Class 1A: Top 10 Returning Shot Blockers

Tony Roe August 9, 2023 @ 08:00 AM

1.) 2024 Titus Barber (Murray) - 100 blocks   A mobile 6-7 big man who protects the painted area at a high level for the Mustangs, Barber is going to be the focal point of opposing game plans on both ends of the floor this winter. His size and timing make him a dominant rim protector in the Bluegrass.   2.) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325508' first='Hunter' last='Hillman'] (Saint Ansgar) - 89   A long, athletic 6-4 big man who moves well, Hillman gets a lot of his blocks off of good defensive rotations, coming from the weakside to turn away shots at the rim. He's a good enough athlete to hold his own on the perimeter if he gets switched, and he has great timing as a shot blocker.   3.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951796' first='Caleb' last='Haack'] (Iowa Valley) - 86   As mentioned in the returning scorers article, Haack is a player who could have a breakout junior year and start to the get on the radar of some area Division II and NAIA schools. He's an intriguing 6-7 combo forward who can score inside and out, rebound at a high clip, and protect the paint defensively.   4.) 2024 Christian Dahir (Tri-Center) - 53   In addition to his shot blocking, Dahir was dominant on the glass as a junior for the Trojans, pulling down over 11 rebounds a game. He's listed at 6-3 but plays bigger than that.   5.) 2024 Conner Gehling (Holy Trinity Catholic) - 48   Gehling showed that he can do a little bit of everything last season for the Crusaders, averaging 13.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in addition to his rim protection. He moves well and is a solid all-around threat on both ends of the floor.   6.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951833' first='Braedon' last='Godfread'] (Sidney) - 46   Godfread really impressed at our postseason Expo event in March, showcasing his dynamic athleticism, which he pairs with good size on the wing to contest shots on the perimeter. He also has the strength to defend in the paint when the Cowboys need him to, providing them with plenty of defensive versatility. He's coming off a great sophomore season in which he averaged 15.7 points and 7.8 rebounds a game.   7.) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1338777' first='Caden' last='Kettmann'] (Marquette Catholic) - 46   Speaking of defensive versatility, that's the name of the game for Kettmann, who was a lynchpin in Marquette's defensive scheme, one of the best in 1A last season. An athletic and physical 6-3 combo forward, Kettmann does a little bit of everything on the floor, averaging 8.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists to go with his ability to defend one through five at this level.   8.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1288890' first='Aiden' last='Stensrud'] (Lake Mills) - 46   A physically imposing 6-5 forward who holds his own in the paint, Stensrud stuffed the stat sheet as a sophomore for the 'Dogs, averaging 12.4 points and 10.4 rebounds to go with his shot blocking. He's a versatile defender with the athleticism to hold his own against smaller players, and the strength to bang in the paint.   9.) 2024 Evan Vittetoe (Keota) - 45   On a team filled with talented guards, Vittetoe fills an important role as an interior scorer and rim protector. A 6-3 forward who does all of his damage around the bucket, he's the type of paint presence who allows the Eagles' guards to play a bit more aggressively on the perimeter.   10.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1874772' first='Cal' last='Peterman'] (Bedford) - 44   A skilled 6-3 junior, Peterman only started 11 of the Bulldogs' 24 games as a sophomore, but that didn't stop him from leading the team in scoring at 11.3 points per game to go with 6.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.0 steals a game. He's a bouncy forward with good timing on the defensive end and soft hands and touch offensively. He looks primed to have a huge junior year.

1.) 2024 Titus Barber (Murray) - 100 blocks