Season Preview: Class 1A Stars to Watch (Part I)
As we continue our march towards the start of the high school season, we take a look at some of the top players to watch in each class. We’ll take a look at 20 of the best players in each…
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Continue ReadingAs we continue our march towards the start of the high school season, we take a look at some of the top players to watch in each class. We’ll take a look at 20 of the best players in each classification to keep an eye on this winter. In Part I of our Class 1A series, we take a look at the first seven standouts to monitor.
2020 Nick Reid (Central City)
The state’s leading returning scorer at 32.5 points a game last season, Reid scored 76 points in a game against East Buchanan, which is tied for second most all-time in a single game in state history. The 6-7 wing made 236 free throws last season, which was more than 267 teams around the state made, and his 307 attempts were more than 161 teams. He’s also a big-time rebounder who averaged 13.1 boards a night. Reid recently committed to play Division II ball at Emporia State (KS).
2021 Trey Shearer (Montezuma)
Arguably the best player in 1A, the 5-11 junior guard has the ability to take over games in a hurry with his ability to break a defense down by getting to the rim or pulling up and drilling a 3 in a defenders eye. He’s a great ball handler with a quick first step who gets to the rim with ease and is one of the best, and most confident, shooters off the dribble in the state. He’s also a gifted passer who can use his dynamic scoring abilities to open up scoring opportunities for his teammates. Like Reid, Shearer has recently committed to play Division II basketball. He’ll play for former Iowa Hawkeye great Jeff Horner at Truman State (MO).
2020 Jackson Louscher (South O’Brien)
A 6-2, do-everything wing for the Wolverines, Louscher led the team in scoring, rebounding, assists and made 3-pointers last season. His 170 made free throws ranked second in the state (behind only Nick Reid), and his 209 attempts were third (Reid, West Delaware’s Derek Krogmann). His ability to draw fouls and get to the line makes him extremely dangerous as a scorer, and he’s the big reason that South O’Brien is among our top five to open the season in 1A.
2020 JD Stout (Keota)
The state’s second leading returning scorer at 28.4 points a game, Stout is a big, physical guard for the Eagles, and a sniper from the arc. He made 76 3-pointers last season at a 45.0% clip, establishing himself as one of the state’s top shooting threats. He’s continued to develop his all-around game, and his added strength will allow him to finish effectively at the rim and draw fouls at a higher rate. He accounted for over 41% of Keota’s scoring last season, and should score at a similar clip this season for an Eagles team that will put a ton of shooting on the floor.
2021 Angelo Winkel (Bishop Garrigan)
A big, athletic 6-9 forward, Winkel averaged 16.6 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks last year for the Golden Bears, and with TJ Schnurr’s 16.7 points and 9.6 rebounds graduated, even more will fall on Winkel’s shoulders this year. A springy forward who plays above the rim, he’s an efficient scorer on the block (58.7 FG% last year), and he runs the floor really well. The key for him this year will be drawing more fouls, as he only attempted 2.9 free throws a game, and converting on those opportunities (just a 42% FT shooter last year). He’s one of the most talented big men in the state, and he’s played like it in spurts. Now he’ll need to put it together consistently and dominate both ends of the floor.
Spencer Schorg
2020 Spencer Schorg (Remsen, St. Mary’s)
A 6-0 guard, Schorg didn’t put up eye-popping numbers last season (15.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists), but he’s the unquestioned leader of a Hawks team that made it’s third straight State appearance last season, and will enter this season as one of the favorites in the class. He’s a physical guard who finishes well at the rim, takes care of the ball (96 assists to 48 turnovers), and he’s a solid defender to boot. A solid guard who does everything well, he’ll be looking to finally get St. Mary’s over the hump and into Championship Friday after three straight semifinal losses.
One of the most intriguing players in the state, Lasek is a 6-8 forward with great athleticism and the ability to stretch the floor, shooting 43.6% from behind the arc last season. He may pursue football at the next level, as he’s a coveted defensive end prospect as well, but on the hardwood, he’s a force who can control the paint on either end of the floor, stretch the defense with his shooting, and play above the rim. He averaged 21.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks last season in 12 Husky wins (season averages of 20.5 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks).