Iowa’s Premier Performers (Week 5)
Each week, we’ll sift through quikstats.com, Twitter, emails and the like in search of the best performances from around the state. It’s the 40-point games, triple doubles and stat-stuffing performances that are likely to make the list. Below, you’ll find 10 of this week’s eye-opening performances.
Rhett Darland (2018)
6’2 SG, Clarion-Goldfield
27 points, 10-11 FGs, 7-7 3s
The Cowboys’ sniper was was painstakingly close to a perfect shooting night during a shellacking of Hampton-Dumont on Friday night. And he was indeed perfect from beyond the arc, canning all seven of his 3-point attempts.
Masen Miller (2020)
5’10 G, Regina
29 points, 9-15 3s, 9 rebounds
Despite his small stature, Miller was getting after it on the boards during an eight point win over Bellevue last Friday night, nabbing a team-high nine of them. But that was secondary to the 29 points he dropped in the win, and the nine 3s he dropped on the Comets.
Jarad Kruse (2018)
6’4 SF, Oskaloosa
27 points (10-15 FGs, 3-4 3s), 11 rebounds, 4 assists
Oskaloosa laid the hammer on previously unbeaten Norwalk last Friday night, and it was Jarad Kruse who shined the brightest. He scored a game-high 27 points, and snared a game-high 11 rebounds. That’s especially impressive when you consider the amount of talent that was on the floor that night.
Xavier Foster (2020)
6’9 F, Oskaloosa
15 points (7-9 FGs, 1-1 3s), 8 blocks, 7 rebounds, 4 assists
The Indians’ win over Norwalk was so impressive, we thought them worthy of two spots on this list — it was the game of the year after-all. And top 2020 prospect Xavier Foster certainly lived up to his billing in the win. The efficiency is great, but it’s the eight blocks that are most eye-opening. He’s gonna go down as one of the best shot-blockers in Iowa high school history.
Noah Beck (2020)
5’5 PG, BGM, Brooklyn
27 points, 9 steals, 7 assists, 6 rebounds
He’s small but mighty, and the proof was in the pudding during a 67-51 win over BCLUW last Thursday night. He was 14-16 from the line, so we’re guessing he was getting to the hoop at will, and those 9 steals are the most impressive. We call this a quadruple-nickel, at least five marks in four categories.
Zack Lasek (2020)
6’7 PF, Highland, Riverside
36 points (14-25 FGs), 8 rebounds, 3 assists
We’re certainly aware of how dominant Lasek can be, as evidenced by his high ranking in Iowa’s the 2020 class, No. 4. And he justified that ranking last Tuesday in a win over Wapello. Lasek is a big yet bouncy power forward, and he is developing an ability to hit a mid-range jumper. Division I and Division II schools might be getting heavily involved this summer.
Ben Heeren (2019)
6’6 SF, Ogden
34 points (13-17 FGs), 9 rebounds, 3 assists
Ogden got a win over Panorama last Tuesday night, and it was Ben Heeren who led the charge. A big and versatile wing, Heeren was efficient in scoring 34 points and was also able to haul in a team-high 9 boards. The versatile wing has been impressive all season, averaging 16.3 points on 56 percent shooting (48 3 FG%), and 10.5 rebounds per game.
Karson Sharar (2021)
6′ G, Iowa Falls-Alden
32 points. 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals
This newcomer at Iowa Falls-Alden is establishing himself as one of the top freshman in the state. He’s leading the Cadets while averaging 19.8 points per game, and went off during a win over South Hardin last Tuesday night, placing himself squarely on our radar.
Keegan Edwards (2020)
6’2 G, Lone Tree
11 points, 8 assists, 7 steals, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks
Another quadruple-nickel, Edwards has set the tone for the Tigers this season with his versatile style of play. He’s everywhere on the floor, and just a sophomore, Edwards — with his great size — will be causing headaches and match-up nightmares for a long time.
Trenton Massner (2018)
6’2 G, Wapello
20 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists
This kid has been an absolutely dominant over past two seasons, and he’s capable of putting up a trip-doub each night out. He got one on this night, unfortunately it came in a narrow loss to Lasek’s Highland, Riverside squad.