Iowa’s All-Senior Team (Class of 2019)
FIRST TEAM
Iowa’s Senior of the Year: Jake Hilmer (North Linn)
25.9 points (57.0 FG%, 43.6 3FG%, 84.1 FT%), 10.4 assists, 4.8 steals, 4.4 rebounds
Among all seniors in Iowa this season, Hilmer ranked sixth in points per game, first in assists and first in steals, so it’s no wonder why he was able to finish his illustrious career as the state’s all-time leader in assists and steals. The high scoring is fortified by the fact that his shooting percentages were extremely efficient. And the entirety if his fabulous career is bolstered by the fact that Hilmer led North Linn to its first-ever state title, and did so the same season they moved to 2A from 1A. Hilmer was recently named co-Iowa Mr. Basketball (also DJ Carton) and will play basketball and baseball at Upper Iowa in college.
DJ Carton (Bettendorf)
24.4 points (54.5 FG%), 6.0 assists, 7.6 rebounds
The future Ohio State Buckeyes point guard was a wrecking ball this season for Bettendorf. Seemingly every time he took the floor there was a new rim-wrecking highlight jam that surfaced on the internet. He was the fourth-best senior scorer in Class 4A, and the second-best assist guy. Carton, an athletic 6-foot-2 point guard, was also an extremely effective rebounder from the guard spot. He could turn into a star at Ohio State over the next four years.
Tyreke Locure (Des Moines North)
30.3 points, 6.3 assists, 4.3 steals, 5.1 rebounds
This Polar Bears’ distinguished career is one that will not soon be forgotten on Des Moines’ north side. The small but dynamic point guard was the life of the party in the Des Moies North gym the last four years, and they had some seriously rockin’ atmospheres in there with Locure catalyzing the excitement. He was Class 4A’s best steals guy this season, and led all 4A seniors in scoring, too. He finished his career as Iowa’s second-best 4A scorer of all-time, behind only current Iowa Hawkeyes wing Joe Wieskamp. Locure will play at South Alabama next season.
Evan Gauger (Indianola)
27.2 points (56.8 FG%), 4.1 assists, 2.3 steals, 1.9 blocks, 7.0 rebounds
Perhaps the most improved player on this list, Gauger went from standout Indianola junior to Iowa high school hoops superstar in the course of a year. He was always a highly skilled player and one of the state’s best players, but his athleticism exploded and took his game to a whole new level; he threw down six jams in one game we saw him play earlier this season. He did everything well for Indianola this season, and in addition to being the fourth-best Class of 2019 scorer, he was among the state’s best rebounding guards, and swatted nearly two blocks a game for good measure.
Patrick McCaffery (Iowa City West)
25.1 points (58.2 FG%, 45.3 3FG%), 2.5 assists, 7.6 rebounds
McCaffery’s high school career ended with a very Patrick McCaffery-like season: prolific and efficient. We’ve always noted that the 6’8 wing was one of the smartest and most deliberate players we had seen, he seemingly never took a forced shot. As a result, his shooting percentages have always been high, and were more efficient than ever this season. McCaffery became Iowa City West’s all-time leading scorer late in the season, and at such a storied hoops program, that holds some extra weight. He’ll play for his dad at Iowa next season.
SECOND TEAM
Noah Carter (Dubuque, Senior)
21.2 points (53.8 FG%, 40 3FG%), 2.9 assists, 1.2 blocks, 8.9 rebounds
The future Northern Iowa Panthers forward was as good as advertised this season for the Rams, and he was painstakingly close to leading them to a 4A state title.
Cliff McCray (Sioux City West)
20.8 points (59.8 FG%, 40.6 3FG%, 84.0 FT%), 7.5 assists, 2.5 steals, 9.0 rebounds
After an outstanding summer on the 17U circuit, McCray carried the momentum into his senior season, where he pieced together an all-time great season for the Wolverines.
Issa Samake (Grand View Christian)
14.5 points (58.6 FG%), 3.1 assists, 4.2 blocks, 10.8 rebounds
A two-time state champion, Samake averaged a double-double with points and rebounds for the Thunder, which was great, but what’s impressive is his 4.2 swats per game.
Logan Wolf (Cedar Falls)
15.5 points (52.7 FG%), 4.5 assists, 1.6 steals, 4.9 rebounds
The numbers are less than others on this list, but make no mistake, the impact that Logan Wolf made during his team’s run to a consecutive Class 4A state title was immeasurable.
Aidan Vanderloo (Sioux City East)
22.4 points (52.5 FG%, 51.6 3FG%, 81.0 FT%), 1.9 steals, 3.9 rebounds
One of the best shooters the state’s seen in recent history, Vanderloo made his mark by being a true marksman from deep. He was a pest defensively, too, swiping nearly two steals per game.
THIRD TEAM
Dylan Jones (Waukee)
14.3 points (73.7 FG%), 2.9 blocks, 7.8 rebounds
Jackson Molstead (Charles City)
28.8 points, 6.8 assists, 2.2 steals, 5.2 rebounds
Cole Henry (Oskaloosa)
19.4 points (62.9 FG%), 4.1 assists, 10.9 rebounds
Derek Krogmann (West Delaware)
21.3 points (58.8 FG%), 2.4 assists, 1.5 blocks, 13.8 rebounds
Keegan Murray (Prairie)
20.3 points (52.1 FG%, 39.8 3FG%, 87.2 FT%), 3.0 assists, 1.7 blocks, 7.2 rebounds
FOURTH TEAM
Japannah Kellogg (Ames)
Owen Coburn (Spirit Lake)
Andrew Gibb (St. Edmond)
Tyrese Nickelson (Waterloo East)
Kris Murray (Prairie)
Honorable Mentions: Conner Hill (South Hamilton), Caleb Grizzle (ACA), Ryan Schmitt (Van Meter), Ben Heeren (Ogden), Jace Davidson (Pocahontas Area), Collin Lister (Carlisle), Kylan Smallwood (Creston), Trey Hutcheson (Linn-Mar), Dylan Peeters (Assumption), Cortaviaus Seales (North Scott), Keshawn Pegues (Davenport Central), Mick McMurray (Cedar Rapids Washington), Noah Hart (Waukee), Adam Jackson (Hoover), Hosea Treadwell (Hoover), Gatdoar Bijiek (Des Moines North), Trayvon Williams (Valley), Dom Robertson (Oelwein), Javonte Keck (Sioux City East), Peyton Williams (Johnston), Casey Kleemeier (Winterset), Mach Nyaw (Storm Lake), Conner Groves (Sergeant Bluff-Luton), Nathan Michels (Benton), Beau DeJongh (Boyden-Hull), Abe Becker (Maquoketa), Alex Irwin (LeMars), Christian Stanislav (Glenwood), Rian Yates (Oskaloosa), Drew Enke (Clear Lake), James Betz (GHV), Codey Hicks (Janesville), Zach Martinek (West Fork), TJ Schnurr (Bishop Garrigan), Cole Burmeister (Exira-EHK), Brady Happel (Dunkerton), Keaton Mitchell (Wapello), Beau Cornwell (West Branch), Keegan Simons (Ar-We-Va), Michael Sweeney (Waukon), Ben Wolgemuth (Mediapolis), Cade Bleeker (Sioux Center), Donnie Weiss (Stanton), Drake Johnson (Stanton) Tate Bear (Meskwaki), Nathan Keck (Kinglesy-Pierson), Jack Kelley (Don Bosco), Kaidion Larson (Prince of Peace)