Southeastern Minnesota is home to 3 semifinalists for a top boys basketball award in the state

[ASFN Admin]

Feb. 16—The Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association announced 30 semifinalists for the 2026 McDonald Award, which "is presented annually to the outstanding Senior Player of the Year."

The McDonald Award is named in honor of former iconic Chisholm coach Bob McDonald, "for his accomplishments as a coach and his commitment to educating students." McDonald, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 87, was the winningest coach in Minnesota high school boys basketball history with 1,012 wins and 428 losses over his 59-year career.

Goodhue's Luke Roschen, Triton's Pierce Petersohn and Zumbrota-Mazeppa's Ethan Miller were named as semifinalists on Monday. Roschen and Miller are committed to play Division II college basketball for Southwest Minnesota State University, while Petersohn will play Division I college football for Virginia Tech. The three seniors consistently lead their respective schools in scoring, averaging nearly 20 points or more per game. They look to help their teams make deep runs in the upcoming Section 1, Class 2A boys basketball tournament set to begin Tuesday, Feb. 24.

Finalists for the award will be named in early March. Finalists will receive McDonald Award medals, and the winner will be announced in partnership with the MBCA All-Star Series on April 11 at Anoka Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids, Minn.

1. Tartan

2. Wayzata

3. Maple Grove

4. Prior Lake

5. Buffalo

6. Hopkins

7. East Ridge

8. Cretin-Derham Hall

9. Lakeville South

10. Chaska

Also receiving votes: Eden Prairie, Apple Valley, St. Paul Central.

1. Totino-Grace

2. DeLaSalle

3. Richfield

4. Mahtomedi

5. Northfield

6. St. Paul Johnson

7. Mankato East

8t. Becker

8t. St. Cloud Apollo

10. Orono

Also receiving votes: Minneapolis South, Sartell, Grand Rapids.

1. Goodhue

2. Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta

3. Pequot Lakes

4. Montevideo

5. Annandale

6. Holy Family

7. Minnehaha Academy

8. Southwest Christian

9. Zumbrota-Mazeppa

10. Belle Plaine

Also receiving votes: Albany, Jackson County Central, Fairmont, Triton, Rushford-Peterson.

1. Henning

2. Central Minnesota Christian

3. Red Lake County

4. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton

5. Southland

6. Hills-Beaver Creek

7. Pelican Rapids

8. Dawson-Boyd

9. Nevis

10. Cherry

Also receiving votes: Liberty Classic, Fertile-Beltrami, Wabasso, Deer River, Madelia.

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