Iowa All-State Teams: Class 1A
FIRST TEAM
Player of the year: Joe Smoldt, Gladbrook-Reinbeck (2017)
Stats: 29.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 2.7 steals, 51.6 FG%, 49.1 3P%, 85.1 FT%
The recently named Mr. Basketball is a pretty easy choice for the Class 1A Player of the Year for the second straight season. The senior guard was second in the state in scoring, regardless of class, putting up 30 points a game despite being double and triple teamed routinely. He made 109 3-pointers on the year (18 more than any other player in the state), and did so at a nearly 50% clip. He’s proven he’s not just a scorer, as well, dishing out nearly five assists a game. The senior class at Gladbrook-Reinbeck went 100-10 during their careers, and Smoldt is the reason why. Without him, they’re a fine 1A team. With him, they were state title contenders every year.
Jake Hilmer, North Linn (2019)
Stats: 21.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 9.8 assists, 4.5 steals, 56.4 FG%
The sophomore guard led North Linn to a No. 1 ranking for much of the year and an unbeaten regular season. A dynamic force on both ends of the floor, he led the state in steals and assists (by 85!), and was a big-time scorer as well for the Lynx. He’s an efficient threat who thrives at getting into the paint with his quickness and ball handling, and he excels at setting up his teammates. He’ll be among the front runners for the 1A Player of the Year award next season.
Ben Dentlinger, New London (2017)
Stats: 15.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4.3 blocks, 58.5 FG%
Dentlinger was left off the 1A teams altogether by the INA, which has to be attributed to the fact that he missed half of the season due to an injury. Nonetheless, when he was on the floor, he was without a doubt one of the top players in 1A, and should be rewarded as such. A double-double machine who is capable of scoring from anywhere on the floor, the 6-5 combo forward was also a force on the defensive end, blocking more than four shots a game, and altering many others. He’s efficient, athletic and versatile, and he’ll be a nice player for Wayne State.
Brady Gavin, Martensdale-St. Mary’s (2018)
Stats: 22.6 points, 13.2 rebounds, 72.8 FG%
A 6-7 junior forward, Gavin averaged a huge double-double for a Martensdale-St. Mary’s team that fell into the substate final. He shot an astounding 72.8% from the floor to go with 22 points and 13 rebounds a night. He also chipped in nearly two blocks a game for the Blue Devils.
Grant DeMeulenaere, Grand View Christian (2018)
Stats: 19.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 3.2 steals, 57.4 FG%, 41.7 3P%
The junior point guard for the state champion Thunder was great on both ends of the floor all season, helping pace the state’s most potent offense and stingy defense. Armed with a silky smooth mid-range game, he was a dynamic leader who the Thunder could give the ball to whenever they needed a bucket.
SECOND TEAM
Nicholas Ruden, St. Mary’s, Remsen (2018)
Stats: 15.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 57.9 FG%
Ruden was really good at the 1A state tournament, proving why he was the most important player for one of the two 1A teams that entered the tournament undefeated. He’s capable of scoring from anywhere on the floor, but was truly exceptional in the paint, using his footwork and touch to score efficiently, while also possessing the ability to stretch the defense from the arc. A skilled combo forward who had a very good year for a very good team.
Riley Van Wyhe, Central Lyon (2017)
Stats: 22.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 50.8 FG%
One of the top scorers in the class, Van Wyhe put up big numbers for a Central Lyon team that struggled a bit this season, going just 8-14. An efficient scorer with the ability to score from anywhere on the floor, he was a big bright spot in a rough year for the Lions. Had Central Lyon been a little more successful, Van Wyhe likely would’ve found himself on our first team.
Jovonte Squiers, Lone Tree (2017)
Stats: 12.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 4.7 steals
Lone Tree’s senior point guard has been stuffing the stat sheet for four years now, and his final season was no exception. He finished fifth in the state in assists, regardless of class, and third in steals. His ability to make plays on both ends of the floor, despite not having big scoring numbers, are what lands him on the second team.
Christian Kyles, Siouxland Christian (2017)
Stats: 21.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 3.3 steals, 56.2 FG%, 40.6 3P%
This senior scoring guard put up big numbers and did so in an efficient manner, with 56-40-81 shooting splits. An athletic slasher who excelled at getting to the rim, he also posted an assist-to-turnover ratio of better than 3-to-1 in leading the Eagles to their best season in the school’s (brief) history.
Jesse Van Wyk, Lynnville-Sully (2018)
Stats: 12.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 54.4 FG%
Van Wyk led the Hawks in nearly every statistical category, and was the leader on both ends of the floor for one of 1A’s best teams. His scoring numbers won’t blow you away, but he was efficient (54.4%) for one of the state’s most balanced teams (four averaged in double figures). His all-around play earns him a spot on the second team.
THIRD TEAM
Seth Moeller, Prince of Peace Prep (2017)
Stats: 21.0 points, 4.3 rebounds
A versatile scorer, Moeller proved he could play with 1A’s best in a pair of meetings with North Linn, in which he averaged 18.5 points a game. He’s got the ability to score inside and out, and is one of the best athletes in 1A.
Mason Porter, New London (2019)
Stats: 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.7 steals, 55.4 FG%
When Ben Dentlinger went down with an injury for New London, it was Porter who stepped up, and he did so in a big way. A strong, physical sophomore guard, he excels at getting to the rim and finishing (hence the 55.4 FG%), and he’s very strong on the glass on both ends of the floor.
Zach Martinek, West Fork (2019)
Stats: 17.4 points, 6.2 rebounds
A lanky wing, Martinek had a big sophomore season for the Warhawks, leading the team in scoring, rebounding, 3-pointers made and he was among the leaders in 1A in both free throws made and attempted, a testament to his skill set and the constant attack mode that he plays with.
Paul Rundquist, Wapsie Valley (2019)
Stats: 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.1 steals, 65 3PM
One of the most explosive scorers in 1A, Rundquist had a 50-point game early in the year against Sumner-Fredricksburg, knocking down nine 3-pointers en route to those 50 points.
Niko Gosnell, Lone Tree (2017)
Stats: 17.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, 62.9 FG%
One of the state’s most intriguing players, Gosnell went through a major growth spurt before his junior season, transforming him form a point guard to a 6-7 force on the interior. He runs the floor extremely well, has guard skills and can protect the rim, making him a very interesting player for JuCo programs to keep an eye on.
Honorable mentions: Nathan Karsjens, AGWSR, Ackley (2017); Dakota Strong, Montezuma (2017); Stephen Glenn, Grand View Christian (2017); Kaleb Anderson, Lenox (2017); Seth Weiland, West Hancock (2017); Colby Seuntjens, Maple Valley-Anthon-Oto (2018); Jarod Nichols, Colfax-Mingo (2018); Ryan Miller, North Linn (2019)