Christensen was in the top ten of almost every Heart O’ Lakes Conference statistical category this season, finishing with 548 points (20.3ppg), 308 rebounds (11.4rpg), 92 assists (3.4apg) and 84 blocks (3.1bpg).  His overall field goal percentage was 57.9% (63.6% on 2-point shots, 37.1% on 3’s). In his career he scored 1,861 points and chased down 966 rebounds. He is the all-time scoring leader for the Cowboys and is second in rebounding to Nate Lorenz.

“Noah Christensen will go down as one of the greatest players to ever wear a Breckenridge Cowboys basketball uniform,” stated Head Coach Arly Ohm.  “No words can truly express what he has meant to this program on or off the court.  Noah helped the Cowboys to an unprecedented school record of wins in two seasons, along with being Section 8AA champions back to back.  Being a finalist for this award personifies him in every aspect. Simply put, the NDSU Bison will be getting a high character student/athlete who is a winner!”

The award is named in honor of Bob McDonald, a legend and icon in Chisholm, the state of Minnesota, and the nation for his accomplishments as a coach and his commitment to educating students. Coach McDonald, served 59 years as a high school basketball coach and is the only coach in Minnesota hoops history, and only one of 13 in the nation, to have led his teams to over 1,000 (1.012) victories. Coach McDonald was also known for instilling the values of hard work, teamwork, a strong moral code, and high academic expectations for the students he served on the court and in the classroom. Bob is a member of the MBCA Hall of Fame, the MSHSL Hall of Fame, and the NFHS National Hall of Fame.

The Award, patterned after the Wooden Award, includes, but not limited to, qualifications such as exhibiting strength of character, both on and off the court; contributing to team effort ; excelling on both offense and defense; and performance over the course of the entire season.

In addition to selecting the Player of the Year, the establishment of the award is also designed to focus attention on the positive aspects of basketball and the role coaches play in the lives of all the student-athletes they represent and serve.  In moving forward it is the goal of the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association, that the McDonald Award will be widely viewed as the top award that a high school basketball player in Minnesota can receive.