Iowa’s Premier Performers (Week 9)
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.
Zach Lester (2018)
6′ PG, Clear Lake
37 points, 5 assists, 5 steals
The athletic Clear Lake standout is having one of the best seasons of anyone in Iowa, and he’s no stranger to this ‘Premier Performers’ series. His 27 points last Tuesday in a win over Iowa Falls-Alden was just a little bit more than his season average of 30.6 points per game.
AJ Green (2018)
6’3 PG, Cedar Falls
35 points, 6-10 3FGs, 5 rebounds, 3 steals
He’s heating up folks, and after a pretty good start to his senior season, Green has been all out dominant the past month. The Northern Iowa signee victimized two-time defending 3A champs Cedar Rapids Xavier to the tune of 35 points in a win last Tuesday night — so it’s not like he’s beating up on soft competition.
Josh Simmons (2019)
5’11 PG, Lewis Central
22 points, 11 assists, 3 steals
What a nice season this Lewis Central junior is having. He was good last season as a sophomore, earning him a top-50 ranking i this 2019 prospect rankings (No.50). He’s justifying that high ranking this winter, and his 22 point and 11 assists gem during a 14-point win over Sioux City North last week is one of the more productive lines we’ve seen from a 4A player this season.
Jake Hilmer (2019)
5’10 PG, North Linn
19 points, 18 assists, 6 steals
There’s been several guys who have made the ‘Premier Performers’ list more than once, but nobody has been here more than this North Linn point guard. The 19 points and six steals are just routine for Hilmer. It’s the 18 assists that are shocking — that’s a season high in Iowa this season.
Carter Boothe (2018)
6′ PG, Central Decatur
30 points, 7 steals, 6 assists
Just a solid stat-line from one of Southern Iowa’s best talents. Booth is no stranger to being ultra-productive, he’s averaging 18.9 points, 7.8 assists, 3.4 steals and 4.2 rebounds per game. This particular gem came during a one-point win over Martensdale-St. Marys.
Patrick McCaffery (2019)
6’8 SF, Iowa City West
32 points, 14-19 FGs, 7 rebounds
The top-ranked player in Iowa’s 2019 class, McCaffery has enjoyed a solid season while leading one of the state’s best teams in scoring (20.7 PPG). He had maybe his best game of the season during an absolute beat-down of Cedar Rapids Kennedy last week, 72-35. The 32 points are a season high for the future Iowa Hawkeyes wing.
Iziah Paulsen (2019)
5’10 G, Iowa City Liberty
33 points, 13-19 FGs, 6 assists
It’s been a rough first season for brand new school, Iowa City Liberty. But last week they came away with two wins, thanks in large part to junior point guard Iziah Paulsen. He was particularly dominant during an eight point win over Washington last Tuesday night. Not only did he notch a season-high 33 points, but he led the team with six assists, too.
Darius Moore (2018)
6’2 G, Clear Creek-Amana
41 points, 16-21 FGs, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals
The two-sport standout and son of former Iowa Hawkeyes hoopster, Darryl Moore, Darius is really starting to hit his stride this season with the Clippers. This 41-point outburst came from some seriously efficient shooting, and his team needed almost every point in their narrow three-point win over Willaimsburg.
Joe Wieskamp (2018)
6’6 G/F, Muscatine
54 points, 16-22 FGs, 8-14 3FGs, 7 rebounds
He’s the best player in the state, and will almost certainly be named Iowa Mr. Basketball for the 2017-18 season, so it’s no surprise that Wieskmap is the most dominant scorer in Iowa, too. His 54 points is the second-highest point total in the state this season (Tyreke Locure scored 56 in December), and his average of 34.8 points per game is just absurd. The Hawkeyes are getting one of the nation’s best players.
Ben Obert (2019)
6’3 G, Coon-Rapids-Bayard
31 points, 12-16 FGs, 5 rebounds, 2 steals
After being voted Player of the Week last week in Iowa, there was no slowing down for this Coon Rapids-Bayard guard. The 31 points is tremendous, but to do so on 75 percent shooting makes it even better. Obert is piecing together as good of a season as almost any player in 1A this season.