State Tournament Preview: Class 3A Stars to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171685' first='Derek' last='Weisskopf'] (Williamsburg)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weisskopf will be one of the best athletes in the gym next week, regardless of class. He's a future linebacker at Iowa and was an Army All-American pick on the gridiron. A versatile three-level scorer who can take over the game on both ends of the floor, he's averaging 21.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.0 steals a game this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1256304' first='Ben' last='Bockman'] (Decorah)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-4 wing who moves exceptionally well without the ball, Bockman is one of the best shooters in the state, knocking down 49.1% of his 3-point attempts on the season en route to 19.8 points and 3.9 assists a game. He has a quick release off the catch, has improved as a playmaker off the dribble, and is remarkably efficient, never forcing anything.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 Cael LaFrentz (Decorah)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LaFrentz has been a game-changer in the paint on both ends of the floor this season for the Vikings, averaging 15.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game on 68% shooting and 72.4% from the free-throw line. The son of former NBAer Raef LaFrentz, Cael is a long lefty with soft touch, good instincts, and the ability to face-up and knock down shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171655' first='Treyton' last='McCain'] (Decorah)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCain missed his entire junior season with a knee injury, but he's back healthy and playing outstanding basketball as the primary facilitator for the Vikings. He's averaging 11.8 points and 7.1 assists a game, setting the table for an explosive offensive team that is putting up nearly 78 points a night. His speed and court vision is a game changer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765518' first='Jude' last='Gibson'] (Ballard)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick and talented sophomore guard, Gibson is one of the best two-way players in the class, averaging 17.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 3.0 steals a game. He excels in ball screen actions, with the ability to turn the corner and get to the rim, thread the needle with pocket passes, or knock down shots off the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397342' first='Jackson' last='Brown'] (Ballard)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown is the Bombers' best perimeter shooting threat, burying 44.4% of his 3-point attempts on the season en route to averaging 14.2 points and 4.2 rebounds a game. He moves well without the ball in his hands and is a flamethrower when he gets it rolling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1660062' first='Navon' last='Shabazz'] (Assumption)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top-ranked sophomore in the state, Shabazz already holds scholarship offers from both Iowa and Iowa State, among others. A 6-3/6-4 athletic guard who can score from all three levels and create looks for his teammates off the bounce, he can also be an exceptional defender when he's locked in. He's averaging 14.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759900' first='Damyen' last='Jackson'] (Assumption)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another piece of an athletic, quick Assumption backcourt, Jackson leads the Knights in scoring at 15.1 points a game while also dishing out 2.7 assists. While Shabazz is capable of scoring from all three levels, Jackson is much better when he's using his ball-handling, quickness, and footwork to blow by defenders, play downhill, and attacking the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2120763' first='Jack' last='McGuire'] (Pella)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McGuire first stood out when we saw the Dutch play at the Winterset Shootout in June, showing incredible intelligence and a great feel for the game as a three-level scorer, versatile defender, and playmaker. At 6-4, he has good size and length, sees the floor well, and is a talented passer and efficient scorer. He's averaging a team-high 14.3 points and 7.7 rebounds on 61% shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759905' first='Luke' last='Frazell'] (Waverly-Shell Rock)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-6 off-ball guard with a lightning-quick release and unlimited range, Frazell has been absolutely electric as a scorer for the Go-Hawks this season, leading the team at 18.8 points and 7.4 rebounds a game with incredible 57-55-86 shooting splits. He has knocked down 61 3s on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751095' first='Noah' last='Frazell'] (Waverly-Shell Rock)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Luke's older brother is the Go-Hawks' second-leading scorer, averaging 17.0 points a game, and he has been equally effective from 3-point range, burying 77 of them on the season at a 51.3% clip. He's a bit smaller than Luke, listed at 6-2, but possesses many of the same great attributes - off-ball movement, quick release, IQ - that make both of them dynamic offensive weapons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376675' first='Cole' last='Marsh'] (Waverly-Shell Rock)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yet another elite shooter for the Go-Hawks, Marsh is a 6-6 combo forward who does a little bit of everything for WSR. A future Iowa tight end, he's averaging 16.0 pints, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists a game on 53-44-76 shooting. His big, athletic frame is also a major asset on the defensive end, allowing him to defend multiple positions and wall up in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1288861' first='Tanner' last='Berggren'] (Bondurant-Farrar)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-3/6-4 wing with a feathery stroke, Berggren has been fantastic this year for the defending champs, averaging 22.3 points and 6.0 rebounds a game on 45-39-74 shooting splits. He moves extremely well off the ball, has a quick release both off the dribble and the catch, and is capable of getting scorching hot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397237' first='Cole' last='Miller'] (Bondurant-Farrar)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miller had a breakout week at the state tournament last year, and he has been really good as the primary playmaker and secondary scorer this season for the Bluejays, averaging 12.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists a game. He has a good mid-range game, sees the floor well, and is a talented ball-handler and playmaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376686' first='Jesse' last='Van Kalsbeek'] (MOC-Floyd Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Van Kalsbeek, an athletic 6-3 combo forward, has been among the best players in the class this season, averaging 25.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game on ridiculous 61% shooting. His 3-point stroke hasn't been on this season (just 22.9% after shooting 42% last season), but he attacks off the dribble and has the strength to finish through contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2398061' first='Blake' last='Aalbers'] (MOC-Floyd Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A junior guard who has emerged as a reliable secondary scorer alongside Van Kalsbeek, Aalbers is putting up 14.5 points and 2.5 assists a game for the Dutchmen. His 65 made 3-pointers account for 43% of the team's made 3s on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->