Four Vikings earn post-season basketball honors

    With the success the Ventura basketball team had in its 2007-08 season, it’s no surprise that four players were selected to Cornbelt All-Conference teams. The Vikings finished their season as co-champions of the Cornbelt Conference, along with Ruthven-Ayrshire. Both teams finished with a 9-1 record.
    Senior Cody Kadolph and junior Tyler Betz were named to the First Team All-Conference.
    Kadolph led the team and was second in the conference for points. He scored a total of 355 points in the 2007-08 season, for a 16.9 point average per game. Kadolph ranked number one in the conference in steals with 50. He was also a leader in three-point shots, connecting on 39. Under the boards, he collected 138 total rebounds for a 6.57 average per game. He ranked third in the conference in assists.
    “Cody led our team in a lot of categories this year and he scored over 1,000 points for his career,” said Coach Nick Schauf. “He is a special kid that worked extremely hard to achieve his success.”
    Betz, Ventura’s post player, was the second leading scorer on the Ventura team and he ranked fifth in the conference with 335 points. He ranked second for field goal percentage with 56.90 percent in the conference. He was a leading rebounder in the conference with 173 total rebounds and an 8.24 per game average. Betz ranked fourth in the league for blocked shot with 28 and he was in the top 10 in steals with 39.
    “Betz was dominate in the post position. No one in our conference was able to match up with his strength and solid post moves, making him almost impossible to defend,” said Schauf.
    Senior Josh Henely and junior Tyler Peterson were named to the Second Team All-Conference.
Henely finished the season with 183 points for 8.7 per game average. He collected 85 total rebounds this season and averaged 4.05 boards per game.
    “Josh provided a lot of spot-up shooting and his toughness on the glass was second to none,” said Schauf.
    Peterson was Ventura’s king of the three-pointers. He ranked fourth in the conference, hitting 39/100 for a 39 percent average. He had 175 total points this season an 8.3 per game average. Peterson also led the team in free throw shooting, making 14/21. He was also an assist leader with 60, and was third on the team in steals with 32 for the season.
    “Tyler was a good spot up three point shooter. When he was on it was very difficult to stop us. His defense down the stretch helped us capture a share of the conference title,” said Schauf.