22 Antelope Co Athletes Earn Spot On Winter All-Area Team

​The 2016-17 winter sports season was an incredible season across the area. Athletes all across Antelope, Boone, Knox and Holt counties put on a show week in and week out on their way to various records, state finishes and incredible performances. 

With that, we are proud to announce the 2016-17 Local County News All-Area Teams for winter sports. 25 of the top girls and boys basketball players, as well as 22 of the top wrestlers proved themselves as elite among their peers each week. 

It’s never easy narrowing down so many athletes to such a small list but thanks to some help from area coaches, everyone on these lists are deserving of the accolades they have received.

Girls Basketball
On the girls basketball team, Antelope County was represented by eight of the area’s best, including three from a first-time state qualifier.  

​Kinsley Klabenes, Sr., Neligh-Oakdale: Klabenes was a constant for the Warriors in a year of transition. She was consistently the top scorer for N-O, averaging 9.8 points per game and coming away with 3.4 rebounds per game.

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​Kinzly Macke, Sr., Clearwater-Orchard: The team leader in nearly every statistical category, Macke was an aggressive presence for the Cyclones. She finished with a team high 13 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game and 2.7 steals per game.

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Amber Miller, So., Elkhorn Valley: Miller was an aggresive guard for the Falcons, finishing among the area leaders in scoring and steals with 10.3 points per game and 2.8 steals per game.

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​Hannah Ollendick, So., Elkhorn Valley: Ollendick was regularly the focus of the Elkhorn Valley attack. Capable of scoring both inside and outside, she finished with a team-high 13.6 points per game.

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​Liz Selting, Sr., Elgin Public/Pope John: Selting, a four-year starter, was capable of scoring just about anywhere for the Wolfpack. She finished the year with 8.1 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game and 2.2 steals a game.

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Kylie Thiele, Sr., Clearwater-Orchard: A high-energy player, Thiele was one of the better defenders in the area. She finished with an impressive 2.4 steals per game.

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​Allyson Wemhoff, So., Elgin Public/Pope John: Despite being a sophomore, Wemhoff was a true leader for the Wolfpack, leading the team to its first-ever state tournament bid. The athletic scorer led EPPJ with 11.9 points per game and also finished with an impressive 2.9 steals per game.

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​Baylee Wemhoff, Sr., Elgin Public/Pope John: The elder Wemhoff sister gave the Wolfpack another constant scoring threat. However, the four-year starter did plenty at the dish as well, finishing with a team-high 4.4 assists per game to go with her 9.8 points per game.

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Boys Basketball
On the boys side of things, Antelope County seven players made the cut, led by a trio of 1,000-point career scorers.

​Tyson Belitz, Sr., Neligh-Oakdale: One of the more impressive all-around players in the area in recent years, Belitz led the Warriors to a runner-up finish at state with a team-high 19.4 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game and 4.4 assists per game.

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Chad Bode, Sr., Elgin Public/Pope John: Bode was looked on as a leader on a young Wolfpack squad this season. He led the ever-improving team with 11.6 points per game and 6.5 rebounds per game. ​

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Kalen Dittrich, Jr., Elkhorn Valley: A strong inside presence, Dittrich finished with three double-doubles on the year, eventually averaging 10.1 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game.

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Brayden Effle, Jr., Elkhorn Valley: An energizer bunny, Effle had no fear going into the middle despite being outsized. Finished with 8.9 points a game and 8.3 rebounds per game. He had a high of 20 rebounds against Stuart on December 22. ​

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Alex Kerkman, Sr., Neligh-Oakdale: The third 1,000-point career scorer for Neligh-Oakdale, Kerkman could score from anywhere on the court. He took advantage of mismatches on his way to 11.7 points per game.

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Travis Kerkman, Sr., Clearwater-Orchard: Kerkman was a rebounding machine for the Cyclones. He finished the year with 8.5 rebounds a game to go along with his one block per game and 10.1 points per game. ​

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Grant White, Sr., Neligh-Oakdale: One of the best pure scorers in the area, White had unlimited range, generally coming up big when Neligh-Oakdale need it most. He finished second in the state with 96 made 3s, part of his 18.1 points per game. ​

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Wrestling
On the mat, there were an incredible amount of elite-level performers from the area, including the seven from Antelope County. ​

Andrew Herley, So., Neligh-Oakdale: Herley was one of two consistently dominant wrestlers for Neligh-Oakdale. He rode his dominance all the way through to a runner-up finish at his first state tournament.

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​Alejandro Martinez, Sr., Elkhorn Valley: Martinez finished his career at Elkhorn Valley as a multi-time state medalists. This year, he took third at 120 pounds.

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Josh McFarland, So., Elkhorn Valley: McFarland made his way to his second state tournament in as many years, taking fourth at 145 pounds.

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​Darren Stewart, Jr., Elkhorn Valley: Stewart manned the 132 pound spot for a strong Elkhorn Valley team, taking home fourth place at the state meet.

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​Dillon Stewart, Jr., Elkhorn Valley: One of the more dominant wrestlers in the state this season, Stewart blew through his competition on the way to a state championship at 113 pounds.

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​Clay Thiele, So., Clearwater-Orchard: Thiele was one of the more improved wrestlers in the area this season. After winning just 10 matches as a freshman, he came back as a sophomore to represent Clearwater-Orchard at the state meet.

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​Cameron Wilkinson, So., Neligh-Oakdale: Wilkinson posted an incredible season in 2016-17, losing just three matches in the regular season. He finished fourth at the state tournament.

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​The full all-area list, including athletes from Holt, Boone and Knox counties, is below, listed alphabetically:

Girls Basketball
Monica Arens, Sr., Crofton: 19.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG
Payton Birkel, Jr., O’Neill: 11 PPG, 2 SPG
Kalie Bloom, Sr., Riverside: 9.8 PPG, 3.1 APG, 2.8 SPG
Hattie Blumenstock, Sr., St. Mary’s: 13.7 PPG, 8.5 RPG
Amber Bruegman, Sr., Bloomfield: 8 PPG, 3 SPG
Sarah Castaneda, Sr., Bloomfield: 19.4 PPG, 10 RPG, 1.4 BPG
Taylor Colman, Sr., St. Mary’s: 10.2 PPG, 3.3 APG
Logan Connot, Sr., St. Mary’s: 10.9 PPG, 7.1 RPG
Harlee Fischer, Sr., Stuart: 19.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 3 SPG
Lauren Hedlund, Fr., Boone Central/Newman Grove: 9.1 PPG, 6 RPG, 2.1 APG
Tessa Hedlund, Sr., Boone Central/Newman Grove: 10.4 PPG, 2.3 APG
Kinsley Klabenes, Sr., Neligh-Oakdale: 9.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.9 SPG
Emily Knust, Jr., Niobrara/Verdigre: 9.9 PPG, 8.8 RPG
Jacie Laetsch, Sr., Chambers/Wheeler Central: 20 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.2 SPG, 4 APG
Kinzly Macke, Sr., Clearwater-Orchard: 13 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.7 SPG
Amber Miller, So., Elkhorn Valley: 10.3 PPG, 2.5 APG, 2.8 SPG
Hannah Ollendick, So., Elkhorn Valley: 13.6 PPG, 2.5 APG, 2.8 SPG
Taylor Peter, Fr., Chambers/Wheeler Central: 9.8 PPG, 9.5 RPG
Stevie Peters, Jr., Santee: 19.7 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 4.4 SPG, 1.4 BPG
Kelsey Sanger, Sr., Crofton: 19.1 PPG, 5 RPG, 4.7 APG, 3.9 SPG
Liz Selting, Sr., Elgin Public/Pope John: 8.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.2 SPG
Alison Stracke, Sr., Stuart: 4 PPG, 4 APG
Kylie Thiele, Sr., Clearwater-Orchard: 6.8 PPG, 2.4 SPG
Allyson Wemhoff, So., Elgin Public/Pope John: 11.9 PPG, 2.2 APG, 2.9 SPG
Baylee Wemhoff, Sr., Elgin Public/Pope John: 9.8 PPG, 4.4 APG, 2.5 SPG

Boys Basketball
Justin Appleby, Jr., O’Neill: 12 PPG, 4.5 APG
Tyson Belitz, Sr., Neligh-Oakdale: 19.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 4.4 APG, 2.2 SPG
Ricky Bickerstaff, Jr., Niobrara/Verdigre: 14.3 PPG, 4 APG, 2.5 SPG
Joseph Bloom, So., Riverside: 7.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.3 BPG
Chad Bode, Sr., Elgin Public/Pope John: 11.6 PPG, 6.5 RPG
Cole Bruns, Sr., Bloomfield: 13.1 PPG, 6 RPG
Kalen Dittrich, Jr., Elkhorn Valley: 10.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG
Brayden Effle, Jr., Elkhorn Valley: 8.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 3 APG
Mason Hale, Jr., West Holt: School record for 3s in a season, 78, and game, 7.
Alex Kerkman, Sr., Neligh-Oakdale: 11.7 PPG, 1.4 SPG
Bryce Kerkman, Jr., West Holt: School record for 3-point percentage, 43, and 3s in a game, 7.
Travis Kerkman, Sr., Clearwater-Orchard: 10.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1 BPG
Daniel Libolt, Jr., Chambers/Wheeler Central: 13 PPG, 4.3 APG, 2.5 SPG
Jonah Micek, Sr., St. Edward: 19.9 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 2 BPG, 3 APG
Dylan Potts, Sr., Crofton: 12.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG
Tredyn Prososki, Fr., Riverside: 19.6 PPG, state leader in 3s made
Tyler Regan, Sr., O’Neill: 13 PPG, 7 RPG
Ethan Sattler, So., Stuart: 5.9 PPG, 4.2 APG
Isaac Steinhauser, So., Stuart: 12.6 PPG, 8.6 RPG
Jessie Sullivan, Jr., Boone Central/Newman Grove: 13.8 PPG, 7 RPG
Christian Swally, Jr., Niobrara/Verdigre: 10.6 PPG, 3.6 APG
Alex Thramer, Jr., O’Neill: 10 PPG, 7 RPG, 4 APG
Noah Valasek, Sr., Riverside: 21.6 PPG, 5 RPG, 5.9 APG, 3.2 SPG
Grant White, Sr., Neligh-Oakdale: 18.1 PPG, 2.4 SPG, 2nd in state in 3s made
Grant Wragge, Sr., Crofton: 12.3 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 2 SPG

Wrestling
Jared Atkeson, Jr., St. Mary’s: 45-4, 3rd at state
Will Atkeson, Sr., St. Mary’s: 42-8, 6th at state
Jade Buss, So., West Holt: 18-18, 6th at state
Jason Hahlbeck, Sr., O’Neill: 42-0, 1st at state
Connor Hazen, Sr., Creighton: 24-4, 6th at state
Zac Hazen, Sr., Creighton: 30-7, 4th at state
Andrew Herley, So., Neligh-Oakdale: 40-8, 2nd at state
Jaden Janssen, Jr., Crofton/Bloomfield: 40-11, 4th at state
Jake Judge, Sr., West Holt: 37-9, 3rd at state
Clay Konopasek, Sr., Niobrara/Verdigre: 31-15, 6th at state
Alejandro Martinez, Sr., Elkhorn Valley: 36-3, 3rd at state
Josh McFarland, So., Elkhorn Valley: 44-15, 4th at state
Breydon Mlady, Sr., West Holt: 38-4, 5th at state
Caden Moore, Jr., O’Neill: 41-2, 3rd at state
Cauy Shaw, Jr., O’Neill: 33-7, 4th at state
Darren Stewart, Jr., Elkhorn Valley: 29-8, 4th at state
Dillon Stewart, Jr., Elkhorn Valley: 40-1, 1st at state
Clay Thiele, So., Clearwater-Orchard: 34-17, state qualifier
Bailey Thompson, Sr., O’Neill: 36-4, 1st at state
Cameron Wilkinson, So., Neligh-Oakdale: 44-5, 4th at state
Derek Wortman, So., Creighton: 34-16, 6th at state
Bryce Zimmerer, So., Creighton: 38-11, 5th at state

Honorable Mention, girls basketball
Clearwater-Orchard - Allison Kerkman
Wausa - Mary Johnson, Krissy Kumm
Boone Central/Newman Grove - Jenna Kramer
O’Neill - Samantha Eichelberger, Caleigh Miles, Makayla Pardun
West Holt - Baily Kraus
Elgin Public/Pope John - Jordan Mescher, Lydia Behnk
Elkhorn Valley - Alyssa Rood
Santee - Hannah Sheridan, Kiana Torrez
Crofton - Haley Arens, Josie Sanger, Alexis Arens
Neligh-Oakdale - Jayda Chance, Alexis Jensen
Riverside - Morgan Haschke
Stuart - Trisha Fox
Niobrara/Verdigre - Shania RedOwl, Jace Forker

Honorable Mention, boys basketball
Stuart - Connor Jarman
O’Neill - Jake Young
Chambers/Wheeler Central - Connor Croxen, Zane Patrick, Logan Pelster
Clearwater-Orchard - Jacob Long, Blake Hoke, Ryan Wilhelm
Ewing - Bryce Summers
Elgin Public/Pope John - Ashton Evans, Kenny Bush, Hunter Reestman
Riverside - Ty Martinsen
St. Mary’s Josh Cuddy
Bloomfield - Braden Eisenhauer, Wilson Wagner
Elkhorn Valley - Austin Miller
West Holt - Devon Dohrman, Shayden Neptune
Crofton - Noah McFarland
Boone Central/Newman Grove - Dylan Gentrup, Derek Stuhr