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PLAINVIEW — Vayda Lippert and Austin Sudbeck were named to the Greater Northeast Activities Conference first team recently following a vote of conference coaches.
Lippert, a sophomore for head coach Grant Rolfes and the Hartington- Newcastle Lady Wildcats, averaged just over 20 points per game and served as the primary offensive threat all season.
“Vayda had a great year, especially scoring the basketball,” Rolfes said. “We put a lot of our scoring expectations on her — something opposing defenses knew as well — and she still managed to score at a high rate.
“It is very exciting for her to be selected first team all-conference. She works hard and it’s fun to see that payoff for an athlete. To be selected in the top five of the conference is special. The GNAC has a long list of really, really good basketball players.”
Lippert tied the school single-game scoring record with 34 points and set a new Hartington-Newcastle season scoring record with 484 points this past winter.
Junior Karissa Bruning earned honorable mention recognition. Bruning provided a strong inside presence throughout the season.
“Karissa did so many things for us this year that impacted winning games. It was fun to see her rewarded with an honorable mention in the GNAC,” Rolfes said. “Our conference has a lot of really good players, so to be recognized is a really big deal.
“Her rebounding and defensive presence helped us just as much as scoring. Those go along with the things that don’t show up in any stats. Karissa is a great leader for our team.
She brings energy and a positive attitude on a daily basis.”
Sudbeck represented the Wildcats on the boys first team. He averaged 17.6 points and 4.4 assists per game.
“Austin was our leading scorer and assist leader, and I’m grateful he was voted among the top five players in our conference,” head coach Tylor Fincher said.
Sudbeck was joined by Mason Krause, Carter Kelly and Brayden Lammers, who were all named honorable mention.
Fincher noted that Lammers battled through injury this season.
“I also feel like Brayden is deserving of this award even though he only played nine or 10 games due to a broken foot from football,” Fincher said.
Sudbeck will return next season for Hartington-Newcastle, while Krause, Kelly and Lammers are seniors.
GNAC ALL-CONFERENCE BOYS All-Conference: Dartagnan Taylor (LHNE); Korbin Werner (EV); Kohen Lingenfelter (PLV); Gavin Feddern (LHNE); Austin Sudbeck (HNS); Drey Puppe (LCC); Ian Mc-Donald (LHNE); Wyatt Schroth (PLV); Ryan Rifer (SUMM); Cade Johnson (LCC).
Honorable Mention: Logan Black, Jarrett Werner (EV); Mason Krause, Carter Kelly, Brayden Lammers (HNS); Cole Lawless (LHNE); Trevan Torres (N/O); Gage Walton, Kobe Maertins (PLV); Ryder Hemenway (SUMM); Grant Possnecker (WH).
GNAC ALL-CONFERENCE GIRLS All-Conference: Rena Rasmussen (LCC); Kyndal Werner (EV); Vayda Lippert (HNS); Pressley Alexander (PLV); Cameron Rutjens (EV); Kanyon Allemang (SUMM); Jaycee Gadeken (N/O); Kayton Werner (EV); Kayli Monasterio (WH); Kaida Eriksen (LCC).
Honorable Mention: Ashley Schutt, Ashlynn Dexter, Miley Broberg (EV); Karissa Bruning (HNS); Carlie Kvols (LCC); Jaqueline Luna-Duran (N/O); Riley Miller, Kara Lingenfelter (PLV). Belle Anson, Jenna Funk (SUMM); Hollyn Konrad, London Konrad, Avery Nemetz, Monica Chavez (WH).
