Class 2A Stars to Watch (Part 3)
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Jackson Manning IA #233 PG #65 HEIGHT 5'11" POS PG CLASS 2023 View Profile Jackson Manning Instagram Twitter State: Iowa School: Van Buren County Manning is a big-time scoring guard who could be a candidate to lead the state in…
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Continue ReadingManning is a big-time scoring guard who could be a candidate to lead the state in scoring this year after pouring in 19.7 points a game last season. He’s a good three-level scorer who can get to the bucket at will and he’s a good enough perimeter shooter that it needs to be respected.
A talented 6-5/6-6 combo forward, Blatchford was dominant as a junior, averaging 18.6 points and 11.3 rebounds with impressive 49-38-58 shooting splits. He has a smooth stroke from the arc and the size to get his shot off whenever he wants at this level. He plays with a non-stop motor and is absolutely dominant on the glass (4.1 offensive, 7.1 defensive rebounds a game).
Brown is small at 5-8, but he’s a big-time scorer who buried 61 3-pointers at an outstanding 44.5% clip last season en route to 18.5 points a game. He’s a quick guard who gets the ball into his shooting pocket in a hurry. His quick release can catch defenders off guard, and he does a good job using his perimeter shooting threat to allow him to get to the bucket.
The younger brother of one of the state’s most potent scorers in recent history, Mason had an excellent junior year, averaging 16.7 points and 5.5 assists for the Falcons. He’s a talented three-level scorer who gets to the rim for finishes, has unlimited range, and really good court vision and passing skills.
A throwback big man with excellent hands, fantastic footwork, and great touch around the bucket, McDermott is the type of player that the offense can flow through with his skills as both a low-post scorer and a passer. He averaged 16.0 points and 7.3 rebounds on 57.5% shooting as a junior and will be the focal point of a Cougars attack that figures to be among the most improved in the class this year.
A skilled 6-4/6-5 wing with great length, Sternberg does an excellent job using his size and length to impact the game on the defensive end, averaging 3.5 combined steals and blocks a game last season in addition to his 15.8 points on 51-40-73 shooting. He moves really well without the ball in his hands and has a quick release off the catch.
Highlights
Lund pairs with Sternberg to give the Vikings a dominant one-two punch. He’s a 6-3/6-4 combo forward who scores inside and out with remarkable efficiency, averaging 18.0 points and 7.2 rebounds on 54-40-70 shooting splits. On his post touches, he has great hands and footwork, and when he’s out on the perimeter he has a pure stroke and the ability to put the ball on the floor and attack the rim.
A shifty 6-0 guard, Miller is capable of having some explosive scoring games, and he’ll have a chance to shoot it as much as he wants this year for the J-Hawks following the graduations of four of their top five scorers. He averaged 14.9 points on 46-39-72 shooting splits last season while also averaging 3.0 assists and 2.1 steals a game. His ability to get to the rim or get into his shot is among the best in the class.
Highlights
A 6-4 combo forward who is going to step into a much larger role this year, Van Regenmorter averaged 10.8 points and 4.9 rebounds on 57-38-72 shooting splits as a junior. He has great touch and good footwork when operating inside the arc, and a pure stroke from deep. Look for him to step into a role similar to what Ty Van Essen held for the Wolfpack last season.
Highlights
Moret is the only player on this list who didn’t play a significant role on a varsity roster last year, but we expect him to have a breakout sophomore year for the Wolfpack after a really good summer with Arena Basketball Club. He’s a long and skilled wing who can really shoot it from deep, and he’s a reliable ball-handler, playmaker, and shot creator. The ‘Pack lost a lot of production from last year’s team, but there shouldn’t be too much falloff, in large part because of the expected leap from Moret.