Class 2A Leading Returning Shot Blockers

<p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Marcus-Coleman-Caden-Kirkman.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1179965" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Marcus-Coleman-Caden-Kirkman-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>1.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167686" first="Caden" last="Kirkman"] (Wilton) - 94 blocks</strong></p> <p>Kirkman’s 94 blocks ranked third in the state last year among all classes and trails only [player_tooltip player_id="956875" first="Daniel" last="Tobiloba"] among returnees. The agile 6-7 big man does a great job using his size to protect the paint and does a really nice job staying vertical and rarely leaving his feet to block shots, staying out of foul trouble. With his ability on both ends of the floor, Kirkman will be a coveted Division II prospect.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>2.) 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158438" first="Clark" last="Fiala"] (Van Meter) - 60</strong></p> <p>Fiala was a pleasant surprise last year on both ends of the floor for the Bulldogs, emerging as one of the team’s best two-way players. He’s an agile 6-5 big with great length who uses that length to contest and block shots while largely avoiding foul trouble. He’s an efficient scorer and rebounder as well.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>3.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1240108" first="Jack" last="Scrivner"] (Central Decatur) - 54</strong></p> <p>A 6-4 forward, Scrivner was solid defensively as a sophomore, blocking 2.6 shots a game for the Cardinals. His ability to control the paint defensively while also dominating the glass will be crucial for a Central Decatur team that should be improved.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>4.) 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1235031" first="Cole" last="Hamilton"] (Oelwein) - 54</strong></p> <p>A long, lanky 6-5 forward, Hamilton will be asked to be the team’s go-to threat on both ends of the floor this year following the graduation of [player_tooltip player_id="964858" first="Jacob" last="King"]. Hamilton has a solid all-around skill set offensively, and his length allows him to be a solid defender.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>5.) 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1235014" first="Durant" last="Van Dyke"] (PCM) - 54</strong></p> <p>A big, physical presence in the paint on both ends of the floor, Van Dyke is the type of player that the offense can flow through while he’s also a strong defender. He pulled down 82 offensive rebounds last year and had 70% of the Mustangs’ blocks.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>6.) 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962687" first="Connor" last="State"] (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows) - 53</strong></p> <p>A versatile 6-4 forward, State accounted for nearly 60% of the Cowboys blocked shots last season. He’s an efficient scorer in the paint and a great rebounder as well.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>7.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167714" first="Zane" last="Witt"] (Camanche) - 51</strong></p> <p>Witt is a springy and long 6-7 forward who was a key role player for the Storm last year and could emerge as one of the best bigs in the 2023 class this year. He’s coming off a strong summer with the Iowa Mavericks on both ends of the floor, and his mobility and motor make him an effective all-around defender.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>8.) 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158481" first="Joshua" last="Dietrich"] (South Central Calhoun) - 45</strong></p> <p>A versatile 6-5 forward, Dietrich does a bit of everything for the Titans, leading the team in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots. He can score inside and out on the offensive end, and has the ability to be a switchable defender.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>9.) 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682294" first="Sam" last="Wilt"] (Anamosa) - 41</strong></p> <p>At 6-2, Wilt is the shortest player on this top 10. He’s a big, physical wing wand a tremendous athlete who stuffs the stat sheet for the Blue Raiders. He led the team in every major category as a junior, and he does a great job using his strength and athleticism to his advantage.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/IMG_4648.jpeg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1246007" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/IMG_4648-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>10.) 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1235032" first="Landon" last="Lovrien"] (Hinton) - 40</strong></p> <p>Lovrien, a 6-6 forward, is a role player for the Blackhawks, but his defensive ability makes him a valuable asset for them. He’s a good enough athlete to switch onto smaller players and hold his own, but it’s his rim protection that stands out for this group. He blocked 40 shots in just 13 games (3.1 a game), which trails just Kirkman among returnees in the class.</p>