Class 1A: Top 10 Returning Shot Blockers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731804' first='Isaiah' last='Sholes'] | Essex -- 120 blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most athletic big men in small school basketball, Sholes was a dominant force on both ends of the floor for the Trojans last season, averaging 20.2 points and 13.3 rebounds in addition to more than 5 (!) blocks per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2.) 2026 Mait Moossen | Moulton-Udell - 108</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moossen was ridiculous as a rim protector last season, averaging 5.7 blocks per game for the Eagles. He was also a force on the glass, pulling down 12.2 rebounds a night, double his scoring average of 6.1. He knows his role and plays it well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3.) 2026 Hayden Versch | Westwood -- 56</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An athletic, tough defender, Versch was also on the list of top returnees in steals, showcasing just how versatile he can be on that end of the floor. At 6-3 he can move his feet on the perimeter or he can contest shots at the rim. In addition to his work defensively, he averaged 13.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4.) 2026 Lane Flesher | Mormon Trail -- 54</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong interior defender and rebounder, Flesher put up 7.7 rebounds and 11.8 points to go with his work as a rim protector as a junior for the Saints. He's an efficient finisher who will be the team's go-to option as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5.) 2026 Jase Pettit | East Union -- 49</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pettit was a walking double-double last season for the Eagles, averaging 14.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game in addition to averaging more than 2 blocks a night. He commands a ton of attention from opposing teams on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6.) 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2772337' first='Aaden' last='Movall'] | St. Mary's, Storm Lake -- 47</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not much has gone right for St. Mary's in recent years, but they may have found a good one in Movall, a mobile 6-5 big man who averaged 10.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks as a freshman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7.) 2026 Jack Gavin | Martensdale-St Marys -- 42</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gavin is a matchup problem at 6-6 and doing a majority of his play in the backcourt. He could be due for an explosion as a senior this winter. His combination of size, length, and athleticism allow him to defend any spot on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8.) 2026 Derek Hemann | Saint Ansgar -- 37</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong, physical 6-1 enforcer in the paint, Hemann doesn't give up an inch on the block, using his physicality to impact the game on the defensive end and on the glass, pulling down 7.7 rebounds a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9.) 2027 Abner Zaugg | West Bend-Mallard -- 37</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zaugg nearly averaged a double-double as a sophomore for the Wolverines, averaging 12.3 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. He's a good athlete with soft hands and good touch around the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10.) Gavyn Jellison | Seymour -- 37</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jellison stuffed the stat sheet last season for the Warriors, leading the team in scoring (17.4), rebounding (7.2), and blocks (1.9), and ranking second in steals (3.0) and assists (1.8).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->