STATE TOURNAMENT PREVIEW: Class 1A Breakout Candidates
Over the course of the next two weeks, the Prep Hoops Iowa team will be flooding you with content previewing and covering the State Tournament. Here we take a look at eight potential breakout players to keep an eye on…
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Continue ReadingOver the course of the next two weeks, the Prep Hoops Iowa team will be flooding you with content previewing and covering the State Tournament. Here we take a look at eight potential breakout players to keep an eye on during the Class 1A tournament.
2021 Cole Watts, Montezuma
Watts, a 5-10 sophomore guard, missed a majority of the season with an injury, returning for the Braves final four games before State. And getting him back is a huge boost for them, as he’s a deadly shooter from the arc with a lightning quick release. He’s averaging 11.5 points a game in his four games back and shooting 40% from behind the arc. He’s capable of getting red hot and putting up some big numbers in a hurry.
2019 Kong Neyail, Grand View Christian
On a team filled with high-level athletes and players, sometimes Neyail can get overlooked. But the 6-2 wing provides plenty of highlights of his own and serves as a quality perimeter defender and finisher in the open court. Averaging 7.3 points a game for the Thunder (on 61% shooting), expect to see Neyail join the Sissoko-Samake dunk party a time or two next week. But he’ll really have a chance to make a name for himself if he can lock down an opposing scorer or two.
2020 Austin Huber, Alburnett
Nobody in the 1A field made or attempted more 3s this season than Huber, but he’s not just a chucker, he hit on 43.4% of his attempts. A secondary ball handler for the Pirates, he’s also done a solid job this season protecting the ball, posting a better than 2-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. But the real why he’ll make some noise is with his shooting ability. If he can get hot, watch out.
2019 Patrick Mulholland, Prince of Peace
Mulholland is the third leading scorer for the Irish at 12.1 points a game. He’ll pair with Kaidion Larson to give them a quality backcourt, as he dished out 80 assists this season (against 57 turnovers), and led the team in steals with 66. His play on both ends of the floor paces what the Irish do, and if he can take care of the basketball, they have a chance to make some noise.
2019 Reed Miller, St. Albert
A few years ago it was another Miller from St. Albert (Travis) who made a big name for himself with his shooting ability. And while Travis was the Falcons’ leading scorer, Reed has a chance to make a similar impact with his ability to shoot the rock. He made a team high 31 3s this year (at a 38.3% clip), and if he’s able to get hot, the Falcons could give GVC a scare in the first round.
2021 Blaine Harpenau, St. Mary’s
A 6-0 sophomore guard, Harpenau is averaging 7.3 points a game for the Hawks, ranks third in assists and fourth in steals. He’s shooting just under 56% from the floor, so he’s been highly efficient, and he contributes across the board for a St. Mary’s team that is routinely among the best in the state on the defensive end of the floor. Teams will be looking to take away Spencer Schorg, so it’ll be guys like Harpenau who will need to make an impact for St. Mary’s to move on.
2019 Brad Capesius, Bishop Garrigan
A senior lead guard with great size at 6-3, Capesius paces one of 1A’s best offenses, dishing out 128 assists this year (against just 48 turnovers). He’s not much of a scoring threat, but he led the team in steals (48), and with his length, he can create issues on the defensive end contesting shots as well. But the real standout piece of his game is the way he runs this offense.
2019 Logan Grote, Sioux Central
Another lead guard with good size, the 6-2 Grote leads the Rebels in assists with 93 and paces this offense. He, like Capesius, isn’t much of a scoring threat, but he values possessions and contributes across the board. A strong effort in Des Moines might net him some D3 looks.