Here are our first installments of the Reaching the Summit Players of the Week. Our voters give you their senior, junior, sophomore, freshman, and defensive player of the week. So here they are:
Senior of the Week: Forward Rocky Kreuser, North Dakota State
Kreuser led the charge for the Bison in a 2 win week. The senior forward dominated division 3 Concordia in the opener and then had a massive 5 point run to secure the victory on the road against Cal-Poly. On the week Kreuser averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds, and grabbed 3 steals in the two games.
Others receiving votes: G KJ Hunt Denver, F Parker Bjorklund St. Thomas, F Luka Barisic Western Illinois
Junior of the Week: Guard Trenton Massner, Western Illinois
Welcome to the Summit League Trenton Massner. Massner led the Leathernecks in scoring in what was probably the Summit League’s most impressive victory in the opening week. Massner averaged 14.5 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game for the Leathernecks in their 2 win week.
Others receiving votes: G Max Abmas Oral Roberts, F Josiah Allick Kansas City
Sophomore of the Week: Guard Baylor Scheierman, South Dakota State
The Jackrabbits started their season with an impressive home win against Bradley and followed it up by battling 14th ranked Alabama on the road. A big part in the strong opening week was the play of Scheierman. Scheierman averaged 10 points, an eye-popping 16 rebounds, and 4 assists. Expect more do everything stat lines from Scheierman this season.
Others receiving votes: G Noah Freidel South Dakota State, F Hunter Goodrick South Dakota
Freshmen of the Week: Forward Grant Nelson, North Dakota State
In this unique year, Nelson qualifies as a freshman in spite of a year of Summit League experience. Last year’s 6th man of the year is in the starting lineup this season and the numbers show. The Bison went 2-0 this week, and Nelson was a huge part of it. Nelson averaged 15 points, 7.5 rebounds, and chipped in 3 blocks.
Others receiving votes: G Tevin Smith Denver, F Frankie Fidler Omaha, G Paul Bruns North Dakota
Defensive player of the Week: Forward Francis Lacis, Oral Roberts
It wasn’t the greatest opener defensively for Oral Roberts as a team, but that was of no fault of Lacis’. Lacis battled down low for the Golden Eagles, in the two-game set Lacis corralled 5 steals and battled all week on the offensive glass grabbing 7 offensive rebounds. His hustle and energy were on display all week for Oral Roberts.
Others receiving votes: F Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler Omaha, F Cam Burrell Western Illinois, F Matt Dentlinger South Dakota State.