Well, here we are for another year. My criteria for choosing the All-Benton County basketball teams comes down to a variety of options and opinions. We look at the statistics, plus a variety of other variables factor in.
BCE Editor-in-Chief Adam Howe and myself often use the phrase, "We do this for the kids". Whether we are reporting on a game or taking pictures or something else, we are doing it with the mindset to help and honor the kids and their efforts and accomplishments.
This season, we have an MVP on both the girl's and the boy's teams. As always, the second team was difficult to narrow down to just five players. If I slighted someone, then my apologies. I decided to add an honorable mention list this year also.
I chatted with both coaches and fans in making selections.
Boys
First Team
MVP: Logan Gemes, 6'1", Sr, F, Warsaw
Gemes averaged 14.4 ppg with over 400 points on the season and was the go-to- guy for the Wildcats. Great leader on the floor and was double-teamed at times. Has the complete game. Can handle the ball and shoot inside and out.Perhaps the best game-smart player around. He sees the court and is unselfish. Scored 29 points in the district championship game against Windsor to lead Warsaw to their first district title in 20 years.
Ben Eckhoff, 6'3", Jr, C, Lincoln
When he is on his game, he can be the most dominant player in Benton County, both scoring and rebounding. He hurt his average by playing sick in games in order to help his team.
He was double and triple-teamed in most games.Sometimes all five players would converge on him.
He gets nervous before games and is just too nice on the court. A good summer for him in the gym and he could absolutely dominate next season.
Riley Sanders, 6'1", Jr, F, Lincoln
He does everything with a flair. He hates to lose and plays with a passion. Very athletic and once he harnesses his game, he will be an All-State player who takes over a game in the final minutes. Another Lincoln player who battled injuries. Has been a huge factor in Lincoln's playoff run.
Braydn Benham, 5'10", Jr, G/F, Lincoln
Easily one of the most improved players around. Plays bigger than he is, and is fearless. Likes to drive the baseline. Can handle the ball and looks to pass, but if open, then he is deadly from three. Has led the team in scoring on several occasions. He had 16, with 6 in the fourth quarter in the Cardinals' recent 48-40 victory over Gallatin to go to the Final Four. You want him on your team. Has learned Coach Burke's defensive passion.
Noah Siebert, 6'3", Jr, C, Warsaw
Improved over last season. Big factor in Warsaw basketball's resurgence. Was a huge force in district play. Led team with 8 rebounds per game and shot 46 percent from the field. Had 11 blocks. With Gemes gone next year, Siebert will need to step up his game next season and is certainly capable of doing just that.
Boys
Second team
Chance Koll, 5'11", Jr, G, Lincoln
Great outside shooter. When he is on, he is a zone buster. Improved his overall game from last year. Hit some big three's in 47-46 sectional win over a very good St. Paul Lutheran team. There was a starting spot to be won going into the season and Koll seized the opportunity.
Colton Dieckman, 5'10", Jr, G, Cole Camp
Dieckman led Cole Camp with 15 points in an overtime upset of second seed Sherwood in district play. He improved as the season went on. Good ball handler. Led the Bluebirds in scoring with 7.7 ppg in a rebuilding year. Had at least one steal per game. He's full of potential.
Shane Poyser, 5'11", Sr, G, Warsaw
Good rebounder for his size. Was a fearless slasher and was consistent throughout the season.
Second leading scorer behind Gemes and second leading rebounder behind Siebert. Played both point and shooting guard positions.
Kolby Bohon, 5'11", Sr, G, Cole Camp
Played on an inexperienced team that was learning how to win. He was chosen to play point guard and be team leader after playing in a reserve role on a great team the year before.Averaged 6.7 ppg and three steals per game.
Dawson Parrott, 6'0", Jr, G, Lincoln
The last spot was a tough decision, but it goes to a kid who battled injuries over the summer and took over a new role as point guard. He will be long remembered as intercepting the half court pass with two seconds to go against St. Paul Lutheran to seal the 47-46 sectional victory last week.
Girls
First Team
MVP: Tanna Howe, 5'6", Jr, G, Warsaw
She is the most athletic and gifted among the girls this season. She averaged 14.4 ppg with 359 points and 4.2 steals ppg.
Howe completely took over a close Lincoln game in the fourth quarter this season. She should only get better. Her only flaw is that she sometimes rushes her shot. She corrects that and she can be as good as she wants to be. Her speed and quickness causes opposing teams matchup problems.
Lily Mellen, 5'5", Fr, G, Lincoln
This reporter saw her as a sixth grader and knew she was special. She averaged 11.6 ppg as Lincoln"s leading scorer and also led Lincoln in steals and assists. Solved their point guard problem. The next three years should be exciting.However, with her big sister gone, she will have to fill the gap.
Alyssa Mellen, 5'6", Sr G/F, Lincoln
Averaged 10.0 ppg while sharing the ball with her younger sister. She passed the ball more this season as her and her sister being familiar with each other's game, pulled off some beautiful plays. At times, she put the team on her shoulders and carried them to victory. She shot threes and loved the five foot floater in the lane. From those who saw you play, thank you!
Keira Mostaffa, 5'7", Sr, G, Warsaw
Mostaffa was just always fun to watch as she was always diving for loose balls and just seemed to always be in the middle of the action. She averaged 9.9 ppg, had 6.3 rebounds per game and averaged 3.4 assists with 92 on the season. Versatile player at both guard positions. She will be missed.
Sara Miller, 5'0", So, G, Warsaw
The tiny guard averaged 7.8 ppg and made great use of her playing time. She led the team in free throws and three pointers. Her quickness and speed made her difficult to guard.She will only get better and better. She will be someone to watch in her next two seasons. Seems to be always smiling.
Girls
Second team
Rebekah Helland, 5'7", Jr, F, Lincoln
Best defender on the team and always guarded opponent's best player.Improved over last season. Good teammate and team leader. Will need to score more next year and is capable of doing just that and more. Seems like she was just a freshman the other day. Time flies
Cadence Harvey, 5'5", Jr, G, Lincoln
Showed signs of improvement over last season. Seems to be a star ready to shine. Fearless on the court. Good teammate. Good defender for her size. Had a couple of double figure scoring games. The best is yet to come .
Madilynn Ogle, 5'7", Fr, G, Cole Camp
Came on late in the season to lead the scoring. Deadly three point shooter. She is their future, along with a few others. Ogle gives Cole Camp another ball handler and should improve with time. She has been described as a very thoughtful, energetic student.
Jenna Gerken, 5'9", So, F, Warsaw
Scored 210 points and had 167 rebounds as a sophomore. She also shot 44 percent from the field. She gives Warsaw some inside strength, rebounding and defense. She had 20 blocks to her credit. Her future looks bright as she continues to improve over the course of time.
MacKenzie Moellman, 5'10", Sr, C/F, Cole Camp
Moellman led the team in rebounding at 5.7 per game and scoring at 5.9 ppg. She was tough on both ends of the court. Her inside game will be missed by the Lady Bluebirds. She played hard every minute on the court.
Boys
Honorable Mention
Myles Harms, Lincoln; Anthony Srader, Lincoln; Garrett Ferguson, Warsaw.Kolton Phillips, Cole Camp; Chase Young, Lincoln; Cam Everhart, Lincoln; Luke Henderson, Warsaw.
Girls
Honorable Mention
Emma Thayer, Cole Camp; Maylee Slavens, Warsaw; Mady Reimund, Warsaw.
