2023-24 KQRadio Boys Basketball All-Area Teams and Awards

March 15, 2024 Quinn Douglas Featured, Local Sports 0

The 2023-24 Iowa High School Boys Basketball Season was one of all-around success for the KQ-Radio area. While no area team was able to reach Wells Fargo Arena, plenty saw high times throughout the season.

Awards

Player of the Year: Jonovan Wilkinson, Sr. (Roland-Story)

Stats – 22.2 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 4 APG, 2 SPG, 54.8% FG, 35.8% 3PT, 74.8% FT

Wilkinson finishes his career as a 2-time KQRadio Player of the Year, with little doubt in his senior season. Wilkinson led the Norsemen in points, rebounds and assists, and had some memorable moments such as his 44-point outburst against Gilbert and 15-point first quarter against South Hamilton.

Defensive Player of the Year: Reece Ricke, Sr. (South Hamilton)

Stats – 12.4 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 2.8 APG, 2.1 BPG, 47.1% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 67.3% FT

Ricke became a dominant force in the paint on both ends of the floor in his senior season, but perhaps made the biggest impact on the defensive end. Ricke’s 2.1 blocks per game was 2nd in the Heart of Iowa behind Nevada’s John Nelson. Ricke also had the ability to defend on the wing and use his length to alter shots he didn’t grab a piece of.

6th Man of the Year: Owen Renaud, Sr. (South Hamilton)

Stats – 6.1 PPG, 4 RPG, 43.8% FG, 54.4% FT

Normally the first one off the bench, Owen Renaud provided instant energy for the Hawks whenever inserted into the lineup. Renaud’s strength and footwork on the low block made him a tough guard once he got the ball down low, and also put in big effort minutes on the defensive end.

Coach of the Year: Matt Juber (South Hamilton)

Accomplishments – 18-5 record, 3rd in the Heart of Iowa, Class 2A Substate Finalist, most wins since 2018-19

A tough call between Juber and Eagle Grove coach Ryan Pedersen, but Juber gets the nod as he helped the Hawks complete a massive turnaround from a 3-20 season in 2021-22 to the brink of a state tournament in 2023-24. His 18 wins are the most in a season since the Hawks last state tournament appearance in 2018-19.

First-Team

Guard – Jonovan Wilkinson, Sr. (Roland-Story)

  • See Player of the Year

Guard – Tyreon Franklin, Sr. (Eagle Grove)

  • 17.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.7 APG, 3.5 SPG, 52.5% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 76.7% FT

Guard – Boaz Clark, Sr. (Roland-Story)

  • 15.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.9 APG, 2.9 SPG, 43.9% FG, 38% 3PT, 80% FT

Forward – Drake Canavan, Sr. (Eagle Grove)

  • 17.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.5 SPG, 44.8% FG, 35.5% 3PT, 76% FT

Forward – Ryland Ubben, Sr. (South Hamilton)

  • 17.6 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.7 SPG, 46.2% FG, 30.2% 3PT, 59.5% FT

Tyreon Franklin and Drake Canavan were key leaders in Eagle Grove’s big turnaround season, with both averaging over 17 points per game and distributing the basketball at a high clip. Boaz Clark stepped into a key role as a senior and hit his shooting stride in the 2nd half of the season.

Jonovan Wilkinson’s inclusion needs no more explanation than what his player of the year description gives, while Ryland Ubben saved his best performances for the end of the season to give South Hamilton a big push towards the state tournament.

Second-Team

Guard – Carson Nesheim, Sr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)

  • 12.3 PPG, 5 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.5 SPG, 36.4% FG, 29.7% 3PT, 64.5% FT

Guard – Jaxon Morris, Jr. (Eagle Grove)

  • 13.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.2 APG, 2.4 SPG, 44.2% FG, 34% 3PT, 71.4% FT

Guard – Chaz Lane, Fr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)

  • 10.5 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.5 APG, 39.2% FG, 16.7% 3PT, 55.7% FT

Forward – Briar Klaver, Sr. (Webster City)

  • 14.7 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.3 SPG, 40.5% FG, 34% 3PT, 57.4% FT

Forward – Reece Ricke, Sr. (South Hamilton)

  • See Defensive Player of the Year

Jaxon Morris leads the guard group of the 2nd-team, as he had some big games down the stretch for Eagle Grove and was a threat to score from anywhere on the floor. Carson Nesheim put together a solid senior season, while Chaz Lane is future name to watch in the NCC.

Briar Klaver led a much-different Lynx team, and still managed to be one of the most productive players in the NCC. Reece Ricke’s flowers are given with his Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Honorable Mention

Ty Koehnk, Sr. (South Hamilton)

Tristan Anderson, Sr. (Roland-Story)

Braden Doering, Sr. (Webster City)

Jace Larson, Sr. (Webster City)

Owen Renaud, Sr. (South Hamilton)

JD Morrical, Fr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)