STATE TOURNAMENT: 10 Who Impressed (Friday)
Harouna Sissoko (Grand View Christian) – He could have easily been an all-tourney team selection, but got the snub despite averaging 12.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game on the title team. It was his two-rim-rattling jams that were some of the lone highlights in the 1A title game, one in which GVC won 43-24. The first was a breakaway slam, he was all alone and threw down a show-stopping slam, the hoop swayed for 10 seconds after the dunk (Sissoko is not small). The second came after a dime from Issa Samake, and again Sissoko threw it down with authority. Guys with his athleticism are not often seen in Iowa high school hoops, it was a joy to watch this season.
Issa Samake (Grand View Christian) – Your Class 1A all-tourney team captain, Issa Samake struggled in game one this week, but really turned it on in the semis, and was again the Thunder’s most effective player in the finals. In a very slow-paced game, he wasn’t able to post near triple-double numbers like he did against Montezuma, but he was stellar still, going for nine points, 11 rebounds and four steals in a 43-24 rout of Alburnett in the finals. The next step in Samake’s journey will be right here in Des Moines, where he’ll play at Drake starting next season.
Jake Hilmer (North Linn)
He’s like lightning with the ball in his hands and his basketball IQ is off the charts. At times, it’s easy to take Hilmer’s greatness for granted, but when you really stop to think about what he’s done, it’s mind-boggling. He finished this game with 20 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and four steals, ho hum. He finished his legendary carer with 2,332 points (10th all-time in Iowa), 1,106 assists (1st all-time), 534 steals (1st all-time) and 478 rebounds. He’ll be talked about among Iowa high school hoops circles for decades to come.
Trevor Boge (North Linn)
Boge has some great size, length and versatility, and it was on full display during his team’s shellacking of Boyden-Hull in the 2A final. One big reason the Lynx were able to come away with the stress-free win over Boyden-Hull, was because Boge went off for 11 points in the third quarter; a quarter in which North Linn outscored the Comets 18-4. He showed an ability to take to ball to the rack and despite his thin frame, absorb contact and get the bucket. His shooting efficiency was key for the Lynx, and his 11 third quarter points helped spur what was the biggest difference in this game, and that’s the 18-4 third quarter.
Cole Henry (Oskaloosa)
He was one of the more emotional players we’ve seen after winning a state title, you could tell that Henry — a Northern Iowa signee — wanted this one bad. And he left it all on the floor. His stat-line was impressive 19 points, 14 rebounds and a block. What was most impressive was the 10 rebounds, which is a clue into his sheer determination in this game. Henry was overcome with joy after the win, and rightfully so – he was the MVP in Oskaloosa’s first-ever title game win.
Bowen Born (Norwalk)
The kid can just flat-out score the rock, and that was never more evident tonight then when he scored six points in 1:20 to start the second quarter. Norwalk had been trailing 20-12 heading into the second, and Born’s outburst brought them right back to life. From that point on, the game was tight as could be. At halftime, Norwalk held a one point lead after Born sliced through the lane and got a bucket at the buzzer. He finished this one with a team-high 26 points and also a team-high four assists. Remember, he’s just a junior, expect Born and Co. to be back in title contention against a year from now.
Cooper Medinger (Senior)
It’s not just tonight that Medinger has been impressive, but all week, really. In the first quarter he helped spur on a big Senior run with two buckets at the rim, which is especially impressive considering at 5’8 he was the smallest guy on the floor. Medinger was the steady hand for the runner-up Rams this week; always in control with a solid handle and never taking ill-advised shots.
Logan Wolf (Cedar Falls)
Last year at the state tourney, Logan Wolf was very good, but it was AJ Green that caught all the headlines, and rightfully so, he’s one of Iowa’s all-time great high school point guards. This season, it was very plain to see that it was Wolf’s team, and he spent this week showing why he’s regarded as one of Iowa’s best 2019 players. Tonight, he again hit big buckets and made key plays routinely throughout. He finished with a game-high 15 points during a state title clinching win over Dubuque Senior, and he dished out five assists and pulled down six rebounds for good measure. Wolf is a two-time state champ, and just a terrific basketball player.
Jack Campbell (Cedar Falls)
Wow, this guy is an absolute monster. At one point in the game he had eight of Cedar Falls’ last 10 points, and it came during a critical juncture in the second half. He’s headed to Iowa to play linebacker next season, and he might be playing on Sundays a few years from now, but he certainly did well to turn himself into one hell of a basketball player. His strength paired with athleticism and underrated length make him extremely hard to handle, and that’s just what he was in a win over Dubuque, Senior. Campbell finished with 10 points on 3-4 shooting and six rebounds.
Noah Carter (Senior)
Carter played his last high school game and left it all on the floor, coming up just short against a staunch Cedar Falls squad. And although it wasn’t his best performance (the Tigers defense was draped all over him), there was still plenty of things he did that justified his No. 3 standing in our 2019 prospect rankings. Carter started out hot, and scored five points in a flurry in the first quarter with a pretty mid-range jumper followed by a smooth, deep 3-ball. He had his chances at the end to alter the outcome of the game, and things didn’t go his way, but he’ll get the opportunity to move on with his hoops career at Northern Iowa next season; and we think the big, bouncy power forward will thrive there.