Five Iowa Class 3A Early-Season Games to Watch

Taking a look at the games in the first half of December that are going to be the most intriguing in Class 3A.   West Lyon at MOC-Floyd Valley, December 5   The reigning 3A state champions will host the 2A runners-up in the first week of the 2025 season. After losing their top three scorers from the state title run in 2024-25, the Dutchmen lose an average of 41.5 points per game (ppg). However, MOC returns the next six leading scorers, including Kansas football commit, [player_tooltip player_id='1978131' first='Draeden' last='Punt'], who put up ten points per game last season. [player_tooltip player_id='2887838' first='Carter' last='Van Gelder'] is another name to know, as he put up 8.3 points and led his team in assists with 3.9 per contest. Can the Dutchmen make another run at the state title after losing so much?   West Lyon, who will play in 2A on the court again this season despite a reclassification to 1A in football, will look to be an early-season challenge for MOC. [player_tooltip player_id='2731892' first='Jorden' last='Meyer'] is the headliner for the Wildcats, having averaged 15.2 ppg last year. [player_tooltip player_id='2731896' first='Jared' last='Ciesielski'] is also back after putting up 8.6 ppg and a team-leading 5.5 rebounds per game. Big [player_tooltip player_id='2887823' first='Ben' last='Meyer'] -- a disruptor on the football field that's committed to Sioux Falls -- is explosive and athletic, and he could be a factor inside thanks to his willingness to play physical.   Davenport North at Central Dewitt, December 9   Another early-year crossover between classes, this is an interesting matchup for a talented Central Dewitt team that matches up with 4A Davenport North. Though the Sabers don't return any double-digit scorers from last year, they have their faire share of talent and athleticism on the roster. Two of the top athletes on the gridiron, [player_tooltip player_id='2731756' first='Hudson' last='Krukow'] and Jameson Gregoire, who each stand at 6-foot-4 will be on the roster. There's other size on the roster, too, in Daniel Weber and Ashton Schneider, who also stand at 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-5 Cal Keuter. Additionally, Krukow (37.7%) and Schneider (40%) each shot it well from three last season.   North is more of a new-look team than most would know, considering how much talent they brought in via transfer on the football field -- of course, some of those prospects could join them on the court this season, too. For now, the Wildcats at least bring back last season's third-leading scorer in [player_tooltip player_id='2731773' first='Johnale' last='Johnson Jr']., who put up 10.4 ppg and Jimmy Carter, who scored 7.9 points per contest.   Storm Lake at Carroll, December 13   A big "What if?" from last season was Storm Lake and [player_tooltip player_id='1765515' first='Jaidyn' last='Coon'], who struggled mightily in the quarterfinals of the 3A state tournament, shooting just 37% from the field in their 59-53 loss to ADM. In that game, Coon shot just 5-of-16 from the floor and 1-of-5 from three. An uncharacteristic game from one of the top prospects the state has to offer, one has to imagine Coon -- who averaged 23.9 ppg and 9.3 rebounds per game (rpg) last season-- and the Tornadoes are on a mission this season. Losing just one senior from last year's roster, Storm Lake not only returns the Creighton commit, but Briar Cliff commit and lead guard, Cam Boyd, who averaged 14.5 ppg last year and a team-leading 4.3 assists per game (apg).   Playing in northwest Iowa, the Tornadoes only took one loss last season. To who? The Carroll Tigers, 57-53 on January 4.   A team that also gave Storm Lake fits in the second round of the 3A playoffs falling at just 66-61, Carroll returns four of their top five scorers from last season, including leading scorer and rebounder, [player_tooltip player_id='2413644' first='Jared' last='Mohr'], who averaged 12.8 ppg and 5.3 rpg.   Clear Lake at Kuemper Catholic, December 13   Undefeated all season prior to the one-point loss in the state championship to MOC-Floyd Valley, Clear Lake is another team with a chip on its shoulder, much like Storm Lake. Unlike the Tornadoes, though, the Lions don't bring back their star D1 athlete and leading scorer. Thomas Meyer, who is now in the midst of his freshman season on the football squad at Iowa, was the leading scorer and rebounder for Clear Lake last season. At the same time, they've got another D1 prospect waiting in the wings to take over. [player_tooltip player_id='2419796' first='Jaxson' last='McIntire'], who holds a football offer from Iowa State, averaged 10.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg and 1.7 steals per game (spg) last year on the court, and he was one of the top two-way prospects in the state on the gridiron this fall. Fellow guard and double-digit scorer, [player_tooltip player_id='2377642' first='Carson' last='Riser'] put up 10.1 ppg last year, too.   Coming up just short of the 2A state tournament last year with just one regular season loss to 4A Dowling Catholic, Kuemper Catholic returns as a favorite in 2A this winter after winning a state title on the gridiron. The first non-scrimmage matchup of the year for Clear Lake, this game will be the fourth of its kind for Kuemper, who will look to take some momentum into the upset bid against the Lions.   With four players returning that averaged double-digits in scoring per game, the Knights return [player_tooltip player_id='1765513' first='Ryan' last='Clair'], [player_tooltip player_id='2420805' first='Dylan' last='Schon'], [player_tooltip player_id='1765503' first='Brock' last='Badding'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2420798' first='Griffin' last='Glynn'], who combined for 50.9 points per game last season. Clair led the way with 15 ppg, 6.6 ppg and 1.2 blocks per game (bpg).   ADM at Ballard, December 19   One of just two matchups between 3A opponents, it's not quite in the first two weeks of the season, but a matchup between two state tournament teams can't go without being mentioned here. Not only did they both reach the state tourney last season, but they return the majority of their production from last year.   ADM, who fell to Clear Lake in the semis, brings back Upper Iowa commit and leading scorer, [player_tooltip player_id='1978130' first='Hudson' last='Lorensen'], who put up a whopping 24.3 ppg, while shooting 53.6% from the field, 42% from three and 88% from the free throw line. With three other players between 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-6, including second-leading scorer, [player_tooltip player_id='1978115' first='Trey' last='Bryte'] who put up 12.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 6.4 apg, and 2.1 spg, the Tigers will be a formidable matchup with anyone across 3A this year.   On the other side is Ballard, who return three of their top four scorers from last season. Guard, [player_tooltip player_id='1765518' first='Jude' last='Gibson'] led the way with 15.8 ppg, 3.1 apg and 2.3 spg to lead the Bombers in each statistical category. 6-foot-5 junior [player_tooltip player_id='2419750' first='Parker' last='Miller'] returns after leading Ballard with 5.5 rpg, to go with 10.2 ppg as well, shooting a team-leading 61.4% from the field last year.

Taking a look at the games in the first half of December that are going to be the most intriguing in Class 3A.