At the varsity boys basketball awards dinner, several players — and one coach — received honors last Friday at West Branch High School.


Coach Randy Robertson was presented with a certificate from the state and a plaque from the basketball program for his 30 years of coaching.

Varsity Coach Stephen Bender thanked many people for their help this season, including Rod Goodweiler and Roger Laughlin, score table and clock; Steve Kabela, official book for home and away games; Brad Kinsinger, announcer for home games, Mike Cook and Alex Sheyko for stats; Karen Suchemel and Beth Kaufman for organizing team meals, Laura Cook for organizing the clothing order, Brad Olsen and Sara Taylor for video work, Morgan Starr and Micheala Wolfram for being team managers, and Ron Ewald, Randy Robertson, and Chris Robertson for their support and work.

First-year letter winners were Rylan Murry, Grant Mastain, Jacob Sheyko, Clay Cook, Tyler Trimble, and Micheala Wolfram. Second year letter winners were Brandon Young, Logan Murry, Travis Kaufman, and Mitch Moon. Third year letter winners were Morgan Starr and Jordan O’Neil.

Team awards were voted on by the players. MVP went to O’Neil. Best Defensive Player went to Young. Best Rebounder went to Clay Cook. O’Neil received Best Offensive Player, and Trimble received Most Improved. Cook was voted Most Inspirational.

Three players received CVC all-conference honors. O’Neil received first team and was just one vote shy of being selected for first team unanimously. He led the team in scoring, averaging 12.6 points per game, in assists with 78 this season, and in steals with 43. Cook was named to the second team, and R. Murry received honorable mention.

The team finished with an 11-11 record and placed fourth in the CVC. Highlights of the season included beating Mid-Prairie, North Cedar, and Regina, who were the top three in the conference.

Coach Bender said, “We were in every game except the last game. We easily could have had three or four more wins.”

He addressed the players and the parents, saying, “It’s going to come down to you. (Are you willing to) put the time in? (Do you) really want it?

“I want to take it to the next level. I think it would be a lot of fun to be on the first West Branch (boys’ basketball) team at state.”

Randy Robertson presented the boys’ junior varsity awards. Robertson noted the team finished 11-9, and ended the season with a seven-game winning streak. A high point of the season was winning the IMS junior varsity tourney, defeating IMS by three points and Williamsburg by seven.

Players voted on the team awards. Ryan Kirkey received Best Offensive Player, MVP, and Best Defensive Player. Best Rebounder went to Cody Brandt. Best Free Throw Shooter went to Cole Cook, and Cook and Brandon Shortt shared the Best Team Player award. Shawn Wasion received Most Improved Player, and the Coach’s Appreciation Award went to Zach Williams. Collin Cochran, Austin Hills, Konnor Myrvik, and Brandon Wasion received participation awards.

Robertson thanked many people for their help this season: Amy Kirkey for meals, Mike Cook for doing the official book, Alex Sheyko for stats, Bob Shortt for scorer’s table and clock; Brad Olsen and Sara Taylor for video, Laura Cook for a hot meal, Joe Lande who got the buses ready, and the custodians for their work getting the gym ready.

Coach Robertson encouraged the players to work at basketball over the summer.