Huber, Schumacher headline Class B all-state teams

For three days last week, Alex Huber took his best swing for Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier at the state Class B boys basketball tournament in Minot.

The tournament's MVP was still assessing the physical toll less than 24 hours later.

"Sunday on the bus ride home, my legs were feeling it," said Huber, a senior at Edgeley High School. "We didn't come out champions, but we were champions in our own right, I'd say, because we were in a spot that not many people thought we'd be in at the beginning of the season."

Huber was one of six athletes voted to this year's Class B boys basketball all-state first team, as voted on by members of the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association and announced Thursday.

Huber is joined on the first team with Region 3's Lucas Schumacher of Linton/HMB, Mr. Basketball Award winner Jesse White of White Shield, Beulah's Trey Brandt, Enderlin's Joe Hurlburt and Four Winds/Minnewaukan's Bronson Walter.

Ellendale junior Scott Wagner was one of 10 athletes named to Class B's all-state second team. Both Schumacher, a senior, and Wagner were second-team selections last season.

The lengthy, 6-foot-6 Huber splashed all winter for the 24-3 Rebels, putting up per-game averages of 19.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 steals. He took his multifaceted skill set to the next level in Minot, stepping outside to bury four 3-pointers on eight attempts after taking only 21 3-pointers all season entering the state tournament.

The Rebels fell 40-34 to Kindred for the state title in a defensive juggernaut last Saturday at the Minot State University Dome. Huber averaged 16.7 points and five rebounds over the three games while producing seven steals and sinking 14 of 17 shots at the foul line.

"He probably could really play any position but maybe a true point guard, to be honest with you," said EKM boys basketball coach Kevin Strobel. "I know he's got some options at the next level, I just don't know what he's going to decide?

"He's worked hard and it hasn't happened overnight. He's got the work ethic to get where he's got."

Shooting from the perimeter, defending in the post and handling the basketball highlight Huber's versatility, but he's most proud of advancements he's made defensively. An accomplishment achieved primarily in the offseason through hard work that not a ton of people see.

"I got a little quicker on my feet and I think that really helped me because a few years ago I didn't always get put on the other team's best player," Huber said. "I feel like I really improved in my defensive philosophy, and I think that it made a difference. I did what I had to do on each player to help the team obtain our goals."

The Rebels, on average, allowed just 44 points to opposing teams, en route to Edgeley's first appearance at the state 'B' since winning a state championship in 1990. Huber nearly helped his school duplicate that feat.

EKM brushed aside Rugby (67-63) and Grafton (43-40) before falling to Kindred by six after being tied 16-16 at the half. Huber finished the season shooting a robust 61% from the field (214 of 353).

"Right away it was a tough one, because I guess we've been dreaming about that since third grade," Huber said. "But in the locker room I just kinda sat back and saw everyone, and it almost kinda flipped a switch.

"We just got second in the state. That's still a huge accomplishment."

Earning the tournament's MVP was an accomplishment he never saw coming, but it wasn't too much of a surprise to coach Strobel. Huber, also voted the Region 3 Senior Athlete of the Year, finished his career scoring 1,152 points.

"He's out there to win. There's no doubt about that," Strobel said. "The grade school kids ... and even our junior high kids ... they look at Alex Huber as just the best ever, and for good reason. He's a good kid, he's a good student and he's a heckuva basketball player."

Schumacher's Lions came up one game shy of the state tournament at 20-4 overall, falling to the Rebels in the Region 3 title game.

The 6-foot-2 guard, committed to University of Jamestown men's basketball, posted per-game averages of 20.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 3 steals while shooting 45% from the field and 33% from 3-point range.

Schumacher's 1,528 career points are fourth-most in Linton history. He also set the school's single-game record for 3-pointers in a game with nine.

"There is nothing he can't do on a basketball court," said Linton/HMB coach Dan Carr. "For the last three years, he has made big play after big play for us. He is a great leader that inspires his teammates."

Wagner again averaged a double-double for the 18-5 cardinals and added over three blocks per game to boot. The 6-foot-7 center averaged 18.5 points and 12.1 rebounds per game while shooting 76% from the field and 53% from the foul line.

Wagner has already amassed 1,221 points and 826 rebounds going into his senior season with the Cardinals.

"Very seldom is (Wagner) ever guarded one on one," said Ellendalel coach Brian Vance. "He is a rebounding machine (and) gets a lot of his points from offensive rebounds. You couldn't find a more humble young man that appreciates his teammates who have helped him have all his success on the court."

Class B Boys Basketball

2021 All-State

First Team

Jesse White, 5-11, senior guard, White Shield: 28 ppg, 5 rpg, 6 apg, 4 spg, Region 8 Senior Athlete of the Year.

Trey Brandt, 6-1, junior guard, Beulah: 24 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.5 apg, 3.1 spg.

Joe Hurlburt, 6-10, junior forward, Enderlin: 22.6 ppg, 14.3 rpg, 4.9 apg, 1.4 bpg.

Bronson Walter, 6-11, senior center, Four Winds-Minnewaukan: 13.8 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.8 apg, 2.4 bpg, 1.2 spg, Region 4 Senior Athlete of the Year.

Lucas Schumacher, 6-2, senior guard, Linton-HMB: 20.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.8 apg, 3 spg.

Alex Huber, 6-6, senior guard/forward, Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier: 19.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.8 spg, Region 3 Senior Athlete of the Year.

Second Team

Jace Friesz, 6-2, junior forward/guard, Flasher: 21.9 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.8 spg, 1.3 spg.

Walker Wold, 6-3, senior forward, Berthold: 23.2 ppg, 9.2 rpb, 1.9 apg, 1.8 spg, 1.1 bpg.

Stevan Garza, 6-3, senior guard, Grafton: 15.3 ppg, 5 rpg, 4.7 apg, 2.1 spg, Region 2 Senior Athlete of the Year.

Grant Romfo, 6-2, senior guard/forward, Langdon-Edmore-Munich: 18.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.4 apg.

Caleb Duffield, 5-11, senior guard, Bowman County: 23.5 ppg, 6 rpg, 2.5 apg, 4.5 spg, Region 7 Senior Athlete of The Year.

Jase Crockett, 5-9, senior guard, Northern Cass: 24.5 ppg, 5 rpg, 5 apg, 4 spg.

Colton Konschak, 6-5, senior guard, Hatton-Northwood: 17.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 4.7 apg, 1.4 spg, 2.2 bpg.

Zach Hendrickson, 5-10, junior guard, Our Redeemer's: 21.9 ppg, 4 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.2 spg.

Scott Wagner, 6-7, junior center, Ellendale: 18.5 ppg, 12.1 rpg, 1.6 apg 3.1 bpg.

Preston Bohnenstingl, 6-foot, senior guard, Wyndmere-Lidgerwood: 21.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.2 spg, Region 1 Senior Athlete of the Year.