Iowa All-State Teams: Class 4A
FIRST TEAM
Player of the Year: Joe Wieskamp, Muscatine (2018)
Stats: 30.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 56.1 FG%, 41.1 3P%, 180 FTM (81.8 FT%)
The first 4A player to lead the state in scoring since Marcus Paige, the Iowa commit poured in 30.4 points a night to go with over 10 rebounds. And he did so while shooting a ridiculously efficient 56% from the floor and 41% from 3. He was constantly double and triple-teamed, the focus of every opposing defense, but he still found ways to score in huge ways. His 180 made free throws were more than all but two other 4A players even attempted from the free throw line (Van Rees, 202; Tyreke Locure, 198). Without him, the Muskies are maybe a four or five win team. With him, they were a 15-win team that played for a chance to go to state.
Connor McCaffery, Iowa City West (2017)
Stats: 19.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 51.8 FG%, 41.0 3P%, 143 FTM (83.6 FT%)
The Iowa commit led the state champion Trojans in scoring and rebounding, while posting his most efficient season as a high schooler. He was asked to step into a bigger scoring role this year following the graduation of some talented players, and he took that role on admirably, shooting nearly 52% from the floor, 41% from deep and getting to the free throw line a ton. His 143 made free throws and 171 attempted free throws each ranked fourth in the class. A strong, physical lead guard, he adapted from his usual facilitator role and helped lead West to the state championship, book-ending his career with state titles as a freshman and a senior.
Douglas Wilson, Des Moines Hoover (2017)
Stats: 17.9 points, 14.0 rebounds, 3.4 blocks, 58.2 FG%
Wilson scored nearly 40% of the Huskies’ points this season, while doing so efficiently. Many of his points come on dunks or layups, but the springy forward has been steadily expanding his offensive skill set and becoming more versatile. Where he is truly elite is on the glass, where he pulled down a 4A-high (second in the state, regardless of class) 14 rebounds a game. Jake Sullivan, his coach at Kingdom Hoops, said that Wilson is the best rebounder he’s ever seen, and it’s clear to see why. The athletic forward will likely head to a JuCo for a few years, and should be a hot commodity among low-majors looking for a bull on the glass and on the defensive end.
Tyreke Locure, Des Moines North (2019)
Stats: 25.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 3.0 steals, 166 FTM (83.8 FT%)
This sensational sophomore guard helped lead the Polar Bears to their first state tournament appearance since 1991. He was second in 4A in scoring and assists, while finishing fifth in steals. He also ranked second in made free throws, and third in attempts. A high volume scorer with the ability to score from anywhere, he’s also one of the best passers in the state, and he paced what was arguably the most exciting offense to watch in the state.
Devontae Lane, Iowa City West (2017)
Stats: 14.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 3.1 steals, 51.0 FG%
A second Trojan lands on the first team, and Lane was exceptional on both ends of the floor for the state champions. His 77 steals ranked second in 4A, while his 103 assists ranked seventh. He was the second leading scorer for West, shooting 51% from the floor and showcasing a much improved jumper, especially from the arc, where he shot a very respectable 36.4%. His mid-range game was excellent all season, and he’s always been capable of getting to the rim using his strength. One of the state’s best perimeter defenders, he was routinely tasked with difficult assignments and always played well on that end of the floor. He’ll play at the JuCo level next year, the question is whether it’ll be for football (Iowa Western) or basketball (Des Moines Area CC). If he ends up sticking with basketball, he should become a coveted Division I guard after a year or two at DMACC.
SECOND TEAM
Van Rees, Sioux City East (2018)
Stats: 20.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, 57.0 FG%, 163 FTM (80.7 FT%)
One of just five players to average a double-double on the season in 4A, Rees finished fifth in the class in scoring and third in rebounding, while shooting 57% from the floor. He’s relentless on the glass on both ends of the floor, and posts very workmanlike performances every night. He attempted the second most free throws in the class, and made the third most, a testament to how active he is on the interior night-in, night-out.
A.J. Green, Cedar Falls (2018)
Stats: 21.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 72 3PM (43.4 3P%), 90.4 FT%
Green has established a reputation as one of the state’s most dangerous players, with the ability to explode at any time. He’s one of the best mid-range shooters we’ve seen, with the ability to get his shot whenever he wants. He knocked down 43.4% of his 3s, and his 72 made triples ranked fourth in the class. He’s an incredible ball handler and shooter, and he’s developed into one of the more sought after prospects in not only the state, but across the Midwest. Already holding a bevy of mid-major and high-major offers, look for even more to come after this spring and summer playing with one of the nation’s best grassroots teams.
Garrett Sturtz, Newton (2018)
Stats: 19.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 49.1 FG%, 134 FTM (87.0 FT%)
They play entirely different positions, but Sturtz reminds me of former Dubuque Senior forward Josh Weeber. He has remarkable footwork and is an extremely crafty scorer, using a wide variety of different moves to help get his shot off. He’s a very good shooter, nearly automatic at the free throw line, and has a knack for getting to the rim, despite not having the quickest first step. He’s got an uncanny ability to score from anywhere, and he nearly led the Cardinals to a first round upset over eventual champion West. He’s in line for a huge summer with Iowa Intensity.
Noah Carter, Dubuque Senior (2019)
Stats: 18.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 62.9 FG%, 78.9 FT%
A gifted, young 6-5 power forward, Carter put together one of the most efficient seasons of any player across the state, shooting 62.9% from the floor while leading the Rams in scoring, rebounding and blocks. He also shot 48.5% from behind the arc (albeit on only 33 attempts), and showed good touch at the free throw line, knocking down nearly 79% of his freebies. He has a knack for scoring at odd angles on the block, and his ability to operate from the arc and in makes him a very difficult player to defend.
Sam Ingoli, West Des Moines Dowling (2018)
Stats: 14.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 57.7 FG%
Dowling’s lead guard led the Maroons in scoring, rebounding and assists, while shooting nearly 58% from the floor. A strong, physical guard who only takes good shots, he paced a Maroons team that won 16 games with his play on both ends of the floor. He’s one of the state’s top perimeter on-ball defenders, and he’s become a force on the offensive end with his ability to get to the rim and score or facilitate.
THIRD TEAM
Patrick McCaffery, Iowa City West (2019)
Stats: 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.8 blocks, 60.6 FG%
The younger McCaffery had a strong season across the board, showing his ability to score around the bucket with elite length and athletic ability, while also stepping out and hitting an occasional 3. Blessed with a ridiculous wingspan, he ranked fifth in 4A in blocks, swatting away 46 shots, and all four players ahead of him are something that he is not – a true post player. A gifted, athletic wing who is still just scratching the surface of his ability, he shot 60.6% from the floor, ranked second on the team in rebounding, dished out more than two assists a game and was often assigned with the task of defending the opposing team’s best offensive player. His combination of length, lateral movement and athleticism allowed him to perform admirably in those spots, and helped earn him an all-state selection.
Jacob Rau, Waukee (2017)
Stats: 11.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 66.7 FG%
Rau made his way back from a broken foot to be a force on the interior for the Warriors, one of just five players in 4A to average a double-double. An efficient low-post player with great footwork, his development throughout the course of his high school career has been fun to watch, and he put together a very strong senior season on both ends of the floor.
Ray Miller, Davenport Central (2017)
Stats: 19.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.5 steals, 51.3 FG%
Arguably the state’s best athlete, this 6-0 senior guard lives above the rim. He’s an explosive finisher with a penchant for dunking everything, and his chasedown blocks (think LeBron on Iguodala) are exciting every time they happen. But what stands out about Miller is the development he’s made in his all-around game. He’s become a dynamic player in the halfcourt, with the ability to break a defender down with the dribble and get to the rim to finish. His jumper, while not great, has improved, and he’s a very good on-ball defender. He led the Blue Devils in scoring while shooting above 51%, led them in rebounding and blocks, while also finishing second in assists and steals. A tremendous athlete who is rounding into a very good all-around player. He’ll be a very good player at whichever JuCo he ends up at to start his college career.
Drew Maschoff, Ankeny (2017)
Stats: 20.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.9 steals
The second leading scorer in the CIML, Maschoff put up just under 21 points a game, while stuffing the stat sheet in other areas as well. In addition to being their leading scorer, he led the Hawks in rebounding, assists and steals, while finishing second in blocks. An athletic wing with the ability to get to the rim, he had a big senior season and will head to Division II Sioux Falls to play his college ball.
Kyle Lang, Mason City (2017)
Stats: 19.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 50.9 FG%
This senior guard finished third in the CIML in scoring, pouring in nearly 20 points a game, and he helped pace a Mason City team that was one of the state’s biggest surprises, especially early in the season. A versatile threat with the ability to get hot from deep, like in the Mohawks game against Ankeny, where he went 8-8 from the arc en route to 41 points. A big-time scorer, he’ll play his college ball at Dordt.
Honorable mentions: Bailey Basala, North Scott (2017); Joe Evans, Ames (2018); Jal Bijiek, Des Moines North (2017); Max Smith Drahos, Cedar Rapids Prairie (2017); Aidan Vanderloo, Sioux City East (2019); Connor Gholson, Newton (2017); Connor Kasperbauer, Ankeny Centennial (2017); Chad Moran, Council Bluffs Lewis Central (2017); Trey Hutcheson, Linn-Mar (2019); Drake Brewster, Cedar Rapids Kennedy (2017); Troy Houghton, Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln (2018); CaRondis Harris-Anderson, Waterloo West (2018); Drew Johnson, Waukee (2017)