Class 1A State Tournament Preview
No. 1 seed: North Linn (25-0)
About North Linn: The top seeded Lynx are blasting teams by 41 points a game. They average 78.8 points a game (good for second best in 1A) and are allowing just 37.2 points, best in the class. One of the most efficient offenses in the state, the Lynx have three averaging in double figures, led by Jake Hilmer (21.7), who is the best player in the class outside of Joe Smoldt. He leads the state in both assists (254) and steals (116), making a major impact on both ends of the floor. Ryan Miller (19.0) and David Seber (15.8) provide additional scoring punch, and the trio of Hilmer, Miller and Seber all shoot at least 40% from the arc.
Why they can win it all: They’ve been doing it all year, routinely blowing teams out with an efficient offense and smothering defense. They’ve got one of the most dominant players in the class, and they’ve got a player in Hilmer who they can feel comfortable putting at the line late in a close game.
Chances they win it all: 35%. They’re the top seed for a reason, and they’ve been dominant throughout the season. They’ve got a tricky draw, but if they’re able to navigate their way through it to the final, they’ll be a favorite against whoever comes out of the bottom half.
No. 2 seed: Grand View Christian (24-1)
About Grand View Christian: The state’s highest scoring team at 88.3 points a game, the Thunder have won 24 straight games following a season opening loss to 3A power Pella. They’ve topped the 100-point mark six times this season, and have four players averaging in double figures. Grant DeMeulenaere (19.7) leads the way and is among the state’s leaders in assists and steals. Stephen Glenn (16.1), Arturo Montes (12.5) and Mach Nyaw (12.4) give them some additional fire power, with the ability to score in a multitude of ways. This group will press non-stop, and they create tons of turnovers as a result. They’ll be looking to improve on last year’s poor showing. The question is whether or not their production is a product of the poor schedule they play in their conference (their schedule ranks 121st out of 148 1A teams, easily the worst in the state tournament field).
Why they can win it all: At last year’s state tournament, DeMeulenaere was injured and the Thunder were slowed down to a crawl by South O’Brien’s zone. If they’re able to play at their tempo and get the game sped up, they’ve got the weapons to score on anyone.
Chances they win it all: 15%. The games tend to slow down a bit at the state tournament, and if the Thunder aren’t allowed to dictate the pace, the offense could become stagnant like it was last year on this stage. Additionally, the strength of schedule component is scary. Still, this team has plenty of weapons and can score in bunches.
No. 3 seed: St. Mary’s, Remsen (24-0)
About St. Mary’s, Remsen: One of just three remaining undefeated teams in the state (North Linn, 3A West Delaware), the Hawks have ridden a stifling defense to their unbeaten mark. They allow just 42 points a game, good for seventh in 1A, and they slowed down a powerful Boyden-Hull attack to get here. 6-4 combo forward Nicholas Ruden (15.3, 59.1 FG%) leads an efficient offense that is shooting 51% from the floor as a team. Jacob Wesselmann (11.3) and Colin Schroeder (12.0) combine to dish out nearly seven assists a team as part of a tandem point guard lineup, both capable of handling the ball and limiting turnovers. They’re got a tricky matchup against a tough New London team in the first round in what could become a defensive struggle.
Why they can win it all: They’re a patient offensive team that limits turnovers and has a good defense. In the state tournament, where games tend to slow down a bit, those are good things to have.
Chances they win it all: 10%. Any team that plays defense like St. Mary’s does is going to have a chance. They’ve shown they can win in a variety of ways, and they’ve won six games by single digits, so they aren’t a team that has never played in a tight game.
No. 4 seed: Gladbrook-Reinbeck (24-2)
About Gladbrook-Reinbeck: We all know the story on the Rebels. It’s the Joe Smoldt show, and for good reason. The smooth scoring guard, and potential Mr. Basketball candidate, is averaging 30.5 points a game (on 53-50-86 shooting splits, no less), and has put together some massive performances at the state tournament (he’s been named the captain of the 1A all-tournament team twice). This is the third highest scoring team in the field, and of those top three scoring teams, they’ve played the most difficult schedule. They’ve undefeated against 1A teams this season, with their only two losses coming to 2A teams Jesup (19-5) and South Hamilton, a state qualifier. Caden Kickbush (11.9) adds some additional scoring on the wing, and Tyler Pierce (10.2) and Matt Roeding (5.3) are physical players on the interior. The Rebels have the best player in the class, and as such, are as dangerous as any team in the field.
Why they can win it all: Joe Smoldt. It’s a simple reason, but Smoldt took a less talented group to the consolation game last year, and he’s the best individual player in the field.
Chances they win it all: 15%. I will never count out a Joe Smoldt-led team at the 1A tournament. They’ve got a tricky draw against a good defensive team in Lynnville-Sully, then a potential matchup against top-seed North Linn, but if they make it through the top half of the bracket, they should be the title game favorite.
No. 5 seed: Lynnville-Sully (24-1)
About Lynnville-Sully: The Hawks have used their traditionally strong defense to carry them to a 24-1 record, not having lost a game since December 9th. They’re allowing just 39.2 points a game, fourth in 1A, and they’ve become a better offensive team than they’ve been in previous years, averaging 66.3 points (12th in the class). Led by a quartet of double figure scorers, this is a group that thrives at attacking the rim with players like Jesse Van Wyk (12.5) and Rylan James (10.7), who are solid ball handlers and strong finishers. Brevin Hansen (11.2), Tanner Foster (11.5) and Tyler Van Zante (8.8) give them some perimeter shooting, and they take good care of the ball, averaging under ten turnovers a game. If they’re able to dictate the tempo against Gladbrook-Reinbeck and find a way to limit Smoldt’s production, they can do some damage.
Why they can win it all: Defense, defense, defense. Lynnville-Sully ranks in the top five in scoring defense nearly every year, and this is no exception. They’re well coached on that end of the floor, and they’ve become a more explosive offensive unit as well.
Chances they win it all: 5%. The Hawks got arguably the worst draw of any team in the field, having to take on the best player in the class, and if they get through that, they’ll (likely) see the No. 1 seed. With the way they defend, they’re capable of winning a few games and making a title run, but don’t count on it.
No. 6 seed: New London (21-3)
About New London: The Tigers played a significant portion of the season without their best player, Ben Dentlinger (15.1, 11.2 rebounds, 4.3 blocks), allowing their other players to get more action and become more comfortable. As a result, this is one of the state’s hottest teams entering the tournament. Since Dentlinger came back four games ago, the Tigers have held teams to 44.5 points a game and he has been dominant. Add in Mason Porter (19.5), a physical scoring guard who can get to the rim at will; Keontae Luckett (9.8), a dynamic defensive point guard who may be the fastest player in the field; Isaac McSorley (9.6), a versatile shooting guard who is a menace on defense; and Alex Dentlinger (9.0), a long, lanky and athletic wing off the bench who can score and defend, and this is probably the most balanced team in the field. They can defend at a high level, have a number of offensive options and have the best player in the field that few have heard of in Wayne State commit Dentlinger. This team can make some serious noise here.
Why they can win it all: They’re balanced offensively, so there isn’t one player you can gameplan on taking out and succeeding, and they’ve become a dynamic defensive team with Dentlinger back in the lineup. His versatility on both ends of the floor is a game changer.
Chances they win it all: 10%. They have to play an undefeated St. Mary’s team in the first round, and then have a potential matchup with high-octane Grand View Christian in the semifinals, so if they make it to the championship game, they’ll have to earn it. It’s a difficult path, but this team is peaking at the right time and they’ve got the pieces to get it done.
No. 7 seed: West Hancock (19-6)
About West Hancock: According to BC Moore’s power rankings, the Eagles have played the most difficult schedule in the 1A field. They’ve got a trio of double figure scorers, all of whom saw significant time at the state tournament last year. They’re led by guard Dylan Eckels (17.7), a versatile scoring threat who makes this offense go. Seth Weiland (12.6, 128 blocks) is one of the most unique players in the state, knocking down 61 3s on the season while also leading the state in blocks. His ability to protect the rim should help this group out against a Grand View Christian team that gets a lot of looks from in close. This isn’t an efficient offense (38.8 FG%), so they’ll need to find a way to improve on that if they want to outscore the Thunder in a track meet.
Why they can win it all: They’re got more experience that any team in this field with Eckels, Weiland and Ben Eisenman all playing big roles on last year’s team. And experience at Wells Fargo Arena isn’t something that can be overlooked.
Chances they win it all: 5%. Playing against the toughest schedule in the field should help, but they aren’t a good enough offensive team to keep up with some of the firepower that this group of teams has.
No. 8 seed: Maple Valley-Anthon-Oto (18-7)
About Maple Valley-Anthon-Oto: Led by a trio of double figure scorers, the Rams had arguably the most difficult path to Wells Fargo Arena, having to beat three teams that are ranked inside BC Moore’s top 10 in Class 1A to get here. Colby Seuntjens (18.5) is an efficient scorer, shooting 56.7% from the floor. Juan Delagarza (13.7) and Connor Beeck (10.9) add additional punch, with Beeck a very good 3-point shooter (43.6%). This is a group that prides itself on the defensive end, allowing just 48.9 points a game. Last time they were here in 2015, they made a run to the title game as the No. 3 seed. The sledding will be tougher this time around, but they’ve navigated a difficult path to get here already.
Why they can win it all: This is a battle tested group, having played the third most difficult schedule among the 1A qualifiers, and navigating arguably the most difficult road to the tournament. They’re getting hot at the right time, they’ve got a number of ways to beat you on the offensive end and they’ll defend at a high level. If they can slow the game down, they can win.
Chances they win it all: 5%. They’re hot, sure, but the path to the title doesn’t get any easier, as they’ll have to go through No. 1 seed North Linn and a possible matchup with Joe Smoldt and Gladbrook-Reinbeck in the semifinals. It’s a tall task for the Rams.
Our Picks
Tony
Quarterfinals: North Linn, Gladbrook-Reinbeck, Grand View Christian, New London
Semifinals: North Linn, New London
Champion: North Linn
T.J.
Quarterfinals: North Linn, Gladbrook-Reinbeck, Grand View Christian, New London
Semifinals: Gladbrook-Reinbeck, Grand View Christian
Champion: Grand View Christian
Travis
Quarterfinals: North Linn, Gladbrook-Reinbeck, Grand View Christian, Remsen St. Mary’s
Semifinals: Gladbrook-Reinbeck, Grand View Christian
Champion: Gladbrook-Reinbeck