Holiday Break Check-In: Top 10 1A Scorers

1.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167701' first='Carter' last='Sievers'] (Newell-Fonda) - 33.0 points per game   Due to multiple weather cancellations, the Mustangs have played just two games so far this season, but Sievers was excellent in both, dropping 32 points in a win over Pocahontas Area and 34 against East Sac County. The 6-1 guard has been extremely efficient, shooting 61% from the floor in those two games, and is also dishing out 4.5 assists and averaging 5.0 steals a game. He thrives when playing downhill, and he hasn't had too much resistance in that regard early on this season.   2.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367394' first='Preston' last='Gillespie'] (Dunkerton) - 26.9   One of two Raiders on this top 10, Gillespie is shooting a remarkable 66.2% from the floor and also averaging 11.0 rebounds a game early on this season, pacing an explosive offense that is putting up over 90 points a game. A long, athletic 6-3 wing who can get to the rim with ease in the halfcourt, he also benefits playing alongside Gardner, one of the state's elite passers and tempo pushers.   3.) 2025 Carter Gruver (Woodbine) - 25.8   The 5-10 Gruver didn't play varsity ball for Woodbine last year as a freshman, but has had an explosive debut to big-time high school ball before the holiday break, leading the Tigers in scoring, rebounding (5.2), assists (5.3), and steals (2.7). A guard who loves to attack the rim, he's attempting 9.3 free throws a game and converting at an 84% clip, adding easy points to his stellar total.   4.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='956891' first='Douglas' last='Taylor'] (Newman Catholic) - 25.3   A long, athletic 6-4 wing, Taylor has been firmly established as one of the best scorers in 1A for some time now, and he's continuing that as a senior. The Iowa baseball commit is shooting 54% from the floor, using his athleticism and size to score with ease around the rim, attacking the bucket relentlessly both in the halfcourt and in transition.   5.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1469587' first='Jensen' last='Wedeking'] (Bellevue) - 24.9   Wedeking went on a tear in the postseason last year, helping lead the Comets to a surprising state tournament appearance. His play so far this season has shown that that run was certainly no fluke, averaging nearly 25 points a game for a Bellevue team that is off to a sterling 8-1 start. A powerful 6-3 wing who can score from anywhere, he's also shown himself to be a solid playmaker as well, leading the team in assists at 3.0 a night.   6.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367439' first='Landon' last='Blatchford'] (West Monona) - 24.8   Despite being the focal point of opposing game plans (as well as numbers 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 on the scouting report), Blatchford continues to put up astronomical numbers, averaging 14.2 rebounds in addition to his scoring. He's pulling down 6.5 offensive rebounds a game, which certainly helps contribute to the nearly 25 points a night.   7.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167671' first='William' last='Kiburis'] (Gladbrook-Reinbeck) - 24.7   The numbers that Kiburis is putting up through the Rebels first seven games look like something you'd see in NBA 2K - 24.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 2.9 steals, and 72-64-63 shooting splits. The 6-4 point guard knows where he excels, and that's playing downhill and getting to the rim, and he isn't settling for jumpers this season, hence the eye-popping 72.2% he's shooting from the floor. With his combination of size, handles, length, and IQ, he's incredibly difficult to defend at this level because of his ability to score or distribute.   8.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367452' first='Bo' last='Harrington'] (Nashua-Plainfield) - 24.3   Harrington has been dominant so far this season on both ends of the floor, adding 8.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 3.8 steals to his impressive scoring totals on 57% shooting. He's up to about 6-0 now, and that growth has certainly helped contribute to him becoming a more efficient scorer and to his ability to contribute at a high level on the glass. A talented lead guard who can score from all three levels, he's led the Huskies to a strong 4-2 start.   9.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167715' first='Casey' last='Gardner'] (Dunkerton) - 23.6   In addition to his huge scoring numbers, Gardner is also averaging 10.8 assists a game, best in the state regardless of class. A true lead guard who looks to involve others first and foremost, he's taken his scoring chops up to another level this season, showing increased confidence in his jumper in particular, shooting nearly 47% from behind the arc. He dropped a state-high 46 points in Dunkerton's win over Denver earlier this month.   10.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367435' first='Oakley' last='Semelroth'] (Tripoli) - 23.6   When you first take a look at Semelroth's stat line, you shake your head for a second to make sure you aren't seeing things. The 6-2 power forward is averaging 23.6 points and 18.7 (!) rebounds a game through the Panthers' first seven games. He's an efficient finisher around the bucket, a powerful force in the paint with soft hands and good touch.

1.) 2023 Carter Sievers Carter Sievers 6'1" | PG Newell Fonda | 2023 State IA (Newell-Fonda) - 33.0 points per game