Brayden Steffens (left) and Jack Gilbertson (right) at the state tournament
The Wahpeton backcourt of Brayden Steffens and Jack Gilbertson has been selected to the North Dakota High School Coaches Association All-State Team after leading the Huskies to a 20-win season.
Steffens, a senior and the program’s all-time leading scorer, was named to the first team. Nicknamed “Beast” by Huskies head coach Jeff Ralph (not usually a man of monikers), the smooth guard averaged 19 points per game while shooting 46 percent overall and 43 percent from three. He averaged 19.6 points during the state tournament and dropped a career-high 34 against Four Winds/Minnewaukan during the regular season.
Steffens elevated his game (literally) with two dunks during his senior campaign. Despite his listed height of 6-foot-1, Steffens won nearly every tip-off this season. His supporting numbers were great, too, averaging 4.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.9 steals per game.
Beyond the stats, Steffens became the definition of what it means to be a Husky, bringing a sharp focus to practice and a quiet intensity that steadied Wahpeton during a tough schedule. Coach Ralph credited his senior star for making younger teammates better in practice, which showed through when the team’s supporting cast stepped up during the postseason.
Gilbertson, a second team selection, showcased his abilities over a full season after missing time with injuries as a freshman. The sophomore averaged 18 points per game and added to his growing legend with several buzzer-beaters, including a game-winning three against Minnesota’s Section 8AAA runner-up Fergus Falls.
Similar to Steffens, Gilbertson was a tremendous on-ball defender in a Huskies defense that held 11 opponents under 50 points. The tandem worked in unison while trapping the perimeter.
Gilbertson dropped a career-high 28 points in a state tournament win over Dunseith, and chipped in elsewhere all season, averaging 3.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.1 steals. The combo guard shot 48 percent from the field and averaged north of 20 points during the state tourney, earning all-tournament honors.
FIRST TEAM
Brooks Bakko (Jr.) – Kindred
Marial Deng (Sr.) Four Winds/Minnewaukan
Brody Lillemoen (Sr.) – Grafton
Braylen Schirado (Sr.) – Beulah
Brayden Steffens (Sr.) – Wahpeton
SECOND TEAM
Keaton Batke (Jr.) – Hazen
Ben Brodina (So.) – Devils Lake
Nelson Decoteau (Jr.) – Dunseith
Jonte Delorme (Sr.) – Four Winds/Minnewaukan
Jack Gilbertson (So.) – Wahpeton
Kash Lorenz (Jr.) – Central Cass
Carson Quam (Sr.) – Shiloh Christian
Jaxon Reese (Sr.) – Killdeer
Reggie Rice (Sr.) – Grafton
Andrew Ziemer (So.) – Central Cass
POWERade Outstanding Senior Athlete – Braylen Schirado – Beulah
SUBWAY Coach of the Year – Brandon Schirado – Beulah
