Week 3 of the Iowa high school boys basketball season is in the books. Here's 5 things we learned.
With two to three games a week, the Iowa high school boys basketball season is well underway, even after just three weeks of action.
Some of the top teams are beginning to emerge, while some players are making their case to be considered the best in Iowa.
Here are five things we learned from Week 3 of the boys high school basketball season.
More: The 50 best Iowa high school boys basketball players ahead of the 2023-24 season
Stats and averages are based on what was input to GoBound as of Saturday, Dec. 16 at 7 a.m.
1. Urbandale seems like a much better team than its record
The J-Hawks have lost four games this season — three of which came against Ankeny Centennial, Valley and Waukee. All three are teams that could be considered some of the best programs in the state. The success that Urbandale has found is mostly credited to Grant Uecker and Brevin Phillips. Both average close to 20 points, over five rebounds and about three assists per game.
Urbandale (2-4) managed to force overtime against Waukee and held close with the Warriors through the entire game Tuesday. Despite a big loss to Southeast Polk on Friday, the J-Hawks could still be a sleeper team to watch deep into the season.
2. Waukee’s grittiness in overtime win showed that this team isn’t lost without players like Omaha Biliew
That was the big question coming into this season: How does Waukee continue its success after losing a five-star prospect who did a bit of everything on the floor? We’ve talked about that enough and through five games it’s clear that this Warriors squad is packed with competitors.
More: Jaden Rogers, Mason Costello lead Waukee basketball past Urbandale in overtime thriller
One night, Mason Costello steps up. Another night, Evan Jacobson or Jaden Rogers fills the leadership role. Waukee (5-1) has the pieces it needs to be successful, and when they come together, well that’s entertaining to watch.
3. Des Moines North emerges as the top team in the DMPS
Let's talk about a turnaround for the Polar Bears. North is 5-1 this season, their lone loss coming to Roosevelt, and holds the best record out of all DMPS boys basketball programs, as of Saturday morning. It's been quite the change for a team that won just five games last year and two games the year prior. There's been a change in the culture, and players are buying into that.
More: 'Be the change' motto at the center of Des Moines North boys basketball's 5-1 start
It also helps that North has several players – Wisdom Fode, Da'Corion White, Naszir Lamar, Amos Poe – who average nearly 10 points per game or better.
4. What's the secret behind Linn-Mar's undefeated start to the season?
The Lions are 5-0 through their first handful of games, beating some big-name teams like Bettendorf, Waukee, Xavier and Iowa City West. But they don't have any players leading the statistical categories in Class 5A, save for Davis Kern, whose 15 blocks are the second-most in the class.
It comes down to Linn-Mar's teamwork. The Lions have three players who average double digits in scoring. And Linn-Mar is skilled at winning close games, with four of its five wins decided by four or fewer points. Their largest margin of victory is just 13 points.
More: Check out the Des Moines Register's Iowa high school boys basketball preseason Super 10 rankings
5. Cael Reichter stars for North Fayette Valley
There might not be any individual player with as much statistical success as Reichter this season. He leads all boys basketball players statewide with 194 points and 103 rebounds. He's helped out by teammate Kyler White, whose 54 assists are the most in the state.
Those gaudy numbers have helped the TigerHawks to a 7-1 start to the season.
Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 5 things we learned from Week 3 of the Iowa boys HS basketball season
