Koecher and Mattison Star In North Central All-Star Game

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Apr 3, 2012

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

Moose Lake-Willow River senior standouts again showed why they were two of the best in the Northland, as over this past weekend Caleb Koecher and Taylor Mattison played in the North Central All Star game which featured players from throughout Northern Minnesota.

Koecher, a senior and four year starter for the Rebels was named the tournament’s most valuable player as his white team lost to the red team by a score of 70-57. The North Central All Star games were played at Bagley on Saturday afternoon.

There were one girls and two boys games in this year’s all star series. Now in its eight year, the series features top high school seniors, juniors, and sophomores, and showcased their basketball skills Saturday afternoon.

The All Star games, started by Dan and Susan Ninham, features slam dunk and 3-point contests for both boys and girls. The all star games also featured seven boys and girls basketball players who were name as all state players.

Coaches on the boy’s side were Bill Rutledge of Red Lake, Vic Ounchith of Warroad, Jeff Brown of Bemidji, and Bob Stuven of Kelliher-Northholm. Koecher and Mattison played on the same team which fell by 13 points in the all star series.

Koecher was named the most valuable player despite playing on the losing team, scored 16 points for the red team. He added 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals in the contest. Tate Benning of Eagle Valley led the Red team with 18 points.

Taylor Mattison added 11 points; he also nabbed 12 rebounds, had 3 of his trademark blocked shots, 2 assists, and 1 steal in the red team’s loss Saturday afternoon in Bagley. Luke Mock scored 19 points for the winning white team.

Chelsey Bonsante of Crosby-Ironton scored 25 points to lead the White team to a 72-53 victory over the Red all stars Saturday. Bonsante was also named the girls all star games most valuable player.

Cody Rutledge of Bemidji won the slam dunk contest, while Patrick Thompson of Bagley was second and Tanner Schwartz of Menahga third. Anthony Bias of Braham won the 3-point contest, connecting on 17 three pointers in one minute. Ryan Holthusen of Red Lake and Tate Benning of Eagle Valley each had 16.

Brook Watkins of Clearbrook-Gonvick was the winner of the girls 3-point contest, as she made 12 in one minute, Kelly Heck of Kelliher-Northholm drained 11 for second place and Bonsante finished third with nine 3-pointers.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com