Class 1A Stars to Watch (Part 1)
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Mason Bechen IA #24 PG #9 HEIGHT 6'1" POS PG CLASS 2025 View Profile Mason Bechen State: Iowa School: North Linn A 6-1 lead guard with a tremendous feel for the game, Bechen averaged 14.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists,…
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Continue ReadingA 6-1 lead guard with a tremendous feel for the game, Bechen averaged 14.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.0 steals a game as a sophomore while providing leadership that belied his years. He has a remarkable command of a complex Lynx system on both ends of the floor and does a great job utilizing his speed to his advantage. He sees the floor really well and plays fast, but under control. He’s also a tremendous shooter off both the dribble and the catch who knocked down 47% of his 3-point attempts last season.
Wagner is probably a name that many around the state aren’t familiar with, but the 6-3 forward was dominant as a junior for the Regents, averaging 23.5 points and 9.3 rebounds a game on over 60% shooting. He’s a physical forward with soft hands and great touch around the rim, and he’s enough of a threat from deep that it needs to be respected. In addition to his scoring around the bucket, he’s also a skilled passer who sees the floor well and recognizes the double coming early.
Pflughaupt is coming off a great junior season with the Lynx in which he averaged 15.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks a game on 60-37-68 shooting splits. A 6-5 wing with great length and instincts on the defensive end, he’ll take his talents to Upper Iowa for his college ball, where he’ll provide the Peacocks with a 3-and-D wing who has really started to improve as a playmaking threat as well. He defends multiple positions, is a knockdown shooter off the catch, and a high IQ player who will do all the little things for his team.
Highlights
Buffington has been committed to play football at Iowa since he was a freshman, but that doesn’t prevent him from being a dominant force for the Wolves on the hardwood as well. He’s one of the best athletes in the state, a powerful forward who skies for rebounds and finishes above the rim with authority. He averaged 19.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists a game as a junior for WMU.
Grand View Christian lost a lot of talent to graduation, but with John and the next player on this list coming back, they’ll be formidable again. John, a skilled 6-5 playmaking forward, will likely play a facilitating role for the Thunder this season, especially early on as they break in new guards. He sees the floor well and has the size and strength to bully his way to his spots whenever he wants to. He also provides some versatility on the defensive end of the floor. He averaged 10.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists as a junior and will play an even bigger role as a senior.
The Thunder are going to be more reliant on their bigs this season following the graduation of a pair of dynamic guards, and Barrantes appears to be ready to step into that leadership role on both ends of the floor. A 6-9/6-10 mobile big man who can protect the rim, rebound on both ends of the floor, and finish around the bucket, Barrantes looked much stronger when we saw GVC play at Winterset in June, and his added strength will make him a force in the painted area. He also has a feathery touch out to the arc. He averaged 12.7 points and 10.1 rebounds a game as a sophomore on 56.4% shooting, and he’ll be the focal point of the attack as a junior.
Few players in the state are as enjoyable to watch as Severson, a 6-3 combo guard with a tremendous feel for the game. He has a high IQ and knows when it’s time for him to take over games as a scorer. He generally lets the game come to him, but he has the ability to flip the switch and score or assist on five straight possessions and turn a game in the blink of an eye. He moves well on the defensive end and uses his length to contest shots (1.6 blocks a game), and he’s a versatile, three-level scorer offensively.
Highlights
The latest in a long line of skilled Helming boys to pass through the halls at Lake Mills, Lance is a 6-5 forward who scores in bunches and does so in a highly efficient manner. He’s long and does a great job using his length to impact the game on both ends of the floor. He has soft touch around the rim, is a good free-throw shooter, and is improving as a passer. He averaged 17.7 points and 7.1 rebounds a game as a junior on nearly 56% shooting.
Hughes may get lost a bit playing down in southeast Iowa, but few players in the state are as important to their teams as this skilled 6-1 guard. He led the Warriors in scoring (15.6), assists (3.5), and steals (3.3) last season while finishing second in rebounding (5.0). He’s a skilled playmaker who can beat his defender off the dribble, and he’s also a fantastic shooter both off the dribble and the catch, knocking down over 42% of his 3s as a junior.
Roeder was a breakout performer last year for the Mohawks as a sophomore, leading the team in scoring at 12.9 points a game. A key piece on a very balanced team, he established himself as one of the best shooters in the state last year, burying 48.3% of his 3-point attempts and showing the ability to shoot it equally well off the dribble and the catch. At 6-5, he has the size to get his shot off pretty much whenever he wants at this level. He has good court vision and is improving as a ball-handler, an added asset because he’s really good on the glass, especially on the defensive end.