Wells Fargo Advisors Shootout Session I Top Performers
The inaugural Wells Fargo Advisors Shootout took place over this past weekend in Cedar Rapids, bringing 12 teams to the US Cellular Center for a day full of basketball. Below, we take a look at the ten best performances from players at the event. There is a second session scheduled for Saturday, with seven more games taking place beginning at 8:30 am.
Top performance: Joe Wieskamp (Muscatine) – 38 points (13-19 FG), 15 rebounds
The Iowa signee was dominant in the Muskies win over City High, scoring 38 points on only 19 shots and pulling down 15 rebounds. He was 4-6 from behind the arc, 8-9 from the free throw line, and scored in a variety of ways. He does a great job moving off the ball on offense and finding spaces in the defense. At 6-6 he’s able to get his shot off whenever he wants, even with a minuscule amount of space. He’ll step onto campus in Iowa City and start right away.
Ryan Miller (North Linn) – 24 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals
The Lynx’s game was a blowout from the tip, but Miller was still impressive, notching 24 points on 10-13 shooting. He’s often the beneficiary of Jake Hilmer’s ability to push the ball in transition, and he’s a really good shooter from the arc. He competes on the glass and can fill it up in a hurry.
Dawson Stoll (Northeast, Goose Lake) – 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists, four steals
The Rebels may have been the most impressive team throughout the day, cruising to a 61-40 win over RVC rival Tipton. And Stoll’s stat-sheet stuffing was a big reason why. The 6-0 guard led the team in scoring and assists, knocked down four 3s and contributed on the glass as well. He was also great at the top of the 2-3 zone, collecting four steals.
Spencer Touro (Benton Community) – 35 points (12-20 FG, 6-8 3P), six rebounds
Despite Benton’s loss to Center Point-Urbana, Touro was dynamic in the Bobcats win, scoring a game-high 35 points and knocking down six 3s. The 6-0 combo guard is a great shooter off the dribble and is a strong, physical guard who does a great job absorbing contact and finishing through it at the rim. He’s going to be a high-level player at the Division III level with his ability to both score and distribute.
Jake Hilmer (North Linn) – 13 points, 13 assists, six steals, five rebounds
Hilmer is going to be the best player on the floor anytime he steps on it. He has complete control over the state’s most high-powered offense and makes passes that very well players in the state even see. With his quickness he’s able to routinely get to the rim on offense and fly around on the defensive end creating all sorts of havoc.
Luke Empen (Northeast, Goose Lake) – 16 points, nine rebounds, two blocks
The 6-6 senior forward is going to walk-on to the Iowa football team, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him eventually turning into a high-level offensive lineman. He’s big, strong and physical on the hardwood as well. A big man with great hands, he rebounds at a high level, runs the floor really well and finishes, and he’s added a 15-foot jumper to his arsenal as well. With Empen and Hoyer in the paint, the Rebels are going to be tough to beat at the 2A level come postseason play.
Keshawn Christian (Iowa City High) – 23 points, three rebounds, three assists
The 6-2 sophomore wing was great in the first half of the Little Hawks game against Muscatine, scoring 18 points. He’s a strong, physical wing who can get to the rim and score, and he’s improved his jumper. He scored 14 points in the first nine or so minutes of the game, allowing City to jump out to a quick lead on the Muskies. As he continues to develop his skill set and become more consistent, watch out. There is an awful lot of talent here.
Braeden Hoyer (Northeast, Goose Lake) – 15 points, 13 rebounds, two blocks
The 6-5 junior is one of the state’s best high jumpers, and his athleticism, size and length is a huge edge for the Rebels at the 2A level. He’s a fantastic rebounder, can protect the rim and scores efficiently in the paint.
Caleb Andrews (Center Point-Urbana) – 20 points (6-9 FG, 6-6 FT)
Andrews led the Stormin’ Pointers in scoring with 20 points, with 14 of them coming in the second half, as CPU came away with an impressive WaMaC West win over Benton. The Pointers are playing without star forward Grant Dirks and have finally started to find their footing, winning back-to-back games this weekend after losing four of five. The 6-2 sophomore guard is averaging just 3.3 points on the year, but his 20 points off the bench were the big reason CPU got a much needed win.
Jackson Joens (Cedar Rapids Xavier) – 23 points, four 3s
One of the state’s best shooters, the Upper Iowa signee knocked down four 3s in Xavier’s blowout win over Perry, leading the team in scoring. The release on his jumper is quick and picturesque, and he does a great job moving off the ball and being ready to shoot off the catch every time.
Matt Mims (Cedar Rapids Xavier) – 20 points, seven rebounds, seven steals, four assists
Like the North Linn game, Xavier’s game against Perry wasn’t competitive for long, and the South Dakota State signee was a big reason why. He filled the stat sheet with an impressive 20-7-7-4 line, making his presence known on both ends of the floor. He’s at his best when playing downhill and getting to the rim.
Willie Guy III (Cedar Rapids Jefferson) – 17 points, four steals
The 5-9 guard scored 10 straight points to start off a 27-3 run that turned a close game into a blowout J-Hawks win. He’s strong, physical and gets to the rim with ease, while he can also knock down shots from the arc. Defensively he’s part of a unit that flies around and causes all sorts of havoc on that end of the floor.