STATE TOURNAMENT PREVIEW: 3A Stars to Watch

Over the course of the next two weeks, the Prep Hoops Iowa team will be flooding you with content previewing and covering the State Tournament. Here we take a look at 14 standout players to keep an eye on during the Class 3A State Tournament.   <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) A 6-6 combo forward, Drew has been a four-year varsity starter for the Bombers. The skilled forward has the ability to score from all three levels at an efficient clip, posting 53-35-61 shooting splits en route to averaging 15.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists a game. He has soft hands and great feet around the bucket, and a silky stroke out to the arc. His ability to control the glass and score from anywhere is huge for Ballard. He has signed to play Division II ball at Winona State.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/53-Ashton-Hermann.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1066263" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/53-Ashton-Hermann-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="962491" first="Ashton" last="Hermann"], Ballard (2022) Hermann makes a massive impact on both ends of the floor with his length and quickness. The leading scorer for the Bombers, the 6-3 wing averages 15.7 points and 3.5 steals a game. He's tremendous at playing the passing lanes on defense and turning defense into easy offense.   [player_tooltip player_id="796119" first="Dylan" last="Johnson"], Western Dubuque (2021) A skilled 6-6 combo forward, Johnson has committed to play NAIA ball at Morningside. He handles the ball extremely well for a young player his size, routinely bringing the ball up for the Bobcats and initiating the offense. He has a beautiful stroke on his jumper and is averaging 16.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists a game while posting 49-43-81 shooting splits.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Elvis-Nnaji.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1033617" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Elvis-Nnaji-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="682270" first="Cole" last="Glasgow"], Dallas Center-Grimes (2022) A skilled 6-3 guard, Glasgow holds Division I offers from a handful of mid-major programs. He's an efficient scorer from all three levels who can take over games with his ability to fill it up. A physical guard who thrives on getting to the rim, he uses that ability to penetrate the defense to open up the rest of his offensive arsenal. He's averaging 17.0 points and shooting 53.3% from the field.   [player_tooltip player_id="796167" first="Grant" last="Nelson"], Pella (2021) Nelson leads the 3A field in made 3-pointers with 79, and he's making them at a fantastic 46.2% clip. The 6-1 wing is a big body who can score inside and out, and he paces a high-powered Pella offense, averaging 17.6 points and 3.9 assists a game.   [player_tooltip player_id="682282" first="Karl" last="Miller"], Pella (2022) Miller trails only his teammate, Nelson, in made 3-pointers with 73. And, like Nelson, he makes them at a high clip, knocking down 42.7% of his attempts from the arc. Averaging 16.2 points a game, Miller has always had talent, but he's battled injuries during his first two high school seasons. Now fully healthy, the lengthy 6-5 wing is showing what he's capable of - putting the ball in the bucket at a high clip.   [player_tooltip player_id="796144" first="Luke" last="Rankin"], Dallas Center-Grimes (2021) A 5-10 lead guard, Rankin is an absolutely fantastic passer who leads the 3A field in assists by a massive margin. He paces an efficient Mustangs offense by dishing out 8.4 assists a game, and he's remarkable at protecting the basketball, turning it over just 1.4 times a game. In addition to his excellent court vision and feel for the game, he has grown into a respectable scorer as well, averaging 13.0 points and shooting 38.7% from the arc.   [player_tooltip player_id="964860" first="Garrett" last="Baumhover"], Western Dubuque (2021) Baumohver has had some massive games this year for the Bobcats, emerging as a threat to score 25+ on any given night. He's a bit of a streaky shooter (34.0% from 3 on the year), but when he gets it rolling he can knock down four or five in a row. In addition to his increased scoring role (15.2 points a game), he's also a talented playmaker, dishing out 5.5 assists a game.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Carson-Toebe.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-1085413 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Carson-Toebe-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="682292" first="Carson" last="Toebe"], Clear Lake (2022) Toebe is a three-year varsity starter for the Lions, and he leads the team in scoring at 18.9 points a game. A talented guard who can either distribute or score, the 6-3 junior dishes out 4.2 assists in addition to his scoring. He's a high IQ player who sees the floor well and can score from all three levels.   [player_tooltip player_id="796155" first="Andrew" last="Formanek"], Clear Lake (2021) Formanek is a highly active big man on both ends of the floor who dominates the glass in every game that he plays in. The 6-6 big is averaging 17.8 points and 13.1 rebounds, along with 1.6 blocks, showing his ability to impact the game on that end of the floor as well. His activity level on both ends make him a really difficult matchup for opposing bigs.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Emarion-Ellis.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-1074196 size-medium" 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) Ellis, a 6-6 wing, is the most highly-regarded prospect in the 3A field, as he has signed to play at Texas. He's a remarkable athlete who provides highlight-reel plays on both ends of the floor, and he has really started to emerge as a playmaker this year, averaging 4.2 assists and making some fantastic passes to set up his teammates this season. He's a threat to score 30+ on any given night with his ability to shoot it and then use that to open up his dribble penetration. His athleticism and length can be a difference-maker on the defensive end of the floor as well.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Justin-Recker.jpeg"><img class="alignright wp-image-1066872 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Justin-Recker-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="796120" first="Justin" last="Recker"], Monticello (2021) Recker, a 6-6 forward, has always been efficient and really solid around the bucket, but he has taken his game to another level over the last few years. Last year, he showcased an improved jumper with the ability to stretch out to the arc. This year, the improvement came in his ball-handling and ability to create his own shot. He can now take a defender off the dribble and get to the rim from the wing, a very impressive added bonus to his offensive repertorie. He's averaging 14.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.7 blocks for the undefeated Panthers.   [player_tooltip player_id="796115" first="Jake" last="Layman"], Sergeant Bluff-Luton (2021) A talented 6-8 wing, Layman makes a major impact with his length on both ends of the floor. He has a nice-looking stroke from the perimeter, although he's shooting just 27.1% from the arc. He's a solid playmaker who sees the floor extremely well and can make any pass with his size. Both he and Majouk are headed to play D2 ball at Southwest Minnesota State.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Majok-Majouk.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-1052567 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Majok-Majouk-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="964797" first="Majok" last="Majouk"], Sergeant Bluff-Luton (2021) Majouk is a 6-10 wing who impacts the game on both ends of the floor, averaging 10.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.6 stocks (steals + blocks) a game. He can stretch the floor, finish around the rim, and is a switchable defender.