Over halfway through the season, there are still six teams in Class 1A that have yet to lose a game. We take a look at these six teams, how they have looked so far, and our prediction for the remainder…
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Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log inOver halfway through the season, there are still six teams in Class 1A that have yet to lose a game. We take a look at these six teams, how they have looked so far, and our prediction for the remainder of their schedule.
Class 1A
Dunkerton (16-0)
About the Raiders – The Raiders brought back three starters from a team that went 22-4, won the Iowa Star-North, and made a run to the Substate Championship. The Raiders have a ton of talent on this year’s team, led by a pair of seniors, forward
Preston Gillespie
Preston
Gillespie
6'3" | SF
Dunkerton | 2023
State
IA
(28.4 ppg) and guard
Casey Gardner
Casey
Gardner
5'10" | PG
Dunkerton | 2023
State
IA
(22.8 ppg & 10.7 apg). After coming off the bench last season, sophomore guard
Dylan Marquart
Dylan
Marquart
6'1" | SG
Dunkerton | 2025
State
IA
(15.5 ppg) has been a huge piece in Dunkerton’s run so far. Marquart is a knockdown shooter from three, but can also take it to the bucket and finish. He’s a great outlet passer and fast break starter. As a team, the Raiders score the ball at an unbelievable clip, leading the entire state in points per game (85.5 ppg). They share the ball well too, averaging 20.3 assists per game. With the amount of scoring the Raiders do, and their ability to spread the ball out, they will be a tough out in 1A.
Toughest Remaining Games – 1/28 vs. North Linn, 2/6 vs. Newman Catholic
Will They Go Undefeated? No. The Raiders should get through their next game to get to 17-0, but then North Linn comes to town. North Linn is right behind Dunkerton in scoring, so it will most likely be a shootout. Unfortunately, it sounds like the Raiders will be without Gardner for a period of time. I think the Raiders take their only loss of the season to the Lynx but expect a nice run in the postseason from Coach Kuntz’s team.
Grand View Christian (16-0)
Frankie
Chiodo
6'1" | SG
Grand View Christian | 2023
State
IA
, Grand View ChristianAbout the Thunder – Grand View Christian has another roster that is looking like they make a deep run in the postseason. This season, the Thunder are led by a trio of seniors. Guards
Josh Sanderson
Josh
Sanderson
5'10" | PG
Grand View Christian | 2023
State
IA
(18.3 ppg) and
Frankie Chiodo
Frankie
Chiodo
6'1" | SG
Grand View Christian | 2023
State
IA
(17.3 ppg) lead the team in scoring, and both have shot up the player rankings this season. Sanderson is a very smart lead guard who loves to get his teammates involved, averaging 8.5 assists. He uses his handle to get into the paint and create open looks. Chiodo is one of the most improved players in the state, averaging 17.3 points a contest. An off-ball guard for the Thunder, he’s shooting 40.8% from three, with Steph Curry-like range. Joining them is Kennesaw State commit,
Daniel Tobiloba
Daniel
Tobiloba
7'0" | C
Grand View Christian | 2023
State
IA
. The 7-footer is averaging more rebounds (13.7) per game than points (12.7). He has a tremendous impact on the game, using his frame and athleticism to alter everything that comes in the lane. The Thunder have been really good thus far, averaging 79.7 points a game and only allowing 47.6. They have good size throughout the whole lineup, allowing them to control the boards and get scoring from anyone on the floor.
Toughest Remaining Games – 1/30 vs. AHSTW, 2/4 @ Charles City, 2/7 @ Aplington-Parkersburg
Will They Go Undefeated? Yes. The size of the Thunder lineup (7’0″, 6’9″, 6’5″) and their ability to spread the ball, make them really hard to defend. GVC has a road game at Aplington-Parkersburg at the end year which will be their toughest matchup. The Thunder should get by AP, and have a very good chance at making another trip to Des Moines.
North Linn (14-0)
Ty
Pflughaupt
6'4" | SG
North Linn | 2024
State
IA
, North LinnAbout the Lynx – The Lynx have again reloaded, and are back to where they have been in recent years, undefeated. Four of the five Lynx starters average 10+ points, and as a team, they average 84.6 points a contest. The Lynx are good on both sides of the ball, generating steals on the defensive end (15.1 spg) and limiting turnovers on offense (7.0 turnovers per game). North Linn’s scoring attack this season is led by senior forward
Tate Haughenbury
Tate
Haughenbury
6'5" | PF
North Linn | 2023
State
IA
(17.9 ppg). Haughenbury has a well-polished game, averaging 7.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 3.1 steals per game. At 6’5″, he is an efficient scorer down low; runs the floor; has great hands-on offense and defense; and is a great passer when the defense collapses on him. Junior guard
Ty Pflughaupt
Ty
Pflughaupt
6'4" | SG
North Linn | 2024
State
IA
is second on the team in scoring, averaging 15.4 points a contest. At 6’4″ playing the guard spot, Pflughaupt can score inside and out, is very active on the boards, and can defend multiple positions.
Toughest Remaining Games – 1/28 @ Dunkerton, 2/3 vs. Marquette Catholic, 2/9 vs. Cascade
Will They Go Undefeated? Yes. Taking on a Dunkerton team this weekend that may be without
Casey Gardner
Casey
Gardner
5'10" | PG
Dunkerton | 2023
State
IA
, the Lynx should come out with a win. To end the season, they take on Marquette Catholic and Cascade. North Linn’s combo of high-powered offense, and the ability to force turnovers, they should close out the season unbeaten.
WACO (16-0)
Colton
Leichty
6'3"
WACO | 2024
IA
, WACOAbout the Warriors – Coach Kissell and the Warriors are 16-0 and have some strong wins on the season. WACO has beaten Winfield Mt. Union twice and came out victorious in a game against New London. Leading the scoring for the Warriors is junior
Hunter Hughes
Hunter
Hughes
6'1" | PG
WACO | 2024
State
IA
(17.5 ppg). The Warriors are a deep team, with eight players having notched a start this year. A couple of other players to watch are Cody Graber (7.6 ppg) and
Colton Leichty
Colton
Leichty
6'3"
WACO | 2024
IA
(8.8 ppg). At 6’6″ and 6’3″, Graber and Leichty are good players in the post and are solid on the glass. The Warriors don’t overwhelm you in any category, but their depth ability to produce from anywhere is huge.
Toughest Remaining Games – 1/27 vs. Hillcrest Academy, 2/2 @ Louisa-Muscatine
Will They Go Undefeated? Yes. The Warriors have a three-game homestand coming up, which I don’t see them losing any of. Excluding Hillcrest Academy, who they beat by nineteen in the first matchup, the Warriors have beaten their remaining opponents by 30+ the first they faced off this season. The deepness of the Warrior roster allows them to keep fresh bodies on the floor, and keep the tempo up.
