Season Preview: Class 1A Stars to Watch (Part II)
As we continue our march towards the start of the high school season, we take a look at some of the top players to watch in each class. We’ll take a look at 20 of the best players in each…
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Continue ReadingAs we continue our march towards the start of the high school season, we take a look at some of the top players to watch in each class. We’ll take a look at 20 of the best players in each classification to keep an eye on this winter. In Part II of our Class 1A series, we take a look at the next seven standouts to monitor.
2020 Zach Huff (Don Bosco)
A 6-2 scoring guard, Huff has really spent some time re-working his body this offseason, adding some strength and muscle to his upper body, in particular in the shoulders and biceps. That added strength should help him become a high-level finisher at the rim, and help open up his shooting, which is among the best in the state. Armed with a quick release and range well beyond the high school line, Huff shoots it at a high level both off the dribble and the catch. With Jack Kelley’s 19.4 points a game gone, plenty of shots will open up for Huff, who could be among the top scorers in 1A this year.
2020 Nik Coble (WACO)
The 6-5 forward was one of the most dominant forces in the state last season, posting eye-popping numbers across the board for the Warriors. He averaged 17.9 points, 14.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.5 steals and 3.6 blocks a game last season, while shooting 59.4% from the floor. A highly effective two-way player, Coble even showed the ability to stretch the floor a bit, knocking down 19 3-pointers last season at a 40.4% clip.
2021 Kaleb Cornilsen (Easton Valley)
A well-built, 6-3 forward who can do a bit of everything, Cornilsen led the River Hawks in scoring last season at 16.2 points and 8.6 rebounds a game. He also led the team in steals and is a willing passer who is surrounded by fantastic shooting threats on the perimeter.
2020 Chett Helming (Lake Mills)
A long, athletic 6-5 wing who can score from all three levels, Helming is the best player on the team that we have ranked #1 to open the year in the class. A versatile threat on both ends of the floor, he blocked a team-high 29 shots while making a team-high 28 3-pointers. He averaged 16.4 points a game on 56.4% shooting. Capable of finishing above the rim with authority, Helming should provide plenty of highlights for a Bulldogs team that will be really good this year.
Photo credit: KMALand.com
2020 Brennan Sefrit (Bedford)
The 5-10 guard finished second in the state in made 3-pointers last season with 92, and he made those 92 3s at a 40.4% clip. After averaging 21.2 points a game last season, he looks primed for an even bigger senior season for the Bulldogs. He should be playing with the ball in his hands a bit more this year following the graduation of Abe Weed, who led the team in assists. Also a dynamic defender, Sefrit posted 93 steals last year.
2021 Parker Rochford (Edgewood-Colesburg)
The junior guard had a breakout scoring season last year, averaging 20.5 points and leading the team with 104 assists and 83 steals. In a five overtime win over MFL-Mar-Mac last year, Rochford scored 51 points, and if he can re-gain his shooting stroke from his freshman year (in which he shot 48.9% from the arc, compared to 28.4% last year), he could average well north of 25 points this year.
2020 Nathan Moeller (Prince of Peace)
The 6-4 forward was great last year for the Irish, helping to lead them to their first state tournament appearance. He averaged 15.5 points and 8.7 rebounds a game, while shooting an outstanding 61.4% from the floor. In addition to his scoring and rebounding prowess, Moeller dished out 69 assists, had 44 steals and blocked a team-high 39 shots. With a pair of double figure scorers graduated in Kaidion Larson (19.6 points) and Patrick Mulholland (12.1), this is Moeller’s team this year.