Iowa’s Top Scorers: Class 2A
Tick tock, the season is almost here. Practice started across Iowa on Nov. 12, and games will start across the state on Tuesday, Nov. 27. That gives us just enough time to bring some quantitative lists, counting down the best returners in a given statistical category. We’ll start by bringing you the best returning scorers, from 4A to 1A.
10 Trey Hinote, Greene County — 16.8 PPG
We’ve been a big fan of Hinote for years now, and he’s heading into a senior season ta Greene County with high expectations. His sharpshooting ability is what he might do best, but his smooth handles and ability to create for his teammates are areas of emphasis for the 6-foot guard, too.
9 Ben Heeren, Ogden — 17.3 PPG
His scoring efficiency is some of the best you’ll see from any player on these scoring lists. The 6-foot-5 wing shot 53 perfect from the floor, and even more impressive, he was 45 percent from beyond the arc. With his size and skill-set, Heeren is a guy that can score from anywhere on the court.
8 Grant Brouwer, Sibley-Ocheyedan — 17.4 PPG
It could be a monster senior season for this 6-foot-2 wing. After scoring in bunches last winter for the Generals, the next two best scorers from the team have graduated, leaving more points on the table for Brouwer. We think he’ll be well over 20 points per game this season.
7 Jacob Vis, Western Christian — 18.5 PPG
Known for his elite shot-blocking prowess, Vis is a lengthy 6-foot-8 post with high-level defensive instincts. But his ability to score the ball is, clearly, among the bet in the state, too. The 18.5 points per game last season were great, but the 71 percent field goal percentage was off the charts.
6 Hunter Dekkers, West Sioux — 19.0 PPG
He just got done breaking records while quarterbacking the Falcons’ football team to a state title. Now, he can turn his attention to the hardwood. He shoots a basketball as accurately as he throws a football, the 48/54/79 shooting clips from a season ago are impressive.
5 Carter Cuvelier, Aplington-Parkersburg — 19.1 PPG
It’s unheard of for a non-big-man to shoot 60 percent from the floor, that’s just what Cuvelier, a 6-foot-4 wing, did last season for the Falcons. A big-strong presence, he can certainly exploit and body smaller guards, but he’s strong enough to bang with just about anyone — big or small — he comes up against.
4 Peyton Pope, West Marshall — 21.9 PPG
Without a doubt one of the more precise jump-shooters in Iowa, Pope shot a blistering 49 percent from deep last season. And it’s not like that was from a small sample size, he connected on a whopping 89 of 183 3-point attempts. He’s definitely a top-flight shooter in the state.
3 Michael Sweeney, Waukon — 21.2 PPG
Last season’s 14-win Waukon squad was chock-full of seniors, but it was Sweeney who led the way by a long shot 21.2 points per game. This season, it’ll be a new-look Indians squad, and Sweeney will again cause major fits for opponents on a nightly basis.
2 Jace Davidson, Pocahontas Area — 21.3 PPG
He’s committed to play at NAIA Morningside and the Mustangs are getting one of the best scoring point guards Iowa has to offer. Davidson also led his team assists and steals last season, so he’s no one trick pony. But scoring is certainly his forte.
1 Beau Cornwell, West Branch — 23.3 PPG
A two-sport standout, Cornwell was sensational on the gridiron this fall, throwing for 2,152 yards, 25 touchdowns and just three INTs, wow. Now, he takes the Cornwell Show to the hardwood, where’s he’s been torching opponents since his freshman season. Last year, he took another step, averaging more than 20 points for the first time. This season, we won’t be surprised if he’s up over 25 points per game.