Tuesday’s Top Games

1A #6 Edgwood-Colesburg (10-1) at Springville (11-2)

This is a big game in the Tri-Rivers West, as Ed-Co enters with a 5-1 league mark, trailing North Linn (6-1) by half a game. Springville is 5-2 in the league. The Vikings hold the head-to-head edge over North Linn currently, but a loss to the Orioles would put them in a hole that they’d be unlikely to climb out of unless they could pull off the Lynx upset again. The veteran Vikings have a roster comprised solely of seniors, and this is a group that has a lot of experience playing together. They’re led by a trio of double-figure scorers in Mason Ashline (13.7), Korey Putz (11.8), and Jack Wiskus (11.6), but four others average between 4.1 and 8.6 points a game, giving them plenty of scoring options. They’re a pretty good free-throw shooting team (72.2%), and they share the ball well (15.3 assists a game).

Springville counters with an attack that features four players averaging in double-figures, headlined by senior wing Rhenden Wagaman Rhenden Wagaman 6'3" | SG Springville | 2022 State IA (22.6), who has taken a big leap this year as the team’s primary scorer. A 6-2/6-3 wing who can score from all three levels, he also flies around on the defensive end, averaging 3.8 steals a game. Fellow senior guard Luke Menster Luke Menster 5'10" | PG Springville | 2022 State IA (17.1, 4.7 assists, 3.8 steals) is another pest on the defensive end and is a quick lead guard who can get to the rim routinely, while senior forward Dylan DeMean Dylan DeMean 6'3" | SF Springville | 2022 State IA (13.0, 10.2 rebounds) has been fantastic for the Orioles this season, stepping in as a dominant rebounder and tertiary scoring threat.

4A #10 Iowa City West (7-2) at 4A #5 Prairie (9-1)

A potent West High attack has been cooled down significantly in their last three games, including back-to-back home losses at the hands of Hempstead (71-54) and Cedar Falls (71-57). After averaging 72.5 points in their first six games of the year, the Trojans are putting up just 53.0 in their last three. They’ll look to check back on track against a Prairie team that has been strong defensively (53.1 points a game) this season. Senior forward Peter Moe Peter Moe 6'9" | PF Iowa City West | 2022 State IA (23.8, 8.4 rebounds) leads West’s attack, shooting 63% from the floor. He has the ability to stretch the floor but is at his best when he’s playing down on the block and using his excellent footwork and touch to score around the rim. Jack McCaffery (10.7, 41.3 3P%) is putting together a strong freshman season, and junior wing Savion Taylor Savion Taylor 6'4" | SF The Burlington School | 2024 State NC (10.5, 50.0 3P%) is shooting the ball really well so far this year. Kareem Earl Kareem Earl 6'5" | SF Iowa City West | 2024 State #123 Nation IA (10.4) is another double-figure scorer, while point guards Jacob Koch (8.6, 3.1 assists) and Christian Barnes Christian Barnes 5'10" | PG Iowa City West | 2022 State IA (8.0, 4.7 assists) are also solid contributors. 

Prairie doesn’t have as much offensive firepower as their counterparts do, but they’re a tough, physical, and athletic team that loves to pound the glass on both ends of the floor. They’re pulling down nearly 10 more rebounds a game than the Trojans, so that’s an area to watch in this meeting. Senior forward Gabe Burkle Gabe Burkle 6'7" | PF Prairie | 2022 State IA (15.0) is a physical interior presence on both ends, a future Iowa State football player, and senior guards Jake Walter Jake Walter 5'10" | CG Prairie | 2022 State IA (13.8) and Elijah Ward Elijah Ward 6'2" | CG Prairie | 2022 State IA (11.5) love to attack the rim. Jack Wagemester Jack Wagemester 6'1" | SG Prairie | 2023 State IA , the son of former Kirkwood coach Doug Wagemester, has provided some defensive versatility and toughness on the perimeter as well. 

2A #4 Boyden-Hull (10-1) at 2A #1 Central Lyon (12-0)

The biggest game of the night will be played in Rock Rapids, where the top-ranked Lions could essentially end the Siouxland Conference race early with another win. No team in 2A has been more impressive this year than Central Lyon (with the possible exception of Aplington-Parkersburg), who are averaging 82.0 points a game and winning games by an average of 20.6 points. Three players average in double-figures for the Lions, led by junior guard Zach Lutmer Zach Lutmer 6'1" | PG Central Lyon | 2023 IA (21.9, 6.3 assists), who has been a dominant force on both ends of the floor. He’s posting 61-43-72 shooting splits and has the ability to dominate the game even when he isn’t scoring with his court vision, athleticism, and defense. Senior guard Mason Gerleman Mason Gerleman 6'0" | SG Central Lyon | 2022 State IA (18.8, 48.9 3P%) is a flamethrower alongside Lutmer in the backcourt, and Andrew Austin Andrew Austin 6'6" | PF Central Lyon | 2023 State IA (15.5) has been a dominant, efficient interior scorer. In the Lions’ 86-78 win over Boyden-Hull earlier this year, that trio combined to score 59 points on 21-38 shooting.

Boyden-Hull has been rolling since that early-season loss to the Lions, winning nine straight with only one game decided by single digits (an 81-76 win over Sioux Center on December 14). They’re winning games by an average of 19.4 points a night and have been just as impressive as Central Lyon since that loss. In senior wing Tanner Te Slaa Tanner Te Slaa 6'5" | SF Boyden-Hull | 2022 State IA (24.2, 8.6 rebounds), they have the best player in 2A basketball. A future South Dakota State wing, he’s a highly efficient and intelligent player on both ends of the floor, and like Lutmer, he can dominate the game even when he isn’t scoring. Vance Katzfey Vance Katzfey 6'3" | SG Boyden-Hull | 2022 State IA (19.7), a transfer from Spirit Lake, has been fantastic on the wing alongside Te Slaa, and stretch-4 Bryan Zylstra Bryan Zylstra 6'2" | PF Boyden-Hull | 2022 State IA (15.5, 50.0 3P%) is another really efficient option who can space the floor for Te Slaa and Katzfey, who like to attack the rim. This one should be a lot of fun.

2A #10 Estherville Lincoln Central (9-3) at 2A #3 Western Christian (11-1)

The Midgets handed Western Christian their lone loss of the season back on December 7, an 82-74 win. The Wolfpack have been rolling since then and will be looking to get some revenge in the return trip. They’re led by their dynamic senior tandem of Ty Van Essen Ty Van Essen 6'4" | PF Western Christian | 2022 State IA (17.5, 7.6 rebounds) and Wyatt Gulker Wyatt Gulker 6'3" | SG Western Christian | 2022 State IA (15.2, 51.9 3P%), who pace a highly efficient offense that is posting 53-40-75 shooting splits as a team. This is a typical Western Christian team that plays basketball the right way, sharing the ball at an amazing clip (19.7 assists a game) and limiting turnovers. This is a deep and experienced team that should be hyper-focused heading into this one.

In the Midgets’ win earlier this year, they shot 15-26 from behind the arc (57.7%), outscoring the Wolfpack by 27 points from deep. While they have some solid shooting threats, that type of shooting night isn’t likely to occur again. Sophomore point guard Owen Larson Owen Larson 6'1" | PG Estherville Lincoln Central | 2024 State IA (22.7, 6.3 assists) has been outstanding this season, scoring efficiently and getting others involved, while seniors Blake Ingvall Blake Ingvall 6'3" | SF Estherville Lincoln Central | 2022 State IA (12.9) and Ryan Schiltz Ryan Schiltz 5'10" | PG Estherville Lincoln Central | 2022 State IA (12.5) have stepped up as solid secondary scoring options. If they want to complete the season sweep of Western Christian, they’ll need to have another big shooting night. 

3A #10 Clear Creek Amana (9-1) at Williamsburg (11-2)

This is a big one in the WaMaC West, as Williamsburg took the first meeting between these teams, 68-64, and a season sweep would essentially wrap up the division title for the Raiders. Both of these teams have been strong defensively, with CCA allowing 48.8 points a game, and Williamsburg giving up just 48.3. The Clippers turned it over 21 times in the first meeting, and that number will need to improve if they want to get revenge in this spot. They’re led by a pair of double-figure scorers in Ben Swails Ben Swails 6'2" | SF Clear Creek Amana | 2022 State IA (17.8) and Kyle Schrepfer Kyle Schrepfer 6'0" | SG Clear Creek Amana | 2022 State IA (13.3), and they shoot nearly 43% from the arc as a team. Their bugaboo all year has been turnovers (nearly 16 a game).

Williamsburg’s two losses are to teams that are currently undefeated – 3A #5 Fort Madison (10-0) and 2A #9 Mid-Prairie (12-0). The Raiders have also struggled at times with turnovers (15.5 a game), but have made up for it by forcing a lot of mistakes with their length and athleticism. Sophomore wing Derek Weisskopf Derek Weisskopf 6'3" | SG Williamsburg | 2024 State IA (14.8) is the team’s leading scorer, but this is a deep and balanced team that has seven other players averaging between 4.1 and 9.4 points a game. Whichever team wins the turnover battle likely has the upper hand in this rematch. 

3A #1 Pella (10-2) at Des Moines Christian (10-2)

This is an intriguing non-conference game between the 3A defending champions and a 2A powerhouse. Pella has one of the most explosive offensive attacks in the state, averaging 69.6 points a game and their 100 made 3-pointers is among the most in the state as well. The Dutch lost back-to-back games in early December, but have been rolling since then, running off eight straight wins by an average of 24.3 points a game. Senior guard Noah Allen Noah Allen 5'10" | PG Pella | 2022 State IA (16.2, 44.7 3P%) and wing Karl Miller Karl Miller 6'4" | SF Pella | 2022 State IA (15.5, 40.5 3P%) are the headliners, but this is a deep and talented offensive team that comes at you in waves on both ends of the floor. 

Des Moines Christian counters with a fantastic defensive team, allowing just 42.6 points a game. The Lions have always prided themselves on their defense, and this year has been no exception, using their physicality and athleticism to their advantage and really limiting what teams can do against them. Senior wing Adam Witty Adam Witty 6'2" | SF Des Moines Christian | 2022 State IA (22.4, 8.2 rebounds) embodies everything DMC is about – physicality, toughness, athleticism, and efficiency. He’s taken his play up a a few notches this year, posting 62-39-76 shooting splits and dominating the game on both ends of the floor. Senior Emmett Schelhaas (11.3) has emerged as a solid second scorer, and they’ve gotten good production out of sophomore Landon Craven Landon Craven 6'1" | SG Des Moines Christian | 2024 State IA (9.8) and junior Carsen Theis Carsen Theis 6'1" | SG Des Moines Christian | 2023 State IA (7.0) as well.