Sports : IBA Recognizes Four Iowa High School Boys’ State Basketball Tournament Players

Four Iowa High School Boys' Basketball Tournament players were Selected to receive a 2020 Iowa Bankers Association Student Athlete Achievement Award, and they will be presented with the award at their local bank. One high school senior from each class received a $1,000 scholarship from the IBA to the college of his choice.

Scholarship recipients included:

• Class 1A: Isaac Gavin, Martensdale-St. Marys High School, Martensdale
• Class 2A: Jeff Carlson, Monticello High School, Monticello
• Class 3A: Jared Keller, Center Point-Urbana High School, Center Point
• Class 4A: Tate Crane, Iowa City West High School, Iowa City

Scholarship recipients were selected based on their academic performance, athletic participation, leadership skills and community involvement.

"Not only do these students excel on the court and in the classroom, but they also go above and beyond to serve their communities. It's our honor to recognize their achievements with this award," said Tara Deering-Hansen, the IBA's vice president of marketing and communications. "Our goal with this scholarship program is to help students fund their higher education. Helping Iowans reach their financial goals is what Iowa banks are all about."

The student athletes were scheduled to be recognized at the Iowa High School Boys' State Basketball Tournament on March 13 in Des Moines, but due to tournament and spectator restrictions set by the Iowa High School Athletic Association intended to decrease the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the presentations were cancelled and will be rescheduled in the players' hometowns.

Since 1990, the IBA has sponsored the Student Athlete Achievement Award program in partnership with the IHSAA and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. The program includes awards to student athletes in basketball, wrestling and football. The Iowa Bankers Association has awarded more than $265,000 in scholarships since the program's inception.