Preseason All-Conference Teams: River Valley South

<!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1254556,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Caden-Kirkman1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Caden-Kirkman1-300x200.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1254556" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Player of the Year: </strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167686' first='Caden' last='Kirkman'] (Wilton)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future Augustana (SD) big man was absolutely dominant as a junior, showing his ability to impact the game across the board. We expect Wilton to be the best team in the division this season, and Kirkman is far and away the most dominant player.</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='1167686' first='Caden' last='Kirkman'] (Wilton): 20.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.4 steals, 3.9 blocks, 62.2 FG%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-8 big man with elite footwork and touch around the rim, Kirkman was fantastic as a junior for the Beavers, leading the team in every major statistical category. He's a mobile big with great timing and instincts on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171662' first='Holden' last='Arnaman'] (West Branch): 15.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.5 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A talented, high-IQ guard, Arnaman had a huge sophomore year for the Bears, leading the division in assists and emerging as a dominant scorer as well. He's quick and shifty, and a really good finisher around the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1469778' first='Aidan' last='Walker'] (Wilton): 11.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.8 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An athletic, slashing wing who is a good complement to Kirkman's interior presence, Walker emerged as a strong secondary scoring option for the Beavers last season. He does a good job using his length to impact the game defensively as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376706' first='Landyn' last='Putman'] (Wilton): 11.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 49.7 FG%, 50.4 3P%</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the state's elite shooting threats, Putman buried over 50% of his shots from deep last season. He benefits from playing alongside Kirkman who draws a ton of attention, freeing him up to get shots off. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1240074' first='Nolan' last='DeLong'] (Durant): 15.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeLong is a standout on the gridiron and uses a lot of those skills to dominate on the hardwood as well. He's a great athlete who uses his athleticism and physicality to bully his way to the rim routinely for finishes. He also uses that athleticism to outleap opposing players for rebounds, pulling down over eight boards a game despite being just 6-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Second Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 Jayce McHugh (West Liberty)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1469826' first='Garrett' last='Hollenback'] (Durant)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 Reece Trepanier (West Branch)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167728' first='Alex' last='Bean'] (Mid-Prairie)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 Davis Webb (Tipton)</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>2023 Ty Jones (West Liberty)<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1587750' first='Nolan' last='Mcdonald'] (Regina)<br>2023 Andy Henson (West Branch)<br>2023 Xander Schuett (Tipton)<br>2023 Landis Pietrzak (Regina)<br>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325496' first='Michael' last='Martin'] (Regina)<br>2023 Caden Schmidt (Tipton)<br>2023 Ty Nichols (Tipton)<br>2023 Clayton Guyer (Wilton)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->