Class 3A Leading Returning Shot Blockers

<p><strong>1.) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1171696" first="Jack" last="Cooley"] (Clarke) - 48 blocks</strong></p> <p>Cooley is coming off one of the most productive freshmen seasons in the state last year, averaging 15.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.4 blocks a game. A physical and athletic 6-3 wing, he does a great job contesting shots against smaller players, and often times gets his hands on them.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>2.) 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1234968" first="Austin" last="Gaffney"] (Storm Lake) - 47</strong></p> <p>One of two Tornadoes on this countdown, Gaffney is a 6-7 big who does a great job using his length to contest shots without fouling. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>3.) 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962630" first="Kale" last="Krogh"] (Ballard) - 43</strong></p> <p>Signed to play offensive line at Iowa, Krogh is an intimidating physical presence in the paint with his size and talent. He has great hands and impeccable timing on the defensive end.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>4.) 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1235013" first="Ethan" last="Combs"] (Maquoketa) - 39</strong></p> <p>A raw 6-6 big man, Combs is very limited offensively, but uses his length effectively on the defensive end, blocking nearly 2 shots a game last season off the bench for the Cardinals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>5.) 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1235017" first="Konnor" last="Calhoun"] (LeMars) - 38</strong></p> <p>A big, physical 6-6 forward, Calhoun protects the rim and rebounds the ball really well. He's a solid athlete who finishes above the rim.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>6.) 2024 Cole White (Clarke) - 32</strong></p> <p>The other key 2024 on Clarke's roster, White is a more traditional shot blocker, a 6-5 big with length and good instincts. His offensive game is still very much a work in progress, but he's a solid rim protector.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>7.) 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1234982" first="Michael" last="Kascel"] (Independence) - 30</strong></p> <p>An extremely efficient 6-6 big man, Kascel has great hands and good timing on the defensive end. He uses his length effectively on both ends of the floor, dominating the glass and protecting the paint.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>8.) 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1235016" first="Justin" last="Terry"] (Gilbert) - 29</strong></p> <p>A 6-4 big with a great motor, Terry pounds the glass on both ends of the floor and is an active defender who can switch and protect the rim.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Luke-Keitges-crop-2882x1892-1624028452.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1218540" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Luke-Keitges-crop-2882x1892-1624028452-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a><strong>9.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167696" first="Luke" last="Keitges"] (Pella) - 26</strong></p> <p>A 6-5 combo forward who can switch onto smaller players and hold his own, or bang in the paint, Keitges is going to be a welcome addition to a loaded Dutch squad with his versatility on both ends of the floor.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>10.) 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="784984" first="Luth" last="Dak"] (Storm Lake) - 26</strong></p> <p>A long and athletic 6-8 forward, Dak is a springy athlete with ridiculous length. If he can add some more strength, he could become a very solid all-around defender.</p>