Preseason All-Conference Teams: Bluegrass Conference

<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Preseason Player of the Year:</strong></span> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962662" first="Malachi" last="Johnson"], Ankeny Christian</p> <p>Ankeny Christian should once again be the best team in the Bluegrass Conference, and Johnson is a big reason why. A true lead guard who looks to get others involved before hunting his own shot, Johnson is arguably the best returnee on both ends of the floor with his all-around abilities. He should see his scoring spike a little bit this year with the graduated pieces that the Eagles lost, and if the Eagles finish at the top of the conference as expected, it'll largely be because of Johnson's two-way talents.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>First Team</h4> <p><strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962662" first="Malachi" last="Johnson"], Ankeny Christian: 9.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 2.1 steals, 41.0 3P%</strong></p> <p>Johnson posted a very impressive 4.1 assist-to-turnover ratio last season and has turned himself into a knockdown 3-point shooter. He's dynamic on both ends of the floor for the league's best team.</p> <p><strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158467" first="Ben" last="McDermott"], Ankeny Christian: 11.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.6 steals, 45.0 3P%</strong></p> <p>The top returning scorer for the conference's best team, McDermott is a great shooter who benefits by playing alongside a lead guard the quality of Johnson. A 6-1 wing with a quick release and extended range, look for McDermott to show a bit more of his all-around scoring skill set this year for ACA.</p> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167738" first="Carter" last="Houser"], Seymour: 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.4 steals</strong></p> <p>The leading returning scorer in the league, Houser does a majority of his damage inside the arc and at the free-throw line. With three of the top four scorers returning for the Warriors, expect them to have a bit more success this year, and Houser will be a big part of that.</p> <p><strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158511" first="Devin" last="Arkema"]: Twin Cedars: 15.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.5 steals</strong></p> <p>A 5-10 guard who can do a little bit of everything on the floor for the Sabers, Arkema's 15.7 points a game rank second among returnees.</p> <p><strong>2022 Remington Newton: Mormon Trail: 11.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.2 steals</strong></p> <p>A 6-0 wing who led the Saints in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals last year, Newton paces a Mormon Trail team that will likely be ACA's biggest threat within the conference, returning their top nine scorers.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>Second Team</h4> <p>2023 Gavin Dixson, Mormon Trail</p> <p>2022 Kayden Snowden, Seymour</p> <p>2022 Wrigley Shanks, Mormon Trail</p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1139259" first="Brayden" last="Olson"], Lamoni</p> <p>2022 Javin Stevenson, Lamoni</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>Honorable Mentions</h4> <p>2023 Caleb Hubbard, Diagonal<br /> 2022 Gabe Stripe, Mormon Trail<br /> 2022 Christian Nevarez, Murray<br /> 2022 Logan Fincham, Ankeny Christian<br /> 2023 Owen Suntken, Melcher-Dallas<br /> 2024 Triton Gwinn, Mormon Trail<br /> 2023 Gage Hanes, Moravia</p>