Ayrton Oneill
The Marshalltown High School boys' basketball team won back-to-back state championships in 1960 and 1961, led by Nelson, who was named to the Basketball Hall of Fame.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1960 |
| Champion | Marshalltown |
| Player | Nelson |
| Points Scored | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
- Marshalltown's Nelson led his team to back-to-back championships in 1960 and 1961
- The Roland Rocket, a famous nickname from Iowa high school basketball history
- Thornburg was one of the state's best big men in the mid-1960s
- Wheat helped Valley reach the 1987 state tournament
- Widseth led Davenport to three straight state championships in the 1950s
Marshalltown's Nelson led his team to back-to-back championships in 1960 and 1961
Marshalltown's Nelson was a star player in Iowa high school boys' basketball history. He led his team, Marshalltown, to back-to-back championships in 1960 and 1961, an impressive feat that secured his place in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Nelson's talent was recognised as he was named an all-state player in both championship-winning seasons.
The player was clearly a key member of his team, and his success continued beyond high school. Nelson's impact on Iowa high school basketball was significant, and he is remembered as one of the state's best players. His achievements are even more impressive when considering the criteria used to select the top 50 players. Performance, honours, and legacy were the key factors, and Nelson excelled in all these areas.
The Des Moines Register took on the challenging task of selecting the 50 greatest Iowa high school boys' basketball players of all time. The list spans over a century of basketball history, making Nelson's inclusion even more remarkable. The list also includes players who went on to star in the NBA, demonstrating the high calibre of players Nelson is ranked alongside.
Some of the notable names on the list include Harrison Barnes and Doug McDermott, Ames teammates who won back-to-back state championships in 2009-10. They played for the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, showcasing the level of talent Iowa high school basketball has produced. Another player mentioned is Muscatine's Joe Wieskamp, who led his team to the state tournament and was the only current player selected at the time of the list's publication.
Marshalltown's Nelson, therefore, stands out as a true champion and legend of Iowa high school basketball. His back-to-back championships in 1960 and 1961 remain a testament to his skill, leadership, and impact on the sport in the state.
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The Roland Rocket, a famous nickname from Iowa high school basketball history
The Roland Rocket is the nickname of Gary Thompson, a famous Iowa high school basketball player from Roland, Iowa. Standing at 6-7, Thompson combined strength with power and agility, running the court quickly. In the 1952-53 season, he scored 837 points, and had 2,043 points across his high school career.
Thompson earned his famous nickname after moving 20 minutes south to Ames, where he became a star player on the court for Iowa State. Before this, during his time at Roland High School, he also played baseball. He spent a year learning under then-Cyclones coach Clayton Sutherland, who was replaced by Bill Strannigan, with whom Thompson had an immediate connection. It was with Strannigan that Thompson achieved victory in 1957, one of the biggest in Iowa State history.
Thompson's fame extended beyond the basketball court. He appeared on the "Ed Sullivan Show" in the spring of 1957 as a member of the AP All-American team, alongside NBA Hall of Famer Chamberlain. He also presented the Cyclones with the Big 12 Championship Trophy when the school won the conference tournament in Kansas City.
Thompson's legacy is still remembered and celebrated in Iowa today. The Roland-Story school district dedicated its middle school gym floor to him, and memories of his playing days in the 1950s are displayed at Roland-Story Middle School.
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Thornburg was one of the state's best big men in the mid-1960s
During the mid-1960s, Thornburg was one of the best big men in Iowa high school basketball. He was a dominant player, ranking second on the state's all-time rebounding list with 1,371 rebounds and scoring 1,570 points. Thornburg's impressive statistics placed him among the greatest Iowa high school boys' basketball players of all time, according to the Des Moines Register.
Thornburg's high school, the Tri-County Community School, is the sole enterprise in the village of Thornburg, Iowa. The village was founded by the railroad and named after Major Thomas T. Thornburgh, who died in the Meeker Massacre. According to the 2020 census, Thornburg has a population of 45 people, with 22 households and 17 families.
While it is unclear if Thornburg's high school basketball team won any state championships, his individual achievements were remarkable. His rebounding and scoring abilities were exceptional, as evidenced by his ranking on the state's all-time lists. Thornburg's dominance on the court earned him a place among Iowa's all-time greats, despite the challenges of comparing players from different eras.
The Des Moines Register's list of the 50 greatest Iowa high school boys' basketball players of all time included Thornburg, demonstrating his lasting impact on the sport in the state. This list considered various criteria, such as performance, honors, and legacy, rather than solely focusing on college or professional careers. Thornburg's inclusion highlights his skill and impact during the mid-1960s and beyond.
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Wheat helped Valley reach the 1987 state tournament
In 1960, Marshalltown High School won the Iowa boys' basketball championship, led by Nelson, who was named to the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Wheat, a graduate of the class of 1988, was a star basketball player at West Des Moines Valley High School. He was a three-year starter for the West Des Moines Valley Tigers and still holds the school's scoring records. Wheat was a key player in Valley's success, helping the team reach the 1987 state tournament and earning first-team All-State honours in back-to-back seasons. Wheat was inducted into the state Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004 and was named Iowa's Gatorade Player of the Year in 1988.
Wheat's talent and leadership on the court were evident from an early age. He guided the Tigers to the state tournament twice and was a dominant force on the court. Wheat's skills and strategic thinking as a player were instrumental in Valley's success in the 1987 state tournament. His court vision and ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates were crucial in their journey to the state level. Wheat's performance in the state tournament solidified his reputation as one of the top players in Iowa high school basketball.
Wheat's impact extended beyond his high school career. He attended Vanderbilt University and played in the NCAA tournament, contributing to the team's success. Wheat's dedication to the sport and natural talent paved the way for a professional career, playing in Mexico and Indonesia. Wheat's post-college career demonstrates the lasting impact of his early achievements, including his pivotal role in Valley's 1987 state tournament run.
Wheat's induction into the state Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004 and his recognition as Iowa's Gatorade Player of the Year in 1988 are testaments to his exceptional talent and impact on the sport. His achievements with the Valley team, particularly in reaching the 1987 state tournament, played a significant role in establishing his legacy in Iowa high school basketball.
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Widseth led Davenport to three straight state championships in the 1950s
In the 1950s, Carl Widseth led Davenport High School to three straight Iowa state basketball championships from 1950 to 1952. Widseth's success continued after high school, as he went on to play college basketball at the University of Tennessee, where he became the college's scoring record holder. He averaged 19.1 points and 10.6 rebounds per game across his four-year college career, with those numbers increasing to 21.6 points and 12 rebounds per game during his senior year. Widseth was selected by the Minneapolis Lakers in the 12th round of the 1956 NBA Draft, but he ultimately chose not to pursue a professional basketball career.
Widseth's achievements were not limited to basketball, as he also excelled in football. After his time at Tennessee, Widseth enrolled at the University of Minnesota, where he played for the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team in the mid-1930s. During his three seasons on the team from 1934 to 1936, the Golden Gophers compiled a remarkable 23-1 record and claimed three consecutive national championships. Widseth's impact on the field was undeniable, as he was described as 'living' in enemy backfields and was regarded as "the pillar of strength in the Gopher line."
In the 1937 NFL Draft, Widseth was selected in the first round by the New York Giants, with whom he played from 1937 to 1940. He was recognised as an outstanding player during his rookie season in 1937, earning accolades from multiple publications, including Collyers Eye Magazine, the INS, the NFL, and the New York Daily News. Widseth's impressive performances continued in the following years, as he was named a first-team All-NFL player in 1938 and a second-team All-NFL player in 1939. He capped off his football career by coaching St. Thomas College from 1945 to 1946, leading his team to consecutive Minnesota College Conference titles.
For his exceptional achievements in football, Widseth was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest players in the sport's history. Widseth passed away in 1998 in St. Paul, Minnesota, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in both basketball and football.
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Frequently asked questions
Marshalltown won the Iowa high school boys basketball championship in 1960.
Nelson led Marshalltown to back-to-back championships in 1960 and 1961.
Yes, Nelson was named to the Basketball Hall of Fame. He was an all-state both seasons.
