STATE TOURNAMENT: Monday’s 10 Who Impressed
Jake Hilmer (North Linn)
5’10 PG, 2019
He nearly had a triple double by halftime; 16 points, seven steals, seven assists. And this game was over before it started. That’s not to say Edgewood-Colesburg didn’t belong, but North Linn is a whirlwind of talent — led by Hilmer. He finished the game after three quarters with 20 points, nine rebounds, eight steals and six rebounds. He looked every bit of a Division I point guard while doing so; ultra fast, quick and athletic, which collectively makes up his the lack of height.
Jack Kelley (Don-Bosco)
5’9 G, 2019
His contested lefty lay-in put the Dons up four with two minutes to go, that was a big one. Kelley is a righty, but is one of the more skilled guards in the state, no question. The Don’s floor-general managed the game well, and was critical in helping his them survive a comeback bid by George-Little Rock. Kelley scored a game-high 17 points in the quarterfinal win, and was flat-out fun to watch.
Arturo Montes (Grand View Christian)
6’5 SF, 2019
With the emergence of Issa Samake has come more opportunities on the perimeter for Montes, and the 6’5 bruising forward is certainly capable of making his presence felt from beyond the arch. He canned three of his four outside attempts en route to a game-high 23 points during GVC’s quarterfinal win over St. Albert. Montes was also getting it done on the defensive end, swiping a game-high five steals in the win.
Mach Nyaw (Grand View Christian)
5’11 G, 2019
Though his final stats from a win over St. Albert don’t necessarily scream dominance, Nyaw was certainly just that: dominant. He was extremely active defensively, causing fits for his opponents, and getting hands on several balls throughout the game, many of which led to Thunder steals. Offensively, he scored 11, but it was his alley-oop toss the Issa Smamake in the first quarter that sparked the Thunder early, and an aggressive and-one finish at the rim that put the Thunder up eight with 1 minute 30 seconds left in the game. He iced it with that impressive contested lay-in at the rim.
Derrick Schorg (St. Mary’s)
6’4 PF, 2018
A long and wiry post, Schorg maneuvers through the lane adeptly to get clean look at the rim, and even the not-so-clean looks were falling at times today. He went way over his averages in points (8.9) and rebounds (5.7), while putting together a workmanlike line of 20 points and 12 rebounds (four offensive). He was an efficient 6-9 from the floor and an even more efficient 8-9 from the free-throw line. Schorg earned the right to play against Grand View Christian’s 6’7 big-man Issa Samake (Iowa State, Tulsa offers) in a 1A semifinal Wednesday.
Dillon Faubel (Treynor)
6′ G, 2018
He was the best player in a game where good ones were rampant. Faubel started off hot and ended hot en route to a game-high 28 points during Treynor’s quarterfinal triumph over Wapello. It wasn’t easy, and the Cardinals would need all they could get from Faubel, but they got the job done. His jumper is pure, his handles and tight and he can drop a dime at any time. This kid could have a monster week.
Trenton Massner (Wapello)
6’2 G, 2018
We had some very high expectations for this very long and athletic guard, and although he wasn’t able to meet the lofty expectations production-wise, it was still very clear why he’s considered one of the best players in all of 2A. He’s a crafty passer, and just when you think he’s dead in the water, he’ll escape with a beautiful strike to a teammate. He’s got a sweet J, and his speed paired with athleticism are high-level. Massner is a very intriguing college prospect.
Marco Balderas (South Hamilton)
5’8 PG, 2018
In his last-ever high school game, the savvy floor-general with a sky-high hoops IQ certainly did not disappoint. It was a miraculous and-one, when he went into the lane among the trees and put in a bucket while being fouled and falling to the ground, that was the most amazing play of many from Balderas tonight. He converted the free-throw on that one and had his Hawks within one point with just 12 seconds left the game. His team would fall short, but he was masterful tonight.
Alec Oberhauser (Aplington-Parkersburg)
6’6 G, 2018
We caught a first-hand glimpse of a guy we’ve been calling a “do-it-all” all season long. What’s first noticeable is how strikingly big he is. Clearly a guard, Oberhauser goes 6-foot-6 and has some girth to him, too. His team-high 14 points in a dramatic win over South Hamilton came on 7-11 shooting. And what was most impressive were his four violent blocks. When you’re a 6’6 guard at the 2A level, you’re gonna pile up some blocks.
Kyle Boerhave (Sheldon)
6’6 PF, 2018
A big power forward, but with the touch of a guard, Boerhave is the full-package for the Orabs. He finished Sheldon’s dominant quarterfinal win over Sheldon with a double-double, 12 points and 12 rebounds; and was efficient and as effective as can be while doing so. He’s headed to NAIA Briar Cliff next season, and chose the Chargers despite sporting a D2 offer from Wayne State. With his combo of size, touch and skill, we can see why colleges were clamoring over the versatile post.