Iowa Player of the Week (11)
Tyler Ihle (Ballard)
The Bombers won both of their games last week, and not coincidentally Tyler Ihle had his best two game stretch of the season. The 6-foot-3 sharpshooter averaged 29.5 points on 62 percent shooting and dropped 11 triples in the wins. His 36 point and eight 3-pointer effort in a 93-52 win over North Polk was his best game of the season.
Van Rees (Sioux City East)
There’s been several weeks when this 6-foot-6 combo-forward could have made this poll, but this week he was impossible to leave off. In two Black Raiders wins, Rees was outstanding, netting 33 points per game and snaring 13 rebounds in each. The junior Martin Brothers product was getting it done defensively too, swiping 1.5 steals per game in the wins.
Troy Houghton (Council Bluffs Lincoln)
A newcomer to Iowa high school hoops, Houghton came to CB Lincoln from Omaha, and has been enjoying a tremendous junior season with the Lynx. He was at his best last week during two wins, doing a little bit of everything for his team. The 6-foot-3 wing averaged 16 points on 50 percent shooting, 9.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.5 blocks in the two Ws.
Tyler Lienau (Jesup)
Jesup has enjoyed plenty of success this season, and their one-two punch of Ethan Wyant and Lienau is one of the best in the state. Lienau is averaging 15.2 points and 8 rebounds per game this season, but kicked it up several notches last week in two J-Hawks wins, averaging 23 points on 62 percent shooting, 9 rebounds, 5 steals and 3 blocks per game.
Logan Hoffman (Tipton)
This 6-foot-4 junior was critical to the Tigers’ success last week, and they’ve earned the right to play in a district final Tuesday night against West Branch. Hoffman was especially good last Thursday night in a 78-66 district semifinal win over West Burlington, netting 34 points on 7-9 shooting (20-22 FTs), and pulling down 13 rebounds. He scored 20 points and snared 12 rebounds in a first round win over Mediapolis last Monday.