Class 1A: Top Ten Returning Shot Blockers

Tony Roe August 6, 2026 @ 08:30 AM

1.) 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='3433713' first='Luke' last='Chrisman'] (Springville) -- 113 blocks   A 6-7 rim protecting extraordinaire, Chrisman was the eraser for the Orioles as a sophomore, averaging nearly five blocks a night as the anchor of their defense. He's a big, mobile forward with impeccable timing as a shot blocker, and he showed the ability to not only wall up and defend on his own man, but also great awareness to routinely rotate over and swat away looks.   2.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2390460' first='Gavin' last='Halbach'] (Northwood-Kensett) -- 67   In addition to turning away nearly three shots a night for the Vikings, the 6-5 Halbach also led the team in rebounding (6.9), showed some playmaking out of the post (2.4 assists), and was an effective scorer around the rim (8.0).   3.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3344413' first='Abner' last='Zaugg'] (West Bend-Mallard) -- 40   Zaugg stuffed the stat sheet for the Wolverines as a junior, leading the team in scoring (16.9) and rebounding (9.0) in addition to his work as a rim protector. He's an athletic big man who runs the floor well and rotates on the defensive end.   4.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3343952' first='AJ' last='Clarke'] (Murray) -- 39   Clarke was the lone Mustang to average in double figures last season, averaging 12.3 points a game while also leading the team in rebounds (6.1), steals (2.0), and blocks. He's an athletic, physical 6-4 forward who can do a little bit of everything for his team.   5.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3517265' first='Jackson' last='Busch'] (East Marshall) -- 38   A 6-3 forward, Busch enjoyed a bit of a breakout year as a junior, averaging 9.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks a game while showing his ability to score both inside and out (53-43-79 shooting splits). Following the graduations of three of their top four scorers, look for him to become one of the better all-around players in the NICL this winter.   t6.) 2029 Tommy Heemstra (Montezuma) -- 36   Heemstra understood his role as a freshman and played to his strengths, leading the Braves in blocks while also contributing 2.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. He's an agile 6-4 forward who is part of a 2029 class at Montezuma that has some real promise.   t6.) 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='3562510' first='Owen' last='Smith'] (Riceville) -- 36   This is the third top-10 returnees list that Smith finds himself on, a testament to just how good he was as a sophomore for the Wildcats. His athleticism and toughness at 6-4 make him a difficult matchup on both ends of the floor on a nightly basis for teams in the Iowa Star.   8.) 2027 Austin Remster (Melcher-Dallas) -- 32   Remster, a 6-4 forward, led the Saints in rebounding (8.3) and was third on the team in scoring (7.5) as a junior. All of his damage on the offensive end comes inside the arc, and he has proven to be a solid paint presence on the defensive end as well.   9.) 2029 Coltyn Kelley (East Union) -- 31   Kelley had a nice freshman year for the Eagles, averaging 4.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in addition to his work as an interior defender. He'll be a key piece for East Union for the next three years alongside guard Bryce Pettit, another solid player in the 2029 class.   10.) 2027 Brendan Meaney (Janesville) -- 30   At 6-6, 260 pounds and committed to play offensive line in the ACC at Wake Forest, Meaney has the type of size, strength, and athleticism that is rare to see at the 1A level. His sheer size allows him to be a dominant interior defender who teams rarely try to challenge, but when they do, it's often going to be turned away.

1.) 2028 Luke Chrisman Luke Chrisman 6'6" | PF Springville | 2028 State IA (Springville) -- 113 blocks