I thought it would be fun to give my take on the Northern Plains League after having seen the teams play in 2012-13 and having extensive coverage of the league during the NPL Tournament. Disclaimers: these are just one man’s OPINION on this basketball season. My opinion is also not that of my employer.
Boys 1st Team
Nick Lawson, 6’2″, Jr., G/F, Sylvan-Lucas Mustangs
Although the Mustangs struggled a bit overall, Lawson was without question one of the top players in the area, as he averaged 20.1 ppg to go along with 8.9 rpg, 2.5 apg and 2.2 spg. He burst on to the scene as a Sophomore, when he averaged 11.6 ppg, but this season, he elevated his game to help lead the Mustangs when Senior Brogan Naylor missed the first half of the season due to injury. Lawson was on my 3rd team a season ago.
Wyatt Flinn, 6’3″, Sr., F/C, Rock Hills Grizzlies
Flinn was the go-to guy for the Rock Hills team that finished the year 18-3 overall, and won the NPL Regular Season (10-0) and Tournament Championships. Flinn averaged 15.8 ppg and 9.2 rpg in the post for the Grizzlies. Flinn was on my 2nd team last year, but upped his averages from the 14.8 ppg and 7.9 rpg he had last season.
Quinton Isaacson, 6’4″, Sr., F/C, Pike Valley Panthers
Isaacson burst onto the scene very early in his Senior season, as he put up 40 points and 10 rebounds in the Panthers’ season opener on 11/29/12 against Clifton-Clyde. He elevated his game in a big way from his Junior season, as averaged just 10.1 ppg last season, compared to 18.4 ppg this season. He also added 8.3 rpg and 2.2 spg and had eight double-double’s on the season. Isaacson didn’t make my team a season ago, but he was strong as a Senior for the Panthers.
Trey Dubbert, 5’10”, So., G, St. John’s/Tipton Blujays
Dubbert is another player that did not make my all-league team a season ago, but caused big problems for opponents this season for the Blujays. Dubbert was one of three players that averaged double figures and helped lead St. John’s/Tipton to a 19-3 finish. He put up 15 ppg this season, after averaging 6.4 per game as a Freshman a season ago. He also led the Blujays with 2.1 apg and 33 made 3-point shots to go along with a 79% (57-72) mark from the free throw line. Trey dropped a St. John’s/Tipton record 31 points in a 60-48 win over Chase on 2/1/13, shooting 12-17 overall, and 4-8 from 3.
Luke Eilert, 6’1″, Jr., F, St. John’s/Tipton Blujays
Luke was another one of three players that averaged double figures in scoring for St. John’s/Tipton in their 19-3 season. He was on my 2nd team last year, but this year turned into one of the best defensive players in the league. He averaged 11.4 ppg, a team high 7.7 rpg and also added 2.4 spg and 2 apg, all while guarding the top player on the other team each night. His best game was in St. John’s/Tipton’s biggest win of the season against Plainville on 2/19/13. He scored 12 points, and grabbed an SJ/T record 19 rebounds and a team high 5 assists, all while also guarding Plainville’s top player, Hadley Gillum. Gillum scored 10 points in the game, eight less than his average. Eilert also had five double-double’s for the Blujays this season.
Boys 2nd Team
Cole Brady, 6’0″, Sr., G, Chase (21.2 ppg, 8 rpg, 3.5 spg)
Justin Underwood, 6’2″, Jr., G/F, Lakeside (17.5 ppg, 6 rpg)
Dayton Walter, 6’3″, Sr., G, Lincoln (19 ppg, 8 rpg, 2.5 apg)
Phillip Murphy, 6’2″, Sr., F, Natoma (15.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 60-79, 76% FT)
Connor Eilert, 6’0″, Jr., G, St. John’s/Tipton (12.3 ppg, 5 rpg, 2.6 spg)
Boys Third Team
Grady Brayton, 6’2″, Sr., F, Southern Cloud (14.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg)
Brogan Naylor, 6’1″, Sr., F, Sylvan-Lucas (14.9 ppg, 7 rpg)
Garrett Krueger, 6’2″, Jr., G, Thunder Ridge (12.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.8 apg)
Cole Zelenka, 5’0″, Sr., G, Wilson (14.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.8 spg, 2.5 apg)
Marcus Denham, 6’0″, Jr., F, Wilson (14.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg)
Girls 1st Team
Jenna Farris, 5’8″, Sr., G, Lincoln Leopards
Farris was again one of the top players in the State in Class 2A, averaging 23.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4 apg and 3.8 spg, in helping lead Lincoln to a 15-7 record. She also helped lead the Lady Leopards to their 2nd straight NPL Tournament Championship. Farris shot 81% from the FT line (80-99) and made 46 3-point baskets this season. She finished her storied career at Lincoln with 2,119 points, an average of 23.3 over her 4-year career, 147 3-point makes, and 76% from the FT line (326-430). She also scored double figures in 90 of the 91 high school games she played. The only game she didn’t was when she scored three points in the fourth game of her Freshman year. Farris is on my 1st team for the 2nd consecutive season.
Karlie Steinle, 5’8″, Sr., G, Wilson Dragons
Steinle helped lead Wilson to a 20-4 record, the Northern Plains League regular season title and a 1A DII State Tournament 4th Place finish. She averaged a double-double with 23.7 ppg & 10.6 rpg to go along with 5 spg and 3.9 apg. In all, she had 10 double-doubles and a triple-double (26 points, 11 rebounds, 10 steals vs. Tescott on 12/7/12) this season. She wrapped her career with a 42 point, 18 rebound performance in a 77-67 loss to Golden Plains in the 3rd place game of the 1A DII, which included a 19-22 mark from the FT line. Steinle finished her career at Wilson averaging 20.1 ppg and 8.8 rpg. This is Steinle’s 2nd straight year on my 1st team.
Danica Casey, 5’9″, Sr., G, Natoma Tigers
Danica was strong again for Natoma in her Senior season, as she helped lead them to the 1A DII Sub-State Championship game in Palco, before falling to Dighton. Casey’s totals were down a little bit this year, with her sister Regan coming into the fold, and Natoma becoming a more well-rounded team. She still averaged 18.2 ppg and 9.4 rpg, and shot 84% (119-141) from the free throw line. She also added 8 double-double’s on the season. She finished her career at Natoma with 1,502 points (17.1 ppg) and 856 rebounds (9.7 rpg), cashed in on 149 3-point shots, and ended with an 80% career FT percentage (421-525). Casey made my 1st team for the 2nd straight year.
Kora Bergstrom, 6’0″, Sr., F, Pike Valley Panthers
Bergstrom had the best year of her career in ’12-’13 for the Pike Valley Lady Panthers. She helped lead her team to a 15-7 overall record, scoring 14.7 ppg and adding 8.1 rpg. In all, she had six double-double’s and also shot 71% (68-96) from the charity stripe. Bergstrom has been strong the last three years, averaging 12.9 ppg and 7.3 rpg in that time. This is the 2nd straight year that Bergstrom has been on my 1st team.
Brittany Kirchhoff, 5’10”, Sr., G, Thunder Ridge Longhorns
Kirchhoff helped lead the Thunder Ridge Lady Longhorns to the 1A DI Sub-State Championship in Osborne, averaging 21 ppg in the two contests, and shooting 17-18 from the FT line. Brittany was the leading scorer on the Lady Longhorns’ team that made it to the 1A DI State Tournament, falling to Bucklin in the 1st Round. She scored 14.4 ppg and added 4.8 rpg, 2.8 spg and 2.1 apg in her final season at Thunder Ridge. Kirchhoff was on my 3rd team a season ago.
Girls 2nd Team
Jennifer Crist, 6’0″, Sr., F, Lincoln (10 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 78-108, 72% FT)
Regan Casey, 5’5″, Fr., G, Natoma (14.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.9 spg, 3.3 apg)
Darica Bohnert, 5’8″, Sr., G, Rock Hills (14.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg)
Alisha Castro, 5’8″, Sr., F, Southern Cloud (13.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.9 spg)
Kirsten Burger, 5’11”, Fr., F, Thunder Ridge (9.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2 spg)
Girls 3rd Team
Casey Freed, 5’5″, Jr., G, Pike Valley (9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.5 spg)
Jaid Runft, 6’1″, Jr., C, Pike Valley (9 ppg, 8.1 rpg)
Kellan Niewald, 5’9″, Jr., G, St. John’s/Tipton (13.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.8 spg, 2.4 apg)
Erin Schroeder, 5’3″, Sr., G, St. John’s/Tipton (9.3 ppg, 51-70, 73% FT, 30 3’s)
Shania Steinike, 5’10”, Jr., F, Wilson (11 ppg, 4 rpg)
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