Class 2A: Top 10 Returning Steals

Tony Roe August 21, 2025 @ 09:45 PM

1.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2420786' first='AJ' last='Harder'] (Tri-Center) -- 91 steals   Harder is a quick intelligent guard who has found himself on the top returning scorers and assists articles as well. He positions himself well on the defensive end, moves his feet, and has quick hands, which allows him to create some real chaos on the defensive end.   2.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2617484' first='Carter' last='Lightfoot'] (MFL MarMac) -- 83   A two-way guard who impacts the game with his speed and IQ on nearly every possession, Lightfoot also led the Bulldogs in assists per game as a junior. He's the lynchpin of a swarming defensive attack that loves to fly all over the floor and create turnovers.   3.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978103' first='Alec' last='Lovely'] (Treynor) -- 76   One of the most dynamic players in the class, Lovely can score in bunches, create plays for his teammates, and he's a tough on-ball defender who doesn't shy away from the toughest assignment on that end of the floor. He averaged a team-high 19.0 points, 4.2 assists, and 2.9 steals per game as a junior.   4.) 2027 Oscar Cline (Louisa-Muscatine) -- 67   Cline had a really productive sophomore year for the Falcons, averaging 11.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.0 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game, showcasing his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor.   5.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765543' first='Quinn' last='Street'] (Osage) -- 66   Street stuffs the stat sheet on a nightly basis for the Green Devils, averaging 19.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.8 steals as a junior. He has a real knack for jumping passing lanes and turning defense into quick, easy offense.   6.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413578' first='Dylan' last='Bosma'] (Unity Christian) -- 60   Bosma made his name known during his sophomore year, helping lead the Knights to the state tournament, and then he became one of the best all-around players in 2A last year as a junior. As a senior, he'll have his sights set on bringing a state title back to Orange City, a very realistic goal this winter. He's a tough, physical, athletic defender who doesn't back down from anyone.   7.) 2026 Griffin Paulsen (Belmond-Klemme) -- 60   Paulsen was the leader in steals for a Broncos team that averaged nearly 10 steals a game. He's a fast guard who does a great job jumping passing lanes and anticipating what the offense is going to do.   8.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731857' first='Will' last='Luttenegger'] (Mediapolis) -- 56   A dynamic scorer, playmaker, and defender, Luttenegger averaged 14.2 points, 4.0 assists, and 2.4 steals per game as a junior for the Bulldogs. His speed can change the game on both ends of the floor.   9.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2906465' first='Karsen' last='Kalous'] (Iowa Falls-Alden) -- 55   Kalous had a really nice sophomore year for the Cadets, averaging 10.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.6 steals per game. Following the graduations of their top two, and six of their top seven, scorers, he'll be asked to do a ton as a junior.   10.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754716' first='Brody' last='Heifner'] (Belmond-Klemme) -- 55   Heifner was great for the Broncos as a sophomore, averaging 15.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.4 steals per game, showing his ability to impact the game at a high level on both ends of the floor. He's a strong, physical wing who can do a little bit of everything.

1.) 2027 AJ Harder AJ Harder 6'0" | PG Tri-Center | 2027 State IA (Tri-Center) -- 91 steals