Class 1A: Top 10 Returning Assists

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731700' first='Chase' last='Haifley'] | Keota -- 179 assists</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Haifley was really good as a junior lead guard for the Eagles, averaging 16.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 3.1 steals per game with a sterling 2.52 assist-to-turnover ratio. He's a talented guard who puts pressure on opposing defenses with his speed and vision.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2519950' first='Rowan' last='Miller'] | Hillcrest Academy -- 163</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 5-9 pass-first guard who does a great job initiating the offense and getting his teammates involved, Miller posted a 3.2 assist-to-turnover ratio, showing his ability to protect the basketball while setting his teammates up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978106' first='Shay' last='Stephens'] | Notre Dame -- 156</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stephens may just be the best player in 1A basketball heading into this winter, with his ability to score from all three levels, control the glass, and get his teammates involved. At 6-5 and with point guard skills, he's a nightmare matchup at this level, averaging 20.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 2.8 steals per game on 51-37-77 shooting splits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2887821' first='Jack' last='McElroy'] | St. Edmond -- 155</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McElroy is the definition of pass-first point guard, dishing out nearly as many assists as points he scored last year (156). A quick guard who gets into the teeth of the defense and finds open teammates, he always has his head up and on a swivel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731683' first='Teagan' last='Hanson'] | GTRA -- 130</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hanson is a 6-0 guard who can stuff the stat sheet, averaging 18.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 3.7 steals per game as a junior for the Titans. He changes speeds well and is a talented, tough finisher around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6.) 2027 Henry Adam | Pekin -- 122</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another skilled pass-first guard who loves to get his teammates involved, Adam dished out 5.3 assists per game while averaging 6.7 points. He uses the threat of his jumper and his quickness to blow by defenders and get into positions to set his teammates up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1781875' first='Carter' last='Schwab'] | Bishop Garrigan -- 121</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong guard with good size at 6-2, Schwab does a nice job using his physicality to his advantage on the offensive end, bullying smaller defenders to get to the spots on the floor that he wants to be to initiate offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8.) 2026 Isaac Schierholtz | Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn -- 120</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-4 wing who can do a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor, Schierholtz uses his size well to see over the defense and find open teammates or shoot over them. He averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9.) 2027 Ike Molyneux | Sigourney -- 120</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick 5-9 guard who likes to play downhill and utilize his speed, Molyneux does a nice job setting his teammates up while protecting the ball, posting a 2.26 assist-to-turnover ratio as a sophomore for the Savages. With eight of their top nine scorers returning, he'll be a key piece for a team that could be much improved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2886896' first='Khael' last='Jones'] | North Union -- 120</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones stepped into a starring role as a junior for the Warriors, averaging 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 3.1 steals per game, leading the team in nearly every major category. He was a solid role player for the 2023-24 state qualifying team, took a major step forward last year, and could become one of the best players in the class this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->