Five 2028s Who Could Breakout in Class 3A This Winter

In some ways, DeKoter reminds me of a young Patrick McCaffery. The frame, the length, the bounce, the way he moves, all reminiscent of Patrick around this age range. He appeared in seven varsity games last season, coming on in mop-up duty but he showed some real flashes of his potential in his JV/sophomore games, dominating on both ends of the floor with his ability to defend multiple positions, keep possessions alive with his work on the glass, and stretch the floor a well as attack slower defenders off the dribble. The Clippers have a lot of offensive firepower returning and should be formidable in 3A, but DeKoter emerging into a two-way threat with his size could take them up another level.     Troster hit some big shots in the Tigers' state tournament run last season, and following the graduations of their top four scorers, there will be plenty of opportunity for him to shine as a junior. He's a skilled all-around offensive weapon who moves well without the ball in his hands and shoots it really well from distance (40.4 3P%), but he has also shown some secondary playmaking ability and could be a reliable ball-handler this winter for the Tigers.     Allen was a key bench player for a state qualifying team last season, but like ADM, Xavier was hit hard by graduation which will give him plenty of opportunity to take his game to another level this season. The Saints lost their top four, and seven of their top eight scorers from last year's team, leaving Allen as the lone returning piece with significant experience. He's a talented three-level scorer who can operate on-or-off the ball and he could emerge as one of the top scorers in the MVC this season.     A tough, physical lefty guard who is outstanding in the mid-range, Hersom was a standout performer at the Kennedy Shootout last weekend with the Indians and looks primed to emerge as a much bigger part of the rotation in his junior year. He does a great job competing on the glass on both ends of the floor, has feathery touch on his jumper, and is a good, active defender. If Oskaloosa is going to be a more competitive team in 2026-27, Hersom will be a big part of it.     Herrig is a versatile two-way player who does what is asked of him. He can defend multiple positions, create plays out of the mid-post or off the dribble for himself and his teammates, knock down shots from deep, post up smaller defenders, and he's solid on the glass on both ends of the floor. Wahlert lost two starters who combined to average 17.5 points and 9.4 rebounds a game, and while they bring back their top three scorers and a bunch of other rotation pieces, Herrig could be the breakout player they need to reach their ultimate ceiling.