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
5'11" | 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
5'11" | 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 |
North Linn:
Dylan Kurt
Dylan
Kurt
6'3" | SF
North Linn | 2022
State
IA
16,
Tate Haughenbury
Tate
Haughenbury
6'5" | PF
North Linn | 2023
State
IA
15,
Austin Hilmer
Austin
Hilmer
5'11" | PG
North Linn | 2022
State
IA
10,
Cade Haughenbury
Cade
Haughenbury
6'2" | SF
North Linn | 2022
State
IA
4, Ty Pflughaupt 3,
Ben Wheatley
Ben
Wheatley
6'1" | SG
North Linn | 2023
State
IA
2, Mason Bechen 2
Grand View Christian:
Daniel Tobiloba
Daniel
Tobiloba
7'0" | C
Grand View Christian | 2023
State
IA
15,
Manny Hammonds
Manny
Hammonds
6'2" | SG
Grand View Christian | 2022
State
IA
12,
Josh Sanderson
Josh
Sanderson
5'10" | PG
Grand View Christian | 2023
State
IA
11,
Josh Baucum
Josh
Baucum
6'1" | SG
Grand View Christian | 2022
State
IA
8, Noah John 2
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.
All-tournament team:
Daniel Tobiloba
Daniel
Tobiloba
7'0" | C
Grand View Christian | 2023
State
IA
(Grand View Christian),
Wyatt Helming
Wyatt
Helming
6'6" | SF
Lake Mills | 2022
State
IA
(Lake Mills),
Austin Hilmer
Austin
Hilmer
5'11" | PG
North Linn | 2022
State
IA
(North Linn),
Josh Baucum
Josh
Baucum
6'1" | SG
Grand View Christian | 2022
State
IA
(Grand View Christian),
Tate Haughenbury
Tate
Haughenbury
6'5" | PF
North Linn | 2023
State
IA
(North Linn, captain)
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 |
Rock Valley:
Landyn Van Kekerix
Landyn
Van Kekerix
5'11" | SG
Rock Valley | 2022
State
IA
26,
Bryson Van Grootheest
Bryson
Van Grootheest
6'0" | CG
Rock Valley | 2022
State
IA
25, Dawson Van Beek 9,
Sam Remmerde
Sam
Remmerde
6'3" | PF
Rock Valley | 2022
State
IA
8, Caleb Kats 6
Central Lyon:
Zach Lutmer
Zach
Lutmer
6'1" | PG
Central Lyon | 2023
IA
15,
Rex Van Wyhe
Rex
Van Wyhe
6'3" | PF
Central Lyon | 2022
IA
11, Cam Montag 8,
Andrew Austin
Andrew
Austin
6'6" | PF
Central Lyon | 2023
State
IA
7,
Mason Gerleman
Mason
Gerleman
6'0" | SG
Central Lyon | 2022
State
IA
5, Landon Thiessen 3, Cooper Spiess 2
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.
All-tournament team:
Landyn Van Kekerix
Landyn
Van Kekerix
5'11" | SG
Rock Valley | 2022
State
IA
(Rock Valley),
Mason Gerleman
Mason
Gerleman
6'0" | SG
Central Lyon | 2022
State
IA
(Central Lyon),
Eric Mulder
Eric
Mulder
6'8" | PF
Pella Christian | 2022
State
IA
(Pella Christian),
Zach Lutmer
Zach
Lutmer
6'1" | PG
Central Lyon | 2023
IA
(Central Lyon),
Sam Remmerde
Sam
Remmerde
6'3" | PF
Rock Valley | 2022
State
IA
(Rock Valley),
Bryson Van Grootheest
Bryson
Van Grootheest
6'0" | CG
Rock Valley | 2022
State
IA
(Rock Valley, captain)
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
6'3" | 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
6'3" | 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 |
Central DeWitt:
Shawn Gilbert
Shawn
Gilbert
6'7" | PF
Central DeWitt | 2022
State
IA
23, Ryan Watters 13,
Matthew Watters
Matthew
Watters
6'2" | SF
Central DeWitt | 2023
State
IA
8, Paul Kuehn 5,
Gibson McEwen
Gibson
McEwen
6'1" | SG
Central DeWitt | 2022
State
IA
4
Dallas Center-Grimes:
Jacob Runyan
Jacob
Runyan
5'9" | PG
Dallas Center-Grimes | 2022
State
IA
31,
Bo Huston
Bo
Huston
5'10" | SG
Dallas Center-Grimes | 2022
State
IA
10,
Cole Glasgow
Cole
Glasgow
6'3" | SG
Dallas Center-Grimes | 2022
State
IA
10, Blake Perrin 3,
Jackson Jones
Jackson
Jones
6'3" | SG
Dallas Center Grimes | 2022
IA
2
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.
All-tournament team:
Gibson McEwen
Gibson
McEwen
6'1" | SG
Central DeWitt | 2022
State
IA
(Central DeWitt),
Jackson Jones
Jackson
Jones
6'3" | SG
Dallas Center Grimes | 2022
IA
(Dallas Center-Grimes),
Levi Gurwell
Levi
Gurwell
6'0" | SG
Winterset | 2022
State
IA
(Winterset),
Jacob Runyan
Jacob
Runyan
5'9" | PG
Dallas Center-Grimes | 2022
State
IA
(Dallas Center-Grimes),
Shawn Gilbert
Shawn
Gilbert
6'7" | PF
Central DeWitt | 2022
State
IA
(Central DeWitt, captain)
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
6'1" | 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 |
Johnston:
Trey Lewis
Trey
Lewis
5'10" | PG
Johnston | 2022
State
IA
15, Samuel Tornabane 9,
Masen Ryan
Masen
Ryan
6'3" | SF
Johnston | 2022
State
IA
5,
Nathan Ruisch
Nathan
Ruisch
6'4" | SF
Johnston | 2023
State
IA
5,
Steven Kramer
Steven
Kramer
6'5" | SG
Johnston | 2022
State
IA
2,
Taye Proctor
Taye
Proctor
6'0" | SG
Johnston | 2024
State
IA
Ames:
Trevion Labeaux
Trevion
Labeaux
6'3" | SF
Ames | 2022
State
IA
18,
Lucas Lueth
Lucas
Lueth
6'6" | SF
Ames | 2023
State
IA
12,
Tamin Lipsey
Tamin
Lipsey
6'1" | PG
Ames | 2022
State
#163
Nation
IA
11, Ring Yak 8,
Corey Phillips
Corey
Phillips
6'5" | PF
Ames | 2022
State
IA
7, Devin Settle 6, Jack Wynter 6
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
6'1" | 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.
All-tournament team:
Jake Walter
Jake
Walter
5'10" | CG
Prairie | 2022
State
IA
(Prairie),
Trevion Labeaux
Trevion
Labeaux
6'3" | SF
Ames | 2022
State
IA
(Ames),
Trey Lewis
Trey
Lewis
5'10" | PG
Johnston | 2022
State
IA
(Johnston),
Kenzie Reed
Kenzie
Reed
5'11" | PG
Kennedy | 2023
State
IA
(Kennedy),
Tamin Lipsey
Tamin
Lipsey
6'1" | PG
Ames | 2022
State
#163
Nation
IA
(Ames, captain)
Please type in your name below to claim or create your Prep Hoops player profile.
