2021 Superior Telegram All-Area Boys Basketball Team

Five seniors and three juniors made the 2021 Superior Telegram All-Area Boys Basketball Team.

Seniors Kaden Kimmes and Draden Jensen of Superior and Calin Lisson of Solon Springs were back-to-back selections.

New to the team in 2021 are seniors Lars Olson of Superior and Harrison Nelson of Northwestern; and juniors John Grohn, Monte Mayberry and CJ Thompson of Northwestern.

John Grohn

Jr. • PG • Northwestern

• Led the team in assists (4 apg); tied for first in steals (2.3 spg); tied for third in scoring (10 ppg); and was fourth in rebounds (2 rpg).

• Second-team all Heart O' North Conference

• "John might be the smallest player on the floor in most games he plays, but his game is huge!" said Northwestern coach Nolan Graff. "He makes up for his lack of size with speed, handling, shooting ability and vision. He is the quickest player I have ever coached with the ball in his hands ... John was our emotional and vocal leader, too. He was the heart and soul of our team and has a great understanding of the game."

Monte Mayberry

Jr. • G • Northwestern

• Led the team in scoring (13.3 ppg), rebounds (7.7 rpg) and blocks (1.1 pg); and tied for first in steals (2.3 spg).

• First-team all Heart O' North Conference

• "Monte is one of, if not, the most athletic player in the area. He has the ability to take over any game with his shooting ability," Graff said. "Monte has the 'it factor,' and if it wasn't for our team being so deep he would be a 25 ppg player. He really completes our team and is often the focus of other teams' defenses."

Harrison Nelson

Sr. • PG • Northwestern

• The senior captain was third on the team in rebounds (4 rpg) and assists (3.3 apg); tied for third in scoring (10 ppg); and was fourth in steals (1.1 spg).

• Honorable mention all Heart O' North Conference

• "Harrison's game took a huge jump this year. He was the only player on our team to start all 26 games ... There is no question who our leader was this year," Graff said. "Harrison is so well rounded and would do whatever was asked of him without hesitation ... He is an incredibly hard worker and has a great all-around game with his ability to finish with both hands at the basket, see the floor and play defense."

CJ Thompson

Jr. • G • Northwestern

• Second on the team in scoring (11.5 ppg), rebounds (6 rpg) and assists (3.7 apg); and was third in steals (2.1 spg).

• Second-team all Heart O' North Conference

• When the Tigers were without Mayberry for a 9-game stretch, Thompson stepped up, Graff said. "During that stretch he averaged over 16 ppg and really developed as a passer and rebounder. As a coach, I am most proud of CJ in his ability to lead. He took huge leaps this season, and the way he pulled our team together at different times was instrumental to our success," he said.

Draden Jensen

Sr. • G • Superior

• Led the team in 3-point shooting percentage (40%) and was second on the team in scoring (9.4 ppg).

• “Draden became a very consistent 3-point shooter for us, but really improved his game by being able to score at the rim this year, as well. He has a very good feel for the game and was a naturally smooth scorer for us," Superior coach Jake Smith said.

Kaden Kimmes

Sr. • G/F • Superior

• Led the team in scoring (11.4 ppg), was second on the team in rebounds (4 rpg) and field-goal percentage (50%).

• “Kimmes was our leader. He was always poised and under control, and his composure helped other players relax on the court. It was tough for us to take Kimmes off the floor because of his consistency and reliability," Smith said. "He rarely made mistakes and always made the simple/smart play. Kimmes had some monster games for us this year, and we relied on him heavily to do a lot of things on the court."

Lars Olson

Sr. • F • Superior

• Led the team in rebounds (6 rpg) and field goal percentage (56%); was third on the team in scoring (7.5 ppg).

• “Lars took big strides this year by contributing both on the offensive end and defensive end of the floor," Smith said. "Lars had his fair share of double doubles this season and always accepted the challenge of guarding much taller post players."

Calin Lisson

Sr. • W • Solon Springs

• Led the team in scoring (13 ppg), assists (3 apg) and steals (2.5 spg); was second on the team in rebounds (5.5 rpg).

• A "great leader who played with great energy, and an even better teammate who will be missed tremendously next season," Solon Springs coach Marcus Besonen said. "Calin always was around the ball and made it tough for opponents to get to the rim without being affected by his length and athleticism. Calin was also great at running the floor and finishing offensively, and when he was at his best our team was at its best."