Holiday Break Check-In: Top 10 2A Shot Blockers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>With teams on a hiatus during the holiday break, let's check in on the statistical leaders in each category in each class to get a better feel for who some of the most productive players in the state have been so far this season. Leaders for this article are from whatever has been input into Bound as of 12/26 at 10:30 am.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1.) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325346' first='Tate' last='Jirovsky'] (Grundy Center) - 31 blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An athletic, lanky 6-5 forward, Jirovsky has been the anchor of the Spartans' defensive efforts this season, which rank 5th in the class in points allowed, giving up just 43.6 a night. He's bouncy and extremely efficient on the offensive end, averaging 9.6 points on 72% shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511601' first='Cole' last='Lundgren'] (Southeast Valley) - 25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-3/6-4 junior big man, Lundgren isn't much of an offensive weapon, averaging just 4.4 points a game, but he has provided the Jaguars with plenty of value as a paint enforcer as a defender and rebounder, pulling down 6.3 boards a night as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381402' first='Emiliano' last='Barrantes'] (Grand View Christian) - 24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barrantes has been one of the best players in the state so far this season, putting up massive numbers across the board for the Thunder. A long, athletic 6-9 forward who runs the floor well and rotates to help his teammates, he's a dominant rim protector with good timing. He's averaging 28.0 points and 16.5 rebounds in addition to his 4.0 blocks a night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4.) 2024 Logan Rosauer (Union) - 24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like Lundgren, Rosauer isn't a big scorer (6.0 points a game), but he has been really good on the glass (9.4 rebounds) and as a rim protector for the Knights, who have plenty of offensive firepower on the perimeter. He's a physical 6-4 forward who holds his ground in the paint and finishes his chances when they're presented.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5.) 2024 Reece Ricke (South Hamilton) - 23</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A mobile 6-5 forward, Ricke has been a key piece for the Hawks on both ends of the floor so far this season, averaging 9.0 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists a game, showing his ability to impact the game in a number of ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6.) 2024 Luke Justsen (Underwood) - 21</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Underwood is off to a fantastic 10-0 start, reaching the #7 spot in the 2A rankings, and their dominant defense has been a major reason for their early success. The 6-8 Justsen is a huge reason why they've been so good on that end of the floor, turning away over two shots a game and altering several others. He comes off the bench to give the Eagles a rim protector.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7.) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751224' first='Karic' last='Stout'] (Eddvyille-Blakesburg-Fremont) - 21</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-8 big man who protects the rim and controls the glass for the Rockets, Stout is averaging 13.5 points and 8.4 rebounds a game during his senior year. He has also provided plenty of value with his ability to step out and stretch the floor, shooting over 41% from the arc so far this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8.) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751233' first='Tate' last='Platte'] (Des Moines Christian) - 19</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Platte isn't the biggest player on this list by any stretch, but he's a good athlete and a tough defender who doesn't back down from anyone. He plays with a non-stop motor and uses his athleticism and timing to turn away shots at a high clip. He's averaging 10.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.1 steals a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9.) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2377360' first='Owen' last='Larsen'] (Underwood) - 18</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another valuable Eagle on this top 10, Larsen is a 6-5 forward who has started every game so far this season, pairing with Justsen to give Underwood a pair of great rim protectors. Larsen is averaging 11.0 points and 7.1 rebounds on 67% shooting as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2721688' first='Finnegan' last='Cline'] (Louisa-Muscatine) - 17</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-4 forward, Cline is having a bit of a breakout year for the Falcons, averaging 11.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game on 57% shooting, giving them a good secondary scoring option who provides value defensively as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->