2025 Winterset Shootout: Friday Evening Standouts

2028 SF [player_tooltip player_id='2523891' first='Carter' last='Thielen'] (Lewis Central)   Thielen was a kid that I only saw on film last season, and was one of the players I was most looking forward to seeing play live. He didn't disappoint, delivering the performance of the day in the Titans' win over Madrid, scoring 34 points and making everything look way too easy. A smooth wing who can score from anywhere on the floor, he showcased impressive footwork and a smooth stroke from the 3-point line, and he was able to attack the rim routinely, getting to the line or the bucket for finishes. He handles it well, is active on the defensive end and on the glass, and is a really, really good all-around offensive weapon who can take advantage of overly aggressive closeouts by creating for his teammates as well.   2027 SF [player_tooltip player_id='2420789' first='Emerson' last='Bridgewater'] (Madrid)   The defending 1A champions lost a lot of production from last year's team, which will benefit Bridgewater, who will step into a much larger offensive role this coming winter. He looked really comfortable in a bigger role against Lewis Central, scoring 23 points and doing so in a number of ways. He scored on the block against smaller defenders. He stepped out to the arc and knocked down a 3 as well as a few long 2s, and he took bigger defenders off the dribble and got to the bucket for finishes. A good athlete with long arms, he's active on the glass and can utilize his length on the defensive end.   2028 SG [player_tooltip player_id='2519258' first='Keaton' last='Kasperbauer'] (Centennial)   The sophomore-to-be was fantastic against Xavier, scoring 12 first quarter points en route to 24 in the game. He's a smooth all-around offensive weapon who can attack the rim and finish with either hand, and he's an electric shooting threat off both the dribble and the catch. A smooth lefty who makes the game look easy, his scoring slowed down in the second half, but he emerged as a skilled playmaker in the second 20 minutes, getting into the teeth of the defense and firing bullet passes out to the corners for open 3s.   2027 SG [player_tooltip player_id='2530483' first='Hunter' last='Runchey'] (Centennial)   Runchey was in constant attack mode against Xavier, attempting 9 free throws and getting to the rim constantly. He looks to attack the rim hard both in transition and in the halfcourt, and he's able to finish through contact at the bucket with either hand. He's not just a one-trick pony though, as he also shot it really well from the 3-point line, the recipient of several good looks from Kasperbauer. He shoots it really well off the catch, with a quick release and plenty of range. He finished with 26 points in the Jaguars' win.   2026 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1361499' first='Lorenzo' last='Pino'] (Xavier)   Pino was the only member of the Saints "Big 3" in attendance on Friday, so there was a lot of defensive attention paid to him, but he still played well, finishing with 18 points. He's a good shooter off both the dribble and the catch, knocking down four 3s in the loss to Centennial, and he's a skilled finisher around the rim with either hand.   2026 SG [player_tooltip player_id='2413647' first='Mac' last='Collison'] (Carroll)   Collison was playing downhill from the jump in Carroll's loss to Urbandale, getting to the rim routinely for strong finishes or getting to the free-throw line. He finishes through contact and is a solid shooter from both the mid-range and arc. He finished with a game-high 16 points.   2026 C Lual Tharjiath (Carroll)   Tharjiath is an intriguing player with some real bounce and length that can be a difference-maker defensively. He can be a game-changing rim protector if he's able to stay out of foul trouble, and he showed impressive footwork and finishing ability around the rim. He had 13 points and a slew of blocks in the Tigers narrow loss to Urbandale.   2026 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1978111' first='Jake' last='Pargeon'] (Urbandale)   No J-Hawk scored more than 8 points in their win over Carroll, an extremely balanced attack. But Pargeon, a lanky lefty who handles it well and has command of the offense, was good on both ends of the floor. He can shoot it off the catch, get to the rim off the dribble, and he has some bounce in his game, finishing with a pair of dunks.   2027 SG Peter Graening (Waverly-Shell Rock)   Graening was electric in the first half of the Go-Hawks win over North Polk, scoring 22 points and knocking down six 3s in the process. With his feet set, he's a really good, pure shooter with good form on his shot. He used the threat of his jumper to open up the rest of his game, getting to the rim off the dribble for finishes. There will be ample opportunity this winter for players to step up and step into big roles for WSR, and Graening is making a good case for getting some real run. He finished with 30 points and eight 3s.   2028 SG [player_tooltip player_id='2917304' first='Aaron' last='Ausborn'] (North Polk)   The Comets are going to be pretty young under new coach Alan Jenkins, but they have some good young talent, led by Ausborn. The 6-1 guard showed a great feel for the game and the ability to score from all three levels in their loss to Waverly-Shell Rock. He handles it, sees the floor well, and can really shoot it off both the dribble and the catch. He had 22 points.

2028 SF Carter Thielen Carter Thielen 6'4" | SF Lewis Central | 2028 State IA (Lewis Central)