Kietlinski, Miller the top boys basketball players in CWC-North

Marion’s Roe the top coach
By: 
Morgan Rode
Sports Editor

Bowler senior Emmitt Kietlinski and Marion junior Parker Miller were named Co-Players of the Year in the Central Wisconsin Conference-North Division for their play on the basketball court this winter.

Bowler senior Beau Brunner and Marion junior Izan Bueno were also first-team selections in the CWC-North. Marion’s Dave Roe was tabbed the Coach of the Year after helping the Mustangs earn a share of the conference title, the program’s first conference crown in 55 years.

Marion junior Ryan Malueg and Tigerton senior Ryder Graham were part of the second team. Bowler senior Tristan Thiex, Gresham junior Bryson Nelson and Tigerton seniors Colby Wanta and Asher Michaelis were all honorable mentions.

Kietlinski nearly averaged a double-double in CWC-North action this year, finishing with averages of 18 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals.

“We have lots of good coaches in the conference and for them to think enough of me to vote me co-POY is really meaningful,” said Kietlinski. “All my coaches since elementary school and all my teammates along the way have a hand in this award as well.”

Miller averaged a double-double in conference action, scoring 16.2 points and grabbing 10.6 boards a game. He also averaged 4.9 assists and 3.7 steals.

“It is a great accomplishment, and it feels really good to be recognized by the other coaches throughout the conference for all the hard work I put in this year,” said Miller. “It’ll motivate not only me but the team knowing the talent we have as a whole on this team next year. Shooting for another conference title, but outright this time.”

Marion split this year’s title with Northland Lutheran. Both teams had 10-2 conference records.

“I thought there were many coaches in the conference this year that were deserving of Coach of the Year. I’m very honored and humbled to be the one selected by my fellow coaches as Coach of the Year,” said Roe. “Without the success of my guys and help from my assistant coach Ben Livingood, this honor wouldn’t have been possible.

“It’s nice to be recognized for all the hard work that we have put into the program this year and over the course of the five years that I’ve been head coach. It reminds you that all the hard work that you are putting in, is paying off. We took a big step forward and had a very successful year as a program and we hope to continue building on that success next season and into the future.”

Bueno earned his first-team spot after averaging 13.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.1 blocks in conference play.

“Knowing that I achieved first team all-conference in my junior season even skipping a few games due to injuries really motivates me to keep working to have a better season next year,” said Bueno.

Brunner averaged 15.6 points, 6.4 boards, 4.8 assists, 4.2 steals and 1.8 blocks in conference play as a senior.

Graham led Tigerton in points and rebounds to earn his spot on the second team. He finished with averages of 14.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

“It feels amazing. With the amount of work I put in during the offseason and during the season it’s nice to know it all paid off,” said Graham.

Malueg averaged 13.2 points, 8.3 boards, 1.9 steals and 1.8 assists to earn his recognition.

“I gotta come in the gym working harder and keep working at my game and take no days off. It just comes down to how much you want to work at something and I obviously didn’t work hard enough to get first team so that’s just something I’ll have to work at getting next year,” said Malueg.

Thiex capped his high school career by averaging 11 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 0.8 blocks and 1.3 assists in CWC-North play.

“It means a lot to me,” said Thiex. “It feels good to be recognized for my efforts. I’ve put a lot of work into the game and this really makes it seem worth it.”

Wanta turned in averages of 7.9 points, 3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 4.3 steals a game in his final season.

Michaelis averaged 8.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.9 steals.

“It’s nice to be named that. After getting awards in football the last few years and baseball last year, it was nice to get one in basketball this year too,” said Michaelis.

Nelson led Gresham in scoring (9.2) and rebounding (5.3) to earn his honorable mention spot. He also averaged 1.4 steals and 1.3 assists a game.

“It will push me to work harder in the offseason with myself and my teammates, and to give it my all every game this upcoming winter season to further excel individually and as a team,” said Nelson on how the honor would motivate him for his senior season.

Behind Marion and Northland Lutheran in the conference standings was Tigerton with its 8-4 mark. Bowler was fourth with a 7-5 mark. Gresham finished 1-11.

FYI

Statistics are used from www.wissports.net.

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