2011 marks the 50th year for the Newschannel 7 Basketball All-Stars. Let's meet the 10 gentlemen who make up this year's golden edition, voted upon by the coaches of northcentral Wisconsin.

We start with the small schools.

First up is Brian Erickson of Wild Rose. The CWC-10 player of the year, led the 21-4 wildcats to the Conference Championship. Scored better than 17 points, plus 6 rebounds, 3 steals and an assist while shooting 55 percent from the field.

Cody Hanke of Marathon is an All-Star once again. He led the Red Raiders to the Division 4 state championship, is the Marawood South player of the year and a 1st team D4 all-state selection. Hanke shot an incredible 69-percent from the floor, averaging better than 24 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.

Auburndale's Austin Hawkins cracks our All-Star lineup as a sophomore. He averaged 15 points, almost 8 boards, 2 assists, knocking down 55-percent of his shots while leading the Apaches to a share of the Marawood South championship.

Next is Jordan Lutz from Amherst. A Division 4 all-state selection, and the CWC-8 co-player of the year. His nearly 16 points and 6 rebounds per game average led the Falcons to the conference and regional championships.

Rounding out the small school All-Stars is Daniel Petkau of Rib Lake, now a 2-time NewsChannel 7 All-Star. Petkau was a force down in the post for the Redmen, and was named the Marawood North Conference co-player of the year.

To the large schools now...

We start with Luke Heller of DC Everest. Heller scored nearly 20 points per outing for the Evergreens, with 8 rebounds, almost 2 assists. He was a defensive presence with 44 blocked shots, shot 55-percent from the floor and 71-percent at the free throw line, leading the Evergreens to its first regional championship in 13 years.

From Merrill, Paul Jesperson is a repeat selection. A first-team all state performer, he led the Blue Jays to their 2nd state appearance in school history, first since 1964, finishing runner-up in Division 2. He averaged over 22 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal per game. Jesperson's headed to Virginia next season.

Joe Ritchay from Wisconsin Rapids. Named to the Division 1 all-state team, and also selected as the Valley Conference player of the year. Ritchay led the Red Raiders to an undefeated Calley Conference title, pouring in more than 19 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists while shooting 43-percent from behind the arc.

Mosinee's Kyle Stankowski. The 6-9 senior averaged almost 21 points and pulled down 11 rebounds, making 55 percent of his shots, and an eye-popping 88 blocks on the season. The Great Northern Conference player of the year, Stankowski's presence in the paint led the Indians to its first winning season since 2005. He's taking his talents to Michigan Tech.

Finally, Marshfield's Cale Zuiker pops up on our list for a 2nd straight year. Zuiker scored 18 points per game, to go along with 5 rebounds, while shooting 85-percent from the charity stripe and 45 percent from the floor. Zuiker is headed to division one Youngstown State next season.

Congratulations to the 2011 NewsChannel 7 Boys Basketball All-Stars, from all of us at NewsChannel 7.

SMALL SCHOOL ALL-STARS:
Brian Erickson, Wild Rose, Senior
Cody Hanke, Marathon, Senior
Austin Hawkins, Auburndale, Sophomore
Jordan Lutz, Amherst, Senior
Daniel Petkau, Rib Lake, Senior

LARGE SCHOOL ALL-STARS:
Luke Heller, DC Everest, Junior
Paul Jesperson, Merrill, Senior
Joe Ritchay, Wisconsin Rapids, Senior
Kyle Stankowski, Mosinee, Senior
Cale Zuiker, Marshfield, Senior

NewsChannel 7 would like to thank the following boys basketball coaches for participating in this year's All-Stars, helping to keep the tradition alive:
Travis Schindler, Abbotsford
Jered Massen, Adams-Friendship
Curt Lamb, Almond-Bancroft
Gregg Jensen, Amherst
Jesse Shaw, Antigo
Gary Weisenbeck, Assumption
John Schreiner, Athens
Chad Weinfurter, Auburndale
Ted Kietlinski, Bowler
Chuck Woelfel, Chequamegon
Paul Knetter, Colby
Cory Heckel, DC Everest
Jim Heidmann, Edgar
Nicholas Hall, Elcho
John Ostermann, Goodman
Al Dallman, Greenwood
Sam Bertsch, Iola-Scandinavia
Brett Fox, Laona
Ted Voigt, Lakeland
Jeff Reiche, Marathon
Craig Michaelis, Marshfield
Joe Konieczny, Marshfield Columbus
Ron Lien, Medford
Kurt Soderberg, Merrill
Andy Bruess, Mosinee
Nate Ehlen, Neillsville
Chuck Baldeshwiler, Nekoosa
Jeff Gress, Newman
Russ Weiler, Owen-Withee
John Korth, Pacelli
Kregg Mueller, Phelps
Dan Hoffa, Pittsville
Jerry Shoup, Prentice
Derrek Lemmens, Rhinelander
Terry Voltz, Rib Lake
Scott Anderson, SPASH
Randy Reckner, Spencer
Curt Schmidt, Stratford
Rich Sonnentag, Thorp
Brad Volkmann, Three Lakes
Nick Desrochers, Tigerton,
Tim Albert, Tomahawk
Dusty Rhodes, Tri-County
William Taylor, Wabeno
Jason Teske, Wausau East
Jeff Bruggink, Wausau West
Jim Komp, Wild Rose
Dan Witter, Wisconsin Rapids
Werner Gross, WI Valley Lutheran
Lon Ebel, Wittenberg-Birnamwood