4A Way-Too-Early Title Contenders: Johnston

<!-- 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>Putting together one of the top comeback stories in all classes this season, Johnston started the season 1-5 before rattling off ten-straight wins prior to the state championship game in 4A. With victories over Norwalk, Ankeny Council Bluffs Lincoln and Des Moines Roosevelt over that stretch, the Dragons proved themselves to be in the upper echelon of the class. They really proved themselves in the state tournament, though. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Avenging two early season losses, Johnston defeated two expected title contenders en route to their appearance in the state title game, defeating both Waukee Northwest and Waukee, two programs with one or more high-major commits on their respective rosters. Plus, Northwest had key returning players from their run to a state chamionship the year prior. Going up big in the first half before Cedar Falls rallied back to finish an undefeated season and cap it with a state title, the Dragons nearly went from bottom-feeders of the class to champions in the same season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Along with the success they posted this winter, Johnston returns four starters and three of their top four leading scorers from last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starting off the conversation must center around the team's leading scorer and steals, a breakout star for the Dragons this year, [player_tooltip player_id='2419846' first='Nicare' last='Cavil']. A point guard that ran the show for the Dragons, Cavil was a prospect that never got sped up, maintained composure and grew exponentially as a scorer, putting up 16.1 points per game, a big jump from his sophomore contributions of 7.3 points per game. Adding 3.2 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game while shooting 35% from three and 77% from the free throw line, Cavil was one of the best guards in 4A this season, earning a spot on the <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/03/prep-hoops-iowa-all-class-of-2027-teams/">Class of 2027 All-State Second Team</a> and the <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/03/prep-hoops-iowa-4a-all-state-team/">4A All-State Third Team</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnston also returns [player_tooltip player_id='2116043' first='Joshua' last='Jenkins'], one of the premiere stretch bigs in the class, who shot incredible percentages this season, finishing the year 52.3% from the field, 42.9% from three and 80% from the free throw line. A sniper from deep, especially from the corners, Jenkins helped spread the floor for players like Cavil to attack the rim. He also led the Dragons in rebounding at 5.4 per game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two other starters, Emri Jenkins and [player_tooltip player_id='2419751' first='Darren' last='Grandon'] are back for head coach Courtney Henderson this coming season. Jones, a football star for the Dragons, also serves as a secondary ball-handler to Cavil and a intense presence defensively on the perimeter against opposing guards. He adds 6.7 points per game while shooting 42.3% from three. Grandon, while not as impactful on the stat sheet, always felt like he was on the cusp of a breakout game, as the 6-foot-4 big is athletic, tough and ocassionally makes tough shots. If he steps up in the rebounding department and scores more consistently around the cup next season, Johnston is going to be quite the team to be reckoned with in 4A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->