Preseason All-Conference Teams: Lakes Conference
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Preseason Player of the Year: 2022 Ty Van Essen Ty Van Essen 6'4" | PF Western Christian | 2022 State IA , Western Christian The best player on 2A’s best team, Van Essen put up some ridiculous efficiency numbers last…
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Continue ReadingPreseason Player of the Year: 2022 Ty Van Essen Ty Van Essen 6'4" | PF Western Christian | 2022 State IA , Western Christian
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.
First Team
2022 Ty Van Essen Ty Van Essen 6'4" | PF Western Christian | 2022 State IA , Western Christian: 16.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals, 58.5 FG%, 55.4 3P%, 78.6 FT%
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.
2022 Karter Petzenhauser Karter Petzenhauser 6'4" | SG Spencer | 2022 State IA , Spencer: 23.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 55.4 FG%, 39.4 3P%, 74.7 FT%
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.
2022 Wyatt Gulker Wyatt Gulker 6'3" | SG Western Christian | 2022 State IA , Western Christian: 12.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.0 steals, 51.3 FG%, 39.8 3P%, 81.6 FT%
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.
2022 Wil Lugar Wil Lugar 6'2" | SF Cherokee | 2022 State IA , Cherokee: 13.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals, 1.5 blocks, 38.1 3P%
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.
2024 Owen Larson Owen Larson 6'1" | PG Estherville Lincoln Central | 2024 State IA , Estherville Lincoln Central: 12.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.2 steals
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.
Second Team
2022 Sam Slight Sam Slight 6'5" | SF Storm Lake | 2022 State IA , Storm Lake
2022 Adrian Vaughn, Estherville Lincoln Central
2022 Eli Van Essen Eli Van Essen 5'11" | SG Western Christian | 2022 State IA , Western Christian
2022 Evan Schmidt, Spencer
2022 Sam Dvergsten Sam Dvergsten 5'10" | SG Storm Lake | 2022 State IA , Storm Lake
Honorable Mentions
2022
Joe Benson
Joe
Benson
6'1" | SG
Cherokee | 2022
State
IA
, Cherokee
2022 Jacob Hodgdon, Cherokee
2022 Ryan Schlitz, Estherville Lincoln Central
2022
Austin Gaffney
Austin
Gaffney
6'7" | C
Storm Lake | 2022
State
IA
, Storm Lake
2022
Luth Dak
Luth
Dak
6'8" | PF
Storm Lake | 2022
State
IA
, Storm Lake
2023
Ashtin Van’t Hul
Ashtin
Van’t Hul
6'0" | PG
Western Christian | 2023
State
IA
, Western Christian