The 2024-25 men’s basketball season in the KQRadio area was one of rebuilding for many programs, but not without some star individual performances.
Awards
Player of the Year: Chaz Lane, So (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)
Stats – 18 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 43.6% FG, 12.1% 3PT, 60.6% FT
After a promising freshman campaign, Lane used the 2nd half of his sophomore season to transform himself into one of the best players in the North Central Conference. Notable performances included a 36-point, 13 rebound effort against Hampton-Dumont-CAL and a 24-point, 13 rebound performance against Southeast Valley.
Defensive Player of the Year: Cody Long, Jr. (Roland-Story)
Stats – 6.9 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 3.9 APG, 2.2 SPG, 41.8% FG, 42.9% 3PT, 71.4% FT
Long missed the first half of the season with a broken hand suffered during football, but returned after the new year and was an absolute pest at the top of Darrin Berggren’s 2-3 zone, leading the Norsemen with over 2 steals per game and limiting numerous offensive opportunities for opponents.
6th Man of the Year: Gavin Griffith, Jr. (Webster City)
Stats – 6.6 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 0.7 APG. 56% FG, 100% 3PT, 57.1% FT
Griffith was inserted into the lineup by late January, but his impact was felt all year long on the low block, including a string of double-digit point performances against Hampton-Dumont-CAL, Humboldt, Iowa Falls-Alden and Algona.
Coach of the Year: Ryan Pedersen, Eagle Grove
Accomplishments – 10-13 record, 2A district semifinalist
In an uber-competitive Top of Iowa West, Ryan Pedersen’s Eagles gave their best night-in and night-out and delivered their 2nd straight double-digit win season, something that hasn’t been done at Eagle Grove since 2009-10.
First Team
Guard – Abraham Lin, Sr. (Eagle Grove)
- 17.8 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.9 APG, 2 SPG, 50.9% FG, 31.6% 3PT, 71.1% FT
Guard – Jaxon Morris, Sr. (Eagle Grove)
- 14.7 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2.3 SPG, 38.3% FG, 22.5% 3PT, 65.9% FT
Guard – Luke Thoreson, So. (Roland-Story)
- 14.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 37.5% FG, 27.8% 3PT, 55.6% FT
Forward – Chaz Lane, So. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)
- See Player of the Year
Forward – Gavin Griffith, Jr. (Webster City)
- See 6th Man of the Year
Eagle Grove possessed the best backcourt in the listening area and is reflected with Jaxon Morris and Taiwanese foreign exchange student Abraham Lin easily garnered first team spots. Joining them is Roland-Story sophomore Luke Thoreson, who had a breakout first year on the varsity floor. Lane and Griffith’s cases are stated above in awards.
Second Team
Guard – Cole Miller, Sr. (Webster City)
- 10.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 39.4% FG, 33.6% 3PT, 45.5% FT
Guard – Grant Larson, Sr. (South Hamilton)
- 12.4 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2.3 APG, 2.4 SPG, 27% FG, 18.4% 3PT, 75% FT
Guard – Cody Long, Jr. (Roland-Story)
- See Defensive Player of the Year
Forward – Josh Miller, Sr. (Eagle Grove)
- 10.9 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, 42.2% FG, 30.3% 3PT, 60.7% FT
Forward – Huxley Lingenfelter, So. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)
- 9.1 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2 APG, 1.4 SPG, 46% FG, 14.7% 3PT, 48% FT
A healthy mix of all 5 schools for our 2nd team, Cole Miller was Webster City’s leading scorer (10.4 PPG) in 2025, while Grant Larson was a bright spot in a winless season for the Hawks, averaging over 12 PPG. Josh Miller played his best basketball in his senior season for Eagle Grove, while Huxley Lingenfelter built off a promising freshman season.
Honorable Mention
Matt Tesdahl, Jr. (Webster City)
Carter Mickelson, Jr. (Webster City)
Conner Peck, Sr. (Webster City)
Ben Swenson, Fr. (South Hamilton)
JD Morrical, So. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)
Johnny Lomeli, Jr. (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows)
Adrian Whipple, So. (Eagle Grove)
Gavin Pedersen, So. (Eagle Grove)
Jake Berggren, Sr. (Roland-Story)
Eli Van Hove, So. (Roland-Story)
Jack Birkland, Sr. (Roland-Story)