Class 1A: Top Ten Returning Steals

Tony Roe August 5, 2026 @ 04:30 PM

1.) 2027 Henry Adam (Pekin) -- 99 steals   A quick lead guard who does a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor, Adam put together a pretty impressive junior campaign for the Panthers, averaging 8.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.8 assists to go with his 4.1 steals per game. His speed and quick hands are a major asset on both ends of the floor.   2.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3218248' first='Walker' last='Bissell'] (Southwest Valley) -- 90   Bissell is small, listed at 5-9 last season, but he's a menace on the defensive end, averaging 3.9 steals per game last year for the Timberwolves, and that was actually second on the team behind Cael Hogan, who has graduated. He has a penchant for jumping passing lanes and turning defense into offense.   3.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3343950' first='Quentin' last='Dalton'] (Bedford) -- 84   Dalton also found himself on the leading returning scorers list, with his work on the defensive end helping contribute to his 20.9 point-per-game average last season in a major way.   4.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1977076' first='Landon' last='Blum'] (Woodbine) -- 78   Another top-10 returnees list, another Blum appearance. The 6-3/6-4 wing is a special athlete who uses his frame, length, and athleticism to his advantage on the hardwood as well as the gridiron. He provides so much versatility on both ends of the floor given his athleticism advantage at this level.   5.) 2028 Brody Thompson (Cedar Valley Christian) -- 73   Thompson, listed at just 5-5, is a tough, quick guard who doesn't shy away from bigger guards on the defensive end, embracing the challenge and using his smaller frame to get some leverage. He has quick hands and feet, and in addition to his work on the defensive end, he also led the huskies in assists last season, dishing out 3.3 helpers per contest.   t6.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2412735' first='Jakob' last='Pottebaum'] (Boyden-Hull) -- 72   The Comets should be one of the best teams in 1A this winter, and Pottebaum, fresh off averaging 14.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, will be one of the best players in the class. He's a strong, athletic guard who can defend multiple positions and isn't afraid to bang around with the bigger bodies in the paint, where he uses his hands to his advantage.   t6.) 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2523893' first='Cooper' last='Hamilton'] (St. Albert) -- 72   Hamilton is one of the most versatile players in the class, capable of defending just about every spot on the floor with his 6-3 frame, IQ, and length. In addition to his strong work on the defensive end, he led the Falcons in scoring (18.8) last season and was one of their top playmakers, averaging 2.8 assists.   t6.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2906452' first='Caden' last='Oswald'] (Coon Rapids-Bayard) -- 72   Oswald was the floor general for one of the best teams in 1A last season, leading the Crusaders in assists (5.5) and pacing what was one of the best defensive teams in the class with his work as a strong on-ball defender at the point of attack.   9.) 2029 [player_tooltip player_id='3693054' first='Tyler' last='Kubovec'] (Lisbon) -- 71   Kubovec was one of the most productive freshman in the state last season, leading the Lions in scoring (16.9), assists (3.2), and steals. He's a smart, quick guard who likes to play downhill on the offensive end, and his speed and quick hands make life difficult for opposing ball-handlers.   10.) 2028 Sam Gray (Heartland Christian) -- 70   The Eagles won just five games last season, but Gray was one of the bright spots, averaging 9.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 3.7 steals per game. For a HC team that struggled to score (39.0 points per game), any opportunity to turn defense into offense is welcome, and Gray is pretty good at that.

1.) 2027 Henry Adam (Pekin) -- 99 steals