STATE TOURNAMENT: Six best facilitators
DES MOINES — The state tournament proved to be a fantastic week for guards, specifically those who specialize in setting teammates up for great shots. We saw Ankeny’s Braxton Bayless Braxton Bayless 6'1" | PG Ankeny | 2020 State IA…
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Continue ReadingDES MOINES — The state tournament proved to be a fantastic week for guards, specifically those who specialize in setting teammates up for great shots.
We saw Ankeny’s Braxton Bayless Braxton Bayless 6'1" | PG Ankeny | 2020 State IA drop 41 in one game and Bowen Born Bowen Born 5'11" | PG Norwalk | 2020 State #401 Nation IA average 27.7 points in his three games, but we also witnessed both adjust their game into facilitator roles when their shots weren’t falling.
Here are the six best passers from the Iowa high school state tournament.
[player_tooltip player_id="801834" first="Braxton" last="Bayless"] averaged 3.7 assists per game for Ankeny in the tournament.Braxton Bayless Braxton Bayless 6'1" | PG Ankeny | 2020 State IA (2020, Ankeny)
Braxton Bayless Braxton Bayless 6'1" | PG Ankeny | 2020 State IA went off for 41 points in Ankeny’s win over Iowa City West in the first round of the tournament, but he turned into a facilitator in the next two games. Bayless drew plenty of defensive attention (and rightfully so), but this freed up his Ankeny teammates. One game removed from his 41-point performance, Bayless only took eight shots against Cedar Falls. He finished with a team-high four assists. In the 4A Championship game against Waukee, Bayless once again found open teammates, notching five assists. The state tournament showed the best of both worlds of Bayless’ game offensively: the ability to drive to the hoop and his passing vision.
Jaron Crews averaged 3.7 assists per game for Ankeny Centennial in Wells Fargo Arena.Jaron Crews (2021, Ankeny Centennial)
While Ankeny Centennial didn’t see the same end result as it’s cross-town rival Ankeny, the Jaguars found themselves in the thick of every game thanks to Jaron Crews. The junior point guard did his job in finding open teammates. Over the three games in Wells Fargo Arena, Crews averaged 3.7 assists per game. His best performance came in Centennial’s semi-final loss to Waukee, where he dropped seven assists. With Centennial losing bigs Cody McCullough Cody McCullough 6'7" | PF Ankeny Centennial | 2020 State IA and Micah Johnson Micah Johnson 6'7" | SF Ankeny Centennial | 2020 State IA , the Jaguars will lean toward a guard-heavy rotation, and that starts with Crews.
[player_tooltip player_id="801831" first="Bowen" last="Born"] led all 3A players in assist during the state tournament.Bowen Born Bowen Born 5'11" | PG Norwalk | 2020 State #401 Nation IA (2020, Norwalk)
Bowen Born Bowen Born 5'11" | PG Norwalk | 2020 State #401 Nation IA is the state’s best scorer, whether that’s when he’s hitting shots form 3-point land or gashing defenses from in close. But in the tournament, Born didn’t shoot the ball as well as he would have liked (43.5% from the field, 23.1% percent from 3-point range). But instead of hunting shots, Born turned into a facilitator, and he was marvelous, averaging a 6.3 dimes over Norwalk’s three-game stretch. In addition to his 34 points against Ballard, Born recorded a team-high 11 assists. Born is one of the state’s best passers. He’s got great vision, something that will be huge at the Division I level.
[player_tooltip player_id="721218" first="Jordan" last="Kumm"] finished with nine assists in Ankeny’s win over Waukee.Jordan Kumm Jordan Kumm 5'10" | PG Ankeny | 2020 State IA (2020, Ankeny)
Ankeny’s backcourt trio of Bayless, Jaylen Smith, and Jordan Kumm Jordan Kumm 5'10" | PG Ankeny | 2020 State IA was HUGE in its state tournament run. No team, regardless of class, saw consistent guard performances like Ankeny. I touched on Bayless earlier, but Kumm was just as good, if not better, as a passer. After hitting six of his nine 3-point attempts against Cedar Falls, Kumm recorded a team-high nine assists in Ankeny’s championship win over Waukee. Kumm is an athletic, twitchy-quick guard who lives along the perimeter. He’s great as a shooter, but he’s more than capable of thriving in a passer role.
[player_tooltip player_id="727863" first="Payton" last="Sandfort"] was a consistent facilitator for Waukee throughout the tournament.Payton Sandfort Payton Sandfort 6'7" | SF Waukee | 2021 State #138 Nation IA (2021, Waukee)
Payton Sandfort Payton Sandfort 6'7" | SF Waukee | 2021 State #138 Nation IA , one of Waukee’s top offensive weapons, was not only consistent from range but just as automatic in a facilitator role. Sandfort led Waukee with four assists per game during the tournament. His best outing came against Ankeny in the championship, where he notched six assists. Sandfort has excellent footwork when driving to the basket, which leads to smooth passing as the defense breaks down. Waukee has a plethora of offensive weapons. Every prospect in its starting five can shoot from distance. Sandfort’s ability to kick out to shooters makes the Warrior scoring attack all the more potent.
L.J. Henderson led all 2A players in assists per game during the tournament.L.J. Henderson (2020, Camanche)
Camanche’s run to a third-place finish in the 2A state tournament came in part of L.J. Henderson’s passing vision. Camanche tied for first out of all 2A teams, boasting 11 assists per game in Wells Fargo Arena. 4.3 of those steals came off Henderson’s hands. The senior guard calmly conducted Camanche’s tempo, finishing with six assists against Monticello. It’ll be difficult for Camanche to replace Henderson’s game next season, as he’s a steady, athletic, and willing passer in a versatile offensive scheme.