HURON The Heartland Region was very well represented on the Class B All-State Boys Basketball Team, which was selected by the South Dakota Basketball Coaches Association.
A total of five area players earned all-state honors in the Class B ranks.
Junior Grant Wilkinson of De Smet was named to the first team. He averaged 23.3 points and 16.6 rebounds this season, while recording 40 blocks.
He really took over from the very start and showed that he could carry the load, De Smet coach Jeff Gruenhagen said. He worked very hard every night and was able to go start to finish in every game. His drive to win was contagious for his teammates and we got better as the season moved along.
Grant was a workhorse all season long and played through some pain, he said. His effort in our region games on the road where we avenged a loss to Estelline/Hendricks and then lost to Castlewood in OT on back to back nights demonstrated that toughness.
Joining Wilkinson on the first team were senior Bryon Laue of Castlewood, who was names as the Class B Player of the Year; senior Nicholas Hanson of Viborg-Hurley; senior Trevon Beckman of St. Marys; senior Maverick LeBrun of St. Marys and junior Wesley Wittler of Sully Buttes.
Junior Colby Flowers of Wessington Springs was named to the second team.
What stands out most about Colby is his relentless work ethic – Colby is not afraid of work; Colby has a drive that pushes everyone around him to work harder. Colby doesnt just rely on natural talent or size – he just constantly works, Wessington Springs coach Joey Mitchell said. Colby has the most unselfish attitude and is always looking for the best scenario for the team. Colby is the teams communicator, especially on the defensive end. Colby is a great young man, does honest work, and is always willing to help others – both on and off the court.
Flowers averaged 15.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists this season for the Spartans.
Also named to the second team were senior Luke Koepsell of Howard; senior Jamison Keszler of Castlewood; junior Ben Weber of Bridgewater-Emery; senior Noah Kippley of Leola-Frederick Area; and junior Brady Schroedermeir of Viborg-Hurley.
Junior Parker Graff of Wessington Springs and senior Jerrad Wallman of James Valley Christian were named to the third team.
Graff averaged 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists this season for the Spartans.
Parker is one of the most versatile offensive players I have ever been privileged to coach, Mitchell said. Parkers exceptional basketball knowledge and IQ is a game-changer.
Parker elevates the entire teams level of play with his ability to create opportunities for others makes him a true asset to the team, he said. Parker thrives in pressure situations, making big plays when it counts the most.
During his senior campaign, Wallman averaged 25.6 points and 11 rebounds per game for the Vikings.
Jerrad Wallman is a tenacious competitor who never quits. It doesnt matter if it is practice or game, Jerrad gives his best, JVC coach Al Wager said. His physical style, desire to score (over 1000 points in career), and will to win every battle, sets him a part. What a wonderful privilege to coach such a fine young man, and receiving the respect from the state is a great honor for him and his family.
Also named to the third team were junior Emmet Dinger of Wall; freshman David Walter of Freeman; sophomore Brooks Jett of Aberdeen Christian; and sophomore Teelan Kjerstad of Wall.
Wolsey-Wessington senior Moshe Richmond received honorable mention. He averaged 17.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game this season for the Warbirds, while having 61 steals.
Moshe has been a three-year starter for us and an important part of success we have had in basketball, Wolsey-Wessington coach Hayden Hooks said. His athleticism creates excitement in any game he is a part of. Its been a privilege to see his growth on and off the court! Moshe is a special person who has a bright future!
Also receiving honorable mention were senior Blair Ham of Lemmon; senior Jase Mousel of Colman-Egan; sophomore Brycen Bruening of Parkson; senior Owen Niederbaumer of Viborg-Hurley; and junior Kyler Carson of Estelline-Hendricks.
CLASS B
First Team
Bryon Laue, Castlewood, 6-9, sr. (16.6 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 62 blocks)
Nicholas Hanson, Viborg-Hurley, 6-7, sr. (20.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg)
Trevon Beckman, Dell Rapids St. Mary, 6-2, sr. (25.8 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.4 apg, 66 steals)
Maverick LeBrun, Dell Rapids St. Mary, 6-6, sr. (20.4 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 2.7 apg)
Grant Wilkinson, De Smet, 6-9, jr. (23.3 ppg, 16.6 rpg, 40 blocks)
Wesley Wittler, Sully Buttes, 6-1, jr. (26.2 ppg, 13.2 rpg, 4.1 apg, 82 steals)
Second Team
Luke Koepsell, Howard, 6-4 sr. (15 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 3.4 apg)
Jamison Keszler, Castlewood, 6-0, sr. (15.3 ppg, 2 rpg, 3.7 apg)
Ben Weber, Bridgewater-Emery, 6-5 jr. (19.3 ppg, 10 rpg, 4.2 apg)
Colby Flowers, Wessington Springs, 6-4 jr. (15.9 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 2.4 apg)
Noah Kippley, Leola-Frederick Area, 6-3, sr. (19.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.4 apg)
Brady Schroedermeir, Viborg-Hurley, 6-1, jr. (11.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.5 apg, 57 steals)
Third Team
Emmet Dinger, Wall, 6-2, jr. (20.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.3 apg)
Parker Graff, Wessington Springs, 6-1, jr. (17.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.8 apg)
David Walter, Freeman, 6-4, fr. (18.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.2 apg)
Brooks Jett, Aberdeen Christian, 6-5, so. (17.5 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 apg)
Jerrad Wallman, James Valley Christian, 6-5,l sr. (25.6 ppg, 11 rpg, 1.5 apg)
Teelan Kjerstad, Wall, 6-1, so. (19.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 5.2 apg, 73 steals)
Honorable Mention
Blair Ham, Lemmon, 6-2, sr. (19 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.2 apg, 52 steals)
Moshe Richmond, Wolsey-Wessington, 6-3, sr. (17.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 61 steals)
Jase Mousel, Colman-Egan, 6-2, sr. (19 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 61 steals)
Brycen Bruening, Parkston, 6-1, so. (17.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.1 apg)
Owen Niederbaumer, Viborg-Hurley, 6-6, sr. (8.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg)
Kyler Carlson, Estelline-Hendricks, 6-0, jr. (16.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 4 apg)
Player of Year Laue.
Repeat Selections 2024 (Laue and Hanson, first team; Beckman and Koepsell, second team; Graff, third team; and Weber, Kippley and Wittler, honorable mention); 2023 (Laue, second team).
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