The foundation for the best Marshalltown boys’ basketball season in 17 years was built on the backs of a small group of seniors, two of which were honored with all-conference selection.

Bobcat seniors Kyle Smith and Jacob Hayes were both named to the all-Iowa Alliance Conference’s North Division first team in a vote of league coaches, including the third-straight unanimous selection for Smith.

Hayes was voted to the seven-player first team for the first time after leading the Bobcats in scoring average during North Division action.

Smith secured first-team honors for the third year in a row after averaging 13.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. He ranked third and second, respectively, in the Alliance North in those statistical categories, and he made 3.2 3-pointers per contest despite being the focal point of every opposing defense along the way.

Hayes, who was an honorable mention all-conference selection a season ago, stepped up to the plate and scored a team-leading 13.4 points per game to lead the Bobcats in league play. He ranked second in the conference scoring race while also contributing 3.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.

While the Bobcats will lose the service of two first-team all-conference selections, the framework remains for more in the future. Junior point guard Drake Gersema was a unanimous selection to the all-conference second team, while junior Jamison Niehouse and freshman Damian Segovia both were honorable mention selections.

Gersema finished fifth in the Alliance North in scoring average (12.6) while also leading the league in assists (5.5), ranking second in steals (2.6) and fifth in rebounding (6.0).

It’s the second all-conference selection for Gersema, who was honorable mention as a sophomore.

Niehouse overcame an injury and returned to action to average 2.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game during league play.

Segovia’s debut season was an impressive one as he averaged 6.1 points and 2.1 assists per game, joining Niehouse with their first all-conference honors.

The Bobcats finished second in the Alliance North with a 5-3 record, trailing only Ames (8-0).

All-Iowa Alliance Conference North Division Boys Basketball Teams

(* denotes unanimous selection)

FIRST TEAM

*Kyle Smith, sr., G, MHS

*Will Thomas, sr., G, Ames

*Marcele Whitner, sr., G, Mason City

Marach Dau, sr., F, Ames

Jacob Hayes, sr., F, MHS

Brandon Johnson, sr., F, Ames

Ty Sanchez-Evans, sr., F, Mason City

SECOND TEAM

*Drake Gersema, jr., G, MHS

*Owen Rickers, jr., G, Mason City

DJ Bijiek, sr., F, Ames

Jameer Falls, jr., G, Mason City

Quayshon Harrington-Johnson, sr., F, W’loo East

Reggie Pederson, so., F, Fort Dodge

Isaiah Thomas, so., G, W’loo East

HONORABLE MENTION

Max Sutton, sr., F, Ames

Taevon Feely, sr., G, Fort Dodge

Brody Maehl, so., F, Fort Dodge

Tytrell Mosley, sr., G, Fort Dodge

Hayden Zuspann, sr., G, Fort Dodge

Jamison Niehouse, jr., F, MHS

Damian Segovia, fr., G, MHS

Drayden Witt, sr., G, Mason City

Dejon Bynum, sr., G, W’loo East

Davieon VanArsdale, so., F, W’loo East

Final Conference Standings

Ames 8-0

MHS 5-3

Mason City 3-5

Waterloo East 3-5

Fort Dodge 1-7