STATE TOURNAMENT: Class 3A All-Tournament Team
While the media voted for their all-tournament team, we had a few differences. Our Class 3A all-tournament team is below. Mitchell Burger, Cedar Rapids Xavier (2016) The leading scorer for the 3A champion Saints, Burger averaged 17.3 points a game…
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Continue ReadingWhile the media voted for their all-tournament team, we had a few differences. Our Class 3A all-tournament team is below.
Mitchell Burger, Cedar Rapids Xavier (2016)
The leading scorer for the 3A champion Saints, Burger averaged 17.3 points a game throughout the tournament. While he was dominant in their quarterfinal win over Spirit Lake, his defining moments may have come in the second half of the championship game, where he was dazzling with his dribble penetration, something that changed the whole course of the evening. His 11 second half points and three assists helped carry Xavier to their first state title.
Cordell Pemsl, Dubuque Wahlert (2016)
Pemsl’s dream of a third straight state title was stopped by Xavier, but he was dazzling throughout the tournament, posting three straight double-doubles and averaged 18 points and 12.7 rebounds during the week. The Iowa commit looked as healthy as we’ve ever seen him, throwing down transition dunks with more explosion than ever, while also dazzling with his passing ability.
Jackson Joens, Cedar Rapids Xavier (2018)
You could make an argument to put either of Chariton’s stars (Daric Laing or T.J. Hockenson) on here over Joens, but the sophomore wing was arguably Xavier’s best player in their semifinal and championship wins, going 8-for-10 from the arc in those two games, and 9-for-13 from deep in the tournament.
Levi Jansen, MOC-Floyd Valley (2016)
Jansen provided the performance of the tournament, scoring a dazzling 42 points in the Dutchmen’s quarterfinal loss to Wahlert. Despite the first round exit, he was voted on to the media’s team, and we agree that he deserved it. He nearly carried MOC-Floyd Valley to a first-round upset with his effort, going 14-24 from the floor and 11-16 from the line. He simply would not be denied in the second half.
Ryan Van Wyk, Pella (2017)
Van Wyk averaged 19 points and seven rebounds in helping lead Pella to a third place showing. His week was highlighted by a 19-point, 15-rebound effort against Xavier in the semifinals, a game the Dutch fell just short in after making a furious comeback late.