Holiday Break Check-In: Top 10 3A Assists

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167712' first='Travaughn' last='Luyobya'] (Clear Lake) - 11.0 assists per game</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Luyobya doesn't lead the state in total assists, but he does lead in assists per game, dishing out 11 helpers a night in addition to being the leading scorer at 17.4 points per game. If "usage rate" were a thing in Iowa high school basketball, Luyobya would certainly be near the top of those rankings, and for good reason, as he has been simply dynamic on both ends of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1240101' first='Caden' last='Johnson'] (Glenwood) - 8.8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson was a big-time scorer for the Rams last year but has taken a step back in that regard this year, getting his teammates involved instead, which has led to a more balanced Glenwood attack and a strong 6-2 start to the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3.) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376707' first='Bo' last='Otto'] (Clarke) - 8.3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A talented 5-11 guard who impacts the game on both ends of the floor, Otto is averaging 14.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.6 steals to go with his huge assists totals so far this season. He's a key piece of an Indians attack that is averaging over 70 points a game, helping push the tempo with their athletes, and guiding them through halfcourt sets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167720' first='Brayden' last='Dinkla'] (Winterset) - 8.0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dinkla is a tough, scrappy lead guard who impacts the game on both ends of the floor in a major way, averaging 17.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.9 steals a game in addition to his 8 assists. He's constantly attacking the rim and putting pressure on opposing defenses both as a finisher and playmaker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1641849' first='Jackson' last='Gaul'] (Crestwood) - 7.1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A shifty lead guard who loves to get others involved, Gaul is averaging nearly as many assists as points (7.6) this season. He handles it and sees the floor really well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6.) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1587393' first='Landon' last='Welp'] (Algona) - 7.0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The stats for only one Algona game have been uploaded into Bound so far, but Welp was really good in that one game, putting up 15 points and 7 assists against just 2 turnovers. He appears to be thriving in his new role as a starter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7.) 2024 Gus Pickup (Central DeWitt) - 6.0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pickup started for last year's runner-up Sabers and has stepped into a bigger role this year, leading the team in assists and steals, while ranking second in scoring. A high IQ point guard who doesn't force anything, he loves to get others involved and he takes advantage of open shooting opportunities when they present themselves, burying 46% of his 3-point attempts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1668669' first='Landen' last='Norris'] (Knoxville) - 5.8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knoxville is extremely young, with their top eight scorers comprised of three sophomores and five juniors, but they've gotten off to an impressive 5-1 start and Norris' calming presence in the backcourt, despite being just a sophomore, has been huge for this group. He's stuffing the stat sheet, averaging 11.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.7 steals and has been a dynamic shooting threat. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='956876' first='Chase' last='Henderson'] (Hoover) - 5.8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future Montana point guard has been one of the best guards in the state since he was a freshman, and he's going out with a bang for the Huskies, averaging a team-high 21.4 points on 50-41-58 shooting splits in addition to his playmaking. He's a cat-quick guard who puts a ton of pressure on opposing defenses with his handle and speed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10.) 2025 Damyen Jackson (Assumption) - 5.1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights lost a ton of production off of last year's state-qualifying team, and Jackson, a talented sophomore guard, has taken full advantage of the opportunity presented to him, averaging 11.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in his first varsity minutes. He's a quick 6-0 guard who can break down the defense and get to the bucket, and his ability to put pressure on opposing defenses via dribble penetration makes Assumption dangerous.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->