Class 1A State Tournament Preview

[caption id="attachment_1019895" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Austin-Hilmer-State.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1019895" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Austin-Hilmer-State-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Hilmer[/caption] <h3>#1 seed: North Linn (25-0)</h3> About the Lynx: The Lynx have been an absolute juggernaut over the last five years, amassing a 132-3 mark, with each of those three losses coming at the state tournament. They’re blasting teams again this year, winning by an average of 43 points a game behind the highest-scoring offense (79.0) and best scoring defense (35.8) in 1A. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="682273" first="Austin" last="Hilmer"] (18.0, 8.2 assists, 3.9 steals) leads this high-powered attack on both ends of the floor, a frenetic lead guard who plays at 100 miles an hour at all times. The chaotic, pressing style that the Lynx play thrives on creating turnovers, something that they do at a remarkable clip. Sophomore forward Tate Haughenbury (16.0) has stepped up as a secondary scorer, similar to the role that [player_tooltip player_id="801963" first="Austin" last="Miller"] played for this group last year, getting easy buckets at the rim, while junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="962641" first="Dylan" last="Kurt"] (14.3) has returned from injury to give them a reliable perimeter scorer. The scary thing about this group is that the top five scorers are either juniors or sophomores, and only one senior is on the roster. Why they can win it all: The Lynx rarely lose, and their constant pressure on both ends of the floor creates a lot of chaos that a majority of 1A schools can’t handle. Hilmer leads a potent group that is experienced and just knows how to win. Chances they win it all: 35%. Obviously, as the top-seeded team in the field, the Lynx are considered the favorite here. They won’t see the other three teams that we consider real threats in the field (Lake Mills, Montezuma, Grand View Christian) until the championship.   <h3>#2 seed: Lake Mills (25-0)</h3> About the Bulldogs: Lake Mills is looking for a better outcome this year after they were upset in the quarterfinals last year as 1A’s top-seeded team. The Bulldogs are led by a trio of double-figure scorers in senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="964828" first="Dashawn" last="Linnen"] (19.1), junior wing Wyatt Helming (13.2), and senior big man [player_tooltip player_id="964863" first="Caleb" last="Bacon"] (12.3, 10.1 rebounds). Linnen leads a potent offensive attack, and he has really improved his all-around scoring ability this year. Bennett Berger (7.5, 4.7 assists) is the primary ball-handler for this group, and they distribute the ball well, averaging over 20 assists a game. A strong defensive team allowing just 39.8 points a game, the ’Dogs have been dominant on both ends of the floor this year. Why they can win it all: The Bulldogs brought back two starters, and four key contributors, from last year’s team that went through that upset and is hungry to redeem themselves. With Linnen, Helming and Bacon, they’ve got plenty of scoring punch, and they’ve been great on the defensive end as well. Chances they win it all: 15%. The ’Dogs have a really tough opening matchup against a good and experienced Montezuma team, then they’d likely draw a huge Grand View Christian team in the semis. This group is tough and balanced, but this 1A field is a bear.   [caption id="attachment_1066227" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/31-Manny-Hammonds.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1066227 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/31-Manny-Hammonds-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Hammonds[/caption] <h3>#3 seed: Grand View Christian (20-1)</h3> About the Thunder: The Thunder won three straight 1A championships from 2017-19 before missing the tournament last year. They’re back in a major way this season. The high-powered Thunder play as an independent, so they’ve been able to test themselves this year, including wins over Albia, Treynor, Roland-Story, and Knoxville, with their lone loss coming to 4A Ottumwa. They’re led by a dynamic junior backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id="962674" first="Manny" last="Hammonds"] (20.1) and [player_tooltip player_id="1141465" first="Josh" last="Baucum"] (15.4), who have formed one of the most potent backcourts in the state. Hammonds in particular is a gifted scorer who can create his own shot at a high level or create for others. The real difference-maker for the Thunder, however, is 6-10 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="956875" first="Daniel" last="Tobiloba"] (10.3, 15.9 rebounds, 4.9 blocks), who impacts the game in a massive way on the defensive end of the floor with his rim protection. His presence is similar to what former Thunder big man Issa Samake provided during those state championship runs. Why they can win it all: We’ve seen what a physical presence like Tobiloba can mean at the 1A level before, and the Thunder are able to pair him with a pair of talented scorers on the perimeter. Chances they win it all: 25%. This group isn’t as athletic or talented as a whole as those 2017-19 championship teams, but we’ve seen what a player like Tobiloba can mean at this level, and that gives them a great chance. Look for teams to try and attack him non-stop early on to try and get him out of the game. If they can do that, this group is vulnerable. But if he’s able to stay on the floor, GVC is very dangerous.   <h3>#4 seed: Martensdale-St. Marys (24-0)</h3> About the Blue Devils: The Blue Devils qualified for State last year for the first time in school history, and are looking to improve on last year’s performance. This group features the 4th-ranked scoring offense in 1A (73.1 points a game) and the 4th-ranked scoring defense (39.7). Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="964813" first="Trey" last="Baker"] (13.2) leads a very balanced attack that sees all four starters averaging between 9.3 and 13.2 points a game. Senior lead guard [player_tooltip player_id="796180" first="Jack" last="Franey"] (11.4, 6.8 assists) is a strong ball-handler and decision-maker who protects the ball and who will be key against an Easton Valley team that likes to apply pressure. Why they can win it all: This is a senior-laden team that has been hungry to get back to this spot following last year’s disappointing finish, and Baker, Franey, and [player_tooltip player_id="796177" first="Carson" last="Elbert"] are looking to do more. They’re balanced and strong on both ends of the floor. Chances they win it all: 5%. This group has been really good on both ends of the floor, and they’ve posted some solid wins in the non-conference against teams like Ankeny Christian, Roland-Story, and Knoxville. But this is a tough 1A bracket and they’ll need to play really well to make it to Championship Friday.   <h3>#5 seed: Easton Valley (22-0)</h3> About the River Hawks: The River Hawks survived a double-overtime scare against Wapello in the district final before dominating the substate final against New London to get here. They were upset in the district final last year and have been eager to get to State. They’re led by one of 1A’s most dominant players in senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="796176" first="Kaleb" last="Cornilsen"] (23.3, 10.1 rebounds), an efficient scoring big who is incredibly active on both ends of the floor. Senior wing Porter Fuegen (13.8) has stepped up and given them a reliable secondary scorer after they graduated a ton of production from last year’s group, and lead guard Carson Fuegen (4.6, 6.6 assists) has been a strong lead ball-handler. Why they can win it all: They have one of the best players in the field in Cornilsen, and they play a distinct style that can create issues for teams. Chances they win it all: 5%. Cornilsen is a dominant player, but they’ll really need to get strong production out of their role players if they want to make a run next week in Des Moines.   <h3>#6 seed: Remsen, St. Mary’s (21-3)</h3> About the Hawks: The Hawks are making their fifth consecutive trip to Des Moines. Last year was the first time they’ve lost in the quarterfinals, with 4th, 4th and 3rd place finishes before that. The formula is the same this year as it has been in previous years - a balanced offense and a dominant defense. Five players average between 8.7 and 12.6 points a game, led by sophomore forward Jaxon Bunkers, and the Hawks rank 10th in scoring defense, allowing just 41.6 points a game. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="964940" first="Blaine" last="Harpenau"] (8.7, 4.4 assists) has been a contributor on all four state tournament teams and will be a key piece for this group that features a lot of youth. Why they can win it all: The balance that this group has on the offensive end can make them difficult to defend. They share the ball well, rarely turn it over, and are really strong on the defensive end of the floor. Chances they win it all: 4%. They’ll have a tall task (literally) in the opening round against Grand View Christian, but if they can get by the Thunder, they can beat anyone in this field.   [caption id="attachment_1040495" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Trey-Shearer.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1040495" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Trey-Shearer-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Shearer[/caption] <h3>#7 seed: Montezuma (21-2)</h3> About the Braves: The Braves are in Des Moines for the third straight year, and are looking to build on last year’s third-place finish. They fell to the #7 seed in part due to a pair of early-season losses without standout big man [player_tooltip player_id="962629" first="Eddie" last="Burgess"] (13.9, 12.9 rebounds) in the lineup. Burgess suffered an injury during the 8-man football championship game and missed the pre-holiday break portion of the schedule. Since his return, the Braves are 15-0 winning by an average of 29 points a game. Lead guard [player_tooltip player_id="796108" first="Trey" last="Shearer"] (25.4, 4.8 assists) is the headliner of this group, a dynamic guard who is headed to play at D2 Truman State. With his quickness, ball-handling and silky smooth stroke, he makes scoring look effortless, posting 57-47-75 shooting splits. Senior running mate [player_tooltip player_id="796146" first="Cole" last="Watts"] (19.1, 50.7 3P%) is the perfect complement to Shearer in the backcourt, a knockdown shooter who also contributes in a big way on the glass. Monte is hot, and their core is very experienced in the state tournament. Why they can win it all: They have arguably the best player in the 1A field in Shearer, who can dominate games with either his scoring or facilitating. They’ve been red-hot since Burgess came back, and their core of Shearer, Watts and Burgess has the most state tournament experience of any of the 1A teams. Chances they win it all: 10%. The Braves have a tall task with undefeated Lake Mills in the opening round, but if they get by the Bulldogs, they actually have the weapons to score against Grand View Christian with Shearer and Watts’ ability to either bomb away from 3 or attack Tobiloba and get him into foul trouble.   <h3>#8 seed: South Winneshiek (18-6)</h3> About the Warriors: South Winneshiek has lost just once to a 1A school this year, a 59-37 loss to Turkey Valley way back on December 10. The Warriors play a largely 2A schedule in the Upper Iowa Conference, and they’ve won nine of their last ten games heading into the tournament. Senior wing Jacob Herold (15.9) is the team’s leading scorer, but junior forward Trey Kriener (12.9, 9.8 rebounds) is probably this team’s most important piece. A 6-7 center who can run the floor and control the glass, he’s a talented player who could be a matchup problem for North Linn in the opening round. Why they can win it all: Wapsie Valley showed that the #8 seed can get hot, play strong defense and make a run last year when they marched to the title. Similar to that Wapsie team, South Winn has a talented big that they can ride and they’re a solid defensive team. Chances they win it all: 1%. While Wapsie proved last year that an 8-seed can make a run, it’s hard to see this group beating North Linn in the opener. The pressure that the Lynx apply will be a lot for the Warriors backcourt to handle. <h3> </h3> <h3>Staff Picks</h3> Tony Quarterfinals: North Linn, Easton Valley, Lake Mills, Grand View Christian Semifinals: North Linn, Grand View Christian Champion: North Linn   Josh Quarterfinals: North Linn, Martensdale-St. Marys, Lake Mills, Grand View Christian Semifinals: North Linn, Lake Mills Champion: Lake Mills   Kegan Quarterfinals: North Linn, Easton Valley, Lake Mills, Grand View Christian Semifinals: North Linn, Grand View Christian Champion: Grand View Christian