GUERNSEY – Consisting of three Guernsey-Sunrise High School athletes chosen to be on the Wyoming boys 1A Southeast All-Conference team and one Lady Viking to the girls All-Conference team, the hard work has paid off with postseason rewards.

The only senior making the All-Conference team this year was Caleb “Tree” Christensen, who finished his basketball career at Guernsey-Sunrise High School as one of the team leader in rebounding and blocks and was chosen an All-Conference selection in the Wyoming 1A Southeast Conference.

“Being selected for All-Conference means a lot to me,” Christensen said. “For me, it represents all of the hard work that I’ve put into the game of basketball. I started playing my freshman year just to be another body on a struggling team, and I had no idea what I was doing. This year, I felt that I was actually able to contribute to the team and be a threat. All Conference for me, means that all of that hard work was worth it.” 

“Caleb was asked this season to anchor our team in the paint both on defense and offense,” Steve Zimmerman, Viking head coach said. “Defensively Caleb was active in his movement focusing on taking charges, blocking shots and rebounding.  All three areas required Caleb to increase his physicality and endurance.  In many of our games Caleb competed with little bench rest evolving him into an iron man. Caleb finished this year second in the state in Block Shots with a game high of seven.  Overall, he finished the season with a total of 52.  Rebounding also found Caleb third in the state for total rebounds, averaging 9.4 with a game high 18 against Niobrara County and Kaycee. 

“Caleb quietly built a 10.1 scoring average, which was second on the team and a 48% shooting average to lead the team.  The game that stood out to me was at Rock River.  As a team we were struggling and behind at half.  Caleb came out dominating the post area against his old nemesis, Johnny Moore.

“Caleb is a young man who matured in his work ethic and evaluation of what skill base was needed for different opponents.  Many times, his coaches would give advice during the game and Caleb would respond "I'm trying" and then focus on what skill was needed finishing with "I'll fix it, thanks coach."  When the team had finished regionals, Caleb approached me with all sincerity ‘Coach I'm going to miss you so much.’ Caleb I wish you well in the future and I'm going to miss you more.”

Junior Tristan Hohnholt was also chosen to the Wyoming 1A Southeast All-Conference team last week. He was the leading scorer for the Vikings and also led the team in steals. With Hohnholt returning next year, the backcourt of the Vikings will be solid. He will be joined by Aidan Noggle who also had a stellar junior year.

“Tristan was asked this season to be a leader on and off the floor,” Zimmerman said. “As we began the season, the Vikings had lost their leading rebounder, scorer and floor general.  To fill the void different players were given roles and Tristan’s was leadership. It takes time to develop leadership skills and as the season progressed these traits were becoming more apparent.  Tristan was the Vikings leading scorer this year averaging 16.4 points.  His efforts earned him leading scorer in the region and second in the state.  Tristan was a streak scorer with his best game coming at the end of the season scoring 24 in the first half against Rock River, with a string of 5 three-pointers.  Tristan is also blessed with cat like speed not only in his feet but in his hands.  Tristan ranked third in the region in steals averaging 3.8 per game and sixth in the state.  

“I look forward to next season to see how Tristan will carry over his leadership skills.  Being a senior next year, he will be instrumental in supporting and developing our young players. Other areas that Tristan will be working on personally this offseason will be based around consistency.  Consistency in shooting the three, the floater and defensive rotation.  Tristan loves to play the game and I look forward to seeing that love next year.”

Dawson Bingham is a junior guard/forward for Guernsey-Sunrise High School who was multidimensional in his efforts this season. Bingham was among leaders in steals, assists, rebounds and points. His return next year will be as a veteran leader who will see some extra work in the post with both of the Viking’s post players graduating.

“Dawson was asked this season to fill a position that I call the swing man position,” Zimmerman said. “Swing man is part guard, part post and general utility player.  Dawson's height was concerning as he is under six-foot which is typically a height needed for the position. Dawson was like a sponge absorbing everything that was presented.  He never failed to try new things even when success was limited.  Dawson became the most consistent player on the Vikings.  Dawson led the team in assists averaging 2.4 a game which was eighth in the region.  Most of Dawson's assists came in the second half of the season as he developed his passing skills.  Dawson was sixth in the region in 3-point shooting percentage at 34% which also led the team.  Dawson's largest contribution was being our shut down defender.  He always drew the most dangerous perimeter player on the opposing team.  With these difficult assignments, Dawson was able to average 2.4 steals per game rating him 10th in the region.

“Dawson will return next year, and we are excited to see how he will elevate his overall game.  Offensively we look for Dawson to contribute more in his scoring opportunities.  Defensively we have asked Dawson to grow.  We would like to see him around six-foot next year.  Dawson will be instrumental in his leadership skills to develop our young kids. We are looking forward to what next year brings.”

Junior forward Rylie Thompson makes an impact each time she gets on the court, according to her head coach Curtis Cook. Thompson was the only girl from the Vikings squad this year that was chosen to be on the Wyoming Lady 1A Southeast All-Conference team. The Vikings will return almost a full ship next year and Thompson will be called upon once again to shoulder the load.

“Getting All-Conference in not just volleyball but also basketball, is a huge accomplishment on my part,” Thompson said. “Being named All-Conference in basketball ensures me that my effort on the court is not going unnoticed. Similar to Volleyball I’ve been playing basketball since the fourth grade when we did traveling ball. I’ve definitely grown to love the sport more and more over the years. Getting all-conference my junior year is setting the bar for my senior year, pushing me to work just as hard next year.” 

“We're so proud of Rylie and all that she has accomplished,” Curtis Cook, Lady Viking head coach said. “She's been a leader for us all year, and a great teammate, extremely coachable, which is the most important characteristic a player can have. Her play has been consistent all year, she's always drawing double teams from opposing teams, which shows the level of respect other coaches have for her. Statistically she ranks third in blocked shots and 10th in rebounding statewide in the 1A classification which is an accomplishment to be proud of when you consider that there are 19 varsity teams in the 1A classification. We’re so happy to have Rylie back next season and the leadership she brings to the team.”

Christensen:

Senior Caleb “Tree” Christensen finished his basketball career at Guernsey-Sunrise High School as one of the team leader in rebounding and blocks and was chosen an All-Conference selection in the Wyoming 1A Southeast Conference.

Hohnholt:

Junior Tristan Hohnholt from Guernsey-Sunrise High School was chosen to the Wyoming 1A Southeast All-Conference team last week. He was the leading scorer for the Vikings and also led the team in steals. With Hohnholt returning next year, the backcourt of the Vikings will be solid.

Bingham:

Dawson Bingham is a junior guard/forward for Guernsey-Sunrise High School who was multidimensional in his efforts this season. Bingham was among leaders in steals, assists, rebounds and points. His return next year will be as a veteran leader who will see some extra work in the post with both of the Viking’s bigs graduating.

Thompson:

Junior forward Rylie Thompson makes an impact each time she gets on the court, according to her head coach Curtis Cook. Thompson was the only girl from the Vikings squad this year that was chosen to be on the Wyoming 1A Southeast All-Conference team. The Vikings will return almost a full ship next year and Thompson will be called upon once again to shoulder the load.