Class 2A: Top 10 Returning Shot Blockers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951832' first='Cael' last='Reichter'] (North Fayette Valley) -- 76 blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reichter has found himself on a number of these top 10 returnee lists, a testament to just how dominant he was on both ends of the floor last season. The 6-7 forward is mobile, has great instincts and timing, and, unlike many prolific shot blockers, does a fantastic job staying out of foul trouble (1.6 fouls per game last season).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381402' first='Emiliano' last='Barrantes'] (Grand View Christian) -- 70</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another top 10 list, another Barrantes appearance. He's a dominant interior force on both ends of the floor, using his size, length, and athleticism to control the painted area. He has good instincts and timing as a shot blocker and has really improved over the course of his high school career at contesting shots without fouling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951792' first='Ian' last='Witt'] (Camanche) -- 63</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bouncy and athletic 6-7 big man with great timing and instincts as a shot blocker, turning away nearly three shots a game last season. He runs the floor hard and does a great job on the glass as well, averaging 7.0 rebounds a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511601' first='Cole' last='Lundgren'] (Southeast Valley) -- 54</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lundgren isn't a big scorer, averaging 5.2 points and 5.5 rebounds a game as a junior for the Jaguars, but the 6-4 forward is a huge asset for Southeast Valley as an interior defender, turning away 2.7 shots a game and altering many more. His size and timing as a shot blocker make him a very valuable player on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2952496' first='Brody' last='Burdorf'] (Shenandoah) -- 51</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs won just five games last season, but Burdorf was a bright spot on the defensive end. The 6-6 forward has great length and size, which helped him block over two shots a game as a sophomore. His offensive game is still very much a work in progress, but his defensive ability makes him a valuable asset for Shenandoah.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>t6.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2388492' first='Holden' last='Reynolds'] (Forest City) -- 37</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reynolds came off the bench as a freshman to provide some real value for the Indians on both ends of the floor, averaging 3.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks a game. A mobile 6-5/6-6 big man with a bright future, he figures to step into a much larger role as a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>t6.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1951756' first='Grayson' last='Wollum'] (Lisbon) -- 37</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wollum is a long, athletic, mobile 6-6 forward who had a breakout junior year, averaging 16.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 3.0 "stocks". A versatile player on both ends of the floor who can score in a variety of ways or defend multiple positions, he'll be one of the best players in the Tri-Rivers as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>t8.) 2026 Gavin Trask (Sumner-Fredericksburg) -- 32</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A physical 6-4/6-5 big man who does a nice job carving out space in the painted area on both ends of the floor, Trask was a key contributor for the Cougars as a sophomore, putting up 7.3 points and 7.3 rebounds a game while also serving as a key piece as an interior presence defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>t8.) 2025 Decklyn Heins (North Fayette Valley) -- 32</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another TigerHawk on the list, Heins is a 6-3 forward who uses his athleticism to contest shots both on the perimeter and inside the painted area. He pairs with Reichter to give NFV a pair of great rim protectors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>t10.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2287857' first='Brayden' last='Hoben'] (Grand View Christian) -- 31</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An athletic 6-5 wing who does a nice job contesting shots on the perimeter, Hoben also has enough size, length, and bounce to protect the rim inside the painted area for the Thunder. Pairing Hoben with Barrantes in the paint gives GVC a level of rim protection that is rivaled by few in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>t10.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397976' first='Matthew' last='Neighbor'] (Alburnett) -- 31</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neighbor had a breakout junior year for the Pirates, going from 1.8 points and 1.8 rebounds a game as a sophomore to 14.6 points and 7.1 rebounds as a junior. The 6-3 forward also provided some serious value with his rim protection, helping spur one of the better defensive teams in 2A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->