Cheney 2017-18 Winter All-GNL

The following Cheney High School student-athletes have been named to All-Great-Northern-League teams for winter sports. If provided, the Cheney Free Press has included comments from their respective coaches along with the teams for which they were selected.

Basketball Boys

Comments from head coach Gregg Smith

Jake Berman

Second team

Berman was the team's leading scorer with points per game, averaging 11.8, and leading rebounder at 4.8 board per game. He averaged 9.8 points per game during GNL and post-season play. Berman missed four games early on due to an ankle injury.

"Jake has such a great understanding of the rim. He made some tough, tough shots consistently throughout."

Devin Cook

Second team

Cook was the team's high scorer overall with 226 points. He averaged 9.4 per game, 10.1 points per game during GNL/post season play and 4.2 rebounds.

"Devin is an exceptional rebounding guard. He has a phenomenal feel for the game, and does the little things that average fans wouldn't see happening."

Girls

Maggie Smith

Second team

Gymnastics

Comments from head coach Jamie Frucci

Sophia VanWormer made the second team in all-around scoring along with first team in the bars and beams. She highlighted the gymnastics team at state competition, tying for seventh in the bars with a score of 9.050. She also took 16th in the beam.

During the regular season, she placed first in the bars for five weeks in a row. She helped the team take first place in the final GSL meet of the season against Shadle Park, Lewis and Clark, Rogers and North Central.

"It was exciting to see Sophia have such a successful season and to make All-League on two events and second team for all around. I had no doubt she would make first team on bars or beam since she finished first place on bars at all league meets and finished in the top-10 on beam in almost all of our league meets. Sophia was a great addition to our team, both in skill and attitude, this year and I am looking forward to watching her grow next year."

Wrestling

Comments from head coach Brad Rasmussen

Boedy Taylor

First team

Taylor finished his senior season by taking second in the state tournament in the 182-pound weight bracket. He compiled a 21-4 record during the season. He took first in the regional tournament along with the GNL district tournament. His other two top finishes were at the North Idaho Rumble and the Blackhawk Invite, taking first in both.

Zack Nguyen

First team

Nguyen took home fifth place in the state tournament to cap off his senior season. Nguyen earned first in both the regional tournament and the GNL district bracket. He also took first in the Blackhawk Invite and had second place finishes at the North Idaho Rumble and the Freeman Winter Classic.

Dylan Straley

First team

Straley hit milestones during his freshman season by being one of the medalists at the state tournament. He finished fourth at the regional tournament and took first in the GNL district bracket in the 126-pound weight class. He also took first at the Spokaloo 2018 and Blackhawk Invite.

"To have three wrestlers who earned first team all-league, then went and got a state medal too is pretty special. All three of them put in countless hours not just dedicating their time and effort, but obsessing about the sport of wrestling. They are the example that is now set for the next generation of Blackhawk wrestlers, both those already in the wrestling room and those to come."

Cheney Free Press managing editor John McCallum and staff intern Grace Pohl contributed to this story.