Week One: New Names (2022/2023)
2022 Aaron Campbell (Grinnell) Campbell first caught our attention after posting 22 rebounds in the Tigers’ win over South Tama to kick off the season, 12 of which came on the offensive end. He’s an active 6-4 forward who (obviously)…
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Continue Reading2022 Aaron Campbell (Grinnell)
Campbell first caught our attention after posting 22 rebounds in the Tigers’ win over South Tama to kick off the season, 12 of which came on the offensive end. He’s an active 6-4 forward who (obviously) crashes the glass hard and plays with constant effort. His offensive game is still a work in progress, but his work on the glass is enough to get him noticed and will get him into the 2022 rankings update when that is compiled near the end of the month.
2022 Jacob Stockdale (Dike-New Hartford)
The Wolverines graduated most of their production from last season, so someone needed to step up. Early on, that has been Stockdale, a 5-11 guard who has showed the ability to score in bunches, averaging 20.5 points a game through the opening week. He has shown the ability to score from all three levels, and has also dished out 7 assists so far, showing that he can get others involved.
2022 Dylan DeMean (Springville)
DeMean averaged just 1.4 points and 1.1 rebounds a game last season for the Orioles, but has had a coming-out party so far this season, averaging 17.7 points and 11.0 rebounds in their first three games. An athletic 6-3 forward, he’s also contributed 3.7 assists and 3.3 steals a game. He was the Orioles’ quarterback, so he has some court vision, and he’s finishing around the rim at a really high clip (56.8 FG%). His length and athleticism has given Springville an interior presence that they haven’t had in the last few years.
2022 Conor Sukel (Cedar Valley Christian)
The Huskies have already matched last year’s win total (two), and Sukel is a big reason why. A 6-2 guard who moved to CVC from Joliet, Illinois, Sukel is averaging 26.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 6.0 steals a game so far through three games, and he’s shooting an eye-popping 79.5% from the floor so far. A long wing with good anticipation on the defensive end, he uses his length to jump passing lanes and turn his defense into quick and easy offense. He finishes well around the bucket, and it will be interesting to monitor how he performs when the competition starts to get a little tougher. Nonetheless, he’s certainly made a major impact on CVC and turned them into a team that should put together several wins this year.
2022 Gavin Stott (Martensdale-St. Marys)
Stott was a bench player for the Blue Devils’ state qualifying team last season, averaging 3.3 points a game, but he has emerged as the go-to scorer for this year’s team, which was desperately needed following a number of personnel losses. A 5-10 guard who moves well off the ball, he has been a strong complement to lead guard Hogan Franey Hogan Franey 6'0" | CG Martensdale-St. Mary's | 2022 State IA , who does a great job passing into shooting pockets. Stott is shooting 41% from the arc so far, and has drilled all 14 of his free-throw attempts. Shooting translates to the next level, and Stott has proven he can shoot early in the year.
2023 Cole Ritchie (Sioux City East)
We had high expectations for fellow 2023 Black Raider Brandt Van Dyke Brandt Van Dyke 6'8" | PF Sioux City East | 2023 State IA heading into the season, but it’s been Ritchie who has been a standout thus far. A 6-2 wing, he has some size and length, can score from all three levels, and he’s rebounded the ball at a really high clip so far. East is 2-0, and Ritchie is averaging 14 points and 8 rebounds while shooting 50% from the floor. His five made 3-pointers make up over half of the team’s 3s so far as well.
2023 Merquiche Lewis Jr. (Burlington)
A 6-4 wing who is at his best when he’s playing downhill and attacking the rim, Lewis is shooting 62.5% from the floor while leading the Grayhounds at 16.7 points a game. He uses his length effectively, jumping passing lanes and turning defense into offense. If he can add a consistent jumper to his arsenal, he could turn into one of the better scorers in the state.
2023 Josh Sanderson (Grand View Christian)
The 5-10 junior point guard has seamlessly stepped into a starting role for the Thunder this year and thrived in a pair of blowout wins, scoring 14 points and game and dishing out 8 assists a night. He has shown the ability to get to the rim as well as knock down 3s at a high clip, and he has excellent court vision. Playing with some big-time scorers makes it easier on him, but there is some skill here with his passing. He’s someone that we’re looking forward to seeing live at some point this year.