State Tournament Day 4: Top Performers
At the end of each day we will be putting forth our top 10 performers from the day’s action. You can see the top performers from the six games on Thursday below.
Zoe Young – 5’10 G – 2019 – West Des Moines Valley
**37 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks**
I’m not sure there is a ton of praise to give Young that I haven’t already this week. This was her second consecutive 30 point and 10 rebound game in the tournament. She hit quite a few tough shots in this one and was really the catalyst for the offense as well as the defense. She did a great job of defense in the post despite picking up a few early fouls. Young is the definition of a “dog” on the floor. She just keeps coming at you. Expect a huge 5A State Championship game from her. Committed to Maryland.
Shea Fuller – 5’7 G – 2019 – West Des Moines Valley
**22 points, 5 steals**
Fuller was the second man on this Valley team today. She was so clutch late especially when Young was on the bench in foul trouble. She knocked down three triples in the game and had 15 points in the second half. Fuller was paramount on defense as she provided tough ball pressure and came away with five steals in the game. I think that she changed the game much more than anyone knows, and Young overshadowed her performance a bit this morning. Committed to Minnesota State.
Regan Nesheim – 6’1 F – 2019 – Johnston
**26 points, 9 rebounds**
While Johnston struggled to get anything going, it was Nesheim who came up huge. She was 9-of-12 from the floor while the rest of the team was 13-of-45. Neshiem is an imposing force down low where she is mobile and athletic with the ability to attack. She scored 18 points in the second half and was a huge reason that Johnston forced overtime. Really loved how she played today as she kept her team in it. Committed to South Dakota State.
Maggie McGraw – 5’11 G – 2019 – Southeast Polk
**17 points, 4 rebounds**
McGraw only played 23 minutes in this one but when Southeast Polk needed a run, it was McGraw that stepped up and played big. Very efficient day as her 17 points came on just eight shots from the floor. Had some huge clutch shots early in the fourth quarter to single handedly bring Southeast Polk back. Had 10 points in the final frame, seven of which came during a 10-2 run where Southeast Polk took the lead. Just such a solid all-around player. Committed to Iowa State.
Grace Larkins – 5’10 W – 2021 – Southeast Polk
**24 points, 4 assists**
Larkins struggled just a little bit shooting the ball, but that wasn’t reflective of her overall game. I thought that in the game she played really well before backing down a bit. Larkins is just such a versatile player who is one of the top players in the sophomore class. Really liked the way that she played under pressure and the stage is not to big for her.
Jaedon Murphy – 5’10 F – 2020 – North Polk
**22 points, 7 rebounds**
Murphy is a player that has just gotten better each time that I have seen her. She’s so calm, cool, and collected that you don’t really ever see her get too high or too low. She is just such a complete player and does everything really well. Love how she commands the game and doesn’t get too rushed. Murphy isn’t overly athletic, just so skilled and so smart plus she has the ability to beat you with quickness. She was really good for North Polk today.
Ryley Goebel – 5’11 W – 2022 – Center Point-Urbana
**12 points, 8 steals, 5 rebounds, 3 assists**
Goebel once again played really well and provided a huge spark off the bench. She is a great player to have at the top of the 1-2-2 press because she is so lengthy and skilled. Back-to-back possessions at one point she stole the ball and easily laid it in. There’s a ton of potential here with her game and I think coaches are going to start seeing it sooner rather than later. Love Goebel’s game already in the short time I’ve seen her.
Ella Van Weelden – 6’1 F – 2021 – Marion
**16 points, 15 rebounds**
Loved how Weelden played for Marion. She hit five 3-pointers and looked confident shooting the ball the entire game. I almost feel like she’s a wing, but she plays inside so well. She’s tough and while she has an unorthodox shot, it goes down at a high percentage. She rebounded the ball great tonight, I would never have thought she ended with 15 rebounds as she did it quietly. She’s going to be a problem for this Marion team over the next two years.
Kayba Laube – 5’9 G – 2020 – Marion
**20 points, 3 rebounds**
Laube is a competitor. Plays with a fire that not many players have and had a tremendous game today. Finished with 20 points on just nine shots from the field and hit a couple very key 3-pointers. She’s a small guard, but full of power. She likes to attack and with how she finishes at the rim, I hope she gets even more aggressive. Committed to Northern Iowa.
Grace Boffeli – 6’2 C – 2020 – North Scott
**24 points, 7 rebounds**
Boffeli played one of the best games of the day going 10-of-12 from the field and continuously impacting the game on the defensive end. I really liked how she stood tall on the inside and was affecting shots all over the play. She’s kind of a brick wall on the inside and no one is going to score at the rim when they drive right at her. She is going to be a big part of the 4A Championship game.