Class 1A Stars to Watch (Part 2)
In this article:
Grady Jeppesen IA #111 SG #29 HEIGHT 6'0" POS SG CLASS 2024 View Profile Grady Jeppesen Instagram Twitter State: Iowa School: Riverside Club: Southwest Iowa Impact A 6-1/6-2 scoring guard, Jeppesen averaged 21.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists a…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingA 6-1/6-2 scoring guard, Jeppesen averaged 21.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists a game last season. He has been a big-time scorer in each of his three years at Riverside, compiling nearly 1,200 points so far in his high school career. He’s good in the mid-range and is a strong finisher around the rim.
Denekas was dominant last season for the Mustangs, averaging 13.2 points and 10.2 rebounds a game. A 6-3 power forward, he has soft hands, good touch around the rim, and has worked to extend his game out to the perimeter a bit more within the last year. G-LR moving to the War Eagle from the Siouxland should be beneficial for him and the team as a whole this year.
Heydon had an incredibly productive freshman season, averaging 20.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.5 steals a game on nearly 49% shooting. A big wing at 6-4, he’s able to do a little bit of everything on the floor for the Crusaders, and if he’s able to add some consistent range to his arsenal, watch out.
A mobile 6-7 big man with some bounce, Haack was excellent as an interior scorer and rim protector last season for the Tigers, averaging 19.6 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks a game. With his mobility, he provides defensive versatility, and he finishes above the rim routinely. He’s working to extend his range as well, and if he’s able to turn himself into a 35-36% 3-point shooter, he’ll be nearly impossible to stop at this level.
Boulton is small, listed at 5-8 last year, but he’s a heady guard who can play with or without the ball in his hands. He averaged 14.8 points as a freshman and shot over 39% from behind the arc. He’ll be the focal point of the Braves’ offensive attack as a sophomore, and he’s good at the top of their 2-3 zone, using his quickness to jump passing lanes (3.0 steals a game).
Putman showed the ability to score from all three levels last season for the Comets, putting up 14.5 points a game and shooting nearly 37% from behind the arc. A 5-10 guard who can play with or without the ball in his hands, he’ll have a chance to have an explosive scoring season as a senior following the graduations of Jensen Wedeking and Robert Paulsen, who combined to average 36 points a game.
A strong, physical, and nimble 6-5 forward who dominates the glass on both ends of the floor, Stensrud averaged 12.4 points and 10.4 rebounds (3.9 offensive) as a sophomore. He was dominant at our Top 250 Expo last weekend on both ends of the floor, finishing around the rim efficiently, controlling the glass, and protecting the paint as a shot blocker.
A versatile 6-5/6-6 combo forward, Eskildsen led the Vikings in scoring (14.8), rebounding (9.6), assists (4.0), steals (2.2), and blocks (1.4) as a sophomore. He has a good feel for the game, a great frame that he uses to absorb contact and finish around the bucket, and really good court vision.
Highlights
Ballenger had a good freshman season, averaging 11.6 points and knocking down nearly 38% of his 3-point attempts. He’s a really good shooter, especially off the catch, and he has worked hard throughout the spring and summer to improve as a playmaker and as a shooter off the dribble. Look for him to have a breakout sophomore season for the Falcons.
Highlights
Eberling, a 6-4 combo guard, is one half of one of the best backcourts in the class. He averaged 16.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists last season on nearly 49% shooting. He’s a capable perimeter shooting threat, but is at his best when he’s playing downhill and attacking the rim, using his bigger frame to finish through contact.