STATE TOURNAMENT PREVIEW: Class 4A Breakout Candidates

<p><em>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 eight potential breakout players to keep an eye on during the Class 4A tournament.</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Dallas-Bear.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1066834" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Dallas-Bear-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="956870" first="Dallas" last="Bear"], Cedar Falls (2023)</strong></p> <p>Bear comes off the bench for the Tigers, but the 6-8 sophomore picked up a Division I offer from Bryant before playing in a high school game. He's a long, lean wing who can really shoot the basketball, knocking down just under 41% of his 3-point attempts while averaging 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds a game. He's going to be a star in Iowa high school basketball, and next week could be his opportunity to make his name known around the state. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="964930" first="Christian" last="Tidiane"], Council Bluffs Lincoln (2021)</strong></p> <p>An athletic, 6-5 forward, Tidiane stuffs the stat sheet for the Lynx, but he gets overshadowed by Dix and Sandbothe. He averages 7.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.3 blocks, and his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor is invaluable for CBAL.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Lucas Lueth, Ames (2023)</strong></p> <p>Lueth stepped into the starting lineup occasionally this year for the Little Cyclones, and the 6-6 sophomore wing produces when he's given the opportunity, averaging 5.1 points and 1.2 rebounds a game, in addition to being a strong defender. He can score from all three levels and is a player that we're really looking forward to seeing more of next week. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/139-Jack-Groeteke-crop-1749x1149-1608586434.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1104494" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/139-Jack-Groeteke-crop-1749x1149-1608586434-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="796134" first="Jack" last="Groeteke"], Dowling Catholic (2021)</strong></p> <p>We've known about Groeteke for a few years now, but he has a chance to make his name known around the state now. A 6-10 big man who runs the floor well, he's got a silky smooth stroke and a quick release on his jumper. His ability to stretch the floor (42.7 3P%) at 6-10 is a real game-changer for the Maroons. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962632" first="Sam" last="Akins"], Senior (2022)</strong></p> <p>A 5-10 lead guard, Akins can do a little bit of everything on the floor for the Rams, averaging 6.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists for a team that enters the tournament on fire. He has a good feel for the game and changes speeds well.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="796173" first="CJ" last="Ragins"], Pleasant Valley (2021)</strong></p> <p>Ragins is an impressive physical presence for the Spartans, averaging 5.1 points and 5.4 rebounds a game. He's a springy athlete with broad shoulders who is a solid defender and a great rebounder on both ends of the floor.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Cade-Kelderman.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1066825" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/Cade-Kelderman-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="956887" first="Cade" last="Kelderman"], Waukee (2023)</strong></p> <p>On a loaded roster filled with players that everyone already knows about, Kelderman could be a key piece for the Warriors if they're going to make a run to the state title. A talented, 5-10 lefty lead guard, he sees the floor well and is a capable 3-point shooter. He'll likely be the Warriors' starting point guard next year, so the experience he's going to gain next week will be vital.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Carter Borwick, Johnston (2021)</strong></p> <p>With a number of talented guards on the Dragons roster, Borwick gets overshadowed a bit, but he does a lot of little things that helps Johnston win games. The 6-2 wing battles on the glass, is a solid defender and can score when the opportunity presents itself. If Johnston is going to make a run, they'll need a role player to step up, and Borwick is probably that guy.</p>