By Morgan Rode sports@newmedia-wi.com
Leader Photo by Morgan Rode Clintonville’s Sam Wittman dribbles the ball in a NEC road game against Oconto Falls on Nov. 30. Wittman capped his high school basketball career by earning a spot on the all-conference honorable mention team.
Leader Photo by Morgan Rode Clintonville’s Aiden Polzin, left, looks for a teammate to pass to in a NEC road game against Oconto Falls on Nov. 30. Polzin was named to the honorable mention team after a strong junior season.
Clintonville High School boys basketball players Sam Wittman and Aiden Polzin were each named to the North Eastern Conference honorable mention team for their play on the court this winter.
“Being on an all conference team my senior year means a lot to me as an athlete,” Wittman said. “It means that the hours in the gym and all the commitment has not gone unnoticed.”
“It’s always nice to be recognized for all the time I put into basketball,” said Polzin, a junior.
Polzin landed on the honorable mention team after averaging 15.2 points per NEC game. He connected on 40 3-pointers over 17 conference game and shot just under 75 percent from the free throw line.
Polzin also averaged 5.4 rebounds per game while recording 19 steals in NEC play.
Heading into his senior year of basketball, Polzin has high goals for himself and the team.
“I want to be the best teammate I can be to the newcomers and returning players on varsity,” he said. “I really want our team to bring Clintonville basketball back and win a regional or sectional championship for my last year.”
“Aiden was a great scorer coming into the year, but learned how to be a great rebounder this year as well,” Clintonville coach Ryan Mattson said. “I am really looking forward to what kind of player he will be for us next year.”
Wittman averaged 10.6 points per conference game. He also made 40 3-pointers while knocking down over 85 percent of his free throws.
Wittman finished with just under three rebounds per NEC a game while totaling 28 assists and 15 steals.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the recognition from the other coaches and it’s a great way to end my basketball career,” Wittman said.
“It was great for me in my first year (coaching) to have a three-year starter back in Sam Wittman,” coach Mattson said. “He is a great shooter and ball handler that I could not have done without. He also became a great team defensive player this year.”
Wittman was one of five seniors on the Truckers roster this season. Clintonville finished the season 10-14 overall and 6-12 in conference action.