State Tournament Preview: Class 4A Breakout Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1738626' first='Frank' last='Keller'] (Ames)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An athletic 6-6 forward who moved to Iowa from Texas before the start of his senior year, Keller has a chance to make a name for himself around the state with a big showing next week. He's an athletic, rim-running forward who can control the glass on both ends of the floor and finish at a high clip. He's averaging 9.5 points and 7.7 rebounds a game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1256299' first='Chase' last='Schutty'] (Centennial)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schutty is a physical 6-4/6-5 forward who gets overshadowed by some of Centennial's other pieces, but he's one of the Jaguars most important players. He controls the glass on both ends of the floor, averaging 6.9 rebounds (2.3 offensive), and he's a major presence in the paint as a defender. If Centennial is going to shock Northwest, Schutty will need to be dominant in the paint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381415' first='Trey' last='McKowen'] (Kennedy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 5-10 combo guard who has given the Cougars great minutes off the bench as a sophomore, McKowen is a knockdown shooter (41.5 3P%), strong defender (1.2 steals), and reliable ball-handler and playmaker (2.4 assists, 1.0 turnovers). The son of head coach Jon McKowen, he's a high IQ guard who has really bought into his role on a veteran team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Jack Brown (Norwalk)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 5-10 off-ball guard who shoots it at a high clip off the catch, Brown is averaging 8.8 points on 38.9% shooting from deep. If the Warriors are going to knock off Valley in the quarterfinals, they'll need someone to step up alongside star [player_tooltip player_id='1171661' first='Redek' last='Born'] and knock down some shots - that could be Brown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759910' first='Max' last='Schmeltzer'] (Pleasant Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A mobile 6-4/6-5 big man who finishes around the rim with either hand, Schmeltzer has been strong on the glass on both ends of the floor as well this season for the Spartans. If PV is going to shock Kennedy in the opening round, they'll need to use their physicality to grind down the Cougars, and Schmeltzer would be a key piece.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759897' first='Kyle' last='Cason'] (Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 5-10 off-ball guard who shoots it extremely well off the catch, Cason is averaging 7.1 points on 40.3% shooting from 3 this season. He has a quick release off the catch and a pure stroke with unlimited range. His ability to get hot and knock down a few 3s in a row makes Valley difficult to defend with the number of slashers they can put around him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476990' first='Jaden' last='Rogers'] (Waukee)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rogers is a dynamic athlete who, at 6-4, can provide some defensive versatility and strength on the glass for the Warriors off the bench. He isn't asked to do much offensively when he's on the floor, averaging just 2.6 points a game, but he makes a major impact with his combination of size, length, and athleticism. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751176' first='Andrew' last='Cose'] (Waukee Northwest)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of a multitude of high-level shooting threats for the Wolves, Cose is burying 47.8% of his 3-point attempts and averaging 4.8 points a game. Playing alongside [player_tooltip player_id='956868' first='Pryce' last='Sandfort'] and [player_tooltip player_id='956887' first='Cade' last='Kelderman'], he gets a lot of open looks, and if he's able to convert on those chances at Wells Fargo Arena, Northwest could be taking home a state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->