State Tournament Preview: Class 1A Breakout Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397276' first='Drew' last='Eilers'] (Gladbrook-Reinbeck)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A highly efficient 6-3 big man, Eilers is averaging 7.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists a game on 57.4% shooting. He does a great job carving out good position on the block, sealing his defender and using soft hands, good footwork, and great touch to score. His ability to control the glass on both ends of the floor will be big if the Rebels are going to make a deep run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759946' first='Noah' last='Fuelling'] (Dunkerton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fuelling has had an up-and-down sophomore season as a shooter, but when he gets it going, he can knock down several 3s in a quarter and get the Raiders into a groove offensively. Dunkerton has a trio of big-time scoring threats, but they'll need someone to step up and provide some additional scoring, and that could certainly be Fuelling, a 5-11 off-ball guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Brendan Richey (New London)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New London's one-two punch of [player_tooltip player_id='956871' first='Blaise' last='Porter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='956872' first='Kade' last='Benjamin'] get the headlines, but the Tigers' role players have been really good down the stretch, helping them get to the state tournament. Richey, a 5-11 shooter, is arguably the most important of those role players. He's averaging 8.4 points and shooting 36.3% from behind the arc, shooting it at a high level off the catch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397210' first='Brody' last='Buck'] (Madrid)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Buck is averaging in double-figures for the Tigers, putting up 10.8 points a game to go with 4.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.5 steals a game. A quality shooter and secondary ball-handler and playmaker, he should get plenty of open looks as defenses will focus in on the Severson brothers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381402' first='Emiliano' last='Barrantes'] (Grand View Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barrantes is the most accomplished player on this list, averaging 13.0 points and 10.2 rebounds a game this season for the Thunder, but he'll have a real chance to breakout and get his name known around the state with a big week at the state tournament. A mobile 6-9 big man who runs the floor well, finishes around the bucket, and provides some defensive versatility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751216' first='Breckyn' last='Betenbender'] (North Linn)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Betenbender is one of the best on-ball defenders in the class, a tiny jitterbug who moves his feet really well and makes life difficult for opposing ball-handlers. He'll get plenty of tough defensive assignments next week, and he's a really good perimeter shooting threat, knocking down over 43% of his 3-pointers this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Brady Melby (West Harrison)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hawkeyes have a "Big Three", but they'll need someone else to step up if they are going to make a serious run next week - enter Melby. A 6-2 wing who can stretch the floor, provide some defensive versatility, and get others involved. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1469821' first='Ryan' last='Willman'] (Remsen, St. Mary's)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A mobile 6-5 forward averaging 9.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists a game, Willman is a physical presence in the paint who alters opposing game plans as a defender and scores efficiently around the bucket. He has also shown some playmaking and court vision, allowing the offense to flow through him on the block and invert the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->