Preseason All-Conference: Corner
Player of the Year: 2019 Drake Johnson, Stanton
The junior wing led the league in scoring last year, notching over 20 points a game for a 19-win Stanton team. The Vikings figure to be in the running to make a trip to Des Moines this season, and Johnson’s all-around ability is a big reason why.
First Team
2019 Drake Johnson, Stanton (20.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 53.3 FG%)
The rangy, athletic wing led the conference in scoring last year, and is capable of efficiently filling it up at all three levels. He’s on the short list of candidates who could lead Class 1A in scoring.
2018 Cameron Whitehead, Sidney (15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 48.6 FG%, 40.8 3P%)
The conference’s second leading returning scorer, Whitehead led Sidney in scoring and rebounding, while also dishing out three assists a game last winter. One of the league’s most deadly shooters from the arc, he paces the group that may be Stanton’s biggest threat.
2018 Dillion Rocha, Stanton (11.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 54.5 FG%)
One of Johnson’s primary sidekicks, the senior post nearly averaged a double-double last season and is the leading returning shot blocker in the conference. Don’t be surprised to see this 6-7 big man boost those averages to a healthy 14-11-3 this winter.
2018 Easton Blunt, Stanton (10.0 points, 2.1 assists, 52 3PM)
Blunt led the conference in 3-pointers made last season by a fair margin, knocking down 52 of his 139 attempts from behind the arc, good for 37.4%. He dished out 48 assists and swiped 40 steals as well, making him a valuable two-way threat for the Vikings.
2018 Sergio Rodriguez, Sidney (10.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 50.0 FG%)
This slashing point guard finished third in the league in assists last year, dishing out 80 helpers. He also led the Cowboys in steals while finishing second on the team in scoring. It’s rare for a guard to not make a single 3 during the season (Rodriguez was 0-14), but he knows what he’s good at, and that’s getting to the rim and distributing to his teammates.
Second Team
2019 Brenden Dingus, Heartland Christian
2019 Mason Vanatta, Fremont-Mills
2019 Brady Lorimor, Sidney
2019 Donnie Weis, Stanton
2018 Nate Laughlin, Fremont-Mills
Honorable Mentions
2018 Dylan Schroeder, East Mills
2018 Reece Anderson, Stanton
2020 Colton Thornburg, Essex
2018 Bryson Duncan, Sidney
2019 Landen Gray, Heartland Christian