Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

The calendar says December and that means it is time for basketball in Iowa.

Boys basketball teams across the state officially open their seasons this week with many Your Prep Sports area teams getting into the act on Tuesday.

Before the action gets heated up here is a look at some of the players to keep an eye on this season in the Your Prep Sports area. 

Masen Miller

Senior, Regina

Miller established himself as one of the top players in Class 2A last season with a breakthrough junior season in which he averaged a career-high 20.4 points per game and led the state in 3-pointers.

The 6-foot-1 point guard made 99 3-pointers last season, the fourth highest single season total in the past 13 seasons, while shooting 43 percent from beyond the arc.

A Truman State recruit, Miller also led Regina in rebounds (4.5), assists (3.4) and steals (1.9) while directing the Regals to a 20-3 record and a state tournament berth. 

Even Brauns

Senior, West High

Brauns had a major impact in his first season at West High ranking second on the team in scoring and rebounding while helping the Trojans return to the Class 4A state tournament for the ninth straight season.

The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 11 points and five rebounds per game last season while shooting a team-best 68 percent from the floor.

A Belmont recruit, Brauns ranked 14th in Class 4A with 30 blocked shots last season and scored in double figures six times in his final nine games posting a pair of double-doubles during that stretch.

Tyler Schrepfer

Senior, Clear Creek Amana

A four-year varsity player Schrepfer had his breakthrough last season leading the Clippers in scoring assists and steals on his way to being a unanimous WAMAC West Division selection.

Schrepfer averaged 12.1 points, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game last season while helping the Clippers to their first winning season in three years.

The 5-foot-11 guard shot a team-best 38 percent from 3-point range and averaged 3.9 rebounds per game.

Andre Brandon

Senior, Liberty High

A versatile forward, Brandon took his game to the next level last season in his first year in the Mississippi Valley Conference.

Brandon averaged career-highs in points (14.4) and rebounds (8.3) on his way to being named to the MVC Valley Division first team.

The 6-foot-5 Brandon shot 52 percent from the field and a career-best 75 percent from the free throw line last season.

Ashton Cook

Junior, Regina

Playing alongside Miller in the Regina backcourt Cook had his own breakthrough season as a sophomore.

The range 6-foot-5 guard averaged a career-high 13.4 points on a team-best 57 percent shooting from the field as Regina returned to the state tournament for the first time since 2015.

Cook averaged 4.3 rebounds per game and led Regina with 31 blocked shots as a sophomore.

Byron Benton

Junior, City High

Just a junior, Benton will be looked to take on a leadership role for the Little Hawks this season after spending most of his sophomore season in the starting lineup.

Benton ranked third on the team with 7.5 points per game a year ago while shooting 43 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3-point range.

The 6-foot-2 guard ranked second the team in assists and steals a year ago and led the Little Hawks in blocked shots.

Marcus Morgan

Junior, West High

Morgan is a prime candidate for a big breakthrough season after averaging 7.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game in his first varsity season.

An exceptional athlete, the 6-foot-3 Morgan shot 52 percent from the floor, including 39 percent from 3-point range, as a junior and established himself as a lockdown perimeter defender.

David Bluder

Junior, Solon

In his first season of varsity action Bluder quickly established himself as a versatile scorer, ranking second on the team with 8.9 points per game as a sophomore.

A 6-foot-3 guard, Bluder showed the ability to score from in the paint or from the perimeter shooting 41 percent from the field while ranking second on the team with 22 3-pointers and hitting 80 percent of his free throw attempts.

Nick Pepin

Senior, West High

One of the top shooters in the state last season Pepin should see even more attempts as a senior.

The 5-foot-11 guard averaged 7.7 points per game last season in his first year at West High shooting 53 percent from beyond the 3-point line and 73 percent from the free throw line.

Pepin ranked third on the team with 2.6 assists per game last season.

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