State Tournament Preview: Class 3A Breakout Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1587393' first='Landon' last='Welp'] (Algona)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-0 lead guard who does a tremendous job protecting the ball (2.8 assist-to-turnover ratio), Welp isn't a big-time scorer, averaging just 4.7 points a game, but he makes a major impact with his ability to run the offense and get others involved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1288898' first='Beau' last='Chamberlain'] (Heelan)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If Heelan is going to make a run next week, they'll need someone unexpected to step in and knock down some big shots. That unexpected someone may be Chamberlain, a 6-3 wing who is shooting nearly 39% from behind the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1288861' first='Tanner' last='Berggren'] (Bondurant-Farrar)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-3/6-4 combo forward who can score inside and out, Berggren (pictured) is averaging just 4.2 points a game, but his ability to help space the floor (37.0 3P%) is big for the Bluejays, who have a number of players who can drive-and-kick. He's the type of shooter who can knock down three or four in a row and turn a close game into a blowout in a hurry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381410' first='Markese' last='Harvey-Bell'] (Hoover)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing time for Harvey-Bell has been a bit inconsistent this year for the Huskies after his transfer from Des Moines Lincoln, but he's an athletic 6-5 forward who can control the glass and protect the paint defensively. If they're going to make a deep run next week, his ability to block shots and rebound on both ends of the floor will be big. He's averaging 1.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751227' first='Payton' last='Hodges'] (Marion)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hodges comes off the bench to provide some scoring punch for the Wolves, something that they may need on occasion as defenses will be focusing in on slowing down star guard [player_tooltip player_id='956878' first='Brayson' last='Laube']. He can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim at will, and he has a strong mid-range game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Carson Satterfield (Newton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-0 off-ball guard who shoots it well off the catch, Satterfield does a good job moving without the ball in his hands and finding spaces in the defense to get his shot off and help space the floor for his slashing teammates. He's a solid team defender who rotates well and stays in front of his man.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Jaxon Rutledge (North Polk)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rutledge isn't a big scorer for the Comets, averaging 7.0 points a game, but his presence on both ends of the floor is huge for a team that has been outstanding defensively. He averages a team-high 4.1 assists a game and if he's able to control the tempo and lock down on the defensive end, he could help lead this team on a run in this tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751083' first='Tyler' last='Netolicky'] (Xavier)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-8 big man who has been a revelation for the Saints this season, Netolicky will have a chance to get his name known around the state with a strong showing next week in Des Moines. He has great hands, soft touch, and good footwork around the bucket. He doesn't block a ton of shots, averaging less than a block per game, but he does alter opposing game plans with his presence in the paint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->