STATE TOURNAMENT: 10 Who Impressed on Saturday
2016 Mitchell Burger, 5’11 PG
How he missed out on the all-tournament team is a mystery to me. Burger was the emotional leader of the team this week and put up big numbers to boot. He scored 16 points and dished out three assists in this one. And he averaged 18 points in the first two games. The senior point guard possesses elite quickness and top-notch handles, allowing him to get to the rim with ease. And he can knock in a deep ball.
2018 Matthew Mims, 5’11 PG
Just a sophomore, Mims was filling the stat sheet all week, and was as poised as a senior veteran. He finished the 3A final with 11 points, two of which were clutch free throws late to help secure the Saints’ first-ever title. He also came away with two steals, and two assists. Mims will play with the Martin Brothers this summer, and has already gotten exponentially better since we saw him last offseason. He will be one of the state’s best point guards over the next two seasons.
2018 Jackson Joens, 6’5 SG
Also a sophomore, the good-sized wing was perhaps the biggest surprise of the week. We knew he was good — he’s our 9th-ranked 2018 — and he looked like a sure-fire Division I wing this week, especially in the final two games. He led the Saints in scoring with 24 in the semifinals, and again with 18 in the final. A sweet stroke, and an ability to get off clean looks make him special. He’ll have a monster summer with the Martin Brothers.
2016 Josh Schmitt, 5’11 G
Schmitt is primarily used as a role player on one of the state’s most talented teams, and today he stepped up into a big-time role. The sharpshooting guard was instrumental in a third quarter push that saw the Golden Eagles lead by as many as five points — he connected on three 3s in the quarter, one from NBA range. He finished with 15 points, all from deep, and showed good range in the process — a solid D3 or NAIA option.
2017 Devontae Lane, 6′ PG
What stood out about Lane today was his speed, we’ve seen him play plenty up to this point, but never realized the elite speed he possesses. Turner Scott was racing down the floor with the ball, and was caught from behind by Lane — that’s something I’ve never seen before. Scott is normally untouched when he gets out in front of guys in the open court. Lane should receive a slew of D1 offers this summer with the Barnstormers.
2016 Turner Scott, 5’10 PG
It was a pleasure to watch this kid play for the past two seasons, and whether he was with the Barnstormers, or the Tigers, his reputation is a tough, and clutch competitor. He’s headed to D2 Truman State, where he should make an immediate impact. It’s been discussed thoroughly among us media that he could be playing at a low to mid-major D1 program. Alas, the Bulldogs got a steal.
2017 Quinton Curry, 6’6 F
We have been observing Curry closely over the past two seasons, and though he has developed a perimeter game, and is certainly a threat to shoot it from outside, it’s evident he’s best when in the paint. He’s a supremely strong and athletic forward, with the ability to out-jump and out-muscle nearly anyone he comes across. He’s grown to 6-foot-6 and has been seeing some high-major D1 interest since last spring. He’ll have a monster summer with Kingdom Hoops Elite. We’ll be monitoring his recruitment closely.
2016 Tanner Lohaus, 6’7 SF
The Northern Iowa commit was quiet offensively but was using his great length to disrupt defensively. He was never asked to be the main man with the Trojans, and will probably not be a star player with the Panthers. But great size, length and athleticism will make him a serviceable player in the Missouri Valley Conference for the next few years.
2016 Carlo Marble, 6’5 G/F
Marble had a big week for the Tigers, and if there was a snub from the all-tournament team it would be him. He was shooting the ball well, and displayed an effective mid-range, and a nice deep ball. He’s a supremely-talented athlete, and will make his presence felt on nearly every rebound opportunity. If he doesn’t pull down the board, he will get his hands on it, and has the savvy to tip it out to teammates. He’s offer-less right now, had a D1 offer from Central Michigan, but doesn’t anymore.
2016 Wali Parks, 6’4 SF
He was sensational tonight for the Trojans, one of the few bright spots. It was an efficient night for the Indian Hills commit — 3-3 from the floor and 5-5 form the free-throw line — and he added a team-high five rebounds to boot. His 11 points and the boards were not enough to will his team to a state title. But look for him to land with a D1 program sometime in the next two years.