State Tournament Preview: Class 4A Breakout Candidates

Darren Grandon shoots an and-one free throw. Photo: Eliot Clough / Prep Hoops

Tony Roe March 5, 2026 @ 09:43 PM

2028 PG [player_tooltip player_id='2446123' first='Carsen' last='Gary'] (Cedar Falls)   Gary is overshadowed by the loaded senior class for the Tigers, but he's a skilled 6-1 lead guard who can create plays off the dribble for himself and his teammates. He moves his feet well on the defensive end and is a good athlete who can compete on the glass on both ends of the floor. He's averaging 6.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.   2028 SF Evan Mitchell (Dowling Catholic)   A 6-4 sophomore combo forward, Mitchell is capable of scoring inside and out, and he's a strong rebounder on both ends of the floor. He isn't asked to do a ton of scoring (3.5 a game), but he's capable of scoring 10 off the bench on any given night, and if the Maroons are going to make a run, he's the type of player who could have a surprising good game in the quarterfinals or semifinals to help spark their offense.   2027 SF [player_tooltip player_id='2378350' first='Wesley' last='Rainer'] (Senior)   The Rams get a large majority of their scoring from their top three, so despite the fact that he averages just 4.7 points per game, Rainer is their fourth leading scorer. He's a fantastic athlete who scores efficiently when he's asked to do so, posting 54-52-59 shooting splits, but his biggest impact is on the defensive end where he uses his length and plus-athleticism to defend multiple positions.   2027 SF [player_tooltip player_id='2419751' first='Darren' last='Grandon'] (Johnston)   Grandon is an athletic 6-3/6-4 wing who I've been high on for a few years now, and he's finally getting his chance to make an impact for the Dragons. He's a highly efficient wing who loves to use his length and athleticism to get downhill and finish at the rim. He's averaging 4.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game on 59% shooting.   2026 SG [player_tooltip player_id='2868728' first='Ayden' last='Meier'] (Prairie)   Meier is capable of getting scorching hot from the 3-point line, shooting 39.4% from the arc this season. He has had some games where he's made six or seven 3-pointers, and his ability to get hot and carry the Hawks for stretches will be invaluable in taking some pressure off of their starting five in terms of carrying the scoring load.   2026 PF [player_tooltip player_id='2886810' first='Caden' last='Burns'] (Urbandale)   The J-Hawks have three players averaging 14.5 points per game or more, meaning Burns isn't asked to do much scoring for them. He puts up 5.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, but his size and toughness as a combo forward gives them some versatility on the defensive end. If the J-Hawks are going to upset Cedar Falls, they'll obviously need their big three to carry the scoring load, but Burns will need to be a difference maker on the defensive end.   2026 SG Kayne Vandis (Waukee)   The Warriors have an extremely tight rotation. Vandis, a 6-3 senior guard, is the only player outside of their starting five to have played in all 23 games this season. An athletic guard who can shoot it from 3 and provide some secondary playmaking off the bench, he'll need to give them some big minutes as a defender and playmaker.   2027 SG Logan Achenbach (Waukee Northwest)   The Wolves also run a really tight rotation, with Achenbach being the bench player who plays the most. He's capable of knocking down shots from deep, contributes on the glass, and is a solid perimeter defender.

2028 PG Carsen Gary Carsen Gary 6'1" | PG Cedar Falls | 2028 State IA (Cedar Falls)