Three Tigers make All-Conference basketball team

As was the case in girls basketball, the boys basketball teams in the Raccoon River Conference this year was just as strong in boys competition.

Bondurant-Farrar not only won the conference title, but they were able to go on to win the class 3A State basketball title as well. On top of that the Bluejays were able to run the season without a loss. In addition to the Bluejays making the State tournament, North Polk was also able to make the class 3A State tournament.

Even though they played in a tough conference the Tigers had a decent showing throughout the season and were able to have three of their team members make the All-Conference teams.

Making the first team list is junior Evan Hammer.

On the second team list senior Bryce Berlau. Another senior for Carroll, Tanner Gotto, was named to the honorable mention list.

Despite the brutal schedule they played in, Carroll was able to finish fourth in the RRC standings this year. They had a 9-7 overall record against conference opponents.

The Tigers finished the season 12-10 overall, but not before they were able to get some revenge. As the district tournament started Carroll played Sergeant Bluff-Luton in Sergeant Bluff, a team that has knocked several strong teams of Carroll out of contention for the State tournament in past seasons.

Carroll was able to knock the Warriors out of the tournament with a win in the first round.

For the second-straight year Carroll had to battle Bishop Heelan in Sioux City in the class 3A substate semi-finals. Although they battled well Carroll’s season ended against Bishop Heelan.

Hammer was able to land on the first team All-Conference list with another year of eye-popping numbers.

Hammer led his team with 297 total points this season. He shot 51 percent from the floor. Although he missed his only three pointer he attempted this season, Hammer was a decent shooter from the free throw line as well.

At the stripe Hammer was able to make 59 of his 100 free throws he attempted for an easy math percentage of 59 percent shooting from the line.

On top of leading the Tigers in scoring Hammer also led his team with 182 total rebounds. Hammer grabbed 126 defensive rebounds. He was able to grab 56 offensive rebounds this year. Hammer had the second-most rebounds of any conference player this year. He had the fourth-most offensive rebounds in the conference.

The junior proved to not be selfish with the ball. He had 58 assists this year, the second-most on his team. He also led his team with 23 blocks. Hammer used his speed as well grabbing 28 steals. His 23 blocks were the third-most ion in the conference.

Senior Bryce Berlau was able to make the second team list for the conference. He finished the season with 234 total points.

Berlau displayed his sharpshooting ability this year with a field goal percentage of 42 percent. His real talent was from the long shots where Berlau led his team with a 40 percent shooting ability from beyond the arch. Berlau made 63 three pointers this year, the third-most among conference teams. He also had the fourth-most three pointers attempted with 156. Berlau’s three-point shooting percentage was the third-best in conference play.

At the free throw line Berlau made 17 of his 30 shots for a free throw percentage of 57 percent.

In his senior year Berlau had 59 total rebounds with 50 on the defensive side and nine on the offensive side. He led his team with 60 assists. Berlau also added 15 steals.

This year Berlau seemed to be able to spark his team with his sharp-shooting, especially early on in games.

On the honorable mention list is senior Tanner Gotto. Gotto was able to finish the season with the second-most points on the team with 237.

Gotto shot just south of 41 percent from the floor. He was able to shoot 29 percent from the three point line. He was one of the better shooters on the team from the free throw line, shooting 67 percent. He made 49 of his 73 free throws this year.

Gotto finished the year with 106 total rebounds. He grabbed 81 rebounds on the defensive side and had 25 on the offensive side. Like the rest of his team he used the pass to his strength and finished the year with 41 assists. He had 12 steals and blocked eight shots.