Twin Lakes Conference: Top Players In Class Of 2022
It can be very difficult to break into a starting lineup as an underclassman, but these sophomores not only played key minutes, they made an impact in the Twin Lakes Conference this past winter. As the summer beckons and the…
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Continue ReadingIt can be very difficult to break into a starting lineup as an underclassman, but these sophomores not only played key minutes, they made an impact in the Twin Lakes Conference this past winter.
As the summer beckons and the 2020-21 season gets closer, these players will be important pieces to the win-loss record of their respective teams.
Aaron Graves Aaron Graves 6'5" | PF Southeast Valley | 2022 State IA , Southeast Valley (2022)
Not just a football player on the basketball team to stay in shape, Aaron Graves Aaron Graves 6'5" | PF Southeast Valley | 2022 State IA would be gaining some major college interest if not for already committing. Graves, an all-state lineman, gave Kirk Ferentz his signature to join the Iowa Hawkeyes.
On the court, Graves continued to grow from his freshman season. He averaged just under 16 points per game, shooting 50 percent from the field.
Analysis: What makes Graves so dangerous is his ability to convert down low, but also stepped outside. He knocked down 27 3-pointers last year, making 34 percent of his shots from deep.
Mason Laven, Storm Lake St. Mary’s (2022)
Storm Lake St. Mary’s struggled last year, but sophomore Mason Laven had a productive season. Laven led the team at 13.5 points per game, knocking down 54 triples.
Laven put up 141 shots from the 3-point line and led the team with 303 field goal attempts.
Analysis: Limiting turnovers and shooting a better percentage should make Laven a key breakout performer next year. Both of those issues can be solved with more experience, which he gained.
Trey Jungers Trey Jungers 5'11" | SF Newell-Fonda | 2022 State IA , Newell-Fonda (2022)
The son of a basketball coach, Trey Jungers Trey Jungers 5'11" | SF Newell-Fonda | 2022 State IA has grown up around the game. And having grown up around winning, as his dad, Dick Jungers, has led the Newell-Fonda girls to back-to-back state championships.
Jungers posted 13 points per game last year, leading the Mustangs with 86 assists and 66 steals.
Analysis: A 47 percent shooter from the floor who also knocked down 45 percent of his 3-point attempts, Jungers should be primed for a breakout season this coming year.
Kolson Kruse Kolson Kruse 5'11" | SG Southeast Valley | 2022 State IA , Southeast Valley (2022)
The perfect outside to Aaron Graves Aaron Graves 6'5" | PF Southeast Valley | 2022 State IA ’ inside presence is classmate Kolson Kruse Kolson Kruse 5'11" | SG Southeast Valley | 2022 State IA . The Southeast Valley Jaguar overcame having his appendix removed just before the start of the season to earn all-conference honors.
Kruse averaged 14 points a night, making a team-high 67 three-pointers with 61 steals.
Analysis: After a slow start due to emergency surgery, Kruse came into his own as the season progressed. His strong shooting and ball-handling will be counted on in the coming seasons.
Joshua Dietrich, South Central Calhoun (2022)
While the loss of several talented seniors will be tough, South Central Calhoun returns a good nucleus of underclassmen. Joshua Dietrich is among that group after posting seven points a night.
Dietrich finished second on the team in rebounds with 144, adding a team-high 46 blocks.
Analysis: Dietrich shot 54 percent from the floor, but made just four 3-pointers. If he can boost that number from long-range up, it will open things even more from him to produce points.
Tyler Schmitt, East Sac County (2022)
The Raiders can lean on Camden Schroeder Camden Schroeder 6'5" | SF East Sac County | 2021 State IA , but with the graduation of some key seniors, they need a second option. Look for sophomore Tyler Schmitt to fill that void after averaging almost eight points a night.
Schmitt did a lot of the little things last year along with scoring. He was second on the team with 108 rebounds, adding 12 blocks, 10 assists and 10 steals.
Analysis: Schroeder’s abilities are quite known around the area, but Schmitt could be the beneficiary of open shots as teams focus on trying to take him away.