Class 3A: Top 10 Returning Steals

Tony Roe August 19, 2024 @ 01:30 PM

1.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765518' first='Jude' last='Gibson'] (Ballard) -- 74 steals   A dynamic two-way threat in the backcourt for the Bombers, Gibson uses his quickness to his advantage on the defensive end as well, moving his feet well and using his quick hands to come away with steals.   2.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2397315' first='Hank' last='Wilmes'] (Winterset) -- 65   Wilmes is a small, but extremely quick and is a tough-nosed defender who moves his feet really well and he uses that combination of lateral quickness, quick hands, and strength to impact the game on the defensive end in a major way. He turns defense into offense in the blink of an eye.   3.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1720208' first='Brenton' last='Hoard'] (Keokuk) -- 62   A long, rangy wing who uses his length to his advantage on the defensive end, Hoard does a nice job getting up into passing lanes and turning his defense into quick, easy offense. He's coming off a really solid junior year in which he averaged 11.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.6 steals a game.   4.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1288917' first='Ben' last='Helmers'] (Algona) -- 60   Helmers uses his speed, length, size, and athleticism to impact the game in a major way on the defensive end of the floor, jumping passing lanes and turning defense into offense. In addition to his work on the defensive end, he led the Bulldogs in scoring at 20.7 points a game as a junior.   5.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1484419' first='Alex' last='Manske'] (Algona) -- 51   The future Iowa State quarterback is a good athlete with long arms and great hands, getting his hands on passes routinely and coming away with steals. He can defend on the perimeter and inside the painted area.   6.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2398006' first='Sean' last='Tunks'] (Des Moines Christian) -- 50   Tunks was also among the top returning scorers in the class, and his penchant for jumping passing lanes or picking opposing ball-handlers clean contributed to his big scoring numbers as a junior. He has quick hands, good feet, and moves well laterally on the defensive end.   7.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1874784' first='Jake' last='Hoyt'] (Creston) -- 47   A skilled 6-3 wing who uses his length and athleticism effectively on both ends of the floor, Hoyt led the Panthers in nearly every major category last season, averaging 14.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.2 steals per game while shooting over 50% from the floor.   8.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2721707' first='Owen' last='Myers'] (Perry) -- 46   Myers is a 6-1 wing who is part of a Bluejays team that forced a lot of turnovers last season, averaging over 10 steals a game as a team. In addition to being a strong defender, he averaged 12.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists as a junior.   t9.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413532' first='Kellen' last='Haverback'] (Mount Vernon) -- 44   Haverback enjoyed a breakout sophomore year for the Mustangs, averaging 10.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists a game in addition to impacting the game on the defensive end. He has good length and is a bouncy athlete who can defend a few different positions.   t9.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381408' first='Zach' last='Driscoll'] (Decorah) -- 44   A quick guard with a penchant for jumping passing lanes and turning defense into offense, Driscoll puts himself in the right spot on the defensive end, moves his feet, and has great hands.   t9.) 2025 AJ Ollin (Saydel) -- 44   Ollin impacts the game on both ends of the floor for the Eagles, averaging 10.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.1 steals a game as a junior. He's a downhill attacker who can create off the dribble, and he moves his feet well on the defensive end.

1.) 2026 Jude Gibson Jude Gibson 6'0" | PG Ballard | 2026 State IA (Ballard) -- 74 steals