Class 3A State Tournament: One X-Factor for Each Team

Picking one X-Factor player from each roster in the state tournament, now to Class 4A.   <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/03/class-1a-state-tournament-one-x-factor-for-each-team/">Class 1A State Tournament: One X-Factor for Each Team</a>   <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/03/class-2a-state-tournament-one-x-factor-for-each-team/">Class 2A State Tournament: One X-Factor for Each Team</a>   No. 1 Ballard, [player_tooltip player_id='2731749' first='Easton' last='Ersland'] - It'd be easy to pick one of the three stars on Ballard's roster, but they're going to get their's in terms of scoring, rebounding, etc. The young man that isn't oft-considered a part of the star-studded lineup, Ersland will be critical for the Bombers in Des Moines. Averaging 8.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while shooting 50.3% from the field and 70.2% from the strope, Ersland's efforts on the boards and his efficient scoring will be a required complement to the three-headed monster that leads Ballard.   No. 2 ADM, [player_tooltip player_id='1978115' first='Trey' last='Bryte'] - One of few flat-out stars that make a list like this, as we try to highlight the lesser-known members of the state tournament squad, Bryte is just too important for the Tigers' efforts. Affectionately known in some circles as the Nikola Jokic of Iowa High School Basketball, Bryte averages a near triple-double, with the most in ADM history, plus the most assists in school history. Putting up 14.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game with a 3.5 assist-to-turnover ratio, and shooting 56.5% from the field, 43.4% from deep and 80.7% from the line, Bryte is one of the most efficient playmakers in the state. If he's able to get going, it's going to be incredibly difficult for anyone to stop ADM.   No. 3 Storm Lake, [player_tooltip player_id='2833525' first='Garbieno' last='Weno'] - Another overlooked contributor on a team with two seniors heading to play college ball, Weno is the top true big in the lineup for the Tornadoes. Standing at 6-foot-4, Weno serves as a rim-protecting presence on defense and a rim-running presence on offense in pick-and-roll situations, while also getting the ocassional put-back bucket. Posting 10.6 points on 61.5% shooting from the field, while grabbing 7.8 rebounds per game, Weno takes quite a load off of Storm Lake's 6-foot-7, Creighton-bound star in the front court.   No. 4 Pella, [player_tooltip player_id='3255121' first='Harrison' last='Mullens'] - A long, bouncy receiver that's headed to South Dakota State next year, Mullens provides some much-needed athleticism to the lineup for Pella. Providing with his frame and lateral quickness, the senior guard contributes 8.4 points per game while shooting 34.7% from three and 72.0% from the free throw line. If he can hit shots in addition to the Dutch's top two scorers, Pella could legitimately vy for the 3A title.   No. 5 Carroll, [player_tooltip player_id='3255087' first='Lual' last='Tharjiath'] - The Tigers have one of the more interesting squads in 3A, thanks, in part to the play of Tharjiath. A 6-foot-6 big that has been critical to Carroll's winning efforts, the senior set a single-season block record for the program, surpassing former Iowa Hawkeye and pro, Adam Haluska in the category. Averaging a whopping 3 swats per game, Tharjiath is an elite shot-blocker. He uses that same length to average 9.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, and he shoots a monstrous 64.1% from the field.   No. 6 Solon, [player_tooltip player_id='2906433' first='Maddox' last='Kelley'] - The Spartans' efforts on offense easily start and end with leading scorer, [player_tooltip player_id='2530471' first='Tate' last='McCollum']. They don't win all the games they have this year without their second-leading scorer and an athlete that belongs at the Division I level in football, Kelley. An effort guy that brings the energy for Solon, Kelley provides 10.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. His calling card is his play on the defensive side of the ball, though, as he averages a 3A-leading four steals per contest.   No. 7 Xavier, [player_tooltip player_id='1361499' first='Lorenzo' last='Pino'] - Like other teams on this list, Xavier has their top two guys, but the winning streak to reach state doesn't happen without a secondary ball-handler and guard like Pino. A third player they need to score if they're going to have a shot at upsetting ADM, Pino puts up 9.4 points per game in addition to his much-needed ball-handling and ability to initiate the offense for the Saints.   No. 8 Gilbert, [player_tooltip player_id='1765544' first='William' last='Terrones'] - One of several key seniors on Gilbert's state-qualifying squad, Terrones scores a bit himself, but his primary function for the Tigers is making plays for others. Nearly doubling-up second place in assists per game for Gilbert, the 5-foot-9 guard averages a team-best 5.7 assists per contest while scoring 6.1 points per game. Not the biggest guy on the roster, Terrones finds a way to impact the game and help his team.

Picking one X-Factor player from each roster in the state tournament, now to Class 4A.