Iowa’s Premier Performers (Week 1)
Each week, we’ll sift through quikstats.com, Twitter, emails and the like in search of the best performances from around the state. It’s the 40-point games, triple doubles and stat-stuffing performances that are likely to make the list. Below, you’ll find 10 of this week’s eye-opening performances.
Cole Henry (2019)
6’9 F, Oskaloosa
17 points (5-9 FGs), 10 rebounds, 12 assists
Someone on Twitter said “Chef Henry was serving it up last night,” and that about sums up his performance Saturday in a win against Knoxville. The big combo-forward is expected to average a double-double with the points and rebounds, but the assists is what makes this performance special.
Jake Hilmer (2019)
5’10 PG, North Linn
20 points (8-14 FGs), 15 assists, 8 steals, 7 rebounds
This is the first of what’s almost guaranteed to be several appearances in the “Premier Performers” articles for Hilmer this season. He was sensational in his team’s 111-28 win over East Buchanan. The ultra-quick point guard might get himself a quadruple-double before the season’s finished.
Garrett Sturtz (2018)
6’3 PG, Newton
44 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists
Something tells us this 44 point performance against Indianola won’t be Sturtz’s only 40-point performance this season. He’s a scoring machine, and he proved that time and again this past spring while starring with Iowa Intensity 17U. He’s one of Iowa’s best unsigned players, and is a young man on a mission.
Mach Nyaw (2019)
6-foot G, Grand View Christian
23 points, 10 rebounds (4 offensive), 5 assists, 4 steals
We were present for this dominant performance at Ankeny Christian Academy, and boy was it impressive. Nyaw may not have been the biggest guy on the floor, but he played like it, using elite athleticism to sky for boards, and score from all over the court. He’s a stock-riser, and is in line for a breakout junior season.
Derrick Diggins (2018)
6-foot-2 G, Cedar Rapids Kennedy
41 points (14-20 FGs), 12 rebounds, 6 steals
Wow, what a way to start the season for this dynamic Cougars guard. Kennedy got the season started with a big win last Monday night against Dubuque, Wahlert; as you can see, Diggins was a big reason why.
Brady Gavin (2018)
6’6 C, Martensdale-St. Marys
33 points (14-19 FGs), 18 rebounds (9 offensive), 3 blocks
The Blue Devils may have taken a narrow loss in their season opener against Woodward-Granger, but to no fault of big-man Brady Gavin. The 33 points are great, but those 18 rebounds are what really stand out here. He’s a big, strong post with soft touch around the rim. Gavin will dominate all season long.
Cliff McCray (2018)
6’1 PG, Sioux City West
22 points (8-15 FGs), 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals, 2 blocks
One of the breakout stars of this past spring and summer, McCray is going to have a huge season for the Wolverines this winter; and he showed that he’s a do-it-all guard with his versatile performance against Sergeant Bluff-Luton last Monday night.
Zach Lester (2018)
6′ G, Clear Lake
40 points (14-26 FGs), 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks
This ultra-athletic lead guard started the season off with a bang, notching 40 points in a four point season opening win over West Fork, Sheffield. And it wasn’t just the points, he he also found a way to put up numbers in literally all facets of the game.
Parker Badding (2018)
6’2 G, Kuemper Catholic
44 points (14-22 FGs), 13-13 FTs, 6 rebounds, 2 steals
The Knights started their season with a 14-point win over crosstown rival Carroll, and Parker Badding went nuts. Those 44 points didn’t come as a huge surprise to us, we were watching him go nuts all summer with Tryon Gym 17U.
Logan Hoffman (2018)
6’4 PF, Tipton
41 points (15-18 FGs), 11 rebounds (7 offensive), 2 steals
A skilled post with some seriously soft touch, Hoffman was busy this past spring and summer torching opponents with Iowa Pump ‘N Run 17U, now it seems he’ll be doing much the same for the Tigers. Expect many more huge nights from the skilled forward throughout the winter.