South senior makes all-state team; so does Lutheran’s Ognacevic, Verhagen 

South’s Josh Govek, who puts up a shot in a recent game, made the all-state team. – Photo by Lisa Reed

Josh Govek was scrolling through Twitter Tuesday morning when an item caught his eye.

The Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association’s Division 1 all-state team was posted, so naturally the Sheboygan South senior clicked the link.

“I wasn’t really thinking like, ‘oh, I hope my name is on it,’” he said. “But once I saw it, the first thing I did was text my dad.

“Yeah, it was great to see and it’s a humbling experience.”

Ten players made all-state first team in the division and Govek was one of 13 to receive honorable mention.

He was not expecting to see his name, but says he was hopeful.

Govek thought an improved Redwings team – they finished 10-12 – helped his chances.

“It’s hard to put a player on when the team only wins a couple games, so by winning double-digit games, I think that helped a lot,” he said. “And I think I did more than just be a scorer this year. That makes a difference.”

Govek knew his average of 23 points per game would stand out, but he thought more assists and fewer turnovers on his resume also helped.

“I was trusting my teammates more and it worked out well for me,” Govek said.

Govek, who played four seasons on the varsity, plans on attending the University of Wisconsin next year unless the option to play basketball – at a school that also fits academically – comes along.

“I was blessed with the opportunity to play at South,” he said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity and I feel like it’s really prepared me for the next step in my life with college coming up.

“I’m thankful for everyone that has supported South and I hope that I made everyone proud.”

Lutheran also has all-state selections: Crusader senior Jacob Ognacevic and sophomore Casey Verhagen were two of 10 Division 5 players picked for the all-state team.

Ognacevic, who will play at Valparaiso, is averaging 40 points and 16 rebounds per game. He needs eight more points to become only the third boy in the state to score more than 1,000 in a season.

Verhagen, the only sophomore of the 26 listed on the all-state squad – which includes honorable mention – is averaging 20 points and nine assists a game.

Lutheran plays Hustisford Thursday in a sectional semifinal and is trying to become the first Division 5 team to repeat as state champion.