Iowa Class 3A Mid-Season Title Favorites: Ballard

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A series of at least three schools per class that have the best chance at winning the state title. Now wrapped up with 4A, we move one class smaller to 3A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/02/iowa-class-3a-mid-season-title-favorites-clear-lake/">Iowa Class 3A Mid-Season Title Favorites: Clear Lake</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/02/iowa-class-3a-mid-season-title-favorites-pella/">Iowa Class 3A Mid-Season Title Favorites: Pella</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/02/iowa-class-3a-mid-season-title-favorites-solon/">Iowa Class 3A Mid-Season Title Favorites: Solon</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Case for the Bombers:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prior to January 30, Ballard was the last remaining undefeated squad in 3A. With wins over the likes of 4A Norwalk, ADM, Carroll and Nevada -- almost all blow out victories -- the Bombers looked like the <em>heavy </em>favorites in the class. Thanks to a rematch with ADM last week, there appears to be a bit more parody in 3A than initially thought. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That doesn't mean Ballard isn't loaded, though -- and it definitely doesn't mean they won't be contending for a state title in a matter of weeks. They showed as much with a bounce back, 82-46 win over Gilbert on Tuesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Led by Ankeny Centennial transfer, [player_tooltip player_id='2419714' first='Evan' last='Abbott'], the Bombers have a three-headed monster of scorers in their starting lineup. Abbott, the headliner of the group, is putting up 20.1 points per contest, while shooting 54.5% from the field, 42.2% from three and 77.9% from the free throw line. A 6-foot-5 wing, Abbott provides versatlity in scoring to the starting lineup, while also adding 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1765518' first='Jude' last='Gibson'], the top scorer from last season's state qualifying Ballard squad, opted to take a step back to allow Abbott to do his thing, but he'd added to his tool belt and impacted the game for the Bombers in other ways. Still scoring upwards of 15 points per game, Gibson, a 6-foot guard is dishing out a team-leading 4.7 assists, 3.9 steals and 4.1 rebounds per contest. One of the elite, quick guards that does so many different things for his team, Gibson's best attribute may be his unselfishness on the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third in the scoring trifecta is [player_tooltip player_id='2419750' first='Parker' last='Miller'], also a returner and key piece from the Ballard 2024-25 squad. Now a junior alongside Abbot, Miller has taken a step forward, averaging 11.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.9 steals per game. Like Gibson, the 6-foot-5 Miller is a bit of a do-it-all player that provides much more than scoring for the Bombers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of which, [player_tooltip player_id='2731749' first='Easton' last='Ersland'] isn't far off from the trio ahead of him on the scoring list as a critical piece to what Ballard has already accomplished at this point in the season, posting a 15-1 record. Ersland, yet another 6-foot-5 prospect on the Bomber roster, serves as more of a traditional forward, putting up 8.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, to go with a team-leading 1.3 blocks per contest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sure, they're no longer undefeated, but Ballard has the makings of a state-title contending squad, just waiting for their opportunities in Des Moines. <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/02/iowa-class-3a-mid-season-title-favorites-solon/"><br></a><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->