Boys’ coach next goal: State tournament
by Norv and Mary Coblentz · Sports · March 23, 2017
The West Branch boys’ basketball team had an awards banquet at the high school March 19.
Varsity letters, academic awards, and post-season awards were distributed, and the team’s season was celebrated.
“The future is bright,” West Branch Head Coach Tom Burger said. “We set the bar high this year. We have one more step to get.”
That next step is the State Tournament.
The Bears lost in the substate game this season 86-80.
Burger spoke about some team and individual accomplishments.
The team was 18-6 overall this season with a 13-5 River Valley Conference record and an 11-1 River Valley South Division record.
School records were set by Beau Cornwell and Cooper Kabela. Cornwell, a sophomore, is third in career three-point goals with 95.
Mason Hays has 101 and Gary O’Leary has 98. Cornwell is second in three-point goals in a season with 57. O’Leary had 59.
Kabela set a new school record for points in a season with 572. The previous record was set by Rylan Murry in 2012 and 2013 with 570.
Kabela is second in career points with 1,245. He surpassed Marv Cook who had 1,108 points. Murry still leads with 1,629.
Academic All-Conference awards were given to Cade Aspelmeier, Ben Kyllingstad, Brady Lukavsky, Brett Schiele, Cooper Kabela, Ben Thompson, Zach Thompson, Ted Bridges, Jack Dragovich, Lauren Nalan, Jessica Meyers, and Aurora Eilertsen.
Although announced earlier, RVC All-Conference Awards were given. Tanner Lukavsky received Honorable Mention, Ben Thompson received All-South, and Cornwell and Kabela received Elite All-Conference honors. Kabela was a unanimous choice.
Out of the eight Iowa Basketball Coaches’ Association all-state players chosen, two were from West Branch: Kabela and Cornwell.
Kabela was also chosen for the IBCA Team First Award for a senior’s commitment, service and sacrifice.
Kabela received Your Prep Sports All-Area Team honors, and received First Team honors from the Iowa Newspaper Association.
The team and coaches voted on awards. Best Practice Player went to Trey Eagle.
Mr. Assistant was Bridges. the Weight Room Award went to Aspelmeier. Coaches’ Appreciation Award went to B. Lukavsky. T. Lukavsky was Chairman of the Boards.
The Student Section Player of the Year Award went to Colton Dietz. The Sixth Man Award went to Schiele. Best Defensive Player was B. Thompson, the Best Offensive Player was Cornwell, and Kabela was the Most Valuable Player.
Varsity Letters went to Manager Abi Culver, Manager Nalan, Manager Myers, Manager Eilertsen, T. Lukavsky, Trey Eagle, Cornwell, B. Lukavsky, Schiele, Z. Thompson, B. Thompson, Bridges, Dragovich, Aspelmeier, Ben Kyllingstad, Dietz, and Kabela.
Burger thanked several people for their help this season including the school administration and secretaries, the band, announcer, scorekeepers, the school for putting in the spotlight for starting lineups, parents for help with meals, the students, the junior high and youth coaches, managers, coaches, players, and the fans who stayed for the entire boys game.
“I’m going to miss this team,” Burger said. “A lot of things got accomplished this year. It was a fun year, I hope was can see more years like this.”
Fresh/soph coach Cole Cook talked about his 11-5 team and gave out participation certificates.
Cook announced that he will not be back next year since he will be graduated from the university and has accepted a job in Washington, Iowa.
“I loved every minute of it,” he said.
West Branch season stats: Cooper Kabela 218 109-150 572, 27 3-pointers, 189 rebounds, 55 assists, 30 steals, 23 blocks; Beau Cornwell 157 89-124 460, 57 3-pointers, 125 rebounds, 97 assists, 80 steals, 2 blocks; Ben Thompson 78 58-99 217, 3 3-pointers, 87 rebounds, 64 assists, 42 steals, 1 block; Tanner Lukavsky 78 58-99 113, 9 3-pointers, 136 rebounds, 77 assists, 55 steals, 9 blocks; Brett Schiele 34 7-13 95, 20 3-pointers, 28 rebounds, 23 assists, 24 steals, 2 blocks; Ted Bridges 30 19-29 80, 1 3-pointer, 63 rebounds, 52 assists, 24 stals, 3 blocks; Brady Lukavsky 5 4-11 17, 3 3-pointers, 26 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals; Jack Dragovich 7 1-5 15, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal. 1 block; Cade Aspelmeier 3 1-1 8, 1 3-pointer, 8 rebounds, 11 assists, 5 steals; Trey Eagle 0 1-2 1, 1 steal; Colton Dietz 3 rebounds
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