Class 3A: Top 10 Returning Steals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731635' first='Malachi' last='Rice'] (Centerville) -- 96 steals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lightning-quick 5-11 guard, Rice averaged more than 4 steals a game as a junior, helping spark his offense. He led the Big Reds in scoring, putting up 21.6 points per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731871' first='Gustavo' last='Drahos'] (Perry) -- 70</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A dynamic two-way guard who uses his speed to his advantage on both ends, Drahos loves to play downhill and attack the rim, and he loves to get up and pressure opposing ball-handlers, making them make quick decisions, which frequently end up heading the other way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2906433' first='Maddox' last='Kelley'] (Solon) -- 66</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick 5-9 guard with great hands and lateral movement, Kelley has a penchant for jumping passing lanes and turning defense into offense. Following the graduations of both double-figure scorers from last season, he'll have a chance to really take a leap as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2231637' first='Lincoln' last='Norris'] (Knoxville) -- 66</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Norris is known around the state for his ability to shoot it from deep, but he was also really strong on the defensive end last season, jumping passing lanes routinely and grabbing extra possessions for the Panthers. He has a really good feel for the game on both ends of the floor, knowing when to take his chances and when not to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2886785' first='Evan' last='Allie'] (Algona) -- 59</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A talented 5-10 guard who handles it well, gets his teammates involved, and is a pest on the defensive end, Allie stuffs the stat sheet on a nightly basis for the Bulldogs, and following the graduation of 26-point scorer Ben Helmers, he'll really have a chance to shine in his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6.) 2026 Drake Hinson (Nevada) -- 58</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-4 forward who does a little bit of everything for the Cubs, averaging 7.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.4 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game last season, Hinson takes advantage of players who aren't accustomed to making decisions with the ball, using his quick hands to swipe them clean routinely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978115' first='Trey' last='Bryte'] (ADM) -- 57</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most intelligent players in the class, Bryte just knows where to be on both ends of the floor at all times. His positioning and length allow him to impact the game in a major way on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765518' first='Jude' last='Gibson'] (Ballard) -- 55</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gibson is among the fastest players in the state both going end-to-end and side-to-side. An explosive guard with quick hands, he's been a pest on the defensive end for three years for the Bombers and will be the focal point of a team with eyes on the 3A state title this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413548' first='Nolan' last='Ehlinger'] (Maquoketa) -- 54</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ehlinger was great for the Cardinals as a junior, leading the team in scoring at 21.8 points per game, which were almost certainly partially boosted by his penchant for thievery on the defensive end of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2530654' first='Davis' last='Tokheim'] (Des Moines Christian) -- 54</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In some aspects, Tokheim reminds me of a young [player_tooltip player_id='1765518' first='Jude' last='Gibson'], with his ability to move laterally on the defensive end and play downhill with the ball in his hands. He was an impact two-way player as a sophomore for the Loins, averaging 6.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.2 steals per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->