4A Way-Too-Early Title Contenders: Council Bluffs Lincoln

<!-- 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>One of the more balanced teams in 4A this season, Council Bluffs Abraham Lincon returns four players that appeared in all 23 games this winter, including four of its top five scorers from a team that finished the 2024-25 season with an overall record of 18-5. Had the Lynx entered the postseason with some momentum, they may have unseated Waukee in the substate championship, which would've been the first time they reached the state tournament since Creighton's Josh Dix was a junior in high school. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This winter, and presumably the next two seasons to come, Lincoln will be led by [player_tooltip player_id='2523932' first='Kalan' last='Steinbeck'], a 2028 wing that stands at 6-foot-7 and scored 15.2 points per game. Doing so efficiently, Steinbeck shot just under 50% from the field, 44.1% from three and 87.1% from the free throw line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Steinbeck is a unique player. He's a prototypical 'hybrid' size in that he can play, and should be able to defend, multiple positions with his frame. With an unorthodox release on his jump shot, a trainer may want to see what they can do to adjust it, but it ain't broke (it's clearly not, look at those percentages) then don't fix it. Serving as the team's leading scorer as just a sophomore, while also playing on the 3SSB circuit for ETG, Steinbeck has presumably just begun to scratch the surface for the Lynx. He can step back and knock it down on the perimeter, dribble into a middy jump shot, get down hill to the rim and create space with his body to finish over top of bigger defenders and he's got a solid handle on the rock. All-in-all, Steinbeck has a nice tool kit to start with -- now he needs to continue develop it. He'll be the biggest player on the roster next season -- unless they add a transfer who is taller than 6-foot-7 -- so he'll have some serious defensive responsibilities, too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln's second-leading scorer this season, [player_tooltip player_id='2366206' first='Jeremiah' last='Slaughter'] will be back for his senior campaign in Council Bluffs. Another sharp-shooter from beyond the arc, Slaughter possesses a lightning quick release, always ready to launch from deep. The second player on the Lynx roster to launch over 100 three-pointers this season, he made 43% of his shots from three, to score 14.5 points per game, adding 3.1 assists and three rebounds a game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And here we go again with another 2028 guard that can shoot, [player_tooltip player_id='2917306' first='CJ' last='Mosala'] a classmate of Steinbeck's. Mosala was actually the top three-point shooter on Lincoln's squad this year. Knocking down triples at a 45.6% rate this winter, Mosala will likely get his attempts up next season. He, like Steinbeck, provides good length on the perimeter, as he stands at 6-foot-4. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oh, another shooting threat? Who would've guessed. Here comes [player_tooltip player_id='2617477' first='Braylin' last='De Jager'], who comes in as the second-best three-point shooter on Lincoln's roster behind Mosala, making 45.1% of his threes this season. Again, he'll be due for a few more shots next season. He and Mosala combined for 17.9 points per game this last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By the way the numbers look, Lincoln may benefit from simply trying to out-shoot everyone they face next year. If Steinbeck can provide some rim protection in addition to his and his team's efficient shooting numbers, the Lynx may be on the prowl for a state championship. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->