With July’s evaluation period now behind us and plenty of time to kill between now and late November, it’s time to take a look at who we believe will be some of the teams to keep an eye on in each classification this winter.
How well do these rankings predict what may happen over the course of the coming season? Well, of the 32 state tournament qualifying teams last year, we had 17 ranked in the top 10 in their respective classes, and another eight written about in the “others to monitor” sections. Two top-ranked teams (North Linn in 1A and Ames in 4A) won state championships, while #2 Dallas Center-Grimes took home the title in 3A. We were most successful in Class 4A, with five of our top seven teams making the state tournament, as well as two other “watch list” teams. Further, over the last five years, teams ranked #1 to open the year have reached the state semifinals at a 75% clip, and played for a state championship at a 60% rate. So, while this isn’t the definitive list of how teams are going to perform this year, it’s certainly a good thing to find yourselves near the top of these initial rankings.
Below you’ll find our top 10 for Class 2A, along with some other teams that could make some noise, as well as a brief summary of why each team is in their respective spot. Enjoy.
1.) Monticello (State semifinalist, 22-4 last season, 78.0% of scoring returning)
Following a 60-year state tournament drought, the Panthers have qualified for three consecutive state tournaments and look primed to make it four straight, with a real chance at bringing home the school’s first state championship. Three starters return from last year’s semifinal team, including the team’s top two scorers in senior guard
Tate Petersen
Tate
Petersen
6'1" | PG
Monticello | 2023
State
IA
(18.9, 5.2 assists) and junior forward
Preston Ries
Preston
Ries
6'1" | SF
Monticello | 2024
State
IA
(18.1, 7.0 rebounds), who will arguably be the top duo in the class this season. Petersen is coming off a great junior year and an explosive summer with the Iowa Mavericks. A three-year starter who has steadily improved each year, he looks primed to emerge as one of the state’s elite scoring threats. He’s already one of the best shooters in the state, and he has really worked to improve his handle and ability to get to the rim. Ries is a strong complement to Petersen, an explosive and physical forward who can score from all three levels, control the glass, and defend multiple positions. He’ll play football at Iowa, but he’s also a dominant force on the hardwood. The other returning starter is junior guard
Peyton Schilling
Peyton
Schilling
5'11" | PG
Monticello | 2024
State
IA
(6.2, 3.2 assists), who is a strong secondary ball-handler and a good perimeter shooter and defender. Look for sophomore wing Carson Lambert (0.6) to take a major step forward this year and emerge as a strong role player, while Ian Temple (2.5) is the other key returnee with experience. Tim Lambert has done a great job building up this Monticello program, and they’ll certainly be able to find some new pieces to fill in alongside the dynamic duo of Petersen and Ries. In a class that saw a lot of graduation losses, the Panthers seem to be as safe a bet as any to make some major noise this year.
2.) Roland Story (State qualifier, 22-3 last year, 86.9% of scoring returning)
The Norsemen were one of the most pleasant surprises in the state last year, perhaps arriving a year ahead of expectations by winning 22 games and qualifying for the state tournament, where they gave Pella Christian a great game in the quarterfinals. The top three, and seven of the top eight, scorers return from that group and they’ll have their sights set even higher this winter. Senior guard
Isaiah Naylor
Isaiah
Naylor
6'0" | SG
Roland-Story | 2023
State
IA
(17.1, 39.8 3P%) is a talented shotmaker who enjoyed a breakout junior year, establishing himself as a strong shot creator and shooter. Junior wing
Jonovan Wilkinson
Jonovan
Wilkinson
6'2" | SF
Roland-Story | 2024
State
IA
(14.2, 6.5 rebounds) is a versatile and athletic wing defender who can take care of multiple positions. Offensively, he can create his own shot or get looks for others. Senior big man
Luke Patton
Luke
Patton
6'5" | PF
Roland-Story | 2023
State
IA
(10.7, 10.9 rebounds) is a dominant rebounder and efficient scorer in the paint who can occasionally step out and knock down jumpers. Look for increased production out of the returning role players – Beau Greenfield (5.0),
Boaz Clark
Boaz
Clark
6'2" | PG
Roland-Story | 2024
State
IA
(3.9), Dillon Lettow (3.0), and Kale Lance (2.8) – each of whom provided strong production last year. This team is going to be deep and versatile on both ends of the floor, and the backcourt tandem of Naylor and Wilkinson should create lots of problems on both ends for opposing teams.
3.) Central Lyon (State runner-up, 24-3 last year, 51.2% of scoring returning)
The Lions got off to a quick 12-0 start last season and rocketed themselves to the #1 spot in our 2A rankings behind the strength of an explosive offensive attack that averaged 75.5 points a game. They qualified for their first state tournament, earning the #1 seed, and made it to the championship game before getting blown out by Siouxland Conference rival Rock Valley, a team that was an absolute buzzsaw throughout the 2A tournament. Two of the top three scorers return from last year’s team, led by senior do-it-all guard
Zach Lutmer
Zach
Lutmer
6'1" | PG
Central Lyon | 2023
IA
(19.7, 5.9 assists), an athletic freak who plays with quickness and physicality. He has committed to play football at Iowa, but his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor on the hardwood is rivaled by few in the class. Senior forward
Andrew Austin
Andrew
Austin
6'6" | PF
Central Lyon | 2023
State
IA
(13.2) excelled as a tertiary scoring option last year with his ability to score efficiently in the paint. Junior guard Reece Vander Zee (4.6) will be asked to step into a more significant scoring role, as will sophomores Matt Elbert (1.6) and
Ephraim Hoefert
Ephraim
Hoefert
6'6" | SF
Central Lyon | 2025
State
IA
(1.0). Hoefert is a big body who could provide them with strong minutes in the paint, which will be needed. They’ll need to find a replacement on the perimeter for the graduated Mason Gerleman, who was a knockdown shooter, but the Lutmer-Austin tandem will be one of the best in the class, and Central Lyon is filled with great athletes. The Siouxland Conference is always loaded, and most of the schools were gutted by graduation, leaving the door open for Central Lyon to win the conference and be a real threat to take home a state championship.
4.) Western Christian (21-2 last year, 38.2% of scoring returning)
The Wolfpack were the top ranked team in 2A for a large majority of last season and looked like they were primed to defend their 2020-21 championship before a shocking upset loss to Cherokee in the substate semifinals. They lose their top two scorers from that group in Ty Van Essen and Wyatt Gulker, who will be very difficult to replace after combining to average 32.5 points a game last season. But we still expect the Pack to be highly competitive again this season behind the projected improvement of the Van Regenmorter brothers – senior Tate (10.8) and sophomore Kaden (5.6). Both are versatile scorers who can fill it up from all three levels while providing plenty of size and length on the defensive end. Senior guard Ashtin Van’t Hul Ashtin Van’t Hul 6'0" | PG Western Christian | 2023 State IA (6.1, 4.1 assists) returns to serve as the team’s primary ball-handler, while junior wing Caleb Douma (2.6) and senior Chandler Pollema (2.2) figure to step into bigger scoring roles after coming off the bench last season. Western Christian is the most successful program in state history, winners of 10 state championships, and no matter who is taking the floor for the Wolfpack, they’re going to be big, skilled, and play the game the right way.
5.) Aplington-Parkersburg (21-3 last year, 53.8% of scoring returning)
Another highly-regarded team that fell in upset fashion in the substate championship last year, the Falcons averaged 78.2 points a game and bring back two double-figure scorers from that group in guards
Garrett Hempen
Garrett
Hempen
6'1" | PG
Aplington-Parkersburg | 2023
State
IA
(15.6, 4.5 assists) and
Gavin Thomas
Gavin
Thomas
6'0" | SG
Aplington-Parkersburg | 2024
State
IA
(13.5). Hempen led the team in assists last season and also shot 40.5% from behind the arc, while Thomas is another versatile three-level scorer who posted 48-39-83 shooting splits as a sophomore. Junior guard
Cooper Hoff
Cooper
Hoff
5'10" | SG
Aplington-Parkersburg | 2024
State
IA
(6.8, 43.8 3P%) gives them another knockdown shooter who pairs well with the drive-and-kick abilities of Hempen and Thomas. The Falcons figured to be a pretty small team following the graduations of Christian Haugstad and Kale Riherd, but they are reportedly adding
Martez Wiggley
Martez
Wiggley
6'4" | PF
Aplington-Parkersburg | 2023
State
IA
via transfer from Waterloo East, which will provide a ton of size and athleticism to their frontline. He averaged 14.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists a game as a junior for the Trojans, playing in one of the best conferences in the state. Dropping down from 4A competition to 2A competition on a nightly basis could make his numbers skyrocket, especially in the up-tempo system that the Falcons like to play. A skilled 6-5 big who is an excellent passer, he should be an excellent addition to this roster. The Hempen-Thomas-Wiggley trio will be among the best in the class, and the Falcons always have a slew of talented role players who are ready to step into bigger roles.
6.) Treynor (19-4 last year, 61.8% of scoring returning)
The Cardinals lost leading scorer Thomas Schwartz to graduation, but bring back the next three scorers in junior guards Jace Tams Jace Tams 5'11" | PG Treynor | 2024 State IA (12.3, 42.7 3P%) and Ethan Konz (5.7) and senior forward Ethan Dickerson Ethan Dickerson 6'8" | PF Treynor | 2023 State IA (11.1, 8.6 rebounds, 3.0 blocks). Dickerson was a big part of a defense that was dominant last year, ranking second in the class in scoring defense, allowing just 42.3 points a game. His ability to protect the paint at 6-7 with length allows the Cards’ guards to play a bit more aggressively on the defensive end, knowing they have a rim protector behind them. Tams is a fantastic shooter who moves well without the ball, and he should emerge as a strong primary scoring option. Look for junior guard Karson Elwood (3.9, 2.6 assists) to step into the lead guard role after putting together a solid sophomore season as a ball-handler and decision-maker. Scott Rucker has built arguably the best 2A program in the state, as they’ve averaged 20.7 wins a year over the last 16 seasons with a remarkable 85% winning percentage. This is a program that will keep finding players to fill into the vacated roles. They’re going to be really good defensively, and if they can become a bit more efficient on the offensive end (43-32-71 shooting splits last year), they could turn into a real contender in the class.
7.) AHSTW (23-2 last year, 68.4% of scoring returning)
The Vikings had high expectations last year, entering the season ranked #2 by us in the 1A poll, and they did everything they could to back up those lofty expectations, losing just twice – to Grand View Christian by five, and then an upset loss at the hands of West Harrison in the substate final. They’ll move back up to 2A this year, but the expectations should still be high for this group that largely rolled through play last year. The loss of Raydden Grobe to graduation is significant. He averaged nearly 18 points a game last season, but they’ll bring back arguably the best tandem in the class in seniors Brayden Lund Brayden Lund 6'4" | SF AHSTW | 2023 State IA (18.0) and Kyle Sternberg Kyle Sternberg 6'4" | SG AHSTW | 2023 State IA (15.8). Lund, a 6-3 forward, can score inside and out at a highly efficient clip, posting 54-40-70 shooting splits last year while also leading the team in rebounding. He has soft hands, excellent touch around the bucket, and a smooth stroke from the arc. Sternberg, a 6-5 wing, is a sharpshooter who buried 40% of his 3-point attempts last season and has the size and quick release to get his shot off seemingly whenever he wants. Senior point guard Cole Scheffler Cole Scheffler 5'8" | PG AHSTW | 2023 State IA (4.2, 4.8 assists) isn’t much of a scorer, but is a really good ball-handler and passer who keeps the offense flowing, and role players Ryan Wedemeyer (2.5), Nick Denning (2.5), Luke Sternberg (2.4), and Jacob Coon (1.3) all return with experience. The Lund-Sternberg-Scheffler trio is going to be really good and should carry this team to a ton of wins. They have a chance to qualify for their first state tournament this year and make some noise if they get to Des Moines.
8.) Wilton (17-6 last year, 81.2% of scoring returning)
In senior forward
Caden Kirkman
Caden
Kirkman
6'8" | PF
Wilton | 2023
State
IA
, an Augustana (SD) commit, the Beavers have potentially the most dominant two-way player in the class on their side, which is going to be extremely beneficial for this group. The 6-8 forward averaged 20.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.4 steals, and 3.9 blocks a game last season, and put together an outstanding spring and summer with the Iowa Barnstormers before committing to the Vikings. He has remarkable footwork and touch on his post touches, sees the floor well and is a willing passer, and a dominant interior defender. Don’t be surprised if he’s averaging over 25 points a game as a senior en route to one of the most dominant statistical seasons in the state. But he’s not alone, as the Beavers also bring back two other double-figure scorers in senior wing
Aidan Walker
Aidan
Walker
6'3" | SF
Wilton | 2023
State
IA
(11.8) and junior
Landyn Putman
Landyn
Putman
6'3" | SG
Wilton | 2024
State
IA
(11.5). Walker is an athletic, slashing wing who can get to the bucket for finishes routinely, while Putman is an excellent shooter who buried 50.4% of his 3-point attempts last year. Senior guard Clayton Guyer (3.3) serves as the primary ball-handler and did a good job last year limiting turnovers, as did junior Casen Reid (3.1, 36.2 3P%), who will also give them some more perimeter shooting. Kirkman figures to be a dominant force who can control games on both ends, and the Walker-Putman perimeter duo looks primed to take another step forward this year. I called it on the Hoop Troop/Shooters Touch podcast after the state tournament that the Wilton Beavers would make their first state tournament appearance since 1912 during the 2022-23 season, and I’m sticking with it.
9.) Sioux Central (17-5 last year, 95.5% of scoring returning)
The Rebels got off to a slow start last year, albeit against a tough schedule, going 0-3 out of the gates before running off 16 straight wins. Three double-figure scorers return from that team, led by the high-scoring duo of senior guards
Jacob Hargens
Jacob
Hargens
6'2" | PG
Sioux Central | 2023
State
IA
(25.5) and
Carter Boettcher
Carter
Boettcher
6'1" | PG
Sioux Central | 2023
State
IA
(18.2). Hargens also averaged 9.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists a game, showing his ability to impact the game in a multitude of ways, while also posting impressive 53-37-81 shooting splits. His ability to put the ball in the bucket is unrivaled by most in the state, and he’ll pace an offensive attack that should be among the best in the class. Boettcher is a skilled guard who does an excellent job limiting turnovers. He led the team with 4.9 assists a game last season against just 1.7 turnovers a night. He does most of his scoring around the rim or at the free-throw line, but is able to occasionally knock down perimeter shots. The other key returnee for the group is senior guard Ethan Mills (12.2, 40.4 3P%) who is an excellent shooter to put alongside the slashing Hargens and Boettcher. The Rebels will be one of the best offensive teams in the state, but they’ll need to lock up on the defensive end if they want to make a real run come February. In their five losses last year, they allowed 71 points a game. That number will need to come down a lot.
10.) Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (20-3 last year, 70.6% of scoring returning)
Two of the Rockets’ three losses last season came against a Pella Christian team that was among the best in the class, qualifying for the state semifinals. The other loss was a one-point setback against 3A Oskaloosa. Four of the top five scorers return from a team that averaged 71.4 points a game, so expect to see the Rockets lighting up the scoreboards again this winter. Junior wing
Brooks Moore
Brooks
Moore
6'5" | SF
Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont | 2024
State
IA
(16.8) is a high-flying athlete who is a lot of fun to watch in transition, and he’s steadily improved his all-around offensive game. If he can shoot it better from the perimeter as a junior, he could become one of the top scorers in the class. Senior guard
Carsen Wade
Carsen
Wade
6'5" | SF
Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont | 2023
State
IA
(8.9, 36.5 3P%) provides some perimeter shooting, and junior guard
Jesse Cornelison
Jesse
Cornelison
5'8" | PG
Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont | 2024
State
IA
(7.5) figures to step into a primary ball-handling role this season. Senior Kyle Davis (6.1) is an efficient forward who should see his usage tick up following the graduation of Ethan Davis, and juniors Karic Stout (4.6) and Landon Glosser (3.3) were solid contributors as sophomores off the bench. The concerns for the Rockets will be competition, as the South Central Conference is generally considered to be one of the weaker leagues in the class, and defense. This team is going to score, but will they defend at a high enough level to punch their first ticket to the state tournament in school history?
Ten more to watch
Camanche (18-5 last year, 49.1% of scoring returning)
The Storm have averaged nearly 20 wins a year over the last seven seasons, turning into one of the best programs in northeast Iowa. Despite losing three starters from last year’s group that spent a good chunk of the year ranked within the top 10, expect to see Camanche right back in the running for a state tournament spot again. Senior forward
Zane Witt
Zane
Witt
6'8" | PF
Camanche | 2023
State
IA
(15.5, 3.0 blocks) is coming off a great summer with the Iowa Mavericks on both ends of the floor, showing his ability to be a go-to scorer on the block as well as a dominant rim protector. With his size at 6-7, length, and athleticism, he has a chance to become one of the most dominant players in the class. Look for junior forward
Damarion Honaker
Damarion
Honaker
6'6" | PF
Camanche | 2024
State
IA
(4.5) to step into a bigger role this year after contributing strongly as a role player last year. He’s a highly efficient scorer (61.3 FG%) who will pair with Witt to give them a pair of athletic rebounders. The young backcourt of senior Garrett Schultz (3.8), junior Josh Wiersema (3.4), and sophomore Tyson Seeser (3.0) gained some valuable experience last year. They should be improved and ready to step into bigger roles. They shot 42.5% from behind the arc on limited attempts last year, and while the sample size is small, they each look to be strong shooting threats, which will complement Witt and Honaker well. Josh Davis has turned Camanche into a strong program filled with good athletes who buy in on the defensive end, and they should rack up the wins again this year.
Des Moines Christian (20-4 last year, 35.6% of scoring returning)
No matter what the Lions have coming back, they’re going to be competitive. It’s just what this program does, and what they’ve been doing for decades. During the QuikStats/VarsityBound era, which dates back 16 seasons now, they’ve never had a season in which they won less than 16 games. They’ve posted an incredible 334-50 (87.0%) record during that time frame, averaging 20.9 wins a season. So despite the fact that they lose the top two scorers, and three of the top four, from last year’s 20-win team, we expect them to be really good again. Junior wing
Landon Craven
Landon
Craven
6'1" | SG
Des Moines Christian | 2024
State
IA
(9.2) is the top returning scorer, but senior
Carsen Theis
Carsen
Theis
6'1" | SG
Des Moines Christian | 2023
State
IA
(7.6), junior Tate Platte (2.7), and seniors Joel Bayens (2.2) and Max Kirkman (2.0) each saw significant playing time last year. Expect to see increased production out of sophomores Joe Clement (1.5) and Seaton Ingram (1.4), who had some good moments last year as freshmen. DMC is going to win a lot of games, no matter who is back. If those sophomores make a major leap, they could be really dangerous.
Estherville Lincoln Central (16-8 last year, 41.3% of scoring returning)
ELC was a pleasant surprise last year, spending a good chunk of the year ranked within the top 10 behind the strong play of junior point guard
Owen Larson
Owen
Larson
6'1" | PG
Estherville Lincoln Central | 2024
State
IA
(22.1, 5.1 assists), who had a breakout sophomore year, which helped him land a scholarship offer from South Dakota State that he accepted. A lead guard who can fill it up in a hurry as well as facilitate at a high level, Larson posted really impressive 51-43-81 shooting splits last season, and he’ll be asked to do even more this year for the Midgets. The next six scorers from last year’s team graduated, leaving senior wing Logan Nissen (2.9) and junior guard Cael Miller (1.4) as the other top returnees alongside Larson. While there isn’t much coming back next to him, Larson is good enough to keep ELC relevant, and if they can get some other pieces to step up, he’ll be good enough to potentially lead the Midgets to the state tournament for the first time since 1991.
Kuemper Catholic (12-11 last season, 73.0% of scoring returning)
A young Knights team got better as the season progressed last year, posting a -2.7 point differential before the winter break and a +5.0 differential after the hiatus. Three double-figure scorers return from that group in senior wing
Dawson Gifford
Dawson
Gifford
6'0" | SG
Kuemper Catholic | 2023
State
IA
(11.2) and juniors
Michael Kasperbauer
Michael
Kasperbauer
5'11" | PG
Kuemper Catholic | 2024
State
IA
(10.7), and DJ Vonnahme (10.2). Kasperbauer is the team’s top perimeter shooting threat, Gifford is a slasher who can get to the bucket, and Vonnahme is a physical force in the paint who rebounds well and finishes around the bucket. Four other players who averaged at least 3.3 points a game last year also return, giving them seven pieces who saw a lot of time last season and will be looking to build on that late season success. Look for sophomore guard Carson Kanne (5.6, 2.6 assists) to emerge as a reliable ball-handler and decision-maker who can make the offense go, and the Knights are going to be deep, versatile, and balanced. They have the added benefit of playing in the 3A-dominant Hawkeye Ten Conference, which prepares them well for postseason play. One of the best programs in the state historically, Kuemper has qualified for 16 state tournaments. A 17th could be on the horizon this year.
MFL-Mar-Mac (18-5 last year, 66.9% of scoring returning)
Zach Driscoll
Zach
Driscoll
6'1" | SG
MFL-Mar-Mac | 2025
State
IA
(18.1) had a tremendously productive freshman season last year, posting 53-46-86 shooting splits and emerging as one of the state’s elite scoring threats already. A talented three-level scoring guard, he scored 33 points in his first varsity game against Waukon and never looked back. Junior guard Wyatt Powell (11.6, 4.2 assists) is a solid running mate alongside Driscoll in the Bulldogs’ backcourt, a guard who looks to get others involved, but who can also get to the bucket. Junior forward Carver Blietz-Bentien (9.9, 7.7 rebounds) is a force in the paint, and sophomore guard Parker Kuehl (7.1) provides some additional scoring punch on the perimeter. The Driscoll-Powell-Kuehl trio in the backcourt will be among the best in 2A, and Blietz-Bentien is solid in the paint, making this a dangerous group.
OABCIG (16-6 last year, 73.5% of scoring returning)
The Falcons got off to a bit of a slow start last year, but caught fire after the holiday break, winning 11 of 14 games following the hiatus. Senior guard Beckett DeJean Beckett DeJean 6'2" | PG OABCIG | 2023 State IA (19.0, 4.2 assists) had a breakout junior year, following in the footsteps of older brother Cooper. He’s a talented, athletic guard who looks to attack the rim relentlessly, and he can stuff the stat sheet in a major way, averaging 7.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 3.3 steals a game to go with his scoring. Senior wing Kane Ladwig (8.7) is a capable perimeter shooting threat alongside DeJean, and senior wings Griffin Diersen (6.4) and Treyten Kolar (4.8) gained valuable experience last year. DeJean should be one of the better players in the class this season and if they can find another reliable scorer to put next to him and take some of the pressure off of him, they could have a big year.
Underwood (15-7 last year, 93.8% of scoring returning)
The Eagles were led by a trio of sophomores last season, and in all, six of the top seven scorers are back to a team that won 15 games, including a win over state qualifier Red Oak. Mason Boothby (12.5), Jack Vanfossan (11.5, 11.8 rebounds), and Josh Ravlin (10.3), that trio of sophomores, are all back now as juniors and ready to lead this group. Vanfossan is a dominant rebounder on both ends of the floor and Ravlin has established himself as a reliable perimeter shooting threat. Underwood was good defensively last season, allowing just 45.1 points a game, and if they can improve from the arc (26.0% as a team last year), they’ll have a chance to make the state tournament for the first time in school history.
Van Meter (20-3 last year, 33.3% of scoring returning)
Like conference rival Des Moines Christian, Van Meter has developed into one of the best 2A programs in the state over the last handful of years, averaging 21 wins a year over the last six. The top four scorers from last year’s group are gone, three to graduation and another, Skyler Yazzie Skyler Yazzie 6'4" | SF Waukee | 2023 State IA , transferred to Waukee. That said, six seniors who saw significant time last year as juniors return, and they should remain competitive. Athletic wing Aydn Netten Aydn Netten 6'3" | SF Van Meter | 2023 State IA (8.3) is the top returning scorer and looks primed to have a breakout senior year as the team’s top perimeter threat. He has the ability to attack the rim both in the halfcourt and in transition. Carter Durflinger (5.9) is the top ball-handling option, while Michael Steinfeldt (3.1) provides some size and rebounding. Look for Gus Rosener (2.9, 47.1 3P%) to become a big scoring threat on the perimeter as well. He shot the ball really well, albeit on limited attempts, last season and has a chance to provide this team with some much-needed shooting. Van Meter is always filled with quality athletes, they’ll always play good defense, and they’ll always be able to go pretty deep into their bench, which will provide an edge over other teams. They’re going to win a lot of games again.
West Burlington (12-12 last year, 78.3% of scoring returning)
The Falcons will be headlined by a trio of talented scorers in junior
Brady Martin
Brady
Martin
6'0" | PG
West Burlington | 2024
State
IA
(13.0, 43.1 3P%), senior Jace Figuereo (9.4), and sophomore
Mason Watkins
Mason
Watkins
6'0" | PG
West Burlington | 2025
State
IA
(7.8, 37.8 3P%). Martin and Watkins combined to shoot 86-213 (40.4%) from behind the arc last season which will make them one of the most deadly perimeter tandems in the state. Figuereo is an efficient scorer who looks to attack the rim first and foremost but showed the ability to stretch the floor on occasion last year as well. Senior forward Hayden Vandenberg (4.9) started a majority of their games last year, and senior wing Jack Riley (4.7) and junior guard Evan Lee (2.9) return with experience as well. Playing in the SEISC against primarily 1A competition is a bit of a detriment for this group come postseason play, but in Martin and Watkins, they have the type of shooting that can carry them to a postseason run.
West Sioux (15-8 last year, 80.2% of scoring returning)
Following a deep playoff run in football, the Falcons got off to a slow start on the hardwood, starting with an 0-4 record. They figure to be strong on the football field again this year and may get off to another slow start, but they bring back five of the top six scorers from last year’s group. A trio of talented perimeter options lead the charge in Mason Coppock Mason Coppock 6'0" | SG West Sioux | 2023 State IA (16.7, 5.5 assists), Carter Bultman (11.4), and Booker Walsh (9.6). Coppock is the best shooter of the bunch, while Bultman and Walsh are more athletic, slashing wings. Brady Lynott (7.3) is another efficient wing scorer, while sophomore forward Zac Van Meeteren (5.7, 6.4 rebounds) had a really good freshman season and looks ready to step into a bigger role as a sophomore. He showed the ability to score inside and out as well as control the glass. West Sioux figures to be one of the most explosive offensive teams in the class, and if they can play some solid defense and limit turnovers, they’ll have a real chance to make some postseason noise.
