The Final Countdown: 2017’s 20-11
11. Drew Maschoff (Ankeny)
When we’re talking Drew Maschoff, we’re getting into the elite ranks of the 2017 class. We always considered this bouncy and skilled 6’4 guard to be a fringe D1 guy, and as it is, he’ll play at D2 Sioux Falls, where we’re guessing he’ll be able to play plenty and make a big impact right away.
12. Garrett Franken (Atlantic)
When you’re 6’6 and have plenty of experience playing point guard, D1 programs will become interested. That’s just what Franken is, and D1 North Dakota was able to nab him. He’ll likely play wing at the next level, and we get the idea that’s his preferred position. But he did run the point for Atlantic plenty these past two seasons.
13. Joe Smoldt (Gladbrook-Reinbeck)
Earlier in the countdown we said Levi Jungling is synonymous with the state tournament, that can be said — and emphasized — about Joe Smoldt. For three straight seasons he put up monster numbers at Wells Fargo Arena, and absolutely dazzled the crowd at times. He posted huge numbers throughout his career, and earned Iowa Mr. Basketball honors this past season because of it. Upper Iowa is getting a gem.
14. Matt Dentlinger (Kuemper)
He’s 6-foot-8, with long shot-blocking arms, and has a potent combo of soft touch and skill. He’s a more-than-capable 3-point shooter, and was dominant in the paint at the high school ranks. In college — as a walk-on at South Dakota State — we see him as a stretch-four. And won’t be surprised is he earns himself a scholarship spot sooner rather than later.
15. Sam Allen (Grinnell)
Last summer at the Grand View Team camp we got a good look at what this kid is capable of. Sure, the summer games can be more laissez-faire than regular season affairs, but Allen’s ability to pull the trigger with a quick release and from unlimited range with high precision was eye-opening. He averaged north of 30 points per game that tournament. Again, Upper Iowa is getting a good one.
16. Tajen Ross (ADM)
Nobody made a more substantial and gradual rise in the 2017 rankings than Tajen Ross. Originally a Waukee kid, he transferred into ADM after his sophomore season, and instantly made a big splash with the 3A Tigers. He posted 15.9 points per game his junior season, before erupting last season for 22.0 per game. He’s 6’2, agile and skilled. Ross will play at D2 Minnesota-Crookston next season.
17. Collin Hill (South Hamilton)
It was a topsy-turvy career for this 6’5 wing. He was ranked in the top-3 in our initial rankings when he was a freshman, after posting 16.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. But then he broke his leg playing football as a sophomore, and consequently missed his whole hoops season. He spent his junior season getting back into form, and was sensational as a senior. Truman State is lucky enough to be getting the big, physical wing.
18. Charley Crowley (Valley)
Very few, if any players in the 2017 class were as improved as this 6’8 post was over the span of their four-year high school careers. Crowley attended our Prep Hoops Combines the first two years we held them, and we saw the potential with his great footwork, soft touch and size. He was just scratching the surface then of what he would become. And what he became was a state champion, and one of the state’s best bigs. Also a D2 scholarship player, at William Jewell in Missouri.
19. Grant Kramer (Johnston)
Like his other ranked Johnston teammates, this 6-foot-6 wing didn’t post huge numbers for the defensive-minded Dragons, but his college potential was clear in his big frame and versatile skill-set. Kramer averaged 9.9 points on 52 percent shooting and hit 50 percent from deep as a senior. He’ll play D2 ball at Southwest Minnesota State.
20. Ben Juhl (Des Moines Christian)
This 6-foot guard is a special talent, and it shows with his highly efficient shooting percentage. Last winter he poured in 21.3 points per game and did it while shooting 63.4 percent from the floor and 48 percent from deep. It wasn’t an anomaly, as a junior he was 60.3 percent from the floor and 45.3 percent from deep. He got a late offer from Minnesota-Crookston and accepted. He and Tajen Ross could be a dynamic duo the next several seasons for the Eagles.