Busse and Wagner each earned their second Academic All-District selections this season. Busse averaged 4.8 points per game while shooting 36% from 3-point range in her junior season, and Wagner contributed 3.1 points per game with 11 blocks on the season.

Nielsen earned her first Academic All-District nod this year while also earning an All-NSIC second-team selection. The junior forward led the team with 8.7 rebounds per game, was among the top shooters from the free-throw line nationally with a 90.6% clip from the stripe, and she averaged 13.2 points per game before missing the final six games of the year due to injury.

Maenke also earned her first selection to the academic all-district team after being one of three Mustangs to play all 29 games this year. She finished second on the team in scoring and minutes, averaging 14.2 points per game and 32.2 minutes per game, while shooting 44% from the field, 35% from 3 and 91% from the free-throw line.

Stevens, in his junior season, earned his second Academic All-District nod after finishing the season as the Mustangs’ second-leading scorer with 12.5 points per game on 45% shooting with the field, also contributing 3.5 rebounds per game and 21 blocked shots.

Photo by Samantha Davis: SMSU guard Nicole Maenke drives past a defender during an NSIC womens basketball game against Minnesota State on Dec. 19.

Buss and Shaw each earned their first Academic All-District selection this season. Shaw, a junior, was an All-NSIC second-team selection this year with 11.9 points per game while also adding a team-leading 57 steals and finishing second on the team with 77 assists. Buss, in his sophomore season, played all 28 games and averaged 2.4 points on 64% shooting.

Lakeview-native Nathan Fenske also earned his first Academic All-District nod for Bemidji State in his sophomore season. After transferring from Southwest Minnesota State, Fenske contributed 6.5 points per game on 52% shooting from the field for the Beavers this year.

Photo by Jake McNeill: Southwest Minnesota State University forwards Aeron Stevens (left) and Calvin Buss celebrate during a win over Minnesota State in NSIC mens basketball play on Dec. 18.

Independent file photo: SMSU womens basketball guard Brynn Busse passes the ball up the court during an NSIC matchup against Sioux Falls on Jan. 5.