Class 2A: Top 10 Returning Shot Blockers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2287857' first='Brayden' last='Hoben'] (Grand View Christian) -- 55 blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the last two years, Hoben has firmly established himself as one of the best two-way players in the class, and he could absolutely explode as a senior for the Thunder, taking on an even bigger role in his final high school season. A bouncy 6-5/6-6 athlete with length, he has great timing as a shot blocker, provides a ton of versatility on both ends of the floor, and is an efficient all-around offensive weapon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2388492' first='Holden' last='Reynolds'] (Forest City) -- 52</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reynolds is the anchor of a Forest City defense that is always among the most stout in the state. At 6-5/6-6 and with mobility, he's able to protect the painted area at an extremely high level, and his presence allows the Forest City guards to play a bit more aggressively on the perimeter as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3.) 2026 Brody Burdorf (Shenandoah) -- 48</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burdorf is a 6-7 big man who knows his role and plays it well, coming off the bench in 13 of the Mustangs' 22 games last season to provide some serious rim protection. He's not an offensive threat (1.7 points per game), but his value on the defensive end can't be understated.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2731759' first='Coy' last='Lewis'] (Cherokee) -- 42</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lewis is a two-way star for the Braves, leading the team in scoring (16.3), rebounding (8.6), and blocks (1.8). An efficient offensive player with athleticism, size, and length at 6-5, he can defend on the perimeter or contest shots at the bucket with the best of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5.) 2027 Oscar Cline (Louisa-Muscatine) -- 37</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cline enjoyed a breakout sophomore year on both ends of the floor, averaging 11.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 3.0 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 62% from the floor. Following the graduation of older brother Finnegan Cline, he could see all of his numbers skyrocket as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6.) 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2523886' first='Ben' last='Wade'] (Regina) -- 36</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wade is part of a really talented young core of talent at Regina, an athletic, long, dominant rim protector who is only going to continue to improve as he puts on more weight and gains more experience. At 6-9/6-10, he has incredible size and length.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2865349' first='Bryer' last='Putman'] (Wilton) -- 35</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another list of top 10 returnees in a statistical category, another Putman sighting. Truly one of the most explosive and impressive two-way players in the class, his two-way versatility is on full display on nearly every possession for the Beavers. He's a strong, athletic 6-5 wing who can guard every position on the floor at this level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419787' first='Jake' last='Wegmann'] (Beckman Catholic) -- 35</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wegmann experienced a pretty significant growth spurt between his freshman and sophomore seasons, and the added size and length certainly contributed to his penchant for contesting and swatting shots. He's one of the most dynamic offensive players in the class, but the improvement as a defender is huge for the Blazers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2629262' first='Amani' last='Robinson'] (Columbus Catholic) -- 34</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Robinson is an explosive athlete who pairs his 6-3 frame with lateral movement, a quick first and second jump, and some length that allows him to contest shots on the perimeter against smaller opposition. He stuffs the stat sheet for the Sailors, and will have some help coming in the form of a pair of talented transfers who could turn Columbus Catholic into a sleeper in 2A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10.) 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2772327' first='Tade' last='Roberts'] (Hudson) -- 33</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roberts was really productive as a freshman, averaging 10.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. He'll be the face of the new youth movement coming through Hudson after the tremendous group that was walking through those halls for the last five years. He's a mobile big man with size, IQ, and toughness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->