STATE TOURNAMENT PREVIEW: Class 3A Stars to Watch
2020 Xavier Foster, Oskaloosa The 7-0 junior has been on college radars since before he played a high school game for the Indians, and for good reason. He’s the epitome of a modern day big man with his ability to…
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Continue Reading2020 Xavier Foster, Oskaloosa
The 7-0 junior has been on college radars since before he played a high school game for the Indians, and for good reason. He’s the epitome of a modern day big man with his ability to stretch the floor and protect the rim. His 136 blocked shots are nearly double that of the next most in 3A, and he’ll be sure to provide plenty of highlights when he’s sending shots into the third row or finishing above the rim in transition or off an alley-oop. He’s averaging 14.6 points, 12 rebounds and 6.5 blocks a night for Oskaloosa.
2019 Cole Henry, Oskaloosa
The other star for the Indians, the 6-9 point forward is one of the state’s most gifted passers, regardless of position. While he doesn’t lead the Indians in assists this year, he’s more than capable of dishing out 10 helpers on any given night. He’ll play his college ball at Northern Iowa, and his combination of size, ball handling, passing and finishing around the rim make him difficult to defend at the high school level. He’s averaging 19.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists a night.
2019 Derek Krogmann, West Delaware
A four-year varsity starter for the Hawks, the 6-7 power forward is averaging 17.4 points and 11.7 rebounds for his career. A walking double-double, he’s impossible to keep off the glass, and he combines his relentless motor on the backboards with good footwork and touch around the rim to become nearly impossible to defend. A preferred walk-on at Northern Iowa, he ranks 10th all-time in the state in rebounds with 1,120 entering next week’s tournament. He’s currently averaging 21.8 points (58.8 FG%) and 14 rebounds a night for the Hawks, while also anchoring the best scoring defense in the 3A field.
2019 Conner Groves, Sergeant Bluff-Luton
The leading scorer for our top ranked team in 3A, the 6-1 senior guard is averaging 16.7 points a game and has knocked down 62 3s this season. A tough, physical guard who doesn’t shy away from contact, he paces a Warriors attack that is averaging north of 70 points a game, and looks like a co-favorite (with Norwalk) to take home the 3A title. This is the third straight state tournament that Groves will play in, making him the most experienced player in the field.
2019 Sam DeMoss, Sergeant Bluff-Luton
DeMoss, like Groves, is playing in his third straight state tournament, as he was a key bench player for the Warriors two years ago. He’ll pair with Groves to give the Warriors the best backcourt in the field, and his 94 assists to 29 turnovers provide eye-popping efficiency to this offensive attack. He’s a capable perimeter shooter and perimeter defender who led the team in steals. He’s averaging 13.9 points and 5.1 rebounds on 50% shooting.
2020 Daniel Wright, Sergeant Bluff-Luton
A gifted 6-8 forward, Wright is a do-everything forward capable of posting a triple-double on any given night with his playmaking and passing abilities. After leading the team in assists last season, he ranks second this year with 82 helpers. He’s an efficient forward with the ability to score from all three levels (39.7 3P%), and at 83.6% from the charity stripe, he’s not someone you need to take off the floor late in games, either. Wright is averaging 15 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 56.4% from the floor.
2021 Connor Drew, Ballard
A 6-6 sophomore big man, Drew has been dominant this season for the Bombers, averaging 17.4 points (51.4 FG%) and 9.8 rebounds. Most of his damage is done around the rim, and he’s a capable rim protector on the defensive end, blocking 29 shots this year, including five in their postseason opening win over Knoxville.
2020 Will Henricksen, Marion
Henricksen, a transfer, has been a big-time addition to the Indians, providing the always strong defensive team with a bit more offensive firepower this season. He’s averaging 17.2 points a game and shoots 41.6% from behind the arc. His ability to shoot off the dribble and create his own shot make him deadly, and if he gets it going, he’s capable of exploding for 30 on any given night.
2020 Easton Darling, Winterset
A 6-0 lefty scoring guard, Darling leads the Huskies in scoring at 20.5 points a game and steals with 63 on the season. He’s capable of scoring at all three levels and controlling games with his ability to change speeds and get to the rim. If the Huskies are going to make some noise next week, it’ll need to be Darling and his running mate, Casey Kleemeier, having huge nights.
2019 Casey Kleemeier, Winterset
The other half of Winterset’s dynamic backcourt, Kleemeier is a bigger, more physical guard and serves as the team’s primary ball handler, leading the Huskies in assists with 116 on the year (against just 52 turnovers). He’s not going to back down from anyone, and does all the little things on the floor to help his team win games.
2020 Bowen Born, Norwalk
The highest scorer in the 3A field at 27.2 points a game, the 5-11 junior guard is one of the most dynamic players in the state, regardless of position or class. He has the ability to get his own shot whenever he wants, creating space with great ball handling, footwork and a remarkably quick release on his jumper. Combine that with “in the gym” range, and good luck trying to slow down this explosive lefty scorer. The Warriors are the top seeded team in 3A, and our #2 ranked player in the 2020 class is the reason why. He’s averaging 27.2 points, 3.8 assists and has made 76 3s (37.1%).
2019 Drew Enke, Clear Lake
The leading scorer for the last undefeated team standing in 3A, Enke is averaging 13.1 points a game for the Lions, while ranking second on the team in rebounding and assists, and leading them in steals. He leads a balanced attack for Clear Lake and paces them on both ends of the floor with his ability to defend on the perimeter and score from anywhere on the offensive end.