Stars at State: 4A
Connor McCaffery (Iowa City West)
Iowa’s top-ranked 2017, McCaffery could be in-line for a legacy-cementing week if he can carry this West squad to a title. The Trojans have come up short each of the last two seasons at Wells Fargo Arena, but won a title when McCaffery was a freshman starter; that was Wyatt Lohaus’ team though. This is McCaffery’s time to make his mark.
Devontae Lane (Iowa City West)
Lane turned a lot of heads last season at the state tournament, and if he wasn’t already a bonafide star, he became one then. He’s always been a top-5 player in our 2017 rankings, so we have been well aware of his prowess for years now. We wouldn’t be a bit surprised if the bullish guard came away with tournament MVP honors.
Keith Johnson (Dubuque, Hempstead)
He’s a fringe star guy, and could have probably been put on the breakout list too; but he certainly has proven time and again to us that he’s a star — most notably at our Top 250 Expo in the fall — and if you don’t already know about the bouncy and rangy 6-foot-5 forward, you will soon.
Garrett Sturtz (Newton)
This junior guard is as lengthy as they come, and boy does he make it work for him. He’s 6-foot-2, not a giant by any stretch, but he swallows up rebounds and swipes steals more than most other guards could dream of. He’s a very good shooter too, from deep and from mid-range.
Tyreke Locure (Des Moines North)
He made a name for himself last season as freshman, when he led all of 4A in assists and steals. And this season he started to become a household name for anyone who even remotely pays attention to high schools hoops. Just look at his sophomore season averages: 25.9 points, 7.4 assists 3.1 steals and 5.1 rebounds per game — pretty ridiculous.
Jal Bijiek (Des Moines North)
Locure is the razzle and Bijeik is the dazzle for the electric Polar Bears. If there’s a ball anywhere near the rim, Bijiek will sniff it out and slam it home. Sometimes it seems like he’s mad at the rim. The rangy 6-foot-7 wing is an elite shot blocker too, he’s swatting 3.5 shots per game to go along with his 15.5 points and 7.5 rebounds.
Van Rees (Seioux City East)
This 6-foot-7 combo-forward has been posting huge numbers since his career began, and not surprisingly his junior season has been the best yet. He cleans up on the glass (12.4), and is one of 4A’s best scorers (20.7). He currently holds no offers, this will be a perfect time for him to wow some college coaches.
Quinton Curry (Valley)
Curry is a four year starter on who has been to the state tournament in three times, been to the title game twice, and won a state title last season. The 6-foot-6 combo-forward recently came back from a serious knee injury, and the Tigers have eased him back into the rotation. He’s starting now, and could be ready to unleash next week.
Other Notable Standouts
Aidan Vanderloo (Sioux City East)
Connor Gholson (Newton)
Lucas Duax (Dubuque, Hempstead)
Drake Brewster (Cedar Rapids Kennedy)
Derrick Diggins (Cedar Rapids Kennedy)
Charley Crowley (Valley)
JMichael Young (Bettendorf)