State Tournament: 4A Breakout Candidates
The stage is set for the 2019 Iowa high school boys’ state tourney, and over the course of the next two weeks, the Prep Hoops Iowa team will be flooding you with content previewing the event. Here we take a look at eight potential breakout players to keep an eye on during the Class 4A tournament.
Ryan Riggs, 6’8 PF (Dowling) — 2021
After missing his freshman season due to injury, Riggs has come on very strong as a sophomore, and appears to be one of the state’s most formidable college hoops prospects. He’s smooth around the rim, and has a nice skill-set to match. He could blow up next week, especially if Dowling is able to make a run.
Jaleque Dunson, 6’3 G (Sioux City East) — 2019
Both a star and a breakout candidate, we saw Dunson blossom into a star last summer on his 16U grassroots team, and he’s certainly maintained that star-power though his junior season. He’s averaging 16.3 points per game heading into the tourney, and should see his stock rise immensely not just next week, but in the coming months.
Tucker DeVries, 6’5 SG (Waukee) — 2021
The sophomore sniper has come on strong the second half the season for the top-seeded Warriros. When senior point guard Noah Hart went down, that’s when DeVries stepped up to fill the scoring void. He’s been particularly adept from beyond the arc, where he’s made 60 3s at a 43 percent clip.
Payton Sandfort, 6’6 SG (Waukee) — 2021
What’s scary about Waukee is they have two of the very best shooters not just in the 4A field, but in the entire state, and they’re both just sophomores. Sandfort, like his classmate DeVries, is an absolute sharpshooter, he’s connected on 42 percent of his tries from deep this season. And at 6’6, he’s got the height to get off the shot seemingly at will.
Even Brauns, 6’9 PF (Iowa City West) — 2020
Brauns is more of an established star than a breakout candidate, at least to us in the know. For others who don’t follow high school hoops as closely, this long and athletic post may surprise you next week. He’s new to Iowa City West this season (from Iowa City Regina), and though he didn’t put up eye-opening numbers, he certainly has been integral to the Trojans’ success. Brauns is Iowa’s 3rd-ranked 2020, and sports offers from UW-Milwaukee, Toledo, Drake and UNI, pay attention next week and you’ll see why.
Cooper Medinger, 5’9 G (Dubuqe, Senior) — 2020
Dubuque, Senior will be led by mega star Noah Carter, and he’s good enough to carry this team on his back and get the Rams a state title. The role players on Senior are super solid, too. Medinger has been a model of consistency and efficiency this season for the Rams. The junior guard is averaging 6.8 points on a remarkable 64 percent shooting from the floor. He’s also the team’s assist leader with 4.9 per game.
Marcus Morgan, 6’2 G (Iowa City West) — 2021
The state’s 5th-ranked 2021 prospect, Morgan has become essential to the success of Iowa City West, and is certainly capable of having big-time games. His performance against Davenport Central in Substate final is reflective of that; 19 points (7-10 FGs, 2-3 3FGs), eight rebounds and four assists. The Division I prospect has a big spring and summer ahead with the Iowa Barnstormers’ 16U squad.
Josh Ollendieck, 6’2 G (Cedar Falls) — 2020
We’ve known for some time now that Ollendieck was bursting with potential, this season, the lengthy and skilled combo-guard was able to breakout and showcase his talents. He’s the second-leading scorer for the defending champ Tigers, and is shooting a blistering 47 percent from deep this season (47-100).
Other Breakout Candidates: Nick Pepin (Iowa City West), Corey Phillips (Ames), Andrew Curran (Waukee), Michael Vicente (Waukee), Jack Peterson (SC East), Jackson Frerichs (Cedar Falls), Sam Kilburg (North Scott), Landon Eiland (North Scott), Drew Daniel (Dowling), Casey Mumm (Ames)