Iowa’s 50-40-90 Candidates: Who’s Got a Shot?
Joe Smoldt was close last season, so were Jordan Bohannon and AJ Green. The common thread between those three? They were some of the most skilled shooters in the state last winter. The supreme skill that those three possess is necessary to reach the 50-40-90 mark; that’s going a whole season shooting 50 percent from the floor, 40 percent from deep, and perhaps the toughest task of them all, connecting on 90 percent of your free throw attempts. Below, we’ve highlighted 20 guys who have a shot at the iconic feat this season.
Ben Juhl (Des Moines Christian)
He’s a joy to watch because of his high skill paired with great bounce. After notching some of the best shooting totals in the state last season, 60 from the floor, 45 percent from 3 and 80 percent from the line, he’s off to another blistering start this season; 66 percent from the floor, 50 percent from deep and 78 percent from the line. Can he get those free throws up is the only question here.
PJ Rundquist (Wapsie Valley)
The sophomore guard has the state’s first 50 point game of the year already (it may be the only one this season), and his shooting g numbers are sterling. Through three games he’s gone 52 percent from the floor, 61 percent from deep and 13-13 from the line.
Joe Smoldt (Gladbrook-Reinbeck)
He was as close as anyone last season; 51-43-85. And like so many others, it’s that 90 percent free-throw percentage that’s elusive. So far this season the Upper Iowa signee has percentages of 55-45-87. It will be especially tough for this 1A standout to accomplish this feat; he’s absolutely hounded every night out.
Jay Small (Hinton)
Like everyone else on this list, this kid can flat out shoot the rock. The Omaha Elite product and Iowa’s 7th-ranked 2017, Small is shooting at an incredible clip so far this season. It’s early, but he’s got a 50-40-90 going. Though five games Small is 52 percent from the floor, 48 percent from deep and 92 percent from the line.
Kaleb Cresswell (Fort Madison)
His Bloodhounds are a quarter of the way through their season, and after six games Cresswell has averages of 65 percent from the floor, an unbelievable 74 percent from 3 (13-19), and exactly 90 percent from the line.
Connor Kasperbauer (Ankeny Centennial)
The Jaguars are off to a fast start this season, and Kasperbauer’s been ripping the nets in the process. Like many others on this list, it could come down to his prowess at the charity stripe that determines whether he reaches this feat or not. Through four games Kasperbauer has a 45-43-83 line.
Tyler Eggert (Benton)
We saw this Benton standout flourish this offseason at the Norwalk team camp, and he’s carried that momentum into his senior season. Through five games Eggert is shooting 52 percent from the floor, 52 percent from deep and 86 percent from the line.
Ryan Miller (North Linn)
A skilled athlete who has had an outstanding start to his junior season, Miller is averaging 23.8 points per game through the Lynx’s first four games. Why? Because he’s putting together percentages of 61-56-93. Wow.
Max Stoltz (Ballard)
Stoltz was one part of the Ballard duo we featured in our “Best Shooting Duos” article from this past summer, and he’s living up top that hype. Through four games Stoltz is lighting it up, with averages of 50-48-92. If the season ended now, he’d be a qualifier.
AJ Green (Cedar Falls)
We all now that Green is not only one of the state’s best point guards, but one of the Midwest’s best. A big reason why is because he’s as silky and precise a shooter as there is. He’ll be hounded each night out, and will take a high volume of shots, so it will be more difficult for him. But he’s certainly got the ability to make it happen.
Others with a Shot
Trey Hinote (Greene County)
Trent Stahl (Nevada)
Zach Martinek (West Fork, Sheffield)
Dylan Harris (Center Point-Urbana)
Alec Langel (Gehlen Catholic)
RJ Harris (AHSTW)
Kaleb Haeffner (Danville)
Andrew Stewart (Tipton)
Charlie Dugger (Lake Mills)
Seth Weiland (West Hancock)