MONROE — The Cheesemakers had quite the pull after a regular season in which they went 18-6 overall and 11-3 in the Badger South.
Sophomore guard Carson Leuzinger was named unanimous first-team all-conference selection, averaging 15.2 points per game and knocking down 86% of his free throws (111 of 129). During many close games, the quick maneuvering guard would find a way to knock to down clutch jumpers as well as get to the free throw line, where he excelled consistently throughout the year.
Junior forward Cade Meyer averaged 18.7 points per game and 8.5 rebounds per game — second overall in the conference in both categories. Meyer was named to the second-team in the Badger South, but earned honorable mention all-state honors from the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association.
Sophomore forward JT Seagreaves averaged 11.8 points per game and another 8.0 rebounds, earning second-team all-conference honors.
In Division 4, Darlington junior Carter Lancaster was a first-team all-state selection and was named the SWAL player of the year. Lancaster finished third in the league in scoring (21.1 ppg) and helped lead the Redbirds (22-2, 12-2) to second in the conference standings.
Redbirds teammate Cayden Rankin, a fellow junior, was a first-team all-conference pick, while junior Curtis Stone was honorable mention. Darlington coach Tom Uppena was named coach of the year.
Cuba City, unbeaten and top-ranked in the state, had four players named first-team all-conference — three of which were also all-state.
Monticello junior Peter Gustafson was a first-team all-state pick in Division 5, with teammate Reece Rufer garnering honorable-mention all-state honors. Gustafson led the Six Rivers East in scoring and finished the year averaging 20.7 ppg and 6.1 rpg. Rufer had 18.8 ppg and 9.5 rpg.
The Ponies lost just one game all season and finished the conference slate unbeaten.
In the Capitol South, New Glarus junior Mason Martinson was unanimous first-team all-conference and player of the year in the league, averaging 15.5 ppg. Glarner Knights seniors Connor Siegenthaler (9.9 ppg) and Garrett James (8.6 ppg), plus junior Nathan Streiff (12.7 ppg), were second-team picks.
New Glarus went 15-9 overall and 9-1 in league play, winning the title for the fourth season in a row.
In girls basketball, Black Hawk top-scoring trio of Natalie Leuzinger (16.5 ppg), Hannah Butler (18.7 ppg) and Bailey Butler (15.3 ppg) were first-team all-conference in the Six Rivers East and shared co-player of the year honors.
Warriors teammate Maddy Huschitt was a second-team pick, while Kaylee Marty and Kristen Knapp were honorable mention selections.
Sophomores Brianna Dahl (15.2 ppg) of Albany and Tori Lantz (13.8 ppg) of Argyle were also first-team picks.
The second team was made up of Huschitt, Argyle’s Maggie Godfrey, Albany’s Payton Wachholz, Juda’s Montana Steinmann and Leah Marx of Barneveld.
Honorable mention in the Six Rivers East include Monticello’s Mackie Errthum and Miah Brokopp; Pecatonica’s Tessa Green and Chloe Schraepfer, Argyle’s McKenzee Granberg and Grace Ganshert; Albany’s Kristin O’Bel; Juda’s Taylor Golackson and Barneveld’s Elle Pechan, Grace Gordon and Jacey Spring.
In the Capitol South, New Glarus junior Jaylynn Benson was a first-team pick, averaging 17.7 points per game. Marshall’s Anna Lutz was the conference player of the year.
New Glarus senior Lily Himmelmann was an honorable mention selection.
In the SWAL, Darlington seniors Allison Thompson and Brenna McDonald were first-team selections.
