Iowa’s Premier Performers (Week 8)
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.
Garrett Sturtz (2018)
6’3 PG, Newton
47 points (13-19 FGs, 3-5 3s) 18-21 FTs, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks
A remarkable performance from a remarkable player who’s had an exceptional career at Newton. So exceptional in fact, that in this game — a win over Grinnell — he became the Cardinals’ all-time leading scorer. Sturtz is averaging 31.4 points per game this season, and as Tony Roe pointed out this week on Twitter, he’s attempted more free-throws than 34 other teams around the state. He’s on a very short list of Iowa Mr. Basketball candidates.
Luke Vaske (2018)
6′ PG, Norwalk
27 points (9-11 FGs, 1-1 3s, 9-9 FTs), 13 assists, 7 rebounds
Another guy who has pieced together a remarkable career at his school, Vaske — on the same night as Sturtz — also became the all-time leading scorer in his program’s history. It’s not just scoring that Vaske has been doing so well this season, but the assist numbers have been eye-popping. The combo-guard dished out 13 helpers in a win over Pella Christian last Friday night, and is averaging a 3A-best 8.9 assists per game this season.
Scott Leonard (2018)
6’6 C, Atlantic
40 points (18-22 FGs), 16 rebounds, 3 blocks
What a performance from this Atlantic big-man last Friday night during a 76-52 win over Red Oak. The 40 points are fantastic, but it’s the efficiency that makes this special, he only missed four of his 22 shot attempts on the night. Leonard told us recently that he’s narrowed his college list down to four; Simpson, Mount Marty, Briar Cliff and Buena Vista.
Tyreke Locure (2018)
5’10 PG, Des Moines North
31 points (11-16 FGs), 14 assists, 8 rebounds, 4 steals
It was another ridiculous night for the capital city’s best point guard, and Locure has been so good for so long now, that these nights are more normal than not. He was efficient and helpful to his teammates, dishing out a season-high 14 helpers in the 105-76 win over Ottumwa. Locure holds offers from North Dakota and Drake, and will likely nab several more this summer.
Hunter Strait (2018)
6’2 PG, Ankeny Centennial
32 points (10-17 FGs, 5-7 3s), 5 rebounds, 2 steals
Iowa’s 5th-ranked 2018, Hunter Strait will head to Truman State next season, and man is the Missouri D2 getting a good one. His Jags lost a crosstown rivalry game against Ankeny last Friday night, but after being down 23-6 early, Strait nearly willed them to the comeback win. He score 18 points in the third quarter alone, and was simply unstoppable for a lot of the game.
Beau Cornwell (2019)
6’2 G, West Branch
25 points, 10 steals, 6 rebounds, 4 assists
West Branch junior Beau Cornwell has been really good the past two seasons for the Bears, but he’s taken it up a notch this season. This is not the first time he’s made this list, which means he’s been the elite of the elite on several occasions this season. The 25 points are great, but almost standard for Cornwell who averages 23.2 points per game. It’s the 10 steals that are especially eye-opening. Only 11 guys have swiped double-digit steals in a game this season.
Cobey Robins (2019)
5’9 PG, Clarke
34 points, 13-13 FGs, 4-4 3s
Cobey Robbins leads the Indians in scoring this season with 12.9 points per game, but even this was out of the normal for him. Then again, when you go an entire game without missing a shot, you’re bound to notch some exceedingly high scoring numbers. Clarke may not be enjoying much success this season, but thanks to Robins’ perfect night, they came away with the win over Davis County last Friday night.
Owen Coburn (2019)
6’10 C, Spirit Lake
31 points, 12-14 FGs, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks
South Dakota State has already secured a commitment from this long sand skilled big-man, and he’s making them look pretty smart. Spirit Lake is 11-4, and Coburn is leading the charge while averaging 18.7 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. He had one of his better games of the season in a win over Spencer last Friday night, and nearly came away perfect from the floor in the process.
Blake Alden (2018)
6’2 SF, Diagonal
35 points (16-24 FGs), 17 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Diagonal is not known for its basketball prowess, and has not had someone on this list since Jacob Taylor a few years back; but Blake Alden, with his extremely high scoring and rebounding numbers, is certainly worthy of a spot here. After winning just one game last season, the Maroons are 9-7 this season; Alden is a big reason why. He posed this gem in a win over Moravia last Thursday night.
Levi Lukes (2019)
6’2 G, South Winnishiek
43 points, (14-24 FGs), 6 rebounds
Levi Lukes, everyone — he’s been tearing it up this season for the Warriors. His performance last Tuesday night in a win over MFL-Mar-Mac was outstanding; but really, he’s been outstanding all season. Lukes has led the Warriors to an 11-6 record this season while averaging of 22.4 points on 50 percent shooting. He’s just a junior, and he’ll make a debut in the next installment of 2019 rankings.