Preseason All-Conference: Bluegrass
Player of the Year: Caleb Grizzle, Ankeny Christian Academy — 2019
Although several guys were considered for the honor, Grizzle gets the nod here because of his proclivity to play both sides of the ball at a high level. He led the conference in blocks last season and was able to be proficient on offense too, going for 12.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
First Team
Caleb Grizzle, Ankeny Christian Academy — 2019
12.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.4 blocks
The Preseason Player of the Year will be a guy that should lead yet another really good Eagles squad in scoring this season. And defensively, he’s a shot-eraser, and could again be among the state leaders in blocked shots.
Parker Hitt, Mormon Trail — 2019
17.3 points, 4.3 assists, 4.1 steals, 1.3 blocks, 10.7 rebounds
There’s really nothing this versatile forward can’t do. He led Mormon Trail in scoring, rebounding and blocks last season and was still able to dish out a respectable 4.3 assists per game.
Stephen Ansong, Lamoni — 2020
17.2 points, 7.6 rebounds
Ansong made his mark in a big way last season with the 15-7 Demons, leading them in scoring and rebounding. He could be a guy who averages 20 and 10 this winter.
Keaton Gwinn, Mormon Trail — 2019
15.9 points, 7.2 assists, 4.6 steals, 7.2 rebounds
One part of one of the state’s most prolific returning duos, Gwinn led the conference in assists and steals last season as a junior, and rebounds it exceptionally well from the point guard position.
Jayce Goergen, Ankeny Christian Academy — 2019
12.5 points, 3.1 assists, 2.0 steals, 5.5 rebounds
The tough ACA guard doesn’t necessarily specialize in anything, but is a guy that simply gets the job done. His numbers last season were stellar, and he’ll help fill the void left by standout guard Drew Wilken who graduated after last season.
Second Team
George Shanks (Mormon Trail) — 2020
Reece Held (Murray) — 2020
Blaise Cooper (Melcher-Dallas) — 2019
Zach Dueker (Iowa Christian Academy) — 2020
Dewayne Figgins (Orient-Macksburg) — 2020
Honorable Mentions
Brendan Gray
Nicholan Patience
Chad Elrod
Devin Slaughter
Ethan Harrington
Kade Klommhaus
Wyatt Stansberry
Noah Wells
Dakota Syhlman