Class 2A Leading Returning Steals

<p><strong>1.) 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1235026" first="Joe" last="Benson"] (Cherokee) - 76 steals</strong></p> <p>Benson, a 6-1 guard with decent length, was second in the class in steals last year, finishing just a single swipe behind Treynor’s [player_tooltip player_id="964920" first="Sid" last="Schaaf"]. He uses his length effectively to get up into passing lanes.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>2.) 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682294" first="Sam" last="Wilt"] (Anamosa) - 67</strong></p> <p>A big, physical wing, Wilt was also on the returning shot blockers list. He uses his athleticism and strength to his advantage on the defensive end of the floor, showcasing his ability to defend any position.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>3.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1240099" first="Ben" last="Egan"] (Mediapolis) - 62</strong></p> <p>A solid defender both on-and-off the ball, Egan also led the Bulldogs in assists as a sophomore. He does a nice job jumping passing lanes and turning defense into easy offense.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>4.) 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962689" first="Griffin" last="Greiner"] (Cardinal) - 60</strong></p> <p>A key piece of a talented 2022 class for Cardinal, Greiner stuffs the stat sheet for the Comets, averaging 12.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 3.0 steals a game last year. He uses his length effectively to play passing lanes and make life difficult for opposing ball-handlers.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>5.) 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962628" first="Kolson" last="Kruse"] (Southeast Valley) - 59</strong></p> <p>One of two Jaguars on this list, Kruse is also one of the state’s elite shooting threats, knocking down 68 3-pointers last year at a 40.5% clip. He does a little bit of everything for Southeast Valley and is a  very solid complement to his teammate further down this countdown, [player_tooltip player_id="682271" first="Aaron" last="Graves"].</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>6.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1240102" first="Carter" last="Boettcher"] (Sioux Central) - 58</strong></p> <p>A physical 6-0 wing, Boettcher stuffs the stat sheet for the Rebels, averaging 10.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 2.4 steals a game as a sophomore. If he can improve his efficiency numbers, Sioux Central could be one of the most improved teams in 2A.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>7.) 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1235027" first="Jaxon" last="Carpenter"] (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows) - 57</strong></p> <p>A quick lead guard who does a little bit of everything for the Cowboys, Carpenter does a great job pestering opposing ball-handlers with his quick feet and hands. He led the team in assists while also being a pest on the defensive end.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>8.) 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682271" first="Aaron" last="Graves"] (Southeast Valley) - 54</strong></p> <p>Graves has been committed to play defensive line at Iowa since his freshman year, but he’s also a standout defender on the hardwood. He has great hands and is a good athlete who can jump passing lanes on the perimeter, or simply take the ball from players in the paint. His strength, footwork and athleticism make him a really difficult matchup on both ends of the floor at this level.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>9.) 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1161172" first="Miles" last="Kading"] (ACGC) - 53</strong></p> <p>A quick lead guard who helped lead the Chargers to one of the school’s best seasons in recent history last year, Kading led the team in assists and steals as a junior, and is coming off a very productive summer as a scorer. Look for him to be one of the most improved players in the class as a senior.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>10.) 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158506" first="Colby" last="Sieverding"] (Bellevue) - 53</strong></p> <p>A diminutive, 5-9 guard, Sievering averaged over 16 points a game last year for the Comets, and his penchant for snatching steals on the defensive end certainly contributes to some of that high-scoring output.</p>