Players to Watch: NW Iowa

Josh DeWeerd

November 1, 2020 @ 09:00 AM

The basketball season is right around the corner and what better place to look for a great basketball game is in Northwest Iowa. Some believe this is a hotbed of basketball talent in the state of Iowa. Here is the shortlist of some players that are going to be really fun to watch this season.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/107-Lucas-Lorenzen.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1066329 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/107-Lucas-Lorenzen-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="143" height="215" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="682280" first="Lucas" last="Lorenzen"], 6’4 Okoboji (2022) - This athletic wing, uses his body to play above the rim and can create his own shot off the bounce efficiently. Last season for Okoboji Lucas led the Siouxland Conference in scoring with 22.5 PPG and 12 RPG. Essentially, he is a double-double a night player shooting 52.6% from the field, 43.8% from three, and 75% from the free-throw line.       [player_tooltip player_id="682290" first="Tanner" last="Te Slaa"], 6’4 Boyden-Hull (2022) - The length and scoring ability of Te Slaa is hard to match up with. Shooting 53.3% from the field last season, 3Pt% was 45.5%, and 82.1% FT%. Currently holds five college offers UNI, SDSU, Augustana, USD, and UND. Get your seats early at Boyden-Hull for some great games in Siouxland. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Tanner-Te-Slaa.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1055266 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Tanner-Te-Slaa-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>           [player_tooltip player_id="796188" first="Creighton" last="Moricsh"], 6’7 Spirit Lake (2021) - Morningside Commit [player_tooltip player_id="796188" first="Creighton" last="Moricsh"] is a lanky player that plays above the rim and can shoot the three. Last season for Coach Browns Indians Creighton averaged 15.7 PPG, 7 RPG, shooting 44.9% from the field, 40.3% from beyond the arc, and just under 80% from the charity stripe. [player_tooltip player_id="956884" first="Zach" last="Lutmer"], 6’0 Central-Lyon (2023) - Breakout freshman last season in the Siouxland Conference was Lutmer, starting all 22 games in arguably one of the toughest basketball conferences in Iowa. Lutmer averaged 15.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG shooting 50% from the field and 35% from three’s. Whether it is the set shot three or splitting the defense for a 2 dribble pull up, he is an efficient scoring guard. Look for another great season for Lutmer and the Lions. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/48-VAnce-Katzfey.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1066249 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/48-VAnce-Katzfey-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="134" height="201" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="962615" first="Vance" last="Katzfey"], 6’2 Spirit Lake (2022) - Vance is an all-around player that gets a lot of points through his hustle play. He can create his shot or get to the rim at ease as well. Last year Katzfey averaged 16.2 PPG, 5 RPG, shot 55.8% from the field, 45%--3P%, and 72.7% from the free-throw line.   [player_tooltip player_id="962616" first="Ty" last="Van Essen"], 6’4 Western Christian (2022) - The lanky wing for Western averaged 14 PPG and 6.2 RPG. Van Essen has a smooth shot from the elbow and great hands around the bucket. Look for Ty to have more of an impact with the Wolfpack after a strong sophomore season. [player_tooltip player_id="964841" first="Alex" last="Godfredson"], 6’3 Rock Valley (2021) - The Rockets had a strong season last year and part of that success was Alex. Godfredson led the team with 13.3 PPG and 5.6 RPG. Shooting 52% from the field and 45.3% from beyond the arc. Look for the first-team all-conference selection to help the Rockets this upcoming season try to win the historic Siouxland Conference.