Class 1A Stars to Watch (Part I)
Angelo Winkel Angelo Winkel 6'9" | C Bishop Garrigan | 2021 State IA (Bishop Garrigan, 2021) The only 1A player committed to play at a D1 school, Winkel is a 6-9, athletic forward who is a menace around the bucket…
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Continue ReadingAngelo Winkel Angelo Winkel 6'9" | C Bishop Garrigan | 2021 State IA (Bishop Garrigan, 2021)
The only 1A player committed to play at a D1 school, Winkel is a 6-9, athletic forward who is a menace around the bucket on both ends of the floor. He’s agile, runs the floor well, has great hands and protects the rim. As he continues to develop his shooting stroke, he could turn into a real matchup problem. He averaged 18.7 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks a game last year for the 1A runner-up.
Kaleb Cornilsen Kaleb Cornilsen 6'5" | PF Easton Valley | 2021 State IA (Easton Valley, 2021)
One of the most efficient big men in the state last season, Cornilsen is a dynamic scorer from 15 feet and in. He has great footwork around the bucket, a silky mid-range jumper and can take bigger defenders off the dribble to get to the rim. He was hurt and didn’t play in the River Hawks’ upset loss in the postseason last year, and will be looking to have a huge senior year. He’ll have even more attention on him this year following the graduation of four starters. He averaged 20.2 points and 10.0 rebounds last season.
Trey Shearer Trey Shearer 5'10" | PG Montezuma | 2021 State IA (Montezuma, 2021)
Shearer has been the most dynamic player in 1A basketball for the last few years. A shifty lead guard who can dominate games without scoring with his ability to break down a defense and get others involved, he’s also a high-level shooter both off the dribble and the catch. He can explode for 40+ points on a given night, or have a night where he scores 15 but has 10 assists and 6 steals. He’s keeping the Truman State-Iowa pipeline going, committing to play for former Hawkeye Jeff Horner. He averaged 25.2 points, 5.1 assists and 2.4 steals on 61.6% shooting last year for a Montezuma team that finished third in 1A.
Trey Baker Trey Baker 6'4" | SF Martensdale-St. Mary's | 2021 State IA (Martensdale-St. Marys, 2021)
The leading scorer for a Blue Devils team that was among the best in the class last season, Baker is a long, athletic wing who contributed across the board and has the size and versatility to be a major matchup problem at this level, especially if he can become a more consistent 3-point shooter. He averaged 16.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists a game last season.
Hunter Caves Hunter Caves 6'0" | PG Alburnett | 2021 State IA (Alburnett, 2021)
Caves missed his entire junior year after suffering a knee injury during the football season, but he was a standout as a sophomore for the Pirates 1A runner-up team, averaging 13.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists a game. A big, physical guard who thrives on getting to the bucket and using his strong frame to finish through contact, he’ll be the focal point of a very good Pirates team.
Austin Hilmer Austin Hilmer 5'10" | PG North Linn | 2022 State IA (North Linn, 2022)
The younger brother of the state’s all-time assist king, Hilmer is also a passing wizard with outstanding court vision and the ability to fit passes into places that few other players in the state can. An imaginative lead guard, he’s always playing at 100 mph and creating chaos on both ends of the floor. He’s the focal point for a Lynx team that is favored to win the 1A title this year. He averaged 17.7 points, 7.9 assists and 3.6 steals for the 2A runner-up Lynx last season, and he has committed to join older brother Jake at Upper Iowa.
Taurice Grant Taurice Grant 5'11" | PG Meskwaki Settlement School | 2021 State IA (Meskwaki Settlement, 2021)
A dynamic senior guard who impacts the game on both ends of the floor, Grant stuffed the stat sheet last year to the tune of 15.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 5.1 steals a game. The Warriors are a top 10 team in 1A this year, and Grant is the biggest reason why.
Garrett Trapp Garrett Trapp 6'1" | CG River Valley | 2021 State IA (River Valley, 2021)
The second leading returning scorer in the class, Trapp averaged 21.2 points and 4.7 rebounds a game last season for the Wolverines, while also leading the team in steals.