Each week, we’ll sift through quikstats.com, Twitter, emails and the like in search of the best performances from around the state. It’s the 40-point games, triple doubles and stat-stuffing performances that are likely to make the list. Below, you’ll find 10 of this week’s eye-opening performances.
Tyreke Locure (2019)
5’10 PG, Des Moines North
56 points (20-33 FGs), 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals
After starting the season with a tough loss to Waukee, Locure and his Des Moines North Polar Bears have reeled of eight straight wins. Most recently, they went down to Missouri and beat St. Joseph, Lafayette; Locure went OFF in that win. The 56 points are the most scored by a Iowa high school hoopster since 2005, and the most by a North player since Hurl Beechum hung 59 on Lincoln in 1991.
Drake Johnson (2019)
6′ G, Stanton
32 points (12-14 FGs), 8 rebounds, 8 assists
The huge junior season for Johnson continues, and it’s just a matter of time before he nabs a triple-double, it seems. He got close last Thursday night against Clarinda Academy, and what was most impressive is the efficiency. Johnson canned both of his 3s, and only missed two of his 14 shot attempts, he was also 6-6 from the line.
AJ Green (2018)
6’3 PG, Cedar Falls
32 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals
Not just one of the best players in Iowa, but one of the best point guards in the Midwest, Green is heading to Northern Iowa next season, but will be tormenting opponents at Cedar Falls fro s bit longer still. He was doing his thing in a win last week against Wahlert; the 32 points were a season-high for him.
Aidan Vanderloo (2018)
6′ G, Sioux City East
29 points (11-14 FGs), 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals
This extraordinarily skilled Black Raiders guard is making a case for himself this season; that he’s the state’s best shooter. He’s certainly one of the best. During his 29 point outburst in a win over Lewis Central last Tuesday, Vanderloo made 11 of 14 shots and connected on five of seven 3s. This season he’s 62 percent from the floor and 63 percent from deep.
Kyle Frank (2018)
6’4 PG, HLV, Victor
11 points, 12 rebounds, 11 steals, 6 assists, 2 blocks
The senior big-man notched a triple-double last week against win-less English Valleys, but no matter the quality of opponent, trip-doubs are always impressive. And it was the 6 assists that made this not only a triple-double, but a quadruple-nickel, a 5-5-5-5 game. We see you, Kyle.
Troy Houghton (2018)
6’3 SF, Council Bluffs Lincoln
21 points, 13 rebounds, 6 steals, 4 blocks, 3 assists
If there’s one thing that Houghton — a Sioux Falls-signee — has been known for in the past, it’s his diverse and versatile skill-set. That was on full display last Tuesday against Harlan, and he was using his rangy and athletic frame to dominant the glass, and score in the paint. The Lynx didn’t get the win, but Houghton was certainly not to blame.
Seybian Sims (2018)
6’6 F, Iowa City West
16 points, 11 rebounds, 6 blocks, 4 assists
The unsung hero of the state’s best team, Sims may not catch the headlines that top-ranked 2019 Patrick McCaffery does, but his importance to the team is unquestioned by us. Last Tuesday night he was everywhere in a win over Cedar Rapids Prairie, most impressive was the 6 blocks. Sims has been a beast all season for the Trojans.
Zack Lasek (2020)
6’7 PF, Highland, Riverside
19 points (2-3 3s), 18 rebounds, 5 blocks
The big and athletic Highland, Riverside post was our Freshman of the Year last season, and he’s off to another dominating start to his sophomore campaign. His team may not have gotten the win last Tuesday night against Lone Tree (a narrow one point loss), but Lasek was dominant, particularly on the glass.
Jake Hilmer (2019)
5’10 PG, North Linn
19 points (8-11 FGs), 17 assists, 5 steals
We’ve put together four of these lists now this season, and for the fourth time Hilmer makes the cut. It was tough to leave him off this list after he dished-out a season-high 17 assists last week in a 105-8 win over Midland, Wyoming. The 17 assists are tied for the most by any player in the state this season (Norwalk’s Luke Vaske is the other).
Dev Patel (2018)
6’1 PG, Camanche
32 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals
Last Monday night, Camanche’s senior point guard continued his torrid start to the season matching season-high 32 points in a hard-fought win over West Branch. But it’s the rebounds that are most striking, not many point guards are dominating the glass that Patel did in that game; he’s leading the Indians with 8.0 rebounds per game this season.
