First Team

Cole Jacobson, Sr.,

G, GFW

Jacobson finishes his career at GFW as the school’s most prolific scorer, closing his time with the Firebirds with 2,102 career points. Jacobson added 684 career rebounds (second in school history), 286 assists (sixth in school history) and 226 steals (fourth in school history), making him a contender for the best boys basketball player in program history. This season, the 6-7 guard averaged 29.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.3 steals per game on his way to his third All-Conference selection. Jacobson’s other school records include the single-game points (48), rebounds (22), defensive rebounds (19) and free throws made (15) records, the single-season points (756), free throws made (183) and defensive rebounds (221) records, and the career defensive rebounds (501), 3-point field goals made (262) and free throws made (415) records.

Brayden Guetter, Sr.,

F, Wabasso

The Tomahawk Division Player of the Year, Guetter was the scoring leader for a high-flying Rabbits offense that surpassed the century mark seven times this season. Guetter averaged 24.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.5 blocks per game as the Rabbits finished with a 26-4 record and a Tomahawk-Valley Conference championship. Guetter ends his prep career with 1,434 total points, fourth in Wabasso boys basketball history.

Kaydon Firchau, So.,

G, Madelia

Firchau missed 10 games due to injury this season, but that didn’t stop him from improving on his averages from a year ago, recording 30.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 4.5 apg, 3.3 spg and 1.1 bpg. Firchau was also named as the Valley Division Boys Basketball Player of the Year and had three games where he scored 40 or more points this season with high-efficiency, putting up 37-67-78 shooting splits and helping Madelia take a share of its second consecutive division title. Firchau sits at 1,484 career points as a sophomore, already second-most in Madelia basketball history.

Eli Anderson, Jr.,

G, Cathedral

Anderson was a three-level scorer for the Greyhounds this year to the tune of 28 points per game, breaking the school single-season scoring record with 754 points. Anderson added 6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game and sits at 1,072 career points with a season to go. Anderson earned an All-Conference nod this year.

Pierson Brau, So.,

F, MVL

Brau stepped up his production in his sophomore season to lead the team with 18.9 points per game. Brau added 5.2 rebounds per game, 2.4 assists per game and 1 steal per game, along with 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 55% from the field. Brau was named the South Central Conference Underclassman of the Year and earned an All-Conference nod.

Second Team

Bryan Buerkle, Sr.,

F, Springfield

A four-year starter for the Tigers, Buerkle missed the first eight games of the season but still averaged 14 ppg, 7 rpg, 2.5 apg and 1.3 spg to help lead Springfield to a section championship appearance. Buerkle established himself as a two-way player and is a two-time All-Conference player. Buerkle finishes his career with 1,268 career points.

Caden Frericks, Jr.,

F, Wabasso

An All-Conference player, Frericks established himself as one of the best rebounders in the area, recording a double-double in every game but one this season despite standing just 6-3. Frericks also broke the school record for rebounds in a season (498) and in a game (34) this year and is close to 1,000 for both career points and career rebounds. This season, Frericks averaged 16.7 points, 16.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists along with 2.0 steals.

Carson Kettner, Jr.,

F, Nicollet

A two-time All-Conference player, Kettner did it all for the Raiders this year. Kettner was the scoring leader and the defensive anchor for Nicollet, averaging 18.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.2 blocks per game. Kettner stands at 1,297 career points, already fifth all-time for Nicollet boys basketball.

Mitchell Hopp, Jr.,

G, New Ulm

Hopp led the Eagles in scoring for the second consecutive season, averaging 16 points per game this year. Hopp added 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals per contest and provided an edge and toughness to the New Ulm lineup. Hopp currently sits at 845 career points.

Brayden Heiderscheidt, Jr., G, Sleepy Eye

Heiderscheidt was the lead scorer for the Indians this year, averaging 18 points per game while adding six rebounds, four assists and two steals per game. Heiderscheidt led the conference in blocks this year and has over 1,450 career points. Heiderscheidt earned his second All-Conference selection this year.

Third Team

Adam Steffensmeier,

Jr., G, St. Mary’s

An All-Conference player this year, Steffensmeier improved his numbers to average 19.1 points per game and surpass 1,000 career points as a junior. Steffensmeier added 5.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.1 steals to help the Knights to a 14-13 overall record.

Owen Birkholz, Sr.,

G, MVL

Birkholz was a top-tier shooter for the Chargers, making 84 3-pointers at a 43% clip to help him average 17.4 points per game. Birkholz added 3.0 rpg, 2.0 apg and 1.5 spg. Birkholz was an All-Conference Honorable Mention this year despite an injury cutting his strong season short in February.

Levi Hopp, Jr., G,

New Ulm

Called the engine that drove the team by New Ulm head coach Michael Poncelet, Hopp averaged 15 points per game this year, along with five rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.7 steals. Hopp currently sits at 764 points for his career.

Henry Kennedy, Jr.,

PG, Nicollet

While Kennedy averaged 16.7 points per game this season, what perhaps stands out most about his game is his ability to rebound as a 6-2 guard. Kennedy averaged 9.2 rebounds per game this year, along with 6 assists and 3 steals per contest. Kennedy excelled at finishing through contact and stuffed the stat sheet in every game. Kennedy earned his first All-Conference selection for the Valley Division co-champions.

Dalton Tatro, Sr.,

G/F, Madelia

Tatro’s scoring numbers took a huge leap in his senior season, going from 6 ppg to 17.4 ppg this year. Tatro added 6.9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2.8 spg in an All-Conference season. Tatro’s improvement helped Madelia make the section semifinals and hold a 22-6 overall record.

Honorable Mention

Drew Kemp, So., G, Wabasso (17 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.5 apg, 2.5 spg)

Brecken Heiling, Sr., G, Springfield (15 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg)

Braylon Nelson, So., F, Sleepy Eye (14 ppg, 7 rgp, 2 apg)

Thomas Dahmes, Sr., F, Cedar Mountain (18.8 ppg, 7.7 rpg)

Madden Lendt, So., F, Springfield (13.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2 apg, 2.3 spg)

EDITOR’S NOTE: Only players nominated by area coaches were eligible for All-Journal recognition. There were 30 players nominated this season.