Iowa’s Premier Performers (Week 10)
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.
Trenton Massner (2018)
6′ G, Wapello
38 points (16-22 FGs, 5-9 3FGs), 13 rebounds, 8 assists
Massner is no stranger to posting ridiculous numbers, and that’s just what he did — again — during an 83-58 beat-down of Notre Dame, Burlington last Friday night. There’s very few players in the state putting up numbers like Massner this season; he’s been sensational while averaging 22 points on an insane 63 percent shooting, and is connecting from deep at a 46 percent clip. He’s also dishing out 7.7 assists per game, swiping 3.1 steals and nabbing 7.2 rebounds.
Tommy Pretz (2018)
6’1 F, Columbus, Columbus Junction
37 points (13-18 FGs, 1-1 3FGs), 15 rebounds, 6 steals, 5 blocks
Columbus may have gone the entire regular season without winning a game, but senior big-man Tommy Pretz wasn’t going to go down in his final game without a fight. The Wildcats nearly came away with their first win against Cardinal, Eldon last Friday night, but the despite this monster game from Pretz, they lost by six in overtime.
Brock Smith (2018)
6’5 PF, Lone Tree
32 points (13-19 FGs), 12 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 blocks
Lone Tree capped its regular season with a 22-point shellacking of Holy Trinity Catholic, and senior big-man Brock Smith made sure he ended the regular season with a bang. Smith is averaging 17 points and 9.9 rebounds per game this season, so he went well above and beyond what may have been expected of him. The steals and blocks further enhance this gem of a game.
Evan Jacobson (2018)
5’8 PG, Creston
33 points (12-17 FGs, 5-6 3FGs), 5 rebounds
This quick an skilled lead-guard may not be very big, but he’s certainly dominant. We’ve been seeing Jacobson carve up opponents for three seasons now, and the shooting on this night was especially noteworthy. It’s one thing to go 12-17 from the field, that’s crazy efficient. But to go 5-6 from deep is next level stuff.
Luke Vaske (2018)
6′ PG, Norwalk
38 points (14-21 FGs), 12 assists, 7 rebounds
Vaske continued his tear through the state with this monster performance during a thrilling 107-104 triple overtime win over Newton last Tuesday night. To score 38 points is great, but to score so prolifically and still come away with 12 assists is remarkable. Vaske has been known as a pure scorer in the past, but has done a fantastic job of being a distributor this season. He’s a true point guard, with a shooting guard’s scoring ability.
Garrett Sturtz (2018)
6’3 PG Newton
37 points (14-26 FGs), 15 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals
There’s not a lot to say about Sturtz that hasn’t already been said here. He scores as well as anyone in the state, and his basketball IQ is off the charts. The Newton product is without a doubt one in a short list of guys who could be considered legit Iowa Mr. Basketball candidates. He’s a tremendous talent for the Cardinals, and is having a season for the ages. The question lingers: will he head to a D1 program? D2? JuCo? Sturtz’s college decision is one of the more anticipated we’ve had since starting Prep Hoops Iowa in 2014.
Ethan Mitchell (2018)
6′ SG, Grinnell
36 points (14-23 FGs, 5-11 3FGs), 2 steals
It’s been a tough go for the Tigers this season, but that doesn’t mean their senior shooting guard Ethan Mitchell hasn’t enjoyed a great season. He’s averaging 18.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, and is shooting the 3-ball at a 40 percent clip. He put it all together in a narrow loss to Indianola last Tuesday night, pouring in a career-high 36 points on some efficient shooting.
Tommy Donovan (2018)
6’2 G, Carlisle
31 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists
We take very kindly to triple-doubles here at Prep Hoops Iowa, so when we saw this Carlisle senior pieced one together during a win over ADM last Tuesday night, we immediately placed him on this list. And it’s not like he barely was able to come away with the accomplishment, Donovan easily surpassed the trip-doub qualifications. The do-it-all guard is headed to D2 Black Hills State next season.
Joe Wieskamp (2018)
6’6 G/F, Muscatine
44 points, 19-25 FGs, 12 rebounds
It’s been the best season we’ve covered since starting Prep Hoops Iowa in 2014, and it’s really not even close; Wieskamp is dominating each and every time he steps onto the floor. He became Iowa’s all-time leading 4A scorer in a win over Burlington last Tuesday night. Hawkeyes fans are pumped about the skilled and athletic wing, and rightfully so. Muscatine has a legit shot at making next month’s state tournament, and what a treat that would be for the fans.
Andy Seeland (2018)
G/F, Central, Elkader
34 points (10-15 FGs, 7-9 3FGs)
The Warriors have enjoyed a certain degree of success this season, and Seeland is a big reason why. He’s leading the 12-8 squad while averaging 15.2 points per game, and put together his best game of the year during an 11-point win over Starmont last Monday night. The 7-9 3-point shooting is what really puts this performance over the top.