STATE TOURNAMENT: Elite All-Tournament (3rd Team)
Van Rees, Sioux City East (2019)
Stats: 21.3 points (59.4 FG%, 87.0 FT%), 6.7 rebounds
Rees was the highest scoring player in the 4A field, putting up 21.3 points a game, and doing so efficiently. His rebounding numbers were great in the quarterfinal win over Bettendorf, but fell off a bit in the semifinals and consolation game. He was still strong enough on the glass to finish third in 4A. Nothing this young big does will overwhelm you, but he’s relentless in the paint, scores efficiently and puts together a very workmanlike performance every time on the court. T.J. and I looked down at the stat sheet and the semifinals and just thought “Wow, Rees has 25 points.” Quietest 25 points I’ve seen in a while, but that’s part of the beauty of it.
Jake Hilmer, North Linn (2019)
Stats: 23.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 3.7 steals
The sophomore guard has been one of 1A’s best players all season, and he finally had a chance to put it on full display at Wells Fargo Arena. While his previously unbeaten Lynx lsot in the semifinals, Hilmer was his usual stat-sheet stuffing self, going toe-to-toe with Joe Smoldt for most of the afternoon. He’s shown himself to be a force on the defensive end, finished with the third highest single-season assist total in state history and was one of the week’s leading scorers, regardless of class. A strong showing for Hilmer, who should lead his team back here a few more times before his career is over.
Derek Krogmann, West Delaware (2019)
Stats: 15.0 points (61.5 FG%), 12.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists
The sophomore big was the leading scorer during the season for the Hawks, who were unbeaten entering the week. While they finished fourth, he continued his strong play, posting double-doubles in each of West Delaware’s three games, including a monster 24-13 game in their hard fought semifinal loss to Sergeant Bluff-Luton. He’s got a great combination of size and skill, and will be a force for the next two years.
Chris Kroll, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (2017)
Stats: 18.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 3.7 steals
The senior leader for a Sergeant Bluff-Luton team that made a run to the 3A title game, Kroll lead the Warriors in scoring for the week, in large part because of the magnificent semifinal he played. He may have delivered the best all-around game of the tournament in their win over West Delaware, scoring 32 points (on 8-13 FG, 3-4 3P, 13-15 FT), to go with 10 rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block. He stuffed the stat sheet all week, and if he had been able to muster just a bit more offense on Saturday night, the Warriors may have been the 3A champions.
Grant DeMeulenaere, Grand View Christian (2018)
Stats: 15.0 points (52.8 FG%), 3.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.0 steals
The junior point guard was Grand View Christian’s most consistent scoring threat throughout the week, averaging a team-high 15 points en route to a state title. His mid-range jumper was on point all week, with the ability to stop on a dime and elevate into a 15-footer on full display. He also played the facilitator role well, and helped spark a defense that was dynamite in all three games.