Iowa Class 3A Mid-Season Title Favorites: Clear Lake

<!-- 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-pella/">Iowa Class 3A Mid-Season Title Favorites: Pella</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Case for the Lions:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of several remaining one-loss teams in 3A, Clear Lake has yet to lose to any of the competition they've faced in their class so far this season. With an overall record of 14-1 that includes wins over one of the top teams in 2A, Kuemper Catholic, a top ten team in 1A, St. Edmond and a narrow loss to 4A Dallas Center Grimes, the Lions have largely been dominant through their 14 victories to start the year. The state runners-up in 3A last season with a one-point loss to MOC-Floyd Valley in the championship game, much of the roster from last season has returned and been a key reason why the Lions have done so well to this point in the year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The leading scorer and Division I football prospect, [player_tooltip player_id='2419796' first='Jaxson' last='McIntire'] is one of the more versatile athletes in the state, playing at a high level on offense and defense for the Clear Lake football squad. On the court, McIntire is averaging 14.9 points, as well as a team-leading 5.2 rebounds per game. A 6-foot-2 guard with good size and the athleticism to get to the rim and defend, McIntire is the primary point of attack for the Clear Lake offense. It helps that he's got a smooth stroke, too, as he's shooting 44.4% from three and 72.4% from the free throw line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions' second-best scorer is senior, [player_tooltip player_id='2389820' first='Trevor' last='Theobald'], who has seen his role increase significantly since last season. Moving up to starting minutes and averaging 10.9 points, 4.8 assists and a team-leading 2.3 steals per game, Theobald has been critical in the backcourt. Shooting 40.8% from deep on more than 70 attempts <em>and </em>posting an assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.8, Theobald has been critical to the Lions' winning efforts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Third on the list is guard, [player_tooltip player_id='2377642' first='Carson' last='Riser'], who has seen his production increase just slightly from last season, as he's averaging 10.3 points and 2.1 steals per game out of the backcourt. A competent shooter that helps spread the floor for the Lions, Riser is shooting 34% from deep this season, keeping line with our evaluation from the <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/10/prep-hoops-expo-team-6-evaluations/">Prep Hoops Expo</a> this last summer in Des Moines: "With a smooth stroke and a confident release from beyond the three-point line, Riser has potential to be a knockdown shooter from outside this winter."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another guard -- one that doesn't score quite as much as the aforementioned trio, [player_tooltip player_id='2389849' first='Luke' last='Fuhrman'] is putting up 6.3 points per contest, but he's also responsible for 5.1 assists per game for the Lions. Though he may not fill it up night-in and night-out, he makes his teammates better, and that's big. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->