In spite of seeing their seasons end short of district championships, seven Maries County basketball players were recognized for their efforts by coaches from the Gasconade Valley Conference (GVC) during recent voting.

Out of 14 boys selected, a trio of Belle Tigers and Vienna’s Cash Stricklan represented Maries County on the All-GVC Boys Basketball Team.

Throughout his junior season, Stricklan averaged 17.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2.6 steals per game.

Helping the Eagles to a 9-18 overall record, Stricklan nearly helped the Eagles upset second-seeded Crocker in the opening round of the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Class 2, District 9 Boys Basketball Tournament held at Richland High School back in late February.

Crocker advanced to the championship game before eventually falling to top-seeded Eugene.

Eugene saw their season at the hands of Hartville in sectionals.

Hartville went on to place fourth in the state in Class 2 Boys Basketball.

John Viehland’s Belle Tigers had two players earn All-GVC accolades.

Senior Cole Loughridge overcame a rolled ankle early in the season to finish averaging nearly a double double.

Playing his way on to the Belle All-Tournament Team, Loughridge ended his senior season averaging 9.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1 assist and nearly 1 steal a game.

Joining Loughridge on the All-GVC Boys Basketball Team was junior Baylar Smith.

Smith finished his junior season averaging 13.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1 assist per game.

Belle saw their season end in the opening round of the MSHSAA Class 3, District 9 Boys Basketball Tournament held at Dixon High School following a loss to Linn’s Wildcats.

Linn fell to eventual district championship Steelville in the semifinals.

Steelville’s season ended with a sectional loss to Thayer before they went on to place third in the state in Class 3 boys basketball.

Of 14 All-GVC girls basketball players, four of them came out of Maries County.

Vienna Lady Eagle freshman Aubrey Schwartze was added to the list after an error in tabulating results was corrected Tuesday morning.

Nearly averaging a double double for her first season of high school basketball, Schwartze ended up averaging 13.5 points and 9.4 rebounds per game for the Lady Eagles.

Falling to Crocker in the first round of the MSHSAA Class 2, District 9 Girls Basketball Tournament at Laquey High School, Vienna ended their season with an overall record of 9-17.

Evin Farris’ Belle Lady Tigers saw a trio of their players earn All-GVC honors.

Freshman guard Anastyn Lansford led the Lady Tiger offense averaging 10.3 points, 2.8 steals, 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.

Lansford also played her way on to the All-Tournament Team at Russellville.

Junior Nevaeh Kinsey also averaged 8.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2 steals and 1.1 assists per game helping her earn All-GVC honors for the second year in a row.

Senior Hali Naber also earned All-GVC honors for the second year in a row averaging seven points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals and one assist.

Finishing 11-17 overall on the season, Farris’ Lady Tigers won their MSHSAA Class 3, District 9 Tournament opener over Conway before falling to Linn in the district semifinals.

Linn saw their season end to eventual district champion Steelville.

Steelville had their season end after a sectional loss to Mansfield.