Both of Perry’s varsity basketball teams struggled this season, with the Bluejays finishing 5-18 overall and 3-11 in Raccoon River Conference play while the Jayettes were 3-19 and 1-13.
Despite a sometimes trying campaign, there were plenty of team and individual highlights along the way for both units. The Perry boys will undergo changes on a level unlikely to be matched across the state, as the team must replace 11 seniors. The Jayettes will need to find three new starters and desperately needs an infusion of numbers at the lower grade levels in order to sustain the varsity program.
Rashon Ivory was named to the All-RRC First Team. He scored 407 points (18.5 per game) while distributing 69 assists and making 40 steals. The senior point guard hit 23-of-62 3-pointers (37.1 percent) and 110-of-145 free throws (75.9 percent).
Connor Nielsen and Drew Levan were both Honorable Mention selections. The former scored 271 points (11.8 ppg) and the later 248 (10.8 ppg) with Nielsen hitting 57-of-80 (71.3 percent) free throws and Levan 45-of-64 (70.3 percent). Nielsen drained 22 treys, grabbed 115 rebounds and blocked 41 shots, with Levan making 15 triples, pulling down 82 boards, making 51 assists and coming away with 28 steals.
Senior Tanner Duffy was also in the top portion of statistics, scoring 96 points (4.2 ppg) while making 14 3-pointers and handing out 42 assists.
Sophomore Molly Lutmer was a Second Team All-RRC selection for the Perry girls. She accounted for 302 points (13.7 ppg) while collecting 71 rebounds and making 23 steals. Lutmer splashed 50-of-142 (35.2 percent) 3-pointers and 30-of-35 (85.7 percent) free throws.
Honorable Mention recognition was given to senior Grace Stewart. She scored 126 points (5.7 ppg), had 96 rebounds and 44 assists and was responsible for 50 thefts.
Fellow seniors Isabel Saemisch (4.3 ppg), 103 rebounds and Alyssa Kruger (3.3 ppg), 21-of-69 3-pointers (30.4 percent) were important parts of the starting five, as was junior Gabby West (2.1 ppg), 102 rebounds.
The Bluejays are coached by Dennis McDonnell, with Chris Morrow guiding the Jayettes.
