State Tournament Preview: Class 3A Stars to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1288917' first='Ben' last='Helmers'] (Algona)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Helmers is a talented 6-4 wing who is the headliner of a really good 2025 class at Algona. He's a lefty who can score from all three levels, but he's at his best when he's playing downhill and attacking the bucket, putting pressure on the defense as both a scorer and playmaker. He's averaging a team-high 18.1 points on 54-38 shooting. He also provides some versatility on the defensive end, averaging 2.1 steals and 1.3 blocks a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1484419' first='Alex' last='Manske'] (Algona)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A physical 6-4 forward who is also a part of that talented 2025 Algona class, Manske does a majority of his damage inside the arc, but is capable of stepping out and occasionally knocking down shots from deep and stretching the floor. He's a dominant rebounder on both ends of the floor, averaging 9.8 rebounds (3.6 offensive) to go with 11.7 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='956874' first='Colby' last='Collison'] (Bondurant-Farrar)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most consistently good players in the state over the last four years, Collison (pictured) is a big, long wing who can score from all three levels with efficiency, averaging 19.9 points and 6.6 rebounds on 54-36-77 shooting splits. He has a tremendous feel for the game, knowing when he needs to lay back and allow his teammates to get involved, or when he needs to take over as a scorer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1288863' first='Jaxson' last='Fried'] (Bondurant-Farrar)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another big wing who can score from all three levels for the Jays, Fried is putting up 16.5 points and 6.5 rebounds on 53-38-74 shooting splits. He has tremendous size at 6-6, great length, and a pure stroke from the arc. His emergence over the last two years has taken a ton of pressure off of Collison, opening things up for him and the rest of the Jays, who have been outstanding this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1738652' first='Jackson' last='Nemmers'] (North Polk)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-2 guard with good size and length, Nemmers is a talented secondary playmaker and versatile three-level scorer and defender. He's averaging 11.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists for a balanced Comets team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367442' first='Cole' last='Plowman'] (Newton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long, mobile 6-5/6-6 big man, Plowman is a game-changing presence on the defensive end who is blocking 3 shots a game in addition to leading the Cardinals with 14.8 points and 7.3 rebounds. He's a switchable defender and a strong finisher around the bucket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167723' first='Jake' last='Ingle'] (Newton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ingle is tiny (5-7), but incredibly feisty, a tenacious competitor who won't back down from anyone. Despite his size, he loves to attack the rim and put pressure on the defense. He gets into the teeth of the defense and finishes around the rim or kicks it out to one of his bevy of talented shooting teammates. He's averaging 10.6 points and 4.3 assists while shooting 38% from behind the arc. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='956876' first='Chase' last='Henderson'] (Hoover)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A cat-quick lead guard who can get to the rim seemingly whenever he wants, Henderson is averaging 21.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.6 steals a game for the Huskies. He's a streaky but capable shooter, but he's at his best when he's playing downhill, using his quickness to put pressure on opposing defenses. He's headed to play his college ball at Montana.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='956869' first='Elijah' last='Vos'] (Hoover)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big 6-4 wing with a pure stroke from deep, Vos is averaging 13.5 points and 8.0 rebounds while shooting 40% from the arc. He has a quick release off the catch, and he has really improved his ability to create shots for himself over the last few years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167689' first='Aidan' last='Yamilkoski'] (Xavier)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A skilled 6-4 wing who can score from all three levels, Yamilkoski has really improved his efficiency over the last few years, turning himself into a deadly all-around scoring threat who can create shots for himself or knock down shots off of good off-ball movement. He has also really improved as an on-ball defender. He's averaging a team-high 17.9 points on 44-43-81 shooting splits. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171667' first='Joe' last='Bean'] (Xavier)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A high IQ guard with good size and a physical frame, Bean leads the Saints in assists (3.8) and steals (1.9). He uses his frame to his advantage, taking smaller defenders onto the block and inverting the offense, and he finishes well through contact around the rim. Like Henderson, he's a streaky but capable shooting threat, and he loves to stick his nose in on the glass. He takes pride in his on-ball defense, moving his feet well and using his length to impact the game on that end. He's averaging 14.4 points and 5.3 rebounds, shooting 49.4% from the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171695' first='Matthew' last='Noll'] (Heelan)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Noll is a potential future Division I wing who can score from all three levels and take over games as a versatile scorer and defender. He has great size and length at 6-6/6-7, handles it well, and is another streaky but effective shooting threat who uses his size to get to his shot whenever he wants. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='956878' first='Brayson' last='Laube'] (Marion)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most dynamic individual offensive players in the state, Laube can drop 35 points on any given night with his ability to create his own shot and knock down shots from 30 feet. He has tremendous handles and is one of the best shooters off the dribble in the state. He gets the ball into his shooting pocket quickly and is a talented playmaker who can create for his teammates as well. He's averaging 22.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists on 52-42-83 shooting splits. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->