Class 3A: Stars to Watch (Part 1)

The future Creighton Blue Jay is one of the most impactful two-way players that the state has seen in recent years. He's a plus-athlete who can score from anywhere on the floor, dominate the glass, and he has great vision that allows him to get his teammates involved when the defensive attention becomes too focused on slowing him down. He averaged 23.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game as a junior while leading the Tornadoes to the state tournament for the first time since 1994.     The son of former NBAer Raef LaFrentz, Cael is a nearly 7-foot tall big man with impeccable timing as a shot blocker, soft touch around the rim, the ability to step out and stretch the floor out to 15-18 feet, and he's great on the glass on both ends of the floor. He has kept his recruitment very quiet, but he'll end up helping some Division 1 program. He put up 29.2 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game on 65.4% shooting as a junior and will be even more dominant as a senior.     One of the most efficient scorers in the state, Lorensen averaged 24.3 points per game on 54-42-88 shooting splits as a junior. He makes everything look effortless on the offensive end of the floor, moving without the ball and knocking down shots off both the dribble and the catch with remarkable efficiency. He's an extremely talented lefty who knows how to get to his spots.     A lightning-quick lead guard who plays with pace and can get downhill and attack the rim as well as just about anyone in the state, Gibson averaged 15.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.3 steals per game as a junior for the Bombers. He's a pest on both ends of the floor with his speed, talent, and IQ.     Evans is a mobile 6-8/6-9 forward who can protect the rim at a high level, showing impeccable timing and instincts as a shot blocker. He turned away 2.0 shots per game last season while averaging 11.0 points and 7.5 rebounds. One of nearly a dozen Division 1 commits in the loaded 2026 class, he'll play his college ball at James Madison.     Norris is capable of getting scorching hot from the 3-point line, burying 42% of his 3-point attempts last season, including a game in which he made 10 of them. He has a quick release off the catch, unlimited range, and a ton of confidence in his jumper. He averaged 16.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.6 steals per game as a sophomore and will be able to take as many shots as he wants as a junior following the graduations of the other two leading scorers.     Haverback is a big scorer on the wing, averaging 16.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game last season. He can score from all three levels, using his physicality to finish at the rim and his size to shoot over defenders on the perimeter. His length is a major asset on the defensive end as well.     One of the top shooters in the state, Vander Schaaf buried 46.5% of his 3-point attempts as a sophomore for the Warriors while leading the team in scoring at 16.3 points per game. He's a really skilled shooter and playmaker who can do a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor.     Abbott averaged 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game last season at Ankeny Centennial, playing in the toughest league in the state. And while the Raccoon River, his new league, is arguably the best conference in 3A basketball, it's a significant step down from the CIML, which will be to his benefit. He's a versatile three-level scorer with good size who will pair really well with Gibson.     Osterhaus had a really nice sophomore year for the Wildcats, averaging 15.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He can knock down shots off the dribble, create quality looks for himself and his teammates, and he's a pretty good on-ball defender. Carlisle added another skilled playmaker via transfer who will allow Osterhaus to play off the ball a bit more often this season, which should benefit him.