Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

The Your Prep Sports boys basketball team recognizes some of the top players in the area for their performance on the court this season.

Clear Creek Amana senior Christian Withrow is the captain of the 2021 Your Prep Sports area squad and is the lone repeat pick on the eight-member team.

The fifth edition of the Your Prep Sports all-area team is filled with all-conference and all-state selections, 1,000-point scorers, multi-sport standouts and school record holders.

Withrow is the captain after a stellar senior season in which he ranked eighth in Class 3A in scoring at 19.1 points per game while leading the Clippers to a 17-6 record and a WAMAC Conference championship.

2021 Your Prep Sports Area Boys Basketball Team

Christian Withrow (Captain)

6-2, Sr., Clear Creek Amana

Among the most effective offensive players in Class 3A the past two seasons Withrow capped his career by averaging a career-high 19.1 points per game and earning second team all-state honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association for second year in a row.

A two-time unanimous WAMAC West Division pick Withrow was named the West Division player of the year this season after leading the West Division and ranking eighth in 3A in scoring.

Withrow shot a career-best 55 percent from the field this season, including 41 percent from 3-point range while making a career-high 19 triples.

A versatile offensive weapon, Withrow shot 71 percent from the free throw line and ranked second on the team in rebounds (5.4) and third in assists (2.5).

Withrow finished his career with 1,096 points, helping Clear Creek Amana to a 38-12 record over the past two seasons.

Peter Moe

6-9, Jr., West High

Perhaps no newcomer in the state made more of an immediate impact than Moe who led West High in scoring and rebounding in his first season after transferring from Indiana.

Moe ranked third in Class 4A in scoring and sixth in rebounding in a strong debut season that saw him earn first team Mississippi Valley Conference all-division honors and third-team all-state honors from the IPSWA.

The 6-foot-9 junior forward shot 54 percent from the field, including 39 percent from 3-point range, while averaging 21.9 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.

An 81 percent free throw shooter, (85-of-105) Moe led the state in both free throws made and attempted per game.

Moe had six double-doubles in 13 games this season, scoring in double figures 12 times with eight games of 20 or more points including a career-high 41 in the season-opener against City High.

Kelby Telander

6-5, Sr., Liberty High  

The most successful season in Liberty High program history was in large part due to a breakout senior season from Telander who led the Lightning to their first winning season and substate final appearance.

Telander averaged a team-leading 14.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game as Liberty High went 7-6 and reached the 4A substate finals for the first time with a semifinal win over Davenport North.

In a pair of postseason games Telander averaged 16.5 points and 6.5 rebounds including a 19-point, 9-rebound performance in the semifinal win over Davenport North.

A first-team Mississippi Valley Conference all-division pick, Telander shot 58 percent from the floor and 35 percent from 3-point range on his way to a career-high 14.8 points per game.

An Iowa football walk on recruit, Telander scored in double figures 10 times in 12 games including each of his final three games.

David Bluder

6-4, Sr., Solon  

A central figure in one of the biggest turnarounds in the state this season, Bluder helped Solon triple its win total from a year ago while winning a WAMAC Conference title and advancing to the 3A substate title game.

Bluder averaged a team-high 14.5 points per game while helping Solon to a 21-3 record one year after finishing 7-15.

A unanimous WAMAC East Division selection, Bluder shot 47 percent from the field including 39 percent from 3-point range while leading the Spartans with 42 made 3-pointers.

Bluder also shot 76 percent from the free throw line and ranked second on the team with 59 made free throws.

A three-year starter that led the Spartans in scoring each of the past two seasons Bluder also averaged 2.8 rebounds and one steal per game.

Ashton Cook

6-5, Sr., Regina 

One of the most dominant players in Class 2A, Cook led Regina in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots on his way to being named to the River Valley Conference Elite team for the second consecutive season.

A versatile guard with the ability to score from the post or the perimeter the 6-foot-5 Cook ranked eighth in 2A in scoring with a career-high 20.7 points per game while shooting 47 percent from the field.

Cook also averaged a career-high 7.5 rebounds, was second on the team with 1.9 assists and second on the team with 1.2 steals per game while leading the Regals with 11 blocked shots.

Also an all-state quarterback, Cook was a three-year starter and averaged 16.4 points and 6 rebounds per game over the past three seasons.

Jeff Bowie

6-5, Sr., West Branch 

His collegiate future is on the football field but the Iowa defensive line recruit concluded a strong prep hoops career with a dominant senior season.

Bowie led West Branch in scoring and blocked shots and ranked second on the team in rebounding while helping the Bears to a 19-3 record, a River Valley Conference South Division title and a spot in the Class 2A substate final.

An imposing presence in the post, Bowie shot 62 percent from the field while averaging a career-high 13.1 points per game as a senior.

Bowie also averaged 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game and was named to the River Valley Conference Elite team for the first time.

Jamari Newson

6-2, Jr., City High

Newson built on his reputation as an all-around playmaker with a strong junior season in which he led City High in rebounding and steals and ranked second on the team in scoring and assists.

A second-team Mississippi Valley Conference all-division selection, Newson averaged a career-high 10.8 points per game but his value for the Little Hawks went far beyond his scoring ability.

Newson averaged a team-best 6.8 rebounds per game from his guard spot while establishing himself as a versatile defender with the ability to guard multiple positions.

The 6-foot-2 junior guard also averaged 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game.

Newson shot 40 percent from 3-point range and led City High with 22 made free throws while converting from the line at 67 percent clip.

Simon Palmer

6-4, Sr., West Branch

Palmer used a vast skill set that made him a difficult matchup to lead West Branch in three different major statistical categories during a breakout senior season.

The senior playmaker averaged a career-high 11.8 points per game and led West Branch in rebound, assists and blocks while helping the Bears win the River Valley Conference South Division title and reach the 2A substate final.

Palmer averaged team highs of 6.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 blocked shots per game to go with 1.2 steals per game while showing the ability to score from all three levels.

An 83 percent free throw shooter (40-of-48), Palmer shot 48 percent from the floor, including 30 percent from 3-point range.

*- Team Captain

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