There were a lot of Standout players at Winterset, too many to fit on just one list. This will likely be a two parter with more articles on thoughts from yesterday’s action coming throughout the week. I was able to see some great team and players that will help their teams to compete at a high level this season and in many of their cases have colleges interested. Read below about some of the top players of the day.
Adam Bryte | 2024 | 6’3 | W | ADM | All Iowa Attack
Bryte is the hands down leader for ADM, coming into the year as their most experienced and productive player. Through camps the last couple weeks, he has been a force to be reckoned with and it was no different in Winterset. Known for his three-point shooting, Bryte did plenty of that, making shots at an elite level from range. The incoming senior does much more than just make threes though, he uses his length defensively and on the boards to get steals and rebounds. A good passer and off ball mover as well, he helps to open up looks for others. Look for him to have a big year on an ADM team that I think can be very good.
Cole Marsh | 2024 | 6’6 | F | Waverly Shell Rock | Martin Brothers
Marsh was probably the most dominant player I watched on the day. Right from the jump, it was clear he was the best athlete on the court by a wide margin. Strong, fast, and quick on his feet, he’s an extremely difficult matchup at 6’6. With these physical tools, he finishes and rebounds on the interior very well. His ability to either roll or be the handler in pick and roll for WSR also presents unique challenges for the defense. Saturday, he showed that he can roll all the way to the rim, get the pass and stop short to find teammates on the pass, or make threes off the dribble. The versatility caused headaches for his opponents, leaving them guessing each possession. A great defender that can guard multiple spot and contest looks in the paint make him an all-around threat.
Tyler Netolicky | 2024 | 6’8 | F | Xavier
Netolicky looked strong and comfortable in the post for Xavier, establishing himself among the best bigs I watched this weekend. He looked strong through traffic and explosive rising up to convert at the rim. This decisiveness, offensive aggression, and efficient scoring will make him a tough guard in the Winter. Very active on the boards and a capable rim protector as well, Netolicky seems set for a big year and should have been included on our 2024 talented bigs series.
Tysen De Vries | 2024 | 5’8 | G | Pella Christian
De Vries has been at the helm of the PC offense for a while now, and you can definitely tell when you watch the Eagles. Decisive, quick to make decisions, and fluent in finding the right read in half-court and transition, De Vries and the Eagles are going to be a high-powered offense. The point guard is an excellent playmaker with high vision, pushes the pace to create looks for himself and others, and converts in the paint effectively. He’s a high effort defender that pressures on the perimeter to force turnovers and can hit shots from range to make him even more well-rounded. De Vries and the Eagles will be a contender for the 2A title this year.
Haiden Hardy | 2024 | 6’0 | G | Clear Creek Amana | Team Iowa
Saturday was my first-time watching Hardy and I came away very impressed. In 14 games of action with CCAHS last season, Hardy averaged nearly 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.5 steals a game. This all-around impact was reflected watching him in person. An athletic guard, he makes an impact on both ends combing that athleticism with a high motor and offensive skill. Able to fly around and force turnovers defensively, find teammates for open looks as a passer, explode to the rim off the drive, and hit jumpers from the midrange and three, Hardy has a lot of skills to like. With most of the team coming back, I would expect a very good season from Hardy and this CCAHS team.
Jack McGuire | 2026 | 6’4 | W | Pella | Beyond Ball
McGuire continues standing out to me as one of the more intriguing prospects in the 2026 class. He has size, athleticism, skill, and a good feel for the game already coming into his sophomore season. Saturday, he was making his presence felt all over the court. Ripping down rebounds on both ends, finishing with touch on the interior, spacing the floor from three, and handling the ball to get downhill. His ability to excel on the interior or the perimeter are a big aspect of his high potential. As he gets more comfortable at the Varsity level, I think he will be able to take on more ball handling responsibilities.
Hayden Wilmes | 2024 | 6’0 | G | Winterset | Waukee Jam
Wilmes was a scoring machine this weekend, as has been the case all Spring. He was an 8.5 ppg scorer on 40.4% from the three-point line last season. That ppg line looks set to take a big step up this season while maintaining the elite three-point efficiency. Beyond the three-point shooting, Wilmes can score it at all three levels. A quick and shifty driver, Wilmes can get past defenders and convert crafty finishes or pull up in the midrange. Whether it’s off the dribble or moving off the ball, the guard displays the same scoring effectiveness. Playing with a ton of intensity, Wilmes is active as a rebounder and defender within the Winterset 2-3 defense.
David Gorsline | 2024 | 6’1 | G | Pleasant Valley | Iowa Mavs Purple
Gorsline had exactly the kind of performances I’ve come to expect from him this weekend. At his size, you won’t find a better rebounder. Extremely physical, explosive vertically, strong to box out, and with a knack for being in the right spot, Gorsline dominates the glass at times. Alongside teammate Max Schmelmzer, the duo caused their opponents massive problems by crashing the offensive glass relentlessly. Although he started off a bit slow converting looks, Gorsline was getting to the rim off the bounce, from the block, or in transition very frequently. This picked up in the second half of the first game and in game number two. In the Spartans’ second game against Ankeny, the guard was hitting from three and the midrange as well. This part of his game is going to be an important step for him this year. If he can consistently make shots from range, his profile as a prospect will continue to get better. Overall, his intensity, playmaking, and grit make him an exceptional player.
Carson Johnson | 2024 | 6’0 | G | Ankeny | Martin Brothers
Johnson was the catalyst for a great comeback against Pleasant Valley. When crunch time came and his team was down, Johnson brought it on both sides of the ball, making plays by forcing turnovers, getting easy transition baskets, and creating looks in halfcourt offense. He has one of the most effective crossovers in the state. Setting up defenders with changes in pace and using his shift and quickness with the ball to get a step on them going the other way, Johnson makes space for himself to get to the rim or to a midrange pull up. Throughout the game and especially late, Johnson also hit some great passes to open teammates for threes after drawing help defense. Same as last year, he will have a lot of responsibility on both ends for the Hawks.
Redek Born | 2024 | 6’3 | G | Norwalk | Martin Brothers
Born is a seemingly effortless playmaker. He reads the game at an elite level, which leads to tons of quality opportunities for both himself and teammates. Setting it up with his multi-level scoring, Born draws defensive attention and can make them pay almost regardless of what they do. He can score it at the rim, pull up for jumpers, hit deep threes, or find rollers, kick outs, or dump offs with precision passing. Efficient as a scorer and impactful as a defender and rebounder as well, Born is a very good prospect.
