Updated 2020 Rankings: Highest Debuts (Part II)
Several juniors have started to make their mark this season, and four have made debuts as high as the top-50. The 2020 rankings are starting to take shape, but there will be guys making first appearances in subsequent rankings until…
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Continue ReadingSeveral juniors have started to make their mark this season, and four have made debuts as high as the top-50. The 2020 rankings are starting to take shape, but there will be guys making first appearances in subsequent rankings until the very last one. Below are the highest eight debuts in the latest 2020 rankings.
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Alex Van Kalsbeek (MOC-Floyd Valley) — No. 73
Not only is he scoring at a high rate, 17.6 points per game, but he’s doing so with a sterling 73 percent shooting. He’s rebounding it well and is doing it all on a team that’s getting hot at the right time. There’s lot to like about this Dutchman big-man.
Brady Berkey (Colfax-Mingo) — No. 75
This Colfax-Mingo junior cracks the top-75 after showing that he can be one of the most productive players in the state. He leads his team in nearly every conceivable category, points (21.1), assists (3.8), steals (2.3) and blocks (1.0) He’s only second-best on the Tigerhawks in rebounding (6.5), though.
Jackson Louscher (South O’Brien) — No. 77
The Wolverines are 14-4 and primed to make a run in the postseason. If they’re gonna do that they’ll rely heavily on this 6-foot-2 guard, who’s not only averaging 20.4 points per game, but also 4.7 assists and 6.1 rebounds, that’s solid.
Chance Knox (Urbandale) — No. 80
We got the chance to see this slick and skilled J-Hawks guard live and in person earlier this season. And it was his ability to handle the rock paired with his athletic ability that made him a cut above the rest. He’s got s chance to be one of the state’s very best guards by this time next year.
Gore Puot (Des Moines North) — No. 82
The tall, rangy and athletic Polar Bears wing has cracked the starting lineup and is making a significant impact with one of the state’s very best 4A teams. Puot is averaging 5.9 points and shooting it well, 50 percent from the floor and 39 percent from deep. His shot-blocking and rebounding have been most impressive. There’s a high ceiling for this Polar Bear.
Tyler Moen (Atlantic) — No. 86
He’s just been a solid point guard this season, going for 14.4 points, 2.6 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game. He leads the team in blocks, too, which is rare for a point guard. The 6-foot-1 Trojans floor general is definitely a guy we’ll keep a close eye on over the next year-and-a-half.
Josh Van Gorp (Pella Christian) — No. 87
We remember seeing this big-man last summer at the Grand View Team Camp, and what stood out was his sheer size. This guy is huge. Listed at 6’9, he’s every bit of that, no embellishment here. He’s averaging 10.9 points on 74 percent shooting, 7.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.
Cael Schmitt (Dubuque, Wahlert) — No. 102
A slew of juniors are leading the way for the Golden Eagles this season, and Schmitt has been a guy who’s been doing a little bit of everything for the team. The 5’11 point guard leads Wahlert in assists with 4.4 per game, also steals, 3.6 per. He’s also scoring it well, going for 13.7 points per game.