Dynamic Duos in Class 3A

Having a pair of high-level, complementary pieces is vital to any team's success on the hardwood. Here, we take a look at five of the top duos of returnees in Class 3A.   2026 SG [player_tooltip player_id='1978130' first='Hudson' last='Lorensen'] & 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978115' first='Trey' last='Bryte'] (ADM)   The best guard tandem in 3A, and arguably in the state, resides in Adel with Lorensen and Bryte ([player_tooltip player_id='1978146' first='Hudson' last='Shull'] is a pretty darn good tertiary option, as well). Lorensen is one of the state's most efficient and explosive scorers, averaging 24.3 points on 54-42-88 shooting splits. The lefty off-ball guard has a quick release, extended range, can create off the dribble, and is great around the rim. He pairs really well with Bryte, a 6-4 lead guard who uses his size to his advantage, seeing over his defender to get his teammates involved or get his shot off. He averaged 12.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 2.1 steals per game last season on 47-36-70 shooting splits. The Tigers will be one of a handful of teams under consideration for the #1 spot in 3A to open the season when the "Way Too Early" rankings come out later this month, and this tandem is a big, big reason why.   2026 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1765518' first='Jude' last='Gibson'] & 2027 SF [player_tooltip player_id='2419714' first='Evan' last='Abbott'] (Ballard)   Another team that will be under consideration for the #1 spot in preseason 3A rankings is Ballard, who will be led by lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765518' first='Jude' last='Gibson'] and Centennial transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2419714' first='Evan' last='Abbott']. Gibson is one of the top two-way guards in the state, a lightning-quick lead guard who can play downhill and put constant pressure on opposing teams with his speed. He's a high-level defender on the ball with great lateral movement, and with the addition of Abbott, some of the scoring burden will be lifted off of his shoulders. Abbott, a 6-3/6-4 wing who can score from all three levels, had a productive sophomore season at 4A Ankeny Centennial before transferring to Ballard. He averaged 12.3 points per game for the Jaguars last season, and while the Raccoon River is arguably the best league in 3A, it's still a pretty significant step down from the CIML, the best league in the state.   2026 PF [player_tooltip player_id='1765554' first='AJ' last='Evans'] & 2026 SG [player_tooltip player_id='1978144' first='Zander' last='Murray'] (Xavier)   The Saints have a trio of high-level seniors, but for purposes of this article, we'll talk about Evans, a 6-8 big man, and Murray, a 6-2 sharpshooter. Murray led the team in scoring last season, averaging 14.4 points per game on 36% shooting from the arc. An off-ball guard with a quick release off the catch, he takes advantage of open looks created by Evans in the paint or guard [player_tooltip player_id='1361499' first='Lorenzo' last='Pino']'s playmaking. Evans is a big, bouncy two-way forward who can protect the rim at a high level, averaging 2.0 blocks per game, and he's a remarkably efficient scorer, shooting nearly 57% from the floor. He's a good passer out of the post and high-post areas and is a mobile, active defender.   2026 SF [player_tooltip player_id='1765515' first='Jaidyn' last='Coon'] & 2026 SG [player_tooltip player_id='1765508' first='Cameron' last='Boyd'] (Storm Lake)   Coon is one of the most athletic, versatile wings that the state has seen in the last several years. The Creighton commit averaged 23.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game on 56-34-68 shooting splits as a junior, helping lead the Tornadoes to the state tournament for the first time since 1994. His ability to control the game on both ends of the floor with his blend of size, length, and athleticism is unrivaled. Boyd, a sharpshooting wing, is a perfect complement to Coon, spotting up for open looks and knocking them down at an incredible 46% clip last season. He has good size, is a talented playmaker (4.3 assists), and an elite shooting threat who takes full advantage of all the attention being paid to Coon on a possession-by-possession basis.   2026 C [player_tooltip player_id='2413531' first='Cael' last='LaFrentz'] & 2026 SF [player_tooltip player_id='2731781' first='Noah' last='Milburn'] (Decorah)   LaFrentz is arguably the most dominant player in the state, a 7-footer who controls the game on both ends of the floor on a nightly basis with his blend of size, length, IQ, and talent. After averaging 29.2 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game, there's a chance that he averages 35 and 15 as a senior for the Vikings. They lost his top running mate from last year, guard Zach Driscoll, but bring back an athletic, slashing wing in [player_tooltip player_id='2731781' first='Noah' last='Milburn'], who can provide some athleticism on the perimeter alongside LaFrentz. Assuming he takes a bit of a leap as a perimeter scoring threat, the Vikings will once again be a tough team to contend with in 3A.

Having a pair of high-level, complementary pieces is vital to any team's success on the hardwood. Here, we take a look at five of the top duos of returnees in Class 3A.