KNIA/KRLS Area Athletes Earn Boys Basketball All-State Honors

Several standout players from the region recognized for outstanding seasons

Mar. 18, 2026 at 4:05pm

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Multiple athletes from the KNIA/KRLS coverage area were named to the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association and Iowa Print Sportswriters Association All-State boys basketball teams. The honorees include Jack McGuire and Austin Schulte from Pella, Lincoln Norris from Knoxville, Gilbert Flagel from Pella Christian, George Blake from Indianola, Tillman Papcun from Norwalk, and Braylon Bingham from Pleasantville.

Why it matters

These All-State selections highlight the high level of boys basketball talent in the KNIA/KRLS region, with players from multiple schools and classes earning recognition for their standout individual performances and contributions to their teams' success. The accolades showcase the strength of basketball programs across south-central Iowa.

The details

The honorees include several repeat All-State selections, such as Jack McGuire and Lincoln Norris earning their second consecutive All-State nods. Many of the players were also recognized for additional achievements, like McGuire breaking 1,000 career points, Schulte being named an All-State Academic athlete, and Bingham setting a school record for career field goals. The All-State teams are selected by the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association and Iowa Print Sportswriters Association to honor the top players in each class.

  • The All-State teams were announced on March 18, 2026.

The players

Jack McGuire

A senior at Pella High School, McGuire earned 2nd team All-State honors in Class 3A for the second straight season. He broke the 1,000 career point mark and averaged 19 points per game in the postseason, leading the Dutch to their 20th state tournament appearance.

Austin Schulte

A senior at Pella High School, Schulte made the 2nd team All-State in Class 3A after earning 3rd team honors last year. He made 48 three-pointers and 81 free throws, and was also recognized as an All-State Academic athlete.

Lincoln Norris

A junior at Knoxville High School, Norris earned 2nd team All-State recognition in Class 3A for the second consecutive season. He averaged 22.8 points per game, ranking 6th in 3A, and led the Panthers to an undefeated season in the South Central Conference.

Gilbert Flagel

A senior at Pella Christian High School, Flagel was named 2nd team All-State in Class 2A. He averaged a conference-best 21.4 points per game and also contributed 6.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks per contest.

George Blake

A junior at Indianola High School, Blake earned 3rd team All-State honors in Class 4A. He led the Indians in scoring, field goal percentage, and assists, averaging over 18 points per game and finishing 19th in Class 4A.

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What they’re saying

“These All-State selections highlight the high level of boys basketball talent in the KNIA/KRLS region, with players from multiple schools and classes earning recognition for their standout individual performances and contributions to their teams' success.”

— Andrew Schneider, Author

The takeaway

The All-State honors earned by these KNIA/KRLS area athletes showcase the strength of boys basketball programs across south-central Iowa, with players from multiple schools and classes recognized for their outstanding individual seasons and contributions to their teams' success.