Class 2A Leading Returning Steals

<strong>1.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167707" first="Beckett" last="DeJean"] (OABCIG) - 73 steals</strong> An explosive, athletic guard who controls the game on both ends of the floor, DeJean led the Falcons in every major category as a junior, averaging 19.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 3.3 steals, and 1.4 blocks a game. <strong>2.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1367444" first="Eli" last="Wheelock"] (South Central Calhoun) - 70</strong> A 6-0 guard who can fill it up in a hurry for the Titans, Wheelock averaged 15.3 points a game and his 3.0 steals a night certainly helped contribute to some of those buckets. <strong>3.) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325439' first='Wyatt' last='Powell'] (MFL-Mar-Mac) - 69</strong> A crucial piece of a very good, young backcourt for the Bulldogs, Powell ranked second on the team in scoring (11.6 points) and led the team in assists and steals. He does a great job playing passing lanes and turning defense into quick and easy offense. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Zach-Lutmer-crop-2812x1847-1646714835.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1402963" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Zach-Lutmer-crop-2812x1847-1646714835-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a><strong>4.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1253020" first="Zach" last="Lutmer"] (Central Lyon) - 68</strong> An elite athlete who flies all over the floor on the defensive end, Lutmer is a versatile defender with good size and strength. He has quick hands and feet that he uses to play strong on-ball defense and pick opposing ball-handlers clean. <strong>5.) 2024 Jackson Hutcheson (Mediapolis) - 67</strong> A 5-8 lead guard who impacts the game on both ends as a facilitator and defender, Hutcheson ranked second on the Bulldogs in assists and served as the team's top perimeter defender. <strong>6.) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1476979" first="Jesse" last="Cornelison"] (Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont) - 65</strong> Cornelison is small (listed at 5-8), but he has quick feet and really quick hands that he uses to make life difficult for opposing ball-handlers. He's one of three Rockets to average over two steals a game last season. <strong>7.) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1171659" first="Owen" last="Larson"] (Estherville Lincoln Central) - 61</strong> Arguably the best player in 2A basketball, Larson has found himself on the top 10 lists in scoring, assists, 3-point shooting, and now steals. He's a cat-quick guard who moves his feet really well, has great instincts, and quick hands. <strong>8.) 2023 Joe Clark (South Central Calhoun) - 60</strong> The second Titan on this countdown, Clark is a 6-0 combo forward who can defend multiple positions. He was a good all-around role player last season, providing lots of value on the glass (6.9 rebounds) and as a defender. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/79-Dawson-Gifford.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1290478" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/79-Dawson-Gifford-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a><strong>9.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1288884" first="Dawson" last="Gifford"] (Kuemper Catholic) - 59</strong> A strong 6-1 guard who does a great job playing the passing lanes, Gifford provides some versatility on both ends of the floor for the Knights, leading the team in scoring (11.2), assists (3.1), and steals (2.8) last year. <strong>10.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1147612' first='Drew' last='Britson'] (Garner-Hayfield-Ventura) - 58</strong> Britson enjoyed a breakout junior year for the Cardinals, leading the team in scoring, assists, and steals. He's a quick, physical guard who can score from all three levels, and he moves his feet really well on the defensive end.