Way Too Early Top 10: Class 1A
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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 eight written about in the “others to monitor” sections. Two top-ranked teams (North Linn in 1A and Ames in 4A) won state championships, while #2 Dallas Center-Grimes took home the title in 3A. We were most successful in Class 4A, with five of our top seven teams making the state tournament, as well as two other “watch list” teams. Further, over the last five years, teams ranked #1 to open the year have reached the state semifinals at a 75% clip, and played for a state championship at a 60% 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 1A, 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.) North Linn (State champions, 27-1 last season, 40.3% of scoring returning)
Despite losing three starters from a state championship team, there is little-to-no reason to believe that the Lynx’s unprecedented run of success is going to come to an end anytime soon. Over the last six seasons, they’ve compiled a 161-5 record, with three of those defeats coming in state championship games. This will be the first season since the 2014-15 season, there won’t be a Hilmer on the roster, which will certainly be a setback for their high-powered attack, but the cupboard is far from bare. Senior forward Tate Haughenbury Tate Haughenbury 6'5" | PF North Linn | 2023 State IA (15.5) is the top returning scorer, fresh off being named the captain of the 1A all-tournament team. A long, lanky, and athletic forward, he scores at a remarkably efficient clip around the bucket and is a menace on the defensive end. Senior guard Ben Wheatley Ben Wheatley 6'1" | SG North Linn | 2023 State IA (7.9) provides some perimeter shooting, and look for sophomore lead guard Mason Bechen Mason Bechen 6'1" | PG North Linn | 2025 State IA (4.5) to step into Austin Hilmer’s role as the primary ball-handler and decision-maker. The continued improvement of Bechen and junior wing Ty Pflughaupt Ty Pflughaupt 6'4" | SF North Linn | 2024 State IA (3.6), a lanky sharpshooting wing, will determine just how successful this group will be this season. Both have had excellent summers on the grassroots circuit and look ready to step into huge roles for the most successful program in the state. While not having a Hilmer running the show is a blow, the Lynx have built a remarkable program that just keeps churning out excellent athletes who play their up-tempo system perfectly. North Linn is the team to beat in Class 1A until proven otherwise.
2.) St. Mary’s, Remsen (State semifinalist, 25-1 last season, 65.6% of scoring returning)
While they haven’t quite reached North Linn levels of success over the last six seasons, the Hawks have put together a pretty remarkable run of their own, compiling a 142-19 record with six consecutive state tournament appearances. Using a combination of strong, disciplined defense and an efficient, balanced offensive attack, St. Mary’s has become the program to beat in 1A basketball in northwest Iowa, and this group may have a chance to make school history and claim their first ever boys basketball championship. Senior wing Jaxon Bunkers Jaxon Bunkers 5'11" | SF St. Mary's, Remsen | 2023 State IA (12.9) is the top returnee. He led the team in scoring last season and is a veteran piece who has been a key contributor for each of the last three iterations of the Hawks teams in Des Moines. While they lose two starters and vital defensive pieces in Carter Schorg and Austin Jensen, three other seniors return in Cael Ortmann Cael Ortmann 6'2" | SF St. Mary's, Remsen | 2023 State IA (9.5), Ryan Willman Ryan Willman 6'5" | PF St. Mary's, Remsen | 2023 State IA (8.5), and Alex Schroeder (7.1), as well as sophomore Collin Homan (1.8), who contributed in some spots last year as a freshman. A highly efficient halfcourt team, they posted incredible 54-42-62 shooting splits last season and did a remarkable job sharing the ball (17.3 assists to 7.6 turnovers a game). This is a highly disciplined team on both ends of the floor who knows how to play the game the right way, and they aren’t going to beat themselves.
3.) Grand View Christian (State runner-up, 26-1 last season, 38.0% of scoring returning)
Last year’s runner-up in 1A is going to have size, that we know. The Thunder always have size, and they bring back a lot of it. The question for this group will be the guard play. That said, let’s start with what we know. Senior center Daniel Tobiloba Daniel Tobiloba 7'0" | C Grand View Christian | 2023 State IA (8.5, 14.7, 4.6 blocks), all 7-feet of him, is back in the middle. A long, lean, and athletic big man who runs the floor, finishes above the rim, and protects the paint at a level unmatched by any other player in the state, Tobiloba will be the focal point of this group on both ends of the floor this season. Also back is 6-10 sophomore Emiliano Barrantes Emiliano Barrantes 6'9" | PF Grand View Christian | 2025 State IA (4.0, 4.2 rebounds), who was a role player last season and is coming off a strong summer on the grassroots circuit. He’s another mobile big man with eye-popping size and length who should help Tobiloba gobble up pretty much every rebound that is available. Junior forward Noah John Noah John 6'3" | PF Grand View Christian | 2024 State IA (5.3, 4.6 rebounds) is more reasonably sized at 6-3/6-4, but he’s a physical player who rebounds hard on both ends of the floor and will give them plenty of toughness alongside the overwhelming size of Tobiloba and Barrantes. The losses of Manny Hammonds and Josh Baucum in the backcourt are significant blows to this team’s firepower after combining to average 41.4 points a game last season, but two backcourt pieces with plenty of experience return in point guard Josh Sanderson Josh Sanderson 5'10" | PG Grand View Christian | 2023 State IA (10.1, 5.6 assists) and off-ball guard Frankie Chiodo Frankie Chiodo 6'0" | SG Dowling | 2023 State IA (6.2, 41.2 3P%). Neither of them offer the explosive, get-to-the-rim ability that Hammonds and Baucum had, but both are quality perimeter shooters with quickness. If the Thunder are able to find another perimeter scorer to put alongside Sanderson and Chiodo, they could be deadly. They’ll have a ton of size, will rebound everything, and will be incredibly tough to score against, especially inside the arc. And, odds are, they’ll find another piece or two to throw in here that we haven’t seen yet. They usually do.
4.) Gladbrook-Reinbeck (23-2 last season, 78.4% of scoring returning)
The Rebels were largely dominant last season, with their lone regular season loss coming to 2A power Aplington-Parkersburg. They were upset in the substate final by Bellevue in overtime, falling just short of the state tournament, but with a ton of firepower returning, they should be considered among the favorites to make it to Des Moines this season and have a real chance to make some noise when they get there. Point guard William Kiburis William Kiburis 6'4" | PG Gladbrook-Reinbeck | 2023 State IA (21.7) leads a talented trio of senior guards who will be looking to lead this group this season. Kiburis led the team in nearly every category last season and with his size (6-3/6-4) and length, he’s a dynamic playmaker as the lead guard. He averaged 8.0 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 3.5 steals a game last season in addition to his scoring, and he’s worked to improve his perimeter stroke. If he has made improvements there, watch out, because he shot just 28.1% from the arc as a junior and still had a remarkably successful year. Running mates Caleb Egesdal Caleb Egesdal 5'10" | SG Gladbrook-Reinbeck | 2023 State IA (11.2, 42.3 3P%) and Luke Riffey Luke Riffey 6'0" | SG Gladbrook-Reinbeck | 2023 State IA (10.2) are the other top returning pieces, and they should get increased production out of juniors Isaac Clark (4.6) and Austin Vaverka (2.1) as well as sophomore Drew Eilers (3.4). Gladbrook-Reinbeck has established themselves as one of the top programs in the state over the last decade, and Kiburis is good enough to get them to the state tournament for the first time since they made three straight trips from 2015-17.
5.) West Harrison (State qualifier, 22-4 last season, 100% of scoring returning)
A team that had some lofty expectations heading into last season, the Hawkeyes got hot late and secured the school’s first ever trip to the boys state basketball tournament, knocking off an AHSTW team that some thought had state championship talent in the substate final. The Hawkeyes return everyone from last year’s group that got their feet wet in Des Moines, and they’ll be itching to make some more noise this year. They’re led by a quintet of seniors who has been building for this moment for years now. Mason King Mason King 5'10" | PG West Harrison | 2023 State IA (15.3, 45.7 3P%) led the team in scoring last season and is the team’s top perimeter scoring threat, but it’s Koleson Evans Koleson Evans 6'6" | SF West Harrison | 2023 State IA (14.4, 9.6 rebounds) and Sage Evans Sage Evans 6'2" | PF West Harrison | 2023 State IA (13.6, 13.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists) (no relation) who are the key pieces for this group. Koleson, a 6-6 wing who can score from all three levels, had an off year as a shooter last season, but if he regains some of the stroke he showed as a sophomore, this team’s ceiling could skyrocket. He’s the most talented player on the roster and the best college prospect, but it’s Sage who is the heart-and-soul of the team. An undersized 6-2 power forward, Sage does a little bit of everything on the floor. He led the team in rebounding, assists, and steals, posted great 52-48-68 shooting splits, and refuses to back down from anyone. He looks like a defensive end, but has the nimble touch and footwork of a highly skilled big man. The trio of King-Evans-Evans will be among the best in 1A basketball again this season, and if they have taken their games up another notch, this group could not only make a return trip to Des Moines, but be a real threat to win a few games there.
6.) Madrid (17-7 last season, 89.2% of scoring returning)
I suspect that I’m going to be higher on the Tigers than any other publication in the state to start the season, but I believe it’s for good reason. The top five scorers return to a team that won 17 games last season and only suffered one loss against 1A competition, a postseason setback against Grand View Christian. Playing in the 2A West Central will provide plenty of opportunity for Madrid to prepare themselves for postseason play this season. This was a very young group, with three of their top five scorers last season being freshmen – Toryn Severson Toryn Severson 6'4" | SG Madrid | 2025 State IA (19.0), Fabian Ortiz-Alaniz (7.9), and Brody Buck (5.8). Severson is coming off of one of the most productive seasons from a freshman during our time as a company and looks poised to emerge as one of the state’s elite scorers as early as this season. The trio combined to shoot 41.6% (107-257) from behind the arc, giving them a ton of perimeter shooting, and they’ll have some additional help from seniors Kadyn Severson Kadyn Severson 6'3" | CG Madrid | 2023 State IA (14.5) and Jackson Newell (8.5, 7.6 rebounds). They lost a significant piece in Brady Leonard, who was a dominant force as a rebounder, but Newell looks like he’s ready to step into a bigger role in that regard after a great year as a rim protector (2.4 blocks per game). Madrid has never qualified for the boys state basketball tournament, but if Toryn Severson Toryn Severson 6'4" | SG Madrid | 2025 State IA makes the leap that we think he’s capable of making into the elite of the elite scoring threats, they’ll have a real chance to do so this year, and continue building towards the next two years as well.
7.) ACGC (17-5 last season, 69.8% of scoring returning)
Fellow West Central member ACGC is projected to drop down to 1A this season, and the Chargers should be formidable come postseason play dropping down a level in competition. They lost last season’s leading scorer, Miles Kading, who put up 19 points a game, but bring back the next 11 options from last year’s group that put together the best season since the school was formed in 2016-17. They’ll be led by a quartet of seniors in Ben Marsh Ben Marsh 6'1" | SG Adair Casey-Guthrie Center | 2023 State IA (15.7), Austin Kunkle (11.6), Brock Littler (9.3), and Jedd Weinkoetz (6.4), while juniors Anthony Solorzano (3.4) and Lance Bunde (3.2), and sophomore Noah Kading Noah Kading 6'3" | SG ACGC | 2025 State IA (3.3) figure to be key rotation pieces as well. Like Madrid, the Chargers will cut their teeth in a strong 2A league that includes the likes of Van Meter and Des Moines Christian, and they should be considered a real threat when postseason play rolls around.
8.) Dunkerton (22-4 last season, 70.1% of scoring returning)
The Raiders got back to putting together a season that they’ve come accustomed to seeing in Dunkerton last year, rolling to 22 wins and a top-10 ranking for a majority of the season on the strength of a dynamic offensive attack. Led by the one-two punch of senior wing Preston Gillespie Preston Gillespie 6'3" | SF Dunkerton | 2023 State IA (23.6) and point guard Casey Gardner Casey Gardner 5'8" | PG Dunkerton | 2023 State IA (16.1, 8.9 assists), they averaged 74.3 points a game, including seven games of 85+ points. Gillespie enjoyed a breakout junior season in which he emerged as one of the state’s top scorers, routinely putting up huge scoring nights. He’s a 6-3 wing who can get to the rim in transition or in the halfcourt, and he’s the biggest benefactor of playing alongside one of the state’s top point guards. Gardner led the state in assists last season and is the perfect fit for their up-tempo, high-octane attack. Gillespie and Gardner have both turned themselves into strong 3-point shooting threats, knocking down 40.5 and 41.0% of their attempts, respectively, last year. They will need to find some production out of players like sophomore Dylan Marquart Dylan Marquart 6'1" | SG Dunkerton | 2025 State IA (5.5) and seniors Braiden VanLengen (3.3) and Jayden Downs (2.2) following the key graduation losses of Kaden Behrens and Kyler Rich. But with Gardner running the show and Gillespie filling it up, the Raiders should be among the top 10 teams in the class for a large chunk of the season. They know that they won’t get tested too much in the Iowa Star Conference and will be looking for ways to go out and find better competition throughout the year, as they did last season (Denver, Alburnett, Hempstead, Newman Catholic), to prepare for postseason play.
9.) Newman Catholic (22-2 last season, 53.8% of scoring returning)
The Knights were one of the most potent offensive teams in the state last season, averaging 74.3 points a game en route to an impressive 22-win season. The problem for them came on the defensive end, allowing 79 and 82 points in their two losses, including a substate semifinal setback against Dunkerton. They will need to concentrate on the defensive end of the floor if they want to make their first state tournament appearance since 1984. Athletic senior wing Douglas Taylor Douglas Taylor 6'5" | SF Newman Catholic | 2023 State IA (22.4, 9.7 rebounds) is one of the most potent scoring threats in the class, a slashing wing who shot 60% from the floor and was able to get to the rim routinely. He and fellow senior point guard Max Burt Max Burt 6'0" | PG Newman Catholic | 2023 State IA (8.1, 7.3 assists) have both committed to play baseball at Iowa, so this will be their last hurrah on the hardwood. Noah Hamilton (7.3, 6.1 rebounds) mans the paint, and they’ll need to find another scoring option on the perimeter following the graduation of James Jennings, the team’s top perimeter scoring threat and shooter. But the Taylor-Burt combination is deadly, and this group is going to put up points in bunches again. Just how successful they will be in the postseason will defend on how much they can improve as a defensive unit.
10.) North Mahaska (State qualifier, 20-6 last season, 87.2% of scoring returning)
A school with a proud basketball tradition, the Warhawks made it to the state tournament for the first since since going four straight years from 2003-2006. They were blitzed by North Linn in the opening round in Des Moines, but that shouldn’t take anything away from the remarkable season they put together, and they’ll have a chance to replicate that success this year. I have been saying for a few years that this 2022-2023 season is the one that North Mahaska has been building towards, and they may have just arrived a year early last season. A strong quartet of seniors that has been playing together for years leads this team, headlined by do-it-all wing Nash Smith Nash Smith 6'6" | SF North Mahaska | 2023 State IA (19.3, 7.0 rebounds), one of the most uniquely talented and versatile players in 1A. At 6-6, he has the ability to handle, score from all three levels, defend multiple positions, and rebound at a high level. His versatility makes him a difficult matchup, and if he has taken his game to another level, watch out. Senior guard Lane Harmon Lane Harmon 6'1" | SF North Mahaska | 2023 State IA (13.8, 41.4 3P%) is a perfect complement alongside Smith. Harmon has a funky release on his shot, but he’s a knockdown shooter who moves well without the ball and can get scorching hot and carry this team offensively. Braden Steel Braden Steel 6'3" | PF North Mahaska | 2023 State IA (9.6, 9.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists) is a low-maintenance big man who rebounds hard and makes the right decisions with the ball in his hands, and Ethan Huffman (8.5, 37.3 3P%) provides some additional perimeter shooting. Look for a breakout year from junior wing Nolan Andersen Nolan Andersen 6'3" | SF North Mahaska | 2024 State IA (5.4), who had some big moments as a scoring threat off the bench last season. This team is going to score in bunches, but the key for them will be how well they can defend when the lights get bright.
Ten more to watch
East Mills (18-6 last season, 99.0% of scoring returning)
Playing in the Corner Conference, generally considered to be one of the weaker leagues in the state, is a concern for the Wolverines come postseason play, but they hung with a strong St. Albert team, losing by just four in the substate semifinals. They bring back nearly all of their production, led by senior do-it-all forward Mason Crouse Mason Crouse 6'1" | SF East Mills | 2023 State IA (20.2), one of the top scoring threats in 1A. A forward who can score inside and out efficiently, he’s a difficult matchup for teams at this level. Senior forward Braden West Braden West 6'5" | SF East Mills | 2023 State IA (13.8) led the team in rebounding and is a really good athlete who can control games in the paint on both ends of the floor. With the experience that the Wolverines have coming back, they have a chance to break through and make a run to the state tournament for the first time since 2014.
Lynnville-Sully (18-7 last season, 69.5% of scoring returning)
The Hawks were able to make it to the substate championship game last season despite losing standout forward Preston Rodibaugh Preston Rodibaugh 6'3" | SG Lynnville-Sully | 2023 State IA (13.6) to a knee injury late in the year. If Rodibaugh is able to come back at some point in the season, they’ll return a quartet of double-figure scorers in him, fellow senior Conner Maston Conner Maston 6'1" | SG Lynnville-Sully | 2023 State IA (13.4), and juniors Corder Noun Harder Corder Noun Harder 5'9" | PG Lynnville-Sully | 2024 State IA (10.3) and Klayton Van Dyke Klayton Van Dyke 6'5" | PF Lynnville-Sully | 2024 State IA (10.1). Noun Harder is the team’s lead ball-handler, dishing out 5.6 assists a game last season, while Van Dyke is an athletic forward who dominates the glass (9.3 rebounds a game) and protects the paint (1.7 blocks). Always a strong defensive team, they’ll also feature a balanced offensive attack that should be able to go fairly deep into their bench and will prove to be a formidable foe once again.
Montezuma (18-5 last season, 64.2% of scoring returning)
The Braves took off in the second half of the year, going 12-3 after the holiday break. They lose Eddie Burgess, who was one of the most dominant two-way players in 1A last season, as well as 12.4 point-a-game scorer Nik Kotar, which are both significant losses. Nonetheless, over 64% of their scoring is back, including three senior guards who should all average in double figures in Masin Shearer Masin Shearer 5'8" | PG Montezuma | 2023 State IA (14.1, 4.5 assists), Gavin Strong (11.4), and Owen Cook (8.7). Shearer is the team’s best player, and they’ll go how he goes. He’s a threat to pop off for 25 points at any point in time with his ability to shoot it and get to the rim. Look for increased production out of sophomore wing Max Anderson (1.7) and junior guard Garrett Watts (1.6). Their improvement will go a long way in just how successful the Braves will be this season. This is a program that averages 20.4 wins a year over the last decade and they bring a significant amount back. They’ll be a factor again.
Moravia (20-4 last season, 96.9% of scoring returning)
The Mohawks put together arguably the best season in school history last year, winning 20 games, a Bluegrass Conference title, and reaching the substate semifinals. They have a chance to put together an even better year this season as they bring back their top seven scorers from that historic team that got a big taste of success last season and will be looking to build upon that. The senior wing tandem of Gage Hanes Gage Hanes 6'1" | PG Moravia | 2023 State IA (15.6) and Riley Hawkins Riley Hawkins 6'1" | SF Moravia | 2023 State IA (14.8) are the major scorers for the Mohawks, but this is a team that had six players average at least 5.7 points a game, so they have a number of talented scoring options. Junior forward Shane Helmick Shane Helmick 6'2" | SF Moravia | 2024 State IA (9.4, 9.3 rebounds) is the enforcer in the paint, and they did an excellent job rebounding, particularly on the offensive end, last season averaging 15.0 offensive boards a game, which helps offset an attack that doesn’t shoot it well from the arc. The question for this group will always be how well the Bluegrass Conference prepares a team for postseason play, as it is generally considered to be among the weakest conferences in the state. But this is a group that has routinely tested themselves in the summer, playing against bigger competition in Pella’s Top 64 League, and they have the pieces to make some noise come late February.
Mount Ayr (18-4 last season, 90.6% of scoring returning)
In senior do-it-all guard Jaixen Frost Jaixen Frost 6'2" | PG Mount Ayr | 2023 State IA (22.4, 7.5 rebounds), the Raiders have one of the best all-around players in 1A, and that in itself will make them a dangerous team this season. The top four scorers, and six of the top seven, return to a team that won 18 games and gave North Mahaska a really tough game in the second round last year. Frost led the team in every major category except for steals, where he narrowly lost out to fellow senior guard Braydon Pierson (11.7), the team’s other primary scoring option. Three other returnees averaged at least 5.2 points a game, giving the Raiders five viable scoring options. Look for sophomore guard Tyler Martin (5.2) to continue his upward trajectory and emerge as a quality third option after a productive freshman season. Like many 1A teams, the Raiders struggled to shoot it from the arc (28.9%), and they’ll need to find someone outside of Frost who can knock down jumpers if they want to be taken seriously as a contender in the class. Nonetheless, this team has a real chance to break through and make it to the state tournament for the first time since 1975 behind the strong play of Frost.
New London (20-3 last season, 51.0% of scoring returning)
The Tigers might have the most talented one-two punch in 1A in senior point guard Blaise Porter Blaise Porter 6'1" | PG New London | 2023 State #298 Nation IA (17.5, 5.8 assists) and forward Kade Benjamin Kade Benjamin 6'6" | PF New London | 2023 State IA (14.5, 2.1 blocks). Porter, a lightning-quick lead guard, holds Division I offers and Benjamin is a matchup nightmare on both ends of the floor with his size, length, and athleticism. The problem for the Tigers will be finding the role players to fill in alongside Porter and Benjamin, after losing six rotation pieces from last year’s team. The top returnee outside of the star tandem is senior guard Tayshun Donaldson (5.7, 37.5 3P%), who will need to emerge as a reliable tertiary scoring option if this team wants to be seen as a viable contender in the class. In Porter and Benjamin, they have star power, but while having talent like that used to be enough to win in 1A basketball, it simply isn’t anymore. They need to have some pieces step up around them if they want to reach Des Moines.
Newell-Fonda (22.3 last season, 68.5% of scoring returning)
Of the Mustangs’ three losses last season, two came against bigger competition (2A Western Christian, 3A Spencer). The other was a heartbreaking one-point loss to St. Mary’s in the substate final. The rest of their resume included some great wins over teams like Sioux Central (twice), Estherville Lincoln Central, South Central Calhoun, and OABCIG. Using a deep and balanced rotation, they averaged 73.2 points a game last season, one of the best offensive teams in the state. They use an up-tempo, pressing style to overwhelm teams with their quickness, and they’ll come at you in waves. Four of the top five scorers return, led by senior guard Carter Sievers Carter Sievers 6'1" | PG Newell Fonda | 2023 State IA (19.2), who should be one of the top scorers in 1A this season. Ryan Greenfield (9.0, 39.1 3P%), Mason Dicks (8.1, 3.8 assists), and Caden Meyer (6.9, 6.7 rebounds) are the other key returnees, but six other players who saw action in at least 11 games last season also return, giving the ‘Stangs plenty of depth. This might be the team in this “Others to Watch” section that is most capable of making a real run come postseason play.
South O’Brien (15-9 last season, 97.6% of scoring returning)
The Wolverines will have a senior-laden roster this season after five juniors led the team in scoring last year. In all, the top nine scorers return from last year’s team which won 15 games and reached the substate semifinals. They are led by senior forward Jake Wallin Jake Wallin 6'7" | PF Spirit Lake | 2023 State IA (14.5, 9.0 rebounds, 1.9 blocks), a physically intimidating presence in the paint at 6-7 and strong. He’s a talented finisher around the bucket, a good interior defender, and a gifted passer who can get others involved when the defense collapses on him. Hudson Oolman (8.0), Sawyer Honkomp (7.0), and Jacob Van Lith (6.1) are the other major scoring contributors. This group didn’t shoot it well from the arc (28.2%) last year, and that number will need to improve if they want to become a team that has a real chance to make some noise. But with Wallin leading the charge, they will be physical and tough on both ends.
WRITER’S NOTE: After publishing the article, we learned that Wallin has transferred to Spirit Lake, which would take the Wolverines off of this “others to watch” list.
WACO (20-5 last season, 88.1% of scoring returning)
Three of the Warriors’ five losses came at the hands of Danville, a state tournament team, and those three losses came by a combined 14 points. The Warriors were young last season, with three juniors and three sophomores comprising their top six scorers. Hunter Hughes Hunter Hughes 6'3" | PG WACO | 2024 State IA (11.9) is coming off a really strong sophomore season as a three-level scorer and playmaker, leading the team in scoring and assists. Fellow junior Reece Oswald (8.2) is the team’s top 3-point shooting threat, knocking down 40% of his attempts last season. This is a group that pounds the offensive glass hard, pulling down nearly 13 offensive boards a game last year, which helps offset some of the struggles that they can have as a halfcourt offensive team. A deep and balanced team that brings back eight key pieces, WACO should be in contention to make a run to the state tournament this year.
Winfield-Mt. Union (21-3 last season, 87.1% of scoring returning)
A very young Wolves team reached the substate semifinals last season before dropping a heartbreaker to Danville, who went on to qualify for the state tournament. Hopefully that experience will help push this group over the edge this year and lead W-MU to the state tournament for the first time since 1996, when they made five straight appearances. Led by a pair of talented juniors in Cam Buffington Cam Buffington 6'2" | PF Winfield-Mt. Union | 2024 State IA (19.0, 10.2 rebounds) and Abram Edwards Abram Edwards 6'5" | PF Winfield-Mt. Union | 2024 State IA (12.0, 9.1 rebounds), the Wolves were a dominant defensive team, allowing just 34.5 points a game last season. Buffington, a 6-3 Iowa football commit who puts the “power” in power forward, is the focal point of the team with his ability to dominate the painted area on both ends of the floor. Edwards is a 6-7 combo forward who can score inside and out and do a little bit of everything with the ball in his hands. Younger brother Jake Edwards Jake Edwards 6'3" | PG Winfield-Mt. Union | 2025 State IA (7.0, 3.0 assists) came on towards the end of his freshman season and will need to be the key if they’re going to make the next leap up. He gained confidence as the year progressed and if he can emerge as a reliable ball-handler and shotmaker, they could become a dangerous offensive team. This group can pound the offensive glass and they’re going to defend. Can they score effectively enough to make a postseason run?