Class 1A: Top 10 Returning Steals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765506' first='Brady' last='Boulton'] | Montezuma -- 106 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boulton is one of the most electric scorers in the state, averaging 28.2 points per game as a junior on 51-43-91 shooting splits, and his penchant for thievery on the defensive end certainly helps spark the offensive attack, getting easy buckets in transition after jumping passing lanes at the top of the Braves' 2-3 zone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765523' first='Cael' last='Hogan'] | Southwest Valley -- 82</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another player who does a great job using defense to spark the offense, Hogan averaged a team-high 16.7 points and 4.0 assists per game to go with his high steal numbers. He's a quick, efficient guard with great hands and feet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731683' first='Teagan' last='Hanson'] | GTRA -- 82</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sensing a theme here? Another quick guard who does it all on the offensive end, Hanson put up 18.5 points and 5.9 assists per game in addition to 3.7 steals a night to lead the Titans. At 6-0 he has good size and length that he uses to his advantage on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4.) 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2714974' first='Drayden' last='Miller'] | Seymour -- 81</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick guard who was a menace on the defensive end as a freshman, Miller is really fast with the ball in his hands getting end-to-end after coming away with a steal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5.) 2026 Keith Thompson | Hamburg -- 81</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-1 guard, Thompson led the Wildcats with 15 points and 3.8 assists per game in addition to his work on the defensive end of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6.) 2026 Owen Whittington | Diagonal -- 73</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whittington accounted for nearly half of the Maroons' points last season, averaging 12.2 a night. He'l be the focal point for the team again this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2886896' first='Khael' last='Jones'] | North Union -- 71</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors took an expected step back last season following their first ever state tournament trip in 2023-24, but Jones, the lone key returnee from that state tournament team was excellent in a starring role, averaging 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 3.1 steals per game. With the top four scorers returning this season, they should be formidable again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731700' first='Chase' last='Haifley'] | Keota -- 71</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Haifley also found himself on the list of the top returnees in assists. He's a lightning-quick guard with excellent vision, and he knows where to position himself on the defensive end, which when paired with his speed, allows him to come away with plenty of steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9.) 2026 Hayden Versch | Westwood -- 70</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A versatile defender with good size at 6-3, Versch is able to defend multiple positions and provide a major impact on that end of the floor. He'll also find himself on the top returning shot blockers list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10.) 2026 Wyatt Ragaller | Ar-We-Va -- 70</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An intelligent 5-11 guard who impacts the game on both ends of the floor, Ragaller averaged 15.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game on 49-34-63 shooting splits. He'll step into an even bigger role as a senior, following the graduation of leading scorer Blayne Smith.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->