Way Too Early Top 10: Class 3A
With July’s evaluation period now behind us, and plenty of time to kill between now and late November, it’s time to take a look at who we believe will be some of the teams to keep an eye on in each classification this winter. And, since everyone likes rankings, why not roll out a de facto preseason top 10 for each class, with our “Way Too Early” top 10 lists.
How well do these rankings predict what may happen over the course of the coming season? Well, the top ranked teams in each class in these “Way Too Early” rankings qualified for the state tournament last year, and with the exception of Van Meter (who played eventual champion Cascade in the first round of 2A), each team at least made the semifinals. With the exception of Treynor in Class 2A, the eight teams who played for state championships were all ranked in the top five of their respective classes, and 27 of 32 state qualifying teams were either ranked (21) or in the “others to watch” (six) portion of the rankings. Last year’s champions were ranked first (Grand View Christian), second (Cascade), third (Glenwood) and fourth (Cedar Falls), respectively. Will that mean anything this year? Perhaps not, but it’s probably better to find yourselves near the top of these lists than not.
Below you’ll find our top 10 for Class 3A, along with some other teams that could make some noise, as well as a brief summary of why each team is in their respective spot. Enjoy.
1.) Oskaloosa (State runner-up, 23-4 last year, 51.0% of scoring returning)
The Indians were minutes away from taking home the school’s first ever state title last season, before falling to Glenwood in a fantastic 3A championship game. With two Division I big men returning, the 3A title looks like Oskaloosa’s to lose this year. They’re led by recent UNI commit Cole Henry (15.0), a remarkably talented playmaking forward who led the team in assists at 6-9. He’s worked hard this offseason on improving his jumper, making him an even more dangerous threat. He’s going to have the ball in his hands an awful lot this winter, as point guard Spencer Tucker (120 assists) has graduated. The other primary ball handler figures to be Rian Yates (6.1), a sharpshooting guard who knocked down 43.2% of his 3s last year and dished out 88 assists (against just 21 turnovers). He’ll be a solid third option alongside Henry and superstar Xavier Foster (12.7), the 6-11 shotblocking extraordinaire who recently picked up an offer from Kansas. The star junior blocked 96 shots last season, led the team in rebounding, and is a threat to score inside and out. He’s constantly been improving over his first two high school seasons, and he looks ready to make a massive jump as a junior. Like Issa Samake and Grand View Christian at the 1A level, it’s going to be extremely tough for teams to score against Foster in the paint. This is a group that has a lot of production to replace after losing Tucker and leading scorer Jarad Kruse, in addition to most of the other role players who saw time last year. But with Henry, Foster and Yates returning, this group is going to be really good. And rumor has it that there is a lot of talent coming up from a JV team that grew up playing with Foster and will have instant chemistry. This has the looks of a wide-open class, and when it’s this open, free throw shooting can play a major factor. And if there is one weakness that this group has, it’s at the line. Henry (53.3%) and Foster (51.8%) will need to improve in that area for this group to cut down the nets.
2.) Sergeant Bluff-Luton (State qualifier, 15-10 last year, 68.8% of scoring returning)
Like teams like Cedar Rapids Xavier, Dubuque Wahlert and Davenport Assumption, SB-L is rarely going to have a sterling record as they play in a 4A league, but that just prepares them for postseason play, as their back-to-back trips to the state tournament would attest to. Three double figure scorers return for the Warriors, making this group not only talented, but experienced in big games. They’re led by Conner Groves (15.0), one of the toughest guards in the state. He’s not going to back down from anyone on either side of the floor, and he’s a tough shot maker with plenty of state tournament experience. Sam DeMoss (11.2) and Daniel Wright (10.7) also return, giving this group a lot of versatility on both ends of the floor. Each of the trio shot at least 39% from behind the arc, and Wright, at 6-6, led the team in assists last year. Nobody in 3A, or the state, for that matter, is going to match up with Oskaloosa’s size, so the best way to beat them is going to be by drawing Foster away from the paint and making him defend away from the rim. Wright is the type of player who can do that. Players like Deric Fitzgerald (3.2), Jake Layman (2.3) and Nick Muller (1.7) saw lots of time last year, and look for Layman, a 6-5 sophomore who had a productive freshman year, to take a major step forward this year. This team is tough, they take care of the basketball and they aren’t going to be intimidated by anyone. And with their versatility, they’ll be able to provide some matchup problems for anyone in the state. They’ll be able to put five players on the floor who can shoot it at all times, and with the size they’ll have to go through, that’ll be the way to play. A second trip to the 3A title game in three years is well within the reasonable expectations for this year, as is a state title.
3.) Norwalk (State qualifier, 22-3 last year, 46.4% of scoring returning)
The highest scoring team in 3A last year, the Warriors cracked the 100 point mark three times last year and averaged 77.4 points a game. They lose a major piece of that explosive attack with the graduation of Luke Vaske, who led the team in scoring and was second in the state with 211 assists. He has walked on to Drake. That said, they return one of the best players in the class, and the state, in junior guard Bowen Born (18.4), who is going to be one of the top scorers in the state this year. The lefty shot 50.7% from the floor and 42% from the arc last year and is a fearless driver who will live at the free throw line. He holds offers from Drake and UNI. Iowa football commit Tyler Endres (9.0) gives the Warriors a big body in the paint, and he’ll thrive off of Born’s penetration, as he did last year with Vaske and Born. He shot 70.7% from the floor last year, and will be highly efficient again. At 6-5 and with plenty of strength, he’s a force on the glass and a presence in the paint on the defensive end. Also returning is Tyler Johnson (6.0), who will likely step into the secondary scoring role alongside Born. Johnson, a 6-4 junior wing, shot 42% from the arc last year. Like many teams within this top 10, the Warriors have some holes to fill in their rotation, but with arguably the best player in the class returning, they’re always going to be a threat.
4.) Glenwood (State champions, 25-2 last year, 45.0% of scoring returning)
The defending champions have an awful lot of production to replace from the school’s first ever title winning team, but they bring back a trio of players who saw loads of playing time during the title run, and they’ll be well prepared to defend their title. They’re led by Christian Stanislav (15.3), an athletic senior wing who is a threat to score from anywhere on the floor. He led the team in scoring last year, and is a safe bet to do so again. At 6-5, he can get his own shot whenever he wants and is a solid defender. Look for junior guard Zach Carr (7.3), who was highly productive off the bench last year, to be one of 3A’s breakout players this year. He’s a solid scoring guard who is going to have the ball in his hands quite a bit as he likely steps into the point guard role of the graduated Nate Mohr. He’s a solid ball handler and passer who is going to need to turn into a little more of a facilitator than he has previously been, but he certainly has the skill set to do so. Ryan Blum (6.1) was a breakout star at the state tournament as a freshman, and looks to become a major contributor as a sophomore. He’s in the mold of older brother Andrew, who is now a freshman on the Northwest Missouri State football team, a big, physical presence in the paint and on the glass, but he’s also very capable of stepping out to the arc and knocking down 3s, as he did at a 38.5% clip last year. The Rams need to find a bunch of new players to fill into rotation roles, and look for guys like Ryan Leath (1.9), Jake Murtfeld (1.2) and Dax Lappala (1.4) to get the first cracks at bigger roles. Either way, with the trio of players the Rams have returning, they’ll be dangerous and look like the favorite to come out of the southwest portion of the state and make a return trip to Des Moines.
5.) Waverly-Shell Rock (State semifinalist, 19-8 last year, 45.5% of scoring returning)
Like Western Christian and Cascade in 2A, and Iowa City West and West Des Moines Valley in 4A, Waverly-Shell Rock is going to be ranked by us until they prove us wrong. Coach Nate Steege is among the best coaches in the state, and he got what looked like an underwhelming group of talent back to the state semifinals last year, upsetting Mount Pleasant in the first round and losing by just three to Oskaloosa in the semis. The Go-Hawks bring back a solid group of players, headlined by leading scorer Luke Velky (12.4), an athletic guard who creates havoc on the defensive end and turns those turnovers into points on the other end of the floor. He’s a solid scorer in the halfcourt as well, shooting a respectable 35% from the arc last year. Nebraska football commit Mosai Newsom (8.4) gives the team plenty of beef and athleticism on the interior, and he’ll be able to bully his way on both ends of the floor. Trey Angel (3.4) should step into a much larger role as a sharpshooting guard, and while the rest of the roster is fairly inexperienced, W-SR is the definition of a program, and they’ll be right back in the thick of things come late February. This is a group that is going to play efficient offense, defend the crap out of teams, and execute every game plan their brilliant coach devises. Never count the Go-Hawks out.
6.) Carroll (16-6 last year, 58.8% of scoring returning)
One of the most explosive scoring teams in 3A last year, the Tigers lose their top scorer in Cooper Ross, who averaged 20 points a game, but bring back six of their top eight rotation players from that group. Where this team really needs to buckle down, however, is on the defensive end. They ranked 50th in 3A defensively last year, allowing 61.6 points a game, but that number exploded up to 70.5 points in their six losses. They’ll be led by Colby Vincent (11.7), a sharpshooting wing who drilled 59 3s last year at a 43.4% clip. They also bring back a pair of athletic wings in Buomkutoh Lol (9.1), another high level shooter (40 3s at 44%) and Jang Jioklow (8.0), a slasher who should have the ball in his hands quite a bit as the returning assist leader. Tyler Tunning (5.4) and Chase Gladden (4.5) do all their damage around the rim and pair well with the shooting the Tigers put on the perimeter. Also returning is Isaiah Badding (2.5), who can score inside and out. This group has the pieces to be much better than they were on the defensive end, all similar sized players who should be very switchable on that end of the floor. If they can improve on that end, they’ll have the firepower to do damage and get to Des Moines for the first time since 2010.
7.) Spirit Lake (17-6 last year, 58.7% of scoring returning)
Headlined by South Dakota State commit Owen Coburn (20.1), the Indians ranked third in the class in defense last year, allowing just 47.5 points a game. Look for that number to be really solid again this year with Coburn back. The 6-10 senior is not just a rim protector, though he does that well. He has some shades of Adam Woodbury in his defensive game – a good communicator who makes the entire team better on that end of the floor when he’s in the game. He’s a highly efficient offensive threat as well, who has steadily improved his skill set on that end of the floor. I would anticipate seeing quite a bit of Spirit Lake’s offense going through him this year, and with the ball handling graduations this group suffered, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him bring the ball up occasionally. Mason McCaffery (8.1) and Kip Hurd (8.2) return on the perimeter to provide some additional scoring punch. McCaffery figures to be the team’s stopper on the perimeter, and look for Hurd to become a better scorer this year after shooting 58.7% from the floor as a fourth option last season. He was a big time scorer at Okoboji as a sophomore before transferring to Spirit Lake last year, so we know that skill is in there. If he’s able to take his game up a notch, the Indians could make their way back to Des Moines after a two-year absence.
8.) Pella (11-12 last year, 74.3% of scoring returning)
After a long string of successful seasons, the Dutch struggled a bit last year under first year coach Derek Schulte, who had come from Montezuma. With three double figure scorers returning, look for Pella to return to their winning ways. They’re led by a “Big Three” of Nick DeJong (13.5), Ryan Gustafson (13.1) and Logan Shetterly (10.0). DeJong does all of his damage around the rim and was far and away the team’s leading rebounder last year. Gustafson is the team’s gunner, knocking down 63 3s at a 40% clip, and well over 60% of his field goal attempts came from behind the arc. Shetterly is the team’s primary ball handler and a threat to score from all three levels. If he’s able to clean up the ball handling (68 assists to 78 turnovers), it would go a long way in making this attack more potent. John Oltman (2.4), Grant Nelson (2.3), Josh Warner (1.2) and Sam Warner (1.0) all return after playing plenty of minutes last year, so look for this group to begin to return to their old style of play under former coach Mark Core, a little more up-tempo to utilize the athletes and depth they have. Pella is always loaded with athletes, and this year will be no exception. If they can become a little more efficient, they’ll be deadly again.
9.) Maquoketa (9-13 last year, 88.6% of scoring returning)
Looking for a team to make a major jump this year? It may be the Maquoketa Cardinals, who bring back their top four scorers from a group that lost eight games by single digits last season. They’ll be headlined by Abe Becker (18.8), a sharpshooting senior wing who knocked down 88 3s last season at a 44.2% clip. Those 88 made 3s tied for the fourth most of anyone in the state, and with lots of experience returning around him, he should be able to get even cleaner looks this year. Macklin Shanahan (9.8), Kane Kopp (7.4) and Caiden Atienza (2.7) are other returning starters, while Connor Becker (5.8) figures to step into the final starting slot this winter. Becker and Atienza both produced well last year as freshmen and will look to take a step forward this year. Atienza, at 6-5, gives the Cardinals some much needed size to go alongside a very perimeter-oriented group of returnees. This is a team that lost a lot of close games last year and brings back a lot of production. As a result, look for the number in the wins column to skyrocket, and for Maquoketa to be a real threat to do damage in postseason play. With Becker, Becker and Kopp, they have a lot of shooting returning, and if Atienza can take another step forward, particularly with his rim protection, this could be the team to beat in the WaMaC.
10.) West Delaware (17-6 last year, 51.1% of scoring returning)
Coach Matt Uthoff is entering his sixth year at the helm for the Hawks, and he’s turned this West Delaware program into a consistent winner. And the biggest reason this program has been so successful is the way he has they playing defense. In his first year, the Hawks ranked 25th in 3A in defensive scoring average. They’ve improved every year, going 21, 10, 4 and 2 in the years since. They’ve allowed just 45.6 points a game each of the last two years, and while some of that can be attributed to their methodical pace on the offensive end, they communicate and lock teams down on the defensive end and that’s going to win them plenty of games. They’ve got a great piece to build around as well in senior big man Derek Krogmann (20.7), who has been one of the most productive players in the state for the last three years. The lefty is a walking double-double who averaged 20.7 and 12.4 rebounds last year. Look for Kyle Kelley (5.1) to step into the secondary scoring role, filling the role his older brother Tyler left when he graduated. The younger Kelley is a versatile scorer with good length, and he’ll contribute on both ends of the floor. Gavin Soppe (2.9) is the only other returnee who saw significant playing time last year, so this team is going to have a lot of holes to fill, but we know they’re going to defend, and we know they’ll have one of the best, most difficult players to defend in the class in Krogmann, and that’s going to lead to plenty of wins.
Ten others to watch
Algona (13-9 last year, 78.8% of scoring returning)
The Bulldogs were one of the best defensive teams in 3A last year, allowing just 52.4 points a game, which ranked 11th in the class. As a result, they played in a number of close games, going 7-7 in games decided by single digits. With a bevy of experience returning, look for that record to get above .500, and for the ‘Dogs to be a threat come postseason play. They’re led by junior wing Wyatt Wegener (16.3), a do-everything player who led the team in every major category except steals, where he ranked second. He does a majority of his scoring damage by getting to the rim, and he’ll be flanked by a pair of solid perimeter shooters in Collin Bleich (7.6, 35 3PM) and Spencer Nelson (7.4, 31 3PM). In total, eight rotation players return from last year’s group, and if they can clean up the decision making a bit (278 assists to 279 turnovers last year), they will win a lot of games this winter.
Cedar Rapids Xavier (State semifinalist, 20-7 last year, 27.6% of scoring returning)
An awful lot of production needs to be replaced on the northwest side of Cedar Rapids following the graduations of two of the most decorated players to ever put on a Saints uniform in Matt Mims (South Dakota State) and Jackson Joens (Upper Iowa). That tandem helped lead the Saints to a pair of state titles and a third place finish last year, but they’re gone. The cupboard isn’t completely bare, however, as a pair of starters from last year’s team return in Kyle Moeder (7.4) and Quinn Schulte (5.8). Moeder is a big, athletic combo forward who can score inside and out, and will be asked to become the go-to player on the offensive end. Schulte is a winner, no matter what type of uniform he’s putting on. He’s not going to back down from anyone, and he’ll be a playmaker for this group. Other returnees with experience are Jake Beckmann (3.1), Matthew Jordebrek (1.2) and Davis Wagner (1.9), while newcomer Tre McCrary should play a significant role for Xavier this winter. The biggest key to this group’s success, however, will be 6-8 sophomore wing Jaylon Moses. He sat all of last year with a knee injury, and although he still hasn’t been fully cleared, he is expected to be cleared before the start of practices in November. He has already drawn Division I interest with his ability to score from anywhere, and if he’s healthy, he’ll be a major difference maker for this group. As always, having to go through the gauntlet of the MVC, Xavier’s record probably isn’t going to be great, especially this year as they break in a number of new players. But they’ll be ready to make noise come February and postseason play.
Charles City (18-5 last year, 45.3% of scoring returning)
The bad news for the Comets is that this is a group that was very reliant on their starting five last year, as no bench player scored more than 1.6 points a game (37 total). More bad news is that three of those starters are gone. However, there is some good news as star lead guard Jackson Molstead (19.0, 167 assists) returns, giving the Comets one of the best players in 3A to build around. The only other returnee with significant experience is junior wing Bradley Andrews (5.7), a 6-5 wing capable of scoring inside and out, as well as protecting the rim. Heavily increased production from Andrews is expected, and will be a big boost alongside Molstead and his scoring and playmaking abilities. This is a group that has struggled to get past Waverly-Shell Rock in conference and postseason play in the past, and they’ll need to get through the Go-Hawks if they’re going to make noise this year, but with Molstead in tow, anything can happen.
Creston (11-12 last year, 52.1% of scoring returning)
Highly productive senior wing Kylan Smallwood (22.4) leads the way for the Panthers after leading the team in scoring and rebounding last season, while shooting 59.4% from the floor. Smallwood missed the team’s first eight games of the season, and the Panthers were 2-6 in those games, meaning they were a .600 (9-6) team with him on the floor. They lose their top perimeter threat in Evan Jacobson, who averaged just under 18 points a game, but bring back a pair of guards who can score from deep in sophomores Cael Kralik (9.8) and Brance Baker (4.7). The tandem made 40 3s last year and should make a significant step forward this year after productive freshmen seasons. This group needs to find a reliable ball handler and decision maker, as the returnees barely posted a positive assist-to-turnover ratio. If they can clean that area up, becoming a more efficient offensive unit, they’ll be dangerous. Smallwood is capable of taking over any given game and carrying this group through district and substate play.
Davenport Assumption (13-11 last year, 47.3% of scoring returning)
Like Xavier, Dubuque Wahlert or Sergeant Bluff-Luton, Assumption’s record is always going to be a bit misleading as they play in a 4A conference. And while the Knights lose a pair of double figure scorers, including primary ball handler Trent Fitzpatrick, Assumption brings back four players who started games last year, including the dynamic Dylan Peeters (10.8), a long, 6-6 playmaking wing who can be the best player in the MAC if he’s healthy. Peeters missed five games last year with a back injury, and likely wasn’t completely right all year, but if he’s able to enter the season with a clean bill of health, and stay that way, the Knights will be super dangerous. With his size and skill level, he’s a major matchup issue. He’ll be joined in the starting lineup by his younger brother, Sean (12.2), who shot 60.7% from the floor last year and is a fantastic rebounder, especially on the offensive end of the floor. Like Dylan, Sean struggled to stay healthy, missing ten games. Anthony Valainis (6.3) led the team in rebounding and blocks last year, and Ray Kotula (2.5) has starting experience as well, giving this team a solid quartet to build around. If the Peeters brothers can stay healthy, or be healthy come playoff time, the Knights will be a real threat to make it to Des Moines, as their MAC schedule is going to prepare them well.
Fairfield (14-9 last year, 82.1% of scoring returning)
The Trojans got off to a bit of a rough start last year, beginning the year 4-8 before catching fire late. They ended the regular season on a nine game winning streak and extended it to 10 games with a playoff opening win before dropping the district final at Solon. Eight of the top nine players from that group return, and the Southeast Conference should be Fairfield’s now after Mount Pleasant has run the league for the past three years. This is a balanced group, with four returnees who averaged between 8.2 and 11.3 points a game last season, and all four give the group a little something different. Austin Simpson (11.3) led the team in rebounding with eight a game, and at 6-4, he does all of his damage around the rim on the offensive end. Tristin Waugh (9.4) and Carson Crile (9.7) are both versatile forwards who can score inside and out, and Collin Breen (8.2) will be asked to be the team’s primary ball handler as the team’s leading returning assist man. Players like Cole Engle (3.1), Mark Diers (2.5), Drew Martin (2.2) and Cooper Drish (2.0) should step into bigger roles after being solid role players last year. With the overwhelming amount of experience returning to a team that ended last year on fire, look for Fairfield to make quite a bit of noise this winter.
Gilbert (9-12 last year, 74.9% of scoring returning)
Nine of the Tigers’ 12 losses came by single digits last year, and with their top three scorers coming back, look for a lot of those losses to turn into wins. They’re headlined by senior guard Will Turner (17.2), a talented playmaking guard who can score effectively from all three levels. He’s joined in the backcourt by Matt Ockey (11.6), a solid shooter coming off a strong summer with Kingdom Hoops, and lead guard Tony Terrones (4.3), who isn’t much of a scoring threat, but led the team in assists by a mile with 106, and posted a better than 2-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. He’s the exact type of guard this group needs alongside them, someone who is willing to set up his teammates and take the occasional open look. Matt Barragy (11.6) is the other key returnee, giving them some interior size at 6-5. He led the team in rebounding (8.7 a game) and blocks last year, and gives them a solid interior option who can also stretch out and hit an occasional 3. The guard trio of Turner, Ockey and Terrones will control a majority of the games Gilbert plays this year, and Barragy is a really solid tertiary option for this group, providing toughness. They’ll score plenty of points, and if they can improve on the defensive end a bit (allowed 60.6 points a game, 49th in 3A), they’ll be very dangerous.
Iowa Falls-Alden (8-13 last year, 73.8% of scoring returning)
The Cadets haven’t really been relevant since Casey Schlatter was suiting up for them, but that will change this winter, as they bring back their top three scorers from last year’s group. Included in that group of returnees is star sophomore Karson Sharar (20.8), who became the first member of Iowa’s 2021 class to receive a Division I scholarship offer when he picked up one from Drake over the summer. A versatile scorer with solid size at 6-2, Sharar is going to score a ton of points over the next three years. He’s not alone, however, as also returning is 5-10 junior guard Logan Aldinger (10.7), a sharpshooter who buried 47 3s last year at a 47.5% clip. Putting Aldinger alongside Sharar in the backcourt gives the Cadets a ton of shooting. Luke Haverkamp (8.0) and Tim Long (2.9) will be counted on to control the paint, with Haverkamp being the team’s leading rebounder last year, and Long the top shotblocker. There are plenty of holes to fill in the rest of the rotation, and IF-A doesn’t play in an overly competitive league, as their strength of schedule ranked 60th (out of 64 3A teams) last year, which could hurt come postseason play. But with Sharar in tow, expect to see IF-A get above .500 and be a danger to whatever teams they are grouped with come district and substate play.
Storm Lake (11-10 last year, 53.7% of scoring returning)
The Tornadoes lose a heavy portion of their rotation from last year, but do bring back three key pieces and add a talented transfer to their arsenal. Cham Deng (14.4) and Malga Yanga (12.7) return after leading the team in scoring last year, as does Reath Yak (9.3), who played in just four games last year. That trio gives Storm Lake a ton of athleticism and length on the perimeter, and they’ll add Grand View Christian transfer Mach Nyaw to the mix. Nyaw spent the past two years winning 1A state titles with the Thunder, and gives the Tornadoes a load of experience to add to their lineup. He was a double figure scorer for GVC and should be a nice secondary or tertiary option. This group needs to improve on their decision making (262 assists to 261 turnovers), and become more efficient on the offensive end (41.8 FG%, 29.0 3P%), but if they’re able to improve in those areas, they could take a huge step forward this year.
Winterset (17-7 last year, 50.0% of scoring returning)
The Huskies were in this portion of the rankings last year, coming off a 6-16 year. They responded with an 11-win improvement, and bring their top two scorers back from that group in Easton Darling (17.0) and Casey Kleemeier (14.2). So why aren’t they ranked within the top 10? Well, Darling and Kleemeier are the only returnees who saw playing time last year, as the next eight players in the rotation last year have all graduated. Darling is a long, athletic scoring guard who can get into the paint and score or facilitate, and is a threat to pull-up from 25 and drain a 3 in your fact. Kleemeier is a thicker guard who does much of the same, and that tandem is going to be really, really good for Winterset. But until we see the rest of the team play, it’s hard to justify including them in the rankings. Look for Darling and Kleemeier to score a ton this winter, but this group’s potential will be tied to how well the role players step into huge roles for the Huskies.