Iowa’s Premier Performers (Week 2)
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.
CaRondis Harris Anderson (2018)
6’3 G, Waterloo West
50 points (19-26 FGs, 4-6 3s), 8 rebounds
The Wahawks picked up their second win of the young season (against Waterloo East) behind a smoldering performance from senior leader, Harris-Anderson. There’s been several 40-point games already this season, but making it to 50 is a whole different story. This might be the only 50-point game we’ll see this season.
Luke Empen (2018)
6’6 C, Northeast, Goose Lake
28 points (12-13 FGs), 19 rebounds
It’s a 6-0 start for the Rebels and they have a shot of making it down to the state tournament come March. If so, the stage will be set for Empen to show his strength, toughness and grit, those qualities are what it tales to score 28 points in the paint and snare 19 rebounds to boot; which is just what he did last week against Prince of Peace Prep
Tyreke Locure (2019)
5’10 PG, Des Moines North
We were present for this particular performance last week during a thumping of rival Hoover, and we feel comfortable saying, that it might be time for Iowa and Iowa State to consider offering this electric and uncanny lead guard. The 35 points are great, he’ll do that a lot over the next two seasons, but to add nine assists and three steals, that’s special.
Keaton Kutcher (2021)
6’1 SG, Mount Vernon
30 points (10-13 3s), 6 stls
Lots of guys will score 30 points in a game this season, probably none of them will do it while coming off the bench. That’s what Kutcher did Friday night in a win over Anamosa. He also did it while canning a season-high in Iowa 10 3s, and swiping six steals. Oh, and he’s a freshman. Kutcher is a superstar in the making.
Derek Krogmann (2019)
6’6 PF, West Delaware
27 points (13-19 FGs), 21 rebounds, 2 blocks
This long lefty is a Division I prospect, and he proved that last Tuesday night in a Hawks win over Beckman Catholic. The 27 points are great, he’s lethal around the rim, and tough to guard as a lefty; but it’s the 21 rebounds, seven of them offensive, that really made Krogmann impressive. North Dakota has offered, others should follow suit this summer.
PJ Rundquist (2019)
5’10 G, Wapsie Valley
43 points (9-18 3s), 3 assists, 2 steals
It was Denver that got a very heavy dose of this junior superstar last Tuesday night. Rundquist has a penchant for piecing together up huge games, last season he did it a sophomore, when he notched 50 against Sumner-Fredericksburg. Rundquist is a smooth lead guard, and can score from anywhere. He’ll have a big year ahead of him for recruitment.
Quinn Vesey (2019)
6′ G, Indianola
42 points (14-26 FGs, 7-14 3s)
Whoa, this one caught us a bit off-guard, the Indianola junior averaged 8.2 points per game last season as a sophomore, but has seemingly made considerable strides with his skill development since then. The 42 points came in a loss to Ankeny, but garnered our attention nonetheless. He’ll definitely make a debut in the next installment of 2019 rankings.
Jake Hilmer (2019)
5’10 PG, North Linn
30 points, 11 assists, 9 steals, 8 rebounds
Every single game that Hilmer plays could end up on this list, and we might just make it a point to feature him somewhere on the list every week. He did notch a triple-double (points, assists, steals) on Saturday against Clayton Ridge-Guttenburg, but we’re choosing to focus on hos Tuesday performance against Springville, because he was so painstakingly close to a quadruple-double.
Kenny Clay (2018)
5’7 PG, Davenport West
12 points (5-7 FGs), 15 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds
We saw this ultra-quick Falcons point guard shredding the competition at Drake’s Team Camp in June, so we’re really not surprised by his early season success. This is a 5-5-5-5 game that occurred in a win against crosstown rival Davenport Central; we take kindly to those type performances here at Prep Hoops Iowa. It showcases the diverse and broad impact a player can have on the game. Clay, with his speed, skill and experience could have a lot of these type games this season.
Andrew Curran (2019)
6′ G, Ottumwa
33 points (10-16FGs, 7-8 3s), 5 rebounds, 5 assists
Another kid who is experiencing a surge with his skill-development of late, Curran has not only grown a bit height-wise since the spring, but has developed into a dominant player for the Bulldogs. He was great at our Top 250 Expo in the fall, and his early season success is a testament to the work he put in this past offseason. He’ll play with the Iowa Barnstormers next spring.