With the spring sports season getting underway Monday, a few area athletes received special recognition for their efforts on the hardwood.
While some athletes end their high school careers with conference awards, others give area fans a bit more to look forward to when they return to the hardwood in November.
Tri-Valley League
Leading off the list of honorees is Humboldt senior forward Colden Cook, who made first team All-Tri-Valley. Cook was the Cubs go-to scorer for years, wrapping up his high school career by hitting 1,000 points.
Cook didn’t help the Cubs finish with a 16-4 record and 8-1 in the Tri-Valley all by himself, though. Fellow senior guard Blake Ellis received second-team All-Tri-Valley recognition as the point-man behind Humboldt’s offense. Senior guard Tre Franklin also took second team honors.
On the girls’ side, senior forward Shelby Shaughnessy earned All-Tr-Valley first team honors after receiving an honorable mention in 2024. She and junior second-team honoree Skylar Hottenstein helped the Lady Cubs finish 13-7 overall and 5-5 in conference play.
Upper Three Rivers League
Hot off their run to the state tournament in Dodge City, the Crest High School Lady Lancers had two players named All-Three Rivers League. As their leading scorer, senior Karlee Boots made the All Three Rivers League first team while junior Aylee Beckmon received an honorable mention. The Lady Lancers ended the season 15-8.
As for the boys, despite coming up short in the postseason, Crest had three boys receiving All-Three Rivers League recognition. Freshman Kole Walter made the first team after coming on late as the Lancers’ top scorer. During an interview after Iola Register readers voted him the January athlete of the month, Walters credited senior second team honoree Jacob Zimmerman and junior honorable mention Levi Prasko for helping him adapt to the high school level. As a team, the Lancers finished 17-5 and Three Rivers Conference champions at 13-0.
Lower Three Rivers League
Marmaton Valley (12-8, 10-4) senior forward Brayden Lawson topped the list of local honorees after making the Lower Three Rivers League via unanimous vote. Junior teammate Tyler Lord and senior Jaedon Granere each received an honorable mention. Yates Center (6-15, 5-9) senior Jarrett Birk and freshman Ben Cook each received honorable mentions.
As for the girls, Yates Center (5-16, 3-7) sophomore Cayten Cummings received a unanimous vote for All Lower Three Rivers as did senior Karley Ohl of Southern Coffey County (4-15, 2-9).
