State Tournament Preview: Class 4A Stars to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476975' first='Jackson' last='Green'] (Dallas Center-Grimes)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Green is a sharpshooting guard who can play with or without the ball in his hands. He has a quick release off the catch, unlimited range, and he has really improved as a shooter off the dribble over the last year as well. He's averaging 16.1 points and 2.2 assists per game on 55-42-64 shooting splits for the Mustangs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376674' first='Calix' last='Cahill'] (Dallas Center-Grimes)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cahill is a game-changing athlete in the paint with the bounce, size, and length to impact the game on both ends of the floor. He has good hands, loves to finish above the rim, and has been excellent on the glass. He's averaging a team-high 16.2 points and 8.1 rebounds on nearly 64% shooting, and he has also proven himself to be a pretty good passer out of his post spot, dishing out 2.5 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381415' first='Trey' last='McKowen'] (Kennedy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McKowen has been arguably the most consistent Cougar this season, averaging a team-high 13.5 points to go with 4.1 assists and 2.6 steals a game on 53-40-75 shooting splits. A tough lefty guard with a fantastic mid-range game, he shoots it incredibly well off the dribble and is especially dangerous when he gets to the nail on either side. He's a really good on-ball defender with quick hands and feet as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171667' first='Joseph' last='Bean'] (Kennedy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bean, who transferred to Kennedy from Xavier for his senior year, has been a steady presence in the backcourt this season for the Cougars, averaging 12.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.3 steals on 55-40-73 shooting splits. A tough, physical guard, he allows Kennedy to invert the offense by posting up smaller defenders and using his strength to score against them or find open shooters on the opposite wing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171679' first='Micah' last='Schlaak'] (Kennedy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-7 combo forward who can score inside and out, Schlaak is averaging 10.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.0 stocks per game while knocking down 41% of his 3-point attempts and shooting over 61% from the field. He has good footwork and touch on his post touches, can stretch the floor, and protects the rim well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171687' first='Cyrus' last='Courtney'] (Kennedy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Courtney doesn't put up eye-popping numbers - 8.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 3.0 steals - but he's arguably the most important player on the Kennedy roster because of his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. He's an athletic 6-2 guard who can create off the dribble for his teammates, and he has a fantastic mid-range game. He moves his feet well on the defensive end and uses his length effectively to contest shots and get into passing lanes. His versatility on both ends of the floor helps allow the Cougars to play a bunch of different styles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171660' first='Carson' last='Johnson'] (Ankeny)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson has been arguably the best player in the state this season, averaging 23.4 points and 3.6 assists a game on ridiculous 51-47-90 shooting splits, all while playing in the loaded CIML. A 6-0 guard who handles it extremely well and shoots it at a high clip off the dribble, he's the type of player who can take over a game and lead the Hawks on a championship run, much like Braxton Bayless did a few years ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1977422' first='Rio' last='Aguirre'] (Ankeny)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aguirre, a 6-2 sophomore wing, has become a reliable secondary scorer alongside Johnson for the Hawks, putting up 13.4 points and 3.1 assists a game on 46-43-71 shooting splits. He has a quick release and moves really well without the ball in his hands, finding space in the defense to get his shot off. He can also create off the dribble, getting to his spots in the mid-range and finding open teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376678' first='Jacob' last='Williams'] (Senior)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams has been fantastic this season for the Rams, averaging 16.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks a game on nearly 64% shooting and 74% from the line. An athletic 6-6 lefty, he has really good footwork and touch on the block, has improved as a ball-handler and shot creator, and has shown a bit of a face-up game with range out to the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1172887' first='Tevin' last='Schultz'] (Senior)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top sophomores in the state, Schultz is an athletic 6-6/6-7 forward who can stretch the floor (36.0 3P%) or score inside the paint. He's shooting over 60% from the floor and averaging 14.8 points a game. With his size and athleticism, he can defend multiple positions as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171658' first='Trovary' last='Cavil'] (Johnston)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cavil, who transferred from Des Moines Lincoln to play his senior year at Johnston, has been a leader for the Dragons, scoring a team-high 14.6 points and dishing out 3.5 assists a game. He's a fantastic ball-handler, shot creator, and playmaker who is posting, by far, his most efficient season, posting 48-42-91 shooting splits. His speed and handles allow him to blow by defenders, get into the teeth of the defense, and either score or find open teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381420' first='Jalen' last='Richardson'] (Johnston)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Richardson is one of the best defensive weapons in the 4A field, and in the state in general. At 6-4 and armed with great athleticism and length, he moves his feet well, rotates, and understands the game on that end of the floor really well. He also provides versatility on the offensive end, averaging 10.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists on 47-43-72 splits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381422' first='Curtis' last='Stinson Jr'] (Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big, powerful, athletic point guard who can dominate games on both ends of the floor, Stinson has an IQ and understanding of the game rivaled by few in the state. He's averaging 19.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists a game on 53% shooting. He uses his size and physicality to his advantage on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1288899' first='Xzavion' last='Robinson'] (Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the elite athletes in the state, Robinson, a four-star receiver prospect, was the 4A All-Tournament team captain last season after putting together an incredible week while leading the Tigers to the title. Despite being listed at 6-0, he finishes above the rim better than just about anyone in the state, creates off the dribble at a high level, has a good mid-range game, and can defend multiple positions with his quickness and athleticism. He's averaging 15.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.3 steals a game on just under 50% shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171682' first='Caden' last='Wilkins'] (Bettendorf)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A skilled 6-6 scoring wing, Wilkins is averaging 18.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game for the Bulldogs. He has a great frame and the size to shoot over his defender with a pure stroke and the ability to create off the dribble. He can score from all three levels and can take over a game in a hurry, dropping 12 points on you in the blink of an eye.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765553' first='William' last='Gerdes'] (Cedar Falls)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long, lanky forward who is among the top sophomores in the state, Gerdes is averaging 12.0 points and 4.3 rebounds a game on just under 71% shooting. He holds an offer from Nebraska, and with his footwork, patience, and touch on the block, as well as a jumper that is developing nicely, he has a chance to become a nationally ranked prospect down the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1199979' first='Anthony' last='Galvin'] (Cedar Falls)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Galvin isn't putting up eye-popping numbers -11.3 points, 1.6 assists, 1.2 steals - but that is a testament to how deep and talented this Cedar Falls team is, not an indictment on Galvin. He's still capable of being an explosive three-level scorer who can drop 25 points on anyone on any given night. He shoots it extremely well off the dribble and is a talented playmaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171693' first='Cade' last='Courbat'] (Cedar Falls)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Courbat is a fantastic athlete who, at 6-6/6-7, can defend multiple positions, providing a ton of versatility for the Tigers on that end of the floor. He's averaging 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks a game while scoring 11.0 points and grabbing 5.8 rebounds. He has improved as a playmaker off the dribble over the last year, finishes well around the rim, and has become a reliable free-throw shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->