Iowa’s Top Returning Passers
Up next in our daily season preview articles is the state’s top returning passers. The third article in a series of 73 highlights the players who can easily find their teammates for easy baskets. Let’s hop in and see who…
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Continue ReadingUp next in our daily season preview articles is the state’s top returning passers. The third article in a series of 73 highlights the players who can easily find their teammates for easy baskets. Let’s hop in and see who the top returning qualifying passers (in terms of total assists) will be for the upcoming season.
Helaina Hillyard — 5’10 SF — 2020 — Mediapolis
*172 assists*
Hillyard led the state last year in assists and it wasn’t even close. She plays a style that not many throughout the state can match. Really crafty passer with a really high basketball IQ. Hillyard can fit the ball into tight windows as well as anyone in the state. Even though she could have a career in college basketball, Hillyard is committed to Western Illinois for volleyball.
Maya McDermott — 5’5 PG — 2020 — Johnston
*139 assists*
McDermott might be the top true point guard in the entire state. She plas really well within her game and changes her speed nicely when the game calls for it. She is a threat from the outside opening up passing lanes to cutters. A really tough guard with a great feel for the game. McDermott is a can’t miss player this winter. She has committed to Northern Iowa. (Featured Image)
Kallyn Stumbo — 5’8 PG — 2020 — Okoboji
*135 assists*
Stumbo is one of the top combo guards in the state. She has the ability to play both on and off the ball and does so at a very high level. The ability for her to dish the ball off when driving through the lane is superb and allows her to rack up a ton of assists. Stumbo has that “it” factor and she is committed to Indiana State to play collegiately.
Kennedy Preston — 5’6 PG — 2020 — Carlisle
*126 assists*
Probably the most “unknown” player on this list, Preston simply drops dimes when she has the ball in her hands. She’s a really solid passer and does it with a bit of flair as well. She has a great good sense of where the defense is going to be and she’s helped by having a ton of really solid scorers around her. Look for her assists to rise this upcoming season.
Riley Wright — 5’10 SF — 2021 — Marion
*125 assists*
Wright has been a really solid piece to Marion’s success over the past two years and it seems as if this year will be no different. Wright is a dynamic piece to the puzzle and continually shows why she is so heralded. She is likely a wing at the next level, but easily runs the show from the point guard spot for her high school team. She’s going to be fun to watch the next two years and she is committed to Northern Iowa.
Presley Case — 5’4 PG — 2020 — North Scott
*124 assists*
Case is a small lead guard but very efficient in getting others the ball. She is a tough-nosed guard who gets after it in transition and looks to get teammates involved in the scoring. Case is a really good entry passer with the ability to put the ball right where her bigs want it. Look for Case to command North Scott back to the state tournament.
Rachel Leerar — 5’7 PG — 2021 — West Hancock
*123 assists*
Leerar is a really good piece to a very solid West Hancock team. They made it to the state tournament last year and look to do the same this year after not having any seniors last year. Leerar plays more of an off-ball role at times, but her assist numbers show that she likes to spread the ball around. Leerar is a do-it-all kid for West Hancock and if they want to make a deep run she has to be sharp.
Brianna Lingenfelter — 5’7 SG — 2020 — Jesup
*120 assists*
Lingenfelter isn’t really a true point guard in a sense, but with her passing ability could very well play the position at the next level. She has some nice pieces around her which make her job easy. She had a really nice summer this past year and continually showed why she is one of the top passers coming back next year. A really solid opportunity for her to raise those number await her this year.
Ella Imler — 5’6 PG — 2021 — Maquoketa Valley
*118 assists*
Imler is another player that likely isn’t known too well around the state. She plays on a really solid high school team and has a ton of weapons around her to go to. She was really impressive this summer in dishing off the ball and has no problem doing so during the high school season. Really tough competitor who will run through a brick wall for you as a coach.
Kori Wedeking — 5’9 SF — 2020 —Clarksville
*117 assists*
Wedeking is a really solid all-around contributor to this Clarksville team. She has a really solid nose for the ball and can really push it up the floor in transition. Love her style of play as she keeps the defender off guard. A high volume passer, Wedeking’s game will open up a bit this upcoming season. I wouldn’t be shocked to see her near the top of this list at the end of the year.