Boys basketball: Introducing the 2025 West Central Tribune All-Area Team

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Apr. 1—Get to the state tournament and you reap rewards.

For Dawson-Boyd, BOLD and Montevideo, that means multiple members on the 2025 West Central Tribune All-Area Boys Basketball Team.

Dawson-Boyd leads the 15-player squad with three selections: Brayson Boike, Drew Hjelmeland and Gunner Liebl, the spoils after winning the state Class A championship.

BOLD earns two selections after its Class A state tournament appearance: Jack Gross and Will Penkert.

And, Montevideo also picks up two All-Area team members after winning the Class AA consolation championship: Griffin Epema and Gannon Reidinger.

Also placing two players on the squad is Central Minnesota Christian School, led by Asher Wieberdink and Drew Duininck.

Also making their way to All-Area accolades are: Willmar's Avery Christensen, Marcus Forsythe of Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City, Harold Habben of Benson, Luke Illies of Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, Xavier Noble of MACCRAY and Ryan Schrupp of Renville County West.

The team is selected by the West Central Tribune sports staff based on recommendations from coaches of the circulation area's 18 high schools.

The team:

Senior, 6-foot-8 F/G, Dawson-Boyd

He's the undisputed leader of the state Class A champions, averaging 22.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks per game.

He shot 59% from the field, making 54 of 136 3-pointers, good for 39%. He also shot 67% from the free throw line, making 71 of 105.

He's a Southwest Minnesota State University commit who is a four-time All-Camden Conference selection and a three-time most valuable player of the conference. He also earned Minnesota Star Tribune all-state honors and was a top-12 finalist for Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year.

"(He) impacts the game on both ends of the floor like no other player I have coached," Dawson-Boyd head coach Cory Larson said. "(He) can score in a multitude of ways (and is) capable of defending any position."

So., 6-1 guard, Montevideo

He led the Thunder Hawks with what is believed to be the only quadruple double in the area this season against Redwood Valley and also had 26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists vs. Pelican Rapids, along with a 32-point, eight-rebounds, six-steal and three-assist effort against Melrose.

Epema averaged 19.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 6.0 apg and 3.6 spg for the 27-5 Thunder Hawks, who earned the sixth seed in the state Class AA tournament and beat Pequot Lakes 62-39 and Minnehaha Academy 83-80 in overtime after losing to defending state champion Breck 73-49 in the quarterfinals.

He also has 1,099 career points, 430 rebounds, 405 assists and 221 steals after earning All-West Central Conference honors this season. He's the 10th player in school history to eclipse 1,000 points and holds single-season school records for most assists and steals.

He's a National Honor Society member who also plays football and baseball.

"Griffin Epema is a dynamic playmaker on both ends for the Montevideo Thunder Hawks this season," Montevideo head coach Derek Webb said. "Not only does he have all the statistical accolades, but he was also elected a team captain as a sophomore, which was voted on by his peers. Griffin is not only a tremendous player, but he's also a tremendous teammate and leader."

Sr., 6-5 G, BOLD

The leader of BOLD's state Class A tournament team and the school's all-time scoring leader with 2,032 points. He also holds the single-season record with 673 points and 258 field goals, as well as the single-game record of 44 points.

This season, he shot 60% from 2-point range and 32% on 3-pointers, making 72% of his free throws. He averaged 20.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 5.4 apg, 1.6 steals per game and 1.3 blocks per game for the 20-12 Warriors.

Sr., 6-7 F, Dawson-Boyd

He's the other half of the Blackjacks' twin towers with Boike.

He averaged 16.4 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 5.5 apg, 1.7 bpg and 1.6 apg. he shot 54% from the field and was at 39% from 3-point range, making 64 of 162 attempts. He also shot 72% from the free throw line, making 47 of 65 attempts. He led the state champs in assists.

Hjelmeland finishes with more than 1,500 career points and was a three-time All-Camden pick.

"(He is) known for his ability to shoot from beyond the arc," Larson said. "(He has) become much more of a creator for himself and his teammates as a senior."

Sr., 6-5 F, Montevideo

The dominant front-court player and skilled outside shooter winds up his career with 1,203 points, 757 rebounds, 315 assists and 156 blocks. He holds school records for career blocks, career rebounds and single-season rebounds while becoming the ninth player at Montevideo to score 1,000 points.

Reidinger averaged 16.2 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 5.3 apg, 1.3 spg and 2.0 bpg. In the state tournament against Minnehaha Academy, he had 30 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two blocks. He recorded 15 double-doubles this season.

He was All-West Central, made the Class AA all-tournament team and the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association Academic All-State team. He also ran cross-country and plays baseball. He's headed to Minnesota State-Mankato on a baseball scholarship.

"Gannon Reidinger is a game-changer on both ends for the Montevideo Thunder Hawks this season," Webb said. "Gannon's career as a Thunder Hawks is historic and he will go down as one of the best to ever do it in Montevideo."

Jr., 6-2 G, Willmar

The two-time All-Central Lakes Conference selection averaged 21.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.0 spg and 0.4 bpg. He shot 47.7% from the field, including 38% on 3-pointers and 87% on his free throws.

He has 1,029 career points and counting.

"Avery followed up a strong sophomore year with an even more impressive junior season," Willmar head coach Jeff Holtkamp said. "He dedicates a lot of time in the gym shooting and dribbling and also watching film. This year, Avery focused on building strength, which allowed him to drive to the basket more effectively. ... Avery is difficult to defend due to his ability to score at all three levels and his exceptional court vision creates scoring chances for his teammate."

Sr., 6-6 Post, ACGC

Forsythe was the all-around leader for the Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City Falcons, who posted a 13-14 record.

He's a two-time All-Central Minnesota Conference pick who was ACGC's most valuable player. He was among the conference leaders in scoring at 21.2 ppg, in field-goal percentage at 60.3%, rebounding at 8.64 ppg and blocks at 1.52 bpg.

He plans to attend the University of St. Thomas to major in biomedical engineering.

"Marcus is an exceptional basketball player, and an even better human being," ACGC head coach Terry Miller said. "Even though Marcus was listed as a 6-5 post, he was at his best running the floor and scoring in transition. Marcus was very efficient around the basket, but also was a very good shooter from the outside.

"Marcus is a also a great leader (who) set the tone for our program. He was the rah-rah guy, but worked tremendously hard to become the player he is. You could always count on Marcus to put in the extra time and do the extra things to make our program successful."

Sr., 6-5 F, BBE

He averaged 14.3 ppg, 9.5 rpg and 3.2 apg for the Jaguars, shooting 47% from the field, including 30% from 3-point range. He also had 1.6 bpg and 2.0 spg.

The All-Central Minnesota selection winds up his career with 828 points, 586 rebounds and 177 assists. Also a football and baseball player, he is headed to Concordia University in Moorhead to continue his baseball career.

"Luke was a monster for us," BBE head coach Austin Rambow said. "He led our team in every category offensively and defensively. He was the focal point of our offense when got the ball at the top of the key."

Jr. , 6-0 G, Dawson-Boyd

He was the leader of the Blackjacks' back-court game. He pumped in 18.7 ppg, shooting 59% from the field, including 37% from 3-point range, making 49 of 129 attempts. He also shot 70% from the foul line, making 43 of 61 attempts.

Liebl also averaged 4.4 rpg, 5.5 apg, 2.2 stpg and had 16 blocks. He's a two-time All-Camden selection who already has more than 1,000 career points.

"(He) played with great poise," Larson said. "(He's a) tough kid to defend (and) very crafty int he paint. (He's) excellent off the dribble."

So. , 6-7 F, CMCS

He was the top scorer and rebounder for the 23-6 Bluejays, averaging 17.8 ppg, 9.1 rpg and 2.4 bpg.

The All-Camden selection already has 836 career points and 403 rebounds.

He also participates in track.

"Asher impacted the game on both ends of the floor," CMCS head coach Ted Taatjes said. "His length allowed him to contest shots and lead us in rebounding. Asher's improved post play, paired with his shooting ability, made him a difficult matchup for opposing defenses."

Sr., 6-1 G, CMCS

The floor leader for Bluejays, he earned All-Camden honors while averaging 13.2 ppg, 4.2 apg and 2.1 spg.

He winds up his career with 1,357 career points.

"Drew is a true point guard who understands the game at a very high level," Taatjes said. "While Drew had the ability to score at all three levels, he also did a great job of getting his teammates involved in the offense."

Jr., 6-7 F, Benson

He was the team's most valuable player who averaged 15.5 ppg and 11.2 rpg, shooting 60.2% from the field. He helped lead the Braves to an 18-11 record which included Section 6A playoff wins over Hancock and Border West before falling to eventual section runner-up West Central Area.

With a year to go, he has 955 career points and 831 career rebounds.

Habben also play tennis and is in the band, the choir, the Business Professionals of America and the National Honor Society.

"Harold has been a dominant force in the paint for the Braves over the course of his career," Benson head coach Michael Felt said. "He draws a lot of attention from other teams which allows other players to have offensive and defensive opportunities. "

Sr., 6-2 G, MACCRAY

MACCRAY's leader averaged 17.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 3.0 apg and 3.1 spg while earning All-Camden honors.

He winds up his career with 708 career points, 355 rebounds, 144 assists, 111 steals and 36 blocks in 72 games. While playing guard, he led the Wolverines in rebounding and also led with 2.55 offensive rebounds per game. He shot 45% from the floor, 38.6% from 3-point range and made 77.5% of his free throws.

"Xavier is a great kid off the floor and had an exceptional season this year on the floor," Wolverines head coach Lucas Post said. "He was the leader for us on both ends of the court ... Xavier was tasked on a nightly basis with guarding the opposing team's best player and was always up to the task. He is a kid with a high motor and was able to shoot the ball with very good efficiency while defending at a high level."

Sr, 6-3 F, BOLD

The inside presence for the Warriors' state tournament team, Penkert wound up with 1,286 career points and 584 rebounds.

This season, he averaged 18.8 ppg and 7.3 rpg with 62 assists and 35 steals. He shot 52% from 2-point range, making 118 of 225 attempts, and was 41% on his 3-pointers, making 101 of 248. He shot 75% from the foul line.

Sr., 6-2 G, RCW

Schrupp wrapped up a fine career by averaging 20.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4.3 apg and 3.5 spg. He shot 33% from 3-point range and scored 541 points this season for the 18-8 Jaguars. That's the most wins in a season in RCW history.

He finished his career with 1,725 points, 521 rebounds, 299 assists and 260 steals. He's a three-time All-Camden selection who also qualified for the Camden's All-Academic team.

He plays to play basketball at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, where he will study physical education. He also ran cross-country and plays golf.

"Ryan has been a phenomenal player for RCW for the past five years," Jaguars head coach Matt Huhnerkoch said. "He is a 'do-it-all' player (who) filled a stat sheet with more than points. He made his teammates better and that is what made him such a great player. Ryan is a high basketball IQ player and that showed in every aspect of the game."

Noah Dietel, Litchfield

Junior, 6-7 Post, averaged 11.0 ppg, shooting 46% from the field with 10.4 rpg, 1.4 apg and 1.4 blocks per game.

Lanadreon Goodwin, Benson

So., 6-7 F, averaged 19.0 ppg and 12.2 rpg with 51 blocks and a 51.2% field-goal percentage.

Kia Greycloud, YME

Jr., 6-2 G, averaged 18.9 ppg, shot 51% on 2-pointers and 33% on 3-pointers, 71% on foul shots with 108 assists, 132 rebounds and 69 steals.

Marc Gruber, Minnewaska

Jr., 6-2 G, averaged 11.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.6 spg, earning All-West Central honors

Reed Johnson, Paynesville

Jr. , 6-10 PG, averaged 13/.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.2 spg, made school-record 81 3-pointers

Gavin Mulder, KMS

Jr. , 6-1 F, averaged 17.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg, shooting 57.8% from the field, including 36.1% on 3-pointers and 73.0% from the foul line.

Davis Patzer, LQPV

Sr., 6-0 G, averaged 15.8 ppg, 4.4 apg and 1.4 spg, finishing his career with 1,095 points.

Brady Reinertson, CCS

Freshman, 6-1 PG, averaged 21.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 4.6 apg, 4.0 spg and 0.67 bpg

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