Most Outstanding Player Candidates: 1A Div. II

Prep Hoops Staff

December 13, 2022 @ 10:53 AM

There's an obvious number one candidate for Most Outstanding Player in the state's smallest classification. There's also a clear number two, for that matter. Here are the “frontrunners,” “outsiders” and “surprise candidates” from 1A Div. II.   The Frontrunners:   [player_tooltip player_id='1080198' first='Jaxson' last='Brandl'], 6-foot-2 guard, 2023, Greeley County:   Brandl put together such a great junior year, he was included on some all-state honors regardless of classification. He was the unquestioned player of the year in 1A Div. II. In his favor, he has a strong supporting cast back for his senior season. They are the odds-on-favorite to repeat. Brandl stuffed the stat sheet and went crazy in the state tournament last year, scoring 76 points in three games.   [player_tooltip player_id='1212165' first='Alec' last='Carlson'], 6-foot-2 guard, 2023, Pawnee Heights:   The Tigers went just 12-11 last season, or Carlson would be up in the conversation with Brandl. He has been a scoring machine since his freshman year. He's an underrated athlete with some serious spring – he was state triple jump champ last season. If Carlson can lead the team to the tournament, he will deserve consideration.   The Outsiders:   [player_tooltip player_id='1378446' first='Carson' last='Shimer'], 6-foot-3 center, 2024, Dighton:   Shimer is a big, powerful post who was Dighton's team leader as a sophomore. The young Hornets were good last year. If they can take a step forward this year, it will probably be in large part because of Shimer's dominance in the paint. Can he improve upon the 16 points and 11 boards he put up a year ago? He may have to.   Teagan Thompson, 5-foot-11 guard, 2023, Caldwell:   The Bluejays somehow qualified for the state tournament with just six guys on their roster. They went 16-7, in large part due to the production and leadership of Thompson. He had to play pretty much every minute and do just about everything. He averaged 12 points and 6 rebounds. Unless the Bluejays developed a bunch of new players over the summer, they will look much the same as a year ago, meaning Thompson will be relied upon heavily again.   The Surprise Candidates:   [player_tooltip player_id='1561992' first='Josh' last='Hildebrand'], 6-foot-5 center, 2023, Stafford:   Shimer will have a rival big man in the classification in Hildebrand. The big senior didn't always put up huge stats, but he's a multi-sport stud who can battle in the paint. Stafford came just one win away from the tournament. If they can get there this year, Hildebrand will get some more notice.   Kenton Thalheim, 6-foot guard, 2024, Northern Valley:   The Huskies were so good last year. Thalheim learned from some really good seniors and gained all that experience from the state tournament, where the Huskies won a thriller in the consolation game. Thalheim wasn't the leader of that team, but he finished with 11 points, 5 boards and 3 assists. What kind of leader can he be as a junior? He'll have his opportunity to take the reins.

There's an obvious number one candidate for Most Outstanding Player in the state's smallest classification. There's also a clear number two, for that matter. Here are the “frontrunners,” “outsiders” and “surprise candidates” from 1A Div. II.