State Tournament Preview: Class 4A Breakout Candidates
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2023 Frank Keller Frank Keller 6'6" | PF Ames | 2023 State IA (Ames) 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…
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Continue Reading2023 Frank Keller Frank Keller 6'6" | PF Ames | 2023 State IA (Ames)
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.
2024 Chase Schutty (Centennial)
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.
2025 Trey McKowen Trey McKowen 5'11" | PG Kennedy | 2025 State IA (Kennedy)
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.
2023 Jack Brown (Norwalk)
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 Redek Born Redek Born 6'3" | PG Norwalk | 2024 State IA and knock down some shots – that could be Brown.
2025 Max Schmeltzer Max Schmeltzer 6'4" | PF Pleasant Valley | 2025 State IA (Pleasant Valley)
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.
2025 Kyle Cason Kyle Cason 6'0" | SG Valley | 2025 State IA (Valley)
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.
2024 Jaden Rogers Jaden Rogers 6'4" | SF Waukee | 2024 State IA (Waukee)
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.
2024 Andrew Cose Andrew Cose 5'11" | PG Waukee Northwest | 2024 State IA (Waukee Northwest)
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 Pryce Sandfort Pryce Sandfort 6'7" | SF Waukee Northwest | 2023 State #123 Nation IA and Cade Kelderman Cade Kelderman 6'0" | PG Waukee Northwest | 2023 State IA , 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.