STATE TOURNAMENT PREVIEW: Class 3A 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 standout players to keep an eye on during…
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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 standout players to keep an eye on during the Class 3A State Tournament.
2020 Bowen Born Bowen Born 5'11" | PG Norwalk | 2020 State #401 Nation IA (Norwalk)
The future UNI Panther guard is having one of the most productive seasons in Iowa high school history. He enters the tournament with an even 900 points on the season, which ranks as the 5th highest scoring season of all-time, and he’s on pace to break Brooks McKowen’s single season scoring record of 1,002 points. He enters the tournament ranked 6th in all-time scoring as well. A remarkably efficient guard, he’s averaging 37.5 points a game with 56-43-87 shooting splits, and has twice as many assists as any other Warrior (96). He’s the best player in Iowa high school basketball, and he’ll continue to show why next week.
2020 Tyler Johnson (Norwalk)
The 6-4 senior wing is Norwalk’s leading rebounder and second leading scorer at 14.7 points a game. A big-bodied wing who can get to the rim, he’s also an outstanding 3-point shooter, knocking down 58 3s at a 46.4% clip this season. He has committed to play Division III ball at Nebraska Wesleyan.
2020 Logan Shetterly Logan Shetterly 5'11" | PG Pella | 2020 State IA (Pella)
The leading scorer for the Dutch, Shetterly, a 5-11 guard, is capable of getting red hot and carrying Pella for long periods at a time. A dynamic, playmaking guard, he’s a volume scorer who averages 19.3 points a game and leads the team with 118 assists and 52 steals. If Pella is going to make a deep run, it’ll be because Shetterly is running the show at a high level.
2020 Treyton Sturgeon (Pella)
An athletic, 6-4 wing, Sturgeon is capable of defending multiple spots and is a versatile offensive player who can do a bit of everything on the floor. He leads the Dutch in rebounding, pulling down 7.7 rebounds a game to go with 15.0 points. He has also dished out 65 assists and blocked 27 shots.
2021 Keaton Kutcher Keaton Kutcher 6'2" | SG Mount Vernon | 2021 State IA (Mount Vernon)
One of the most dynamic pure shooters in the state, the 6-0 junior guard holds an offer from Western Illinois and has a big summer ahead of him. When he’s able to shoot it off the catch with his feet set, he’s nearly automatic, but he’s also a strong shooter off the dribble with the ability to create his own shot. He’s averaging 20 points a game and has made 75 3s on the season, none bigger than the game-winner he hit against Central DeWitt to send the Mustangs to State.
2020 Noah Erickson (Mount Vernon)
Erickson, a 6-2 slashing wing, is a fantastic complement to Kutcher. He hardly ever shoots the ball outside of 10 feet. He has great body control around the rim, has the ability to finish at seemingly impossible angles, and uses his length to impact the game on both ends of the floor. He’s averaging 13.9 points a game on 57.1% shooting.
2020 Connor Bruck (Harlan)
A 6-0 guard, Bruck leads the Cyclones in scoring at 17.0 points a game, and is doing so with great efficiency, posting 53-49-83 shooting splits. His ability to get hot from deep will be key if the Cyclones are going to pull off a major first round upset over Norwalk.
2020 Johnathan Monson (Harlan)
The other key to a potential Norwalk upset will be to control the glass, which is where Monson comes in. Despite being listed at just 6-1, he’s a great rebounder on both ends of the floor, pulling down 8.7 boards a night, including over 3 offensive rebounds per contest. Gaining those extra possessions is critical during postseason play. He averages 11.7 points a game and also leads the ‘Clones in assists.
2020 Daniel Wright Daniel Wright 6'8" | PF Sergeant Bluff-Luton | 2020 State IA (Sergeant Bluff-Luton)
A key contributor on three straight State qualifying teams, the 6-8 forward leads the Warriors in scoring (14.8), rebounding (10.0) and assists (86). He can score inside and out, and with his excellent size, he sees the floor and passes the ball extremely well. He has committed to Wisconsin, where he’ll play quarterback.
2020 Kole Tupa Kole Tupa 6'4" | SF Center Point-Urbana | 2020 State IA (Center Point-Urbana)
Tupa is one of the most important players to any team in the state tournament with his ability to impact the game in a number of ways. A 6-5 point-forward, he handles the ball a lot for the Stormin’ Pointers and is a good passer who sees the floor well and moves without the ball. He has good length, rebounds well and can score inside and out. He’s averaging 14.2 points on 58-41-68 shooting splits.
2021 Connor Drew Connor Drew 6'6" | PF Ballard | 2021 State IA (Ballard)
The 6-6 combo forward is a dynamic offensive threat with his ability to score inside and out efficiently. He’s averaging 18.7 points a game on 53-41-71 shooting splits while also leading the team in rebounding at 7.9 a night. He runs the floor well, is a great shooter and can take over any game.
2020 Christian Withrow Christian Withrow 6'1" | CG Clear Creek-Amana | 2021 State IA (Clear Creek-Amana)
A hyper-efficient 6-2 wing, Withrow leads the Clippers in scoring at 15.8 points a game on 53.6% shooting. He knows that he’s not a great shooter and doesn’t force the issue, rather constantly looking to attack the rim both in transition and in the halfcourt. His 65 assists rank second on the team, as do his 140 rebounds.