Twin Lakes Conference: Top Assist Leaders
The key to running a good offense on the basketball court is the trigger man. Each team needs that player who can set the play up, make the right pass and ultimately, lead to a bucket. In the Twin Lakes…
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Continue ReadingThe key to running a good offense on the basketball court is the trigger man.
Each team needs that player who can set the play up, make the right pass and ultimately, lead to a bucket.
In the Twin Lakes Conference this past season, five players recorded over 80 assists, led by Southeast Valley senior Carter Lane’s 112.
It should come as no surprise that many of those that had a well-balanced attack piled up the victories.
Here’s a look at the Top-5 assist leaders during the 2019-20 season in the Twin Lakes Conference:
Carter Lane, Southeast Valley (2020)
Just how good of a senior season did Carter Lane of Southeast Valley have? Lane led the Twin Lakes Conference with 112 assists and was among the leaders in steals with 65.
Even more impressive, though, was his assist-to-turnover ratio. Lane had a 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover mark, meaning he turned the ball over just once for ever three assists that led to buckets.
Analysis: With several underclassmen joining him in the starting lineup, Lane showed his senior leadership in helping the Jaguars reach a Class 2A district final this past winter.
Caleb Rock, Sioux Central (2020)
Finishing right behind Lane on the assists charts was Caleb Rock, another senior, from Sioux Central. It should come as no surprise that upperclassmen dominated this category, as both have plenty of court experience.
Rock has nearly a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, adding 28 steals to his season. And much like Lane again, he helped calm the nerves of a team loaded with underclassmen.
Analysis: With freshmen Carter Boettcher and Jacob Hargens returning next year, the Rebels have a solid basis to build around. Replacing the rock-steady Rock, though, will be key to continued success.
Max Hough, GTRA (2023)
As a ninth-grader this past winter, Max Hough flashed his talents, leading GTRA at just under 12 points per game and ranking third in the TLC with 87 assists. He also was the team-leader in rebounds and steals.
There were plenty of nights with a heavy workload for Hough, which should only help him moving forward as a sophomore.
Analysis: For Hough to take that next step into the upper-level of guards in the league, he will need to reduce the turnovers. That should come with more varsity court time.
Trey Jungers Trey Jungers 5'11" | SF Newell-Fonda | 2022 State IA , Newell-Fonda (2022)
Another successful season on the hardwood took shape for Newell-Fonda this past winter thanks in large part to the emergence of sophomore Trey Jungers Trey Jungers 5'11" | SF Newell-Fonda | 2022 State IA .
Jungers was second on the team in scoring at 13 points a night, while also placing fourth in the TLC and leading the Mustangs with 86 assists. He also registered a team-high 66 steals and shot 45 percent from the 3-point line.
Analysis: Like Hough, the more time on the court for Jungers, the better the results will be. His turnover number was higher than you’d like, but you can bet he’ll be working on that over the summer months.
Lex Kassell, Emmetsburg (2021)
Part of a large junior class for Emmetsburg, Lex Kassell triggered the offense this year to just over 52 points per game. He averaged eight points a night himself while placing fifth in the TLC with 81 turnovers.
Kassell and his classmates will be counted on to do to even more next year with the E-Hawks losing Tim Geelen, but he forms a potent duo with 6-foot-3 junior and leading scorer Ben Dunlap Ben Dunlap 6'3" | SF Emmetsburg | 2021 State IA .
Analysis: As a conference, the TLC graduates several seniors, and Emmetsburg’s pair of Kassell and Dunlap have the opportunity to take over the top spot with continued improvement.