Prospect Spotlight: Grace Boffeli (2020)
One of the most overlooked players in the state has shined on the biggest stage. Grace Boffeli, a 6’1 power forward from North Scott, first caught my attention in the first two games of the state finals. I really liked her aggression on the boards but I wanted to see her take over a game. In the opening round she scored 13 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Her motor in that game was outstanding and it has been something that she has always taken pride in. The semi-final game she was even better scoring 24 points on 10-for-12 shooting. In the 4A State Championship, Boffeli had the dominating game that I was looking for. In that game, a 50-49 win over Marion, Boffeli singlehandedly made sure that North Scott was going to win. She scored 21 points in the first 11:23 of the game and the rest was history as North Scott took home the 4A crown.
“This past season was definitely one to remember,” Boffeli said. “We grew as a team together and learned a lot throughout the season. It was an amazing experience to get to go to state again and even better to win it again. It gives us a lot of confidence going into the next season. I’m very excited to see what could happen for the final try at it.”
North Scott won the state championship not only last year, but two years prior when Boffeli was a freshman. She averaged 18.0 points a game last year as well as 10.9 rebounds a game. Even with that domination, Boffeli has taken a leap forward this summer. Running with the Lady Martin Brothers program she has stood out on a team with some very talent post players. Patrolling the post along with Iowa commit Sharon Goodman and Northern Iowa commit Taryn Scheurmann, Boffeli has been the player who has stood out the most to me.
“We have a very talented AAU team this summer,” Boffeli said. “I’m very excited to grow and get better with this group of girls. We all get along which is very fun. I believe we are very talented and could win a lot of games together. This summer I am working on becoming more of a threat on the outside perimeter. I have been working hard on my shot and working on feeling comfortable shooting more farther out. This summer is a big one for my growth and I’m excited to see the change in my game and what I can do more for the team.”
Boffeli has certainly started to become more of a threat on the perimeter this summer. She looks more comfortable stepping out and knocking down the jumper. With that aspect added into her game, Boffeli has gotten more dangerous as a player this summer. With the added perimeter game, she has become an even more dynamic player in the post. Her passing ability out of the post to cutters is a big part of her game. Her rebounding ability is also a huge part of her game allowing her teammates to take shots they might otherwise not because they know that she is going to be there to clean it up.
Colleges have taken notice of her play so far this summer. She grabbed her first Division I offer after the last live period from Eastern Illinois, and should add more through this summer. Her game sets up perfectly to be good fit in the Missouri Valley conference. Boffeli plays with a chip on her shoulder, and could be an immediate contributor at EIU. But before she makes a decision she is just looking forward to the summer.
“My goals for this summer would be to have fun and get better,” Boffeli said. “It is my last summer playing AAU and I want to make it the best possible. I have a great team and we will have fun and achieve lots of things this summer. The recruiting process is going good. I’m in contact with a some coaches and I have gone on some visits lately. This AAU season is going to be fun.”
She is a must watch player throughout the state. Boffeli plays the game the right way and is such a treat to watch. Her game is so fluid for her size and allows her to do so many things. Don’t be surprised to see some more offers this summer from low major and Division II programs.