Noah Hemmersbach and Connor Butzler formed a formidable backcourt duo that helped fuel one of the most successful eras in Cashton boys’ basketball history. In their final opportunity to share the court together while representing the Eagles, they went out with a win.
Butzler and Hemmersbach each were selected to take part in the 2024 Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-Star Games, held on Wednesday, June 26 and Thursday, June 27 at the Just-A-Game Fieldhouse in Wisconsin Dells.
The Cashton duo were each part of the Red All-Star team in the boys’ Division 5 game, which kicked off the slate of games on Thursday. The Cashton contingent on the Division 5 Red team went beyond just Butzler and Hemmersbach, as Cashton head coach Scot Wall served as the squad’s head coach with one of his usual assistants, Brandon Ihrcke, joining as part of the staff. De Soto head coach Garrett Redman was Wall’s other selected assistant.
Hemmersbach was named the Scenic Bluffs Player of the Year this past winter after posting a school-record 696 points. He was also a second-team all-conference selection as a junior. Butzler was named to the All-SBC first team as both a junior and a senior. Hemmersbach and Butzler each joined the 1,000-point club during their senior seasons, as they served as the biggest driving force behind the success of a Cashton team that got all the way to the sectional finals.
“Peanut butter and jelly. They go together. Connor Butzler and Noah Hemmersbach deserve every accolade they receive and many more. To be able to coach them one last time is awesome,” Wall said. “They set the standard for effort and production for Cashton players for years to come all while winning at a high level. Connor and Noah are great players, even better people and I am grateful for the opportunity to chase another victory with them.”
In that Division 5 All-Star game, the Red team earned a 133-110 victory over the White team. Isaiah Kastern of Solon Springs scored a game-high 25 points to set the pace for the Red squad, while Hemmersbach tallied 8 points and Butzler tacked on 5 points.
Westby’s Caleb Johnson took part in the Division 4 All-Star game, representing the White squad. He finished with 5 points as part of his team’s 123-108 triumph over the Red team. Unity’s Jaxon Tilton led the charge for the White team by pouring in 18 points in the victory.
The WBCA All-Star Games are both a celebration of the best graduating high school basketball players in the state and a way to raise money for the MACC Fund, which dedicates funding toward pediatric cancer research.
“The All-Star week experience is a Wisconsin basketball celebration of the different parts of the state and how many talented players there are in Wisconsin,” Wall said. “What comes with the All-Star Game selection is also a responsibility to give back. The players and coaches are asked to do their part by raising funds. It is a great educational piece to the All-Star Game experience because it grounds us while celebrating their achievements. The money that has been raised over the many years is significant for the MACC Fund in its fight against childhood cancers.
Click here to see full photo gallery of the Division 5 All-Star Game.
