Iowa All-State Teams: Class 2A
FIRST TEAM
Player of the Year: Matt Dentlinger, Carroll Kuemper (2017)
Stats: 19.3 points, 12.4 rebounds, 3.4 blocks, 62.6 FG%, 42.5 3P%
The future South Dakota State Jackrabbit was exceptional all year for one of 2A’s best teams. Kuemper spent some time atop our rankings in 2A, and Dentlinger helped carry them to a third place finish at the state tournament. He averaged a big double-double on the year, was highly efficient in doing so, and he’s got the ability to score on the block almost at will or stretch the floor out to the arc. He blocked a 2A-high 93 shots on the season, and was just the best two-way player in the class all season long.
Collin Hill, South Hamilton (2017)
Stats: 21.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 60.7 FG%
Another player who was very seriously considered for POY honors, Hill was unbelievably efficient, shooting 60.7% from the floor and scoring 22 points a game for the Hawks. He was nearly impossible to stop once South Hamilton forced teams to come out of zone defenses with his ability to break down a defender one-on-one and either get to the rim, the free throw line or score in the mid-range. He competes on the glass at a high level, and was a solid defender as well, leading a good defensive team in steals and blocks. Dentlinger edged him out by a hair, but Hill had a remarkable career and will be a great player for Truman State.
Ethan Wyant, Jesup (2017)
Stats: 24.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 56.6 FG%, 40.3 3P%
Jesup’s senior guard was 2A’s leading scorer, putting up north of 24 points a game, and he was highly efficient in doing so. It’s rare for a guard to shoot above 50% from the floor, and Wyant didn’t just do that, he connected on 56.6% of his shots. Armed with a lethal mid-range game, he’s one of the best shooters in the state off the dribble, with the ability to stop and elevate on a dime. His ball handling and shooting ability made him a nearly impossible player to defend, and had the J-Hawks not had to move up to 2A this season, he could’ve potentially led them to a state title.
Levi Jungling, Pella Christian (2017)
Stats: 17.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.0 steals
Jungling was one of the best players in one of the state’s best leagues, the Little Hawkeye, which is primarily a 3A league. The dazzling point guard netted 17 points a game, leading the Eagles to the state title game, where they fell to Western Christian, but he was really good all season. A lightning quick guard with a great first step, he’s able to get to the rim and finish or distribute, and he’s proven to be a solid perimeter shooter as well. He had a marvelous career, and it ends with an all-state selection.
Cooper Kabela, West Branch (2017)
Stats: 23.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 56.8 FG%, 57.4 3P%
The leading scorer for a West Branch team that went on a 12-game winning streak late in the season, Kabela put together an outstanding senior year. He ranked fourth in 2A in scoring to go with eight rebounds a game. He’s an efficient scorer with the ability to score inside and out, and he had the ability to take over a game seemingly whenever. He could step out and hit a 3, opening up his penetration, or he could just bully his way to scores on the block. He was at his best in the Bears’ substate final loss to Camanche, going for 32 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks.
SECOND TEAM
Dylan Hundley, Camanche (2017)
Stats: 15.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 3.2 steals
A stat sheet stuffing machine, Hundley was one of a few players to average a double-double on the season. He also ranked second in assists for the Indians and first in steals, a testament to his all-around skill set. A versatile 6-5 combo forward, he’s got the ability to score inside and out, handles the ball fairly well and is a very good passer who takes care of the ball. He helped lead Camanche to their first state tournament since 1985.
Tyus Arends, Sioux Center (2018)
Stats: 18.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 81 3PM, 45.3 3P%
Arends had a really strong season for the Warriors, ranking second in 2A in 3-pointers made, and he was by far the most efficient 3-point shooter of those who attempted more than 100 3s during the year. The Warriors’ leading scorer at just under 19 points a game, he was also second in assists on the team and led them in steals. Sioux Center returns their top six scorers next year, so keep Arends’ name on your radar.
Ben Gesink, Western Christian (2017)
Stats: 15.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 55.2 FG%
The best player for 2A’s best team, Gesink stuffed the stat sheet all year for the champion Wolfpack, leading the team in every major category outside of blocks. He averaged a team best 15 points, shot 55% from the floor, and got others involved as well, dishing out four assists a game. A thin guard who maneuvers his body well in the paint, he excels playing down hill and getting to the rim, where he finishes at a high rate or can leave it off to a big after the defense collapses. He was at his best in the semifinals, posting a 24-9-8 stat line that perfectly encapsulates what he’s all about.
Ben Juhl, Des Moines Christian (2017)
Stats: 21.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 63.4 FG%, 48.1 3P%
This lefty guard paced 2A’s highest scoring offense with eye-popping efficiency, shooting 63% from the floor and 48% from the arc en route to his 21 points per game. His shooting splits of 63-48-79 are unheard of, and he proved to be nearly impossible to defend all year long, with his combination of strength and ball handling getting him to the rim frequently (being a lefty also helped, something kids don’t see that often, more difficult to defend). So why just the second team? Well, 2A was loaded, the Lions played a weaker schedule than some of the first teamers, and he didn’t contribute quite as well across the board the way some others did. Nonetheless, a fantastic season to end his career on.
Austin Roetman, Pocahontas Area (2017)
Stats: 23.4 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, 52.7 FG%
The future Briar Cliff forward was one of few players to average a double-double, and Roetman did it in a big way, averaging 23 and 12, to go with three blocks a game. A versatile scorer with the ability to stretch the floor or bang in the paint, he proved to be efficient (52.7 FG%) and a force on both ends of the floor. The 6-8 stretch four has a bright future for the Chargers and ended his high school career with some huge numbers.
THIRD TEAM
Jay Small, Hinton (2017)
Stats: 24.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.3 steals, 77 3PM
A gifted 6-2 combo guard, Small recently committed to start his college career at JuCo powerhouse Kirkwood (Cedar Rapids). Capable of filling the stat sheet every night, he’s a skilled scorer with the ability to get to the rim and finish or catch fire from behind the arc. His 77 made 3s ranked third in 2A, and he dished out the fifth most assists in the class as well.
Jesse Jansma, Western Christian (2017)
Stats: 14.7 points, 5.0 rebounds
Jansma saved his best for late in the season, earning Most Outstanding Player honors on our Elite All-Tournament team after his incredible state tournament run. A big, physical guard capable of torching teams from deep (as he proved in Des Moines), he was second in scoring on 2A’s best team despite playing through a lingering football injury for much of the early season.
Riley LeGrand, Dyersville Beckman (2017)
Stats: 15.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 6.6 assists
The Blazers lead guard finished third in 2A in assists, while also leading the team in scoring, rebounding, steals and blocks. Armed with good size (6-4), this floor general had the ball in his hands a ton for the Blazers, dishing out 103 more assists than the next closest teammate.
Isaiah Humphrey, Underwood (2017)
Stats: 21.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.6 steals, 51.1 FG%
A 6-2 combo guard, Humphrey was 10th in the class in scoring, and did so efficiently, shooting over 51% from the floor. He knocked down 43 3s at a 38.7% clip as well. He led the Eagles in rebounding, assists, steals and blocks.
Marco Balderas, South Hamilton (2018)
Stats: 12.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.9 assists (3.97-to-1 assist-to-turnover), 2.5 steals, 51.2 FG%, 87.4 FT%
One of the state’s best point guards was great on both ends of the floor for South Hamilton, swiping 2.5 steals a game and doing an exceptional job taking care of the ball, posting a nearly 4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Listed at just 5-7, he’s a fearless guard who attacks the rim and is armed with a lethal floater game to score over bigger defenders. His tenacity and efficiency on both ends of the floor lands him an all-state selection.
Honorable mentions: Trenton Massner, Wapello (2018); Dakota Soenksen, Camanche (2017); Ben Latusek, Dike-New Hartford (2017); Zane Johnson, East Marshall (2018); Zaine Leedom, East Marshall (2018); David Kacmarynski, Pella Christian (2017); Drew Olson, Osage (2018); Isaac Heyer, West Lyon (2017); Tyler Lienau, Jesup (2017); Dakota Jaeschke, Southeast Valley (2017); Logan Hoffman, Tipton (2018)