Class 2A: Top 10 Returning Shot Blockers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1.) 2027 Owen Klocksiem (Louisa-Muscatine) -- 63 blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Klocksiem and the next player on this list combined to turn away 123 shots last season, giving the Falcons a pair of formidable rim protectors. Klocksiem is an athletic, mobile 6-4 forward who can switch onto smaller players as well as protect the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3343951' first='Oscar' last='Cline'] (Louisa-Muscatine) -- 60</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cline is a high-level athlete who has found himself on a number of these top returnees lists, a testament to just how impactful a two-way player he is on a nightly basis. Despite being listed at just 5-11, he blocked 60 shots last season and was one of the best rebounders in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3.) 2028 Paxton Steffes (Camanche) -- 54</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A mobile 6-7 big man who had a breakout sophomore season for the Storm, Steffes not only served as a dominant rim protector, he also led the team in scoring (11.0) and rebounding (7.5) while shooting 65% from the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419757' first='Bryer' last='Putman'] (Wilton) -- 49</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Putman has been putting up massive numbers since he was a freshman, and last year was his best yet, averaging 22.0 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 3.5 steals, and 2.2 blocks per game on 51.6% shooting. He's an athletic 6-4/6-5 forward who can defend multiple positions for the Beavers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5.) 2028 Casen Hawkins (Centerville) -- 48</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hawkins is part of a strong 2028 class at Centerville, serving as the size in that group. He led the Big Reds in rebounding (7.0) last season and averaged more than two blocks a game. His presence in the paint was vital for a Centerville team that had one of their best seasons in the last decade. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6.) 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2523908' first='Jaxen' last='Christiansen'] (Northeast) -- 47</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christiansen has made his name known in his first two seasons with his ability to score in bunches (averaged 21.6 points per game as a sophomore), but his ability to defend on the perimeter doesn't get talked about much. He's a really good athlete who moves his feet well, has a high IQ, and he does a nice job using his long wingspan to contest shots on the perimeter and turn defense into offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7.) 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2828851' first='Chayton' last='Smith'] (New Hampton) -- 46</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is a 6-3 combo forward who can defend multiple positions, using his length and athleticism to hold his own on the perimeter as well as contest shots around the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>t8.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2823320' first='Evan' last='Hoffman'] (OABCIG) -- 43</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big, 6-8 center, Hoffman is a physically imposing presence in the painted area for the Falcons, making teams re-think how they're going to attack them on that end of the floor. He holds his ground on the block, does a good job staying vertical and staying out of foul trouble, and he's not just a big body; there's some skill here also, averaging 14.7 points and 7.7 rebounds on 67.6% shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>t8.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2853865' first='Colin' last='Christians'] (Sioux Central) -- 43</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christians is an athletic 6-5 wing who provides some real versatility on both ends of the floor for the Rebels, averaging 9.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game on 59-48-52 shooting splits, complimenting his strong play on the defensive end. His length and mobility are major assets in his ability to contest shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419787' first='Jake' last='Wegmann'] (Beckman Catholic) -- 41</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wegmann had an up-and-down junior year for the Blazers, battling injuries for a majority of the season, but he still found a way to make a major impact on both ends of the floor, leading the team in scoring (13.0), rebounding (5.9), and serving as arguably their most impactful and versatile defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->