Dunwa Omot, MVL, Sr., G

Omot ended his senior year at MVL as the Tomahawk Conference Player of the Year. The two-time unanimous All-Conference player averaged 21.3 points, 4 rebounds, 3.9 steals and 3.6 assists per game this season.

Omot also shot 56% from the floor and 44% from beyond the arc as the leading scorer for the Chargers, who finished the season with a 26-3 overall record and a 14-2 Tomahawk Conference mark, giving them a three-way share of the conference title with New Ulm Cathedral and Springfield.

Omot was described by MVL head coach Craig Morgan as a coach’s player that knows the game and the players that play the game.

One of the top shooters inside and out and also one of the top defenders MVL has had, Omot finished his career with 1,157 points, 263 rebounds, 212 assists and 205 steals.

Decker Scheffler, Springfield, Sr., G

Scheffler ended his senior year at Springfield as the Tigers’ second all-time leading scorer behind Isaac Fink, ending his career with 2,299 points. The three-time All-Conference player averaged 26.7 points and 10.2 rebounds, while also adding 3.9 assists and 1.9 steals per game.

He was also named a Coaches Association All-Star this year and ended his career with 947 rebounds, 515 assists and 221 steals. Scheffler was a part of four conference championships, four subsection championships and qualified for four section championship games.

His teams had a record of 112-12 overall and 61-3 in the conference. Springfield head coach Lance Larson called Scheffler a tremendous athlete that had a great competitive streak in him and could play and guard any position.

Scheffler will next attend Ball State and play baseball.

Jon Zinniel, Cathedral, Sr., F

Zinniel ended his career at New Ulm Cathedral as the Greyhounds’ all-time leading scorer, scoring 1,700 career points. He averaged 19.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks per game this season.

Zinniel’s 574 points this season was the third most for a single season in school history. He was a three-time All-Conference player, a one-time honorable mention in the conference and was an All-Journal player his sophomore and junior year.

Greyhounds head coach Alan Woitas said that Zinniel’s dedication and passion for the game of basketball is evident in all that he does. In addition to his record-setting amount of points, the senior ends his career with 677 rebounds, 221 assists, 264 blocks and 182 steals.

While currently undecided on what school he’d like to attend, he plans on playing college basketball next winter.

Ja’Sean Glover,

Madelia, So., G

Glover finished his sophomore campaign averaging 31.1 points, 3 assists, 7.9 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game.

The two-time unanimous Valley All-Conference player also passed the Madelia record for career points this season, breaking the record of 1,407. He currently has 1,605 career points and scored 745 points this season alone in 24 games.

Madelia head coach Jeff VanHee said that in addition to Glover having an incredible ability to score, he is also a complete player.

Riley Hulke, Nicollet,

Sr., G

Hulke wrapped up his career at Nicollet as the school’s all-time leading scorer, scoring 2,273 career points. He averaged 24.1 points, 9.3 assists, 4 rebounds and 3.9 steals per game.

He also shot 41% from beyond the arc and finished his career with 449 made 3-pointers, top five in state history. The four-time Valley All-Conference member and three-time All-Journal player’s all-around skills and intangibles helped lead the Raiders to a 21-win season and their first conference title in 15 years.

He also has 956 career assists, 416 career steals and 362 career rebounds. He plans to play college basketball next season, with Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato at the top of his list.

Second Team

Chris Knowles,

Cathedral, Sr., F

Knowles was one of the Greyhounds’ go-to options this year, ending his senior year by averaging 17.2 points, 7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2 steals and a block per game.

He was an honorable mention in the conference last season and was a unanimous All-Conference selection this year. This season, he shot 62%, the third best percentage in a season in school history.

Cathedral head coach Alan Woitas said that in addition to being dominant in the post and attacking the hoop while driving, Knowles also was one of the best defenders in the area and took great pride in the team’s defense. He ends his career with 770 points, a 56% field goal percentage (fourth best in school history), 345 rebounds, 187 assists, 91 steals and 61 blocks.

Upon graduating from Cathedral, he will attend Gustavus Adolphus College and play baseball.

Mitchell Buerkle,

Springfield, Sr., F

Buerkle ended his senior year at Springfield averaging 18 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.1 steals per game.

The two-time All-Conference player was a three-year starter for the Tigers and was also a part of four conference titles, four subsection championships and qualified for four section title games. Teams he has played on for Springfield have a 112-12 overall record and a 61-3 conference record.

He ends his career with 1,296 points, 504 rebounds, 362 assists and 185 steals.

Carson Domeier,

St. Mary’s, So., C

Domeier helped lead the Knights this season in his sophomore campaign by averaging 19.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. He also averaged 3.3 assists per game and shot 63% from the floor, 40% from the 3-point line and 74% from the foul line.

Domeier was also named a unanimous selection to the Tomahawk All-Conference team this season.

He currently has 916 career points.

Will Carlson, Wabasso, Jr., G

After playing JV as a freshman and missing his entire sophomore season with an injury, Carlson ended his junior campaign as the Rabbits’ leading scorer on varsity, averaging 20 points per game.

Carlson, an All-Conference player, also shot 46% from the floor and had 2.4 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game.

Wabasso head coach Josh Hadley said that Carlson has a tremendous ability to get to the rim and create opportunities for his teammates.

Shane Stevensen,

Nicollet, Jr., G

The 6-6 wing ended his junior season with 18.8 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game. He had 2.2 assists per game and 34 blocks also.

He was named an All-Valley Conference player this season as well and currently has 673 career points and 291 career rebounds.

Nicollet head coach Chris Hulke said that Stevensen can score inside and outside and added that his defense and rebounding improved this season, making him one of the best players in the area.

Third Team

Reece Melby, New Ulm, Sr., F

Melby ended his career at New Ulm High School as the boys’ all-time leading scorer, scoring 1,443 points in his career.

He averaged 21.1 points per game this year and almost 10 rebounds per game as well. New Ulm head coach Matt Dennis said that in addition to being the boys’ all-time leading scorer, Melby was someone that could score from inside and beyond the arc.

Melby was named a Big South All-Conference player this year as well.

Jace Marotz, MVL, Sr., F

Marotz ended his senior year with the Chargers averaging 14.1 points per game. He was also named an All-Conference player this season and averaged 5.3 rebounds per game.

A 52% shooter this year, Marotz was the second leading scorer on the Chargers, with Dunwa Omot leading the way. MVL head coach Craig Morgan called Marotz one of the most athletic players in the area with a total game.

Marotz ends his career with MVL with 1,076 points, 448 rebounds, 249 assists and 148 steals.

Damian Hopp, GFW,

Jr., G

Hopp was a Tomahawk All-Conference Player this season and averaged 18.3 points per game for the Thunderbirds. He ended the year just 20 points shy of scoring his 1,000th career point.

Hopp also shattered the Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop record for 3s in a season with 109 on 36% 3-point shooting. He also averaged 4.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season.

Trey Peterson-Juhl, Cedar Mountain, Sr., G

The Tomahawk All-Conference honorable mention pick surpassed 1,000 career points in his final season with the Cougars. He averaged 18 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.

Kegan Heiderscheidt, Sleepy Eye, Jr., G

Heiderscheidt averaged 18.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game during his junior season with the Indians. The 6-6 point guard also averaged 3 blocks and 3 assists per game and passed 1,000 career points this season.

Heiderscheidt had a strong run near the end of the season, scoring 30 or more during the final four games of the regular season. The go-to guy and leader on the court for Sleepy Eye shot 54% from the field this year.

2019-2020 All-Journal Boys’ Basketball

First Team

1. Dunwa Omot, MVL, Sr., G – 44 (2)

2. Decker Scheffler, Springfield, Sr., G – 43 (1)

3. Jon Zinniel, Cathedral, Sr., F – 36

4. Ja’Sean Glover, Madelia, So., G – 35

5. Riley Hulke, Nicollet, Sr., G – 34

Second Team

6. Chris Knowles, Cathedral, Sr., F – 32

7. Mitchell Buerkle, Springfield, Sr., F – 22

T8. Carson Domeier, St. Mary’s, So., C – 19

T8. Will Carlson, Wabasso, Jr., G – 19

10. Shane Stevensen, Nicollet, Jr., G – 14

Third Team

11. Reece Melby, New Ulm, Sr., F – 13

12. Jace Marotz, MVL, Sr., F – 11

13. Damian Hopp, GFW, Jr., G – 9

14. Trey Peterson-Juhl, Cedar Mountain, Sr., G – 7

15. Kegan Heiderscheidt, Sleepy Eye, Jr., G – 6

Honorable Mention

Mason Cox, MVL, Sr., F

Sam Knowles, Cathedral, So., F

James Gillis, Cathedral, Sr., G

Nick Labat, St. Mary’s, Sr., G

* First-place votes in parentheses

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