First Team

Colton Benson, Jr.,

G/F, New Ulm

Benson, second in New Ulm High School boys basketball history with 1,409 career points, still has a season to go. The Big South All-Conference player averaged 28.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game for the Eagles. He also made nine consecutive 3-point shots in a row in a single game, which ties a state record, and had at least one 3 in every game this season, totaling 116 3s on the year.

Ben Pearson, Jr.,

G, MVL

A Tomahawk Conference Tri-Player of the Year, Pearson helped take the Charges to the Section 2AA championship game. In that game, Pearson hit 13 3-pointers, sixth most in Minnesota state high school history, on his way to 46 points, both school records. He also crossed the 1,000-point threshold in the game in just his second season on varsity. Pearson averaged 21.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.8 steals this season.

Jevan Wilfahrt, Jr.,

G, Cathedral

Wilfahrt did everything for the Greyhounds on the court this winter. He led the team in points (19.9), rebounds (9.4), assists (3.9), steals (2.5) and blocks (2.3) per game. Cathedral head coach Alan Woitas says that he is the ultimate competitor and will do whatever is asked of him to help the team be successful. Wilfahrt was named as a Tomahawk Conference Tri-Player of the Year this season.

Kaleb Wait, Sr.,

G, St. Mary’s

Wait led the Knights this season with 20.9 points per game, along with 7.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.6 steals, garnering him a Tomahawk Conference Tri-Player of the Year honor. St. Mary’s had a 68-15 record when Wait was starting over the last three seasons, a testament to how his play contributes to winning. Wait finishes his prep career with 1,457 points and 586 rebounds.

Will Walter, Jr.,

G, St. Mary’s

Walter was a unanimous Tomahawk All-Conference player this season, averaging 20.4 points on a 55% field goal percentage. He also had 5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Walter helped lead the Knights to a 14-2 conference record, good for second in the conference, and he also passed 1,000 career points this season in a playoff game.

Second Team

Dakota Pendleton Sam, Sr., G, Cedar Mountain

Pendleton Sam capped off his senior year of basketball by helping lead the Cougars to a Section 2A finals appearance as the No. 4 seed in the North Subsection. His leadership came in several areas as he averaged 14 points, 7.5 assists and 6.5 rebounds per game. In conference play, his 8 assists per game led the conference. He shot 37% from the 3-point line and was also called the team’s top defender by head coach Brian Pendleton. Pendleton Sam finished his final season with 969 career points, 31 points shy of 1,000.

James Osborne, Jr.,

G, New Ulm

Osborne was second on the Eagles in scoring, averaging 14.6 points per game, along with 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.2 steals. Osborne’s quickness and athleticism turned the tides of games this season and helped him close in in 1,000 career points, finishing his junior campaign with 970 career points. Osborne also was named a Big South All-Conference player this year.

Brayden Sturm, So.,

G, Springfield

Sturm not only led the Tigers in scoring, averaging 17 points per game, but he also guarded the opposing teams best guard most nights. This, along with his 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals per game, led Sturm to earn an Tomahawk All-Conference Team nod.

Connor McColley, Sr.,

G, BLHS

McColley wrapped up a 1,000-career point career with his best season yet, averaging 19 points per game for the Mustangs. A leader on and off the court, McColley has been a starting guard for BLHS since he was brought up to the varsity level. The 6-foot guard also averaged 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game this season. The Tomahawk All-Conference player finished his career with 1,011 points and 406 rebounds.

Branndon Pendleton, Jr., G, Cedar Mountain

Pendleton capped off his junior year of basketball with Cedar Mountain as the team’s leading scorer, averaging 16 points per game. The two-time All-Conference player also added 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game and shot 37% from beyond the arc. He was also key in his return from a late-season ankle sprain, scoring 11 points in the Section 2A, North Subsection title game against Lester Prairie to help push the Cougars to the section finals. Pendleton sits at 960 career points.

Third Team

Nate Firle, Jr.,

C, New Ulm

Firle was a key to the New Ulm defense this season, with his mere presence deterring drives from opponents. The 6-9 Firle posted averages of 12.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4 blocks and 1 steal per game. He was also Honorable Mention in the Big South Conference this year.

Dominic Rose, Jr.,

F, GFW

A unanimous Tomahawk All-Conference Selection, Rose led GFW in scoring (13.3 points per game), rebounding (7.9 rpg) and steals (3.6 spg) this season. His defense and leadership helped the Thunderbirds earn 12 wins this season. GFW head coach Ryan Jacobson called Rose an outstanding defender and leader for the program.

Jake Finstad, So.,

G, Cathedral

Finstad was the Greyhounds’ second leading scorer this year with 12.8 points per game. He also added 3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.5 steals per contest and became a threat from beyond the 3-point line. He continued to improve his game throughout the season and head coach Alan Woitas said Finstad had a bright future for the Greyhounds in his junior and senior years.

Cole Thompson, Sr.,

G, MVL

Thompson missed time recovering from an injury early in the season but came back earlier than originally expected to be one of the Chargers’ go-to players and leaders in his senior campaign. MVL head coach Craig Morgan described Thompson as the glue that held the Chargers together. Thompson averaged 10.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2 steals per game this season and earned an All-Conference Honorable Mention as the Chargers finished as the Section 2AA runner-ups.

Chase Hubin, Jr.,

G, BLHS

Hubin finished his junior campaign as one of Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart’s top scorers, averaging 16.9 points per game. The 6-3 guard also averaged 5.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game and sank 54 3-pointers. The two-time Tomahawk All-Conference player also passed 1,000 career points this season and sits at 1,028 points.

Honorable Mention

Karson Bock, Sr., G, Wabasso (13.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.2 apg)

Conner Martens, Jr., G, Nicollet (13 ppg, 6 rpg, 3 apg)

Kyler Flunker, Jr., G, MVL (10.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.1 spg)

Landon Wendinger, So., F, Sleepy Eye (12 ppg, 10 rpg, 3 bpg)

Blake Schueller, So., F, Cedar Mountain (12.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg)