The Scoring Kings: Class 2A
*based on regular season scoring averages 1. Ben Heeren (Ogden) — 25.9 It was utter dominance from the Bulldogs senior this season, not just scoring the ball, but really in all aspects of the game. Heeren is a 6’6…
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Continue Reading*based on regular season scoring averages
1. Ben Heeren (Ogden) — 25.9
It was utter dominance from the Bulldogs senior this season, not just scoring the ball, but really in all aspects of the game. Heeren is a 6’6 guard/forward, so, especially at the 2A level, he was able to do pretty much what he wanted this season. That led to the very high scoring with impressive shooting efficiency, 1.6 blocks, 2.1 assists and 12 rebounds per game.
2. Jake Hilmer (North Linn) — 25.5
North Linn is getting ready to play a massive game against Cascade, Western Dubuque on Saturday night, with a trip to the state tourney on the line. That’s the defending 1A state champ (Linn Mar) vs the defending 2A state champ. We like North Linn’s chances in that one, especially with scoring, assist, steals wizard Jake Hilmer leading the charge.
3. Michael Sweeney (Waukon) — 23.5
The senior guard is no stranger to scoring in bunches. As a sophomore with the Indians, he averaged 15.6 points per game, as a junior he went for 21.2, and he bettered that season. Sweeney’s best scoring performance this season was a 42-point outburst against Charles City back on Jan. 4.
4. Cooper DeJean (OA-BCIG) — 23.0
Just a sophomore, DeJean checks in as the youngest guy on this list, that’s very good news for OA-BCIG, and very bad news for its opponents. The athletic 6-foot guard has two full seasons left to dominate the competition. In addition to his 23 points per game, he averaged 11 rebounds. And his sophomore season isn’t done yet, the Falcons play Rock Valley Saturday night, the winner heads to state.
5. Hunter Dekkers (West Sioux) — 22.1
What’s most impressive about this Falcons junior is that basketball likely isn’t his best sport. Yes, he’s one of the state’s best scorers, and is certainly a top shooter in Iowa, he made a slew of 3s at 47 percent this season, but take a look at his quarterbacking numbers for the state champ Falcons last fall: 3,641 yards, 48 touchdowns, 191.3 QB rating.
6. Braden Gibbons (Madrid) — 21.7
The catalyst for the state’s second-best offense, Gibbons was not only the best scorer for the Tigers, but the best assist-man, too. Madrid averaged 77.5 points per game this season, only North Linn was better in Class 2A; Gibbons posted some seriously impressive numbers while leading that offense, 21.7 points and 8.5 assists per game.
7. Trey Hinote (Greene County) — 21.5
He’s been one of the more adept scorers in Iowa for a lot more than just his senior season. Hinote is a skilled ball-handler and shooter, and that’s led to a lot of points over his career with the Rams. As a sophomore he scored 15.2 points per game and last year went for 16.9. He took a big leap this year, and got his career high earlier this month when he dropped 44 on Saydel.
8. Nathan Weaver (Chariton) — 21.4
The Chariton forward had a big winter, not just in regard to scoring the ball, but recruitment-wise, too. We were able to see him play at the Grand View Team Camp last summer and he was easily one of the best players there. The Vikings offered him after that. Other schools took notice, St. Ambrose and William Penn also offered the tough and skilled 6’3 forward during the season.
9. Jace Davidson (Pocahontas) — 21.3
Morningside is getting a good one with this 6′ point guard. A true floor general, Davidson not only averaged the 21.3 points this season, but he also posted 5.3 assists per game. He’ll play the biggest game of his career Saturday against Boyden-Hull, winner goes to state.
10. Lance Hughes (Greene County) — 21.1
Another Greene Country Ram makes this list, and unlike Hinote, who had already proven himself as a high-level scorer, Hughes enjoyed himself a breakout season. We liked what we saw from him last summer with the Iowa Cornsharks, and knew what he was capable of, but we didn’t expect for him to blow up like this. He went from 9.4 points per game as a junior, to 21.1 this season.