STATE TOURNAMENT: Elite All-Tournament – 1st Team
MVP: Will Carius, Pleasant Valley (2016)
The Northern Michigan commit was the most impressive player throughout the week, scoring a tournament high 88 points (29.3 per game), including a pair of 34-point outings in the semifinals and consolation game. He also added 8.7 rebounds a game, finishing behind only teammate Carter Milam in 4A rebounding. His 34-point outing against West Des Moines Valley was one of the best individual performances I’ve seen in my time covering high school basketball, scoring 34 of his team’s 48 points, and putting on a ridiculous shooting display from behind the arc, showing that there is much more to his game than his strength around the rim and on the glass. The versatile wing was sensational all season, putting a cap on a great career with a dazzling week at the state tournament. We will certainly miss watching him.
Cordell Pemsl, Dubuque Wahlert (2016)
While Pemsl’s quest for a third straight state title was stopped in the championship game by Xavier, he was fantastic throughout the tournament, posting three straight double-doubles. He averaged 18 points and 12.7 rebounds over the course of the week, looking as healthy as we’ve ever seen him, throwing down transition dunks with more explosion than ever, while also dazzling with his passing ability. In his final showings wearing a Wahlert uniform, he was his usual dominant self.
Mitchell Burger, Cedar Rapids Xavier (2016)
The leading scorer for the 3A champion Saints, Burger averaged 17.3 points a game throughout the week. While he was dominant in their quarterfinal win over Spirit Lake, his best play may have come in the second half of their championship win, where he changed the entire course of the game with his dribble penetration. His 11 second half points and three assists helped carry Xavier to their first state title, and he was a menace on the defensive end all week.
Joe Smoldt, Gladbrook-Reinbeck (2017)
Smoldt dazzled all week in Des Moines, en route to being named captain of the 1A all-tournament team for the second consecutive year. His most notable performance came with a 27-point second half in the Rebels quarterfinal win over Jesup. He ended up scoring 35 in the game, and averaged 29 a game in Gladbrook-Reinbeck’s three games. The junior guard once again showed that he’s the top player in 1A with a dominant mid-range game and the elite ability to shoot off the dribble.
Josh Van Lingen, Western Christian (2016)
Van Lingen posted the tournament’s only 20-20 game, scoring 23 points and grabbing 21 rebounds in Western Christian’s semifinal win over Anamosa. His three-game averages of 15 points and 14.7 rebounds showed just how dominant he was throughout the course of the week. Dordt is getting a steal with the 6’7″ big man.