Heading the cast of All-TRC picks are guys from Caledonia and Rushford-Peterson. Each school gets a league-high three All-TRC picks. For the Warriors, Eli King (6’3” Sr. G), Jackson Koepke (6’4” Sr. G), and Ja’Shon Simpson (6’3” Sr. G) make the cut. The trio helped the Warriors to the TRC East and 1AA titles, plus a state 3rd place finish. King was a highlight machine both offensively and defensively. He led the Warriors in scoring (19.9), rebounding (9.7), assists (4.4), steals (4.2 SPG), and dunks (3-plus per game unofficially!). King scored in double figures in all but three games, topped 20 points 14 times, and 30 points five times. His athleticism is rare for small schools, or big ones for that matter. King made the Class AA All-Tourney team with even better averages (24.7 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 5 APG, 6.3 SPG). He was one of five Mr. Minnesota Basketball finalists. For his career, he finished with 1,656 points, 671 rebounds, 419 assists, and 368 steals (despite missing his junior season). He was thrice All-TRC. He’s third in Caledonia scoring history behind his brothers Noah (2,575) and Owen (2,437). Koepke used his shooting and strong driving to rank second for the Warriors in points (16.1) and rebounds (4.7). He led the team in threes made (84). He scored in double figures in all but three games, topping 20 eight times. It was his second All-TRC selection. Simpson was the third Warrior to average double-figures, as he put up 12.2 PPG with 4.2 RPG and 1.9 SPG. The King/Koepke/Simpson trio each hit double figures in the same game nine times. Making All-TRC HM for Caledonia are Thane Meiners (6’0” Sr. G > 7.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.6 SPG) and Chris Pieper (6’3” Sr. F) > 6.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG). For Rushford-Peterson, Justin Ruberg (6’3” Sr. F), Malachi Bunke (6’0” Sr. G), and Grady Hengel (5’8” Jr. G) are All-TRC. Ruberg finished a strong four-year career by averaging team-bests with 17.2 PPG and 8.5 RPG. He scored in double figures in all but three games, had nine double-doubles, and topped 20 points 11 times. The skilled forward shot 58% from the field (182 of 314) and 79% from the free throw line (93 of 118). Ruberg three-peated as All-TRC. He finishes his career with 1,445 points. Bunke was second on the team with 12.9 PPG. He hit a team-best 78 (of 212) threes at a solid 37% clip. He nailed four or more in a game 12 times. Bunke also hit 77% of his free throws (43 of 56). Hengel averaged 8.3 PPG, 2.6 RPG, and a team-leading 3.6 APG. He shot well at the line too, 75% (45 of 60). Andrew Hoiness (6’0” Sr. G) made All-TRC HM. Hoiness was a defensive specialist who used his cross-country endurance to fly round (5.4 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, 2.1 SPG). Said players helped R-P to a good 24-6 campaign, a 1A semifinals appearance. Chatfield sports a pair of All-TRC picks plus two All-TRC HM players. Cole Johnson (6’3” Jr. G) and Drew Schindler (5’10” Jr. G) make All-TRC. Johnson put up all-around numbers, finishing second on the team in scoring (10.7), first in assists (5.5) and steals (2.5). Johnson added 3.7 RPG. He was one of only two Journal 11 pure All-Conference athletes (Prestemon) to average over 5 APG. Johnson repeated as All-TRC. Schindler used his shooting skills to lead the Gophers in scoring (15.1). He added 3.4 RPG, 2.6 APG, and 2.3 SPG. The junior hit 40% of his threes (63 of 157). He also hit 72% of his free throws (64 of 89) and 49% of his total field goals (148 of 301). He was All-TRC HM last season. Making All-TRC HM for the Gophers are Eli Hopp (5’11” Jr. G > 10.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.0 APG, 2.1 SPG, 28 of 81 from deep, or 35%) and Isaac Stevens (6’2” Jr. F > 9.4 PPG, team-high 6.4 RPG, 52% FGs). Fillmore Central gets an All-TRC pick and two All-TRC HMs. Jayce Kiehne (6’1” So. G) makes All-TRC. He had a huge first full season on varsity, leading FC in scoring (19.6). Kiehne was a strong rim-attacker, and good at getting fouled (142 of 194 free throws, 73% clip). He also tied for the team lead with 5.1 RPG while chipping 1.9 APG and 1.4 SPG. Kiehne scored in double figures in every game but two, topping 20 points 15 times and 30 four times. Luke Hellickson (6’2” So. G > team second-best 10.6 PPG, team-best 5.1 RPG, 65 made threes, 32% clip) and Bryce Corson (5’6” Jr. G > 6.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 5.7 APG – highest of any Journal 11 player, 1.8 SPG) made All-TRC HM.
Leave a Reply