Class 4A: Top 10 Returning Shot Blockers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2617475' first='Blake' last='Ritze'] (Linn-Mar) -- 50 blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ritze is a long, athletic 6-8 rim protector who provides a ton of defensive versatility for the Lions with his ability to switch defensively and play in a number of different defensive coverages. In addition to his work as a rim protector, he averaged 11.0 points and 5.7 rebounds on 62% shooting as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2.) 2029 [player_tooltip player_id='2839170' first='Liam' last='Noll'] (Sioux City East) -- 42</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Noll is one of the best long-term prospects in the state, regardless of class. He's a super long, mobile 6-9/6-10 combo forward who can defend just about any spot on the floor, stretch the defense with his shooting (39.1 3P%), and he protects the paint in a major way. He may just be scratching the surface of his potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3.) 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2594655' first='Pete' last='Craig'] (Waukee) -- 41</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Throughout his first two varsity seasons, Craig has firmly established himself as one of the best two-way players in the state. He's a strong, athletic defender who can guard one through five. He's a force on the glass, a solid playmaker with good court vision, and a tough finisher around the rim. He averaged 11.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game as a sophomore for one of the state's best teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4.) 2029 [player_tooltip player_id='2934341' first='Dominic' last='Merrigan'] (Sioux City West) -- 35</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Merrigan shot overshadowed by fellow 2029 Roman Henry last season for the Wolverines, but he had a really nice freshman season as well, putting up 5.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and shooting just under 53% from the floor. A tough, athletic 6-4 forward who can hold his ground in the paint, he'll become a much bigger part of the attack following Henry's transfer and the graduations of Eduardo Frazier and Kamren Hegna.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5.) 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2523932' first='Kalan' last='Steinbeck'] (Council Bluffs Lincoln) – 30</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another appearance on a top 10 returnee list for Steinbeck, who is gunning for that top spot in the 2028 rankings in the next update. With his size, length at 6-7, and athleticism, he's a versatile defender who can contest shots on the perimeter as well as bang with bigger bodies in the painted area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419840' first='Cayden' last='Larson'] (Prairie) -- 25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Larson is a 6-8 forward who can score inside and out as well as hold his own defensively in the paint. He does a really good job staying vertical and contesting shots without fouling. His ability to stay on the floor, averaging just 1.8 fouls per game last season, is big for a Hawks team that can play a bit more aggressively on the perimeter knowing they have a physical presence in the paint behind them. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>t7.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2366206' first='Jeremiah' last='Slaughter'] (Council Bluffs Lincoln) -- 24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's rare to see a guard pop up on a top returning shot blockers list, but here's Slaughter. He's a really long 6-3 guard who does a great job using his length to contest shots on the perimeter. His speed and IQ allow him to cover a lot of ground on that end of the floor, and he emerged as one of the best two-way players in the MRAC last season, averaging 14.5 points, 3.0 assists, and shooting 43% from 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>t7.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2443978' first='Alfred' last='Kolee'] (Dowling Catholic) -- 24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kolee paired with Charlie Crane to give the Maroons one of the best one-two punches of shot blockers in the state last season. He used his really strong junior year, averaging 10.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, and shooting 64% from the floor, to help grab an offer from Northern Iowa, committing shortly after. He's an intriguing 6-8 big man with eye-popping athleticism, length, and versatility. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>t9.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754686' first='Cayson' last='Neely'] (Davenport North) -- 20</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neely was really solid on both ends of the floor last season for Pleasant Valley, averaging 10.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while also serving as a reliable, strong presence in the paint. He has transferred to play his senior year at Davenport North for a Wildcats team that has a ton of talent and potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>t9.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2309944' first='Josiah' last='Harrington'] (North Scott) -- 20</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top-ranked player in the state can do it all, so it's no surprise to see him on this top returnee list as well. He has great size as a wing, is a highly intelligent player who rotates well, and he can defend one through five at this level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->