State Tournament: Wednesday Preview

[caption id="attachment_1356612" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/Pryce-Sandfort-crop-591x388-1640894408.png"><img class="wp-image-1356612 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/Pryce-Sandfort-crop-591x388-1640894408-300x197.png" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="956868" first="Pryce" last="Sandfort"] Photo: Sean Bock <a href="https://247sports.com/player/pryce-sandfort-46097292/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">247Sports</a>[/caption] 4A Quarterfinal: #4 Kennedy (20-3) vs. #5 Northwest (20-4), 10:30 am Analysis: Kennedy is making their 16th state tournament appearance, and their first trip since 2017, while Northwest qualified in their first year as a school. This should be a fun, up-tempo game between two of the top offensive teams in 4A. Kennedy is headlined by their talented junior backcourt tandem of [player_tooltip player_id="1167718" first="Colby" last="Dolphin"] (14.1, 39.8 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id="956877" first="Kenzie" last="Reed"] (12.4, 7.0 assists). Dolphin is a tough, physical guard who can knock down shots and looks to attack the rim relentlessly, while Reed is one of the best pure point guards in the state, a pass-first guard who excels in ball-screen action. The Cougars are able to put more shooting around those two in the form of [player_tooltip player_id="1158435" first="Carson" last="Blietz"] (8.9, 41.5 3P%), a Jefferson transfer who has provided some scoring spark on the wing. [player_tooltip player_id="1158434" first="Jackson" last="Bowman"] (10.4, 4.7 rebounds) is an athletic forward who runs the floor, while [player_tooltip player_id="784983" first="Craig" last="Mills"] (7.7, 7.1 rebounds) is a big body in the paint with soft hands and good touch around the rim. Coach Jon McKowen loves to switch up his defenses and throw a number of different looks at teams, and he’ll have his hands full with the weapons that Northwest can throw at you. [player_tooltip player_id="956868" first="Pryce" last="Sandfort"] (27.2, 10.5 rebounds, 3.0 blocks) has been the best player in the state this season. He’s a 6-7 wing with defensive versatility, and he’s one of the best shotmakers in the state, armed with a quick release, unlimited range, excellent size, and the ability to put the ball on the floor and get to wherever he wants to go. He holds offers from Iowa, Drake, and Washington State, and that list is going to explode this summer. It’s not a one-man show for the Wolves, however, as junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="956887" first="Cade" last="Kelderman"] (16.1, 5.5 assists, 43.3 3P%) has been excellent in his first year as a starter. He’s a physical guard who can get to the bucket and finish through contact, and he’s also a great shooter. [player_tooltip player_id="1240092" first="Henry" last="Manning"] (11.0, 38.1 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id="1376673" first="Grant" last="Tigges"] (8.5, 44.6 3P%) provide more shooting, and this team has been excellent at the free-throw line this season, shooting nearly 80% as a group. This figures to be one of the best games of the entire tournament. Players to watch Kennedy: 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167718" first="Colby" last="Dolphin"] (14.1 points, 2.9 assists, 39.8 3P%), 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="956877" first="Kenzie" last="Reed"] (12.4 points, 7.0 assists, 38.4 3P%), 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158434" first="Jackson" last="Bowman"] (10.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 58.3 FG%) Northwest: 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="956868" first="Pryce" last="Sandfort"] (27.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, 41.1 3P%), 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="956887" first="Cade" last="Kelderman"] (16.1 points, 5.5 assists, 43.3 3P%), 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1240092" first="Henry" last="Manning"] (11.0 points, 38.1 3P%) Our pick: Northwest 68, Kennedy 60 [caption id="attachment_1273063" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Tamin-Lipsey-crop-3024x1986-1630182046.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1273063 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Tamin-Lipsey-crop-3024x1986-1630182046-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="682279" first="Tamin" last="Lipsey"][/caption] 4A Quarterfinal: #1 Ames (20-3) vs. #8 Burlington (17-7), 12:15 pm Analysis: This is Ames’ 23rd trip to the state tournament, and the third trip in the last four seasons, while Burlington is making their first appearance since winning the title in 1987. The Little Cyclones opened the year as our top-ranked team in 4A, and they’ve done nothing to make us think otherwise this season, with their lone loss with a healthy [player_tooltip player_id="682279" first="Tamin" last="Lipsey"] (15.9, 6.1 assists) coming to Christian Brothers College (MO). Lipsey, a future Iowa State guard, missed the final six games of the regular season with a hamstring injury, but returned for postseason play and picked up where he left off. In his absence, [player_tooltip player_id="682277" first="Trevion" last="Labeaux"] (15.3, 6.4 rebounds) and [player_tooltip player_id="682286" first="Corey" last="Phillips"] (11.3, 5.6 rebounds) stepped up and played well on both ends of the floor. Ames is the best defensive team in the state, allowing just 42.7 points a game while playing in the loaded CIML. Burlington has won 10 of their last 11 games heading into the tournament, including a substate final win over previously undefeated Pleasant Valley. The Grayhounds are led by a pair of athletic wings in senior [player_tooltip player_id="962667" first="Amarion" last="Davis"] (14.2, 6.0 rebounds) and junior Merquiche Lewis Jr (13.2, 5.2 rebounds). They can both get to the bucket and make plays on the defensive end, but if they want to pull off a shocking upset, they’ll need to get a ton of production out of them and senior guard Nate Spear (7.5, 42.1 3P%), the team’s top shooter. This has been a great run for the Grayhounds, but it likely ends here. Players to watch Ames: 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682279" first="Tamin" last="Lipsey"] (15.9 points, 6.1 assists, 2.5 steals, 57.4 FG%), 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682277" first="Trevion" last="Labeaux"] (15.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 57.4 FG%), 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682286" first="Corey" last="Phillips"] (11.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 51.9 FG%) Burlington: 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962667" first="Amarion" last="Davis"] (14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 53.1 FG%), 2023 Merquiche Lewis Jr (13.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 55.1 FG%), 2022 Nate Spear (7.5 points, 42.1 3P%) Our pick: Ames 56, Burlington 40 [caption id="attachment_1177345" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Dallas-Bear.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1177345 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Dallas-Bear-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="956870" first="Dallas" last="Bear"][/caption] 4A Quarterfinal: #2 Cedar Falls (19-2) vs. #7 Prairie (17-6), 2:00 pm Analysis: This is Cedar Falls’ fifth consecutive trip to Des Moines, while Prairie is making their first trip since winning the title in 1998. The Hawks handed Cedar Falls their last loss, way back on January 4, and the Tigers have won 16 straight since then behind the stellar play of senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="682265" first="Trey" last="Campbell"] (24.0, 4.2 assists). Campbell, a future Northern Iowa lead guard, is a long and athletic 6-4 guard who can score from all three levels, and he doesn’t force anything. [player_tooltip player_id="956870" first="Dallas" last="Bear"] (14.4, 56 3PM) is a 6-8 shooter who can get hot and carry the offense, and they’ve gotten good production in the paint out of sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id="1171693" first="Cade" last="Courbat"] (6.9, 6.2 rebounds, 2.3 blocks), an athletic shotblocker. Prairie is a deep, athletic, and physical team that will look to physically wear teams down. They held Hempstead to just 20 points in the substate final and they can comfortably go eight deep, even after the injury to starting point guard [player_tooltip player_id="784979" first="Elijah" last="Ward"]. [player_tooltip player_id="682264" first="Gabe" last="Burkle"] (14.7), an Iowa State football commit, anchors the team on both ends of the floor. He’s a physical forward who scores efficiently around the bucket and protects the rim defensively. Younger brother [player_tooltip player_id="1376680" first="Reid" last="Burkle"] (3.9, 4.0 rebounds) has been strong off the bench in a similar role. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="962635" first="Jake" last="Walter"] (13.2, 3.7 assists) is the team’s top perimeter scoring threat, and they’ll need a big game from him if they want to advance. These teams are extremely familiar with each other and it should be tight, but the state tournament experience of Campbell will be invaluable here. Players to watch Cedar Falls: 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682265" first="Trey" last="Campbell"] (24.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.2 steals, 40.0 3P%), 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="956870" first="Dallas" last="Bear"] (14.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 83.7 FT%), 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1171693" first="Cade" last="Courbat"] (6.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.3 blocks) Prairie: 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682264" first="Gabe" last="Burkle"] (14.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 58.3 FG%), 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962635" first="Jake" last="Walter"] (13.2 points, 3.7 assists, 38.2 3P%), 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1240063" first="Jack" last="Wagemester"] (7.1 points, 39.5 3P%) Our pick: Cedar Falls 52, Prairie 44 [caption id="attachment_1148899" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Steven-Kramer-1-crop-2791x1833-1615513419.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1148899 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Steven-Kramer-1-crop-2791x1833-1615513419-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="784982" first="Steven" last="Kramer"][/caption] 4A Quarterfinal: #3 Johnston (19-3) vs. #6 Ankeny (19-4), 3:45 pm Analysis: Both of these teams have enjoyed recent success in Des Moines, with Johnston finishing runner-up last season and Ankeny winning it all in 2020. Playing in different divisions within the CIML, they did not meet this season. Johnston enters the tournament on an eight-game winning streak and brought back two starters from that runner-up team in [player_tooltip player_id="682278" first="Trey" last="Lewis"] (21.7, 7.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id="784982" first="Steven" last="Kramer"] (16.0, 7.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists), who have been sensational this season. Both are dynamic three-level scorers and athletes who are headed to play college ball next season, with Lewis off the board to D2 Drury and Kramer headed to South Dakota. The Dragons are the best 3-point shooting team in the 4A field (41.0%), and they’re able to surround Lewis and Kramer with three great shooters in [player_tooltip player_id="1234969" first="Masen" last="Ryan"] (8.7, 45.5 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id="1240090" first="Nathan" last="Ruisch"] (7.5, 44.6 3P%), and Samuel Tornabane (5.5, 42.5 3P%). Seven players average at least 6.5 points a game for Ankeny, making them arguably the deepest team in the 4A field. The Hawks are led by senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="962614" first="Ryan" last="Crandall"] (11.7, 8.4 rebounds), an athletic and physical combo forward who provides versatility on both ends of the floor. He leads the team in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals. Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id="1171676" first="Lio" last="Aguirre"] (10.6, 5.1 rebounds) provides some perimeter scoring punch with his slashing ability, and [player_tooltip player_id="1167709" first="JJ" last="Kohl"] (10.3, 6.0 rebounds) is a big presence in the paint. This team will go, however, as sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1171660" first="Carson" last="Johnson"] (10.1, 2.5 assists) goes. The team’s best shooter and playmaker, if he plays well, the Hawks will be successful. Players to watch Johnston: 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682278" first="Trey" last="Lewis"] (21.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 38.6 3P%), 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="784982" first="Steven" last="Kramer"] (16.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 51.9 FG%), 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1234969" first="Masen" last="Ryan"] (8.7 points, 45.5 3P%) Ankeny: 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962614" first="Ryan" last="Crandall"] (12.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 52.4 FG%), 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1171676" first="Lio" last="Aguirre"] (10.7 points, 5.1 rebounds), 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167709" first="JJ" last="Kohl"] (10.1 points, 5.8 rebounds), 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1171660" first="Carson" last="Johnson"] (9.9 points, 2.4 assists, 36.1 3P%) Our pick: Johnston 66, Ankeny 59 [caption id="attachment_1147288" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Daniel-Tobiloba-crop-2786x1829-1615315737-crop-540x355-1615315753.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1147288 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Daniel-Tobiloba-crop-2786x1829-1615315737-crop-540x355-1615315753-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="956875" first="Daniel" last="Tobiloba"][/caption] 1A Semifinal: #1 Grand View Christian (25-0) vs. #4 Lake Mills (25-1), 5:30 pm How they got here: Top-ranked Grand View Christian survived an overtime scare from Bellevue, getting a free-throw from Noah John with 0.2 seconds left to come away with a 64-63 win. Lake Mills won a defensive slugfest against Danville, 39-22, holding the Bears to a record-low number of points in a state tournament game. Analysis: Grand View Christian got all they could handle from Bellevue in the opening round game and they’ll need to find ways to get [player_tooltip player_id="962674" first="Manny" last="Hammonds"] (23.2) and [player_tooltip player_id="1141465" first="Josh" last="Baucum"] (18.8) more involved if the Bulldogs throw a junk defense at them like Bellevue did when they went to a triangle-and-two. Those two are their most talented offensive players and need to be more involved if the Thunder want to advance to play for the 1A championship. [player_tooltip player_id="956875" first="Daniel" last="Tobiloba"] was his usual dominant interior presence in the quarterfinals, finishing with 9 points, 19 rebounds, and 9 blocks. In that quarterfinal win, GVC shot just 16-33 from the free-throw line and turned it over 14 times. Those things can’t continue to happen, or they’ll be in trouble. Lake Mills was absolutely dominant defensively against Danville, holding the Bears to a state tournament record-low 22 points. While the Bulldogs weren’t particularly impressive on the offensive end themselves, it got the job done, and they’ll look to improve in the semifinals with a game under their belts. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="1158420" first="Wyatt" last="Helming"] (17.8, 9.7 rebounds) is the type of physical forward who will look to go at Tobiloba, and [player_tooltip player_id="1158456" first="Bennett" last="Berger"] (14.3) was excellent in the quarterfinal win. The ’Dogs will need someone to knock down some perimeter shots after going just 1-11 in the first round, but this team has to feel more comfortable now, and they’ll go into this one with nothing to lose. Players to watch Grand View Christian: 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962674" first="Manny" last="Hammonds"] (23.2 points, 2.8 assists, 42.4 3P%), 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1141465" first="Josh" last="Baucum"] (18.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 52.9 FG%), 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="956875" first="Daniel" last="Tobiloba"] (8.3 points, 14.7 rebounds, 4.8 blocks) Lake Mills: 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158420" first="Wyatt" last="Helming"] (17.8 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, 58.0 FG%), 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158456" first="Bennett" last="Berger"] (14.3 points, 6.6 assists, 2.5 steals, 41.5 3P%), 2023 Denton Kingland (10.7 points, 3.0 assists, 40.6 3P%) Our pick: Grand View Christian 58, Lake Mills 54 [caption id="attachment_1402587" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Austin-Hilmer-crop-3050x2003-1646690380.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1402587 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Austin-Hilmer-crop-3050x2003-1646690380-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="682273" first="Austin" last="Hilmer"][/caption] 1A Semifinal: #2 North Linn (25-1) vs. #3 St. Mary’s, Remsen (25-0), 7:15 pm How they got here: Neither team had much trouble in their quarterfinal wins, with North Linn blasting North Mahaska 89-43, and St. Mary’s cruising past West Harrison 70-52. Analysis: Both of these teams rolled in the quarterfinals, with North Linn reaching the running clock plateau in the second quarter of their win over North Mahaska. The constant pressure that the Lynx are able to put on teams was too much for the Warhawks in that one, as they forced 26 turnovers and turned those into 36 points. They’ll have a more difficult time getting out in transition against a St. Mary’s team that is deep, experienced, and has a number of reliable ball-handlers. The Hawks like to control the tempo, and they should have more success than North Mahaska was able to have in that regard, averaging just over 7 turnovers a game. Still, knowing what is coming is entirely different than seeing it in person, and expect the Lynx to throw their usual pressure looks at the Hawks in an effort to get the game sped up to their liking. Point guard [player_tooltip player_id="682273" first="Austin" last="Hilmer"] (20.0, 7.8 assists, 4.4 steals) leads the attack on both ends of the floor, with his speed impacting the game on nearly every possession in some way. [player_tooltip player_id="1167704" first="Tate" last="Haughenbury"] (15.5, 68.3 FG%) had a huge game in the quarterfinals on both ends of the floor, using his length effectively on defense and turning it into easy offense. When you’re playing North Linn, it feels like you’re playing 5-on-8 because of the speed and precision that they attack you with. St. Mary’s, like North Linn, is making their sixth straight trip to the state tournament, and the Hawks are an outstanding defensive team, as usual. But what separates this year’s team from other iterations of St. Mary’s teams is the explosiveness they have on the offensive end of the floor. They don’t have a go-to scorer, but they have a balanced and deep attack with six players averaging between 7.1 and 12.9 points a game, led by junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="1167735" first="Jaxon" last="Bunkers"] (12.9, 49.0 3P%). The Hawks have a number of shooting threats and are shooting at nearly a 43% clip from behind the arc this season. If St. Mary’s is able to keep the game in the 50s or low 60s, they’ll feel good about their chances. Players to watch North Linn: 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="682273" first="Austin" last="Hilmer"] (20.0 points, 7.8 assists, 4.4 steals), 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167704" first="Tate" last="Haughenbury"] (15.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.9 steals, 68.3 FG%), 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962641" first="Dylan" last="Kurt"] (13.4 points, 40.8 3P%) St. Mary’s: 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167735" first="Jaxon" last="Bunkers"] (12.9 points, 3.7 assists, 49.0 3P%), 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962656" first="Austin" last="Jensen"] (10.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 61.0 FG%), 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158497" first="Carter" last="Schorg"] (9.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 53.0 FG%) Our pick: North Linn 68, St. Mary’s 60