I thought it would be fun to give my take on the Northern Plains League after having seen the teams play in 2011-12 and having extensive coverage of the league during the NPL Tournament. Remember, these are just one man’s OPINION on this basketball season. My opinion is also not that of my employer. I just want to throw those disclaimers out there.
I’ll start with the boys.
Boys 1st Team
Jake Stoppel, 6’5″, Sr., F, Wilson Dragons
Stoppel averaged a double-double with 27.9 ppg and 15.3 rpg this season for the Dragons. He also added 3 apg, 2.4 spg and 2.2 bpg, while shooting 63% from the floor. He registered a double-double in every game Wilson played this season, helping the Dragons to a 19-4 record and a Sub-State runner-up finish.
Wyatt Schroeder, 6’6″, Sr., C, Lincoln Leopards
Like Stoppel, Schroeder also averaged a double-double this season with 18.8 ppg and 12 rpg. He had 16 double-doubles overall this season and also added 4.6 bpg while shooting 63% from the floor.
Austin Herman, 5’11”, Sr., G, Thunder Ridge Longhorns
Herman, a Northern Valley transfer, averaged a team high 15.4 ppg for a Thunder Ridge team that finished 14-9 and was a Sub-State runner-up at the 1A DI Quinter Sub-State. Herman was reliable all season, but in the final five games of the year, he averaged 21.6 ppg for the Longhorns.
Keegan Heiland, 6’0″, Sr., G, Lakeside Knights
Heiland was the leading scorer for a Lakeside team that finished 22-2 and qualified for the 1A DI State Tournament. Heiland scored 11.1 ppg and led the team with 3.1 apg, while shooting 74% from the FT line as well. Heiland also led the team with a least 27 three-pointers.
Austin Herbel, 5’10”, Jr., G, Tescott Trojans
Herbel was one of the top scorers in the NPL this season, putting up 18.2 ppg and also adding 7 rpg for Tescott this season.
Boys 2nd Team
Cole Brady, 5’8″, Jr., G, Chase (20 ppg)
Alex Renken, 6’1″, Sr., G/F, Lakeside (10.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.4 spg)
Wyatt Flinn, 6’3″, Jr., C, Rock Hills (14.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg)
Luke Eilert, 6’0″, So., G/F, St. John’s/Tipton (11.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3 spg)
Connor Eilert, 6’0″, So., G, St. John’s/Tipton (13.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.9 spg)
Boys Third Team
Brandon Smith, 6’2″, Sr., F/C, Lakeside (10 ppg, 5.1 rpg)
Dayton Walter, 6’3″, Jr., G, Lincoln (13 ppg, 7 rpg)
Grady Brayton, 6’2″, Jr., F/G, Southern Cloud (15.4 ppg, 8.3 rpg)
Nick Lawson, 6’0″, So., G/F, Sylvan-Lucas (11.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg)
Tyler Dougherty, 5’11”, Sr., G, Sylvan-Lucas (10.3 ppg, 2.4 apg, 2.2 spg)
Girls 1st Team
Jenna Farris, 5’7″, Jr., G, Lincoln Leopards
Farris had another stellar season to add to her already illustrious career at Lincoln. The Junior Guard averaged 22.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.7 spg and 3 apg. She also connected on 81% of her FT attempts this season and shot 39% from beyond the three point arc in helping the Lady Leopards go 18-4 this season.
Karlie Steinle, 5’8″, Jr., G, Wilson Dragons
Steinle was again one of the top players in the area, as she averaged 22.4 ppg and was one of the best rebounding guards in the state, as she pulled down 9.7 rpg. Steinle also shot 81% from the FT line, 39% from 3 and 51% from the floor overall. The Lady Dragons followed Steinle’s lead to a 17-5 finish this season.
Caley Greving, 6’0″, Sr., C, Logan Trojans
In her Senior season, Greving led the Lady Trojans to their 2nd straight State Tournament appearance in 1A-DII, as Logan finished 15-9 this season. Greving averaged a double-double with 14.6 ppg and 11.4 rpg, as well as 1.6 bpg.
Danica Casey, 5’9″, Jr., G, Natoma Tigers
Every team that played Natoma knew that Casey was the focal point of the Lady Tigers offense. Even with them knowing, she was able to have a solid season, averaging a double-double with 19.7 ppg and 11.8 rpg, while adding 3.2 spg and shooting 83% from the FT line.
Kora Bergstrom, 6’0″, Jr., F/G, Pike Valley Panthers
Bergstrom was the leading scorer on a Pike Valley team that finished 18-6 overall and qualified for the 1A-DI State Tournament in Emporia. Bergstrom scored 13.6 ppg and added 7.5 rpg for Pike Valley.
Girls 2nd Team
Kelsi Smith, 5’9″, So., G, Lakeside (11.5 ppg, 7 rpg, 2.7 spg)
Averie Gritten, 5’8″, Sr., F, Pike Valley (12.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.4 spg)
Darica Bohnert, 5’8″, Jr., G, Rock Hills (15.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 4 spg, 2.5 apg)
Alissa Gasper, 5’9″, Sr., F, St. John’s/Tipton (14.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg)
Damaris Niewald, 5’7″, Sr., G, St. John’s/Tipton (11.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.0 spg)
Girls 3rd Team
Prairee Marlier, 5’7″, Sr., G, Lakeside (10.3 ppg, 2.9 spg)
Jennifer Crist, 6’0″, Jr., F, Lincoln (8.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg)
Maryssa Seirer, 5’5″, Sr., G, Sylvan-Lucas (9.4 ppg, 2.7 apg)
Brittany Kirchhoff, 5’10”, Jr., G, Thunder Ridge (11.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg)
Kelsey Atchison, 5’7″, Sr., F, Thunder Ridge (10.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.1 spg)
dusty40 