First Team

Hattie Davidson,
Northwood-Kensett,
junior guard

Davidson led the area in scoring and steals while leading Northwood-Kensett to the best record in the Tribune’s seven-team coverage area. With an average of 20.2 points per game, she was one of only five players in Class 1A to average more than 20 points. Davidson also excelled on defense with an area-high 3.5 steals per game. The Vikings posted a pair of postseason wins before the team was knocked off by Turkey Valley in the Class 1A Region 3 semifinals to finish the season with a 19-5 overall record. Turkey Valley lost in the regional finals to Newell-Fonda, the eventual state champion. Davidson was a First Team All-Area selection last season, and she raised her scoring average by 3.5 points per game. Despite playing on the perimeter, Davidson was fourth in the area with 28 blocks.

Maddie Wagner,
NRHEG,
sophomore guard 

After making the Tribune’s All-Area Second Team last season with 7.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.1 steals per game, Wagner’s totals skyrocketed in each category. She was second in the area in scoring with 17.8 points per game, her rebounding average went up to 5.5, her assist average of 3.3 was also second in the area and her steal average grew to 2.9. Wagner and her twin sister, Marnie, led the Panthers to a 14-12 overall record and a second-place finish in the Gopher Conference with a 9-3 mark. NRHEG posted one postseason win with a 68-48 victory over Maple River in the Subsection 2AA South quarterfinals.

Megan Kortan,
Albert Lea,
senior guard

Kortan was the only player in the area to finish in the top four of the four main statistical categories for the second straight season. She was one of three players to repeat as a First Team All-Area selection. Kortan was one rebound per game away from averaging a double-double. Her 16.8 points per game was third in the area, and her 9.0 rebounds per game was fourth. Kortan led the area in total steals with 87 and was second in steals per game with 3.2. She was third in the area with an average of 3.2 assists per game and tied with NRHEG’s Maddie Wagner for second with a total of 87 assists.

Anissa Janzig,
USC,
senior forward

Janzig was in the area’s top five in scoring, rebounding and blocks despite missing a game and playing limited minutes in two others due to illness. She scored a school record 33 points against Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton and finished her career with 960 points and 689 rebounds. The scoring total is fourth in program history, and the rebounding total is second, United South Central coach Stu Hendrickson said. Janzig’s numbers this season were similar to last year when she was also a First Team All-Area selection. Her scoring average dipped from 14.5 to 13.8 points per game but rebounding was boosted from 8.9 to 9.6. Janzig’s 29 blocks were third in the area. She led the Rebels to a 16-12 overall record, a 6-6 mark in the Gopher Conference and a 75-56 win against Nicollet in the Subsection 2A South quarterfinals. USC has won at least one postseason game the last two seasons.

Laura Knudtson,
Lake Mills,
freshman guard 

Strong play in the backcourt by Knudtson spurred the Bulldogs to a 12-12 overall record after going 4-17 last season. Along with leading the team in scoring with 13.4 points per game, which was sixth in the North Iowa Conference and sixth in the area, Knudtson posted 89 assists, which led the area and was third in the conference. She scored a career-high 23 points on Jan. 23 in a narrow loss against Bishop Garrigan. Knudtson also was second on the team with 60 steals and grabbed 58 boards on the season.

 

Second Team

Erika Bute,
Alden-Conger,
8th-grade guard 

Bute burst on the scene to lead the Knights in scoring, rebounding, steals and assists. Her average of 15.8 points per game was fourth in the area, and she was sixth in rebounding with 8.5 boards per game. Bute was consistent from long range by making 27 percent of her 3-point attempts with 42 total. She also posted 2.5 steals and 1.5 assists per game.

Shianne Robertson,
USC,
sophomore forward 

Along with posting the second-most rebounds in the area with an average of 9.8, Robertson was seventh in scoring with 12.4 points per game. She posted a team-high 273 total boards and was part of a strong Rebels post game with Anissa Janzig and Lauren Allis, who had more than twice as many blocks as anyone in the area with 78.

Lexi Groe,
Lake Mills,
sophomore forward

Groe posted the best numbers in the area on the glass this season. She grabbed 104 offensive and defensive boards for an average of 9.9 per game. Groe also led the Bulldogs and was third in the area with 73 steals. Her scoring average was 8.0 points per game.

Mary Evans,
Lake Mills,
senior center 

Evans was second on the Bulldogs and fifth in the area with 8.5 rebounds per game. Her 35 blocks led Lake Mills and were second in the area. She posted 7.1 points per game, and her season-high was 19 on Jan. 23 at Bishop Garrigan.

Shelby Low,
Northwood-Kensett,
junior guard 

Low was a vital part of the Vikings backcourt after overcoming an early-season injury. She finished the year with 12.1 points per game, which was second on the team and ninth in the area. Low knocked down 28.3 percent of her 3-point attempts and had 28 treys. Her 52 assists tied Calli Christiansen for second-most on the team and had 46 steals.

 

Honorable Mention

Liesel Theusch,
Alden-Conger,
senior center 

Theusch’s scoring and rebounding averages were both in the area’s top 10. She averaged 11.3 points, which was 10th in the area, and 8.4 rebounds, which was eighth. An injury sidelined Theusch for nine games near the end of the season, and the Knights went 2-7 during that stretch.

Taylor Schultz,
USC,
senior guard 

Schultz was one of 14 area players to average double-digit scoring. Along with 10.0 points per game, she added 97 rebounds, 44 assists, 36 steals and three blocks. She led the Rebels from long range by making 49 of 176 3-pointers.

Emily Orban,
Lake Mills,
junior guard 

Orban was one of three Bulldogs who averaged scoring in double digits with 10.5 points per game, which was 12th in the area. She also posted 81 rebounds, 56 assists, 35 steals and a block.

Cassie Gilster,
Alden-Conger,
senior forward

Gilster led the Knights in 3-pointers made with 45. She averaged 9.4 points per game, and added 88 rebounds, 18 assists, 35 steals and two blocks.

Jewell Gasteiger,
Lake Mills,
sophomore guard 

Gasteiger joined teammates Knutson and Orban, who also averaged double-digit scoring. She posted 10.4 points per game to go with 98 rebounds, 48 assist, 56 steals and six blocks.

Madi Ziebell,
Glenville-Emmons,
senior forward 

Ziebell’s average of 7.0 rebounds per game was ninth in the area. The Southeast All-Conference honorable mention selection also averaged 7.7 points per game and added 14 assists, 44 steals and 19 blocks.

Fran Eckstrom,
Albert Lea,
junior forward

Eckstrom posted 6.5 points per game for the Tigers, which was third on the team. She added 84 rebounds, 20 assists, 28  steals and 11 blocks. Coach Lindsey-Hugstad-Vaa said she led the team on defense.