Iowa high school boys’ basketball 2022-23: Area players to watch

Sometimes 13 is not an unlucky number. Here are a dandy dozen players from the Gazette area to keep a keen eye on this season, plus one.

Colby Dolphin, 6-0, sr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy — Second-team all-stater in 4A last season by the Iowa Print Sportswriters Association, as Kennedy qualified for the state tournament and won its first game. Averaged team-best 14.0 points per game, shooting just under 40 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.

Da’Shon Fisher, 6-1, sr., Iowa City Liberty — First-team all-Mississippi Valley Conference guard who has the ability to go on scoring binges. Averaged 17 points per game last season for the Lightning. Shot 52 percent from the field.

Padraig Gallagher, 6-5, sr., Dyersville Beckman — The 6-foot-5 forward was a second-team all-state pick in 2A for a second straight season. The Wamac Conference East Division Player of the Year. Averaged 20.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. A 51.3 field-goal percentage with a 61.3 effective field-goal percentage. Has committed to D-II Northwest Missouri State.

Tate Haughenbury, 6-4, sr., North Linn — Has been a second-team all-stater in Class 1A twice. Was named captain of the 1A all-state tournament team last season, when the Lynx won a state championship. Averaged 15.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Shot 67.6 percent from the field, making 184 of 272 shots.

Davis Kern, 6-7, soph., Linn-Mar — More than held his own as a freshman starter in the Mississippi Valley Conference. Averaged 10.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game and shot 53.7 percent from the field. Can shoot from distance as well, evidenced by his 27 3-pointers. Keep an eye on this kid.

Brayson Laube, 6-2, sr., Marion — First-team 3A pick averaged 20 points per game last season. Went off for 35 points in Marion’s state tournament quarterfinal overtime loss to Winterset. Superb shooter has added dribble-drive to his game. Committed to D-II Augustana (S.D.).

Jack McCaffery, 6-8, soph., Iowa City West — The youngest son of Iowa men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery was muscled around some as a skinny freshman, but still averaged 9.9 points and 5.0 rebounds. Only going to keep getting better and better.

Tate Petersen, 6-0, sr., Monticello — A first-team all-stater in 2A, the point guard has been a starter for a state tournament team the first three years of his fine career. Averaged 18.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game last season. Monti lost in last year’s semifinals to champion Rock Valley.

Kenzie Reed, 5-10, sr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy — Four-year starter at point guard for the Cougars. First-team all-state pick last season in Class 4A, when he averaged 23.9 points and 6.7 assists per game. That latter number led 4A. Also was named Metro Player of the Year. Has committed to Division II Upper Iowa.

Preston Ries, 6-2, jr., Monticello — Third-team all-stater in 2A last season. Superb athlete can dunk despite being just 6-foot-2. Averaged 18.1 points and 7 rebounds for the Panthers. Has committed to play football at the University of Iowa as a linebacker.

Traijan Sain, 6-5, sr., Cedar Rapids Washington — Long, athletic wing was third-team all-state in 4A. Averaged 17.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Has been four-year starter. Ability to produce highlight-reel dunks.

Derek Weisskopf, 6-4, jr., Williamsburg — A second-team all-stater in Class 2A for a Williamsburg team that swept through the Wamac Conference and lost to Monticello in a substate final. Was the league’s West Division Player of the Year. Junior wing averaged 15.3 points and 6.6 rebounds. A University of Iowa football commit as a linebacker.

Aidan Yamilkoski, 6-3, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier — Led Saints in scoring (15.2 points) and rebounds (5.3) last season. First-team all-Mississippi Valley Conference selection. Will be third year on Xavier varsity.

Others who should be on your radar (in no particular order) — Zach Driscoll (MFL MarMac), sophomore; Grant Bender (Hillcrest Academy), senior; Ethan Patterson (Washington), senior; Cole McDermott (Cascade), senior; Holden Arnaman (West Branch), junior; Jack Miller (Jesup), junior; Jesse Sellers (Cedar Rapids Washington), senior; Shamar Benton (Iowa City High), senior.

Comments: jeff.johnson@thegazette.com