Class 1A: Stars to Watch (Part 1)

An athletic combo guard who put together a great spring and summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2246861' first='Murray' last='Elite'], Stephens averaged 20.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 2.8 steals per game on 51-37-77 shooting splits as a junior for the Nikes. He picked up some low-major Division I offers over the summer, with his ability to control the game with the ball in his hands, his great size for a lead guard, and his versatility on both ends of the floor being the major selling points of his game.     Boulton is one of the most explosive scorers in the state, averaging 28.2 points per game as a junior for the Braves. A dynamic shooter who buried 42.9% of his 3-point attempts last season, he has steadily improved as a shot creator and playmaker off the dribble. In addition to his lofty scoring output, he averaged 4.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 4.4 steals per game last season.     A throwback, back-to-the-basket big man with good footwork, soft hands, and great touch around the rim with either hand, Bergmann was a force on both ends of the floor in the painted area for the Warriors as a junior, averaging 18.7 points and 12.5 rebounds on 60% shooting. He can drop in coverage defensively and bang against bigger bodies in the paint, and he's capable of holding his own against guards when switched on the perimeter.     Speaking of explosive scorers, Dee averaged 29.0 points per game as a junior for the Bolts on 53-41-89 shooting splits. Known as a catch-and-shoot player as a sophomore, his game took a big leap as a junior, improving as a playmaker, shot creator, and getting to the free-throw line routinely.     Horn was dominant as a junior for the Gaels, helping lead them to the 1A semifinals. He nearly averaged a double-double, putting up 23.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per game on 59-38-75 shooting splits. A 6-5 big man with the ability to face up and score against bigger players, or take smaller defenders onto the block and fill it up, he's also a good passer out of the post and high-post areas, so you can't send too much help his way or he'll burn you.     Heydon has been stuffing the stat sheet for the last three years for the Crusaders, averaging 22.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game as a junior on 56-39-69 shooting. Versatility is the name of his game on both ends of the floor, and his size and length are major assets.     One of the best athletes in the state's 2027 class, Blum is a potential high-major wide receiver on the gridiron, and is also one of the best basketball players in the state. A plus-athlete with great size and length, he averaged 14.3 points and 6.8 rebounds on 53% shooting as a sophomore, leading the Tigers back to the state tournament for the second straight year. Following the graduation of the Tigers' leading scorer, Carter Gruver, he has a chance to see his numbers explode as the primary option as a junior.     A high IQ combo guard who can do a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor, Joyce put up 14.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.7 steals per game as a sophomore for the Golden Bears. He has good size, plays with pace, and knows where to be on both ends of the floor. If he can become a bit more efficient as a junior, he could have a dominant junior year for a Garrigan team that could be a state title sleeper.     Severson was recently named as one of the top tight end prospects in the country in the 2028 class, with dozens of high-major offers coming his way, or soon to come his way, on the gridiron. Those same attributes that make him a standout tight end - hands, physicality, athleticism, size - make him a nightmare matchup on the hardwood as well. He averaged 15.4 points and 8.0 rebounds on 67-50-66 shooting splits as a freshman for the state champion Tigers, and he could certainly average 25 + 12 as a sophomore for a team that has a lot of production to replace.     A bouncy athlete with size and length on the wing, Mulder helped lead MMCRU to arguably the best season in school history last year, and will once again be the focal point of a Royals team that has a chance to make it to Des Moines. He averaged 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 2.5 steals per game as a junior, and while those numbers may not be eye-popping, MMCRU was an extremely balanced, deep team last season. He's versatile, tough, and athletic.