Three Pros for Barz as Mr. Basketball
Having already signed a Division I Letter of Intent to an
in-state school will help his case.
No one else on Johnston averages double digits so it is
obvious that Barz has picked up a lot of slack for the Dragons.
He is the top rated player in the class and was the most
recruited. That helps in the mind of voters who will be considering
him.
Three Cons for Barz as Mr.
Basketball
As a bigman who has gone games with fewer touches than he
should be getting, it is tough for him to control the offense.
Johnston has not been able to have the type of success that
the teams of other players on this list have had.
With so many good bigmen on the schedule all year in the
CIML, Barz has been playing against other top notch competition all year.
That has limited his stats somewhat.
Parting thoughts:
The fact that Barz is the top rated player in this class and he is going to
a Division I program really helps his case. But it is a difficult road
as a bigman to win the award because he was to rely so much on his teammates
feeding him the ball.
Current Mr. IowaPreps.com Ranking:
#2
Three Pros for Burgus as Mr. Basketball
Burgus has proven over the
past few years he can put points up each game. This year is no
exception from that.
While Clarke has struggled at
times the past few years, Burgus is helping his team to many more wins this
time around.
Guards usually get more
credit than bigmen in a race for Mr. Basketball so that obviously give
Burgus an advantage over some.
Three Cons for Burgus as Mr.
Basketball
The 19-2 record is impressive
but many consider it to be inflated against poor competition.
Without a college decision
already made, some voters will take that and decide to vote for others.
Burgus has had the green
light the past few years and can shoot whenever he wants. Will that
hurt him?
Parting thoughts:
Burgus will definitely have a difficult road to Mr. Basketball but the
success of his team as well as the points he is putting up per game do deserve
credit. He could end up garnering votes but how well his team does in the
playoffs will affect how he finishes in the final voting.
Current Mr. IowaPreps.com Ranking:
#10
Three Pros for Clement as Mr. Basketball
The fact that Clement is a
guard and gets to control the ball a lot helps him. That has played a
part in his 25 points per game.
Not only is he putting up
points but Clement is also playing a major role in the team having a great
year.
Clement has made a name for
himself in track as well and he is known across the State for his athletic
ability.
Three Cons for Clement as Mr.
Basketball
One big thing that most
previous winners have done is get to play at the State tournament. He
has yet to get the team there, although he can this evening.
Is he a basketball player or
a track runner? The question in sports hurt Brandon Myer a few years
back.
People feel at times that the
voters are not aware of all parts of the state. And one complaint is
western Iowa.
Parting thoughts:
If Clement wants to throw his name into the hat as a very serious candidate,
he has to beat Sioux City Heelan and help his team get to State. He
already has first team All State wrapped up but needs to prove he can get his
team to Des Moines to really be mentioned as a serious candidate.
Current Mr. IowaPreps.com Ranking:
#9
Three Pros for Diedrich as Mr. Basketball
If there is one thing that
Diedrich is known for, it is putting the ball in the hoop. His game is
fun to watch because he fires from just about anywhere on the court.
Diedrich has worked hard to
become a complete player and the time he put in the off-season is obvious.
Over the past two years,
Diedrich has helped his team to the State tournament and they have had a
great record overall as well.
Three Cons for Diedrich as Mr.
Basketball
Diedrich will likely be
playing next year at the Junior College level. Although I hate to
admit it, that does hurt him.
Many still consider Diedrich
a scorer who takes wild shots.
While playing against a lot
of Class 1A opponents during the regular season, Diedrich and the schedule
for the Rebels will be questioned because of the competition.
Parting thoughts:
Diedrich is one of those players that really is a long shot to win this
award. But with his ability to score and help his team to win, he deserved
a mention. If Diedrich can get past his shooting struggles from last year
at State, he will be a fan favorite in Des Moines because of his unlimited
range.
Current Mr. IowaPreps.com Ranking:
#11
Three Pros for Kirschbaum as Mr. Basketball
Kirschbaum is an extremely
versatile player and does just about everything for his team. From
scoring, passing, and rebounding, he does it.
Although the success has not
been as consistent in the playoffs, Kirschbaum has an outstanding record at
the varsity level.
Kirschbaum has led his team
in scoring the past three years despite having some talented teammates.
Three Cons for Kirschbaum as Mr.
Basketball
Even though he is headed to a
very good college program, few Mr. Basketball winners have gone to the
Division II level.
This was written before the
substate final but Kirschbaum has not been able to win the big game.
He can turn this into a positive with a win.
Some of the things that
Kirschbaum does for his team are not always in the stats. Not all
voters see that in a player.
Parting thoughts:
Kirschbaum must prove he can
win the big game and will have to beat Hull Western Christian. That will
give him a chance to showcase his full range of skills at the State tournament
and in front of the majority of voters for this award.
Current Mr. IowaPreps.com Ranking:
#9
Three Pros for Lamb as Mr. Basketball
The fact that Lamb will be
playing Division I basketball at the next level is an advantage for him.
By playing in the CIML
against a lot of good teams, the media in that area help him get pub state
wide.
Lamb helped the Indians to
the State tournament as a junior and is back at the substate finale (To be
played still).
Three Cons for Lamb as Mr.
Basketball
Because Lamb did not excel as
much last year, some are considering him a one hit wonder at the high school
level.
Even though he is going to a
Division I school, it is out of state and few know much about it.
It will be important for Lamb
to get back to the State tournament so he can show off the senior version of
his game.
Parting thoughts:
Lamb is easily among the best scorers in the CIML and has improved as much
as anyone over the past year. Confidence is a big part of his game and it
is obvious that has helped him become the player he has been this past year.
Current Mr. IowaPreps.com Ranking:
#4
Three Pros for Lesan as Mr. Basketball
Lesan has proven that he is a
winner and over the past three years has an impressive win-loss record at
the varsity level.
In an area that gets
attention from Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, Lesan has proven to be one of the
best players around.
Lesan has already made up his
mind for college and will be heading in-state to play Division II hoops.
Three Cons for Lesan as Mr.
Basketball
With their loss in the
substate final, Lesan lost any chance to get votes state wide from those who
had not seen him.
Lesan was only able to play
one game at the State tournament and struggled shooting from the field while
at Des Moines.
Although he made a good
college decision, players headed to the Division II level have not won this
award much in the past.
Parting thoughts:
In a year with so many questions for this award, Lesan had to get to State
and show those around Iowa what type of ability he had. But their loss to
Northeast Gooselake will really hurt any chance he has for this award.
Current Mr. IowaPreps.com Ranking:
#8
Three Pros for Printy as Mr. Basketball
Printy is the best player on
the best team in Iowa. That alone will really help him in his chase
for this award.
Although they had a coaching
change, Printy will be playing college basketball at the Division I level
next year for Indiana State.
Even with some gigantic shoes
to fill, Printy has really stepped up his game and this team may be better
than last year.
Three Cons for Printy as Mr.
Basketball
Even though he is the leading
scorer on a balanced team, others are averaging well over the 17.2 points
per game he scores.
What will Printy do next
year? That question may come up, even with his Letter of Intent
already signed.
Printy did solid last year at
State but needs to be even better if the Lions want to capture another
title.
Parting thoughts:
In a year with so many question marks for this award, Printy must show his
skills at the State tournament. If he can help the Lions to the State
title, it may be tough not to vote for him.
Current Mr. IowaPreps.com Ranking:
#1
Three Pros for Sargent as Mr. Basketball
One thing about Sargent is
that he is clutch. When games are on the line, he has been able to
really step up his performance.
Sargent will be playing
Division I basketball next season at South Dakota State and that is a plus.
Although not putting up the
monster points per game, Sargent has deferred to his teammates and that has
help him win more games.
Three Cons for Sargent as Mr.
Basketball
Although they don't have to
face their nemesis from MOC-Floyd Valley, Sargent needs to prove he can get
to State.
Will voters take anything
away from him because he has one of the top players in 2009 playing next to
him?
Obviously everyone knows
about the Western Iowa snub. And as a player in Western Iowa, he may
get less attention than others around the state.
Parting thoughts:
The ability of Sargent to get his team to the State tournament and win games
there will have a lot to do with his ability to win Mr. Basketball. The
game tonight against LeMars is huge.
Current Mr. IowaPreps.com Ranking:
#5
Three Pros for Sash as Mr. Basketball
The state has a bias towards
the Iowa Hawkeyes and that is where Sash will be playing football next year.
Sash proved this season to
everyone that stats are not that important. His numbers went down and
the wins went up.
His ability in multiple
sports has been well documented by media in Iowa.
Three Cons for Sash as Mr.
Basketball
Even though he is playing for
Iowa, Brandon Myers had the same exact situation and got little love for
this award.
Sash helped his team to a
great year on the court but because the team bumps up to 4A for the
playoffs, they fell short of State.
Even with what he has done
this year, some still feel Sash shoots all the time (Even if it is not
true).
Parting thoughts:
The football bias and not making it to State will hurt Sash. He really
should get some consideration because what he has accomplished. Sash
really did prove a lot by helping the team well over the .500 mark this year and
not worrying about his numbers along the way.
Current Mr. IowaPreps.com Ranking:
#7
Three Pros for Vette as Mr. Basketball
Vette is averaging a
double-double this year and has been a load to slow down.
After making State last
season, Vette and his teammates are one game away while having a much better
record.
Vette is headed to the
Division I level after signing his Letter of Intent with Indiana State.
Three Cons for Vette as Mr.
Basketball
At the high school level,
basketball is a guard's game. That is why it will be tough for someone
like Vette.
Because there are questions
surrounding Indiana State, that may enter the mind of voters.
Some people may be turned off
by his game because he uses his strength so well.
Parting thoughts:
Vette definitely has a chance at this award but a lot will depend on the
State tournament. He needs to beat West Delaware and make some noise
against the Humboldts and Harlans of the world. That will definitely help
his cause.
Current Mr. IowaPreps.com Ranking:
#3
This post was edited on 3/6 1:16 PM by LukeFeddersenif(GetAdminCookie() != 0) {document.write(' (Revisions[/URL])');}
Having already signed a Division I Letter of Intent to an
in-state school will help his case.
No one else on Johnston averages double digits so it is
obvious that Barz has picked up a lot of slack for the Dragons.
He is the top rated player in the class and was the most
recruited. That helps in the mind of voters who will be considering
him.
Three Cons for Barz as Mr.
Basketball
As a bigman who has gone games with fewer touches than he
should be getting, it is tough for him to control the offense.
Johnston has not been able to have the type of success that
the teams of other players on this list have had.
With so many good bigmen on the schedule all year in the
CIML, Barz has been playing against other top notch competition all year.
That has limited his stats somewhat.
Parting thoughts:
The fact that Barz is the top rated player in this class and he is going to
a Division I program really helps his case. But it is a difficult road
as a bigman to win the award because he was to rely so much on his teammates
feeding him the ball.
Current Mr. IowaPreps.com Ranking:
#2
Three Pros for Burgus as Mr. Basketball
Burgus has proven over the
past few years he can put points up each game. This year is no
exception from that.
While Clarke has struggled at
times the past few years, Burgus is helping his team to many more wins this
time around.
Guards usually get more
credit than bigmen in a race for Mr. Basketball so that obviously give
Burgus an advantage over some.
Three Cons for Burgus as Mr.
Basketball
The 19-2 record is impressive
but many consider it to be inflated against poor competition.
Without a college decision
already made, some voters will take that and decide to vote for others.
Burgus has had the green
light the past few years and can shoot whenever he wants. Will that
hurt him?
Parting thoughts:
Burgus will definitely have a difficult road to Mr. Basketball but the
success of his team as well as the points he is putting up per game do deserve
credit. He could end up garnering votes but how well his team does in the
playoffs will affect how he finishes in the final voting.
Current Mr. IowaPreps.com Ranking:
#10
Three Pros for Clement as Mr. Basketball
The fact that Clement is a
guard and gets to control the ball a lot helps him. That has played a
part in his 25 points per game.
Not only is he putting up
points but Clement is also playing a major role in the team having a great
year.
Clement has made a name for
himself in track as well and he is known across the State for his athletic
ability.
Three Cons for Clement as Mr.
Basketball
One big thing that most
previous winners have done is get to play at the State tournament. He
has yet to get the team there, although he can this evening.
Is he a basketball player or
a track runner? The question in sports hurt Brandon Myer a few years
back.
People feel at times that the
voters are not aware of all parts of the state. And one complaint is
western Iowa.
Parting thoughts:
If Clement wants to throw his name into the hat as a very serious candidate,
he has to beat Sioux City Heelan and help his team get to State. He
already has first team All State wrapped up but needs to prove he can get his
team to Des Moines to really be mentioned as a serious candidate.
Current Mr. IowaPreps.com Ranking:
#9
Three Pros for Diedrich as Mr. Basketball
If there is one thing that
Diedrich is known for, it is putting the ball in the hoop. His game is
fun to watch because he fires from just about anywhere on the court.
Diedrich has worked hard to
become a complete player and the time he put in the off-season is obvious.
Over the past two years,
Diedrich has helped his team to the State tournament and they have had a
great record overall as well.
Three Cons for Diedrich as Mr.
Basketball
Diedrich will likely be
playing next year at the Junior College level. Although I hate to
admit it, that does hurt him.
Many still consider Diedrich
a scorer who takes wild shots.
While playing against a lot
of Class 1A opponents during the regular season, Diedrich and the schedule
for the Rebels will be questioned because of the competition.
Parting thoughts:
Diedrich is one of those players that really is a long shot to win this
award. But with his ability to score and help his team to win, he deserved
a mention. If Diedrich can get past his shooting struggles from last year
at State, he will be a fan favorite in Des Moines because of his unlimited
range.
Current Mr. IowaPreps.com Ranking:
#11
Three Pros for Kirschbaum as Mr. Basketball
Kirschbaum is an extremely
versatile player and does just about everything for his team. From
scoring, passing, and rebounding, he does it.
Although the success has not
been as consistent in the playoffs, Kirschbaum has an outstanding record at
the varsity level.
Kirschbaum has led his team
in scoring the past three years despite having some talented teammates.
Three Cons for Kirschbaum as Mr.
Basketball
Even though he is headed to a
very good college program, few Mr. Basketball winners have gone to the
Division II level.
This was written before the
substate final but Kirschbaum has not been able to win the big game.
He can turn this into a positive with a win.
Some of the things that
Kirschbaum does for his team are not always in the stats. Not all
voters see that in a player.
Parting thoughts:
Kirschbaum must prove he can
win the big game and will have to beat Hull Western Christian. That will
give him a chance to showcase his full range of skills at the State tournament
and in front of the majority of voters for this award.
Current Mr. IowaPreps.com Ranking:
#9
Three Pros for Lamb as Mr. Basketball
The fact that Lamb will be
playing Division I basketball at the next level is an advantage for him.
By playing in the CIML
against a lot of good teams, the media in that area help him get pub state
wide.
Lamb helped the Indians to
the State tournament as a junior and is back at the substate finale (To be
played still).
Three Cons for Lamb as Mr.
Basketball
Because Lamb did not excel as
much last year, some are considering him a one hit wonder at the high school
level.
Even though he is going to a
Division I school, it is out of state and few know much about it.
It will be important for Lamb
to get back to the State tournament so he can show off the senior version of
his game.
Parting thoughts:
Lamb is easily among the best scorers in the CIML and has improved as much
as anyone over the past year. Confidence is a big part of his game and it
is obvious that has helped him become the player he has been this past year.
Current Mr. IowaPreps.com Ranking:
#4
Three Pros for Lesan as Mr. Basketball
Lesan has proven that he is a
winner and over the past three years has an impressive win-loss record at
the varsity level.
In an area that gets
attention from Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, Lesan has proven to be one of the
best players around.
Lesan has already made up his
mind for college and will be heading in-state to play Division II hoops.
Three Cons for Lesan as Mr.
Basketball
With their loss in the
substate final, Lesan lost any chance to get votes state wide from those who
had not seen him.
Lesan was only able to play
one game at the State tournament and struggled shooting from the field while
at Des Moines.
Although he made a good
college decision, players headed to the Division II level have not won this
award much in the past.
Parting thoughts:
In a year with so many questions for this award, Lesan had to get to State
and show those around Iowa what type of ability he had. But their loss to
Northeast Gooselake will really hurt any chance he has for this award.
Current Mr. IowaPreps.com Ranking:
#8
Three Pros for Printy as Mr. Basketball
Printy is the best player on
the best team in Iowa. That alone will really help him in his chase
for this award.
Although they had a coaching
change, Printy will be playing college basketball at the Division I level
next year for Indiana State.
Even with some gigantic shoes
to fill, Printy has really stepped up his game and this team may be better
than last year.
Three Cons for Printy as Mr.
Basketball
Even though he is the leading
scorer on a balanced team, others are averaging well over the 17.2 points
per game he scores.
What will Printy do next
year? That question may come up, even with his Letter of Intent
already signed.
Printy did solid last year at
State but needs to be even better if the Lions want to capture another
title.
Parting thoughts:
In a year with so many question marks for this award, Printy must show his
skills at the State tournament. If he can help the Lions to the State
title, it may be tough not to vote for him.
Current Mr. IowaPreps.com Ranking:
#1
Three Pros for Sargent as Mr. Basketball
One thing about Sargent is
that he is clutch. When games are on the line, he has been able to
really step up his performance.
Sargent will be playing
Division I basketball next season at South Dakota State and that is a plus.
Although not putting up the
monster points per game, Sargent has deferred to his teammates and that has
help him win more games.
Three Cons for Sargent as Mr.
Basketball
Although they don't have to
face their nemesis from MOC-Floyd Valley, Sargent needs to prove he can get
to State.
Will voters take anything
away from him because he has one of the top players in 2009 playing next to
him?
Obviously everyone knows
about the Western Iowa snub. And as a player in Western Iowa, he may
get less attention than others around the state.
Parting thoughts:
The ability of Sargent to get his team to the State tournament and win games
there will have a lot to do with his ability to win Mr. Basketball. The
game tonight against LeMars is huge.
Current Mr. IowaPreps.com Ranking:
#5
Three Pros for Sash as Mr. Basketball
The state has a bias towards
the Iowa Hawkeyes and that is where Sash will be playing football next year.
Sash proved this season to
everyone that stats are not that important. His numbers went down and
the wins went up.
His ability in multiple
sports has been well documented by media in Iowa.
Three Cons for Sash as Mr.
Basketball
Even though he is playing for
Iowa, Brandon Myers had the same exact situation and got little love for
this award.
Sash helped his team to a
great year on the court but because the team bumps up to 4A for the
playoffs, they fell short of State.
Even with what he has done
this year, some still feel Sash shoots all the time (Even if it is not
true).
Parting thoughts:
The football bias and not making it to State will hurt Sash. He really
should get some consideration because what he has accomplished. Sash
really did prove a lot by helping the team well over the .500 mark this year and
not worrying about his numbers along the way.
Current Mr. IowaPreps.com Ranking:
#7
Three Pros for Vette as Mr. Basketball
Vette is averaging a
double-double this year and has been a load to slow down.
After making State last
season, Vette and his teammates are one game away while having a much better
record.
Vette is headed to the
Division I level after signing his Letter of Intent with Indiana State.
Three Cons for Vette as Mr.
Basketball
At the high school level,
basketball is a guard's game. That is why it will be tough for someone
like Vette.
Because there are questions
surrounding Indiana State, that may enter the mind of voters.
Some people may be turned off
by his game because he uses his strength so well.
Parting thoughts:
Vette definitely has a chance at this award but a lot will depend on the
State tournament. He needs to beat West Delaware and make some noise
against the Humboldts and Harlans of the world. That will definitely help
his cause.
Current Mr. IowaPreps.com Ranking:
#3
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