GOSHEN COUNTY – An exceptional 2023-2024 basketball season resulted in sixteen Goshen County athletes snagging 1A and 2A all-conference awards.

Southeast High School senior Baylie Booth and sophomore T.J. Moats received all-conference Player of the Year awards (see the March 13 edition of the Telegram).

Lady Cyclones

Four Southeast Lady Cyclones earned all-conference honors – Booth, senior Sasha Haines, sophomore Kaycee Kosmicki and sophomore Hadley Leithead.

Booth and Kosmicki also earned all-state honors (see the March 13 edition of the Telegram).

Haines finished the season ranked No. 1 in the conference for 3-pointers, shooting 35 percent from outside the perimeter.

“Sasha is definitely our specialist and shuts down whoever I need her to on defense,” coach Jennifer Scheer said. “She drew tough assignments this year and produced offensively for us. Sasha is one of the best defenders in the state.”

Leithead netted 128 season points for the Lady Cyclones, pulled down 101 rebounds, made 13 assists and posted 21 steals.

“Hadley showed tremendous growth throughout the season,” Scheer said. “Her freshman year involved a steep learning curve, but she responded well as a sophomore and continues to make progress.”

Lady Doggers

Lingle-Fort Laramie (LFL) all-conference honorees included senior Natalie Speckner, sophomore Skyla Wunder, junior Brenly Shipp and sophomore Jordynn Speckner.

Natalie Speckner and Wunder also clinched all-state honors (see the March 13 Telegram).

Shipp posted 157 season points for the Lady Doggers, pulled down 116 rebounds, delivered 10 assists and made 41 steals.

“Brenly really contributed on both offense and defense this year,” coach Susan Bartel said.

Jordynn Speckner tallied 257 season points, posted 131 rebounds, connected 50 assists and snatched 128 steals.

“Jordynn is a great all-around player, a fabulous defender and understands the game,” Bartel said. “I am expecting great things out of (Brenly and Jordynn) next year.”

Cyclones

Five Southeast High School Cyclones picked up all-conference honors – Moats, junior Ayden Desmond, senior Cole Sauer, junior Ayden Shimic and juniors Kannon Tippetts.

Moats and Desmond also earned all-state recognition (see the March 13 Telegram).

Sauer rounded out the season ranked No. 2 for the conference in blocks at 1.8 per game (46 on the season). The senior also posted 128 season points, 103 rebounds, 46 assists and 44 steals.

“Cole brought a big presence on our defense,” coach Craig Leithead said. “He was intimidating with his shot blocking ability. His dunk in the opening minute of the regional game against Midwest was a highlight.”

Shimic tallied 72 season points, along with 92 rebounds, 46 assists and led the team in steals at 47.

“Ayden was our pesky hustle defensive guard and put 100 percent on the court every time he was on the floor,” Leithead said. “He brought contagious effort and energy.”

Tippetts totaled 198 points for the season, 72 rebounds, 21 assists and 46 steals.

“Kannon took on the task of guarding the best offensive player on opposing teams,” Leithead said. “He really has a knack and skill of playing lock-down defense. He held an all-state offensive player from Hulett that averaged 17 points per game to two points and four points, respectively, each time we faced Hulett.”

Doggers

Four Doggers captured all-conference accolades – sophomore Brady Cook, sophomore Anthony Arnusch, junior Elijah Hatch and junior Brody Roberts.

Cook also received all-state honors (see the March 16 Telegram).

Arnusch earned all-conference for the first time.

“Anthony did a great job for us at point guard on defense,” coach Chris Cook said. “He is fantastic at handling the ball as well as distributing it. He led our team in assists per game at 3.96 and finished with 95 on the season, including two games this year with 11. He was also very good at defense.”

Hatch garnered all-conference honors for the first time as well.

“Elijah did a great job for us in the role of an energy guy off the bench for both sides of the floor,” Cook said. “He was able to come in and give a quick lift offensively in many games and as the season went on, he proved he was ready to bring the same energy to rebounding.”

Roberts captured all-conference accolades for a third time.

“Brody did a great job improving his game during the season,” Cook said. “He was very unselfish and willing to take on new roles. His shooting percentage improved from 13 percent his sophomore year to his junior season finishing at 56.2 percent. He also led our team in steals (2.54 per game).”