Simpson Team Camp: Breakout Players
Last weekend in Indianola, teams from all over the state assembled for the Simpson Team Camp. There were small schools, big schools and plenty of talent to be seen. Fresh faces and familiar ones were lighting it up, and there was no shortage of future stars at the event. Below we’ll take a look at eight guys that could have breakout high school seasons next winter.
Agueck Deng, 6’7 PF (Valley) — 2019
He’s been identified by us as top player in his class for two years now, but has still not been able to make a big mark in a crowded Valley program (he averaged 3.5 points and 2.4 rebounds as a junior). If this spring’s team camps are any indicator, it looks like Deng is in line to showcase all he can do next season as a senior; that’s an electric, high-flying combo-forward who will step out and hit a 3-ball regularly.
Trenton Beck, 6’3 G (Carlisle) — 2019
There was no performance more eye-opening than Beck’s at the camp Saturday, and his 34 points were the most anyone scored at the Cowles Center that day. Last season, as a junior, Beck averaged 3.4 points per game. With the skill-set he was displaying at Simpson, you can expect that average to quadruple next winter.
Nolan Schwarting, 6’4 F (Clear Creek-Amana) — 2019
The versatile stretch-four with some seriously nice touch got some nice run last season as a junior, he averaged eight points per game. Well, he dropped 26 points in a loss to Carlisle, and was virtually unstoppable on the offensive end, scoring from all three levels and doing what he wanted , when he wanted. We expect him to average at least 15 a game this season for the Clippers.
Will Berg, 6’8 F (Valley) — 2020
Another Valley guy makes this list; Berg and Deng have much more in common than playing on the same team, their skill-sets almost mirror each other. Berg is a tall and long stretch-four who will score down low with some nifty foot-work, or step out and can a 3-call when left open. A top-10 player in his class, it looks like his time is now.
Tyler Johnson, 6’3 SG (Norwalk) — 2020
Norwalk was loaded last season, and a lot of its prowess came from a strong 2018 class. Still, Johnson, as a sophomore, was able to crack the varsity lineup and make an impact. He averaged six points per game. This season, with a slew of last season’s seniors gone, it appearsJohnson will step into a prominent starting role.
Tyce Johnson, 6’1 G (Indianola) — 2020
We knew nothing about this kid coming into the event, and here we are now, writing about him for the third time this week. He scored 15 points in an overtime loss to South Hamilton, and was showing a nice, fluid jumper in the process. He didn’t play with the varsity lat season, but should make a big impact this season as a junior.
Will Pattison, 6’3 SF (Urbandale) — 2019
Maybe the most established guy on this list, Pattison is a guy who made a big impact as a starter with the J-Hawks last season, he averaged 7.4 points per game, that was third-best on the team. But this season, look for that number to increase considerably. It looks like Pattison will be the top dog at Urbandale next winter.
Maiwut Jock, 6’7 C (Des Moines Lincoln) — 2020
Last year, the sophomore big-man was playing up with the varsity, and even cracked the starting lineup at times. He averaged 1.4 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. He is still a bit raw, but his length and athleticism paired with the height make him a guy who could make a huge impact for the Rails next season. And in two seasons, watch out.