Van Gundy (6’0” So. G, Houston): All-SEC HM.
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