Bulldogs/Blue Devils Picked for Packerland All Conference Teams

Peshtigo’s Kaine Fort and Oconto’s Kadin Baxter were both named first-team all Packerland as seniors.

Baxter was a unanimous selection in a season where he finished third in the Packerland in scoring with 20.9 points per game. He was in the top 15 in rebounds (5.6), assists (2.7), and steals (1.8) per game as well.

“Kadin Baxter was our leader on the court and off. He led by example with his preparation, his passion, and understanding of the game,” Oconto coach Antowan Epps said.

Epps said Baxter played both sides of the floor and “didn’t shy away from guarding the best player on other teams,” also mentioning his 3.96 GPA in the classroom.

“Well deserving of unanimous, it was an honor watching him grow,” Epps said.

Fort scored 15.8 points per night on 52 percent shooting in addition to 13.5 rebounds per contest.

“Kaine Fort had a great year for us, and not only for us, but I think Kaine was probably one of the best, if not the best big man in the conference,” Bulldog coach Jason Boucher said.

Fort made 2.1 blocks per night, but he had a much bigger impact than that.

“Not only was he a force on offense, he was our biggest force on defense. He had two blocks a game, but he probably changed six, seven shots a game and we needed him on the floor,” Boucher said.

Oconto sophomore Carter Koch was a second-teamer, as was Peshtigo senior Mason Doberstein.

Koch was another Oconto player with a 3.96 GPA, Epps said.

He was second on the team in scoring at 14.7 points per game. He led the team in rebounds (7.4 per game), assists (3.8), and blocked shots (1.6), as well as swiping almost two steals per contest.

“A two-way athlete who works extremely hard at learning to prepare to be an all-around athlete,” Epps said. “Great kid, well deserved with a bright future. Carter was top-10 in almost every major statistical category in our conference.”

Doberstein made 40 percent of his 105 3-pointers on the season and scored 11.6 points per contest.

He added 4.6 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.7 steals per night.

“Mason had his best year of his high school career. He did an excellent job being our leader on the floor,” Boucher said. “He probably played 34 to 35 minutes a night and I think he ended up averaging almost 12 points, but most importantly, I think he was a point guard this year. He didn’t just rely on shooting. He had a heck of a season.”

Bulldog junior Will McMahon was a Packerland honorable mention after averaging nine points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals per game.

He shot 58 percent (22-38) from three, as well as 51 percent from the field and 74 percent from the charity stripe.

“Will was our glue guy this year. He was a jack of all trades. He did everything for us and he did it well,” Boucher said. “Along with Mason he probably played 30-some minutes, almost the whole game. I’m really, really glad he’s coming back. He had a heck of a year.”

Southern Door sophomore Drew Daoust won the Packerland Player of the Year award.

One player each from Peshtigo and Oconto made the Packerland girls’ first team, with Bulldog senior Akira Smalls and Oconto sophomore Addisyn Viestenz each earning honors.

Addisyn Viestenz averaged 16.4 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, and 4.8 steals per game on her way to earning a unanimous spot on the first team.

“She sets the tone for us on the defensive end and it helps to create for her and others on the offensive end,” Oconto coach Nick Thomson said.

Smalls scored 15.3 points per night, with about four rebounds and two assists per night. She also chipped in four steals per game and shot 70 percent from the free throw line and 37 percent from the 3-point line.

“Akira was one of the most dominant players in our conference this year,” Peshtigo coach Jeff Sunstrom said. “She did it all: ball-handling, passing, shooting and great defense. She had just a tremendous year.”

Bulldog Allison Peters was a second-teamer, while fellow seniors Jaci Tonn and Brooklyn Phillips got honorable mentions.

Peters averaged seven points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

“It just goes to show you that you don’t need to average 20 points per game to be a dominant player,” Sunstrom said. “Allison’s entire game was based on hustle and playing hard. She really was a great defensive player; she had the ability to totally shut down a player four inches taller than her. With her offensive rebounding, she was constantly getting us second and third shots. Great player.”

Brooklyn Phillips averaged 10 points, five rebounds, and two assists per game.

“Nobody on our team improved more during our season than Brooklyn. Nobody worked harder than Brooklyn,” Sunstrom said. “She became a very good shooter, ball-handler, and passer. She was also a huge part of our defensive system. She had the ability to guard the opposing team’s best player and win. She really had a great year.”

Tonn got 8.1 points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and two steals per game.
“Jaci was the glue that kept our team together. She was a thinking person’s player. She was our team’s best passer and had a very fine year,” Sunstrom said.

Oconto had three players on the honorable mention list: freshman Natalie Schlueter, freshman Rylie Shallow, and sophomore Hannah Thomson.

Hannah Thomson led the Blue Devils in assists this season and averaged two per game in conference, as well as 5.8 rebounds per game.

“Hannah was one of my most consistent defensive players and does the little things to help the team have success,” coach Thomson said.

Rylie Shallow was Oconto’s second-leading scorer at 9.9 points per contest, also averaging 2.8 steals a game.

“Rylie has the ability to make plays on offense, but her defensive abilities stick out when watching her play,” coach Thomson said.

Natalie Schlueter averaged 8.6 points and 8.1 rebounds in conference play.

“She made nice strides in the post this season and has the potential to be a dominant post player as she gets more varsity experience,” Thomson said.

On the all-conference wrestling team for Peshtigo were Addisen Olson in the 113-pound class, Reese Yunke at 138, Ethan Brissette at 145, and Cole Berth in the 152-pound division.

Olson, a freshman, went 3-1 in conference this season and 33-18 overall between the boys’ and girls’ seasons.

“She had a great season. She finds a way to win matches,” Peshtigo coach Kory Weed said. “She and all of the girls on the team played a pivotal role in winning a team conference title. Without them, we would have finished third.”

Yunke and Brissette were juniors. Berth was a freshman. The trio all went 4-0 in the Packerland.
Brissette went 45-9 overall this season.

“He wrestled at a high level all year. Ethan is a valuable team leader and sets a great example for his teammates,” Weed said.
Yunke was 33-16 overall.

“He is one of the hardest working wrestlers in our mat room. He had to win some tough matches in order to sit atop the conference at 138,” Weed said.

Berth was 24-14 overall in his freshman campaign.

“He pinned his way through the conference which contributed in giving us the points we needed to win as a team,” Weed said. “It will be interesting to see what his future holds.”