Zimmerman, McConkey voted All-State
DAILY FORUM FILE PHOTO
Maryville’s John Zimmerman goes up for a layup against Hogan Prep. He had 23 points, but the Spoofhounds lost 69-61. Zimmerman became the first Maryville boys basketball All-State player since 2013.
Maryville’s John Zimmerman and South Nodaway’s Mallory McConkey were voted to the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association (MBCA) Class 3 boys and Class 1 girls All-State team respectively. The announcements came on Wednesday.
Zimmerman helped the Spoofhounds to a 24-5 season, a district tournament, and a state tournament appearance.
He averaged 16 points, four assists, two steals, and two rebounds per game for the Spoofhounds.
Zimmerman is the first Spoofhound boys basketball player to make the All-State roster since Jonathan Baker made it his senior season in 2013. Baker is now a quarterback on the Northwest Missouri State University football roster.
Maryville coach Matt Stoecklein said his recognition comes after a lot of hard work.
“He’s a very hard worker, and he give his all to his team,” Stoecklein said. “Whether it’s scoring, allowing teammates to score, or guarding the other team’s best player. He’s willing to do whatever it takes.”
Basketball can be an emotional game at times and Zimmerman used to have a habit of letting those emotions get to him on the court.
Stoecklein said that wasn’t the case this past year.
“He used to get a foul called on him and he’d be thinking about that the next play,” he said. “This season, John did a much better job of not letting those affect him.”
Mallory McConkey averaged 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block per contest for the Longhorns this past season.
Jefferson eliminated South Nodaway in the district tournament this past season.
It is her first appearance on the Class 1 All-State team, and it’s South Nodaway’s first All-State player since Lindsi Jackson made it in her senior season in 2009. Jackson is now the assistant coach for North Nodaway’s girls basketball team. Her sister Sami Jackson, the head coach for North Nodaway, was also an all-state player.
South Nodaway coach Aaron Murphy said McConkey is the epitome of an unselfish star.
“She works really hard for all her success, and she knows that it wouldn’t be possible without her teammates,” Murphy said. “She’d be the first one to tell you that she can’t do it without them. As far as players I’ve coached, she’s at or near the top.”
McConkey is set to join Northwest’s women’s basketball team next season.
She wasn’t the only Northwest recruit to make the list, however. Mercer’s Bailey Owens, who led her team to the Class 1 State Championship, also found her way on to the all-state team.
South Nodaway’s Mallory McConkey gets to the rim for a layup while being guarded by Rock Port’s Shelbie Gaines. McConkey finished with 21 total points the Longhorns won 58-45.
