State Tournament Preview: Class 3A Breakout Candidates
2024 Ben Bockman Ben Bockman 6'5" | SF Decorah | 2024 State IA (Decorah) Bockman is the most accomplished player on this list, but he gets overshadowed by the bevy of seniors on Decorah’s roster and their other talented sophomore.…
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Continue Reading2024 Ben Bockman Ben Bockman 6'5" | SF Decorah | 2024 State IA (Decorah)
Bockman is the most accomplished player on this list, but he gets overshadowed by the bevy of seniors on Decorah’s roster and their other talented sophomore. But the 6-2 guard has a chance to make a major impact for the Vikings next week with his ability to score from all three levels at an efficient clip. He has been the Vikings’ best 3-point shooter (42.6%) and is averaging 12.0 points and 4.8 rebounds a game.
2023 Joshua Thurm (Humboldt)
A 6-0 off-ball guard who can really shoot it, Thurm could make a major impact for the Wildcats and help lead them on a run if he’s able to get hot from the arc. He has buried 44 3-pointers this season at a 37.3% clip.
2023 Rico Byrd (Assumption)
Byrd is a hyper-athletic 6-1 wing who comes off the bench for the Knights to provide some scoring punch, which will be needed next week. He loves to attack the rim, both in transition and within the halfcourt, and is averaging 7.8 points a game.
2024 Calix Cahill Calix Cahill 6'5" | PF Dallas Center-Grimes | 2024 State IA (Dallas Center-Grimes)
A 6-5 forward, Cahill isn’t asked to do much on the offensive end, but he has been an important piece for the Mustangs on the defensive end, with his size and length making an impact on that end of the floor. He’s a mobile big who takes up a lot of space, and he finishes efficiently when the opportunities present themself. They’ll need him to be a strong defender if the Mustangs want to make a run.
2024 Myles Davis (Marion)
Davis is a standout baseball player who has already committed to play his college ball at Iowa, but he could have a major impact next week at the state tournament with his athleticism on the perimeter. He can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim, and he has good feet and hands on the defensive end.
2023 Blake Feuring (Winterset)
A 6-2 combo forward who can occasionally step out and stretch the floor, Feuring gets overshadowed by the Huskies’ fantastic trio of guards, but he leads the team in rebounding (5.0), and his work on the offensive glass will be key if Winterset is going to make a run next week.
2025 Ryan Watters (Central DeWitt)
An athletic and well-built 6-5 freshman forward, Watters was brought up to the varsity roster midway through the year and has become a key contributor off the bench on both ends of the floor. He’s a really good rebounder who runs the floor hard and finishes effectively around the rim. With his size and athleticism, he has a chance to become one of the better players in the 2025 class.
2024 Evan Hammer (Carroll)
Like many of the breakout candidates on this list, Hammer has been a solid contributor this year for the Tigers, averaging 7.5 points and 6.4 rebounds, but he isn’t someone who is known around the state, as the focus for the Tigers is on their stellar backcourt. He’s an athletic and physical forward who can control the glass on both ends of the floor.