Leading Returning Assisters: Class 3A
As part of our high school season preview coverage, we’re taking a look at some of the top returning players in each class. In this article, we’re taking a look at the top ten returning assist men in Class 3A.…
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Continue ReadingAs part of our high school season preview coverage, we’re taking a look at some of the top returning players in each class. In this article, we’re taking a look at the top ten returning assist men in Class 3A.
Carson Toebe
1.) Carson Toebe, Clear Lake (138 assists)
Toebe showcased himself as one of the best players in the 2022 class in the state last year, helping lead the Lions to the 3A semifinals, and they were the state’s last remaining undefeated team. In addition to his passing abilities, he averaged 11.2 points and made a team-high 51 3s last year.
2.) Nate Mueller, ADM (112 assists)
Mueller is small (listed at just 5-8), but he’s a dynamic lead guard for the Tigers who posted an impressive 112-48 assist-to-turnover ratio last season and led the team in scoring at 15.5 points a game.
3.) Jamison Heinz, Humboldt (110 assists)
Like Mueller, Heinz posted an impressive assist-to-turnover ratio (110-40) for the Wildcats. With leading scorer Calvin Carlson graduated, look for Heinz to transition into a little more of a scoring role this year.
4.) Charlie Wiebers, Denison-Schleswig (108 assists)
Wiebers pairs with 6-8 big man Goanar Biliew to give the Monarchs a dynamic inside-out duo, and he should continue to rack up the assists feeding the big man. He also led 3A in steals last year with 72.
5.) Mason Murphy, Ballard (107 assists)
The 5-9 point guard helped lead the Bombers to a surprising state tournament appearance last winter, and will pair with classmate Connor Drew to give Ballard a dynamic one-two punch.
Bowen Born
6.) Bowen Born, Norwalk (102 assists)
Born helped lead Norwalk to a runner-up finish last year, and has his Warriors ranked #1 to start this season. The future Northern Iowa scoring guard may be the best high school player in the state, and while he’s an elite scorer, he also showcased his playmaking abilities last year for the Warriors. One of the front runners for the Mr. Basketball award (also Oskaloosa’s Xavier Foster), Born should have a huge senior season, capping off a remarkable high school career.
7.) Cael Schmitt, Dubuque Wahlert (96 assists)
Schmitt was awfully impressive last year for the Golden Eagles, posting a 96-35 assist-to-turnover ratio, and his 68 steals ranked second in the class. The 5-11 guard will help make up perhaps the best backcourt trio in 3A (Jake Schockemohel, Isaac Ripley) for a Wahlert team that should be much improved.
Kieren Nichols (Photo credit: Knoxville Journal Express)
8.) Kieren Nichols, Knoxville (93 assists)
The 6-0 lead guard was solid last year, leading the Panthers in scoring (19.8 points) and assists. He also shot an impressive 41.1% from behind the arc.
9.) Jason Cecil, Algona (89 assists)
A 6-4, playmaking wing, Cecil isn’t much of a scorer (6.6 points a game last year), but he led the Bulldogs in rebounding, assists, blocks and steals last season.
10.) Brent Scott, Spirit Lake (84 assists)
Scott makes up one-half of what should be a dynamic junior backcourt (Creighton Moricsh). His 84 assists last year ranked third in the Lakes Conference, and are tops among the league’s returnees.