MVC/CIML Showdown: Top 2024 Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PF [player_tooltip player_id='1376680' first='Reid' last='Burkle'] (Prairie)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An athletic, physical combo forward, Burkle kept Prairie afloat for much of the morning in their loss to Southeast Polk, finishing with 23 points and 10 rebounds. He's a good athlete with great hands who does a good job competing on the glass on both ends of the floor. He scored efficiently, going 9-16 from the floor and 5-6 from the free-throw line. He finishes through contact with either hand and is a strong, physical defender who rotates well, blocking a pair of shots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id='1751176' first='Andrew' last='Cose'] (Waukee Northwest)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cose was extremely efficient in the Wolves' blowout win over Liberty, scoring 16 points on 6-8 shooting (4-6 3P) to go with 4 assists. A 5-11 guard with good handles, he can play with or without the ball in his hands. When operating on the ball, he's a good playmaker who sees the floor well and is a skilled passer. Playing off the ball, he moves well and has a quick release off the catch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PF [player_tooltip player_id='1751106' first='Max' last='Muszalski'] (Pleasant Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long, rangy 6-6 forward, Muszalski showcased a new part of his game on Saturday afternoon - range. He came into the Spartans' game against Ames just 1-5 from behind the arc on the season, then proceeded to go 2-4 from distance, showing confidence in his stroke. And for good reason, the shot looks good. Good rotation, smooth release, nice follow through. Everything there looks good, and if it can be a consistent part of his game moving forward, he's a very interesting prospect for small schools to keep an eye on. He's a rangy defender who covers a lot of ground, has soft touch around the rim, and contributes well on the glass on both ends of the floor. In a game in which points were hard to come by, he finished with 13 points on 5-10 shooting to go with 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and a block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SF [player_tooltip player_id='1171682' first='Caden' last='Wilkins'] (Bettendorf)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilkins played like he was on a mission to show that he's the top-ranked player in the 2024 class, scoring 28 points on 11-17 shooting in the Bulldogs' loss to Ankeny. A 6-6/6-7 wing who knows how to get to his spots, especially within the mid-range, he has a variety of moves that he can go to, as well as counter moves. He has a really nice stroke with a high, quick release, and he was looking to be aggressive from the jump, scoring 22 points in the first half. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id='1171660' first='Carson' last='Johnson'] (Ankeny)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson leads 4A in scoring, and it's easy to see why. He makes everything look effortless, combining tremendous footwork, elite handles, and pure stroke with a quick first step and great change of pace to keep defenders off balance. He's able to get to his spots whenever he wants, has picturesque form on his jumper, and moves extremely well without the ball in his hands. He shoots it equally well off the dribble and the catch, and was simply dominant in their win over Bettendorf, scoring 29 points on 12-16 shooting. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PF [player_tooltip player_id='1376677' first='Jake' last='Peters'] (Cedar Falls)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A future lineman at Nebraska, Peters came off the bench to provide the Tigers with some size, physicality, and interior scoring, finishing with 9 points, 4 rebounds, and an assist on a perfect 4-4 shooting. He has big, soft hands and does a good job carving out space in the paint with his strength.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SG [player_tooltip player_id='1171687' first='Cyrus' last='Courtney'] (Kennedy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Courtney was a man possessed on both ends of the floor in Kennedy's win over Waukee, finishing with a game-high 22 points on 8-11 shooting (0-1 3P, 6-12 FT) to go with 3 rebounds, 7 steals, an assist, and a block. He was unstoppable operating in the mid-range, routinely getting to the free-throw line area and operating as both a scorer and playmaker. A big, physical, athletic wing who uses his strength, athleticism, and length to dominate the game on the defensive end and get his hand on passes on seemingly every possession, he controlled the game on that end of the floor as well by flying all over the place and making life difficult for the Waukee guards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SF [player_tooltip player_id='1288851' first='Trevan' last='Krumrei'] (Kennedy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future Truman State wing was extremely efficient in Kennedy's win, scoring 14 points on 4-7 shooting (3-5 3P, 3-4 FT) with 3 rebounds, 3 steals, and an assist. He has good size and length at 6-5, moves well without the ball, and is a pure shooter with a quick, repeatable release on his jumper and range that extends well beyond the high school line. His length allows him to impact the game defensively as well, getting into passing lanes and getting a ton of deflections.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SG [player_tooltip player_id='1171683' first='Mason' last='Costello'] (Waukee)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A talented 6-4 guard who can create plays off the dribble for himself and his teammates, Costello led the Warriors with 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists in their loss to Kennedy. He has good size and length, and he handles the ball well. He's a bouncy athlete who competes on the glass on both ends of the floor, and he has a good feel for the game and great court vision.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->