Class 4A: 5 2026 Players Who Could Break Out in 2025-26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SG [player_tooltip player_id='1978102' first='Will' last='Thomas'] (Ames)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas was a solid scoring option last season for the Little Cyclones, but he'll be asked to carry the attack as a senior following the graduations of four of the top five scorers from last year's team. He's a quick, athletic guard who can shoot it from the arc at a high clip as well as create plays off the dribble. Expect him to have the ball in his hands quite a bit this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SF [player_tooltip player_id='2519967' first='Finley' last='Newman'] (Roosevelt)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newman is an intriguing player who could become a big part of the Rough Riders attack this season. He has good size, a lightning-quick release off the catch, and he moves well without the ball in his hands. If he's able to help provide them some floor spacing, it would be huge for the long-term success for Roosevelt, allowing more space for their skilled ball-handlers to operate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id='2419216' first='Teral' last='Burge'] (Bettendorf)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burge showed some flashes last season for the Bulldogs but didn't get consistent enough playing time to really shine. That may change this season following the losses of the top five scorers to graduation. He's a quick guard who can play downhill and attack the rim, and he sees the floor well, getting his teammates involved. His speed is a major asset on both ends of the floor and he should have a chance to showcase that throughout the 2025-26 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SF [player_tooltip player_id='2886904' first='Deacon' last='Kucera'] (Kennedy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kucera played well in spurts last year for the Cougars, coming off the bench to give them some shotmaking on the wing. At 6-3, he has good size, and he shoots it well off the catch, knocking down 35.7% of his 3-point attempts last season. He'll have a chance to play a bigger role as a senior, and his IQ and three-level scoring will be an asset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>C Luke Lorenzen (Dallas Center-Grimes)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6-10, Lorenzen has the type of size that is rare in Iowa. He's a mobile big man who can run the floor and finish at the rim, shooting 59.4% last season, and his size is obviously an asset on the defensive end, altering the ways teams can attack the Mustangs with his presence in the paint. He's thin and needs to add a lot of strength to his frame, but if he has done so and can give the 'Stangs some consistent minutes in the paint, they could be a surprise team in 4A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->