GRAND FORKS-Tronis McKay has gotten a lot of individual awards. He would trade them all for one more win during the boys high school basketball season.
McKay and his Four Winds-Minnewaukan teammates came up one win shy of a repeat title in the North Dakota Class B state tournament, losing 63-60 to Hillsboro-Central Valley in the title game last Saturday.
"To me, the individual awards aren't that big compared to team awards,'' McKay said. "Winning a championship with my teammates, I'd rather get that over any individual awards.''
After being named Class B senior player of the year and voted a finalist for the state's Mr. Basketball award, McKay has been named to the Class B all-state first team, as selected by the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.
Joining McKay on the all-senior first team are Ethan Brown of Finley-Sharon-Hope-Page, Logan Nelson of Northern Cass, Deyondre Simpson of Parshall and Shawn Stoltz of Dickinson Trinity.
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McKay, a second team all-stater as a junior, was the offensive leader of the 25-2 Indians who were ranked first in the weekly Class B poll all season. The versatile 6-foot-3 McKay paced the team with averages of 21.1 points and 7.4 rebounds, while also getting 3.5 assists and 2.9 steals per game. He was a highlight film, making approximately 25 dunks this season.
"Tronis is one of the most athletic kids I've coached,'' Four Winds-Minnewaukan coach Rick Smith said. "The things he could do were amazing-his unbelievable leaping ability, the way he could handle the ball, his ability to score inside or outside. He was so smooth, and very sound fundamentally.''
Brown, Nelson and Simpson also were second team all-state selections last season.
The 6-3 Brown averaged 23.4 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. He shot 56 percent from the field.
"Ethan really blossomed the last two seasons,'' FSHP assistant coach Mark Frost said. "We relied on him for scoring and rebounding. He was a pretty accurate shooter from 12 to 15 feet. But he was best taking it to the basket and getting inside shots or getting to the free-throw line.''
The 6-3 Nelson averaged 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.7 steals.
"Logan is probably one of the best point guards in the state,'' Northern Cass coach Ryan Lyson said. "He can hit the three, get to the hoop and he has a great mid-range shot, something not many kids have. That's not an art kids seem to practice, but Logan worked on that shot.''
Versatility was a strength for the 6-4 Stoltz. The senior averaged 16.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 2.5 assists.
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"As a sophomore, he played post,'' Trinity coach Gregg Grinsteinner said. "Last year he moved to the perimeter. This year he played everywhere from point to post. He caused a lot of mismatch problems for teams. He could score from the perimeter, with his back to the basket or off the dribble. And he was a rebounding machine.''
Simpson, a 6-foot-4 multi-position player, filled the stat line. He averaged 18.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.6 blocks and 3.2 steals a game. He was a 52 percent shooter (46-of-89) on 3-point shots.
"Deyondre could fill any role for us-point guard, shooting guard, forward, sometimes post,'' Parshall coach Coby Rabbithead said. "He could handle the ball, see the floor and he has a 6-9 wingspan-that's why he had so many blocks and rebounds. He was tough to defend.'"
Second team
• Kyle Henningsgard, Hillsboro-Central Valley: The 5-11 senior, who hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer in the state championship game, paced the Burros with averages of 16.4 points, 5.3 assists and 2.4 steals per game.
• Steve Redfox, Four Winds-Minnewaukan: The 5-10 senior averaged 12.6 points, 5.1 assists, 2.8 steals and 5.1 rebounds.
• Jayden Komrosky, North Star: The 6-4 senior averaged 22.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.6 steals. He's a repeat pick on the all-state second team.
• Jake Hanson, Milnor-North Sargent: The 6-foot senior averaged 26.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2.3 steals.
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• Wyatt Hanson, Stanley: The 6-4 junior averaged 24.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals.
• Isaiah Kludt, Hettinger-Scranton: The 5-6 junior averaged 17.5 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals a game.
• Cody Mauch, Hankinson: The 6-5 senior averaged 20 points, 15.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.8 blocks.
• Drew Pearson, Des Lacs-Burlington: The 5-11 senior averaged 23.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 3 steals.
• Hunter Rodin, Kenmare: The 5-10 senior averaged 22.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.3 steals.
• Brennen Vance, Ellendale: The 6-3 senior averaged 16.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals.
