Nonpareil All-City Boys Basketball 2007-2008
Patrick Donohue, The Daily Nonpareil
March 26, 2008
This year, many familiar faces return: Lewis Central's Keenan Lindsey and Carlos Perez, Abraham Lincoln's Tyler Johnson and St. Albert's Marc Baumert. That leaves room for only one new face on the 2007-08 team: L.C.'s Marcos Perez.
The Titan-heavy team shouldn't come as a huge surprise. Lewis Central went on to set a school-record for wins in a season (21) and won its first Hawkeye 10 Conference Title (formerly known as the Hawkeye 8 Conference).
This season, the Titans twice defeated Hawkeye 10 Conference powerhouse Harlan Community High School. Outside of Harlan's last-second, heartbreaking loss in the Class 3A state final, its losses to Lewis Central were the only two of the entire season.
FIRST TEAM
Keenan Lindsey, Lewis Central: Lindsey proved to be the primary offensive option for Titan head coach Dan Miller. He averaged just over 19 points and five rebounds a game. Lindsey, also a great free throw shooter, shot just under 80 percent at the charity stripe.
Lewis Central coach Dan Miller on Lindsey: "I think he's learned to play with people trying to take him away (from his game). That was something we really worked on with him: how to beat the face-guarding and the box-and-1's, and what he needed to do. I think he learned that this year and that's why he was able to put up huge numbers.
"His lowest game was 13 points, and that's unbelievable when you think about it. He was the focal point of the defensive game plan every night out."
Carlos and Marcos Perez, Lewis Central: The Perez brothers opened up opportunities for Lindsey. Carlos, standing at 6-8, and Marcos, slightly shorter at 6-7, averaged 13 and 11 points, respectively. They rebounded well, with Carlos grabbing eight boards a game and Marcos grabbing just over six a contest.
Miller on Carlos Perez: "He's extremely skilled for a guy his size ... He became a much better defensive player for us as the year went on. He became a force averaging three blocks a game."
Like Lindsey, Marcos is an effective free throw shooter, leading the team with an 82 percent average.
Miller on Marcos Perez: "Marcos is our best defender. He was never out of position defensively; he was the best we had in terms of giving help to his teammates if they got beat. His ability as a big guy to handle the ball and pass the ball as well as shoot from the perimeter was a match-up problem."
The Titans also dominated the other city foes this year. L.C. went 4-0 against the three other city schools, including two lop-sided wins over A.L. and T.J., and a thrilling victory over St. Albert on the Titans' home court.
The dream season came to an end at the Class 4A substate semifinals against Sioux City East. Lewis Central had no answer for East's Eric Jorgensen, and the season ended at 21-3 overall.
Tyler Johnson, Abraham Lincoln: Johnson is the youngest member on this year's team. A junior, Johnson earns a spot on the All-City squad for the second consecutive year. He scored 14.5 points and hauled in 5.5 rebounds a game. Even more impressive, he set the A.L. records for career steals and career 3 pointers. He proved vital down the stretch in helping first-year coach Jay Sealer record a commendable 7-15 overall record. The Lynx almost made an improbable run towards the state tournament, falling to eventual state qualifier Sioux City North in the Class 4A substate semifinals.
Abraham Lincoln coach Jay Sealer on Johnson: "As well as he has played the last two years, he's not playing his best basketball yet; he's going to get way better. He's not even close to reaching his potential; he could be a great player ... I'm looking forward to a lot from him next year."
Marc Baumert, St. Albert: Baumert, the reigning Daily Nonpareil Athlete of the Year, finds himself on the All-City team for the second consecutive year. He was his team's leader in helping the Falcons to an 18-5 overall record. He led his team with 14.8 points and 7.6 rebounds a game. Unfortunately for Baumert and the Falcons, their season came to an end for the second consecutive year at the hands of Tri-Center in the Class 2A substate semifinals.
St. Albert coach Dale Scott on Baumert: "He's been an outstanding student-athlete to represent St. Albert for four years ... One of the best things about Marc was his ability to finish around the basket. His post moves around the inside and his footwork were about as good as there were around; he's a really smart basketball player."
SECOND TEAM
Ryan Peckham, Thomas Jefferson: Peckham stepped in as leader of a Thomas Jefferson team that had trouble dealing with the absence of David Calloway. Still, Peckham had a nice year for the Jackets, scoring eight points a contest. He also dished out 92 assists.
Tyler Alitz, Abraham Lincoln: Like Peckham, Abraham Lincoln's Tyler Alitz took on a senior leadership role for the Lynx and coach Jay Sealer. Alitz helped the Lynx with commendable scoring and assists averages, but his role in the locker room may have been even more vital than his play on the court. He scored just under 10 points a game and also had 41 steals. He also was an impressive 83 percent free throw shooter.
Jake Waters, St. Albert: Waters had a big role in St. Albert's successful campaign. Like his teammate, Baumert, he proved very consistent for head coach Dale Scott, averaging 11 points a night. He also snagged 99 rebounds on the year.
Jon Higgins, Lewis Central:
Higgins was another weapon on coach Dan Miller's highly successful 2007-08 team. He finished just shy of a double-figure scoring average with 9.1 points a game, and had much success down low, bringing in five rebounds a game.
Jake Anderson, St. Albert: Helping Baumert in the paint for St. Albert was Anderson. Standing at 6-10, he proved to be a big mis-match against most teams, and he always had to be accounted for on the defensive end with his blocking ability (he had 63 blocks for the Falcons). He also helped coach Scott with his offensive production, managing eight points a game.
