Preseason All-Conference: CIML Metro
Player of the Year: Tyreke Locure, Des Moines North (2019)
After posting prolific numbers in each of his first two seasons, it’s pretty clear that this 5-foot-10 point guard is the top dog in this CIML division. Locure spent his summer playing against the nation’s best players on the Nike EYBL circuit with Kansas City-based MOKAN Elite, and that should pay dividends as he gets back to the high school grind this winter.
First Team (2016-17 stats in italics)
Tyreke Locure, Des Moines North (2019) 25.6 PPG, 84 FT%, 7.3 APG, 3.0 SPG, 5.2 RPG
A no-brainer for the first-team, Locure — our Fan Choice Iowa Player of the Year last season — will almost certainly garner all-state consideration, too. He’s got Drake and North Dakota offers, and should yield plenty more over the next 12 months.
Kenny Quinn, Des Moines Hoover (2019) 5.7 PPG, 41 3FG%, 3.5 APG
Though the offensive numbers aren’t eye-opening, it’s Quinn’s stout, lock-down defense that makes him one of the more impactful players in the division. That being said: he’ll be called upon to produce more offensively this year. It’ll be interesting to see how his game evolves.
Devonte Thedford, Des Moines Hoover (2018) 7.9 PPG, 2.2 APG, 4.5 RPG
It’s been a long time coming for this 6-foot-2 combo-guard, and this is the winter when, we think, Thedford will put it all together. He’s got a methodical smooth-ness to his game, and he seemed to be clicking on all cylinders this summer with Kingdom Hoops Elite.
Cade Moritz, Des Moines Roosevelt (2018) 9.6 PPG, 56 3FG%, 1.8 BPG, 10.0 RPG
After sitting out the first half of last season because of transfer (Norwalk), Moritz played very well for the remainder — nearly posting a double-double average in 12 games. We expect him to accomplish that double-double this season, and he’ll be the best big, not only in the Metro, but a top big in the state.
Lino Malual, Des Moines North (2019) 9.1 PPG, 47 FG%, 3.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, 3.9 RPG
The other in a Des Moines North back-court that will certainly be one of the state’s best, Malual will bring some high-level athleticism and leaping ability to the Polar Bears. He’ll provide some showstopping dunks this winter, and will pair some nice skill to boot. We expect him to fully breakout this season for North,
Second Team
Andrew Curran, Ottumwa (2019)
Will Feller, Des Moines Lincoln (2018)
Peter Ngo, Des Moines Roosevelt (2019)
Daires Adems, Des Moines Lincoln (2018)
Hosea Treadwell, Des Moines Hoover (2019)
Honorable Mentions
Shamarie Tomkins, Des Moines Roosevelt (2018)
Jaihon McCaleb, Des Moines North (2018)
Noah Boyer, Ottumwa (2018)
Jayqwon Bridges, Ottumwa (2018)
James Bilim, Des Moines East (2018)
Will McElvain, Des Moines Lincoln (2018)
Landon Ingle, Des Moines Roosevelt (2018)
Jamie Spinks, Des Moines Roosevelt (2019)
Nick Johnson, Des Moines Hoover (2018)
Nabil Musa, Des Moines Roosevelt (2018)
Gatdoar Bijiek, Des Moines North (2019)
Antonio Alzheimer, Des Moines Roosevelt (2020)