STATE TOURNAMENT: Elite All-Tournament (1st Team)
Most outstanding player: Jesse Jansma, Western Christian (2017)
Stats: 24.7 points (56.5 FG%, 62.5 3P%), 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals
Jansma was sterling from start to finish for the 2A champion Wolfpack, posting a tournament high 24.7 points a game, and doing so while shooting the lights out. The future Dordt Defender knocked down 10 3-pointers during the week (after entering the tournament shooting 25.3% from the arc, 19-75), and he was sensational when Western Christian needed him the most. After losing three key players to suspension for the semifinal and championship games, he put up games of 27 points (10-15 FG, 5-7 3P) and 22 points (7-11 FG, 3-5 3P) to help lead the Wolfpack to their second straight 2A title, and the program’s ninth overall, which ties the school with old Davenport High for the most state titles in history.
Connor McCaffery, Iowa City West (2017)
Stats: 18.3 points (23-28 FT), 6.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.7 steals
You could make a good argument for McCaffery to be a co-Most Outstanding Player, as he was second in the 4A field in scoring and fourth in rebounding, while leading his team to a title. McCaffery posted very workmanlike performances all week for the 4A champion Trojans, helping to book-end his career with state championships as a freshman and a senior. The 6-6 Iowa commit battled on the glass against bigger bodies, used his strength to finish through contact routinely, and delivered some timely buckets for West when they needed them in both the quarterfinal win over Newton and the championship win over Valley. Nothing that McCaffery does is going to blow you away, but his basketball IQ is off the charts, he makes winning plays and he competes on every possession. It was a fitting end to what has been a stellar high school career.
Austin Phyfe, Waverly-Shell Rock (2017)
Stats: 19.7 points (61.8 FG%, 58.3 3P%), 11.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.3 blocks, 1.7 steals
Phyfe is the only player on the Elite First Team who didn’t play for a state title, which is a testament to just how good the future Northern Iowa big man was. He posted three straight double-doubles while leading the Go-Hawks to a third place finish in 3A. He led the 3A tournament in scoring, finished second in rebounding, and showed off some impressive range that should give Panther fans something to look forward to. After knocking down just seven 3s all season, he went 7-12 from behind the arc in their three games, showcasing an ever evolving skill set to pair with his exceptional footwork, touch and discipline on the block.
Matt Mims, Cedar Rapids Xavier (2018)
Stats: 18.3 points (48.8 FG%), 2.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals
Xavier’s star junior was named captain of the 3A all-tournament team, an honor that we agreed with. He not only led the Saints to their second consecutive 3A titlehe made what turned out to be the game-winning shots in both the semifinals and championship games. He nailed a go-ahead 3 in overtime against Waverly-Shell Rock, and his driving layup to take the lead with 42 seconds left against Sergeant Bluff-Luton got the Saints another state title. His mid-range game was on full display all week, and he was nearly impossible to stay in front of, using his combination of ball handling, footwork and quickness to get to the rim seemingly at will.
Devontae Lane, Iowa City West (2017)
Stats: 15.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.0 steals
The Robin to McCaffery’s Batman, Lane has been sensational all year, and this week was no exception. He delivered timely buckets all week for the Trojans and made huge plays on the defensive end. We’ve learned what to expect from the 6-2 bull of a guard – he’ll be impossible to stop when he’s playing downhill, he’ll defend the heck out of you and he’ll make big shots. Nothing new here. And he showcased his ever improving jumper, knocking down plenty of 15-footers throughout the week. He also delivered down the stretch of the Newton win at the line, making 3 of 4 free throws to help ice the game.