It was a boys basketball season that featured a crop of really good players. Fifteen total Journal covered athletes averaged over 11 points per game. A 1,000-point scorer and a double-double guy were All-Conference Honorable Mention. A double-double guy didn’t even get honored anything A-C.
1st Team
Wyatt Pruter (6’2” Sr. G, Kingsland): Turned in a magnificent offensive senior year. Simply a great pure scorer. Averaged a team-high 21.8 PPG on the strength of 18 games of 20-plus points (including five 30-plus efforts). He was the SEC’s second-leading league-game scorer (21.0), just behind L-O’s Trey Hungerholt (21.1). Accrued over 600 points this season. Had an eight-game stretch where he hit for 20 or more, part of a 12 game stretch of averaging nearly 26 PPG. Hit 2.8 threes per game, going 79 of 242 (32.6%). Only had five games where he failed to make multiple threes, two games (got injured, foul trouble) where he didn’t score in double figures. Hit three or more threes 16 times. Made 145 of 190 free throws (76%). Chipped in 4.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.1 steals per contest. Led Knights to 17-11 season, his third winning season on the varsity level (averaged 16-plus wins over three years). Hit 170 threes and went 270 of 357 at the charity stripe (75.8%) for his career, notching 59 total double-digit scoring games. Eclipsed 1,000 career points, finishing with 1,228, which is third in Knight history behind Josh Hagen (1,512) and Alex Nelson (1,457). After being All-TRC in 2018, makes All-SEC 1st Team in 2019.
Drew Wyffels (5’9” Sr. G, Mabel-Canton): One of the Cougars’ best guards ever, the lightning-quick Wyffels had another stat-stuffing season. He was second on the team in points (11.9) and rebounds (6.4), first in assists (5.8) and steals (3.4). Had 16 double-digit scoring games, 22 five-plus rebound games, 19 five-plus assist games, and seven five-plus steal games. Included was a triple double versus AC/GE (11 pts, 10 rebs, 13 asts), one of three double-digit assist efforts (only FCJ athlete to do so). It was his second straight season of averaging at least 10 points, at least five rebounds, at least five assists, and at least 2.5 steals. Finishes a four-year starter career with over 1,000 points (1,177), 550 rebounds, 550 assists, and 250 steals. Is M-C’s all-time leader in assists and steals. One of very few players to have posted individual games of double digit scoring (64 times), double-digit rebounding (7 times), double-digit assists (7 times), and double-digit steals (once). All-SEC 2nd Team for a second time (2017). Wyffels was All-SEC 1st team in 2018.
Landon Skalet (5’10” Sr. G, Rushford-Peterson): Another in the line of proficient and talented R-P guys, the Trojans lone senior rode his way through the season with a bunch of young players. Being the lone upperclassmen, Skalet was a target defensively for opposition, but he still posted (efficient) team-highs in points (13.2) and assists (4.0). Added 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 steals. Scored double figures in 21 of 29 games, including the epic 35-point (9 of 10 threes) career-night versus Caledonia. Had a three game mid-season span where he was 18 of 18 at the free throw line. Went 71 of 90 for the year (78.9%). “Skalie” kept up his three-point shooting prowess, hitting 61 of 128 trifectas, an impressive clip (47.6%). Hit three or more in a game 11 times. For his career, he topped 900 total points and hit 169 of 398 threes, a tremendous 42.4% clip. Scored in double figures 41 total times while playing on teams that went 82-38 the last four years. Repeats as All-TRC.
Carson Schwichtenberg (6’0” Sr. G, Lanesboro): Ran the show for the Burros, both when it came to ball-handling and the big scoring. Made the full transition from shooter (frosh, sophomore) to lead guard. Led the Burros in scoring (18.6) for a second straight year. “Switzy” also was team-leader in assists (3.6) and steals (1.6) while finishing second in rebounding (5.0). Scored in double-figures in 23 of 25 games, concluding his 3 ½ year career with 65 double-digit scoring efforts. Made 69 of 97 free throws (71.1%). Hit 80 of 228 threes (35.9%), bringing his career-make tally to 228 made triples. He hit three threes in a game 16 times, making it the third year he’s done so at least 10 times. Notched 43 career games of three made threes. Topped 1,000 career-points (1,267), doing so with a career-night, 39 points, the second-highest scoring tally of Journal covered athletes.
He and Brother Cole (1,326) are four-five in Lanesboro’s 1,000-club. All-SEC 2nd Team for a second time.
Alex Van Gundy (6‘1” Jr. G, Houston): The athletic guard posted an excellent junior year, leading Houston with 16.9 points per game while adding 5-plus rebounds and 2-plus steals. His speed in the open-court and good deep shooting skills (62 made threes) allowed him to hit double-digit scoring in 26 of 28 games. Topped 20 points five times. Hit three or more threes in a game 12 times. Ends the season hitting at least one three-pointer in 11 straight games. Solid at the free throw line, converting 64 of 94 attempts (68%). Helped Houston to a good turn-around season (13-15) including near huge upset of eventual Section Champ Spring Grove in the 1A semis. A.V.G. reached the 1,000-point plateau late in his junior season, a rare feat for a guy. All-SEC 2nd Team.
2nd Team
Reid Johnson (6‘1” So. G, Chatfield): Led Gophers in scoring for a second straight season, averaging 16.6 points per game. Shot a commendable 48.6% (158-325) from the field and 72.4% (71-98) from the free throw line. Added team-highs with 3.1 assists and 2.4 steals while chipping in 4.6 boards per game. Scored in double figures in every game but one, impressive for a sophomore, and the only Journal covered guy to do so. Topped 20 points six times. Helped Gophers to a good team turn-around, as they posted double-digit wins for the first time in a few years. Has scored over 700 career points with junior and senior years to go. An All-TRC selection.
Luke O’Hare (6‘3” So. F, R-P): After getting minutes as a frosh on the Trojans 2018 state team (5.6 PPG, 2.8 RPG), stepped into a big role and produced with his superb mid-range game. O’Hare averaged 13.1 points (team second-best), 5.6 rebounds (team-leader), 3.5 assists (team second-best), and 1.6 steals per game. Scored in double figures in 22 of 29 games, with 15 games of six or more made field goals. Shot 44.3% from the field (pretty good for a high-volume sophomore shooter on varsity). Also hit 57 of 75 free throws (76%) including a four-game span where he was 18 of 18. He’s over 500 career points heading into his junior year. An All-TRC pick.
Josef Fahrenholtz (6’8” Sr. C, Chatfield): Gopher rangy big-man ratcheted up game. Scored 8.9 points with 4.8 rebounds last year. Chalked up 14.4 points and a team-high 8.8 boards this year. Shot very effectively, 142 of 259 from the field (54.8%), 60 of 85 from the line (70.6%), and even 16 of 40 from deep (40%). Had seven double-doubles, but 11 other games of either 8 or 9 rebounds, five other games of either 8 or 9 points. Scored at least 8 points every contest. Set career-highs in points (27) and rebounds (19) versus Kingsland. An All-TRC pick.
Dylan Loppnow (6’5” Sr. C, Mabel-Canton): Cougar big-man had a big senior year. Posted a double-double, 15.7 points and 10.6 rebounds per game (after averaging 8.1 and 6.3 last year). Shot an impressive 58% from the field (172-199). Notched 14 doubles-doubles while scoring in double-digits in 23 of 26 games. Averaged five offensive rebounds per game. Added solid defensive numbers (1.9 blocks, 1.6 steals). All-SEC HM.
James Hongerholt (6’2” Sr. F, Houston): Senior year started rough. Hongerholt missed six games with a football-inspired hand injury. Rebounded from there to average 15.5 points and 8-plus rebounds. Notched at least eight double-doubles. Scored in double figures in 19 of 22 games played, notching either 8 or 9 in the other three. A wiry interior player, Hongerholt topped 1,000 career points late this season, finishing with 1,050. After being All-SEC 2nd Team as a junior, makes All-SEC HM.
Reid Kruegel (5‘11” Sr. G, Kingsland): After playing a bench role as a junior (3.1 PPG, 2.9 RPG), made big jumps as a senior. The excellent rebounding guard (seven double-digit efforts) averaged 12.3 points, plus team highs with 7.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. Hit 63 of 176 threes (35.8%) and 51 of 74 free throws (68.9%). Had 10 games of three or more made threes. After hitting double-digits just once each as a sophomore and junior, did so 16 times senior year, averaging 16.1 PPG in those efforts. All-SEC HM.
Others worth mentioning
Mikkel Schutte (6’3” Jr. F, Houston): Had a huge start to the season; averaged 21 points and 16.8 rebounds the first nine games (while Hongerholt was recovering). Houston’s most versatile player, Schutte used his length and springiness to post a very strong overall line; 13.6 points with roughly 11-plus rebounds, three-plus assists, two steals, and two blocks per game. Had at least 12 double doubles. Of the Journal covered schools, had the best single-game point total, 41 versus Lanesboro, and (at minimum) the three best rebounding games (20-plus three times). Couldn’t crack an All-SEC team despite leading the league in rebounding (just SEC games).
Landon Bance (5’10” junior G, Chatfield): Bance’s roll was to shoot, and he did so very well, scoring 11.6 points per game via hitting 86 of 201 three-pointers (42.8%). By contrast, hit just 11 two-point field goals! Had 14 games of four-plus made threes (including an 8 of 12, 26-point effort versus St. Charles, spurring to the Gophers to their best win)! Hit double-digit threes in every game but three. All-TRC HM.
Justin Ruberg (6’1” Fr. F, R-P): Had a superb varsity season as a frosh. Averaged 9.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Hit 63 of 78 free throws (80.8%) including ending the year on a 39 of 44 (88.6%) string. Hit 92 of 192 field goals
(47.9%), many on the interior (versus theoretically older, stronger foes). All-TRC HM.
Josh Peters (5’9” senior G, FC): For a second straight year, led FC in scoring at 14.9 points per game. Averaged 18.8 PPG the first 12 games. Hit 79 of 253 threes (31.2%). Made three or more trifectas 14 times. Hit a three in every game but one. Added 3.3 boards, 2.2 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. All-TRC HM.
Kobe Lind (6’2” So. G/F, R-P): Averaged 8.6 points per game hitting 37 of 106 threes (34.9%). Added 4.0 boards and 1.3 steals per game. Went 9 of 10 from the field in a career-best 23-point night versus FC. All-TRC HM.
Connor Ruen (6’0” Sr. F., Lanesboro): Relentlessness made him Lanesboro’s designated defender, their best defender. Averaged 4.9 points, a team-high 5.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. All-SEC HM.
Andrew Luck (6’1” Sr. G/F, Lanesboro): Four-year player tallied a team second-best 12.6 points per game. Averaged 12.5 PPG last year. Finished his varsity career with over 800 total points.