Pittsfield pivot takes top honors as our Player of the Year. The entire area basketball honors squad can be found inside....
Welcome to the 2012 KHQA DO OR DIE BASKETBALL WRAP UP SHOW Internet Companion. If would like to purchase a hard copy DVD as a souvenir, you can do so by calling (217) 222-6200 during normal business hours and requesting a dub of the Do or Die Show.
We ask only that you enjoy these All Star offerings in the spirit they were intended. This is purely entertainment and purely based on nothing more than our opinions. We aren't experts in any sense of the word. We aren't college scouts. We are just a bunch of regular guys who see a whole lot of basketball every winter. And very little of what is said here will determine or shape anyone's future careers in the sport of basketball. This is simply a fun way for us to recognize some really outstanding young people. If you feel strongly about any of our opinions or would like to voice any of your own, I am always open to discussion. You can contact me at cduerr@khqa.com and all things said in confidence to me remain in confidence. I will warn you though that any discussion that starts with "how could you pick (insert player name here) over my son or daughter" will be roundly ignored and dismissed with prejudice. I fully invite you to assert the positives of your candidate of choice. You start tearing down other kids, you and I will have a serious beef.
In the sake of full disclosure, I remind you that no player who served a disciplinary suspension this season for non-basketball reasons is eligible for either our Player of the Year awards or First Team All Do or Die honors. If you want to make this particular All Star team, we demand citizenship and character as well as a sterling points per game average. Beyond that, I hope you enjoy. It has been, as always, our pleasure serving you.
Yours in Basketball,
Chris Duerr
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2012 KHQA BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
DALTON HOOVER, Pittsfield High School
RATIONALE: There was hard and easy within this process. We were able to narrow down our list of finalists for our highest award first to three, and then 48 hours later to two. Internally, however, in the KHQA Offices, we were not able to sufficiently break the deadlock between Hoover and Quincy High's DeAngelo Dean. So for the first time since we implemented the fan vote tie-breaker (via my Facebook Page) it not only had an impact, it carried THE impact. And that is fine. We had gotten to the point where we were equally comfortable with either Dean or Hoover as our POY. Selfishly, both were easy arguments to sell. Both provided us (even more selfishly) with electric highlight footage to make our case. And both are elite, mega-talented kids; clearly the cream of the crop in our area, argue them with whatever preference you want because they are different kinds of players and different kinds of kids. The silver linings with Dalton are nice boons for us. He essentially carried an entire program on his back, with every opponent on the docket gunning for him. And he beat those foes to the punch by changing the nature and breadth of his game for the betterment of his team. That's not easy to do. It got to the point where Dalton was no longer just a beast in the low post. You had to check him everywhere on the floor he saw the basketball. He's also a future Quincy University Hawk (our fourth such KHQA POY alum to play for Marty Bell) and comes with the easy selling point of being a true future basketball guy. DeAngelo? He is a better than good high school basketball player but if anyone is telling him his future is college basketball over college football, I'd like to politely shake some sense into them. There are maybe two dozen kids in this country..tops...who have DeAngelo's prototype genetic footprint as an elite Pass Rusher. Athletic 6'5" forwards? All over all levels of college basketball. Lightning quick 6'5" Defensive Rush Ends? They tend to get paid to play football for a living. Again, based on what Dean did, against the best slate of competition any team in our area saw this season, I could easily make the argument for him. And I thought Matt Schuckman very deftly did in the Quincy Herald Whig. Franchise player. Got better. Made his teammates better. Put up gia-normous numbers. I'd argue Dalton Hoover did the exact same thing. Maybe not against the same level of competition, but does anyone really think that Dalton Hoover or Evan McGaughey for that matter would not put up really good numbers in the Western Big Six? Heck, within Sean Taylor's faster paced offense, Dalton might have went for 20-25 a game. Getting 17 a night in Brad Tomahave's system is pretty impressive in its own right. And he's a great kid and phenomenal ambassador of "The Saukee Way" on top of it all. I love these "can't go wrong propositions" and I love it even more when you people bail me out of really tough decisions. (Where were you all in the epic Mike Smith vs J. Bentley Brock debate?) And I thank you for doing right by us and this award.
Runner Up: DEANGELO DEAN, Quincy High School
Past Winners:
2011:Brad Hamilton, Pittsfield
2010-Zach Forbes, Quincy High
2009-Ryan Stuckman, Quincy Notre Dame
2008-Matt Patterson, South Shelby
2007-Jared Summers, Quincy High
2006*-Mike Smith, Van-Far
2006*-Justin Brock, Liberty
2005-Cody Stoneburner, North Shelby
2004-Mike Smith, Van-Far
2003-Chad Cox, Macomb
2002-Nathan Emrick, Griggsville-Perry
2001-Mike Fitch, Pittsfield
2000-J.D. Summers, Quincy High
1999-Craig Lewis, Keokuk
1998-Jason Littig, Bluffs
1997-Bill Heisler, Warsaw
(*shared award)
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2012 KHQA BOYS BASKETBALL COACH OF THE YEAR
RYAN WOOD, Marion County
RATIONALE: One way or another a Mustang was winning this award. And I think there we viable arguments to be made either way for Ryan Wood at Marion County or Keith Carothers at Mendon Unity because both have breathed new life into their respective programs. And both have done so with very blue collar approaches. Bottom line here: Marion County went deeper into its respective postseason and that made a potentially thorny choice a whole lot easier to decipher. Ryan has always been a class act (he also, by the way, is my first round draft choice in a pick-up game between area coaches) and a Philadelphia Hero. What intrigues me is that for who made the game look so easy when he played it, Ryan has a unique ability to teach the sport even to the least athletically gifted kids on his roster. Most savant type players lack that ability to see the game from the perspective of those who aren't as gifted. And lets be honest here, from top to bottom, the Marion County roster was populated with role players. Even J.J. Chatfield, the team's All Stater, was a guy who excelled within a given job parameter: anchor down low, be tough, clean up everything. To get all of these dissimilar and differing parts to work in perfect concert; masking the larger flaws, was truly a master stroke. Everyone on that rotation contributed to the overall team success. Everyone on that team had to deliver their end every night or things would breakdown. Ultimately, isn't that what good coaching is supposed to be? Getting young people to understand that both now...and into their employment futures, that you have a role to play and that role is integral to the larger success of the whole no matter who large or small it may seem on the surface. You would be hard pressed to find a better example of roster blending and a coaching playing to the specific strengths of his kids then the one Ryan Wood just authored this season.
Runner-Up: KEITH CAROTHERS, Unity
Past Winners:
2011-Jeff Abell, Winchester West Central
2010-Brad Tomhave, Pittsfield
2009-Clay Vass, Central Lee
2008-Jesse Crawford, Knox County
2007-Dave Phelps, Brown County
2006-Andy Anderson, Canton
2005-Steve Carvajal, North Shelby
2004-Brian Meny, Van-Far
2003-Steve Carvajal, North Shelby
2002-Scott Douglas, QND
2001-Darin Powell, Hannibal
2000-Sean Taylor, Macomb
1999-Hal Shaver, South Shelby
1998-Reno Pinkston, Nauvoo-Colusa
1997-Jeff Dahl, Warsaw
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2012 ALL DO OR DIE TEAM
POINT GUARD
First Team Picks
Starter-SCOTT KROEGER, Elsberry
Reserve-AARON EDWARDS, Payson Seymour
Reserve-PARKER DAY, Winchester West Central
Reserve-MATTHEW DUESTERHAUS, Unity
Our stable of Dream Team Point Guards is comprised of three veteran faces and one new recruit who earned his stripes by raising the profile of his long struggling program.
Elsberry All Stater Scott Kroeger assumes command of our offense as the designated starter after authoring two straight trips to the Missouri Elite Eight for the Indians. Interestingly, Kroeger had to fight his way through and early season shooting slump but still managed to finish the year averaging 14 points per game on a respectable 43% shooting from the field. That established, Scott is that rare kid who could have gone the entire year without scoring a single point and still been one of the most valuable basketball assets in the area given his unmatched ability to run a team. He averaged an area best 7 dimes per game this season and did so producing a very tidy 3-1 assist to turnover ratio. He was also good for 2 steals and nearly five rebounds per game in helming the Tri State's most successful boys basketball team; the three year success of which has Scott Kroeger's fingerprints all over it.
The reserve core here at point guard is awfully talented as well. Payson Seymour's Aaron Edwards and West Central's Parker Day earn first team honors here for the second straight season; each with their own calling card skill. Edwards owns the Tri State's best first step and his ability to separate from defenders has been a thorn in opponents sides for three years running. At warp speed (the only speed at which Aaron seems to operate) no one can stay in front of him. He tallied 13 points and nearly five assists per game for the Indians and proved plenty pesky in the passing lanes with two steals a night.
In the spirit of disruption, we send Parker Day his return invite. The tone setter for West Central's unrelenting defense, the Cougar Senior snared 103 total steals this season at an average of 3 and half takeaways per game. In that respect, Day is arguably the best thief to come out of Western Ilinois since Nathan Emrick's hey day at Griggsville-Perry. He has also proven to be one of the strongest, purest floor leaders in the region with a hand in 49 victories (against just 10 defeats) over the last two years; methodically doling out 4 assists per game to go along with his 11.6 points per game scoring average.
Unity Mustang Maestro Matthew Duesterhaus rounds out our rotation after leading his program to its first Regional Championship since 1990. Duesterhaus has all the attributes you look for in a traditional floor general: intelligence, toughness, court vision but couples them with more a combo guard's scoring ability. He reached double figure scoring in 21 of the Mustangs 30 games including a season best 25 points against West Hancock; and he seemed to expertly know when to take a shot or when to defer to teammates. Matthew was an All Tournament Selection at the Suns Classic, the MVIT, and the Hancock County Tournament and earned 1st team All Conference honors for his stellar season.
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Second Team
GREG PITZER, Louisiana
WHY HE'S HERE: Do-it-all ability. Hardest kid to keep of the First Team at any position, especially since he's as good a backcourt rebounder (ala Fat Lever) as exists in Tri State Hoops. Gritty player with a great skill set and top notch shooting/scoring ability. Boxer quick hands in clearing the passing lanes (2.4 steals per game) to go along with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists nightly. Bottom line: kid is a stud.
MARTIN KVITLE, Quincy High
WHY HE'S HERE: Combo Guard Explosiveness. He's a more natural two but Martin made the necessary conversion to the one and propelled Quincy High with his savvy/toughness. Being the best pure shooter on this list doesn't hurt. Great size and a developing handle. He's got all the assets to become an Aaron Hill type 1.5 guard next season.
BROCK BUTLER, Palmyra
WHY HE'S HERE: Potential. With so many outstanding point guards graduating, we look to the immediate future in snaring one of the Clarence Cannon Conference's most explosive raw talents. Has ability to get anywhere on the floor he wants in a blink and with polish, has enormous high end potential
JARED OBERT, Liberty
WHY HE'S HERE: Smarts. Kid flat knows how to run a team, find the right guy in the right situation. Has a great penchant for converting clutch shots in tough spots. He's the ultimate winner and a kid who would find his way to the top of any guard rotation in Tri State Basketball. It's not a coincidence Liberty won 40 plus games the last 2 years.
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Third Team
MACLEAN JOHNSON, Macomb
RUDY PATE, Jacksonville
JAY JONES, Hannibal
KASON SPRATT, Marion County
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OFF GUARD
First Team Picks
Starter: DMITRIE GALBREATH, Keokuk
Reserve: TIM FISHER, South Shelby
Reserve: JUSTIN VOLK, Brown County
Reserve: JARED SHOVER, Liberty
The deepest pool of talent in Tri State Basketball exists at the Two Guard, where we considered ten different players for our four man, first team rotation, ultimately settling on Keokuk's Dmitrie Galbreath as our starter of choice. While there was no lack of great athletes to be found at the Two Spot this season, Galbreath may have been the most physically gifted of the bunch. And an "attack mentality" carried over from the gridiron only amplified that skill set. An all District, All Conference, and All Substate pick, Dmitrie tormented Chief opponents with both his terrific long range jumper and his unmatched slashing ability, as he seemed to simply glide by even the most athletic of defenders. Though he played with a very balanced ensemble cast in the Gate City, Galbreath was nothing short of an electric scorer and a sneaky good defensive presence to boot.
The catalyst behind one of the year's most pleasant basketball surprises, Tim Fisher powered South Shelby to a Clarence Cannon Conference Championship and earned league MVP honors along the way. In an era when shooting the basketball seems to have become a bit of a lost art, Fisher proved the perfect throwback; averaging better than 50% shooting from the field, better than 40% shooting from the three point line, and better than 80% efficiency at the charity stripe. He finished the season averaging better than 15 points per contest and showed great growth in all phases of his game, particularly at the defensive end in disrupting opponents to the tune of 4 steals a game.
With an eye on adding some size to our Do or Die backcourt, we draft Brown County scoring sensation Justin Volk and Liberty's do it all wing Jared Shover. An unknown commodity going into this season, Justin Volk found his groove within the Hornet Offense in mid-December and seemingly never looked back. With his 6'3" frame and explosive first step, defenders could not seem to stay in front of the Hornet Senior. That, coupled with a super shooting stroke from 3 point range, made Justin all but unguardable. He end up averaging 17.5 points per game for BC, knocking down 70 triples on the year, while converting at a nearly 43% clip from deep distance in the process. He also finished the year with 67 steals and more than 100 total rebounds.
Shover proved to be a hard guard in his own right; averaging 16 points per game in leading the Eagles to a 20 win campaign and a Regional Championship. The Liberty senior boasted the complete offensive arsenal; torching opponents with both his considerable shooting range and interior slashing ability. More to our purposes, Jared Shover might well have been the most complete two guard we saw all season; with no discernible weakness anywhere in his game. His length and speed made him a feared lockdown defender. His floor savvy was on par with any point guard in the area. And the kid just flat knew how to win; a great leader by example who did all the little things to make his team successful.
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Second Team
ALEX WALTER, Central
WHY HE'S HERE: Depth of field. When a kid this gifted doesn't break into the Top Four, it gives you some indication of how good the guard pool is this season. Tremendous all around talent with unique ability to score against bigger players in the paint. Rock solid shooter. Good defender and rebounder. The total package.
LOGAN HICKS, Hannibal
WHY HE'S HERE: Perfect tone setter. Hannibal's vastly improved defensive intensity started with Hick's relentless motor. Nasty on the ball defender. Made every hustle play. Fearless going to the basket. Good enough outside shooter to command the respect of a defense. In my book, the most underrated overall player in Tri State Basketball.
LANDON EPPERSON, Payson-Seymour
WHY HE'S HERE: Offensive Punch. Incendiary streak shooter/scorer who could flat kill a defense inside or out. Ross Green had Epperson rated in his top three among all area Two Guards after witnessing a couple of his basket barrages. Very smooth, fluid player who looks almost effortless in his execution.
BRODY GRONEWOLD, Illini West
WHY HE'S HERE: You need a bucket? This is a kid with an innate ability to go get you one. Great perimeter ability, handles better than some point guards, and is willing to go find you opportunities in the paint. In full disclosure, reminds me some of Brad Hamilton in his approach and that makes us a big fan here.
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Third Team
MITCH MOELLER, Holy Trinity
CHASE BEVANS, Clark County
GARRETT JARMAN, Mark Twain
JORDAN BOEHS, West Central
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SMALL FORWARD
First Team Picks
Starter-PAXTON HARMON, West Hancock
Reserve-ALEX FITCH, Quincy Notre Dame
Reserve-ROYCE POORE, Knox County
Youth was clearly served at the Small Forward Position this winter; as is underscored here by the ultra rare "All Underclassmen" make up of our three man rotation at the three spot. I might point out, this also opens up the possibility that all three of these gentleman pull return duty here next April. And there is certainly something enticing about that.
West Hancock's Paxton Harmon gets the starting nod here after winning the mythical Tri State Scoring title at better then 20 and half points per game. Without question, that is incredibly impressive, but the more interesting evolution here is just how the 6'5" junior has gone from a player without a true position a year ago to a kid who now essentially plays every meaningful role on the floor for Reno Pinkston. On any given play, Paxton can be found bringing the basketball up the floor against pressure, setting the offense, hovering above the perimeter as a three point threat, or posting up in the paint. There is no real limitation to his game and his size and skill level makes him a no-win defensive proposition: too big for guards to cover, too skilled and lithe for front court plodders to stay in front of. And credit Reno Pinkston for having the creativity to author new uses for the kid at every turn. In kind, Paxton has responded with considerable contributions as a passer, a rebounder, and a growing savvy at the defensive end. Allowing for continued growth, Paxton Harmon is probably your Player of the Year Frontrunner for 2013 and the man most responsible for sleepless nights for opposing coaches around the Tri States.
If not Harmon, then perhaps Quincy Notre Dame's Alex Fitch. Granted, the Raider junior lacks prototype front-court size, but perhaps that makes his ability to project power all the more impressive considering he is almost constantly locked up against taller opponents. It did not stop him from tormenting foes to the tune of 16 and half points and five and half rebounds nightly. There is an uncommon amount of savvy and polish to Alex's game. He's got a great arsenal of low post moves that tend to expose every flaw in a defender's game. He has the perimeter game to pull bigger opponents away from the basket and an attack mentality that just seems to shatter the more timid of finesse oriented guys who pull duty guarding him. He's just a very tough kid who has that rare Big Game Gene as well where he shines on the biggest of stages. And more than anything, he is the consumate teammate and a young man who has become one of the best lead by example players in the region.
Knox County Sophomore Royce Poore was responsible for authoring the Tri States most impressive nightly stat-line in 2012, going for, on average, 18 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists every time out. And he did so shooting 57% from the field and 44% from three point range for the season. Scarier still, heredity suggests the kid has a growth spurt left in him that could eventually make him a Center with two-guard skills. He is a really skilled offensive player who is just scratching the surface of his potential, which given his nightly numbers this season, is a a very scary thought for opponents around Northeast Missouri. If he can improve his free throw shooting and ratchet up his Defense, Royce might well be benchmark for all players on both sides of the river by the time he graduates in two years.
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Second Team Picks
NICK HEILLE, Macomb
WHY HE'S HERE: Yeah, I know he technically played the Four for the Bombers but he is ultimately going to be a really nice college wing given his A+ Perimeter and Mid Range abilities. Always viewed him as the high school equivalent of Al Harrington; a role he's well suited for. Hard to find a prettier shot in our area. Possesses unsung passing ability/floor vision for a big. Became a much better rebounder the last two years.
NICK JANNEY, Canton
WHY HE'S HERE: Resilience. To be honest, I firmly believe if Nick had stayed healthy this season, he would have been no less than in the Final Three for Player of the Year and Canton makes a Columbia trip. Unbelievably versatile player with unique point forward skills. Can score from anywhere on the floor. Huge heart as demonstrated by playing out the string on two hampered knees to try to help his teammates get over the hump. Respect him more than any player in Tri State Basketball for his efforts/character/pain tolerance.
MIKE SHIVERS, Hannibal
WHY HE'S HERE: Straight out of Central Casting in what I look for in an ideal wing. Superlative three point shooter who also happened to be the most athletic slasher in our region. No player improved more in his understanding of the game, particularly in distributing the basketball rather than forcing shots. Overshadowed by his teammates on defense, but Mike really improved there as well. What can't he do when he sets his mind to it? Sign him now, college coaches or you will regret it within two years time.
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Third Team
MATT GUNTERMAN, Pleasant Hill
DERICK SMITH, Highland
DAN WILLIAMS, Keokuk
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POWER FORWARD
Starter-DEANGELO DEAN, Quincy High
Reserve- J.J. CHATFIELD, Marion County
There was no more spectacular performer, at any position, in Tri State Basketball in 2012 then Quincy High's DeAngelo Dean. No player more worthy of your ticket dollar. From highlight reel shot swats to jaw dropping dunks, the Blue Devil Power Forward never left patrons wanting for displays of his freakish athleticism; the kind of physical dimensions that make college football scouts salivate. On the force of a spectacular senior campaign, Dean undoubtedly won over basketball bird dogs as well. Playing against the toughest slate of opponents in the Tri States, DeAngelo averaged a nightly double/double in leading Quincy High with 17.6 points and 10 rebounds per outing. He was that rarest of kids who could play above the rim or with his back to it. Coupling great length with an almost unorthodox low post game, DeAngelo proved to be a nearly unstoppable source of scoring, both of his own accord and in finding the open man when the situation dictated. And defensively, his instincts and timing were unmatched. His ability to imperil any shot made him a kid no one wanted to have to shoot against. But he also proved incredibly savvy in picking his spots. DeAngelo was rightly recognized as a First Team All Conference Pick, an Honorable Mention All State Selection, and took home honors as the Quincy Herald Whig's Player of the Year. Hard to argue with any of those plaudits for a young man who not only became such a dominant force but became his better self on the basketball court. And even among this All Star company, DeAngelo Dean is as close to a tent pole player and an Alpha Dog as exists in Tri State basketball.
In contrast to Dean, Marion County All Stater J.J. Chatfield gives our All Star squad a throwback vibe at the Power Forward position; channeling a type of Jeff Ruland/Dolph Schayes tough guy ethic in the low blocks. A relentless worker and absolutely fearless presence in the paint, Chatfield bulled and bullied his way to better than 14 points and nearly nine rebounds a game for the Mustangs; a stat line amplified in its importance by Marion County's lack of other low post weapons. For the Mustangs to be good everywhere else, J.J. had to deliver nightly production in the paint to relieve the defensive pressure on his more perimeter oriented teammates. A 22-2 final mark speaks volumes about his ability to live up to that expectation. There is nothing fancy about his game. The kid just never stopped trying to impose his will at both ends of the floor. Though not primarily known as a high volume scorer, J.J. delivered the year's highest single game point output in torching North Shelby for 41. But for the most part, the genius of J.J.'s game was that he just methodically punched away at opponents on every position and unfailingly wore them down on sheer force of effort. That is an asset every coach would covet
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Second Team
ANDREW MATHISON, Central Lee
WHY HE'S HERE: Bizarre year for a kid I would argue is the single most talented basketball player in the Tri State.
Did not get on track early in Dave Hall's new system and spent the first have of the season receiving limited touches and getting few opportunities to display his fierce power game around the basket. To his credit, Andrew turned it around down the stretch and adapted. Not a dream Senior Season but he's going to be an unbelievable college player who is just scratching the surface of all his gifts.
BLAYNE WHITE, Palmyra
WHY HE'S HERE: Another kid who suffered a bizarre start to the year buried on the Palmyra bench. He came on like wildfire after the Christmas break and earned first team All Clarence Cannon Conference honors. A very unique package of skills; built like a college tight end and well heeled for duty in the paint; but also possessed of tremendous shooting range. Kid who played with a great/quick second jump which allowed him to dominant the offensive glass.
JOHN STONEBURNER, North Shelby
WHY HE'S HERE: If he defended at a higher level, John is probably a Top Four player overall. He makes it here on the strength of a tremendous offensive repertoire (and quite honestly, there really isn't anything the big guy can't do at that end of the floor) that makes him all but un-guardable. Too big and deft with the basketball for most high schoolers to cover. Too smooth and polished all the way out to the three point line for anyone else. High volume rebounder with high end potential.
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Third Team
MIKE DAVIS, Quincy High
DALTON CRAWFORD, Liberty
ALEX SHEPPARD, Brown County
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CENTERS
First Team Picks
Starter-EVAN MCGAUGHEY, Illini West
Reserve-BUBBA WILLIAMS, Hannibal
Reserve-MATT LOESING, Elsberry
For a guy who was never fully healthy in 2012, Evan McGaughey still set an unquestionably high standard for play in the post. His impressive season averages (18 points and nine and half rebounds per game) betray no evidence of a surgically repaired knee that only now is starting to round back into shape. But when you are 6'7" and possessed of guard like shooting touch and floor vision, most high school defenders have no prayer of slowing you down at 75% health. While the future Quincy University Hawk is probably best suited to the wing at the next level (and could eventually remind the patrons at Pepsi Arena of a Later day Marty Hull) we love him here for his well honed back to the basket skills and his triple threat ability in the high post. Evan is also a tremendously intelligent player with great poise, coachability and composure; the kind of intangibles that should lend themselves to a bright future under Marty Bell. Evan capped his Illini West Career with honors as the 2012 Red O'Flaherty Award winner for his mix of outstanding play, sportsmanship, and scholarship...as selected by the West Central Coaches Association and its hard to envision a better fit choice for such a prestigious plaudit.
Elsberry's Matt Loesing and Hannibal's Christian "Bubba" Williams provide a wealth of depth at the five spot. Loesing was a lynchpin performer for an Indians squad that made back to back Elite Eight appearances and finished 2012 with a tidy 27-3 record and year long run in the Missouri Class 2 Top five. At 6'8" Loesing is a formidable presence with great fundamental skills. Few players in recent memory were strong through or better against contact; and not even the constant double and triple teaming he faced could stop Matt from getting his job done. He scored 15 point points per game for Elsberry and did so on 70% shooting from the field; making him the most efficient high volume scorer in Tri State boys basketball this season. He was also good for 7 rebounds, one block and one steal a game.
A fourth year varsity starter, Bubba Williams found a dominant groove as a the Pirates center piece during his senior season. The Hannibal big man got himself into great cardiovascular shape this season and became a much more active and impassioned contributor at the defensive end; which set a tone for the entire Pirate team. The improvement certainly did not come at the expense of his long standing reputation as one of the region's most dangerous low post scorers. From eight feet and in, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone in the state of Missouri who had the ability to deter or hamper Christian on his way to the basket. He was just too big and too strong physically...and yet still retained one of the softest shooting touches around. MO Valley is getting a kid with first team All Conference
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Second Team
CLAYTON MYERS, Griggsville Perry
WHY HE'S HERE: A kid who, in my estimation, very well deserved first team honors. Very traditional five with great back to the basket skills, good footwork in the paint, and a fearless nature. One of the cleverest low post scorers we've seen and a terrific rebounder who worked his tail off on every possession. Super smart kid who can really play his role.
BRENT LONG, Routt
WHY HE'S HERE: A bigger, but still evolving version of Evan McGaughey. There is a lot of skill here that leads you to believe Brent can be a dominant player next season with the ability to impact a game both from the high and low post. Great wingspan. Good feet. Once he figures out to impose his will on every possession, he will be close to unstoppable
ANDRE MCCLURE, South Shelby
WHY HE'S HERE: The most pleasant surprise of our season. Knew nothing of the kid before I saw him at the Highland Tournament. Walked away thinking Andre had a luminous future. He's still raw but runs the floor very well, has really good rebounding instincts, pretty darned good hands and good shoot blocking ability. Displayed really soft touch and great body control against contact. He's not there yet but there is a DeAngelo Dean type blueprint to his skill set/ceiling and I am fascinated to see if he can make the same kind of leap as D did going forward.
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Third Team
CONNOR MELLON, Quincy Notre Dame
KENDALL CLARK, Keokuk
KYLE KOVAR, Clark County
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ALL UNSUNG TEAM
Players who don't get near the credit they deserve
Guard- CLAYTON TAYLOR, Brown County
Guard-JAKEB LINEAR, Macon
Forward-CLAY POLLARD, Marion County
Forward-LUKE ROSS, Clark County
Center-MATTHEW MCPHERSON, QND
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ALL WARRIOR TEAM
Players who leave it all on the court, get maximum out of every minute, and who you don't want to play against
Guard-SETH PETTY, Pittsfield
Guard-HARRISON ELBE, Quincy High
Forward-HARLEY STONE, Scotland County
Forward-KEVIN JENNINGS, Keokuk
Center-NICK SEVERS, Macomb
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ALL DEFENSIVE TEAM
Guard- REED BENTZINGER, Unity
Guard-PARKER DAY, West Central
Forward-PRAVON MCBRIDE, Hannibal
Forward-DEANGELO DEAN, Quincy High
Center-DALTON HOOVER, Pittsfield
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ALL FUTURES TEAM
Guard-JONNY DAHL, Keokuk
Guard-MILES WENTZIEN, Fort Madison
Forward-ROYCE POORE, Knox County
Forward-GABE MCKENZIE, Canton
Center-KENNY LESLEY, Elsberry
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