4A Way-Too-Early Title Contenders: Cedar Rapids Prairie

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taking a look at teams that could compete for the state championship in their respective classes in the 2026-27 season, starting with 4A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/04/4a-way-too-early-title-contenders-johnston/">4A Way-Too-Early Title Contenders: Johnston</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/04/4a-way-too-early-title-contenders-des-moines-roosevelt/">4A Way-Too-Early Title Contenders: Des Moines Roosevelt</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/04/4a-way-too-early-title-contenders-north-scott/">4A Way-Too-Early Title Contenders: North Scott</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/04/4a-way-too-early-title-contenders-norwalk/">4A Way-Too-Early Title Contenders: Norwalk</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/04/4a-way-too-early-title-contenders-council-bluffs-lincoln/">4A Way-Too-Early Title Contenders: Council Bluffs Lincoln</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Making a run to state after winning 15 of their last 17 prior to their appearance in the Casey's Center, Cedar Rapids Prairie returns a good chunk of its core that took the Hawks to Des Moines this winter. With three of the top four scorers -- each averaging double-figures, plus three of the five starters back, Prairie will likely be a formidable squad once again in 2026-27. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Headling the group is [player_tooltip player_id='2419840' first='Cayden' last='Larson'], a 6-foot-8 skilled big. The top returning scorer from this winter, Larson put up 11.2 points per game, while also leading the Prairie Hawks in rebounding and blocks at 6.3 boards and 1.1 swats per contest. A player I admittedly didn't know much about going into this past season, Larson impressed at the Conference Crossover in Cedar Rapids. A post that can step out and shoot it, holds a repertoire of moves to score nar the basket, does what is asked of him and doesn't make mistakes, Larson will be one of my my top bigs to watch next season. He doesn't tend to fill up the box score like some others do at his size in the state, but Larson won't be the reason why Prairie loses -- he'll be a reason they win on a consistent basis again next season. He shot 48.4% from the floork, including 34.8% from deep last winter. He also shot 70% from the free throw line. If he can boost his field goal percentage up above 50%, his stats will look even better in his final year of high school ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Matching Larson's scoring output per contest was [player_tooltip player_id='2419791' first='Austin' last='Joens'], the top three-point shooter for the Hawks. A volume shooter from deep, Joens made 40.3% of his 129 attempted threes this past season, the most on the team. An impressively consistent shooter from downtown, Joens not only took the most on his team, but posted the best percentage from three and the free throw line, making 84.8% from the charity stripe. He and Larson should be a solid inside-out tandem again in 2026-27. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third piece of the core that returns is [player_tooltip player_id='2419754' first='Quantae' last='Alexander']. A lanky, 6-foot-3 playmaker, Alexander is an athletic lead guard that can finish at the rim, but also distribute the rock. Shooting 56.8% from the field this season indicates his ability to score from inside three-point range, and if he can increase his 30.4% percentage from three, he'll be a much more difficult player to defend next season. Shooting 71.8% from the free throw line should be a positive indicator that he can improve from the outside, too. As a passer, Alexander is the top returner in assists, averaging 3.8 per game last season, while posting an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.20. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With three key pieces back, the Prairie Hawks will be one of the eastern Iowa teams to contend with in 2026-27. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->