Willen, Burger add to honors with player of the year awards

Notre Dame junior Ryan Willen and senior Kristain Burger brought home player of the year awards Wednesday from the annual all-SEMO Conference basketball banquet in Poplar Bluff.

Both had been honored by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association earlier this month when the 10-player Class 4 all-state teams were announced.

Willen averaged more than 22 points and 10 rebounds, setting the school's single-season scoring record this season, as the Bulldogs reached the Class 4 championship game before falling to Ruskin.

Willen had 31 points in the Class 4 championship game.

Charleston senior Justin Clark and Sikeston sophomore Michael Porter shared the player of the year honors with Willen.

Burger averaged 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Bulldogs in her senior season.

She is headed to St. Louis University on a softball scholarship.

Notre Dame captured its first district title since 2004 this past season. The Bulldogs fell to Farmington in the Class 4 sectional round.

Bulldogs coach Jerry Grim earned coach of the year honors after leading his squad to a district title in his 25th year at Notre Dame.

Also earning all-conference honors on the boys side were Notre Dame junior Ty Williams and Jackson juniors Jake Leet and Spencer Goodman.

Notre Dame senior Meridith Medlin joined Burger on the all-conference squad, as did Central sophomore Wendi Zickfield and Jackson junior Lindsay Poole.

GIRLS TEAM

Kristain Burger, Notre Dame, 5-11, sr.; Meredith Medlin, Notre Dame, 5-8, sr.; Amanda Dooley, Dexter, 5-11, jr.; Haylee Finch, Dexter, 5-7, sr.; Wendi Zickfield, Cape Central, 6-2, so.; Latoya Gibson, Sikeston, 5-7, sr.; Shameka Williams, New Madrid CC, 5-7, sr.; Carolyn Fister, Poplar Bluff, 5-9, jr.; Morgan Davis, Doniphan, 5-7, sr.; Lindsay Poole, Jackson, 5-7, sr

Outstanding Player (Bob Gray Award) -- Kristain Burger

Coach of the Year -- Jerry Grim

BOYS TEAM

Jake Leet, Jackson, 6-3, jr.; Spencer Goodman, Jackson, 6-6, jr.; Justin Clark, Charleston, 6-4, sr.; Jamarcus Williams, Charleston, 6-4, sr.; Shawn Sherrell, Charleston, 5-7, sr.; T.J. Stonecipher, Poplar Bluff, 6-3, sr.; Ryan Willen, Notre Dame, 6-8, jr.; Ty Williams, Notre Dame, 5-10, jr.; Michael Porter, Sikeston, 6-5, so.; Julian Beard, Sikeston, 6-2, sr.

Outstanding Player (John Gibbs Award) -- Justin Clark, Ryan Willen and Michael Porter

Coach of the Year -- Danny Farmer