State Tournament: Championship Friday Game Recaps

[player_tooltip player_id="962641" first="Dylan" last="Kurt"] had a game-high 16 points, helping lead North Linn to their second state championship in the last four years

Class 1A Championship: #2 North Linn 52, #1 Grand View Christian 48

For the second time in the last four years, the North Linn Lynx are state champions, this time coming in Class 1A, as the second-seeded Lynx knocked off top-ranked and undefeated Grand View Christian, 52-48, to secure the school’s second state championship.

There’s no doubt that these were the top two teams in Class 1A basketball this year, and they put on a show in their finale, with a first half that featured 12 lead changes. The biggest play of the game may have come with 5:45 remaining in the second quarter, when Thunder star guard Josh Baucum Josh Baucum 6'1" | SG Grand View Christian | 2022 State IA picked up his fourth foul on a push-off (three of his four fouls were offensive). He sat the rest of the half and it completely altered the way that he was able to play throughout most of the second half. A guard who loves to attack the rim and play aggressive, tight man-to-man defense, he had to play loose on the perimeter defensively and settle for jumpers on the offensive end as a result of his foul trouble.

North Linn took a 27-24 lead into the break after a late 3-pointer from Ty Pflughaupt. Grand View Christian tied the game early in the third quarter before a 9-0 Lynx run gave them a 36-27 lead, an advantage that they wouldn’t give up the rest of the way. They led 44-39 after three quarters.

Grand View Christian trimmed the deficit down to two points on a few occasions in the fourth quarter, including as late as 35 seconds remaining, but the Thunder had four fouls to give before the Lynx were in the bonus, which chewed up some clock and limited their opportunity to complete their comeback effort. Austin Hilmer Austin Hilmer 5'10" | PG North Linn | 2022 State IA made a pair of free throws with 13 seconds to play to give North Linn a 52-48 edge, and the Thunder weren’t able to convert on the other end, the time ran out, and the Lynx found themselves atop Class 1A basketball.

North Linn closes the year with a 27-1 record, a fifth consecutive state championship game appearance, and the school’s second state title. The Lynx have compiled a 161-5 record in the last six seasons, with four of those losses coming at the state tournament, and three in state championship game, an unprecedented level of success. They were led by Dylan Kurt Dylan Kurt 6'3" | SF North Linn | 2022 State IA who had 16 points in his final high school game. Tate Haughenbury Tate Haughenbury 6'5" | PF North Linn | 2023 State IA had 15 points en route to being named captain of the all-tournament team, and Austin Hilmer Austin Hilmer 5'10" | PG North Linn | 2022 State IA had 10 points. Older brother Jake Hilmer ended his high school career with a state title, and younger brother Austin did the same on Friday afternoon. The Lynx will lose three starters but will bring back Tate Haughenbury Tate Haughenbury 6'5" | PF North Linn | 2023 State IA , Ben Wheatley Ben Wheatley 6'1" | SG North Linn | 2023 State IA , and a few role players, and there is no reason to expect that this group won’t be competing in Class 1A yet again next season.

Grand View Christian’s season ends with a 26-1 record and the school’s fourth state championship game appearance in the last six years. The Thunder were led by Daniel Tobiloba Daniel Tobiloba 7'0" | C Grand View Christian | 2023 State IA who had 15 points and 18 rebounds. Manny Hammonds Manny Hammonds 6'2" | SG Grand View Christian | 2022 State IA had 12 points in his final high school game, while Josh Baucum Josh Baucum 6'1" | SG Grand View Christian | 2022 State IA had 8, also in his last game. Josh Sanderson Josh Sanderson 5'10" | PG Grand View Christian | 2023 State IA added 11 points in the loss. The Thunder will bring back Sanderson and Tobiloba, as well as their top three bench players and will also contend in 1A again next season.

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	F
North Linn	11	16	17	8	52
Grand View Christian	12	12	15	9	48

Team stats
North Linn: 19-41 FG (46.3%), 4-10 3P (40.0%), 10-10 FT (100%), 22 rebounds (6 offensive), 10 assists, 8 turnovers
Grand View Christian: 18-48 FG (37.5%), 7-17 3P (41.2%), 5-7 FT (71.4%), 30 rebounds (14 offensive), 5 assists, 12 turnovers

MVP: 2022 Dylan Kurt Dylan Kurt 6'3" | SF North Linn | 2022 State IA (North Linn) -- 16 points (5-9 FG, 2-2 3P, 4-4 FT), 5 rebounds, 1 steal

Kurt wasn’t named to the all-tournament team, but if the vote took place after halftime, he may have found himself on the team. The 6-2 senior wing was excellent on both ends of the floor in capping off his high school career with a state title.

[player_tooltip player_id="962672" first="Bryson" last="Van Grootheest"] had 25 points in Rock Valley’s title game win and was named captain of the all-tournament team

Class 2A Championship: #2 Rock Valley 74, #1 Central Lyon 51

For the first time since 2010, the Rock Valley Rockets are state champions, producing a dominant effort en route to a 74-51 win over top-seeded Central Lyon on Friday afternoon.

These Siouxland Conference rivals met twice in the regular season, splitting their games with identical 65-63 scores, but the Rockets ensured that there would be no such drama early in this one, ending the first quarter on a 13-2 run and carrying a 20-point lead, 38-18, into the half.

Central Lyon opened the third quarter on a quick 5-0 spurt, prompting a Rock Valley timeout, but the Rockets quickly thwarted that comeback attempt, going on a quick 8-2 run of their own to push the lead back to 21 points and they cruised the rest of the way.

The overwhelming athleticism of the Rock Valley starting five was a problem for teams all week, and that was on full display again in this championship game. They forced turnovers and turned them into quick and easy points in transition, they swarmed the Lions on the defensive end, and they attacked non-stop in the halfcourt. The Rockets shot 57.7% from the floor (that number was above 70% for much of the game) in one of the most dominant championship game performances we’ll ever see. They forced 16 turnovers and turned them into 29 points.

Rock Valley’s season ends with a 22-5 record and the school’s fifth state championship. The Rockets were led by Landyn Van Kekerix Landyn Van Kekerix 5'11" | SG Rock Valley | 2022 State IA who had 26 points and 10 rebounds. Bryson Van Grootheest Bryson Van Grootheest 6'0" | CG Rock Valley | 2022 State IA had 25 points to conclude an incredible week and he, Van Kekerix, and Sam Remmerde Sam Remmerde 6'3" | PF Rock Valley | 2022 State IA were each named to the all-tournament team, with Van Grootheest named captain. They will lose all five starters from this team that had been building towards this season for the last several years.

Central Lyon’s season concludes with a 24-3 record and the school’s first state tournament appearance. The Lions were led by Zach Lutmer Zach Lutmer 6'1" | PG Central Lyon | 2023 IA who had 15 points. Rex Van Wyhe Rex Van Wyhe 6'3" | PF Central Lyon | 2022 IA chipped in 11 in the loss. They’ll bring back star guard Lutmer and starting forward Andrew Austin Andrew Austin 6'6" | PF Central Lyon | 2023 State IA next season, as well a few key bench pieces and should be competitive again next year.

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	F
Rock Valley	17	21	24	12	74
Central Lyon	6	12	19	14	51

Team stats
Rock Valley: 30-52 FG (57.7%), 5-12 3P (41.7%), 9-13 FT (69.2%), 26 rebounds (10 offensive), 12 assists, 6 turnovers
Central Lyon: 17-35 FG (48.6%), 6-14 3P (42.9%), 11-13 FT (84.6%), 17 rebounds (3 offensive), 10 assists, 16 turnovers

MVP: 2022 Landyn Van Kekerix Landyn Van Kekerix 5'11" | SG Rock Valley | 2022 State IA (Rock Valley) -- 26 points (10-12 FG, 6-8 FT), 10 rebounds (4 offensive), 1 block, 2 steals

Van Kekerix and Van Grootheest were both exceptional in the championship game win, but it was the Iowa football commit’s athleticism and physicality that was a major difference maker on both ends of the floor for the Rockets.

[player_tooltip player_id="682288" first="Jacob" last="Runyan"] was unbelievable with 31 points in the Mustangs’ state title win

Class 3A Championship: #1 Dallas Center-Grimes 56, #7 Central DeWitt 53

Jacob Runyan Jacob Runyan 5'9" | PG Dallas Center-Grimes | 2022 State IA was unconscious, and Dallas Center-Grimes got one final stop, holding off a valiant comeback effort from Central DeWitt, defeating the Sabers 56-53 to secure the school’s first ever state championship.

Neither team held a lead of larger than two possessions in the first half, with Dallas Center-Grimes taking a six-point lead, 20-14, with 6:27 left in the second quarter. Central DeWitt battled back to tie it at 29 late in the quarter before a Cole Glasgow Cole Glasgow 6'2" | SG Dallas Center- Grimes | 2022 State IA 3 gave the Mustangs a 32-29 lead heading into the locker room. The Mustangs shot 13-17 from the floor in the first half, paced by Jacob Runyan Jacob Runyan 5'9" | PG Dallas Center-Grimes | 2022 State IA , who was sensational with 17 first-half points on 7-8 shooting.

After a Shawn Gilbert Shawn Gilbert 6'7" | PF Central DeWitt | 2022 State IA layup gave the Sabers a 38-37 lead midway through the third quarter, the Mustangs went on a 13-0 run to grab a 12-point lead early in the fourth quarter, and it looked like they may cruise to a 3A championship. Then big men Shawn Gilbert Shawn Gilbert 6'7" | PF Central DeWitt | 2022 State IA and Ryan Watters took over for the Sabers, combining to score their next 15 points and go on a 15-2 run of their own. Gilbert’s layup gave the Sabers a 53-52 lead with 1:08 to play. Runyan quickly answered, getting to the rim for a layup with 57 seconds left. The Sabers tried to hold for the final shot, but a Matthew Watters Matthew Watters 6'2" | SF Central DeWitt | 2023 State IA attempt was blocked out of bounds with 9.9 seconds left. On the ensuing play, they turned it over and Jacob Runyan Jacob Runyan 5'9" | PG Dallas Center-Grimes | 2022 State IA sunk a pair of free throws for the win.

Dallas Center-Grimes’ season ends with a 22-5 record and the school’s first state championship. The Mustangs were led by Jacob Runyan Jacob Runyan 5'9" | PG Dallas Center-Grimes | 2022 State IA , who was stellar with 31 points on 12-16 shooting (5-7 3P). Cole Glasgow Cole Glasgow 6'2" | SG Dallas Center- Grimes | 2022 State IA and Bo Huston Bo Huston 5'10" | SG Dallas Center-Grimes | 2022 State IA each chipped in 10 points in the win, and the Mustangs shot an eye-popping 62.9% from the floor.

Central DeWitt’s season concludes with a 20-7 record and the school’s third state championship game appearance. The Sabers were led by Shawn Gilbert Shawn Gilbert 6'7" | PF Central DeWitt | 2022 State IA , who concluded a fantastic season with 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. He was named captain of the all-tournament team for his efforts this week. Ryan Watters added 13 points off the bench to wrap up an excellent week at the state tournament.

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	F
Central DeWitt	12	17	9	15	53
Dallas Center-Grimes	11	21	15	9	56

Team stats
Central DeWitt: 21-43 FG (48.8%), 6-12 3P (50.0%), 5-7 FT (71.4%), 21 rebounds (12 offensive), 8 assists, 10 turnovers
Dallas Center-Grimes: 22-35 FG (62.9%), 10-17 3P (58.8%), 2-9 FT (22.2%), 18 rebounds (10 offensive), 7 assists, 10 turnovers

MVP: 2022 Jacob Runyan Jacob Runyan 5'9" | PG Dallas Center-Grimes | 2022 State IA (Dallas Center-Grimes) -- 31 points (12-16 FG, 5-7 3P, 2-2 FT), 4 assists, 1 steal

Runyan was absolutely stellar in this one, scoring 17 first-half points and Central DeWitt simply had no answer for him. He was automatic from behind the arc, and when the Sabers closed out hard, he blew by them and got to the rim where he’s an excellent finisher.

[player_tooltip player_id="682279" first="Tamin" last="Lipsey"] had a triple-double in helping lead Ames to a dominant win in the 4A championship game, the school’s ninth state title

4A Championship: #1 Ames 68, #3 Johnston 37

In absolutely dominating fashion, the Ames Little Cyclones won the school’s ninth state championship, their first since Harrison Barnes and Doug McDermott went back-to-back in 2009 and 2010. The Little Cyclones envoked the running clock in the third quarter and cruised to a 68-37 win over Johnston on Friday night to end the high school basketball season.

The Little Cyclones closed the first quarter on a 12-3 run to take a 17-8 lead after the first quarter, and that edge ballooned up to 20 points by the half. This outcome was never in doubt, as the Cyclones athleticism, size, length, physicality, and talent was simply too much for Johnston to overcome.

The margin of victory was the largest in Iowa’s biggest classification since Clinton beat Indianola by 37 points in 1992.

Ames’ season ends with a 23-3 record and the school’s ninth state championship. They were led by Trevion Labeaux Trevion Labeaux 6'3" | SF Ames | 2022 State IA who had a game-high 18 points. Lucas Lueth Lucas Lueth 6'6" | SF Ames | 2023 State IA had 12 points, and Tamin Lipsey Tamin Lipsey 6'2" | PG Ames | 2022 State #163 Nation IA delivered a state championship game triple-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. The Little Cyclones opened the season as our top-ranked team in 4A and steamrolled through the class all year with little resistance.

Johnston’s year ends with a 21-4 record and their second consecutive state championship game appearance. The Dragons were led by Trey Lewis Trey Lewis 5'10" | PG Johnston | 2022 State IA who had 15 points in the final game of his stellar high school career.

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	F
Johnston	8	8	13	8	37
Ames	17	19	26	6	68

Team stats
Johnston: 12-40 FG (30.0%), 8-23 3P (34.8%), 5-8 FT (62.5%), 14 rebounds (4 offensive), 7 assists, 6 turnovers
Ames: 28-42 FG (66.7%), 8-12 3P (66.7%), 4-6 FT (66.7%), 29 rebounds (4 offensive), 13 assists, 8 turnovers

MVP: 2022 Tamin Lipsey Tamin Lipsey 6'2" | PG Ames | 2022 State #163 Nation IA (Ames) -- 11 points (5-9 FG, 1-2 3P), 11 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals

There was no question who the best player on the floor was in this one. The future Iowa State guard was dominant from start-to-finish, delivering a state championship game triple-double.