State Tournament Preview: Class 3A Breakout Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397303' first='Grant' last='Hocker'] (Williamsburg)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-4 combo guard who can play with or without the ball in his hands, Hocker is the Raiders' second leading scorer, averaging 10.5 points and 2.9 assists a game. He's a streaky shooter, but he has range well beyond the high school line and a quick release. He also uses his length effectively on the defensive end, averaging a team-high 1.7 steals a game. If the Raiders are going to upset Decorah, Hocker will need to be huge on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2377280' first='Kaiden' last='Quandahl'] (Decorah)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bouncy, athletic 6-4 wing, Quandahl is the glue guy for the Vikings, competing on the glass on both ends of the floor, finishing through contact around the rim, and defending multiple positions. He's the type of player that any state champion needs to have on their side. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2124070' first='Parker' last='Miller'] (Ballard)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-4 forward who was a standout at our Prep Hoops Freshman Showcase way back in August, Miller has contributed well off the bench for the Bombers this year, averaging 4.9 points and 3.8 rebounds on 57% shooting. He provides a ton of energy on both ends of the floor and uses his length to impact the game as a rebounder and defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397362' first='Joey' last='Funderburk'] (Assumption)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On a Knights team filled with athleticism but lacking much size, Funderburk, a 6-6 forward, is a needed presence in the paint as a rebounder and finisher. He gets overshadowed by their stellar guard play, but he has had a really solid junior year in his own right, averaging 7.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists a game on 54.8% shooting. Holding down the paint on both ends and playing complimentary basketball is his strong suit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413561' first='Austin' last='Schulte'] (Pella)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-2 wing who can stretch the floor, Schulte is the Dutch's best perimeter shooter, knocking down 38% of his 3-point attempts while averaging 7.6 points and 3.8 rebounds a game. He comes off the bench to provide a scoring spark, and if he's knocking down shots, Pella is certainly capable of making a run at the bottom of the 3A bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2377385' first='Luis' last='Portillo'] (Waverly-Shell Rock)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On a team filled with perimeter-oriented shooters, Portillo provides some size and toughness in the paint, averaging 4.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists a game on 49% shooting. He's the type of player who does all the little things that help a team win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Nick Pfantz (Bondurant-Farrar)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pfantz is undersized at 6-1, but he provides a ton of energy as a rebounder, pulling down a team-high 7.3 rebounds a game, including a pair of offensive boards a night. He's an active defender with good hands and solid court vision.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978131' first='Draeden' last='Punt'] (MOC-Floyd Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big athletic 6-7 forward who finishes well around the rim, Punt provides the Dutchmen with a big body in the paint who has soft hands. He's averaging 7.0 points and 4.5 rebounds a game with also providing value on the defensive end of the floor with his size and athleticism. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->