Class 3A’s Dynamic Duos

[caption id="attachment_1152259" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/IMG_14331-e1623861936252.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1152259 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/IMG_14331-e1623861936252-300x214.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="214" /></a> Allen[/caption] <p><strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962617" first="Noah" last="Allen"] &amp; 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682282" first="Karl" last="Miller"] (Pella)</strong></p> <p>You'd be hard pressed to find a better shooting tandem that Allen and Miller, who combined to knock down 124 3-pointers last season at a 42.6% clip, helping lead the Dutch to the 3A title. Allen came off the bench to provide a major scoring spark last season, averaging 12.3 points a game following his transfer from Newton, while Miller is a big 6-4/6-5 wing who uses his size to his advantage to get his shot off whenever he wants. He's always been a talented scorer but has struggled with injuries. He stayed healthy last year and averaged 15.7 points a game. Expect to see Allen and Miller put up some very impressive shooting numbers again this year for the Dutch, who open the season ranked #1 in 3A.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_1281442" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Kaleb-Booth-crop-2962x1945-1631493678.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1281442 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Kaleb-Booth-crop-2962x1945-1631493678-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Booth[/caption] <p><strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962671" first="Nick" last="Macke"] &amp; 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962631" first="Kaleb" last="Booth"] (Carroll)</strong></p> <p>Both of these quick and talented guards shot above 40% from the arc last season, and both are excellent at creating their own looks. Either of them are capable of taking over a game during a stretch, and they don't necessarily have to be scoring to do so. You might not find a better backcourt in the state at creating their own shots and shooting it off the bounce. Both are outstanding in that aspect.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_1033617" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Elvis-Nnaji.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1033617 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Elvis-Nnaji-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> Glasgow[/caption] <p><strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682270" first="Cole" last="Glasgow"] &amp; 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158421" first="Bo" last="Huston"] (Dallas Center-Grimes)</strong></p> <p>These two guards are both big-time scorers, but in different ways. Glasgow averaged 16.6 points a game, but his scoring comes largely from his ability to get to the bucket, using his superior skill and athleticism. He's a strong guard who finishes well around the rim, and a capable 3-point shooter who is improving in that aspect of his game. Huston, on the other hand, is one of the best shooters in the state, knocking down 52.2% of his 3-point attempts last season. The lefty is armed with a quick release off the catch, and has really worked this summer at creating his own shot. They could be the highest scoring tandem of guards in 3A this year. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_1066263" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/53-Ashton-Hermann.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1066263 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/53-Ashton-Hermann-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Hermann[/caption] <p><strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962491" first="Ashton" last="Hermann"] &amp; 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962630" first="Kale" last="Krogh"] (Ballard)</strong></p> <p>Hermann is one of the most electric players in the state, a lightning-quick two-way guard who is as good as anyone at jumping passing lanes and turning defense into quick and easy offense. He averaged 16.2 points and 3.3 steals a game last year for the Bombers, who nearly went wire-to-wire as the #1 team in the class. Krogh, an Iowa offensive line commit, is a force in the paint on both ends of the floor, using his big, physical frame and soft hands to dominate the painted area. He's a great defender who blocks shots and is an intimidating force, and an efficient offensive option who shot nearly 72% from the floor last season. Both are great defensive players, in very different ways, and their presences will make the Bombers a dangerous team again this year, despite a number of key graduation losses. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167713" first="Ayden" last="Klein"] &amp; 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167726" first="Luke" last="Korver"] (MOC-Floyd Valley)</strong></p> <p>This dynamic pair of guards combined to average 27.0 points a game last season. Klein is a quick 5-11 lead guard who can get others involved. He's a slasher who gets to the rim and finishes, and can knock down jumpers. Korver is a big-time shooter who buried 49.2% of his 3-point attempts last season, and he really benefits from Klein's ability to drive and kick.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_1085391" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Kasen-Bailey-1.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-1085391 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Kasen-Bailey-1-300x242.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="242" /></a> Bailey[/caption] <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id="956888" first="Ethan" last="Patterson"] &amp; 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962644" first="Kasen" last="Bailey"] (Washington)</strong></p> <p>These two combined to average 29.6 points a game, 6.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists last season for the Demons, and they're both well above 80% from the line, so they're quality options to ice away a game late. Patterson moves well off the ball and is a knockdown shooter (40.4% last season from 3), while Bailey is an athletic, slashing wing who pairs well with him, and uses his length to his advantage on the defensive end of the floor.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_1254546" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Brayson-Laube.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1254546 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Brayson-Laube-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" /></a> Laube[/caption] <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id="956878" first="Brayson" last="Laube"] &amp; 2023 Alex Mota (Marion)</strong></p> <p>This may be the most athletic tandem on this list. The 6-2 Laube has really improved athletically, turning himself into a big-time leaper to go with his dynamic shooting abilities. He knocked down 44.1% of his 3-point attempts last season and is a high-level shooter both off the dribble and the catch. Mota is an exceptional athlete who holds Division I football offers, and that athleticism showcases itself on the hardwood as well with his ability to get to the rim, rebound, and impact the game defensively.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158445" first="Connor" last="Frame"] &amp; 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167729" first="Bradley" last="Curren"] (Harlan)</strong></p> <p>The top two scorers for the Cyclones combined to average 27.1 points a game last season. They both thrive on their ability to get to the bucket and score inside the paint, using their athleticism and physicality to control the game on both ends of the floor. Look for Harlan to be much improved this year, and Frame and Curren will be a major reason why.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_1188314" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Keaton-Farmer-crop-2874x1887-1620497327.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1188314 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Keaton-Farmer-crop-2874x1887-1620497327-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Farmer[/caption] <p><strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962680" first="Keaton" last="Farmer"] &amp; 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682272" first="Hogan" last="Hansen"] (Waverly-Shell Rock)</strong></p> <p>This senior backcourt will be looking to lead the Go-Hawks back to prominence, and they pair together well. Farmer is a 40% 3-point shooter coming off a strong summer with the Iowa Mavericks, while Hansen is a talented lead guard who dished out 4.7 assists a game last season. He's able to put Farmer and their other teammates in position to succeed.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_1222229" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/21-Levi-Gurwell-crop-2227x1463-1624475231.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1222229 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/21-Levi-Gurwell-crop-2227x1463-1624475231-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Gurwell[/caption] <p><strong>2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158412" first="Levi" last="Gurwell"] &amp; 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="784978" first="Dawson" last="Forgy"] (Winterset)</strong></p> <p>These two guards complement each other well, with Forgy running the show as the pass-first lead guard, and Gurwell a skilled three-level scorer. Forgy is a compact, physical and quick lead guard who sees the floor well and impacts the game on the defensive end with his hands and quickness. Gurwell has excellent footwork and a silky smooth mid-range game. He's capable of dropping 25 points on any given night for the Huskies.</p>