BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) announced their 2023-24 men's basketball All-Conference teams and postseason awards Monday afternoon. Five Comets Men's Basketball players were recognized.

Player of the Year: Darren Jones
Newcomer of the Year: Darren Jones
First Team: Darren Jones, Thomas Gieske
Honorable Mention: Jamison Kramer
Champions of Character: Steele Senske 

#1 Jr. Darren Jones - First Team All-Conference, Newcomer of the Year, Player of the Year



- San Bernardino, Calif.
- Season Highs: 31 pts, 14 rebounds, 3 blocks, 6 steals
- Averaged: 15.5 pts/g, 52.4 FG%, 66% FT%, 7.6 reb/g
- Player of the Week: x2

"Jones' length and athleticism helped us out on both ends this year. There's times he guarded the opposing teams point guard and center in the same game. We look to build on his success next year," said head coach Brandon McGruder.

#23 Sr. Thomas Gieske - First Team All-Conference



- Sartell, Minn.
- Season Highs: 28 pts (Waldorf), 10 rebounds (Waldorf), 3 steals (Minn. Morris)
- Averaged: 16.1 pts/g, 60.7 FG%, 35.5 3PT%, 65.7 FT%, 5.8 reb/g
- Player of the Week: x1

"Tom has been the 'face' of the NSAA the past few years. This is his third time making First Team All-Conference and he won Player of the Year last year. He is one of the best all around palyers to suit up for the Comets. Tom brought his hard hat to work each day and did the small things to help us win along with his scoring," said McGruder.

#34 Sr. Jamison Kramer - Honorable Mention



- Marion, N.D.
- Season Highs: 34 pts (Carroll), 4 3PTs (Valley City), 13 rebounds (Valley City)
- Averaged: 15.1 pts/g, 54.1 FG%, 33.3 3PT%, 66.7 FT%, 6.0 reb/g
- Player of the Week: x1

"This is Kramer's second honor in consecutive years. His ability to stretch the floor and attack mismatches inside was very effective for us this year. His versatility and work ethic will be sorely missed and hard to replace," said McGruder.

#13 Sr. Steele Senske - Champions of Character



- Glyndon, Minn.
- Season Highs: 15 pts (NWIC), 3 3PTS (NWIC)
- Averaged: 4.4 pts/g, 40.4 FG%, 77.8 FT%

"Steele is well deserving of this honor and more. My first week on the job he sat in my office and expressed to me his desire to win meant more to him than playing time. He played an intricate part of our scout team helping us prep for upcoming opponents," said McGruder.

For full press release of the NSAA Post Season Awards visit: 2023-24 NSAA Men's Basketball All-Conference Teams & Postseason Awards announced - North Star Athletic Association (playnorthstar.com)

The Comets finished their season 20-9 overall, 7-5 in NSAA play. They graduate eight seniors:

#0 - Jacob Strand - Glyndon, Minn.
#3 - JC Canahuate - Santiago, Dominican Republic
#5 - BJ Woods - Compton, Calif.
#12 - Keyshaun Bolen - Los Angeles, Calif.
#13 - Steele Senske - Glyndon, Minn.
#14 - Jesse Bergh - Audubon, Minn.
#23 - Thomas Giekse - Sartell, Minn.
#35 - Jamison Kramer - Marion, N.D.