State Tournament Preview: Class 3A Stars to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 SG [player_tooltip player_id='1978130' first='Hudson' last='Lorensen'] (ADM)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A smooth scorer who makes everything look effortless on that end of the floor, Lorensen has been sensational for the Tigers as a junior, averaging 24.9 points per game on 54-42-89 shooting splits. He is elite in the mid-range, can create quality looks off the dribble, and is fantastic as a catch-and-shoot weapon from the arc. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1978115' first='Trey' last='Bryte'] (ADM)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-3 lead guard who impacts the game in a huge way on both ends of the floor with his size and length, Bryte is a nightly triple-double threat for the Tigers, averaging 12.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 2.1 steals per game on 48-38-70 shooting splits. He's in complete control of the game on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1765518' first='Jude' last='Gibson'] (Ballard)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lightning-quick lead guard who puts constant pressure on opposing teams with his speed on both ends of the floor, Gibson loves to play downhill and attack the rim, where he's a creative finisher. He sees the floor really well and does a nice job getting into the teeth of the defense, getting them to collapse, and then finding open teammates. He's averaging 15.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.3 steals per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 PF [player_tooltip player_id='1484410' first='Ryan' last='Watters'] (Central DeWitt)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watters was a standout at the state tournament way back during his freshman year, and he has led the Sabers back as a senior. He's averaging 15.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game on 55-45-74 shooting splits. With his size and length at 6-7, and his ability to score inside and out, he's a really difficult matchup for opposing teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 PG [player_tooltip player_id='2811905' first='Max' last='Burgmeier'] (Central DeWitt)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A sharpshooter on the perimeter, Burgmeier is a nice complement to Watters for the Sabers, burying 44.3% of his 3-point attempts as a senior while averaging 15.8 points and 3.3 assists per game. He can play with or without the ball in his hands, creating plays or torching opponents from deep. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 PF [player_tooltip player_id='1381416' first='Thomas' last='Meyer'] (Clear Lake)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top-ranked team in the state has been dominant, and really balanced, this season. Meyer, a future Iowa tight end, has been the headliner of the group. He's a fantastic athlete who does a great job using his combination of size, physicality, and quickness to his advantage on both ends of the floor. He's able to defend multiple positions, control the glass, find open teammates, and score inside and out. He has been extremely impressive as a senior, averaging 16.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game on 66-55-68 shooting splits. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1668669' first='Landen' last='Norris'] (Knoxville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The undefeated Panthers have been one of the best stories of the season, and the Norris brothers are the biggest reason why. Landen is a senior guard who can score from all three levels, and his ability to play with or without the ball in his hands has been a game-changer for Knoxville. He's averaging 20.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 steals per game on 60-36-84 shooting splits. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 SG [player_tooltip player_id='2231637' first='Lincoln' last='Norris'] (Knoxville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Younger brother Lincoln is a true sharpshooter with unlimited range and unwavering confidence. He'll most definitely hoist some 3s from NBA range throughout the course of the state tournament, and for him, they aren't bad shots. He's a sniper who has games this year of 10 and 11 made 3-pointers. He's averaging 17.2 points, 2.5 assists, and 2.7 steals per game while shooting just under 44% from 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 PG [player_tooltip player_id='2398061' first='Blake' last='Aalbers'] (MOC-Floyd Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A starter on last year's state semifinalist, Aalbers has emerged as a senior leader for the Dutchmen this season, averaging 20.0 points and 2.7 steals per game on 50-46-87 shooting splits. He shoots it at a high clip off both the dribble and the catch and can create looks for his teammates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1523401' first='Ahman' last='Langton'] (MOC-Floyd Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another returning starter from last year's team, Langton is an impact two-way player who is averaging 11.5 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.2 steals per game for MOC. His speed and instincts on both ends of the floor put constant pressure on opposing teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 SF [player_tooltip player_id='1765515' first='Jaidyn' last='Coon'] (Storm Lake)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coon is a nationally ranked prospect in the 2026 class, an elite athlete on the wing with overwhelming length and explosiveness. He has gotten better and better as the season has progressed, and was unreal during the Tornadoes' substate final win over Gilbert. At 6-7 and with the ability to score inside and out as well as create looks off the dribble, Coon is a matchup nightmare. He's averaging 24.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.6 blocks on 57-34-68 shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 SG [player_tooltip player_id='1978144' first='Zander' last='Murray'] (Xavier)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Murray is the Saints' leading scorer, averaging 14.3 points per game, and he's the type of shooter who can get scorching hot and carry the team for stretches. He has continued to improve as a playmaker and facilitator over the last year, developing himself into a dynamic all-around offensive weapon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 PF [player_tooltip player_id='1765554' first='AJ' last='Evans'] (Xavier)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot will be asked of Evans, especially on the defensive end, if the Saints are going to make a run, and the athletic, long 6-8 forward looks like he's capable of rising to the occasion. He's averaging 11.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game, and his ability to switch defensively makes him an impact player on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->