March 05, 2025
Local NewsState & National

Three Panthers earn Hawkeye 10 all-conference honors

By CHEYENNE ROCHE
Creston's Jake Hoyt (23) draws a crowd of Harlan defenders on a drive to the basket Friday. Hoyt scored a team-high 22 points in the 60-58 loss.

Creston's Jake Hoyt (23) draws a crowd of Harlan defenders. Hoyt was named unanimously to the Hawkeye 10 first team all conference. (Larry Peterson)

After wrapping up an 11-11 season, the Panthers place three athletes on the Hawkeye 10 all-conference teams, led by senior Jake Hoyt who was a unanimous first-team selection.

Senior Parker Varner and sophomore Rhett Driskell each earned a spot on the honorable mention team.

Hoyt led the Panthers in points (406), rebounds (191), steals (42), blocks (33) and field goals (161). He finishes his career with 873 points.

In the Hawkeye 10, Hoyt finishes second in points and field goals, both behind Ayden Gibson of Glenwood. His blocks and made free throws ranked third and his rebounds are fourth-most.

Gibson was another unanimous first-round selection as well as Ryan Clair of Kuemper Catholic and Carter Thielen of Lewis Central.

Driskell finished second for the Panthers in points with 233, second in assists with 43 and second in field goals with 86.

Varner had a great senior season, leading the team in assists (50) and steals (42). His 93 rebounds were second-highest on the team and his 166 points is third most on the Panthers. He finishes with 655 career points.

First team All-Conference

Jake Hoyt – Creston (Sr.) – Forward (Unanimous Selection)

Ayden Gibson – Glenwood (Sr.) – Forward (Unanimous Selection)

Ryan Clair – Kuemper (Jr.) – Forward (Unanimous Selection)

Carter Thielen – Lewis Central (Fr.) – Guard (Unanimous Selection)

Dallas McDowell – Harlan (Jr.) – Guard

Brock Badding – Kuemper (Jr.) – Guard

Carson Kanne – Kuemper (Sr.) – Guard

Reese Montgomery – Red Oak (So.) – Forward

Second team All-Conference

Dylan Schon – Kuemper (So.)

Colt Spencer – St. Albert (Fr.)

Sam Kline – Clarinda (Jr.)

Carter Sells – Shenandoah (Fr.)

Gavin McLaren – Atlantic (Jr.)

Jack Johnson – Glenwood (Jr.)

Tregan Beiter – Kuemper (Sr.)

Parker Stessman – Lewis Central

Honorable Mention

Blaine Grady – Denison-Schleswig (Jr.)

Rhett Driskell – Creston (So.)

Drew Schroeder – Glenwood (Sr.)

Kobe Klaassen – Harlan (So.)

Jack Badding – Kuemper (Jr.)

Charles Schaben – Lewis Central (So.)

Jozef Reisz – Harlan (Sr.)

Brayden Sifford – Red Oak (Sr.)

Owen Marshall – St. Albert (Sr.)

Kyle Wagoner – Clarinda (Sr.)

Gabe Buttry – Shenandoah (Fr.)

Kinnick Juhl – Atlantic (Sr.)

Parker Varner – Creston (Sr.)

Colin Steele – Glenwood (Jr.)

Griffin Glynn – Kuemper (So.)

Cheyenne Roche

CHEYENNE ROCHE

Originally from Wisconsin, Cheyenne has a journalism and political science degree from UW-Eau Claire and a passion for reading and learning. She lives in Creston with her husband and their two little dogs.