STATE TOURNAMENT PREVIEW: Class 1A Stars to Watch
Over the course of the next two weeks, the Prep Hoops Iowa team will be flooding you with content previewing and covering the State Tournament. Here we take a look at 12 standout players to keep an eye on during…
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Continue ReadingOver the course of the next two weeks, the Prep Hoops Iowa team will be flooding you with content previewing and covering the State Tournament. Here we take a look at 12 standout players to keep an eye on during the Class 1A State Tournament.
2021 Trey Shearer (Montezuma)
The best player in 1A basketball, Shearer, a 5-11 Truman State commit, is a dynamic, playmaking guard who can score from anywhere on the floor and does a great job getting his teammates involved as well. He’s averaging 25.5 points on 64-45-83 shooting splits, and leads the team with 133 assists and 60 steals. If the Braves are going to make a deep run at State, it’ll be because Shearer is playing at another level.
2021 Cole Watts (Montezuma)
Shearer’s running mate in the backcourt, Watts is another 5-11 junior guard who can really fill it up. His 71 made 3s are tops among players in the field, and he made them at a 41.8% clip. A strong guard who handles the ball, rebounds and sees the floor well, it’s his shooting that will make the major difference for the Braves next week.
2021 Angelo Winkel (Bishop Garrigan)
A springy 6-9 power forward who runs the floor really well and finishes above the rim, Winkel is averaging 18.9 points and 9.5 rebounds for the Golden Bears. He’s a versatile defender who can switch and stay in front of smaller players, and he’s a solid rim protector as well.
2021 DaShawn Linnen (Lake Mills)
A 6-3 junior wing, Linnen is capable of scoring from anywhere on the floor, averaging 20.1 points on 61-39-66 shooting splits. His ability to get into the paint or shoot it from deep are key for this Bulldogs team.
2020 Chett Helming (Lake Mills)
While Linnen leads the team in scoring, it’s probably Helming who is the most important piece for the Bulldogs. The 6-6 senior wing leads the team in rebounding and averages 18.6 points a game. His length and athleticism are vital on the defensive end of the floor, and his ability to score from all three levels make this team dangerous.
2021 Trey Baker (Martensdale-St. Mary’s)
The 6-4 junior wing leads the Blue Devils in scoring at 17.2 points a game, and also pulls down 7.9 rebounds. He’s long and athletic, and a capable shooter from deep, but he’s at his best when he’s playing downhill and getting to the rim for buckets.
2020 Isaac Gavin (Martensdale-St. Mary’s)
The 6-10 senior isn’t putting up the historic numbers that older brother Brady did, but he’s been extremely productive on both ends of the floor for the Blue Devils, averaging 13.3 points, 9.1 rebounds and blocking 47 shots. His presence in the paint will be key if the Devils are going to make a run.
2020 Kiks Rosengarten (Wapsie Valley)
A double-double machine, the 6-7 senior is averaging 19.5 points and 12.3 rebounds a night for the Warriors. He has also blocked 61 shots. Like Gavin with Martensdale-St. Mary’s, Rosengarten’s presence in the paint on both ends of the floor is huge for Wapsie Valley.
2021 Alex Koppes (Springville)
A 5-10 junior guard, Koppes leads the Orioles in scoring at 19.7 points a game, and he’s shooting 44.7% from behind the arc. Also a menace on the defensive end, he’s a key piece for Springville’s pressure, swiping 86 steals this season.
2021 Kayden Ames (West Fork)
Half of the Warhawks’ dynamic junior tandem, Ames is a knockdown shooter who has made 68 3-pointers this season at a 42.5% clip. He leads the team in scoring at 14.5 points a game, and is the team’s top threat to have a huge scoring night (see the 30-point outburst against Meswaki Settlement School in the district final).
2021 Jakob Washington (West Fork)
Washington is an undersized forward at 6-2, but he’s active and extremely productive on the glass. He averages 8.3 rebounds a game, 12.0 points and is second on the team with 77 assists. He also leads the team with 52 steals.
2020 Spencer Schorg (St. Mary’s)
A 6-0 senior guard, Schorg is making his fourth trip to Des Moines, and is hoping to help his Hawks get by the semifinal round for the first time. He leads the team in scoring at 16.5 points a game, and has the ability to fill it up from all three levels. His 80 assists and 52 steals are also tops on the team.