STATE TOURNAMENT: 10 Who Impressed on Saturday
Jackson Joens, Cedar Rapids Xavier (2018) — 11 points (3-6 FG, 3-5 3P, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, one assist
Joens has proven that he loves the championship spotlight, knocking down his first three 3s of the night after going 2-3 from behind the arc in last year’s championship game. The 6-5 sharpshooter moves really well off the ball to find space in the defense, has a quick release and with his size, can get his shot off against smaller defenders without much space. He contributed on the glass and was a solid team defender throughout the night.
Quinn Schulte, Cedar Rapids Xavier (2019) — two rebounds, three assists
Schulte did nothing on the offensive end, missing the only shot he took. But he was exceptional on the defensive end, limiting Sergeant Bluff-Luton star guard Chris Kroll to 13 points on 6-18 shooting, and held him to just four points in the second half. The sophomore was assigned a difficult task, and he did a great job limiting one of the tournament’s top scorers.
Matt Mims, Cedar Rapids Xavier (2018) — 17 points (7-15 FG, 1-5 3P, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, five assists, one block, one steal
The Saints’ star scored eight of their first 10 points of the fourth quarter, including the go-ahead layup with 42 seconds left that proved to be the game-winner. A silky smooth scoring guard, he’s a great passer who fits some of his passes into spaces that few others guards even see. He was huge down the stretch for the Saints, who won their second consecutive state title in 3A.
Nolan Butkowski, Cedar Rapids Xavier (2017) — 12 points (4-9 FG, 2-4 3P, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, four assists, one steal
An exceptional role player throughout the season for Xavier, Butkowski may have put together his best all-around game of the season here. He was the game’s leading rebounder with nine, contributed 12 points, including a couple of huge 3-pointers, and he made the title-clinching free throws with 3.8 seconds to play.
Jackson Wright, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (2017) — 19 points (8-14 FG, 3-4 FT), five rebounds
The big fella was probably the most consistent player in the 3A field (outside of Austin Phyfe) throughout the week, and he concluded his tournament with a sterling 19 point outing. He helped get Max Techau into foul trouble, and then took advantage of it when Techau went to the bench. He does a great job carving out space, has good footwork and touch around the rim, and he uses his wide frame to his advantage. A strong performance to cap off a really good week for this all-tournament performer.
Connor McCaffery, Iowa City West (2017) — 19 points (4-8 FG, 2-5 3P, 9-9 FT), eight rebounds, two assists, three steals
The Trojans’ senior leader was in control the entire night en route to a game-high 19 points. He went a perfect 9-9 from the line, knocked down a few timely 3-pointers, and competed on the glass against a big, physical Valley team, pulling down a co-game-high eight rebounds. The 6-6 point guard book-ended his high school career with state titles, a starter and role player as a freshman when they beat Valley, and the senior star and captain of the all-tournament team as a senior state champion.
Quinton Curry, West Des Moines Valley (2017) — 15 points (6-10 FG, 3-4 FT), eight rebounds, one assist
You would’ve never known that Curry was coming off an ACL injury with his play this week, and this night was no exception. An absolute bull around the rim, he uses his strength to finish through contact time after time. The Tigers’ emotional leader, he had a few bucket-and-ones that looked like they could give Valley some momentum, unfortunately they ran into a better team tonight. Headed to Division II Rockhurst, Curry ends a fabulous high school career in which he played for three state titles, winning one, with a typical workmanlike game.
Patrick McCaffery, Iowa City West (2019) — 12 points (4-8 FG, 1-4 3P, 3-4 FT), five rebounds, five assists, two blocks, two steals
The younger McCaffery was very strong on the defensive end in this game, helping limit Charley Crowley to seven points on 2-5 shooting. Crowley had been sensational in the Tigers’ first two games of the tournament, but McCaffery’s length proved to be problematic. He blocked two shots, altered a few others and essentially took Crowley out of this championship game. He contributed 12 points as well, throwing down a few dunks, knocking down a corner 3 and scoring in the paint. He added five rebounds and dished out five assists as well. After a poor quarterfinal game against Newton, the 6-8 sophomore was great in the semifinals and tonight.
Austin Hinkle, West Des Moines Valley (2017) — 13 points (4-11 FG, 3-8 3P, 2-4 FT), one assist
The other big scorer for Valley tonight, Hinkle delivered some big 3s for the Tigers, knocking down some shots that allowed Valley to linger within striking distance. The senior guard won’t blow you away with anything he does, but he proved to be a solid floor general all week, capable of knocking down some clutch shots and getting to the rim.
Devontae Lane, Iowa City West (2017) — 13 points (5-11 FG, 1-4 3P, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, two assists, four steals
The Trojans’ senior guard is celebrating his 18th birthday with a state championship. He scored 13 points, knocked down some big buckets to help keep Valley at bay, and was his usual dazzling self on the defensive end, coming away with four steals and helping limit Valley’s effectiveness. He’s been a great player for all four years of his varsity career, but has saved his best for late in the season, performing at a high level all week for the state champs.