Player of the Week: Luke Clausen (Week 10)

LUKE CLAUSEN (2018) 6'3 SF, Treynor   In what's been a breakout season for Treynor senior Luke Clausen, he's helped the Cardinals once again to become one of the finer teams in the state, and they have the sterling 22-0 record to prove it. One of only five team in Iowa, regardless of class, to finish the regular season undefeated, Treynor once again has proven that they are a first-class organization. And the emergence of Clausen this season serves as proof, that it's a program that doesn't rebuild, but re-loads. Last season, as a junior, Clausen was a solid role player for the the Cardinals, averaging 7.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game for a squad that finished 14-10. This season, he's seen stark improvement, going for 17.5 points per game while still hauling in a respectable 4.6 rebounds. And, not coincidentally, his team has improved greatly, too. During the final week of the regular season Clausen peaked, and in wins over Riverside and Atlantic, he was outstanding. During a 25-point win at Riverside, he amassed 26 points on 10-17 shooting and canned five 3s to showcase his versatile scoring approach. He also came away with five rebounds, five assist and six steals; we call that a quadruple-double. The next night night out, during the regular season finale against Atlantic, he went for 31 points on 11-16 shooting and canned 7-10 3s: wow. It's clear that Clausen put in the work last ooffseason to become a markedly better play as a senior. And if Treynor can fulfill their expectations, and win 2A's Substate 8 (Des Moines Christian is looming in a possible Substate final), then we'll be looking forward to seeing the versatile senior first-hand at Well Fargo Arena next month.   WEEK 10 POLL RESULTS