Class 4A Stars to Watch (Part II)

<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="956447" first="Omaha" last="Biliew"] (Waukee, 2023)</strong></p> <p>One of the most highly thought of prospects nationally in the 2023 class, Biliew had an up-and-down freshman season at Dowling Catholic. He has transferred over to Waukee, giving the Warriors one of the most talented rosters we’ve ever seen in Iowa. A tremendous athlete with great size and length, Biliew has the ability to score inside and out, and the potential to be an elite defensive player. Look for him to have a significantly better sophomore season, showing people around the state why he’s going to be such a coveted prospect. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="956868" first="Pryce" last="Sandfort"] (Waukee, 2023)</strong></p> <p>Sandfort started as a freshman for a team that was ranked #1 for a good chunk of the season, and he delivered time after time for the Warriors, averaging 9.3 points and 2.2 assists while shooting 46% from behind the arc. Like older brother Payton, Pryce is long, lean and a knockdown shooter with a high IQ. He’ll contribute across the board for Waukee, and it’ll be his and Omaha’s team next year. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="796101" first="Marcus" last="Morgan"] (Iowa City West, 2021)</strong></p> <p>The four-sport standout recently committed to play baseball at Iowa, but he’s also been a star on the hardwood, gridiron and track. An athletic wing who can really shoot it, he’ll have a chance to fill it up for the Trojans this year as the team’s primary scoring option. The 6-3 wing shot 44% from behind the arc last season and averaged 9.7 points a game. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="796118" first="Landon" last="Eiland"] (North Scott, 2021)</strong></p> <p>The Lanchers are now Eiland’s team, following the graduations of [player_tooltip player_id="801832" first="Ty" last="Anderson"] and [player_tooltip player_id="674506" first="Sam" last="Kilburg"], who combined to average 33.5 points a game. Eiland averaged 8.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and shot 41.5% from 3 last season, but will have a chance to really showcase his all-around offensive skill set this season. He has committed to play Division II ball at Truman State, and his athleticism combined with his length and shooting ability should propel him to a huge senior year. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="796114" first="Jayden" last="Houston"] (Davenport North, 2021)</strong></p> <p>A big, physical wing, Houston nearly led the Wildcats to an upset win at State last year. He’s built like a linebacker and he uses that size and strength to bully his way to the bucket routinely, where he’s a great finisher. He averaged 17.5 points and 5.5 rebounds a game last season for the ’Cats, and will be the focal point of opposing game plans this year.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="727889" first="Trae" last="Swartz"] (Ottumwa, 2021)</strong></p> <p>Swartz finished second in 4A in scoring last year, averaging 23.1 points to go with 6.3 rebounds. A big, physical wing, he thrives on getting to the bucket, but he’s also a really good perimeter shooter (47.7% from 3 last year). He doesn’t attempt many 3s, but he’s a fantastic shooter so defenses have to respect it, which opens up the rest of his arsenal. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="727901" first="Diondre" last="Taylor"] (Des Moines North, 2021)</strong></p> <p>Taylor is a cat-quick guard who ranked among the top 10 in scoring in 4A last year, and could lead the class this year. A lot of shots have opened up with the transfer of [player_tooltip player_id="796110" first="Malik" last="Allen"], and Taylor stands to be the primary beneficiary of that development. He uses his speed to break down the defense and get to the bucket, averaging 19.2 points a game last season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="682266" first="Josh" last="Dix"] (Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln, 2022)</strong></p> <p>Dix holds offers from Colorado State, Drake and South Dakota State, and stands to pick up many more over the next year. A 2-guard with good size and length, he’s a highly efficient scoring threat who can fill it up from all three levels. He averaged 17.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.7 steals a game last season with 53-39-78 shooting splits. </p>