Several KNIA/KRLS area athletes earned All-State honors for their boys basketball seasons from the the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association and Iowa Print Sportswriters Association.
Jack McGuire, Sr., Pella
This is the second consecutive season that Jack McGuire earned All-State recognition, again on the 2nd team in Class 3A. McGuire broke the 1,000 career point mark this past winter, becoming the 8th Dutch player to do so since 1995. Jack’s 40 blocked shots ranked as 9th best among 3A athletes, leading the Dutch back to the state tournament for the 20th time in school history. He averaged 19 points per game in the postseason run. Jack was selected by all coaches to the first team of the All-Conference team.
Austin Schulte, Sr., Pella
Schulte made it back-to-back All-State campaigns after a 3rd team appearance last year, earning 2nd team All-State honors. Austin made 48 three point shots and 81 free throws in his senior campaign. Schulte was recognized as an All-State Academic athlete this season as well. Schulte was a key player for the Dutch in earning a runner-up Little Hawkeye Conference finish and second state appearance since he became a starter. Schulte was a unanimous All-LHC selection.
Lincoln Norris, Jr., Knoxville
This is the second consecutive season Norris has been recognized for his efforts with All-State recognition from the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association and Iowa Print Sports Writers , and the second time on the 2nd team. Norris averaged 22.8 points per game as a junior, ranking 6th best among 3A athletes, with his 4.8 made three pointers per game and 114 total both rating as the best in the class. He led the Panthers to an undefeated season in the South Central Conference.
Gilbert Flagel, Sr., Pella Christian
The top-scorer in the Little Hawkeye Conference, Gilbert Flagel averaged 21.4 points per game for Pella Christian this winter to earn 2A second-team All-State honors. The senior scored in double-figures in all 23 games he played this season, while posting 20 or more points in 15 of those contests. Gilbert’s scoring ability was highlighted late in the season, with 12 of his 20-plus point efforts occurring in the Eagles’ final 15 games. Flagel also impacted contests with more than just his scoring, averaging 6.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game.
George Blake, Jr., Indianola
George Blake started in all 19 games he played for the Indians this season to earn 4A 3rd team All-State honors. Blake led the team in scoring, field goal percentage and assists averaging over 18 points a game, ranking 19th in Class 4A. The junior forward finished his 2026-2027 campaign with a 21 point performance in a postseason matchup with Iowa City Liberty. He was a unanimous All-Conference selection.
Tillman Papcun, Jr., Norwalk
In a breakout season, Norwalk junior Tillman Papcun earned second team All-State honors for Class 4A. Papcun led the Warriors to a 15-8 overall record, finishing the season in the substate finals with a loss to Dowling Catholic. Behind Papcun’s leadership, the Warriors also finished with a 10-2 conference record and won their first outright Little Hawkeye Conference championship since 2019. In addition to his All-State honors, Papcun was also named to his respective All-Substate team and was selected first team All-Conference. This past season, he finished second in the conference in scoring and three-pointers made. He averaged 20.1 points and 1.5 steals per game, and shot 42% from three-point range—all team highs. Papcun also set a new career high for points in a game when he scored 40 in Norwalk’s substate semifinal against Sioux City West.
Braylon Bingham, Jr., Pleasantville
Bingham concluded his junior season as one of the best players in all of Class 2A, earning 2nd team All-State Honors . The four sport star athlete for the Trojans who will be playing college football at the University of Iowa finished the season averaging 21.8 points per game, 8.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.7 steals. Bingham also broke the school record for career field goals and has now surpassed 1,500 points for his career in three seasons. Bingham was an all-state selection last season and has been a three time first team all-conference selection.
Find the full list of area athletes earning recognition here.