Iowa’s Premier Performers: Week 9
Each week, there’s a handful of individual performances around the state that are eye-catching. And each Tuesday, we’ll highlight those stat-lines here. Triple-doubles and 50-point performances are sought-after for these “Premier Performers” lists. We also like high efficiency games and…
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Continue ReadingEach week, there’s a handful of individual performances around the state that are eye-catching. And each Tuesday, we’ll highlight those stat-lines here. Triple-doubles and 50-point performances are sought-after for these “Premier Performers” lists. We also like high efficiency games and total stat-stuffers. Below, you’ll find 10 striking performances from this past week.
Cooper DeJean (OA-BCIG) — 37 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists
The sophomore guard continues to tear through any and all Iowa high school hoops opponents he comes up against. This gem came in a win over Kingsley-Pierson. DeJean is the best rebounding guard in the state on paper, he’s snaring 11.2 boards per game. Not bad for a 6-foot guy.
Cliff McCray (Sioux City West) — 35 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds
It was predictable that this athletic 6-foot-2 point guard was going to have a big senior season, we saw him lighting up opponents all summer on the 17U circuit. But he’s exceeded our lofty expectations. This is not the first time he’s made this weekly list. He was 12-15 from the floor in a win over South Sioux City (NE), and narrowly missed out on yet another triple-double.
Andrew Gibb (St. Edmond) — 36 points, 4 assists, 2 steals
The lengthy sharpshooter is scoring the ball better than nearly anyone in Iowa so far this season, and it’s games like this that have become somewhat routine for Gibb. His 29.0 points per game is fourth-best in Iowa, regardless of class, and he’s doing so at a 53 percent clip. This particular scoring outburst came in a win over Humboldt.
Easton Botkins (Durant) — 34 points, 3 steals
Not just a guy with one of the coolest names in the state — Easton Botkins — but also some serious skills, too. A 6-foot guard, Botkins dropped the 34 points during a shellacking of Wilton last Wednesday night. Most impressive was he made nine 3s in the win.
Colton Myers (Saydel) — 31 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists
There hasn’t been a ton to write about over the years when it comes to Saydel hoops, but Myers is giving us a reason to pay closer attention. The senior is averaging 17.9 points, 2.7 steals and 5.3 rebounds per game this season for the Eagles. The 31 points against Iowa Christian Academy is a season high.
Trey Hinote (Greene County) — 44 points
Hinote went off last week in a pair of wins for Greene County, and that’s why he’s a player of the week nominee. His best game came against Saydel, during an 88-70 win, he made eight 3s in that one. In addition to those 44 points against Saydel, Hinote scored 35 in a win earlier in the week over Panorama.
Paul Rundquist (Wapsie Valley) — 36 points, 7 rebounds, 5 steals
Rundquist is one of Iowa’s most skilled scorers, and that was on full display during this 36-point effort against North Butler last Saturday. He canned seven 3s in the blowout win. And we especially like that he was getting it done on both sides of the floor.
Kyler Matthias (Denver) — 36 points, 12 3s made
The Cyclones have put themselves on the map this season, they’re 14-5 as they head into the final stretch. Matthias has put himself on the map, too. Stellar games like this one he had against Columbus Catholic have become commonplace for him. What’s not commonplace ever, for anyone, is the 12 3s he drained in the win; that’s more than anyone has made in a game this season.
Caleb Grizzle (Ankeny Christian Academy) — 16 points, 7 rebounds, 9 blocks
We were there for this game, and what was best about the performance was the big bucket and subsequent clutch block Grizzle made in the final minute of a tied ball-game against Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont. Nine blocks in a single game is the dominant part about this stat-line, but the clutch performance certainly helps boost this game to premier status.
Masen Miller (Regina) — 31 points, 2 steals
The Regina junior is quietly piecing together one of the best seasons in the state; he’s going for 20.3 points, shooting 47 percent from deep, 3.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds and more than two steals per game. This 31-point performance, his best scoring game of the year, came during a 65-57 win over Mid-Prairie, Wellman.