Holiday Break Check-In: Top 10 2A Shot Blockers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1.) 2024 Austin Taylor (Woodward-Granger) - 3.8 blocks per game</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor has had a really strong start to the season on both ends of the floor for the Hawks, averaging 10.3 points and 9.0 rebounds in addition to his big block totals. A 6-6 wing who is also knocking down 48% of his 3-point attempts, he's one of the few players on any of the shot blockers top 10 lists that plays more on the perimeter than inside the paint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2.) 2024 Karic Stout (Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont) - 3.0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-7 rim-running big man for the Rockets, Stout has proven to be a major difference maker on both ends of the floor, averaging 9.3 points and 8.6 rebounds on 52% shooting. He's a mobile, switchable big who can hold his own on the perimeter and protect the paint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3.) 2023 Blake Herold (Shenandoah) - 3.0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Herold has appeared in just one game so far this season for the Mustangs, but he was productive in his action, scoring 7 points with 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks. They miss his interior presence at 6-4 on both ends of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1288890' first='Aiden' last='Stensrud'] (Lake Mills) - 3.0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stensrud (pictured above) is enjoying a breakout sophomore season for the Bulldogs, who just keep racking up wins. A tough, physical, powerful 6-5 forward who also has a little bit of finesse to his game, he's averaging 13.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and posting 66-40 shooting numbers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5.) 2024 Kole McCormick (Waukon) - 2.7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-3 forward, McCormick is leading the Indians in scoring (15.6) and rebounding (8.9) in addition to his shot-blocking prowess. He's shorter than most of the shot blockers on this list, but he's a good athlete with great timing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367406' first='Ethan' last='Dickerson'] (Treynor) - 2.7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A mobile 6-8 big man with a developing offensive skill set, Dickerson is the type of intriguing young big that small schools around the state should be after. He pairs good timing with great length and mobility to protect the paint and control the glass for the Cardinals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167686' first='Caden' last='Kirkman'] (Wilton) - 2.6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kirkman has been arguably the most dominant two-way player in the state this year, regardless of class, averaging 28.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. An athletic 6-8 rim protector with great timing and instincts, he's headed to play his college ball at Augustana (SD) next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167714' first='Zane' last='Witt'] (Camanche) - 2.6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Witt is one of the top uncommitted players in the 2023 class, an athletic 6-7 big man with great hands and touch around the bucket as well as the ability to switch on the defensive end and protect the paint. He has steadily improved over the last three years and turned himself into a legitimate college prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9.) 2023 Grant Van Veen (PCM) - 2.3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A role player last year, Van Veen has stepped into a starting role this year for the Mustangs and thrived, averaging 10.3 points and 6.0 rebounds a game. He provides some much-needed size and toughness in the paint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10.) 2023 Davis Webb (Tipton) - 2.0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers are off to a tough 1-9 start, but the 6-6 Webb has been a bright spot on the defensive end of the floor for them, making it difficult for opposing teams to score around the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->