Season Preview: Class 2A Stars to Watch (Part III)
As we continue our march towards the start of the high school season, we take a look at some of the top players to watch in each class. We’ll take a look at 20 of the best players in each…
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Continue ReadingAs we continue our march towards the start of the high school season, we take a look at some of the top players to watch in each class. We’ll take a look at 20 of the best players in each classification to keep an eye on this winter. In Part III of our Class 2A series, we take a look at the final six standouts to monitor.
2020 Jamison Helmers, Okoboji
The second Pioneer to find himself on this countdown, Helmers is the leading scorer for an Okoboji team that should be among the most improved in the state, regardless of class. He averaged 16.9 points a game last year, while knocking down 58 3s and shooting 87.5% from the free throw line. A versatile scorer who can get the job done at all three levels, he’ll pair with sophomore forward Lucas Lorenzen to give Okoboji one of the best one-two punches in the class.
2021 Bryce Phelps, Denver
After averaging 8.6 points, 3.2 assists and 2.7 steals as a freshman, Phelps broke out last year, averaging 15.7 points, 6.5 assists and 2.9 steals last season for the Cyclones. He posted an impressive 150-69 assist-to-turnover mark, and led the team in steals for the second consecutive season. A 6-1 lead guard, he pairs with Kyler Matthias to give Denver one of the best backcourts in 2A.
2020 Ryan Hurd, Cherokee
Like Okoboji, Cherokee is another team that should be much improved, and this 6-6 forward is the big reason why. He averaged 15.5 points and 9.1 rebounds last season, while also finishing second on the team in assists. He does a majority of his damage inside the arc, but he’s also certainly capable of stretching out to the 3-point line and making teams pay.
2020 Austin Von Donge, Unity Christian
The 6-2 forward led the Knights in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals last season, while shooting an eye-popping 58.5% from the field. He had more than two times as many assists as his nearest teammate (90 to 42), and should have the ball in his hands a ton again this year for Unity Christian.
2020 Jon Schwarte, Treynor
Treynor has established themselves over the last decade as perhaps the best program in 2A, and Schwarte is one of three players we could’ve put on this list as a standout. The 6-11 big man is a dominant two-way threat who should have a monster senior year for a Cardinals team that will be among the best in 2A yet again. He averaged 11.6 points (59.1 FG%), 7.9 rebounds and blocked 80 shots last year. While he may not post eye-popping numbers with how balanced and talented this Treynor team is, he’s one of the state’s best players and he’ll make a huge impact on both ends of the floor again.
2022 Austin Hilmer, North Linn
Hilmer has some humungous shoes to fill following the graduation of older brother Jake, who is among the most decorated players in Iowa high school history. A fiery guard with great quickness, ball handling and finishing abilities, he’ll be able to put his passing talents on display this year at a higher level, and he should emerge as one of 2A’s best scorers also. Like Jake, he’s shifty and fast with the ball in his hands, a menace on the defensive end, and he has a knack for finishing at the rim with either hand, and at difficult angles. With lots of production gone from a North Linn team that will still be explosive, Hilmer could be the state’s breakout player this year.