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Comet all-stater Molstead spent offseason hooping with Blue Chippers

Press photo by John Burbridge Charles City all-state guard Jackson Molstead, right, attempts to steal the ball from former Northern Iowa standout Anthony James during a Cedar Valley CourtKings exhibition at Charles City High School. Molstead also faced topnotch Division 1 talent while playing AAU basketball with Iowa Martin Brothers.
Press photo by John Burbridge
Charles City all-state guard Jackson Molstead, right, attempts to steal the ball from former Northern Iowa standout Anthony James during a Cedar Valley CourtKings exhibition at Charles City High School. Molstead also faced topnotch Division 1 talent while playing AAU basketball with Iowa Martin Brothers.
By John Burbridge sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — Jackson Molstead has accomplished a lot in Charles City during his basketball career.

A heavy-minute starter since he was a freshman, Molstead has led the Comets in scoring for three-straight seasons and has the rare distinction of eclipsing 1,000 career points midway through his junior year.

Molstead has also accomplished a lot at the state level as he’s a two-time Class 3A all-state guard — another rare distinction for someone who has yet to play his senior season.

But there is a world out there beyond the Charles City city limits and the Iowa state boundaries, and Molstead has the shooting and dribbling skills to penetrate into it.

For the last two springs and summers, Molstead has been playing high-level AAU basketball with Iowa Martin Brothers. The team participates in elite tournaments all over the nation, including New York, Dallas and Milwaukee.

“I’ve always played about 40 or more games during the offseason in AAU,” Molstead said. “I joined (IMB) two years ago. They travel more … mostly throughout the midwest … and we play against more elite competition.”

Molstead found out that playing in showcase tournaments in the aforementioned cities is a whole new ballgame.

“I learned what it’s like to play at a different level,” Molstead said. “You may think of yourself as one of the best players in Iowa, but when go up against guys who are going to play for Duke and Kentucky, it’s an eye-opening experience.

“I faced a lot of challenges and adversity, but it has made me a better player. I also made a lot of great friends.”

Charles City head coach Ben Klapperich has seen the steady improvement in his well-traveled star guard.

“I’ve seen so much growth in Jack over the years,” Klapperich said. “No one has worked harder on his game than Jack. He’s a true leader on and off the court.”

In addition to leading the team in scoring last season (19.0 ppg) while helping the Comets post a winning record (18-5) and being ranked in the Associated Press Top 10 for most of the year, Molstead also led the team in assists (167) and steals (37).

But according to Klapperich, that’s only the tip of the iceberg.

“People don’t realize how much he opens things up for opportunities for his teammates,” Klapperich said.

Molstead has yet to commit to a college to continue his basketball career. Listed at under six-foot tall, it may be a stretch for Molstead to land a Division 1 scholarship.

But there is little doubt that Molstead will be playing college basketball somewhere in the near future.

“I’ve had some schools express interest, but it’s still up in the air,” Molstead said.

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