Iowa’s League Pass Rankings Part I (10-6)
The NBA season is now in full swing, and as homage to one of the nation’s most prominent NBA writers, Zach Lowe of ESPN, we at Prep Hoops have been publishing “League Pass” lists from around the country. Every year prior…
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Continue ReadingThe NBA season is now in full swing, and as homage to one of the nation’s most prominent NBA writers, Zach Lowe of ESPN, we at Prep Hoops have been publishing “League Pass” lists from around the country. Every year prior to the NBA season, Lowe ranks the teams in order of how exciting they are to watch. Below, we’re not necessarily ranking the best teams in Iowa — although many are included — we’re simply listing the teams we believe will be the most fun to watch.
10. Dubuque, Senior
Our preseason No. 1 in Class 4A, Dubuque, Senior will no only be racking up wins this season, but they’ll do it with some flare. The Rams were the seventh-highest scoring team in 4A last season, they like to get up and go a little bit, and we imagine a lot of those inevitable fast-breaks will end with Noah Carter jams. Iowa’s 3rd-ranked 2019, Carter — a Northern Iowa commit — will not only be one of the state’s most effective 3-point shooters, but he’ll provide some highlight reel dunks on a nightly basis. If you’re in the Dubuque area, make sure to catch the Senior at least once.
9. Sioux City East
Another team that likes to get up and go (you’ll see that’s a common theme in this list), the Black Raiders averaged 73.2 points per game last season, good enough for second-best in 4A. Returning from that high-scoring squad is the guy that makes it go, senior point guard Aiden Vanderloo. He’s is as skilled a player as there is in Iowa, especially when shooting the rock. Other key returners are slick combo-guard Jack Petersen and lengthy junior wing Jaleque Dunson.
8. New London
A team that has its sight set on a 1A state title this season, the Tigers are bringing back a core group of seniors that have been together on varsity since they were freshman. Mason Porter, Keontae Luckett and Isaac McSorely are by now a well-oiled machine, they probably can read each-others minds on the court. Watching a team with high-level chemistry can be like watching poetry in motion, we imagine that’s what it’ll be like to watch the Tigers this winter.
7. Bishop Garrigan
Like New London, Bishop Garrigan has its sights set on a Class 1A state title this season, and the Bears certainly have the personnel to do it. The Winkel brothers have proven themselves to be one of the state’s more formidable brother duos; junior Cade Winkel provides some perimeter prowess while sophomore Angelo Winkel controls the glass and plays above the rim. It’s not just them, though. Everyone returns from last season’s 19-win squad, a team that averaged 72.9 points per game. Expect some big scoring nights and some highlight reel jams in Algona this winter.
6. Norwalk
There’s a slew of reasons why Norwalk will be must-watch hoops this season, not the least of which is junior point guard Bowen Born. Not only is the 5-foot-10 Division I prospect quite possibly the state’s most deft guard, but he’s added another element of late: Born’s playing above the rim. Born will not only dime you to smithereens, but he’ll shoot your lights out, and now, he’ll get up and dunk on you, too. Iowa football prospect Tyler Endres returns for his senior season, he’ll be bigger and stronger than anyone he goes against. With Born being doubled, junior shooting guard Tyler Johnson could be free to make 75 3s this season. Norwalk lights up the scoreboard, too; last season they eclipsed the 100 point mark three times and led all of 3A in team scoring.