First Half Scoring Leaders

With the holiday break upon us, it's time to take a look at who the state's leading scorers are through the first half of the season (Note: Stats are through games that were entered into QuikStats by December 26 at 8:30 am).   1.) 2020 Bowen Born, Norwalk - 36.3 points a game The future UNI Panther guard is having a historically great offensive season, averaging 36.3 points a game through the Warriors' first six games. If Norwalk makes it to State and wins a game, guaranteeing the Warriors' play the maximum number of games (fingers crossed for no snow postponements), he'll be within striking distance of the single season scoring record held by Wapsie Valley's Brooks McKowen (1,002 in 2002). Born is currently on pace for 980 points, including a state-high 47 points in their last game before break. The most impressive part of his dominance? The 57-40-89 shooting splits he's putting up. Get out and watch Born if you get a chance this year, he's having one of the single best seasons in Iowa high school history.   2.) 2020 JD Stout, Keota - 27.9 points a game The 6-0 senior guard has been a big-time scorer all four years at Keota, but he's taken it up another level this year, averaging just under 28 points a game and shooting 55.2% from the floor. He's among the state's most dangerous perimeter shooters, and his 24 made 3s so far puts him near the top. He's knocking those 3s down at a solid 40.7% clip as well.   3.) 2020 Nick Reid, Central City - 27.2 points a game After putting up 76 points in a game last season and leading the state in scoring at 32.5 points a game, Reid's scoring numbers have fallen a bit, but it's been a good thing for Central City, as the Wildcats are 5-1 at the break after going 11-12 last season. Reid's efficiency numbers have skyrocketed, taking his field goal percentage from 45.3% to 61.9% and 3-point percentage from 27.0% to 38.1% (albeit on far fewer attempts). The 'Cats are getting more balanced scoring behind Reid, and allowing him to play a much more efficient game this season. Reid will play college ball at D2 Emporia State.   [caption id="attachment_614227" align="alignright" width="263"] Photo credit: Knoxville Journal Express[/caption] 4.) 2021 Keiren Nichols, Knoxville - 27.0 points a game The 6-0 junior guard has been great for the Panthers, helping them carry a five game winning streak into the break. He's putting up fantastic shooting splits of 56-50-71 and leads the team with 22 assists at the break as well. Following a season opening loss to PCM, he's shooting 61% from the floor and averaging 29.2 points a game.   5.) 2020 Zach Huff, Don Bosco - 26.8 points a game Huff has played the role of "Robin" to Jack Kelley's "Batman" the last few years, but now it's all about Huff in Gilbertville. The Dons have only played four games so far this season, but he's been outstanding, averaging just under 27 points a game while making nearly five 3s a contest.   t6.) 2020 Masen Miller, Regina Catholic - 26.3 points a game <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2017/09/MasenMiller-1.jpg"></a>After making a state-high 99 3s last season, the Truman State commit is at it again, burying 26 triples in the Regals' first six games, and doing so at a 45.6% clip. He leads the team in assists and steals as well. Miller has established himself as one of the top all-around offensive weapons in the state, and he's showing it again this season. A dynamic shooter both off the dribble and the catch, he's nearly impossible to slow down.   t6.) 2021 Trae Swartz, Ottumwa - 26.3 points a game The 6-4 junior wing has had some huge games this season for the Bulldogs, including a 42 point effort against Des Moines North right before the break. Swartz was 13-20 from the floor and a remarkable 7-8 from the 3-point line in that game. He's averaging 32.3 points on 56.3% shooting and 55% from the arc in the 'Dogs last four games.   8.) 2021 Trey Shearer, Montezuma - 25.7 points a game The best player in 1A basketball. Shearer has been absolutely dominant so far this year for the Braves. His 25.7 points paces one of the state's most explosive offenses, and he's dished out 29 assists (against just six turnovers) in the Braves' first six games. He's shooting 68.5% from the floor, 40.9% from 3 and 92% at the line so far. Eye popping efficiency from the Truman State commit.   9.) 2020 Bryce Coppock, West Sioux - 25.4 points a game The Newell-Fonda transfer moved into the top 100 in all-time scoring in Iowa with his 203 points in the first portion of the schedule. Coppock is putting up huge numbers alongside teammate Hunter Dekkers, and the pair is forming arguably the best backcourt in small school basketball. Coppock is putting up 25 points, leads the team with 39 assists, leads the team with 26 steals and is shooting 56.2% from the field, while the Falcons are averaging 86.6 points a game. Yowza.   10.) 2020 Braden Gibbons, Madrid - 25.3 points a game [caption id="attachment_820509" align="alignright" width="229"] Photo credit: Boone News Republican[/caption] A 5-10 senior guard, Gibbons was tied for the most assists among returnees, and he's gotten off to a strong start there too, dishing out 55 helpers in the first portion of the slate. He's taken his scoring prowess to another level this year, averaging over 25 points a game, and his 66 free throw attempts are second in the state (Griffin Diggs of Ogden has 68). His 58 made free throws are tops in the state. He's looking to attack at every opportunity, and he's got the Tigers in the top 10 in 1A as a result.   The next ten: Hunter Dekkers (West Sioux, 2020; 25.1), Eric Valdez (Columbus, 2020; 25.0), Camden Schroeder (East Sac County, 2021; 25.0), Easton Darling (Winterset, 2020; 24.8), Tyler Peterson (Stanton, 2020; 24.5), Braxton Bayless (Ankeny, 2020; 24.0), Jevin Sullivan (North Polk, 2022; 23.8), Michael Duax (Hempstead, 2021; 23.7), Matt McDonald (Centerville, 2020; 23.6), Austin Bienemann (Nashua-Plainfield, 2021; 23.5)