State Tournament Preview: Class 3A Stars to Watch

Lorensen is one of the most effortless scorers in the state. The smooth lefty guard can fill it up from anywhere and is remarkably efficient, averaging 22.4 points on 53-46-94 shooting splits. He knows which spots he wants to get to and gets to them, whether its off the dribble or getting to the spot he wants to shoot it off the catch. He's a highly intelligent, level-headed player who can take over games and quietly drop 30 on anyone.     A 6-6 point guard who controls the game on every possession, Bryte is a nightly threat for a triple-double, posting several of them this season. His size is a major advantage on the offensive end, allowing him to post up smaller defenders, shoot over them in the mid-range, and see over them as he sets the table for his teammates. He's averaging 14.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks on 57-43-81 shooting splits.     A gifted scorer who can control the game on the offensive end with his ability to post up smaller defenders and either score or facilitate from that area of the floor, he allows the Bombers to invert their offense and give them different looks offensively. He has really good footwork and likes to go to the Dirk Nowitzki, one-footed fadeaway to shoot over defenders in the mid-range after feeling them out. He's averaging 19.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game on 55-38-78 shooting splits, showing his ability to score from anywhere on the floor.     The senior guard has been one of the top guards in the state for the last four years, but he's playing his best ball at the right time. He has been incredibly efficient in his senior year, shooting 52% from the floor and 43% from the arc, both significant improvements over his marks over the last few years. His speed is his game-changing ability, with few defenders able to keep up with him when he wants to play downhill and get to the rim. He's also one of the best on-ball defenders in the state, a lightning-quick guard with elite hands. He's averaging 16.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 3.6 steals per game.     Mohr, a 6-5 forward, does it all for the Tigers, leading the team in scoring (15.0), rebounding (8.4), and assists (4.3). Simply put, as he goes, they'll go. He can create plays off the dribble or in the post, is a good passer, and has been excellent on the glass all year.     A bouncy, versatile three-level scorer, Stensland has been the Tigers' go-to scorer for the last few years and has led them to the state tournament in his final go-around. He's averaging 16 points, 4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.2 steals per game while shooting nearly 51% from the floor.     Ochalla, a move-in to Gilbert from Wisconsin, has been fantastic in his sophomore season for the Tigers, averaging 15.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game on 46-40-82 shooting. He has good size on the wing at 6-3/6-4 and is a crafty three-level scorer with good footwork and a pure stroke off both the dribble and the catch.     Half of Pella's dynamic one-two punch of scoring threats, McGuire is an extremely efficient 6-5 wing who is averaging 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game on nearly 65% shooting. He has turned himself into a viable 3-point shooting threat, but is at his best when he's operating in the mid-range as either a scorer or playmaker.     The other big scorer for the Dutch, Schulte is averaging 16.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game on 48-36-76 shooting splits. He's a better perimeter shooter than McGuire and is capable of getting red-hot from distance at any point in time. Like McGuire, he has consistently improved his ball-handling and shot creation, not only for his own looks, but for his teammates as well.     The son of Iowa head coach Ben McCollum is an electric scorer and playmaker who is oozing with confidence. He's a fantastic ball-handler who has a knack for finding the tiniest cracks in the defense. He can split double teams while keeping his dribble alive, finding open teammates with his great vision. He has really good footwork, is an elite shooter off both the dribble and the catch with unlimited range, and he creates quality looks for his teammates both with his own playmaking, but also with the gravity that he commands. He's averaging 19.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.9 steals per game and shooting 40.2% from 3.     The Creighton signee has a blend of size, length, athleticism, and talent that is rarely seen in Iowa. He's an eye-popping athlete who provides highlight reel plays on a nightly basis, finishing above the rim with flair, grace, and power. He has been dealing with an injury over the last month of the season but appears to be back and healthy for the Tornadoes, and if he is, they have as good a chance as anyone to win the title in 3A. Coon is averaging 21.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.8 steals per game on 54% shooting, and he'll be the main attraction of the week.     Boyd has stepped up and been an elite second scoring threat alongside Coon, thriving on the open looks that Coon's gravity helps create. He's a high-level shooter, burying nearly 45% of his 3-point attempts, and he has really improved as a shot creator of his own off the dribble. He's averaging 20.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.2 steals per game.     The Saints' leading scorer, Murray is putting up 20.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.9 steals per game on 53% shooting. He's a smooth all-around offensive weapon who can play with or without the ball in his hands, shooting it at a 38% clip from the 3-point line.     Another Division I player in the loaded 2026 class, Evans will play his college ball at James Madison. A mobile, long 6-8 big man who can protect the rim at a high level, he's averaging nearly 2 blocks per game and is the difference-maker on that end of the floor for the Saints. On the offensive end, he's the type of big man that the offense can flow through as he sees the floor really well and is an adept passer, averaging 2.7 assists per game to go with 12.2 points and 8.4 rebounds.