H-M-S athletes earn academic all-WEC honors

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn had the most players named War Eagle Conference academic all-conference for the 2022-23 basketball season. Eligible students must be seniors who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or higher.

Those who achieved the recognition are Elise Haack and Emily Mutombo for the girls, and Lance Berends, Kooper Ebel, Landen Elwood, Travis Kamradt, Lucas Kroese, Tyson Tessum and Trenton Vollink for the boys.

Schools with the next-highest number of players earning academic all-conference recognition are MMCRU, Unity Christian and West Sioux with six each.

• Additional honors announced

Berends and Ebel were also named to the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association 1A Substate 1 team. The other players honored are Carter Sievers and Mason Dicks, Newell-Fonda; Keaten Bonderson, Gehlen Catholic; Jaxon Bunkers and Collin Homan, Remsen St. Mary's; and Eric Heinrichs, Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire. All are seniors except Homan, who is a sophomore.

The IBCA named Justin and Scott Ruden, of Remsen St. Mary's, as Coaches of the Year for Substate 1.

Berends was also named to the Class 1A Third Team by the Iowa Print Sportswriters Association. Other War Eagle Conference players recognized by the IPSWA are Bonderson and Bunkers, 1A Second Team; and Homan, 1A Third Team.