Class 2A Stars to Watch (Part 1)

Barrantes put up video game numbers as a junior for the Thunder, averaging 27.4 points, 15.0 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 3.0 blocks per game on 61-36-78 shooting splits. He followed that up with a dominant summer, earning a handful of Division I offers before committing to Illinois-Chicago, where he'll provide the Flames with a skilled big man with good footwork and touch around the rim. He's also a dominant rim protector, elite rebounder, and has really worked hard to improve his 3-point stroke, turning himself into a great 3-point shooter who shot nearly 50% from 3 throughout the summer.     Moline is one of the top returning scorers in the state, regardless of class, after putting up 25 points a night during a breakout junior season. He's a tough, athletic guard who likes to play downhill and attack the rim, where he finishes well and he gets to the free-throw line a ton. In addition to his lofty scoring numbers, he also chipped in 9.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.2 steals a night while shooting 51% from the floor.     Van Regenmorter is one of the best pure basketball players in the state, regardless of class. He has an incredibly high basketball IQ and a great feel for the game, knowing when he needs to take over the game in any aspect. He's the type of player who can certainly score in bunches from anywhere on the floor, but he's also capable of dominating a game even when he isn't scoring. He averaged 19.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.5 steals a game as a junior while leading Western Christian to a state-record 11th state title.     The athletic wing running mate alongside Van Regenmorter, Moret is a skilled three-level scorer with the handles and quickness to blow by defenders and get to the bucket, or the shotmaking to bury shots from 3-point range routinely either off the dribble or the catch. He averaged 13.5 points and 4.4 rebounds a game while shooting nearly 42% from 3-point range.     Watkins led the Falcons to their first ever state tournament appearance last season and will be looking to lead them further as a senior. He's a quick, high IQ guard who doesn't take bad shots, which helps explain his remarkable efficiency numbers (51-42-77 splits) while averaging nearly 22 points a game. He's also a skilled playmaker for his teammates and a strong defender. He'll play his college ball at North Florida.     When Lieurance gets it rolling, there are few players in the state who are more fun to watch. He's an elite shooter who doesn't force anything, and he moves exceptionally well without the ball in his hands, finding the smallest spaces in the defense to get to his shot. He's a pure shooter with picturesque form from 3-point range, and he's capable of dropping 35 on you on any given night. He averaged 22.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.1 steals a game as a junior for the Cougars on 53-39-77 splits.     Kirkpatrick averaged 16.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game as a junior for the Spartans, leading the team in scoring, rebounding, and steals. He's a long, athletic wing who can defend multiple positions, post up or shoot over smaller defenders, and blow by bigger defenders. He's an efficient scorer who can do a little bit of everything on the offensive end.     Reichter is tucked away, hidden up in the northeast part of the state, but he's one of the most dominant two-way players in 2A basketball. A legit 6-8 forward with the mobility and athleticism to be a switchable defender, he's a dominant rim protector, elite rebounder, a versatile scorer who can dominate on the block or step out and knock down jumpers. He averaged 22.1 points, 13.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 3.0 blocks a game on 55.6% shooting.