Class 3A State Tournament Breakout Candidates
Nolan Butkowski, Cedar Rapids Xavier (2017)
I said in a post a few weeks ago that if Xavier is going to defend their title, Butkowski may be the most important player for them. As he’s emerged late in the season, the Saints have made their run. A top-notch perimeter defender, he’ll likely draw the Brady Sartorius assignment in the first round. He’s a solid offensive player as well, capable of getting to the rim or knocking down a 3. The X-factor for the Saints, if they make another run, there’s a good chance that Butkowski is a huge part of it.
Tom O’Connor, Mount Pleasant (2017)
The Australian exchange student is a mountain of a young man, checking in at 6-9. He’s provided the Panthers with some much needed size, and he’s averaging 9.6 points a game on 71.7% shooting. He’s a capable passer, and they can play through him if they want, and he’s blocked 28 shots this season. Mount Pleasant has been a really small team for years, and O’Connor helps add some size and physicality in the paint.
Austin Alexander, Atlantic (2018)
A 6-6 junior sharpshooter, Alexander is averaging 12.3 points a game for the Trojans, and has knocked down 46.3% of his attempts from 3. Additionally, he’s dished out 99 assists (to just 37 turnovers), swiped 24 steals and even blocked 17 shots. With his size, shooting and ability to handle the ball, he’ll be a tough matchup.
Brody Kleen, Dallas Center-Grimes (2017)
This 6-6 senior post has emerged as a solid fourth option for the Mustangs, while additionally providing some rim protection with his 37 blocks on the year. He’ll have his work cut out for him against the powerful interior duo of West Delaware, but if he’s able to stay on the floor and help limit their productivity, that would go a long way in a potential DC-G upset.
Conner Groves, Sergeant Bluff-Luton (2019)
This sophomore has emerged as one of the state’s better shooters, knocking down 65 3s this season at a 40.1% clip. He’s shooting a better percentage from 3 than he is overall, showcasing his true sniper ability. Averaging 11.2 points a game, he’s also dished out 62 assists and is second on the team in steals, with 34. If he’s able to get hot from deep, he could help the Warriors make some noise here.
Quinn Schulte, Cedar Rapids Xavier (2019)
Schulte’s strong play late has coincided with a big Saints run. He’s stepped up as the fifth starter and is playing some strong ball on both ends of the floor. He fills lanes and runs the floor well, finishes at the rim, keeps the ball moving on offense and plays solid defense. Nothing that he does blows you away, but he’s always going to make a few big plays throughout the game, and he’ll stuff the stat sheet.
Kyle Wright, West Delaware (2017)
Wright was sensational in the Hawks’ substate final win over Center Point-Urbana, scoring a team-high 20 points and knocking down the game-winning 3. A lefty sharpshooter, he moves well without the ball, has knocked down 42 3s on the season and provides West Delaware with some shooting to put alongside their dominant interior duo. He’s long, a good shooter, can make some plays on defense and has a knack for making big shots.
Jack Seward, Waverly-Shell Rock (2018)
A 5-10 junior guard, Seward averages just 6.0 points a game, but is shooting 50% from the floor and 48.5% from 3. He’s a very good shooter with a quick release, and he combines with John Stensland to give the Go-Hawks perhaps the best perimeter shooting tandem in the 3A field.