Preseason All-Conference Teams: Lakes Conference

<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Ty-Van-Essen-crop-2786x1829-1615320637-crop-518x340-1615320649.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1147361" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Ty-Van-Essen-crop-2786x1829-1615320637-crop-518x340-1615320649-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>Preseason Player of the Year:</strong> </span>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962616" first="Ty" last="Van Essen"], Western Christian</p> <p>The best player on 2A's best team, Van Essen put up some ridiculous efficiency numbers last season, posting 59-55-79 shooting splits. That type of efficiency as a 6-5 combo forward makes him one of the most difficult matchups in the state. He'll lead the Wolfpack back to the top of the league, and they're the favorites to take home the 2A crown again this season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>First Team</h4> <p><strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962616" first="Ty" last="Van Essen"], Western Christian: 16.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals, 58.5 FG%, 55.4 3P%, 78.6 FT%</strong></p> <p>Van Essen's eye-popping efficiency and ability to score from anywhere on the floor makes him an extremely difficult matchup. He rebounds at a high level on both ends of the floor, gets others involved, and doesn't force anything. He's a high IQ player who dominates the game in every facet.</p> <p><strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682284" first="Karter" last="Petzenhauser"], Spencer: 23.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 55.4 FG%, 39.4 3P%, 74.7 FT%</strong></p> <p>Petzenhauser is a big, physical wing who can fill it up from all three levels at an efficient clip. His 23.1 points a game is second among all returnees in the state, and he has really improved as a playmaker over the last few years as well. He'll be looking to lead the Tigers to the top of the league.</p> <p><strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158437" first="Wyatt" last="Gulker"], Western Christian: 12.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.0 steals, 51.3 FG%, 39.8 3P%, 81.6 FT%</strong></p> <p>Another high IQ player for the Wolfpack, Gulker can really shoot it, and he complements Van Essen well. A dynamic catch-and-shoot threat, Gulker also uses his length effectively on the defensive end, getting into passing lanes and moving his feet well on that end of the floor.</p> <p><strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1234970" first="Wil" last="Lugar"], Cherokee: 13.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals, 1.5 blocks, 38.1 3P%</strong></p> <p>A do-it-all 6-2 forward, Lugar led the Braves in scoring, rebounding, assists, and blocks last season while shooting an impressive 38% from the arc. He's a nightly double-double threat who also does a great job getting others involved.</p> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1171659" first="Owen" last="Larson"], Estherville Lincoln Central: 12.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.2 steals</strong></p> <p>Larson is a high IQ lead guard coming off a very productive freshman season for the Midgets. He can impact the game on both ends of the floor with his quickness and intelligence, and he should emerge as a bigger scorer this year following the graduation of older brother Will, who led the team in scoring last year.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>Second Team</h4> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1153766" first="Sam" last="Slight"], Storm Lake</p> <p>2022 Adrian Vaughn, Estherville Lincoln Central</p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158490" first="Eli" last="Van Essen"], Western Christian</p> <p>2022 Evan Schmidt, Spencer</p> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1234973" first="Sam" last="Dvergsten"], Storm Lake</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>Honorable Mentions</h4> <p>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1235026" first="Joe" last="Benson"], Cherokee<br /> 2022 Jacob Hodgdon, Cherokee<br /> 2022 Ryan Schlitz, Estherville Lincoln Central<br /> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1234968" first="Austin" last="Gaffney"], Storm Lake<br /> 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="784984" first="Luth" last="Dak"], Storm Lake<br /> 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167724" first="Ashtin" last="Van’t Hul"], Western Christian</p>