North Central Conference: Top 3-Point Shooters
Just like at the NBA and college levels, the amount of players capable of knocking down the 3-point shot continues to expand across the board. However, that does not always mean everyone should be putting up shots from deep. In…
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Continue ReadingJust like at the NBA and college levels, the amount of players capable of knocking down the 3-point shot continues to expand across the board.
However, that does not always mean everyone should be putting up shots from deep.
In the North Central Conference this past winter, six players made at least 50 triples, and just one put up over 200 attempts.
Here’s a look at the top shooters from the 3-point line in the league for 2019-20:
Karson Sharar Karson Sharar 6'2" | SG Iowa Falls-Alden | 2021 State IA , Iowa Falls-Alden (2021)
It should come as no surprise that the best shooter from the 3-point line was also one of the top players in the league in junior Karson Sharar Karson Sharar 6'2" | SG Iowa Falls-Alden | 2021 State IA from Iowa Falls-Alden.
Sharar knocked down a league-high 72 triples and put up 216 in all. He was the leading scorer in the conference thanks in large part to his abilities from deep.
Analysis: Injuries limited Sharar to just seven games as a sophomore, but the Cadet showed no signs of rust this past winter. He should continue to be not only a long-range threat, but an all-around talent from the NCC.
Jacob Thurm, Humboldt (2020)
In terms of taking a jump from junior to senior year, you would be hard-pressed to find a player in the conference that had a bigger leap than Humboldt senior Jacob Thurm.
Last year, Thurm averaged just under eight points per game and made 39 shots from the 3-point line. This past winter, those numbers climbed to 12 points a night and 65 made triples, which ranked second in the league.
Analysis: A multi-sport athlete for Humboldt, Thurm had the kind of senior year you like to see out of a hard-working student-athlete. His ability to stretch the floor helped keep defenses from focusing on the likes of Sam Fischer and Jamison Heinz Jamison Heinz 6'0" | PG Humboldt | 2020 State IA .
Carson Toebe Carson Toebe 6'3" | PG Clear Lake | 2022 State IA , Clear Lake (2022)
In two short seasons with Clear Lake, Carson Toebe Carson Toebe 6'3" | PG Clear Lake | 2022 State IA has made his presence known. The sophomore averaged 11 points with 51 made 3-pointers as a freshman, pushing those numbers to 14.5 and 55 this past season.
Toebe, who scored a total of 320 points as part of a balanced attack for the Lions, made over 34 percent of his attempts from long-range.
Analysis: There should be no doubt that the battle for NCC player of the year next season comes down to Toebe and Sharar. The two have shown incredible growth over the past few years with each helping their teams to successful seasons.
Coady Olson, Clarion-Goldfield/Dows (2022)
Another player from a talented sophomore class in the NCC, Coady Olson was a bright spot for Clarion-Goldfield/Dows. He averaged just under 12 points per game and ranked fourth in the league with 54 made 3-pointers.
Olson had his best game of the year in a 68-63 victory over St. Edmond when he knocked down eight 3-pointers.
Analysis: With a year of varsity experience under his belt, Olson should be able to improve upon his percentages from this past year which sat at 37 percent from the field and 30 percent from the 3-point line.
Logan Aldinger Logan Aldinger 5'10" | SG Iowa Falls-Alden | 2020 State IA , Iowa Falls-Alden (2020)
Pairing up with Sharar, Logan Aldinger Logan Aldinger 5'10" | SG Iowa Falls-Alden | 2020 State IA made it very difficult for NCC defenses to key on him thanks to his ability to knock down the three. Aldinger averaged 12.6 points a night and made 51 triples.
Aldinger was effective with the ball in his hands, shooting 47 percent from the field and almost 40 percent from deep.
Analysis: The abilities of Aldinger to provide a second scoring option helped open things up for Sharar. Michael Collison and Iowa Falls-Alden will need someone to replace Aldinger to keep that going next winter.
Tavis Eklund, Webster City (2021)
For as good as the previous five mentioned players were at sinking shots from deep, nobody did it at a better rate than Webster City’s Tavis Eklund.
The junior sharpshooter averaged just under 11 points per game with 50 made 3-pointers. His percentages, though, are what gives NCC coaches nightmares for next year after making 43 percent of his field goals and almost 48 percent of his 3-point attempts.
Analysis: Webster City has had several talented shooters over the years, and with another offseason to work, Eklund is looking like the latest in that line of players.