All-NICL West Boys Basketball: G-R's Kiburis named Outstanding Player

Gladbrook-Reinbeck sophomore William Kiburis was named the NICL West’s Outstanding Player in the 2020-21 All-NICL West boys basketball teams released earlier this week.

Kiburis averaged 17.5 points per game in 10 division games, and added 6.7 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 2.5 steals per contest. He led all West players in points per game and assists per game.

Joining Kiburis on the first team from the area is junior teammate Tristen Sanford-Anders, Grundy Center junior Brayden Sawyer, and BCLUW senior Jesse Moore.

Sanford-Anders averaged 12.8 points and 8.5 rebounds against division opposition and led all West players with 16 blocked shots.

Sawyer had the third-best scoring average in the West at 16 points per game and added 3.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game.

Moore was the Comets’ leading scorer at 13.8 points per game, and contributed 3.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game.

Area second teamers include Gladbrook-Reinbeck’s Dylan Riffey and Caleb Egesdal, Grundy Center’s Wes Willis and Dayne Zinkula and AGWSR’s Jaden Penning.

Honorable mention went to AGWSR’s Ben Macy, BCLUW’s Noah Gallentine, Gladbrook-Reinbeck’s Luke Riffey and Grundy Center’s Zach Opheim.

BCLUW head coach Evan Janssen was named the NICL West’s Coach of the Year. The Comets finished 3-7 in the division in Janssen’s second season as head coach, and the Comets won 10 games in a season for the first time since 2005.

2020-21 All-NICL West Boys Basketball Team

Outstanding Player

William Kiburis, G-R, soph.

Coach of the Year

Evan Janssen, BCLUW

First team

Kael Carr, S. Hardin, sr.

Beau Butler, S. Hardin, sr.

William Kiburis, G-R, soph.

Tristen Sanford-Anders, G-R, jr.

Brayden Sawyer, GC, jr.

Jesse Moore, BCLUW, sr.

Logan Bowie, EM, sr.

Second team

Ryan Walters, S. Hardin, soph.

Dylan Riffey, G-R, sr.

Caleb Egesdal, G-R, soph.

Dayne Zinkula, GC, jr.

Wes Willis, GC, sr.

Drew Runner, EM, sr.

Jaden Penning, AGWSR, sr.

Honorable mention

Ben Macy, AGWSR, sr.; Noah Gallentine, BCLUW, sr.; Ethan Espenscheid, EM, sr.; Luke Riffey, G-R, soph.; Zach Opheim, Grundy Center, sr.; Mason Sheldahl, S. Hardin, jr.