Sierra Lutheran notches 11 winter sports honorees
Sierra Lutheran High School’s Makez Berger was named the Western League All-Division Boys Basketball League Player of the Year, and SLHS boys coach Ben Walther was selected Coach of the Year headlining 11 individuals from the school who were honored in voting by league coaches.
Berger, a 6-3 junior, averaged 12.8 points, 1.3 assists, 2.6 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game in league play to help Sierra Lutheran to a first place finish in the Western League.
“I'm so proud of my team members because they were the ones who pushed me to be the player that I am,” Berger said. “I owe it all to my friends, coaches, Dad, and God.”
Walther coached the Falcons to a 20-9 overall record and undefeated league finish this past season while guiding the boys’ program to its first trip to the State semi-finals.
Since taking over the program in 2016, Walther has amassed an overall record of 75-33 and 40-10 in league. He has led the program to the Regionals all four years, and this year also to the State Tournament.
“It is an amazing honor to be selected by my coaching peers as coach of the year,” Walther said. “It says a lot about the hard work that the boys put in during the year and staying committed to the goals that the team set forth at the beginning of the season. Like I told the boys, this award is an award for them because of what they accomplished on the basketball court.”
Sophomore Ava Mellum, a 5-5 sophomore guard, was selected First Team All Western League, highlighting four SLHS girls who earned all league honors in helping the girls’ team reach the Regionals playoffs.
“When I first heard I had made all-league, I was surprised, and felt blessed and honored to be selected,” Mellum said. “I am so thankful to God for the fantastic season we had, made possible by the amazing coaches and my wonderful teammates.”
Three other members of the SLHS girls team also earned all-league honors. Mikayla Talkington and Jaden Spotts were named second team all-league, and Kati Boogman received honorable mention.
Other members of the SLHS boys team honored were Shawn Emm and Hunter Lambrecht, who earned first team all-league honors; Teagan Berger, who earned second team honors; and Luke Schinzing and Stephen West, who received honorable mention.
The 2019-20 season represented only the second time in school history that both the Sierra Lutheran boys and girls teams made the Regionals in the same year.