Just days after learning they received All-Southeast Kansas League basketball honors, Iola High seniors Kelsey Larson, Kendra Taiclet and Braden Larson were among those earning state postseason honors.
The Topeka Capital-Journal and the Wichita Eagle released their 2012 All-Class state basketball teams Sunday. The three Iola High players received All-Class 4A honorable mentions from both newspapers.
Kelsey Larson was the Fillies’ 5’8” point guard and Taiclet was a 5’9” forward, both the team’s top scorers and rebounders for the season. Braden Larson was the Mustangs’ leading scorer and rebounder as a 6’4” forward.
Southeast Kansas League coaches selected the 2011-2012 all-league basketball teams and wrestling team recently. Iola High had four basketball players and one wrestler receive honors in its final year in SEK competition.
Iola High senior Devin Culler received All-SEK wrestling honorable mention at 160 pounds. Culler went 6-1 in 160-pound league matches — he was 1-0 at 170 — with his only loss to undefeated Kansas Class 4A state champion Sam Son of Chanute.
Culler finished his four-year career as a Mustang wrestler as a Class 4A state tournament qualifier. He did not place but had a 30-11 season.
Culler was a member of the first IHS wrestling team and wrestled in three different weight classes in his four years. His career record is 76-69.
Kelsey Larson was named to the 2011-2012 All-SEK girls’ basketball first team. She received first-team honors for the second straight year after earning third-team honors as a sophomore.
Larson was second in scoring and rebounding this season with 235 points and 176 rebounds. She led the Fillies in assists with 44 and steals with 76.
Larson shot 73 percent, 76 of 104, from the free-throw line. She was Iola’s top three-point shooter, 21 of 74 for 28 percent. Larson was 48 of 155 from the field.
Taiclet received All-SEK second-team honors for the second straight season. Taiclet was Iola’s leading scorer this season with 247 points and claimed 179 boards to top the team’s rebounding list.
Taiclet dished out 42 assists and made 33 steals on the year. She also blocked 14 shots. She went 74 of 237, 31 percent, from the field and netted 15 of 56 three-point attempts at 27 percent. Taiclet went 58 of 99 from the free-throw line for 58.5 percent.
Taiclet and Larson each had five double-double games this season. Taiclet had six games in which she pulled down double digit rebounds. Her high was 15 against Coffeyville. Larson recorded seven double digit rebounding games with 16 as a season-high against Columbus.
Braden Larson was named to the 2011-2012 All-SEK boys’ second team. He paced the Mustangs from inside with 160 points and 83 rebounds. He also blocked 13 shots.
Larson was 72 of 141, 53 percent, from the field and sank 16 of 34 free throw attempts.
