Class 1A State Tournament Breakout Candidates
Caden Kickbush, Gladbrook-Reinbeck (2018)
Joe Smoldt is the best player in 1A, so Kickbush doesn’t garner much attention across the state. However, the 6-5 wing has shown some flashes of brilliance this season, averaging just under 12 points a game, and while he’s streaky, he can be a very good perimeter shooter. If the Rebels are going to make another run, obviously Smoldt will have to play very well, but so will Kickbush.
Arturo Montes, Grand View Christian (2019)
It may seem odd to say that a player averaging 12.5 points and 8.4 rebounds could “break out”, but Montes gets overshadowed on a Grand View Christian team that puts up points in bunches, and he could make himself very well known with a good showing next week. A 6-4 post player, he’s blocked 40 shots, runs the floor extremely well and is efficient around the rim (58.9 FG%). Grant DeMeulenaere and Stephen Glenn get most of the attention for the Thunder, but Montes is a very good player in his own right.
Sam Glenn, Grand View Christian (2019)
A long, lanky 6-2 wing who comes off the bench for the Thunder, Glenn has made an impact on both ends of the floor, averaging 4.6 points, shooting 41.7% from the arc, and notching 34 steals and 17 blocks. He gets overshadowed on a team that has plenty of firepower, but his ability to make an impact off the bench on both ends of the floor could come in handy at some point during the tournament.
Alex Dentlinger, New London (2018)
The younger brother of New London star, Ben, and cousin of Carroll Kuemper star, Matt, Alex is another talented Dentlinger who fits into a similar mold. He’s a long, lanky and athletic combo forward who has put together a pretty solid season, averaging 9.0 points and blocking 30 shots. He’s capable of hitting shots from the arc, runs the floor and finishes in transition, and if the Tigers are going to make a run, big plays off the bench will be crucial.
Keontae Luckett, New London (2019)
The less heralded of New London’s sophomore duo (Mason Porter), Luckett is a 5-11 point guard with game changing speed and athleticism. He will no doubt be one of, if not the fastest, players in the 1A field, and his ability to pressure opposing guards from end-to-end makes him a pain in the neck on the defensive end. He’s dished out 134 assists this season for a New London team that has played without their best player for a significant portion of the year. This lightning bolt will become a fan favorite with his speed, willingness to dive on the floor for loose balls, and defensive pressure.
Connor Beeck, Maple Valley-Anthon-Oto (2018)
Beeck is a critical piece of the Rams rotation, the team’s third leading scorer. But Colby Seuntjens and Juan Delagarza generally get the most publicity. A sharpshooting, 6-1 junior guard, Beeck could end up being the most pivotal player for MVAO. He’s a 43.6% 3-point shooter, and his ability to stretch the floor could open things up for the aforementioned “stars”.
Jesse Van Wyk, Lynnville-Sully (2018)
The leading scorer on a very balanced team, Van Wyk is averaging 12.5 points a game and leads the team in every major statistical category. He’s an efficient scorer (54.9 FG%), and a focal point of one of 1A’s best defenses. If he’s able to help limit Joe Smoldt and lead the Hawks to a first-round upset over Gladbrook-Reinbeck, he could turn himself into one of the breakout stars of the tournament.
Jacob Wesselmann, Remsen, St. Mary’s (2017)
Wesselmann is the undefeated Hawks’ best 3-point shooter, knocking down 49 of them on the year. Additionally, he’s dished out 79 assists (to just 29 turnovers), swiping 40 steals, and even blocked a dozen shots. Part of a tandem point-guard backcourt, he’ll have the ball in his hands plenty, with lots of opportunities to make plays for his team.