Class 3A Stars to Watch (Part I)

<p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Emarion-Ellis.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1074196" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Emarion-Ellis-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="678937" first="Emarion" last="Ellis"] (Assumption, 2021)</strong></p> <p>The Texas commit transferred to Assumption from Davenport Central, making the Knights a real contender in 3A this year. A long, athletic wing who is just scratching the surface of his immense potential, Ellis has the ability to fill it up from anywhere on the floor, and the athleticism, quickness and length to be a menace on the defensive end as well. He averaged 17.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.5 blocks a game as a junior at Central. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="530135" first="Keaton" last="Kutcher"] (Mount Vernon, 2021)</strong></p> <p>A South Dakota signee, Kutcher established himself as one of the state’s best shooters as a freshman, and has steadily worked to improve his all-around game in the subsequent years. His ability to pull-up from 25 feet on a dime means defenses have to stay up tight on him, and he’s worked hard to improve his ability to get to the bucket. He averaged 20.0 points a game last season for the Mustangs. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Connor-Drew.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1073019" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Connor-Drew-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="796112" first="Connor" last="Drew"] (Ballard, 2021)</strong></p> <p>The leading scorer for a Bombers team that opens the year ranked #1 in 3A, Drew can score from anywhere on the floor and has great hands and footwork. He’s really worked to extend his range and is now a viable threat from behind the arc. The Winona State commit averaged 18.3 points and 7.5 rebounds last year, shooting just under 40% from 3.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="796115" first="Jake" last="Layman"] (Sergeant Bluff-Luton, 2021)</strong></p> <p>Layman is a Southwest Minnesota State commit (one of two on the SB-L roster). A long, 6-7 wing with great size and a much better stroke than he showed last year (28.7% from 3), he should put up some big numbers this year for a Warriors team that will need him to be a go-to scoring threat following the graduation of [player_tooltip player_id="801838" first="Daniel" last="Wright"]. He averaged 11.0 points and 2.6 assists last season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_1032332" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/phcircuit_sunday-52.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1032332" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/phcircuit_sunday-52-300x188.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="188" /></a> Photo: Alex Conover Prep Hoops[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="682270" first="Cole" last="Glasgow"] (Dallas Center-Grimes, 2022)</strong></p> <p>One half of 3A’s most dynamic backcourt, look for Glasgow to become one of the state’s best scorers this year. He averaged 15.6 points a game last year as a sophomore and has the ability to fill it up from anywhere on the floor. He’s equally adept at getting to the bucket or pulling from 3, and he’s coming off a summer playing with one of the best grassroots teams in the country, D1 Minnesota. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="796144" first="Luke" last="Rankin"] (Dallas Center-Grimes, 2021)</strong></p> <p>The lefty lead guard makes up the other half of the Mustangs’ talented backcourt. He’s a gifted passer who dished out 6.4 assists a game last season against just 1.7 turnovers. While he’s at his best when he’s getting others involved, he’s also a capable scorer, averaging 13.5 points a game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Kieren-Nichols.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1073025" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Kieren-Nichols-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="796123" first="Kieren" last="Nichols"] (Knoxville, 2021)</strong></p> <p>The cat-quick guard finished third in 3A in scoring last season behind only [player_tooltip player_id="801831" first="Bowen" last="Born"] and [player_tooltip player_id="674468" first="Easton" last="Darling"]. He has a great mid-range game, with the ability to stop on a dime and elevate into his silky jumper. But he’s at his best when he’s playing downhill and using his quickness to get to the bucket. He averaged 25.9 points and 4.3 assists last year.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Jevin-Sullivan.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1073021" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Jevin-Sullivan-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="682289" first="Jevin" last="Sullivan"] (North Polk, 2022)</strong></p> <p>Sullivan just keeps growing, and he’s turning into one of the state’s most versatile scoring threats. He’s long, strong and can really shoot the rock. He uses his strength to bully his way to the bucket, but defenses have to respect his jumper as well. He’s seeing interest from a number of low-to-mid-major programs. He averaged 19.7 points and 6.0 rebounds last season.</p>