Boys Basketball All County Honors

With another season in the books it’s time once again to select our All County Honors for boys basketball.  Making these selections seems to get more difficult each season and this year is no different.  Like we did with the girls honors, the boys will feature Player of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, and Rookie of the Year as well as a first and second team.  Our Rookie of the Year honor is based on a player's first year playing significant varsity minutes and is not necessarily based on their age or grade.  In an effort to include as many players as possible we decided that if a player is selected for an individual honor they would not be added to the first or second team.  This year's selections were extremely difficult, particularly the final cuts on the second team.  We debated on making an honorable mention list but decided that it would feel more like we were trying to give everyone a trophy.  When it came down to the final cuts our decision was largely based on each player's value to their individual team and not solely based on the players statistics.  It is likely that there will be some that disagree with our selections but we have put a lot of time and effort into each selection and studying each team to come up with our decisions.  

Soda Springs and Grace had successful finishes to their seasons with each bringing home consolation trophies from the state tournament.  That success came with the help of several players on each team giving us lots of options for our selections.  North Gem on the other hand struggled to find success but did have at least one player worthy of making our list.  It is our hope that by making these selections it shines a little more light on those athletes that have worked so hard and helped make their teams better.  We hope our readers will take the time to congratulate these great young men for a terrific season and a job well done.  So without any further ado here are this year's All County Honors recipients.

Co-All County Players Of The Year 

Gavin Hansen stepped up in several crucial moments for the Cardinals and is one of this years Co-All County Players of the Year.

Cooper Thompson (Soda Springs) and Gavin Hansen (Soda Springs).  Ok so some might say this is a bit of a cop-out so we would not have to make a difficult decision.  The truth is we debated this at nausium.  Here are the facts.  Both players had numerous games where they led their team in scoring.  Both players had clutch performances that helped their team win big games.  Both players won player of the game honors in a state tournament game and both players were selected to the state all tournament team.  What it boiled down to for us was the simple fact that we do not believe that the Cardinals would have won a district title or a state trophy if either player was absent from the roster.  The leadership shown by Thompson and Hansen is what we felt elevated them above all other players in the county this season.  With Thompson and Hansen on the floor the Cardinals always had a chance of winning every game they played this season.  Congratulations to our Co-All County Players of the Year. 

Sixth Man of the Year 

Gavin Hansen stepped up in several crucial moments for the Cardinals and is one of this years Co-All County Players of the Year.

Carter Mecham (Grace).  This season Mecham was everything you could ask for in a sixth man.  Whenever Mecham entered a game he provided a spark for the Grizzlies.  Mecham is the quintessential high school basketball player.  He has enough size to make plays in the paint while having the speed and shooting ability of a guard.  After a bit of a slow start to the year Mecham really turned things on in the second half of the season.  Down the stretch Mecham played a big part in the Grizzlies success and even led the team in scoring during the District Championship game.  Congrats to Carter Mecham.

Rookie of the Year 

Sophomore Jaxson Horsley stepped into a starting roll for the Cardinals and is this years All County Rookie of the Year.

Jaxson Horsley (Soda Springs).  The sophomore was a pleasant surprise for the Cardinals this season.  Horsley started the season coming off of the bench but it didn't take long for everyone to take notice of his play.  Horsley’s ability to defend in the paint combined with his deadly accuracy when shooting the three quickly earned him a starting spot on the team.  Horsley showed great poise being thrust into such a large role on the team and gained great experience that will aid the Cardinals next season.  Congrats to Jaxson Horsley. 

First Team All County

Konner McWilliams (Soda Springs)

Parker Yost (Grace)

Bodee Smith (Grace)

Gavin Draper (Grace)

Craig Yost (North Gem)

Second Team All County

Chase Smith (Grace)

Preston Ozburn (Soda Springs)

Kade Kimball (Grace)

Machia Browning (Soda Springs)

Landon Martinsen (Soda Springs)