Class 1A: 5 2027/28 Players Who Could Break Out in 2025-26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 SG Carson Newcomb (Prince of Peace)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newcomb was fairly productive as a sophomore for the Irish, averaging 9.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. With the graduation of Hakeal Powell, who averaged an eye-popping 33 points per game last season, a ton of shots will open up this year for PoP, and Newcomb will be one of the top candidates to take a majority of them. A 6-0 wing who can get to the rim off the dribble, look for him to play with the ball in his hands a ton this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 PG Cole Jeppesen (Riverside)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 5-11 guard, Jeppesen is part of a talented 2027 group at Riverside that will be looking to help the Bulldogs take a leap this season. He's a pass-first guard who does a nice job getting his teammates involved, dishing out 4.2 assists per game to go with 9.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.4 steals. His speed is a major asset on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2845971' first='Lucas' last='Helgeland'] (Lake Mills)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Mills has been one of the most consistent programs in small school basketball over the last decade, and if their run of success is going to continue, Helgeland, a 6-2 wing, will need to take his game to another level. The Bulldogs lost their top three scorers, and eight of their top eight, from last year's team, so there will be ample opportunity for Helgeland and fellow returnee, senior [player_tooltip player_id='2731844' first='Nash' last='Delger']. Helgeland can score from all three levels, is strong on the glass, and uses his length effectively on the defensive end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 SG Nolan Woods (North Linn)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the first time in quite a while, the preeminent program in 1A basketball will be entering a rebuilding, rather than reloading, year. The Lynx lost their top five scorers, and six of the top seven, with Woods being the lone returnee among that group. A 5-11 guard who saw quite a bit of action last season, he's a scrappy, quick guard who can defend on the ball, knock down shots from 3 off the catch, and create a bit off the dribble. As the lone returnee with significant experience, he'll be asked to do a lot for the Lynx.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 SF [player_tooltip player_id='2523893' first='Cooper' last='Hamilton'] (St. Albert)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another player who will have ample opportunity this season, Hamilton is coming off a productive freshman season, averaging 8.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. He has the ability to score from all three levels, posting 42-31-60 shooting splits last season, and with last year's leading scorer transferring to MOC-Floyd Valley, he and classmate [player_tooltip player_id='2509580' first='Colt' last='Spencer'] will be asked to take their games to another level as sophomores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->