CASSOPOLIS — Inaugural Southwest 10 Conference basketball champion Cassopolis had four of its five starters and six players overall named all-league.

The Rangers, who went 18-0 in conference play, had team captain Tyrese Hunt-Thompson and Kiambu Gary selected to the first team, while Xander Smith and Brandon Anderson were second-team picks.

“Tyrese has had an outstanding year,” said Cassopolis coach Ricky Evans. “He is a big-time player. He led the team in scoring, rebounds and did everything we asked him to do for this team to be successful. I told him we needed him to rebound more and boy did he big-time. That is Tyrese Hunt-Thompson.”

“If you didn’t know Kiambu you would say ‘ah, this little man has nothing.’ But once you see him play and how hard he goes at it you would change your mind,” Evans said. “He led the team in assists, steals and was our second leading scorer. He has the biggest heart for somebody his size.”

Evans said that seniors Smith and Anderson have been key cogs in the Rangers’ undefeated season.

“Xander is ‘Mr. Everything.’ Whatever you need that night, he will be that person. Xander does the things that don’t show up on the stat sheets. When you need a big basket, when you need that rebound or when you need that steal. That is Xander Smith.”

“All you can say about Brandon is he is ‘Mr. Consistent.’ I can write it in the book before the game starts and it’s money. He’s going to give you the same every game. Defensively he’s a special young man. He will take the smallest or the biggest. Brandon has no fear.”

Danny Young and Trevor Bruens were both honorable mention selections.

ALL-SOUTHWEST 10

BOYS BASKETBALL

First team

• Tyrese Hunt-Thompson, Cassopolis

Karl Butler, Bloomingdale

William Martinez, Hartford

Kiambu Gary, Cassopolis

Hayden Stauffer, Centreville

Eli Robinson, Marcellus

Kaeler Stafne, Marcellus

Keaton Crotser, Mendon

• Denotes team captain

Second team

Erik Mroczek, Decatur

Xander Smith, Cassopolis

Hunter Graham, Bangor

Tyler Starbuck, Bloomingdale

Matty Stambek, Decatur

Hunter Lovell, Mendon

Trevor Henry, Marcellus

Trey Ackerman, Hartford

Marshall Weber, Bangor

Brandon Anderson, Cassopolis

Honorable mention

Michael Ellis, Bloomingdale

Joel Butler, Bloomingdale

Stone Kemp, White Pigeon

Carter Grant, White Pigeon

Connor Mcdaniels, Bangor

Michael Poboda, Bangor

Jack Sumners, Marcellus

Derek Flory, Marcellus

Garrodd Johnson, Hartford

Moses Bereza, Hartford

Malcolm Underwood, Decatur

Payton Hoekstra, Decatur

Lukas Crotser, Mendon

Chris Holder, Mendon

Ross Hunter, Centreville

Danny Young, Cassopolis

Trevor Bruens, Cassopolis