UPDATED 2019 Rankings: Highest Debuts
DJ Carton (Bettendorf) — No. 25
He’s the starting point guard and leading scorer (10.4) on a 4A state qualifier, those are quite the accomplishments for a sophomore. The 6-foot-1 guard is also the Bulldogs’ best assist-man. And he pulls down 4.9 rebounds per game — very good for a guard. We’re looking forward to getting a good look at him next week in Des Moines.
Ryan Schmitt (Van Meter) — No. 29
At 6-foot-8 and with a diverse set of skills, it’s a no-brainer that Schmitt would make a high-debut in these rankings. The ceiling is high for the sophomore, who averaged 11.1 points, 2.0 assists, 1.8 blocks and 6.5 rebounds per game. Like Carton, Schmitt will showcase his skills on the biggest stage there is as the state tournament next week.
Zach Martinek (West Fork) — No. 40
A 6-foot-3 guard, Martinek burst onto the scene this season with a monster campaign for the Warhawks. When you’re the best player on one of the best teams in the state (1A), you deserve to be ranked. And Martinek was easily the best player this season for West Fork, posting averages of 17.4 points, 2.0 assists and 6.2 rebounds per game.
Andrew Gibb (St. Edmond) — No. 45
This guy joined a very exclusive 50-40-90 club this season — that is shooting at least 50 percent from the floor, 40 percent from deep and 90 percent from the free-throw line — and solidified himself as one of Iowa’s best shooters; on paper he was Iowa’s best shooter. The 6-foot shooting guard led the Gaels this season, scoring 15.4 points per game, and did so while shooting 58 percent from the floor, 52 percent from deep, and 90 percent from the free-throw line. Wait, he’s in the 50-50-90 club!
Willie Guy (Cedar Rapids Jefferson) — No. 50
Cedar Rapids Jefferson enjoyed a really nice season this winter, one of their best in years, and this sophomore guard was a big reason why. Any starter on a 4A squad is obviously a special player, but Guy not only started, he produced, a lot. The 5-foot-11 shooting guard finished with averages of 12.4 points and 3.0 assists per game.
Tristan Sweitzer (New Hampton) — No. 60
One of Iowa’s best assists-guys this season, Sweitzer dished out 114 of them this season, good for 5.0 per game; that’s 11th-best in the state among sophomores, and best among sophomores in 2A. He also scored the ball well, as evidenced by his team-high 14 points per game this season.
Casey Kleemeier (Winterset) — No. 61
While pacing the Huskies with 15.5 points this season, Kleemeier established himself as the leader of a young and upstart Winterset squad. Everybody returns next season for the Huskies, which should certainly improve greatly upon the six-wins they totaled in 2016-17. Kleemeier is not just a one trick pony, he led the team in assists and steals for good measure.
Tate Bear (Meskwaki Settlement School) — 6’2 F
Huge numbers coupled with great efficiency land this 6-foot-2 forward on this list. He led the Warriors in several categories, including points (20.6), blocks (2.2), and rebounds (7.9). Five regular starters will be back next season for the Warriors, and Bear will lead the charge.