STATE TOURNAMENT PREVIEW: Class 1A Stars to Watch
Over the course of the next two weeks, the Prep Hoops Iowa team will be flooding you with content previewing and covering the State Tournament. Here we take a look at 12 of the star players to keep an eye…
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Continue ReadingOver the course of the next two weeks, the Prep Hoops Iowa team will be flooding you with content previewing and covering the State Tournament. Here we take a look at 12 of the star players to keep an eye on during the Class 1A tournament.
2019 Arturo Montes, Grand View Christian
The leading scorer for the prohibitive favorite in 1A, Montes is averaging 16.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists, while also leading the team in 3-pointers made with 55. A versatile combo forward, he’s been a key piece for each of the three state qualifying (and two-time defending state champion) teams, and is now one of the star players on this year’s iteration. His ability to score from anywhere on the floor makes him a really difficult player to defend at this level.
2019 Issa Samake, Grand View Christian
The star of stars among this year’s field, the 6-7 Drake commit is a walking highlight film on both ends of the floor. He’s among the most athletic players in the state, playing above the rim on the offensive end and blocking shots at a high clip on the other side of the floor. He’s averaging 15 points, 11 rebounds and over four blocks a game, while shooting just under 60% from the floor. Expect to see plenty of huge dunks and blocks out of Samake as the Thunder look like a heavy favorite to complete the 3-peat.
2019 Harouna Sissoko, Grand View Christian
The third piece of GVC’s “Big Three”, Sissoko transferred to the Des Moines-based parochial school from Lincoln Academy (GA). Another 6-7 athletic freak, he’s a quality ball handler and perimeter shooter (39.5 3P%) who can get his own shot whenever he wants. He’s a likely Division I player and is capable of making a major impact on both ends of the floor. He’s averaging 15.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and shoots 58.2% from the floor, using his length, athleticism and talent to do a majority of his damage around the rim, while also showcasing a nice perimeter stroke. He adds in a steal and block a night, to boot.
2021 Trey Shearer, Montezuma
Perhaps the best player in the 1A field wearing something other than a Grand View Christian uniform, the sophomore guard leads the Braves in scoring, assists and steals and is incredibly fun to watch. He combines a tight handle with “in the gym” range to turn himself into a threat to score from anywhere, and he doesn’t shy away from getting into the paint and finishing against bigger defenders. He’s quick, crafty and really talented, and if the Braves are going to make some noise next week, it’ll be Shearer putting on a Joe Smoldt-esque display that gets the job done. He’s averaging 23 points a game (39.9 3P%) to go with 4.7 assists.
2019 Hunter Ray, Montezuma
A 6-5 forward who anchors the Braves 2-3 zone, Ray is a big-time rim protector, averaging three blocks a game and altering many others. He’s also a skilled offensive player who can stretch the floor, a 36.7% shooter from behind the arc. He’s averaging 15.3 points and 6.8 rebounds in addition to his shot blocking.
2019 Kaidion Larson, Prince of Peace
A quick lead guard who paces the Irish in scoring at 19.7 points a game, Larson does a majority of his damage by breaking down the defense and getting to the rim. He’s just a 26% shooter from behind the arc, but shoots above 50% overall and averaging nearly five free throw attempts a game. If PoP is going to be successful next week, Larson’s ability to get to the rim will be a major reason why.
2020 Nathan Moeller, Prince of Peace
The second leading scorer for the Irish, Moeller does a bit of everything, averaging 15.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.7 blocks a game. The 6-4 junior forward also has the ability to stretch the floor, knocking down 20 of his 37 attempts from behind the arc this year, good for 54.1%. A versatile scorer and defender, he’ll be a major piece for a PoP team that looks capable of doing some serious damage next week.
2019 Izic Mackey, Alburnett
The 6-5 senior forward has missed some time this year, playing in just 13 of the Pirates’ 23 games, but he’s been highly productive when he’s been on the floor, averaging 17.6 points and 8.7 rebounds on 64% shooting. An athletic big man who does all of his work inside the arc, his activity on the glass will make Alburnett a dangerous out.
2020 Spencer Schorg, St. Mary’s
A starter on last year’s state qualifying team, Schorg averaged 10 points a game during last year’s tournament as more of a complimentary piece. This year, the Hawks are his team. He leads them in scoring at 16 points a game, shooting 53.7% from the floor. He also leads the team in assists (89) and steals (48), so as he goes, St. Mary’s will go.
2019 Hunter Decker, Sioux Central
The leader of one of the biggest surprise teams in the state this year, the 5-11 senior guard is a big-time scorer and shooter who can get hot and carry the Rebels to Friday night’s championship game. He averages 18.6 points a game and has knocked down 60 3s this year (at a 42.9% clip). He also leads the Rebels in steals and is second on the team in assists.
2019 TJ Schnurr, Bishop Garrigan
If any team in 1A is capable of matching up size-wise with Grand View Christian, it’ll be Bishop Garrigan, and the 6-6 Schnurr is a big reason why. He leads the team in scoring at 16.6 points (55.4 FG%) and rebounding (9.7 a game) and is capable of stretching the floor a bit, shooting above 37% from behind the arc. Nothing he does is going to be overly flashy, but he’s highly productive and isn’t going to back down from anyone.
2021 Angelo Winkel, Bishop Garrigan
The highest rated prospect in the 1A field, the 6-9 sophomore currently sits #7 in our 2021 rankings. He’s averaging 16.5 points, 9.5 rebounds (3.2 of them offensive) and 2.7 blocks a game. He’s not much of a shooting threat at this point in his development, but he’s big, athletic and runs the floor really well. His ability to control the glass (along with Schnurr and older brother Cade Winkel) and protect the rim will be keys if the Golden Bears are going to beat Montezuma and give GVC a run in the semifinals.