Class 4A State Tournament Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#1 seed: Kennedy (22-0)<br></span>About the Cougars: </strong>The Cougars have been a juggernaut this season, ranking within the top three in both scoring offense (1st, 77.0) and defense (3rd, 45.8). Only two of their games have been decided by single digits, a 9-point win over Cedar Falls (December 13) and a 7-point win over Iowa City West (February 7). They come at you in waves on both ends of the floor, constantly switching up their defenses and putting pressure on opposing ball-handlers, and they're able to spread the floor offensively with a ton of talented shooting threats. The senior backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='1167718' first='Colby' last='Dolphin'] (16.0, 44.9 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='956877' first='Kenzie' last='Reed'] (10.4, 7.1 assists) has won a ton of games together over the last three years. Dolphin is a tough, physical guard who plays tremendous on-ball defense and knocks down open looks, while Reed is a dynamic playmaking guard with elite court vision and passing instincts. [player_tooltip player_id='1171679' first='Micah' last='Schlaak'] (12.3, 7.0 rebounds) is a 6-7 forward who can score inside and out as well as control the glass, and [player_tooltip player_id='1171687' first='Cyrus' last='Courtney'] (9.6, 6.4 rebounds, 2.9 steals) is a freak athlete on the wing who can defend multiple positions, get to the rim, and rebound at a high level. Those are the four stars to monitor, but the Cougars can also comfortably go deep into their bench with other scoring threats. [player_tooltip player_id='1381415' first='Trey' last='McKowen'] (6.2, 41.3 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='1288851' first='Trevan' last='Krumrei'] (5.5), [player_tooltip player_id='1381406' first='Landon' last='Deiters'] (3.5, 59.6 FG%), Jace Scott (3.0, 40.0 3P%), and [player_tooltip player_id='2325410' first='Griffin' last='Gerdes'] (2.7, 40.9 3P%) have each had moments where they've shined this year, and Carter Newhouse (5.8, 41.5 3P%), who rounds out the starting lineup, is another tough guard who defends and knocks down shots. As a team, the Cougars are posting 51-40-77 shooting splits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>They've been the most consistent, dominant team in the class this season. Dolphin and Reed give them the best backcourt in the field, and they're able to comfortably go really deep into their bench with options. Jon McKowen is a fantastic defensive coach who will have this group prepared.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#2 seed: Waukee (22-2)<br></span>About the Warriors:</strong> Five-star prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1733510' first='Omaha' last='Biliew'] (22.0, 10.3 rebounds, 2.2 blocks) moved back to Waukee after spending a year at Link Academy (MO) and instantly made the Warriors one of the top teams in the class. They've lived up to expectations this year, losing twice, a 2-point setback against Northwest, and a 5-point upset at the hands of Ankeny. They've posted some great wins, including a sweep of Valley, a win over Northwest, and wins over out-of-state powers Blue Valley Northwest (KS) and Totino-Grace (MN). Biliew, a future Iowa State wing, is the most dominant two-way player in the state. A 6-7/6-8 wing with eye-popping athleticism and the skills to match, he can absolutely dominate games on both ends of the floor, posting 51-40-73 shooting splits. [player_tooltip player_id='1167685' first='Vance' last='Peiffer'] (10.8, 7.7 rebounds, 3.3 blocks, 42.9 3P%) pairs with Biliew to make it nearly impossible to score against this group around the rim. Peiffer is a 6-7 switchable defender who blocks shots, holds his own on the perimeter, and can stretch the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='1239875' first='Cooper' last='Randall'] (9.5, 42.0 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='1171683' first='Mason' last='Costello'] (8.8, 34.2 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='1288872' first='Cade' last='Littlefield'] (5.9, 60.9 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='1171657' first='Keysean' last='Moore'] (3.3, 42.9 3P%), and [player_tooltip player_id='1476941' first='Deion' last='Kinnetz-Jenkins'] (2.8, 42.3 3P%) are all capable shooting threats as well to put alongside the do-it-all Biliew and the interior force Peiffer. This is a big, physical, and athletic team that can beat you in a multitude of ways, shooting nearly 41% from 3 as a team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>This was already a team that was going to be a state championship threat before Biliew returned, but with the best prospect in the state in tow, they can beat anyone. They can play a slow-it-down game and use their size to suffocate teams, and they can play an up-tempo game, using their athleticism to get out in transition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#3 seed: Waukee Northwest (21-2)<br></span>About the Wolves: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='956868' first='Pryce' last='Sandfort'] (25.9, 11.2 rebounds, 44.0 3P%) leads a potent offensive attack that is averaging 72 points a game. Sandfort, a future Iowa wing, is a dominant three-level scorer who can create looks for himself and others, is an elite shooter, and a dominant defender with his IQ and length. [player_tooltip player_id='956887' first='Cade' last='Kelderman'] (17.0, 6.0 assists, 46.9 3P%) is a tremendous complement to Sandfort, a quick-twitch lefty guard who can get to the bucket and finish through contact, get others involved, and knock down jumpers off the dribble or the catch. [player_tooltip player_id='1376673' first='Grant' last='Tigges'] (10.4, 45.8 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='1751176' first='Andrew' last='Cose'] (4.8, 47.8 3P%) provide additional shooting, and they get a ton of open looks alongside Sandfort and Kelderman, and [player_tooltip player_id='1240092' first='Henry' last='Manning'] (7.4) and [player_tooltip player_id='1381421' first='Nitish' last='Sankaranthi'] (2.7, 1.2 blocks) are quality role players who provide a ton of value defensively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all:</strong> In Sandfort, they have a dominant two-way player who can control games on both ends of the floor. Kelderman has shined in big games this year, and they're able to put a ton of shooting around that tandem. This group is long, smart, and talented. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#4 seed: Valley (18-5)<br></span></strong>About the Tigers: Six players average between 7.1 and 13.1 points a game for the Tigers, who may actually be in this spot a year earlier than expected. This is an extremely young team, with five sophomores and a senior making up their top six scorers. [player_tooltip player_id='1381422' first='Curtis' last='Stinson Jr']. (13.1, 3.6 assists) is a big, physical lead guard at 6-4 who can get to the bucket, get others involved, and control games defensively with his size and athleticism. The son of former Iowa State star Curtis Stinson, he's a high IQ player who knows when it's time to get his teammates involved and when it's time to take over games as a scorer. [player_tooltip player_id='1288899' first='Xzavion' last='Robinson'] (11.7) is an elite athlete on the perimeter, a quick slashing guard who can get to the rim for finishes, make life difficult as an on-ball defender, and contribute on the glass. [player_tooltip player_id='1759895' first='Trevin' last='Jirak'] (9.9, 7.3 rebounds) is a big body in the paint with a rapidly developing skill set, and [player_tooltip player_id='1381407' first='Kiki' last='Deng'] (9.8) is another great athlete on the perimeter who is at his best when he's playing downhill. [player_tooltip player_id='1759897' first='Kyle' last='Cason'] (7.1, 40.3 3P%) is the best shooter of the bunch, an off-ball guard with a quick release and extended range. [player_tooltip player_id='1288925' first='Trevian' last='Carson'] (10.1, 3.3 assists) is the veteran presence for this group, a physical defender and playmaker who can get to the rim and get his teammates involved. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>This group is young, yes, but they're also extremely talented and deep. They have a number of different ways to beat you, a ton of athleticism, and they've proven that they can play with anyone, beating Northwest and giving Kennedy (without Stinson) and Waukee tight games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#5 seed: Norwalk (20-3)<br></span>About the Warriors:</strong> Norwalk has won 16 straight games heading into this tournament, a stretch that includes four wins over state tournament-qualifying teams (3A Newton twice, 2A Pella Christian, 4A Ames). Some doubters around the state will question the league that the Warriors play in, the Little Hawkeye, known for being a strong 3A league, but still a significant gap below the CIML, but the results speak for themselves. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1171661' first='Redek' last='Born'] (18.7, 4.9 assists) is the headliner for this group. He's a big, high IQ guard who can take smaller defenders onto the block and invert the offense, giving the defense a number of different looks. He has a great feel for the game, doesn't force anything, and has really improved his efficiency as a junior, posting 52-41-85 shooting splits. [player_tooltip player_id='1239874' first='Braeden' last='Carlson'] (14.6, 8.0 rebounds) is an undersized but active forward who competes on the glass on both ends of the floor, and [player_tooltip player_id='1476940' first='Aidan' last='Harder'] (9.8, 33.7 3P%) and Jack Brown (8.8, 38.9 3P%) provide some additional perimeter scoring and shooting alongside Born. They've been good defensively, allowing 47.7 points a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>Few teams in the field enter this tournament playing better basketball than the Warriors. They're dialed in on the defensive end and have a guard in Born who can control the game on both ends of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#6 seed: Centennial (16-7)<br></span>About the Jaguars: </strong>Going through the gauntlet that is the CIML handed the Jaguars a number of losses, but five of their seven losses are to teams that are seeded within the top four in this tournament. Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1288923' first='Luke' last='Winkel'] (17.3, 4.9 assists) has been one of the best players in the class this year. He's a quick, high IQ guard who knows how to get to his spots and can score from all three levels. They will go as he goes. [player_tooltip player_id='1240076' first='Evan' last='Bryan'] (10.5) is a lanky wing defender who can defend multiple positions. [player_tooltip player_id='1751094' first='Nick' last='Vaske'] (9.0) is another skilled guard who can get to the bucket, and [player_tooltip player_id='1256299' first='Chase' last='Schutty'] (5.3, 6.9 rebounds) is their enforcer in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>The Jags play good team defense and won't be intimidated by anyone they run into here given the ridiculous schedule they've played throughout the season. And in Winkel, they have the type of guard who can get really hot and go on a run, carrying his team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#7 seed: Ames (17-7)<br></span>About the Little Cyclones: </strong>The defending state champions lost a ton of production off of last year's team, and it took them a little while this year to find their footing, going just 3-4 before the holiday break. Since the break, they've gone 14-3, with the three losses coming by a combined 13 points. They are once again outstanding defensively, allowing just 44.8 points a game, which is best in the 4A field. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1476938' first='Jack' last='Wynter'] (14.5, 39.4 3P%) is the leading scorer, a knockdown lefty shooter who does a majority of his damage with great off-ball movement, but he has also improved as a playmaker. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1381418' first='Jamison' last='Poe'] (10.0, 2.4 assists) is a tiny jitterbug at point guard, a quick, feisty defender who moves his feet really well and has quick hands. [player_tooltip player_id='1738626' first='Frank' last='Keller'] (9.5, 7.7 rebounds) moved up to Iowa from Texas for his senior year and has provided Ames with an athletic forward with great hands and good size and length. The most important piece for this team, however, is senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1167706' first='Lucas' last='Lueth'] (12.4, 3.2 blocks). Lueth is arguably the best defender in the state. He's a long, athletic 6-7 wing who can defend one through five at a high level, contesting shots and moving his feet. He's the difference maker for this team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>They're the best defensive team in the class, a group that works really well together on that end of the floor with their blend of discipline, IQ, length, and quickness. They can struggle to score at times, but they also make it really difficult for opposing teams to score and Wynter and Lueth gained valuable experience as key pieces for last year's title winning team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#8 seed: Pleasant Valley (19-5)<br></span></strong>About the Spartans: Pleasant Valley comes into the tournament hot, winning 10 straight games by an average of 20.3 points a game. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1367437' first='Connor' last='Borbeck'] (12.4, 38.5 3P%) leads the team in scoring, but this is a pretty balanced team that goes fairly deep with options. Eight players average at least 3.6 points a game, and they don't really care who the high scorer is on a nightly basis. The backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='1256306' first='Caden' last='Rubel'] (9.4, 2.0 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id='1376711' first='Coy' last='Kipper'] (8.0, 6.7 asissts) is solid. They're a pair of guards who also play together during the AAU season and they have a ton of experience playing with each other. Kipper is more of a pass-first guard who looks to get his teammates involved, while Rubel (39.7 3P%) is a good shooter who pairs well with Kipper and provides secondary playmaking. [player_tooltip player_id='1751106' first='Max' last='Muszalski'] (8.3, 5.3 rebounds), [player_tooltip player_id='1256301' first='David' last='Gorsline'] (7.8, 4.6 rebounds), and [player_tooltip player_id='1759910' first='Max' last='Schmeltzer'] (6.9, 4.3 rebounds) provide some size and physicality in the paint. The Spartans are always strong defensively, and this year's team is no exception, allowing just 46.5 points a game. Only one opponent has broken 60 points against them (63 from Davenport West on December 13). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>Another strong defensive team that is comfortable playing at the slower tempo that state tournament games generally turn into. They're physical, deep, and disciplined. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Staff Picks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Tony</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterfinals: </strong>Kennedy, Valley, Waukee, Northwest</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinals: </strong>Kennedy, Waukee Northwest</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Champion: </strong>Kennedy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->