Iowa All-State Teams: Class 1A
FIRST TEAM
Player of the Year: Jake Hilmer, North Linn (2019)
Stats: 23.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 12.3 assists, 6.2 steals, 64.8 FG%, 44.8 3P%, 87.0 FT%
The record setting lead guard of the state’s highest powered attack, Hilmer broke the single-season assists and steals record this season, while also breaking the career assists mark as just a junior (he’ll break the career steals mark next season). And he posted those eye-popping numbers while barely ever playing past the first few minutes of the third quarter, as North Linn routinely won games by 60 or more. He possesses fantastic court vision and passing ability, and his speed with the ball in his hands is unmatched by any other player in the class.
Brady Gavin, Martensdale-St. Mary’s (2018)
Stats: 25.7 points, 15.8 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, 77.0 FG%
We said in our Preseason All-Conference piece for the Pride of Iowa Conference that it wouldn’t shock us to see Gavin put up a 25-15 stat line, and he actually exceeded those outlandish expectations, nearly going 26-16 to go with a pair of blocks a night for the Blue Devils. The 6-7 post player is one of the state’s better two-sport athletes (shines on the baseball field as well), and at the 1A level, a player with his size and skill level is going to be nearly impossible to defend, as evidenced by the 77% shooting and ridiculous stat line.
Grant DeMeulenaere, Grand View Christian (2018)
Stats: 22.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 2.2 steals, 46.8 FG%, 39.5 3P% (73 3PM), 81.3 FT%
The smooth shooting guard led the Thunder to their second consecutive state title, leading the team in scoring, assists and tying for the lead in steals. Armed with one of the best pull-up jumpers in the state, DeMeulenaere capped off a great career by scoring a game-high 21 points in their narrow championship game win over North Linn. He posted a 4.3-1 assist-to-turnover ratio this season, to boot.
Ryan Miller, North Linn (2018)
Stats: 24.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 3.1 steals, 60.5 FG%, 42.9 3P% (85 3PM), 80.2 FT%
Hilmer’s primary running mate for the Lynx team that averaged 90 points a game, the 5-10 shooting guard ranked second in 1A in made 3-pointers with 85, and led the Lynx in scoring while shooting over 60% from the floor. A number of those looks came in transition, as he was part of a team that thrives on creating turnovers, but, as his 3-point shooting shows, he was doing much more than just racking up stats on layups.
Jesse Van Wyk, Lynnville-Sully (2018)
Stats: 14.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.3 blocks, 55.4 FG%, 78.9 FT%
You could make solid arguments for just about anyone on the second team to take this final spot on the first team, but the Lynnville-Sully wing gets the nod because of his stat-sheet stuffing prowess. The 6-3 senior led the Hawks in scoring, rebounding and blocks, while tying for the lead in assists, leading them back to the state tournament for the second consecutive season. He was their primary playmaker throughout the course of the year, and his ability to take over games without scoring is something that is unrivaled by most players in the state.
SECOND TEAM
Zack Martinek, West Fork (2019)
Stats: 18.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 50.6 FG%, 41.3 3P%, 82.4 FT%
Like his team, Martinek got better as the season progressed, and may have been at his absolute best in the district final win over Bishop Garrigan, when he went for 25 points on 8-13 shooting. An athletic, skilled junior wing, he’s capable of scoring at all three levels and can completely take over games at any given time.
Jake Carley, Council Bluffs, St. Albert (2018)
Stats: 14.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 40.3 3P%, 81.8 FT%
The 6-0 senior guard was the starting point guard on a pair of state qualifying teams, once as a sophomore then as a senior. He led the Falcons in scoring and was second in assists this season, while shooting above 40% from behind the arc. While he shot under 40% from the floor, a large chunk of that can be credited to the extremely tough schedule CBSA plays, as they don’t play any 1A teams until postseason play starts.
Nicholas Ruden, Remsen, St. Mary’s (2018)
Stats: 13.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 53.8 FG%
For the second straight season, St. Mary’s entered the state tournament undefeated, and Ruden is the biggest reason why. The 6-4 combo forward is highly effective on both ends, a fantastic finisher around the rim with the ability to stretch out and knock down 3s as well. His numbers were a bit down this season, but he was efficient and the focal point of one of 1A’s best teams.
TJ Schnurr, Bishop Garrigan (2019)
Stats: 18.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 54.4 FG%, 78.8 FT%
The 6-5 junior forward led the Golden Bears in scoring and rebounding, while shooting well above 50% from the floor. His 115 made free throws ranked third in the class, and he was the focal point for what was one of the most pleasant surprises in 1A. Expect Bishop Garrigan to be near the top of our early 1A rankings in August, and Schnurr is one of the biggest, literally and figuratively, reasons why.
Carter Boothe, Central Decatur (2018)
Stats: 18.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 3.2 steals
The do-everything lead guard led the Cardinals to 19 wins while leading the team in scoring, assists and steals, and ranking third in rebounding. He’s one of the most versatile players in the class, and put the cap on a great career with a fantastic senior season.
THIRD TEAM
Peyton Brasser, South O’Brien (2018)
Stats: 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 51.2 FG%
Joe Weber, Boyer Valley (2018)
Stats: 22.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 3.3 steals
Brett Givens, Lisbon (2018)
Stats: 21.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.5 steals, 50.5 FG%, 47.5 3P% (75 3PM)
Paul Rundquist, Wapsie Valley (2019)
Stats: 21.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.7 steals
Caden Kickbush, Gladbrook-Reinbeck (2018)
Stats: 20.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists
FOURTH TEAM
Caleb Terhark, George-Little Rock (2019)
Brady Happel, Dunkerton (2019)
Brennan Sefrit, Bedford (2020)
Jack Kelley, Don Bosco (2019)
Keontae Luckett, New London (2019)
Honorable mentions: Codey Hicks, Janesville (2019); Andrew Gibb, Fort Dodge, St. Edmond (2019); Thomas Hensley, CAM Anita (2018); Bryce Coppock, Newell-Fonda (2020); Drake Johnson, Stanton (2019); Ben Obert, Coon Rapids-Bayard (2019); Zach Nie, Don Bosco (2018); Sean McFadden, Don Bosco (2018); Angelo Winkel, Bishop Garrigan (2021); Issa Samake, Grand View Christian (2019); Carson Louscher, South O’Brien (2018); Bailey Arwine, Lisbon (2018)