Player of the Week: Jesse Van Wyk
It took three wins last week to advance Lynnville-Sully into their first State Tournament trip since 2011. And the Hawks junior leader Jesse Van Wyk led the charge.
The 6-foot-3 point-forward did not have any jaw-droppingly good performances, but he was solid in all three, and did a little bit of everything to help his team advance.
In a district semifinal win last Tuesday, Van Wyk was good, notching a team-high 14 points and 5 assists, helping the Hawks to a 23-point win over Colfax-Mingo.
In a district final versus Montezuma, Van Wyk was less successful offensively, connecting on just 1-8 shot attempts. So he ratcheted up his defense, blocking two shots and snaring 9 rebounds in the nine-point win. He also dished-out a team-high 4 assists.
“We were really focused defensively that game, and even though my shots weren’t falling, I was trying to rebound and create for my teammates,” said Van Wyk. “I was really trying to do a little bit of everything to help the team out.”
Van Wyk saved his best for last, and in during a 20-point substate win over Martensdale-St.Marys he scored 16 points (6-10 FGs), and team-bests 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks.
“I would say that was probably one of my better games of the year, and I was really focused on getting boards,” said Van Wyk. “And on offense we knew that they would be playing man, so I was looking to create for others.”
The Hawks have earned the No. 5 seed at the State Tournament in Des Moines next week, and drew Gladbrook-Reinbeck as their first round opponent.
That’s 30.5 points per game on 50 percent 3-point shooting Joe Smoldt’s Gladbrook-Reinbeck.
“We’re feeling pretty good I’d say. We know every team there is good and we’ll have to play well to win.,” said Van Wyk. “We’re well aware of Smoldt, and we’re going to have to play some really good D to shut him down.”