DFJ photo by Troy Banning NEH senior forward Houston Harreld (11) drives around a Mason City Newman defender this season. The Trojan starter was named to the Class 1A third team all-state squad by the INA on Tuesday.

BLAIRSBURG — Houston Harreld would have liked nothing more than to see his prep career end on the big floor in the big arena at the state basketball tournament. But as parting gifts go, this one isn’t too bad. Mason City Newman derailed the plans of Harreld and his Northeast Hamilton teammates in the Class 1A district final round, and last week the Trojans were forced to watch from the stands as eight teams lived out their dream inside Wells Fargo Arena. The pain was pushed into the background somewhat for Harreld on Tuesday though when he learned the Iowa Newspaper Association had labeled him an all-state player. The 6-foot-4 senior forward was named to the third team by a panel of sports writers from across the state. He was the only player from the Iowa Star Conference to earn all-state status. “This means a lot to me because I’ve worked really hard and it paid off,” Harreld said when he learned of the honor.