Staff reports
Like most years, the boys All-Area Basketball Team was tough to figure out.
There were plenty of great kids to choose from in northeast South Dakota. We even had someone from southeast North Dakota. At some point, though, you have to draw the cutoff line and choose the best of the best.
Without further ado, here is a capsule-style look at each player selected to this year’s All-Area Basketball Team.
Jackson Becker, Aberdeen Christian
Class: Senior. Position: Forward. Season stats: 16 points per game, 8 rebounds per game, 2 assists per game. Awards/honors: All-Lake Region Conference selection.
“Jackson had an excellent senior season. He has an exceptional work ethic and led our team in rebounds. We relied on his ability to score the ball this year and could always count on him when we needed a bucket.” — head coach David Rohrbach.
Andrew Rohrbach, Aberdeen Christian
Class: Junior. Position: Guard. Season stats: 18 points per game, 8 rebounds per game, 6 assists per game. Awards/honors: Class B All-State Third Team, All-Lake Region Conference selection.
“Andrew had a very good year for us, and we relied heavily on his playmaking ability. In addition to his ability to score the ball, what separates him the most is his relentlessness on both ends of the floor. That showed in the amount of rebounds he grabbed from the point guard position.” — head coach David Rohrbach.
Brady Morgan, Aberdeen Roncalli
Class: Senior. Position: Guard. Season stats: 12 points per game, 3 rebounds per game, 4 assists per game. Awards/honors: All-Northeast Conference selection.
“Brady is a tough and unselfish player that makes all the other players better by his presence. As a point guard, he has leadership skills, toughness, a great work ethic, a willingness to guard the full length of the court, the ability to push the ball in transition and he plays with a tremendous amount of energy.” — assistant coach Kendall Hoellein.
Kyler Meyer, Britton-Hecla
Class: Senior. Position: Guard. Season stats: 24 points per game, 4 rebounds per game, 2 assists per game. Awards/honors: Class B All-State Second Team, All-Northeast Conference selection.
“Kyler is a gym rat that has made himself into a elite shooter and all-around basketball player. He’s a very smart defender with a knack for knowing where the ball is. He will be missed at Britton-Hecla.” — head coach Bill Meyer.
Austin Molan, Ellendale, N.D.
Class: Senior. Position: Guard. Season stats: 17 points per game, 5 rebounds per game, 4 assists per game. Awards/honors: Class B All-State Second Team.
“Austin is a great kid and deserves all the accolades he has received. Austin has worked very hard on his game and has been a fantastic leader and role model for our younger guys.” — head coach Brian Vance.
Brodyn DeHoet, Groton Area
Class: Junior. Position: Forward. Season stats: 17 points per game, 11 rebounds per game, 2 assists per game. Awards/honors: All-Northeast Conference selection.
“Brodyn was a great floor leader this season. It was a lot of fun watching him mature as the season went on.” — head coach Justin Hanson.
Wade Begeman, Herreid/Selby Area
Class: Junior. Position: Guard/Forward. Season stats: 19 points per game, 5 rebounds per game, 3 assists per game.
“Wade is a tremendous offthe-ball player with a really outstanding feel for the game. Most players nowadays are more comfortable with the ball in their hands, but Wade seems to be one of the few that can read a defense to score, make cuts, and offensive rebound. He is very unique in his skillset as well as being a phenomenal student in the classroom. I am excited for him and this team next year.” — head coach Chris Hettick.
Zech Clemens, Northwestern
Class: Junior. Position: Guard. Season stats: 25 points per game, 6 rebounds per game, 2 assists per game. Awards/honors: Class B All-State First Team, All-Lake Region Conference selection.
“Zech does the little things for us and leads by example in both practice and in games. He finds different ways to score and that makes it extremely hard to guard him. It is especially fun to watch him on defense when he gets deflections and steals and then it’s off to the races for the dunk. We can’t wait to see what he is going to do for us his senior year.” — head coach Anthony Redman.
Caleb Schentzel, Northwestern
Class: Senior. Position: Guard. Season stats: 15 points per game, 5 rebounds per game, 5 assists per game. Awards/honors: All-Lake Region Conference selection.
“Caleb did a good job being our general on the floor. He worked very hard in the summer by lifting and working on his shot and the results showed. He did a good job of getting the job done on both ends. He was one of our better defenders. He did a good job of getting the ball to his teammates and finding ways to score in big moments. We are going to miss him next year.” — head coach Anthony Redman.
Cole Nafziger, Potter County
Class: Senior. Position: Guard/Forward. Season stats: 12 points per game, 5 assists per game, 3 steals per game.
“Cole’s had steady improvement since his sophomore year. He’s consistent in his effort and drive to make himself and his teammates better. He brought energy and leadership and is another piece that will be hard to replace.” — head coach Bryce Hall.
Dawson Simon, Potter County
Class: Senior. Position: Guard/Forward. Season stats: 16 points per game, 6 rebounds per game, 3 steals per game.
“Dawson is one of the quickest and (most) athletic kids I’ve coached. His length and change of pace was a hard guard. He could get to the rim many different ways and could get going from the 3-point line. He’s been a big part to our success his last three years.” — head coach Bryce Hall.
Micaiah Utecht, Redfield/Doland
Class: Senior. Position: Guard. Season stats: 14 points per game, 7 rebounds per game, 4 assists per game. Awards/honors: All-Northeast Conference selection.
“Mic had an outstanding season and career. He was great at both ends of the floor for us and was at his best when his best was needed. Mic embodies everything that is right about being a student-athlete.” — head coach Lonni Stover.
Nate Nielsen, Sisseton
Class: Senior. Position: Guard. Season stats: 21 points per game, 6 rebounds per game, 2 assists per game. Awards/honors: All-Northeast Conference selection.
“Nate did a lot of good things at both ends of the floor for us this year but he really stands out on the offensive end. He is one of the best offensive basketball players that I have coached. He has the skill to create his own shot or create for his teammates any time. Nate was able to attack defenses in multiple ways with his ability to push the ball in transition, attack the rim, pull up or knock down the 3-pointer.” — head coach Jared Groos.
Jameson Pratt, Tiospa Zina
Class: Junior. Position: Guard/Forward. Season stats: 12 points per game, 6 rebounds per game, 1 assist per game. Awards/honors: All-Northeast Conference selection.
“He was our go-to guy. He’s got a real high vertical jump. We ran him in the triangle in the post area. He carried us for a few games. He’s a good rebounder and our number-one post player.” — head coach Donnie His Many Lightnings.
Caleb White, Tiospa Zina
Class: Junior. Position: Guard. Season stats: 13 points per game, 4 rebounds per game, 3 assists per game. Awards/honors: All-Northeast Conference selection.
“He was our starting point guard. He was the leader on the floor and a good defender. He was like a spark plug. If our offense was struggling, he would score for us. As a junior he eclipsed the 1,000-point mark.” — head coach Donnie His Many Lightnings.
Daylin Simon, Warner
Class: Senior. Position: Guard. Season stats: 12 points per game, 5 rebounds per game, 4 assists per game. Awards/honors: All-Lake Region Conference selection.
“Daylin was our leader. He did a great job embracing his role and making everyone around him better. Daylin had a great career as a Warner Monarch and will be greatly missed.” — head coach Derek Hoellein.