Reliving 25 Memorable Performances: 25-21
With a week-plus off for the holiday break, what better time is there to look back on some of the most memorable performances of the past decade? I’ve been closely following high school basketball in the state of Iowa since my time in high school (graduating in 2007), and over the next week, I’ll be unveiling 25 of the best performances I’ve had a chance to witness, either as a team or individuals. The list will be more individual performance centered, and please note that prior to my hiring at Prep Hoops Iowa, I saw every Iowa City West game for five years, going to other games on evenings they weren’t playing. I look forward to continuing to be able to add performances to this list as the years go on. Without further ado, here are memorable performances Nos. 25 thru 21.
Writers note: All performances that are mentioned on this list were witnessed in person, with the exception of one. That one, I was able to get my hands on a full game tape of it, and have watched it from start-to-finish on multiple occasions, so it will be included and noted later on. Additionally, only players from Iowa will be included. I’ve seen some memorable outings from guys like Henry Ellenson, Tyler Hall and Sam Neumann from other states, but they will not be included here.
25.) Benton Community at Center Point-Urbana (February 6, 2016)
One of the best games I’ve ever seen at the high school level, this one had a little bit of everything. These teams were playing for the WaMaC West title, and the game lived up to the hype, with Center Point-Urbana claiming a 90-86 win in overtime. Benton had come in as winners of 15 of their previous 16 games, but fell behind 26-11 after the first quarter. The game was filled with massive runs by each side, and Benton used a 29-16 fourth quarter to send it to overtime, where CP-U finally put it away. The two teams met again six days later to open up the playoffs, and Benton was able to get some revenge, but CP-U had the upper hand on this night. Two teams playing in a packed gym for a division crown, and it ends in overtime? What more could you ask for.
24.) Ali Farokhmanesh scores 25 in the fourth quarter and overtime at Cedar Rapids Jefferson
You’ll notice throughout the list that this is the only game without a date on it. It was before the QuikStats era, so I don’t have definitive numbers on this one, but it certainly sticks out in my mind. A battle between top-five teams at the time, Jefferson had held Iowa City West’s leading scorer, Farokhmanesh, scoreless through three quarters. Then he erupted. He brought the Trojans back from a double-digit deficit almost single-handedly, scoring 25 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to lead West to a win at Jefferson. I was on the West sophomore team at the time, and sitting in the stands watching this was jaw-dropping. He was unconscious, pulling up from several feet behind the arc and raining in 3s. Farokhmanesh, of course, went on to star at Northern Iowa, hitting one of the most memorable shots in NCAA tournament history, and is now an assistant coach at Nebraska.
23.) Devin Green’s huge double-double in blowout win over Wilton (December 3, 2015)
This one probably would’ve gotten a little higher on the list had the game been closer, but Cascade big man Devin Green was dominant in a 30-point win over Wilton, scoring 33 points (15-19 shooting), grabbing 13 rebounds and blocking five shots in the middle of the Cougars’ vaunted 2-3 zone. Green, who is now playing at Division II Sioux Falls, was dominant on both ends of the floor, scoring in a variety of ways for Cascade.
22.) Iowa City West’s perfect game at City High (January 6, 2014)
The Trojans certainly entered this game as a heavy favorite, and didn’t disappoint, jumping out to a 25-5 lead after one, and cruising to a 70-34 win. That isn’t what stands out here, however. They played a nearly perfect game on the offensive end of the floor by dishing out 23 assists on 23 made field goals. The way they shared the basketball in this win perfectly exemplified this team that would go on to win their third straight state title.
21.) Marcus Paige scores 22 in semifinal win over Bettendorf as a freshman (March 13, 2009)
There will be more to come from Paige later on, but in my mind, this may be his most underappreciated performance throughout his high school career. Paige had had a fine freshman season, averaging just over seven points for a very good Linn-Mar team, and he was somewhat known around the state leading into the tournament. In this semifinal, however, he broke out and made himself definitively known. He led the Lions in scoring with 22 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter as he helped the Lions overcome a fourth quarter deficit to advance to the championship game. Two plays still stick in my mind about this performance – the first, a cold-blooded 3 that he just stopped and elevated into to cut the Bettendorf lead to 55-53 with 2:55 left, and the second a pair of free throws to tie the game, then give Linn-Mar the lead with 1:23 to go, a lead they wouldn’t give up the rest of the way. The poise the freshman showed in the closing minutes was just a sign of great things to come later on.