First Half State Leaders: Blocks

<p><em>With the holiday break upon us, it’s time to take a look at who the state’s leading rim protectors are through the first half of the season (minimum 20 blocks). (Note: Stats are through games that were entered into QuikStats by December 27 at 8:00 am). </em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>1.) 2020 Xavier Foster (Oskaloosa) - 6.6 blocks per game</strong></p> <p>Given the fact that the four-star prospect is seven feet tall, uber athletic and long, it should come as no surprise that he leads the state in blocked shots. But 14 blocks in a game? That's what he did against Pella right before the break. And if he keeps at his current pace, and Oskaloosa makes it back to the 3A title game, he'd break the single season record for blocked shots.</p> <p><strong>2.) 2020 Christian Heilbuth (Siouxland Christian) - 5.9 blocks per game</strong></p> <p>Winners of just two games at the break, things haven't been great for the Eagles. But 6-6 junior Heilbuth has been dynamic on the defensive end, blocking nearly six shots a night.</p> <p><strong>3.) 2020 Jon Schwarte (Treynor) - 4.9 blocks per game</strong></p> <p>The 6-10 junior leads a very balanced Cardinals team that is 8-0 at the break and looking to make their way back to the 2A state tournament. He leads Treynor in scoring, rebounding and blocks.</p> <p><strong>4.) 2019 Elliott Hagebock (North Union) - 4.2 blocks per game</strong></p> <p>North Union has won just a single game so far this season, but the 6-3 senior is having a solid final season, leading the team in scoring, rebounding, steals and blocks.</p> <p><strong>5.) 2019 Ryan Schmitt (Van Meter) - 4.1 blocks per game</strong></p> <p>The anchor of the best scoring defense in 2A, Schmitt has been dominant on both ends of the floor for the undefeated Bulldogs. </p> <p><strong>6.) 2019 Issa Samake (Grand View Christian) - 4.0 blocks per game</strong></p> <p>The future Drake forward made his name known around the state last year with his eye-popping finishes around the rim and his propensity for blocking shots. He's up to the same old tricks this year for Class 1A's top ranked team.</p> <p><strong>7.) 2020 Nik Coble (WACO) - 3.9 blocks per game</strong></p> <p>The Warriors also had a player land on the top 10 steals list in Colton Horak, and part of the reason that Horak and company can take chances on the perimeter is the presence of the 6-5 Coble in the paint. He's putting together a dominant junior year, averaging 15.3 points, 13.4 rebounds and just under four blocks a game. </p> <p><strong>8.) 2020 Goanar Biliew (Denison-Schleswig) - 3.8 blocks per game</strong></p> <p>The 6-8 forward is a great athlete and has been dominant for the Monarchs on both ends of the floor. He leads the team in scoring (17.4 points a game on 69.9% shooting), rebounding and is a great interior presence with his length and athleticism.</p> <p><strong>9.) 2019 Caleb Grizzle (Ankeny Christian Academy) - 3.7 blocks per game</strong></p> <p>A long, athletic 6-7 combo forward, Grizzle is also part of the most explosive offensive team in the state, as the Eagles are averaging 92.5 points a game (Grizzle chips in a second best 16.2 of those).</p> <p><strong>T10.) 2019 Hunter Ray (Montezuma) - 3.5 blocks per game</strong></p> <p>The Braves routinely have one of the top scoring defenses in 1A, and an interior presence like Ray in the middle of their 2-3 is a big boost. The 6-5 forward is mobile and versatile on both ends of the floor. </p> <p><strong>T10.) 2019 Dakota Veldhuizen (Moulton-Udell) - 3.5 blocks per game</strong></p> <p>Moulton-Udell has won just a single game so far this season, but Velhuizen is putting together a solid senior campaign, leading the team in scoring, rebounding, steals and blocks. </p> <p><strong>T10.) 2019 Adien Belt (Sioux City West) - 3.5 blocks per game</strong></p> <p>The lone 4A player among the top 10, the 6-5 forward has been great for one of 4A's biggest surprise teams, putting up just under 15 points a game in addition to his rim protection.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>The next 13:</strong> Angelo Winkel (Bishop Garrigan, 2021; 3.4), Parker Kleigl (Earlham, 2019; 3.4), Alex Wolter (Keokuk, 2019; 3.4), Trevor Hager (Bellevue, 2019; 3.3), Michael Keegan (Dyersville Beckman, 2020; 2.9), Kris Murray (Cedar Rapids Prairie, 2019; 2.9), Collin Kramer (Saint Ansgar, 2019; 2.8), Codey Hicks (Janesville, 2019; 2.8), Zack Lasek (Highland, 2020; 2.6), Evan Gauger (Indianola, 2019; 2.6), Brody Koenigs (Riceville, 2020; 2.2), Matt Schubert (Rockford, 2020; 2.1), Ethan Schmidt (Clarksville, 2020; 2.0)</p>