Preseason Player of the Year: 2020 Reece Held, Murray
A two-time first team selection already, Held is the conference’s leading returnee in scoring and assists. A diminutive, but fearless, lead guard, he should rank among the conference leaders in those categories, as well as steals, again this season for a Murray team that will be among the top few teams in the league.
First Team
2020 Reece Held, Murray (17.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.8 steals, 50.4 FG%)
Held is small, listed at just 5-9, but talented. He’s the leading returnee in the conference in both scoring and assists, and he contributes across the board for a Mustangs team that will be among the best in the league this year.
2020 George Shanks, Mormon Trail (13.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.2 steals)
With a pair of double figure scorers graduated from last year’s team, this will be Shanks’ team in 2019-20. A versatile scorer with the ability to do so at all three levels, he’ll also be asked to step into an even bigger facilitator role than he had last year following the graduation of Keaton Gwinn (166 assists last season).
2021 Ryan Krpan, Melcher-Dallas (15.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 3.8 steals)
Despite being listed at 6-0, Krpan competes hard on the glass and ranks third among conference returnees in rebounding. He fills the stat sheet across the board for the Saints, leading the team in scoring, assists and steals last year.
2020 David Nelson, Ankeny Christian (10.9 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 51.2 FG%)
The Eagles lost 63% of their scoring from a team that averaged 80 points a game last season, and one of the key beneficiaries of that loss of production should be Nelson, who will see his numbers skyrocket. An efficient guard with the ability to score from all three levels, Nelson and teammate Matthew Voll should each have big years for a potent ACA team.
2021 Matthew Voll, Ankeny Christian*
Voll transfers into ACA from Ankeny Centennial, and should have a major impact at the 1A level. A 6-4 playmaking wing, he thrives on getting to the rim, and he should have no issues doing that in this league. He could lead the league in scoring this season.
Second Team
2021 Carson Brown, Moravia
2020 Stephen Ansong, Lamoni
2020 Prestyn Lawson, Seymour
2020 Noah Wells, Seymour
2020 Kade Klommhaus, Diagonal
Honorable Mentions
2021 Kade Dunkin, Twin Cedars
2020 Jannis Rodeck, Mormon Trail
2021 Hayden Stewart, Lamoni
2021 Steven Krpan, Melcher-Dallas
2020 Nic Worsham, Ankeny Christian
2021 Blake Thompson, Orient-Macksburg
2021 Jace Rodecker, Murray
