Leading Returning Assisters: Class 4A
As part of our high school season preview coverage, we’re taking a look at some of the top returning players in each class. In this article, we’re taking a look at the top ten returning assist men in Class 4A.
Cooper Medinger
1.) Cooper Medinger, Dubuque Senior (117 assists)
The 5-9 lead guard was ultra-efficient in his first year on varsity, averaging 6.8 points a game (on 61.5% shooting), while dishing out 117 assists against just 36 turnovers. With the Rams’ top five scorers gone, this is Medinger’s team now.
t2.) Ty Kershaw, Fort Dodge (76 assists)
A 6-4, athletic wing, Kershaw has committed to play receiver for South Dakota’s football team next year, but he’s also been solid on the hardwood for the Dodgers. He ranked second on the team in scoring last season and led them in assists, steals and blocks.
t2.) Sayvion Armstrong, Sioux City East (76 assists)
A lightning quick guard who is among the quickest in the state with the ball in his hands, Armstrong should have plenty of playmaking opportunities for the Black Raiders this year with Aidan Vanderloo and Jack Peterson graduated.
4.) Sam Kilburg, North Scott (74 assists)
A strong, physical guard who exemplifies North Scott basketball, Kilburg is the type of player who is going to do all the little things to help his team win, and he’ll be one of the key pieces for a Lancers team that should be among the best in 4A again this year.
t5.) Reid Grant, Johnson (69 assists)
We have the Dragons ranked #2 to open the year in 4A, and this junior guard is a big reason why. He’s a smart guard who thrives on attacking the rim and making the defense collapse. Look for him to clean up some of last year’s mistakes (69 assists against 63 turnovers) and become a more efficient player as a junior.
John Steffen
t5.) John Steffen, Linn-Mar (69 assists)
The one-man press breaker, Steffen is an unflappable lead guard who values possessions and limits mistakes. With the Lions losing a lot of production (just 19.7% of their scoring returns), it’ll be up to Steffen to keep this team competitive in the always loaded MVC.
7.) Braxton Bayless, Ankeny (68 assists)
A quick, 6-1 lead guard, Bayless also found himself on the leading returning scorers list in 4A. He led the Hawks in every major category last season, and is one of the primary reasons we have Ankeny ranked among the top 10 to open the year.
8.) Michael Alexander, Burlington (66 assists)
The Grayhounds won just six games last year, but Alexander has helped the program become more competitive than they’ve been in a while. He led the team in scoring, assists and steals last year, and averaged 13.8 points and 5.0 assists in those six wins.
Marcus Morgan
9.) Marcus Morgan, Iowa City West (66 assists)
A four-sport standout, Morgan will have his pick of Division I offers across multiple sports before his time in high school is over. He was a key piece for the Trojans last season, emerging as perhaps their best perimeter defender, and a key ball handler and decision maker. With Patrick McCaffery graduated, look for him to score a bit more this year, while still ranking among the best in assists.
10.) Jordan Kumm, Ankeny (65 assists)
The second Ankeny Hawk on this list, Kumm is more of a “true” lead guard than Bayless is, but both are quality decision makers and disruptive forces on both ends of the floor.