Way Too Early Top 10: Class 3A

With July’s evaluation period now behind us and plenty of time to kill between now and late November, it’s time to take a look at who we believe will be some of the teams to keep an eye on in each classification this winter.

How well do these rankings predict what may happen over the course of the coming season? Well, of the 32 state tournament qualifying teams last year, we had 17 ranked in the top 10 in their respective classes, and another 10 written about in the “Others to Watch” sections. Teams that won state titles were ranked 1st (North Linn), 2nd (Western Christian), 3rd (Assumption), and 1st (Valley), and of the eight teams that participated in championship games, none were ranked lower than 6th (Marquette Catholic, Hudson) to start the year. We were most successful in Class 3A, with all eight teams written about to start the year (2, 3, 4, 7, and four in the “Others to Watch”) reaching the state tournament. Further, over the last seven years, teams ranked #1 to open the year have reached the state semifinals at a 68% clip, and played for a state championship at a 57% rate. So, while this isn’t the definitive list of how teams are going to perform this year, it’s certainly a good thing to find yourselves near the top of these initial rankings.

Below you’ll find our top 10 for Class 3A, along with some other teams that could make some noise, as well as a brief summary of why each team is in their respective spot. Enjoy.

1.) Assumption (State champions, 19-8 last year, 49.6% of scoring returning)

I said during one of our Hoop Troop podcasts before the season started last year that if everything came together for Assumption, there was no doubt they were the team to beat in Class 3A. Everything came together, and for the first time since 2000, the Knights became state champions. They were set to be an even more dominant team in 2024-25, set to bring back the top six scorers from that group. Then things changed a bit with the transfers of Navon Shabazz Navon Shabazz 6'4" | CG United Prep | 2026 State IA and Kayvion Hodges Kayvion Hodges 6'3" | SF/SG Muscatine | 2025 State IA . Shabazz will play his junior year at the newly established United Prep in Des Moines, while Hodges is rumored to have transferred back to Muscatine (still working to confirm this one). While those are obviously very big losses, players who combined to average 25.1 points, 12.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 2.8 steals per game last season, there is still enough on the Knights roster for us to consider them the team to beat heading into the 2024-25 season. They’ll be headlined by senior guard Damyen Jackson Damyen Jackson 6'0" | PG Assumption | 2025 State IA (15.9, 2.8 assists), a lightning-quick guard who was unbelievably good during Assumption’s run to the 3A title last season, being named captain of the All-Tournament team. He thrives with his dribble penetration, using his handles, speed, and footwork to blow by defenders and get to the rim, but he also showed throughout the run that he can be a capable shooting threat from 3-point range. Also returning from that group are Braylon Thomsen Braylon Thomsen 6'4" | SF Assumption | 2025 State IA (8.6), Joey Funderburk Joey Funderburk 6'6" | PF Assumption | 2025 State IA (7.1), and Isiah Rose Isiah Rose 6'6" | SF Assumption | 2025 State IA (4.7), a trio of long, athletic weapons who can provide versatility on both ends of the floor. The Knights also gained the services of Synceare Simons Synceare Simons 6'3" | SG Assumption | 2026 State IA , a 6-3 junior wing who has transferred in from United Township (IL). Simons is a long, athletic wing who can do a little bit of everything on both ends. He shoots it well, attacks off the dribble, is a skilled passer, and his length and athleticism allow him to be a strong defender. Before the losses of Shabazz and Hodges, complacency was pretty much the only argument that could be made against Assumption repeating in 3A. Following the losses, I believe the Knights are still the team to beat, but it’s no longer Assumption #1 with a bullet. This will be another wide open year in Class 3A.

2.) Ballard (State qualifier, 16-9 last year, 76.1% of scoring returning)

The Bombers may have been a year ahead of schedule in reaching the state tournament last season, catching fire at the right time and blowing through their substate before running into the eventual champion Assumption in the state quarterfinals. They bring back four of the top five scorers from that group, led by junior point guard Jude Gibson Jude Gibson 6'0" | PG Ballard | 2026 State IA (17.0, 5.6 assists, 3.0 steals), a dynamic two-way player who is among the best guards in the state. He’s a lightning-quick, downhill player who can blow by defenders and get into the teeth of the defense, where he scores well at the rim or finds open teammates. The Bombers are able to surround him with a multitude of talented shooting threats in Jackson Brown Jackson Brown 6'1" | SG Ballard | 2025 State IA (14.5, 43.8 3P%), Mason Gatchel Mason Gatchel 6'1" | SG Ballard | 2025 State IA (6.0, 37.7 3P%), and Miles Mudd Miles Mudd 6'2" | SG Ballard | 2025 State IA (5.4, 45.2 3P%). All three of them are able to consistently get clean, quality looks because of the playmaking talents of Gibson. The Bombers got solid production out of sophomore forward Parker Miller Parker Miller 6'4" | PF Ballard | 2027 State IA (4.8, 3.7 rebounds) last season as a freshman, and he should step into the starting lineup and become a big contributor as a rim protector, rebounder, and all-around offensive weapon. The Bombers may have the best starting five in 3A not named Assumption, and if they can take another leap this year, they’d certainly love to get another shot at Assumption.

3.) Pella (State qualifier, 15-10 last year, 57.7% of scoring returning)

Like Ballard, Pella may have been a year ahead of schedule in getting to the state tournament last season. They took advantage of one of the weaker substates and got to the state tournament despite finishing the regular season with a 12-9 record, getting past Carlisle, Clarke, and Winterset to get to Des Moines. Then they played runner-up Waverly-Shell Rock to a great game in the quarterfinals, losing 65-64. Leading scorer Jack McGuire Jack McGuire 6'5" | SF/CG Pella | 2026 State IA (14.4, 7.6 rebounds) returns and is the headliner of the group. He’s a hyper-athletic 6-4/6-5 wing who can put the ball on the floor and get to the bucket routinely, shooting just under 60% from the floor as a sophomore. He’s working to add consistent range to his game, but when he gets a head of steam, he’s nearly impossible to slow down. He’ll be joined in the starting lineup by two other skilled scoring threats in senior Brayden Traetow Brayden Traetow 6'0" | SG Pella | 2025 State IA (9.5, 3.4 assists, 36.2 3P%) and junior Austin Schulte Austin Schulte 6'3" | SF Pella | 2026 State IA (7.7, 38.3 3P%), giving the Dutch a trio of players who can score 20+ on any given night. Seven of the Dutch’s 10 losses last year came by single digits, and with three key pieces and several other rotation players returning, they should be able to make some real noise again in 3A.

4.) Clear Lake (22-2 last year, 55.3% of scoring returning)

The Lions have been one of the most consistent teams in Class 3A over the last six years, averaging over 21 wins a year. They were the best defensive team in the class last year, allowing just 47.0 points per game, and they rolled to a 20-0 record before losing to Nevada in their regular-season finale. They then lost to Ballard in the substate final while missing standout forward Thomas Meyer Thomas Meyer 6'4" | PF Clear Lake | 2025 State IA (12.4, 7.8 rebounds). Meyer, a future Iowa tight end, is a great athlete who finishes well around the rim, can step out and stretch the floor, rebounds at a high level, and can protect the rim well. He’ll be the focal point of the game plan on both ends of the floor. Titan Schmitt Titan Schmitt 6'0" | SG Clear Lake | 2025 State IA (10.2, 4.0 assists, 43.7 3P%) gives the Lions a gifted playmaker and shotmaker in the backcourt alongside junior point guard Trevor Theobald (6.5, 5.5 assists). Theobald was great as a sophomore, protecting the ball (3.09 assist-to-turnover ratio) and getting his teammates involved. A pair of sophomores – Jaxson McIntire Jaxson McIntire 6'2" | SF Clear Lake | 2027 State IA (6.0) and Max Larson Max Larson 6'4" | PF Clear Lake | 2026 State IA (5.9, 4.1 rebounds) – played really well as freshmen and will step into bigger roles, as will seniors Samuel Howland Samuel Howland 6'5" | PF Clear Lake | 2025 State IA (3.4) and Jordan Ainley Jordan Ainley 6'0" | SG Clear Lake | 2025 State IA (2.5). Clear Lake may not have one individual star, but this is going to be one of the deepest teams in the state. They’re athletic, long, physical, defensive-minded, and know how to win games.

5.) ADM (20-4 last year, 40.6% of scoring returning)

The Tigers were one of the best teams in the class last season, rolling to a 18-3 record in the regular season, with two of the losses coming to really good 4A teams (Norwalk, Dallas Center-Grimes). They lose three double-figure scorers from that 20-win team, but bring back a pair of dynamic junior guards who will lead the way for what should continue to be a really fun group to watch. Hudson Lorensen Hudson Lorensen 5'11" | SG ADM | 2026 State IA (15.8, 51.0 FG%, 43.2 3P%) led the team in scoring as a sophomore and was sensational throughout the spring and summer as a dynamic three-level scorer. The skilled lefty has a great feel for the game, knows how to get to his spots, and can play with or without the ball in his hands. His fellow classmate Hudson Shull Hudson Shull 5'11" | SG ADM | 2026 State IA (6.3) is the other key returnee. Shull figures to be the team’s primary ball-handler this season, and like Lorensen, he’s a high IQ guard who can do a little bit of everything on the floor. Juniors Caleb Oberhoffer (2.4), Hayden Dolhman, and Wyatt Schweiger Wyatt Schweiger 5'11" | PG ADM | 2025 IA (1.9), and sophomore Trey Bryte Trey Bryte 6'5" | PG ADM | 2026 State IA (1.3) figure to be key pieces of the rotation alongside Lorensen and Shull. There will be a lot of new faces taking the floor for Trevor Mickelson, but with one of the best players in the class leading the charge in Lorensen, they’ll once again be a factor in 3A.

6.) Xavier (10-12 last year, 59.5% of scoring returning)

A young Saints team had some real highs last season, posting wins over Waverly-Shell Rock and Linn-Mar. But they struggled to play consistently against a loaded MVC schedule and then got beat in the opening round of substate play by Maquoketa, ending their season earlier than they would’ve liked. They lost two starters from that team, including standout big man Tyler Netolicky, who led the team in scoring, rebounding, and blocks. But with a very talented 2026 trio leading the way, they should be improved, more consistent, and a threat to make some noise in 3A this winter. Zander Murray Zander Murray 6'1" | SG Xavier | 2026 State IA (10.4) didn’t shoot it as well from 3-point range as he can in his first varsity season. If he’s able to rebound from a 33.3% shooting and get closer to the 37-39% that he’s capable of, it would be huge for the Saints. He’s joined in the backcourt by point guard Lorenzo Pino Lorenzo Pino 5'11" | PG/CG Cedar Rapids Xavier | 2026 State IA (6.1, 2.5 assists), a skilled ball-handler and playmaker who can score from all three levels and create off the bounce. AJ Evans AJ Evans 6'8" | PF Xavier | 2026 State IA (4.6) is a raw but lanky and athletic forward with great size at 6-8 who can protect the rim and finish around the bucket effectively. He had a solid summer and should be a much more productive player as a junior. The junior trio will be the headliners, but a pair of seniors – Kaleb Wilgenbusch Kaleb Wilgenbusch 6'0" | SG Cedar Rapids Xavier | 2025 State IA (9.1, 2.7 assists) and Aiden Miller Aiden Miller 6'2" | PG Xavier | 2025 State IA – may end up being the biggest X-factors this season. Wilgenbusch is a tough, talented guard who does a little bit of everything, and Miller will need to step into a bigger role as a playmaker and defender. The Saints are going to be talented and will be battle tested going through the MVC.

7.) Keokuk (17-7 last year, 72.3% of scoring returning)

Tucked down in the far southeast corner of the state, Keokuk may be a team that goes overlooked, but they shouldn’t be this year. Junior forward Jaxon Clark Jaxon Clark 6'9" | C Keokuk | 2026 State IA (19.8, 11.5 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 65.6 FG%) is one of the best players in the state, regardless of class. The 6-10 big man recently went on an unofficial visit to Illinois and has started to garner a lot of attention with his strong play over the summer with Mid-Pro Academy. He has soft hands, elite footwork and touch around the rim, can stretch the floor, and is really good as an interior defender. It’s not outside of the realm of possibility for him to average 25 points and 15 rebounds as a junior while shooting an eye-popping percentage. Two other key players return in seniors Brenton Hoard Brenton Hoard 6'2" | SG Keokuk | 2025 State IA (11.8, 3.2 assists) and Tramell Smith Tramell Smith 6'1" | SG Keokuk | 2025 State IA (7.1, 40.3 3P%). Hoard is a long, athletic wing who can guard multiple positions on the defensive end, and Smith is the team’s best shooting threat. The Chiefs have a significant amount of production to replace, namely Diego Garcia, but Clark is an elite talent at this level, and they have some experienced players who know their roles alongside him. This team shouldn’t sneak up on anyone this year.

8.) Waverly-Shell Rock (State runner-up, 22-4 last year, 32.0% of scoring returning)

You can’t get any closer to winning a state title than Waverly-Shell Rock did last season, falling 46-45 against Assumption in the title game, losing on a free throw with 4.2 seconds left. A special group for the Go-Hawks lost four starters and will most certainly take a step back in the 2024-25 season. But it’s a testament to just how good the lone returnee is, how good of a program Nate Steege has built, and some of the confidence we have in the unproven pieces, that the Go-Hawks find themselves still in the top 10 to open the year. The returnee is Luke Frazell Luke Frazell 6'6" | SG Waverly-Shell Rock | 2025 State IA (18.7), an elite scorer and shooter who could lead the state in scoring this season after all of the losses to graduation. He shot an eye-popping 54.9% from behind the arc as a junior, and at 6-6, he has the size to get his shot off whenever he wants. He was fantastic in one half of play at the Winterset Shootout in June, showing that he can be the dominant scorer for a team, and he’s going to be asked to do a ton for this group. There are three other returnees who saw some time last season – seniors Gavin Stockdale (2.1), Tyler Gade Tyler Gade 6'4" | PF Waverly-Shell Rock | 2025 State IA (2.1), and Hudson Kroymann (2.0). Each of them will need to make a major jump, but each had solid games throughout the weekend in June when we saw them play. The backcourt figures to be handled by Nathan Miller Nathan Miller 5'10" | PG Waverly-Shell Rock | 2025 State IA and Brady Bodensteiner Brady Bodensteiner 6'1" | PG Waverly-Shell Rock | 2026 State IA , and they should get a boost from incoming freshman guard Jayden Stephens Jayden Stephens 6'0" | PG Waverly-Shell Rock | 2028 State IA , one of the most talented players in the 2028 class in the state. While WSR lost a ton of production, Frazell is that good, and 3A is that much of a toss-up, that we still expect this team to be a factor in the class.

9.) Decorah (State semifinalist, 23-3 last year, 39.3% of scoring returning)

The Vikings spent a significant chunk of last season ranked #1 in the class and looked every bit the part throughout the postseason until running into the Assumption buzzsaw in the semifinals. The Vikings lost a ton of production from that team, which may have been the best in school history, but do bring back a pair of quality building blocks to try and keep the momentum going in junior forward Cael LaFrentz Cael LaFrentz 6'10" | C Decorah | 2026 State IA (15.4, 10.6 rebounds, 2.6 blocks) and senior guard Zach Driscoll Zach Driscoll 6'0" | SG Decorah | 2025 State IA (9.8, 4.5 assists, 50.7 3P%). LaFrentz, the son of former NBAer Raef LaFrentz, is a nearly 7-foot big man with soft hands, good touch, and great rim protection. He’s still developing his skill set, but with his size and pedigree, another leap is certainly in the cards. Driscoll transferred over to Decorah from MFL MarMac and stepped into a little bit of a different role, playing more as a facilitator than a scorer. During his senior year, he’ll likely be asked to step back into a big scoring role, something he is certainly capable of doing with his ability to create off the dribble and shoot it at an extremely high level. Only two others who saw significant time last season return in Louis Bucksa (2.4) and Noah Milburn Noah Milburn 6'5" | SF Decorah | 2026 State IA (2.1), so a lot will be asked of LaFrentz and Driscoll, but that one-two punch will be among the best in the class.

10.) MOC-Floyd Valley (State semifinalist, 22-4 last year, 63.9% of scoring returning)

The Dutchmen bring back a lot of production from last year’s team, with four starters back, but there is a gaping hole on the roster in the form of Jesse Van Kalsbeek, the 2024 Mr. Basketball winner. He averaged 26 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1.5 blocks a game last season and carried MOC to the semifinals. That’s the bad news. The good news is that, as we mentioned, four starters return from that state semifinalist, so while they may not have the elite player on their side, they’ll have a really balanced, deep, and experienced group returning. Senior guard Blake Aalbers Blake Aalbers 6'0" | PG MOC-Floyd Valley | 2025 State IA (13.9) will pair with Ahman Langton Ahman Langton 5'11" | PG MOC-Floyd Valley | 2025 State IA (9.7, 2.9 assists) to give the Dutchmen a pair of reliable scorers and playmakers in the backcourt. Owen Vander Pol Owen Vander Pol 6'5" | PF MOC-Floyd Valley | 2025 State IA (7.7, 5.2 rebounds, 57.9 FG%) is a very efficient interior option, while Draeden Punt Draeden Punt 6'5" | PF MOC-Floyd Valley | 2026 State IA (6.8) looks like a player who could be primed to have a breakout junior year. A super athletic forward who can defend one through five, he’s also a strong finisher around the rim and a talented rebounder. Carter Van Gelder Carter Van Gelder 6'3" | SG MOC-Floyd Valley | 2026 State IA (3.1), Carter Brightwell (2.7), and Tayon Groendyke (1.0), a trio of juniors who saw some time as sophomores, also figure to step into bigger roles. Van Kalsbeek is obviously a huge loss, but MOC is almost always good under Loren De Jong, and they should be one of the deepest and most balanced teams in the class.

Ten more to watch

Algona (14-8 last year, 85.8% of scoring returning)

After reaching the state tournament in the 2022-23 season, the Bulldogs had a bit of an up-and-down 2023-24 year. They still ended up winning 14 games, but the defense failed them in their biggest games, allowing 72.8 points a game in their eight losses (compared to 51.3 a game in their 14 wins). They bring back six of the top seven scorers from last year’s team, led by senior guard Ben Helmers Ben Helmers 6'4" | PG Algona | 2025 State IA (20.7) and senior forward Alex Manske Alex Manske 6'3" | SG Algona | 2025 State IA (16.4). Helmers is a quick, athletic guard who loves to play downhill and attack the rim, while Manske is a versatile, intelligent forward who can stretch the floor and pass it at a high level out of the post. Evan Allie Evan Allie 5'10" | PG Algona | 2026 State IA (6.0) and Jack Limbaugh Jack Limbaugh 6'4" | PF Algona | 2027 IA (5.9) provide additional scoring, and Jaxon Eischen (1.7) and Tate Garman (1.6) each saw time last season. The Helmers-Manske tandem will be among the most productive in 3A, and if the newer faces step into bigger roles and succeed, the Bulldogs could find themselves back in Des Moines for the state tournament.

Bondurant-Farrar (State qualifier, 15-10 last year, 48.1% of scoring returning)

After an undefeated state title run in 2022-23, of course the Bluejays were going to take a step back in 2023-24. But it’s a testament to the program that Travis Evans has built that they once again navigated their way through an up-and-down season and found themselves in Des Moines with a chance to defend their title, avenging a pair of regular-season losses to ADM by upsetting the Tigers in the substate final. Their run fell short in the quarterfinals at the hands of MOC-Floyd Valley, but the late-season run showed the real strength that Evans has built into this program. They’ll have some real scoring to replace following the graduation of Tanner Berggren, who averaged nearly 22 points a game, but they bring back two high-level players in the backcourt in Cole Miller Cole Miller 5'10" | PG Bondurant-Farrar | 2025 State IA (12.8, 7.2 assists) and Hudson McConnell Hudson McConnell 6'2" | SF Bondurant-Farrar | 2025 State IA (11.5, 47.6 3P%), which will keep them competitive in the loaded Raccoon River. Miller will be a three-year starter for the Jays, and he’s one of the top lead guards in the class. He has a great feel for the game, an elite mid-range game, and is one of the best passers in the state, while McConnell is an elite shooting threat from 3-point range and he has really improved as a shot creator over the last year. They’ll need to find increased production out of players like Jerze Simonson (3.6), Jake Trusy (1.0), and Maxson Simmons (1.4), and the development of sophomore forward Drake Pfaltzgraff will be huge for them. If he can step in and provide some rebounding, rim protection, and efficient finishing, this group could be a 3A factor again.

Clear Creek Amana (16-7 last year, 78.7% of scoring returning)

A common theme among several of the 3A teams on this list is getting off to a slow start, then finding their stride after the holiday break. The Clippers are another team that falls into that category, going 3-4 before the holiday break, then winning 11 out of their first 12 games after the hiatus, including a 10-game winning streak that included sweeps of both Grinnell and Williamsburg, a pair of 16-win teams. Unfortunately for the Clippers, their postseason run was cut short at the hands of the Raiders, who got revenge in the substate semifinals. The Clippers bring back all but one player from last year’s team, and while Haiden Hardy’s 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists will be difficult to replace, this is a team that is going to be deep, experienced, and talented. Junior Andrew Rotzoll Andrew Rotzoll 6'1" | SG Clear Creek Amana | 2025 State IA (16.5, 42.8 3P%) is one of the best shooters in the state, a high-level catch-and-shoot weapon who has worked to improve as a ball-handler and shot creator. Robert Meade (8.9, 58.2 FG%) gives them some size, as does Brody Clubb Brody Clubb 6'3" | PF Clear Creek Amana | 2025 State IA (7.7, 5.2 rebounds), while Cale Berry Cale Berry 6'2" | SG Clear Creek Amana | 2025 State IA (8.5), Brock Hilsman (6.6), and Ethan Vice Ethan Vice 6'1" | SG Clear Creek Amana | 2026 State IA (5.6) provide more perimeter scoring and ball-handling alongside Rotzoll. Look for sophomore forward Avery Sorensen Avery Sorensen 6'4" | PF Clear Creek Amana | 2027 State IA to step into a bigger role this season as well, giving them size, athleticism, and toughness in the paint.

Des Moines Christian (16-5 last year, 62.2% of scoring returning)

The Lions dealt with a number of injuries last season but bring back their top two scorers from a 16-win team, and three of their top five, so they should have a solid base to continue to build upon. They’re led by the senior tandem of Sean Tunks Sean Tunks 6'1" | SG Centennial | 2025 State IA (19.1, 3.2 assists) and Seaton Ingram Seaton Ingram 6'5" | SF Des Moines Christian | 2025 State IA (12.1, 6.8 rebounds), a pair of athletic players who look to push the tempo and attack the rim whenever they can. Tunks transferred from Southeast Polk to provide the Lions with a quick guard who loves to attack the bucket and get his teammates involved, while Ingram is a long, bouncy wing who uses his length effectively on the defensive end. Max Town Max Town 6'5" | PG Des Moines Christian | 2026 State IA (11.0, 39.6 3P%) is another double-figure scorer who returns, the team’s best perimeter shooting threat. That trio will make DMC dangerous, and they bring back a few other pieces who saw time last year in senior forward Quinton Bailey Quinton Bailey 6'4" | PF Des Moines Christian | 2025 State IA , senior guard Joseph Clement, and sophomore guard Davis Tokheim Davis Tokheim 5'9" | PG Des Moines Christian | 2027 State IA . DMC is a perennially strong program, and they should win a ton of games again this year. The question for this group will be how they adjust come postseason time, as they’ll be playing 3A basketball for the first time following a huge increase in enrollment that pushed them up a class. If they were in 2A, they’d be a borderline top-5 team heading into the year, but up in 3A, we need to see how they adjust.

Gilbert (13-10 last year, 63.4% of scoring returning)

The Tigers got off to a slow 2-5 start last season before the holiday break. They went 11-5 after the hiatus, a stretch that included good wins over Nevada, Bondurant-Farrar, Carroll, and Humboldt, and despite losing their leading scorer, they should be even better this season. Truman Kruckenberg, who averaged over 16 points a game last season, has graduated, but the next three scorers, and six of the top eight overall, return. They’re led by senior guard Brody Hague Brody Hague 6'2" | SG Gilbert | 2025 State IA (12.9) and junior Preston Stensland Preston Stensland 6'3" | SF Gilbert | 2026 State IA (9.5, 3.1 assists), a strong one-two punch whose skill sets complement each other well. Hague is a downhill scorer and Stensland a skilled playmaker who sees the floor well. Will Hawthorne Will Hawthorne 6'2" | PF Gilbert | 2025 State IA (6.5, 8.0 rebounds) provides some real size, rebounding, and interior defense, and William Terrones William Terrones 5'8" | PG Gilbert | 2026 State IA (5.8, 4.3 assists) pairs with Stensland in the backcourt to give Gilbert a pair of high-level ball-handlers and playmakers. Look for this year’s Tigers team to be a bit more balanced in terms of scoring, and that should make them a little more difficult to defend.

Humboldt (15-8 last year, 51.0% of scoring returning)

Few teams in the state have embraced modern basketball the way that Humboldt has over the last several years, with the Wildcats averaging over 28 3-point attempts a game last season and making more than 9 of them. They lose leading scorer Evan Hatcher, who averaged just under 20 points and 9 rebounds a game, but bring back a pair of double-figure scorers in seniors Elliot Carlson Elliot Carlson 6'2" humboldt | 2025 IA (18.5) and Coen Matson Coen Matson 5'10" | PG Humboldt | 2025 State IA (12.0, 44.2 3P%). Carlson can score from all three levels, putting the ball on the floor and attacking the rim or bombing away from 3-point range. He also provides some secondary ball-handling and playmaking. Matson led the team in 3-point shooting and assists last year and should shoulder a heavier scoring burden this season. Mason Van Pelt (5.7) is another versatile guard who can do a bit of everything. The rest of the faces on the roster will be pretty new, stepping into bigger roles. The 3-point shooting will lead to some serious variability, but this group has proven over the last handful of years that they can win games and score in bunches. They should do so again.

Marion (18-6 last year, 51.5% of scoring returning)

The inexperienced Wolves got off to a bit of a slow start last year, going 4-3 before the holiday break. They came out of the break on fire, going 14-2 before running into an absolute buzzsaw in Assumption in the substate final. They bring back a pair of starters in Austin Goodrich Austin Goodrich 6'1" | SG Marion | 2025 State IA (12.2, 38.0 3P%) and Grayson Kirsch (6.8, 5.5 rebounds), as well as a number of players who saw significant time off the bench last season. Goodrich will be the team’s go-to scorer, a quality shooting threat who can play with or without the ball in his hands, while Kirsch figures to act as the team’s primary ball-handler. Junior guard Tyler Farber (4.0, 43.4 3P%) is another high-level shooter who should step into a much bigger role as a junior, while sophomores Tait Rahe Tait Rahe 6'4" | SF Marion | 2027 State IA (2.9), Jaryn Griffith Jaryn Griffith 6'0" | PG Marion | 2027 State IA (2.0), and Brooks Coates Brooks Coates 6'9" | PF/C Marion | 2027 State IA look like they may be able to step into larger roles as sophomores. Marion has averaged 16.5 wins over the last eight years, and have had just one losing season during the Bound era (dating back to 2006-07). No matter how much turnover there is on the roster, Marion is going to be a factor in the WaMaC and in 3A.

Nevada (19-5 last year, 55.1% of scoring returning)

The Cubs won 19 games last season but were eliminated in the substate semifinals by Grinnell, so their season ended short of expectations. They need to replace a pair of double-figure scorers in Jacob Khounsourath and Alec Higgins, who combined to average 28.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists a game, but bring back two other double-figure scorers, giving them a strong base to build off of heading into the 2024-25 season. Junior forward John Nelson John Nelson 6'4" | PF Nevada | 2026 State IA (15.1, 6.9 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 45.3 3P%) has emerged as one of the most productive players in the class. A 6-6 forward who can score inside and out efficiently, he’s also a great rim protector with bounce, length, and great timing. He’ll be the focal point of the game plan on both ends of the floor, a role that he looks capable of handling. Senior wing Easton Gray (11.4) and guard Kane Williams (6.8) are the other notable returnees. Gray can fill it up from all three levels and Williams figures to be the team’s primary ball-handler heading into the winter. Nelson is the headliner of the 2026 class, but there are several other players in that class – Drake Hinson (3.1), Gavin Egeland (2.9), and Caleb Jensen (2.0) – who look like they’re ready to step into bigger roles this season for the Cubs as well. Nevada has been a pretty consistent program, compiling double-digit wins in nine of the last 10 years and with Nelson leading the way, that should be the case again. How the new faces perform will be the determining factor in just how far this group can go.

Storm Lake (12-9 last year, 70.3% of scoring returning)

Seven of the Tornadoes nine losses last season came by single digits, including three coming by one or two points. With three of their top four, and six of their top eight, scorers from that group returning, they should be able to turn several of those narrow losses into wins this year with the additional experience. And that alone would have been enough for Storm Lake to be in strong consideration for the top 10. Then, Jaidyn Coon Jaidyn Coon 6'7" | SF Storm Lake | 2026 State #132 Nation IA (19.8, 8.6 rebounds) absolutely exploded over the summer, turning himself into a nationally ranked prospect in the 2026 class and picking up several Power 5 offers. An extremely athletic 6-8 wing who can defend multiple positions, score inside and out, and create plays for his teammates, he is now the top ranked player in the 2026 class in the state and will be one of the most dominant two-way players in the state this season. Junior classmate Cameron Boyd Cameron Boyd 6'2" | PG Storm Lake | 2026 State IA (12.6, 5.1 assists, 39.1 3P%) provides some shooting and playmaking alongside Coon, and Charlie Dvergsten Charlie Dvergsten 5'11" | PG Storm Lake | 2025 State IA (8.0, 35.8 3P%) gives them some more perimeter shooting. Then you factor in a pair of sophomores – Timothy Yanga Timothy Yanga 6'3" | SG Storm Lake | 2027 State IA (4.8) and David William David William 6'1" | SF Storm Lake | 2027 State IA (3.2) – who saw significant time as freshmen and played well, and all of a sudden you have the look of a team that could be a real contender in 3A. Storm Lake hasn’t reached the state tournament since 1994. That could change this year.

Wahlert Catholic (10-13 last year, 72.0% of scoring returning)

Despite finishing with a 10-13 record, the Golden Eagles ranked 10th in the final BC Moore rankings in Class 3A, and when you look at the schedule they played, you understand why. Of their 13 losses, one came against 3A champion Assumption. Two each came against 3A semifinalist Decorah and 4A state tournament qualifier Senior. Another two came at the hands of 4A runner-up Kennedy and 4A state qualifier Cedar Falls. And two more came against 19-4 Iowa City West and 16-7 Linn-Mar. Simply put, the schedule was absolutely loaded, so it’s no surprise that a young Wahlert team lost a lot of games. The good news is that seven of the top nine scorers return from that team, and going through that type of gauntlet should be extremely beneficial for them in the 2024-25 season. This will be a senior-laden team, with all seven of those returnees being seniors, led by the tandem of Owen McCleary Owen McCleary 6'2" | SF Wahlert Catholic | 2025 State IA (11.8) and Ethan Meyer Ethan Meyer 6'6" | PF Wahlert Catholic | 2025 State IA (10.0), a pair of long and athletic wings who can score from all three levels and create for their teammates. Luke Welbes Luke Welbes 6'0" | CG Wahlert Catholic | 2025 State IA (8.7) is a heady guard, and the X-factor for this group will be Will Richardson Will Richardson 6'5" | PF Wahlert | 2025 State IA (4.8), a versatile combo forward who can defend every position and protect the rim. If he can take another leap as a scoring threat, Wahlert could be a serious contender in 3A.