Nate Dodge takes 2013 Player of the Year title
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
For the second straight year, the East Troy boys basketball team has the best player in Walworth County.
And the former teammates again will be side by side in short time.
Senior Nate Dodge earned the honor this time around, according to votes by county coaches and media representatives. Former East Troy standout Tanner Plomb was the Player of the Year last season.
Plomb is at the end of his freshman campaign at the Army, where Dodge is headed in the fall.
Joining Dodge on the first team are fellow seniors Brett and Alex Prahl, while Will Illoncaie was voted honorable mention.
Dodge and the Prahl twins, who will play collegiately at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee next year, were the top-three vote-getters.
In 26 games this season, Dodge scored 508 points, good for a 19.5 per-game average. He led the team with 54 made 3-pointers and converted 70 of 87 free-throw attempts (80 percent).
Dodge’s efforts certainly didn’t go unnoticed by other coaches, who commented as part of the All-County nomination process.
“His improved 3-point shooting only made him more dangerous,” Big Foot’s Tim Collins said.
Elkhorn’s John Handel, who has organized the All-County teams since their inception, echoed that sentiment.
“Had a great career for the Trojans,” Handel said. “About time he graduates.”
Brett Prahl finished just ahead of Dodge in overall scoring with 513 points this season, good for a 19.7 per-game average. He also led the Trojans in made free throws with 89 in 127 attempts (70 percent).
Prahl, who like Dodge also was a Division 3 All-State selection, worked hard on his game and it showed, opposing coaches said.
“(He’s a) great example of what great work ethic can produce,” current Badger coach and former East Troy coach Darrin Lottig said. “Mentally tough kid.”
Longtime Whitewater coach Hugh Gnatzig agreed.
“Great big man that can run the floor, score and defend,” he said. “One of the best bigs in the state.”
The Trojans’ third-leading scorer, Alex Prahl, had 298 points in 2012-2013 (11.5 per game). He also second in made free throws with 75.
“(He’s) always in the gym working on his game,” Handel said. “Only scratching the surface of what he may become as a player.”
In 19 games, Illoncaie had 96 points (5.1 per game) and made seven 3-pointers.
East Troy posted a 23-4 overall record this year, including a perfect 16-0 mark in the Rock Valley Conference to claim its fifth straight North Division crown.
The Trojans advanced to the WIAA Division 3 State Tournament for the first time since 1989, where they fell 54-46 in one semifinal.
All-Walworth County
Boys Basketball Teams
First team – Nate Dodge (sr., East Troy), Brett Prahl (sr., East Troy), Alex Prahl (sr., East Troy), Andrew Bryson (sr., Elkhorn), Adam Montsma (sr., Faith Christian).
Second team – Alex Montsma (sr., Faith Christian), Arik Anderson (jr., Elkhorn), Carter Hehr (sr., Big Foot), Lincoln Wieseman (soph., Badger), Jesse Collins (soph., Delavan-Darien).
Honorable mention – John Higgins (soph., Williams Bay), Will Iloncaie (soph., East Troy), Adam Lechelt (jr., Williams Bay), Rob Slagle (sr., Badger), Paul Pelayo (sr., Whitewater), Joe Ingersoll (jr., Faith Christian), Brett Harms (jr., Whitewater).
Player of the Year – Nate Dodge (sr., East Troy).
