Gazette all-area boys’ basketball: North Linn’s Mike and Austin Hilmer, Kennedy’s Kenzie Reed headline 2021-22 team

CEDAR RAPIDS — If you want dish, go to these guys. They’re experts at it.

North Linn’s Austin Hilmer finished second in the state this season in assists. Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s Kenzie Reed led Class 4A in that category.

The point guards, Hilmer a senior and Reed a junior, literally led their respective teams to the boys’ state basketball tournament. Hilmer’s Lynx won the Class 1A championship, Reed’s Cougars knocked off Waukee Northwest in the 4A quarterfinals before falling to eventual champ Ames in the semis.

Hilmer was selected by coaches as the 1A player of the year. Reed was a fellow first-team all stater who was the Mississippi Valley Conference Valley Division player of the year.

Today they share The Gazette’s area player of the year honor.

“The main thing about this season is I just had a lot of fun playing,” Reed said. “It was probably the most fun I’ve had playing basketball.”

“The one thing I was just thinking about is this was something we’ve been working hard for so long,” Hilmer said of his team’s title. “Us seniors, that’s all we’ve been thinking about for the last two or three years, winning a state championship.”

The similarities between these two are striking. They’re both 5-foot-10, exceedingly quick and exquisite ballhandlers who love to set up their teammates.

They’ll get after you defensively. And they can score when needed.

Hilmer was one of four North Linn players to average double figures offensively, leading the Lynx at 19.4 points per game. His two free throws in the final seconds clinched North Linn’s championship game win over Grand View Christian and moved him into second place on the school’s all-time points list, behind his older brother, Jake.

Austin will join Jake next season at Upper Iowa University. They played together on North Linn’s 2019 Class 2A state championship team.

The Lynx were state runners-up in 2020 (2A) and 2021 (1A).

“I know Austin’s had a goal since Jake has been gone to win a state title in some sport,” Mike Hilmer said. “I think it’s pretty cool that he’s always supported his brother, never showed any jealous or anything like that. Plus he tried to learn from him. For him to end the way he did is just awesome.”

“We didn’t get it done the last two years, and we just kept thinking about getting it done,” Austin Hilmer said. “To get it done, it just feels weird when it’s over with. What we’ve been able to accomplish, it’s almost unbelievable.”

Reed can score at all three levels, as he did when he went off for a career-high 26 points against Waukee Northwest. He made five 3-pointers, got to the cup and finished, hit a couple of mid-range shots.

He then held his own in a head-to-head matchup with 2022 Iowa Mr. Basketball Tamin Lipsey of Ames.

“Playing against him, he’s just a really smart, really controlled player,” Reed said. “I loved the challenge, love competing, so it was just a great experience competing against somebody like that, who is going to the BIg 12.”

Reed doesn’t have any Division I offers, yet, but if he continues to play well during the spring AAU season, he’ll likely earn some. High school kids are getting squeezed quite a bit recruiting wise by the NCAA transfer portal and by the extra COVID year of eligibility college players can take.

“The progression of his game has been really good. Getting stronger, getting faster, shooting the ball a little bit better, being able to handle contact in tough situations,” said Kennedy Coach Jon McKowen. “But I think the biggest thing is just his knowledge of what the team needs. You kind of watch him all year, he scores in double digits, low double digits most of the time. There are times he won’t even take shots throughout a quarter. But going into the Waukee Northwest, he kind of knew what we were going to need, that we were going to need him to be more of a scorer in that game and that type of atmosphere.

“For him to rise to that occasion, having his highest scoring output on the biggest stage, just kind of shows his basketball IQ, as far as what we need. He’s a true point guard, wants to get everyone else involved first. Then he’ll try and score maybe later if we need him to.”

McKowen was among a very deep pool of serious candidates for area coach of the year. Others included Decorah’s Jonathan Carlson, who led his school to state for the first time since 1977, and Mid-Prairie’s Daren Lambert, whose team took a 24-0 record to the state tournament.

But North Linn’s Mike Hilmer wins the honor. The Lynx have made it to six consecutive state tourneys and have played in an unprecedented five straight championship games.

North Linn lost to Edgewood-Colesburg right before Christmas, its first regular-season loss in 107 games. But it regrouped to run the table from there.

North Linn’s 2018 state championship in Class 2A was accomplished with Mike and his father, Bob, as co-coaches. Mike’s sons Austin and Jake have been key players for him for a combined seven years in a row.

Mike Hilmer pointed out the support he gets from his wife, Jaci, at home has been so integral. He was kidded that he has to stick around long enough to eventually coach their 5-year-old daughter, Jori.

“She has started taking an interest in the game now, too,” he said. “I truly believe that sports have brought our family close together in many ways, and I believe that sports have helped us teach many life lessons along the way. The truth of the matter is that sports has given our family hundreds of hours together in the van, in hotels and at the ball fields and courts. We have truly been blessed.”

The 2021-22 Gazette all-area boys’ basketball team

Colby Dolphin, 6-0, junior, Cedar Rapids Kennedy — Led the Cougars in scoring at 14 points per game. Can shoot it from distance (he made 50 3-pointers) and get to the hole with a strong left-handed dribble-drive. Second-team all-state in Class 4A by the IPSWA.

Padraig Gallagher, 6-5, junior, Dyersville Beckman — You average 20 points a game in a conference like the Wamac, and that’s saying something. East Division player of the year also averaged 8.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Had an effective field-goal percentage of 61.3. Second-team all-state in Class 2A.

Kaden Hall, 6-3, senior, English Valleys — Averaged 22.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and three steals a game. First-team all-state in Class 1A. Also shot 81.2 percent from the free-throw line (134 of 165). Catalyst in helping EV to back-to-back winning seasons after the school went 20 years without one.

Carter Harmsen, 6-5, senior, Mid-Prairie — Indispensable player for Golden Hawks team that was undefeated going to the state tournament. Averaged 19.6 points and 8.2 rebounds. Shot 52 percent from the field. Second-team all-state in Class 2A by the IPSWA.

Austin Hilmer, 6-0, senior, North Linn — Helped Lynx to a Class 1A state championship, averaging 19.4 points and 7.5 assists. That latter number ranked second in the state. He also averaged 4.3 steals per game. First-team all-state by IPSWA and 1A player of the year by IBCA. Will play at Upper Iowa University.

Brayson Laube, 6-2, junior, Marion — Averaged an even 20 points per game for the Wolves, going off for 35 in a Class 3A state tournament quarterfinal overtime loss to Winterset. Named first-team all-state by IPSWA. Has incorporated inside and mid-range game to go along with exquisite perimeter shooting.

Peter Moe, 6-9, senior, Iowa City West — A powerful inside player who also can shoot from the perimeter, Moe averaged 21.2 points and 9.1 rebounds and was a second-team all-state pick in 4A. Shot 62 percent from the field. Has a scholarship offer from Robert Morris.

Tate Petersen, 6-0, junior, Monticello — Yet another really good underclassmen. Three-year starter at point guard, led Monti to state tournament for third-straight year, including a quarterfinals win over unbeaten Mid-Prairie. Averaged 19 points, five assists and rebounds per game. First-team all-state in 2A.

Kenzie Reed, 5-foot-10, junior, Cedar Rapids Kennedy — Kennedy made it to the state tournament and won its quarterfinal game over Waukee Northwest thanks in large part to Reed’s 26-point game. Slight in build, but super fast in transition and always seemingly under control, he averaged 12.9 points and 6.7 assists. First-team all-state in 4A, player of the year in the Valley Division of the Mississippi Valley Conference.

Traijan Sain, 6-5, junior, Cedar Rapids Washington — If you watched Washington enough, you likely saw a Sain dunk that brought you out of your seat. Averaged 17.1 points and 6.3 rebounds for the Warriors, who lost in a 4A substate final. Long arms make him very effective defensively. Third-team all-state by IPSWA.

Rhenden Wagaman, 6-4, senior, Springville — He and teammate/classmate Luke Menster were part of a lot of wins in their stellar careers and probably could be added as a tandem for the all-area team. Led a good Tri-Rivers Conference in scoring at 22 points per game. He and Menster both went over the 1,000-point mark for their respective careers this season. First-team all-state in 1A.

Jake Walter, 5-11, senior, Cedar Rapids Prairie — Three-year starter at guard for the Hawks who capped his career appropriately with a state tournament appearance. Averaged 13 points and 3.7 assists per game. Had team-high 16 points in Prairie’s 4A state tourney quarterfinal win over Cedar Falls.

Derek Weisskopf, 6-4, sophomore, Williamsburg — The Raiders ran the table in the Wamac Conference this season, thanks in part to Weisskopf, who was named West Division Player of the Year. Averaged 15.3 points and 6.6 rebounds, shooting 55.6 percent from the field, 42 percent from 3-point range. Second-team all-state in 2A.

PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

Austin Hilmer, senior, North Linn; Kenzie Reed, junior, Cedar Rapids Kennedy.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Mike Hilmer, North Linn

Comments: jeff.johnson@thegazette.com