by philshometown » Fri Mar 23, 2007 2:26 am
DICKINSON (AP) - Nathaniel Packineau of Parshall and Luke Lorenz of Mayville-Portland-Clifford-Galesburg, named co-senior athletes of the year, headline the 2007 North Dakota Class B boys all-state basketball team.
Packineau led Parshall to its first state championship since 1975. Lorenz was a Mr. Basketball finalist. The senior athlete of the year honors were awarded by the state High School Activities Association.
The first team of Class B all-staters also includes Tony Ironheart of Four Winds and Mark Bakkum of Steele-Dawson, both Mr. Basketball finalists, and junior guard Austin Dufault of Killdeer.
The all-state team is chosen annually by members of the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.
Packineau is a first-time selection after averaging 20 points, nine rebounds and seven assists per game and earning most valuable player honors at the state tournament.
Parshall coach Ken Hall said an injury to Neil Packineau, Nathaniel's twin brother and a second-team all-state selection last season, allowed Nathaniel Packineau to step up as the Braves' leader.
"He really came into his own this year," Hall said. "He became the team leader. He became the floor general. He really stepped up his game, especially at the state tournament."
Lorenz was a first-team selection last season and averaged 18 points, nine rebounds, two steals and two assists per game this season.
The Patriots fell to Dickinson Trinity in the state championship game Lorenz's junior year.
"I think the biggest impact Luke has had on our program is that he is just an extremely hard worker," May-Port-CG coach Dave Nelson said. "He puts countless hours in on his own, developing his game. His work ethic on the floor is second to none."
Ironheart was a second-team pick last season and was the only returning starter for the Eagles, who returned to the state tournament and finished fifth.
The 5-foot-10 guard averaged 22.5 points, nine assists, five rebounds and three steals a game while shooting 52 percent from the field, 82 percent from the free-throw line and 45 percent from beyond the 3-point line.
"He was our coach on the floor for our kids the last couple of years," Four Winds coach Rick Smith said.
"Not our fastest kid, Not our best leaper. But, the basketball mind that he has just makes him such a great ball player."
Bakkum was Region 3's senior athlete of the year after pouring in 24 points per game and 68 3-pointers while averaging nine rebounds and eight assists.
The 6-2 forward also set school records with 1,687 career points and made nine 3-pointers in a game against Napoleon.
"You're going to have your guys who can score points. But to be as balanced as he was - he's the only player I've ever had with those types of skills," Steele-Dawson coach Paul Olson said. "He's one of those where you wish he would never graduate."
Dufault, the only junior on the first team, averaged 21 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks per game for Killdeer, which was ranked near the top of the Class B poll most of the season.
The 6-7 guard had 14 double-doubles and one triple double this season.
"I think he surprised even himself and a lot of people with how much he did improve," said Rich Dufault, Killdeer's coach and Austin's father.
"He kind of grew into his size and was able to handle his growth and make a positive out of it."
Members of the second team are:
Hankinson junior Jamie Mauch, a 6-4 guard, who averaged 16.7 points, 11 rebounds, four steals and three blocks per game while leading the Pirates to a sixth-place finish in the state tournament.
Barnes County North senior Beau Sizer was a huge presence for the Bison, who finished eighth at the state tournament. The 6-4 forward averaged 26 points and 13 rebounds per game this season.
Killdeer senior Jacob Wheeling averaged 22 points and five assists per game. The 6-3 guard finished his career as the Cowboys' career scoring leader with 1,686 points. He was also the Region 7 senior athlete of the year. Killdeer was the only team with more than one all-state selection.
Shiloh Christian senior Tanner Friesen helped the Skyhawks to a seventh-place finish at the state tournament. The 6-2 forward averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds and three steals per game and hit 62 3-pointers.
Watford City junior forward Justin Shipman injured his knee last season but returned to average 21 points, nine rebounds and two blocks per game for the Wolves, who lost to eventual state champion Parshall in the Region 8 title game.
Hazen sophomore Chad Marshall averaged 19.7 points and eight rebounds per game. The 6-2 forward helped guide a deep Bison team to a runner-up finish in Region 7.
Park River senior Justin Moe played through ankle injuries and averaged 19 points, 10 rebounds and three assists per game.
Trenton senior Lucas Cayko averaged 22.6 points, nine rebounds, five assists and four steals per game for the Tigers.
Kenmare senior Shane Heidel averaged 17.5 points, eight rebounds and three steals per game.
R.J. Darling was named co-District 8 senior athlete of the year after he averaged 18 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals per game for Minnewaukan-Leeds.
Last edited by
philshometown on Fri Mar 23, 2007 2:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
In basketball -- as in life -- true joy comes from being fully present in each and every moment, not just when things are going your way.
PHIL JACKSON, Sacred Hoops