STATE TOURNAMENT PREVIEW: Class 1A Stars to Watch

<p><em>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 the Class 1A State Tournament.</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Trey-Shearer.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-1040495 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Trey-Shearer-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="796108" first="Trey" last="Shearer"], Montezuma (2021)</strong></p> <p>The most dynamic player in 1A basketball, Shearer is averaging 25.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.7 steals a game. The Truman State signee is an electric scorer, fantastic ball-handler and a great passer who can dominate games without scoring. He’s shooting at a 57-47-75 clip this season and is the one player in this field who is capable of completely carrying his team to the title. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="796176" first="Kaleb" last="Cornilsen"], Easton Valley (2021)</strong></p> <p>After missing the River Hawks’ postseason upset loss last year with an injury, Cornilsen really wanted to lead Easton Valley to State this year, and he succeeded. The 6-5 forward is a highly-efficient scorer with great touch and footwork around the rim. He’s capped off a stellar high school career by averaging 23.3 points and 10.1 rebounds a game this season while shooting 56% from the floor. With his ability to score around the bucket and also stretch out to about 15 feet comfortably, he’s a matchup issue at the 1A level. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="964828" first="Dashawn" last="Linnen"], Lake Mills (2021)</strong></p> <p>A big, physical and athletic 6-2 wing, Linnen has been a standout for the Bulldogs last two state qualifying teams with his ability to fill it up. He’s averaging 19.1 points a game with extremely impressive 59-40-64 shooting splits. He can post up smaller defenders, has a nice mid-range game and showcased an improved 3-point shot this year. If he has a big week, Lake Mills is certainly capable of playing on Championship Friday. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/31-Manny-Hammonds.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1066227" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/31-Manny-Hammonds-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="962674" first="Manny" last="Hammonds"], Grand View Christian (2022)</strong></p> <p>Hammonds is a volume scorer who can really get hot and fill it up in a hurry for the Thunder. A 6-0 lead guard, he handles the ball well, has a nice pull-up jumper and uses his handle and a quick first step to routinely get to the bucket. He leads the Thunder, averaging 20.2 points a game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="956875" first="Daniel" last="Tobiloba"], Grand View Christian (2023)</strong></p> <p>A 6-10 sophomore big man, Tobiloba is the ultimate game-changer on the defensive end of the floor for the Thunder, in the mold of former Thunder standout Issa Samake. Tobiloba is averaging 10.3 points, 15.9 rebounds and 4.9 blocks a game this year, and his athleticism, length and size in the paint completely changes that way that teams can attack this group defensively. He’s limited offensively at this point in his development, but he finds other ways to impact the game in a big way.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="796146" first="Cole" last="Watts"], Montezuma (2021)</strong></p> <p>The perfect running mate alongside Shearer in the backcourt, Watts, a 5-10 guard, is a knockdown shooter who is shooting nearly 51% from behind the arc. Despite his size, he also contributes at a high level on the glass, pulling down 6.4 rebounds a game. A well-built, physical guard, he doesn’t back down from anyone and will burn you from deep if you give him an inch of space. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_1019895" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Austin-Hilmer-State.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1019895" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Austin-Hilmer-State-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Hilmer[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="682273" first="Austin" last="Hilmer"], North Linn (2022)</strong></p> <p>Hilmer paces the top-ranked team in the class, averaging 18.0 points, 8.2 assists and 3.9 steals a game for the Lynx. The quick lead guard finished the regular-season third in assists per game in the state, and his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor and get others involved rivals that of his older brother, Jake. He thrives on getting into the paint and either finishing or finding open teammates for layups or 3s. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Trey Kriener, South Winneshiek (2022)</strong></p> <p>Kriener doesn’t lead the Warriors in scoring, but he’s their most important player because of his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. A 6-7 big who runs the floor and protects the rim, Kriener is averaging 12.9 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks a game. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="964813" first="Trey" last="Baker"], Martensdale-St. Marys (2021)</strong></p> <p>The 6-4 wing is a versatile player on both ends of the floor. He leads a balanced Blue Devils attack, averaging 13.2 points and 6.2 rebounds a game while shooting 53% from the floor. He’s a switchable defender with the length to really disrupt what opposing offenses are trying to do. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Eddie-Burgess-crop-3226x2118-1614732733.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1143059" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Eddie-Burgess-crop-3226x2118-1614732733-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="962629" first="Eddie" last="Burgess"], Montezuma (2022)</strong></p> <p>Montezuma has absolutely taken off since getting Burgess back in the lineup. Sidelined until after the holiday break with a football injury, he’s averaging 13.9 points, 12.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.5 blocks on 72% shooting since his return, and the Braves are 15-0 with him on the court, winning by an average of 29 points a game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Jaxon Bunkers, Remsen St. Mary’s (2023)</strong></p> <p>Bunkers is a 5-11 wing who contributes across the board, averaging 12.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists with 49-38-74 shooting splits. He leads a balanced Hawks team in scoring and will need to have a big week if they’re going to make another run. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Tate Haughenbury, North Linn (2023)</strong></p> <p>A 6-3 forward, Haughenbury really stepped his game up this year when [player_tooltip player_id="962641" first="Dylan" last="Kurt"] was sidelined with an injury, emerging as a reliable secondary scoring threat for the Lynx. He’s averaging 16.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks a game, showing his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. A highly efficient wing, he thrives on getting to the bucket for easy looks, like [player_tooltip player_id="801963" first="Austin" last="Miller"] did for this group last year.</p>