Preseason All-Conference Teams: Bluegrass Conference

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Player of the Year: </strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367453' first='Gage' last='Hanes'] (Moravia)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mohawks put together the best season in school history last season, winning 20 games and going undefeated in league play, and Hanes was a major reason why. The team's leading scorer can do a little bit of everything on the floor with his 6-2 frame - defend multiple positions, score from all three levels, facilitate for others, and rebound at a high level. His strong all-around play is what earns him the nod as the POY in the league. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>First Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367453' first='Gage' last='Hanes'] (Moravia): 15.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.1 steals, 49.8 FG%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The best all-around player on the best team in the league, Hanes led the Mohawks in scoring and was second in rebounding and assists. An efficient 6-2 wing who can get to the rim or knock down jumpers, he looks primed to have a big year for a Moravia team looking to make its first trip to the state tournament in school history. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367459' first='Riley' last='Hawkins'] (Moravia): 14.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.1 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Robin to Hanes' Batman, Hawkins is also an extremely effective player on both ends of the floor for the Mohawks, finishing second on the team in scoring and made 3-pointers. He's a versatile defender with the length at 6-3 to contest shots and bang against bigger bodies in the paint as well as defend on the perimeter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Owen Suntken (Melcher-Dallas): 13.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.6 steals, 3.5 blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Saints had a rough 2021-22 season, winning just four games, but Suntken was a standout. The 6-3 power forward appeared in just 12 games but was a walking double-double in those contests. His ability to score inside the paint, control the glass, and defend the rim will be crucial for an M-D team looking to improve. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Gavin Dixson (Mormon Trail): 13.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.5 blocks, 46.9 FG%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dixson was second on the Saints in scoring and assists last season, but with three of the top five scorers from last year graduating, he'll have a chance to put together a special statistical season for Mormon Trail. He does a little bit of everything for this group on both ends of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167738' first='Carter' last='Houser'] (Seymour): 11.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.3 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Houser's efficiency numbers dropped from his sophomore to junior seasons, but he was still an effective weapon for the Warriors on both ends of the floor. If he's able to regress to his sophomore shooting splits, he could lead the league in scoring as a senior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Second Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 Chase Ripperger (Melcher-Dallas)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 Cade Wierck (Ankeny Christian)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 Caleb Hubbard (Diagonal)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 Ben Werneck (Diagonal)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325457' first='Shane' last='Helmick'] (Moravia): </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Honorable Mentions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 Triton Gwinn (Mormon Trail)<br>2023 Gauge Mongar (Murray)<br>2023 Tyson Ross (Orient-Macksburg)<br>2023 Cole Hamilton (Moravia)<br>2023 Zane Hackathorn (Moulton-Udell)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->