Class 1A: Top Ten Returning Rebounders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1.) 2027 Graham Matlock (Rivermont Collegiate) -- 15.5 rebounds per game</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions played just four varsity games last season, but Matlock put up some huge rebounding numbers in those four games, pulling down 62 boards in those contests. He also blocked two shots a game, impressive on both ends of the floor despite being listed at just 6-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3620609' first='Gabe' last='Staley'] (Hamburg) -- 13.1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Staley averaged a team-high 19 points a game for the Wildcats last season in addition to his dominant work on the glass. A 6-4 big man with soft hands and a big, physical frame, he could average 20 + 15 as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3.) 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='3562510' first='Owen' last='Smith'] (Riceville) -- 12.4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats won just nine games last season, but the 6-4 Smith was a standout in his sophomore campaign, leading the team in scoring (22.3), rebounding, and blocks (1.6) while shooting nearly 54% from the floor. He's a dominant player at the 1A level with the type of athleticism and toughness that makes him a matchup problem.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2906442' first='Ty' last='Heydon'] (Coon Rapids-Bayard) -- 11.6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heydon has been an exceptional rebounder all three of his high school seasons so far, and following the graduation of his older brother Cal, even more rebounding opportunities will open themselves up. It's not out of the question for the 6-3, athletic combo forward to lead the state in rebounding as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754716' first='Brody' last='Heifner'] (Belmond-Klemme) -- 11.0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An athletic, physical 6-4 big man with a strong frame, soft hands, and a nose for the ball, Heifner was one of the most statistically dominant players in 1A last winter. In addition to his rebounding prowess, he averaged a team-high 22.1 points, 2.5 assists, and 2.4 steals per game on 60% shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6.) 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2439640' first='Jevyn' last='Severson'] (Madrid) -- 10.0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Severson is probably the best player in 1A basketball heading into the season, coming off a sophomore year in which he averaged 24.5 points and 10.0 rebounds on 63.3% shooting, and helped lead an extremely young Madrid team within a game of returning to the state tournament. One of the best athletes in the state, he's a standout prospect on the football field and a dominant force on the hardwood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7.) 2027 Alijah Brock (Pekin) -- 9.3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite being listed at just 6-0, Brock is one of the best returning rebounders in the state, a testament to his athleticism, toughness, and willingness to compete with bigger bodies on the glass. He's a fearless guard who loves to mix it up in the paint on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3344410' first='Landon' last='Roling'] (Highland) -- 9.2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Huskies won just three games last year, but Roling was fantastic, averaging 14.0 points, 1.9 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.1 blocks to go with his stellar rebounding numbers. With four of their top five scorers returning, led by Roling, look for Highland to become more competitive this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9.) 2028 Cale Cunard (Logan-Magnolia) -- 9.2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cunard put together a really strong sophomore year for the Panthers, leading the team in scoring (14.9) and rebounding while showcasing that the 6-5 big man is capable of scoring from all three levels, knocking down 37% of his 3-point attempts and shooting better than 46% from the floor. He'll make his rankings debut in the next 2028 update coming later this fall or early in the winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1977076' first='Landon' last='Blum'] (Woodbine) -- 9.2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future Penn State receiver uses those same attributes - high-pointing the ball, great hands, explosive leaping ability - to control the glass on the hardwood. He'll be one of the best players in 1A basketball this winter, should he choose to play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->