Iowa Class 4A Mid-Season Title Favorites: Ames

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kicking off a series of at least three schools per class that have the best chance at winning the state title. We begin with Iowa's largest schools, Class 4A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/01/iowa-class-4a-mid-season-favorites-cedar-falls/">Iowa Class 4A Mid-Season Title Favorites: Cedar Falls</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/02/iowa-class-4a-mid-season-title-favorites-council-bluffs-lincoln/">Iowa Class 4A Mid-Season Title Favorites: Council Bluffs Lincoln</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/01/iowa-class-4a-mid-season-title-favorites-dowling-catholic/">Iowa Class 4A Mid-Season Title Favorites: Dowling Catholic</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/01/iowa-class-4a-mid-season-title-favorites-dubuque-senior/">Iowa Class 4A Mid-Season Title Favorites: Dubuque Senior</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/01/iowa-class-4a-mid-season-title-favorites-waukee-northwest/">Iowa Class 4A Mid-Season Title Favorites: Waukee Northwest</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Case for the Little Cyclones:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loaded with an experienced senior class, Ames is one of the more seasoned and tested teams in 4A. If there's a time for the Little Cyclones to make a run at a state title, it's this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Desipte having six players on the roster that stand at 6-foot-3 or taller, the leading scorer for Ames so far this season as been 5-foot-11 guard, [player_tooltip player_id='1978102' first='Will' last='Thomas']. A volume-shooting guard, Thomas is the only player for the Little Cycones that averages scoring in double-figures. Putting up 13.7 points and a team-leading 2.8 assists per game, the playmaking guard is key to his team's winning efforts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up is Thomas's right-hand man, forward and team-leading rebounder, [player_tooltip player_id='1765516' first='Marach' last='Dau']. The 6-foot-8 prospect with a seven-foot wingspan is a rebounding and dunking machine, hauling down 7.5 per game to lead the Little Cyclones, while adding 9.5 points per game on 50% shooting from the field. With his length and athleticism, Dau can defend just about anyone in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6-foot-3 guard, [player_tooltip player_id='3255125' first='Brandon' last='Johnson'] is the No. 3 scorer for the Little Cyclones, as he puts up 8.4 points per contest while shooting 59% from the floor. A tenacious rebounder for his size, too, Johnson grabs 6.4 per contest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top six scorers for the Little Cyclones are seniors, as [player_tooltip player_id='3255120' first='Max' last='Burgason-Sutton'], [player_tooltip player_id='3255118' first='DJ' last='Bijiek'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2868557' first='Kuach' last='Kuach'] combine to average 14.9 points, while adding 9.6 rebounds per contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ames has taken just two losses this season, and they'll likely be one of the final teams remaining when it's time to earn a spot in Des Moines. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->