Kissell named GTNS small-school coach

The 2018-19 small school boys' basketball season was highlighted by an array of stars who put up big numbers this year in Southeast Iowa.

The 2018-19 GTNS team includes a top-four scorer in Class 1A and a top-four rebounder in Class 2A, as well as the number one rebounder in 1A.. The team includes a senior star who led his team to a one-loss regular season, as well as six-foot-eight post, who put up over 20 points a game.

In an area that proved once again to be a dog fight in small school boys' basketball, a lengthy debate finally widdled down the Southeast's best performers in 2018-19. So without further adieu, here is the 2018-19 All-GTNS small school boys' basketball team.

Coach: Paul Kissell, WACO

The WACO basketball team has made strides towards the top in each of head coach Paul Kissell's years with the team. In 2018-19, the Warriors showed they were finally a top team in the area. Despite playing in a rugged substate, the Warriors upset Pekin on a last-second shot in the district semifinals and stunned No. 5 New London in the district final to reach the substate game.

The four-loss Warriors stormed back from 17 points down to force overtime in the substate final before eventually falling just short of a state berth, the closest any GTNS team came to punching their ticket to Des Moines.

Captain: J.D. Stout, Jr., Keota

Stout, a 6-foot point guard, was the area's leading returning scorer when this season began at 23.6 points a game, which was eighth in the state regardless of class in 2017-18. Stout upped his scoring average this season to 28.4 points per game. He made 76 of 169 3-pointers, a 45 percent rate. the 76 made threes was ninth in the state and third in Class 1A. He has scored 1,277 points in his career, reaching over 500 points in each of his sophmore and junior seasons after netting 191 as a freshman for an average of 8.3. Stout, a left-hander, can score at will, either driving, pulling up for a jumper, or connecting from downtown. Stout makes 79.1 percent of his free throws.

Nik Coble, Jr., WACO

WACO's junior big man was the anchor of their team all year. Nik Coble not only led the squad with 17.9 points per game, 310 rebounds and 80 blocks, but also showed up big when it mattered most.

Coble hit two huge game-winners throughout the year, one against Notre Dame in double overtime and one against Pekin in the district final. He also recorded double-doubles in both the Warriors' final postseason games, going for 19 points and 12 rebounds in the district final, and tallying 15 and 13 in the substate game.

Mason Porter, Sr., New London

The 2017-18 Tiger boys were never the same after Mason Porter went down for the vast majority of the season with a hand injury, but up until another key injury derailed the season, New London was back to their dominant ways in Porter's return year.

The former all-state selection scored 16 points per game, which led the team, and also led the Tigers with 112 rebounds and 54 steals. In New London's final win of the year, Porter scored 29 points to lead New London past SEISC rival Notre Dame in the district semifinals.

Tom Butters, Sr., Mid-Prairie

The 6-foot-5 post for the Golden Hawks was second in Class 2A in rebounds per game at 12.2. Butters had 81 offensive rebounds (ninth in 2A) and 175 defensive rebounds (fifth in 2A) for his total of 256. Butters also led Mid-Prairie in scoring at 13.4 points per game, making 110 of 205 field goals for a percentage of 53.7. He shot 63 percent from the free throw line. He blocked 22 shots and nabbed 20 steals. Butters was selected to the Elite Team of the River Valley Conference.

Zack Lasek, Jr., Highland

The 6-foot-8 junior has an all-around game, averaging in double figures for points and rebounds. He made 34 of 78 3-pointers for 43.6 percent and 110 of 181 2-pointers for 61 percent. He shot 65 percent on free throws. His average points per game was 20.5, good for 14th in Class 1A. His average rebounding total was 11.1, good for ninth in Class 1A. He blocked 38 shots and had 23 assists.

Cameron Millikin, Sr., Pekin

The Pekin boys' basketball team used every ounce of talent senior guard Cameron Millikin had to accumulate a 15-4 record and advance to the Class 1A district 8 semifinals before his career was cut short by a 3-point buzzer beater by WACO. Millikin averaged 16.3 points per contest while shooting 51 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from the perimeter on 112 attempts. The elder of the Millikin cousins also grabbed 29 boards, dished out 49 assists and nabbed 40 steals while only committing 35 turnovers and 22 fouls in 19 games. This is the first All-GTNS selection for Cameron Millikin who would have more if spring sports such as track and field were picked as he is an intricate part to the Panther's running success.

The 2018-19 All-GTNS small school boys' basketball team was selected by Andy Krutsinger of the Mt. Pleasant News, Justin Webster of the Fairfield Ledger and Doug Brenneman of the Washington Evening Journal.