State Tournament: Monday Preview
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1A Quarterfinal: #1 Grand View Christian (24-0) vs. #8 New London (19-6), 10:30 am Analysis: New London is making their second state tournament appearance in school history (2017). The Tigers are led by one of the best tandems in small-school…
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Continue Reading1A Quarterfinal: #1 Grand View Christian (24-0) vs. #8 New London (19-6), 10:30 am
Analysis: New London is making their second state tournament appearance in school history (2017). The Tigers are led by one of the best tandems in small-school basketball in point guard Blaise Porter Blaise Porter 6'1" | PG New London | 2023 State #298 Nation IA (25.0, 8.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists) and forward Kade Benjamin Kade Benjamin 6'6" | PF New London | 2023 State IA (19.6, 8.7 rebounds, 3.7 blocks). Porter, headed to Truman State, is a quick guard who can break down the defense and get to the rim seemingly at will, and he also has a fantastic mid-range game. Benjamin, headed to Oklahoma State to high jump, is a nice complement to Porter as an athletic, rim-running forward who can finish above the rim and protect the paint. The Tigers’ role players – Brendan Richey (8.4, 36.3 3P%), Leo Gebauer (8.2), and Rylan Martin (6.2, 34.1 3P%) – have played much better down the stretch, and they’ll need them to step up big here if they’re going to give the Thunder a scare.
The Thunder have been dominant this season, winning games by an average of 33.1 points a game, and they enter this one as an overwhelming favorite. That said, they’ve been a substantial favorite in their opening round game each of the last three years, and they’ve won those games by just a combined 13 points, so don’t be surprised if New London is able to give them a little bit of a scare here. The Thunder are huge, going 7-0, 6-9, and 6-5 across their frontline. The 7-0 Daniel Tobiloba Daniel Tobiloba 7'0" | C Grand View Christian | 2023 State IA (13.0, 13.1 rebounds, 4.2 blocks), headed to Kennesaw State, is a game-changing presence in the paint as a shot blocker. Emiliano Barrantes Emiliano Barrantes 6'9" | PF Grand View Christian | 2025 State IA (13.0, 10.2 rebounds), an athletic 6-9 sophomore, finishes well around the rim and provides a ton of length as a versatile defender, and Noah John Noah John 6'3" | PF Grand View Christian | 2024 State IA (10.9, 9.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists) is another versatile piece who can defend multiple positions, rebound, and make plays. The backcourt of Josh Sanderson Josh Sanderson 5'10" | PG Grand View Christian | 2023 State IA (20.7, 8.3 assists, 39.9 3P%) and Frankie Chiodo Frankie Chiodo 6'0" | SG Dowling | 2023 State IA (16.7, 40.3 3P%) lead the team in scoring and are both quality playmakers and shooting threats. If Porter and Benjamin can attack Tobiloba and get him into foul trouble, it would open things up for the Tigers. If not, they could be in trouble.
Players to watch
Grand View Christian: 2023
Josh Sanderson
Josh
Sanderson
5'10" | PG
Grand View Christian | 2023
State
IA
(20.7 points, 8.3 assists, 39.9 3P%); 2023
Frankie Chiodo
Frankie
Chiodo
6'0" | SG
Dowling | 2023
State
IA
(16.7 points, 40.3 3P%); 2023
Daniel Tobiloba
Daniel
Tobiloba
7'0" | C
Grand View Christian | 2023
State
IA
(13.0 points, 13.1 rebounds, 4.2 blocks, 75.8 FG%); 2025
Emiliano Barrantes
Emiliano
Barrantes
6'9" | PF
Grand View Christian | 2025
State
IA
(13.0 points, 10.2 rebounds, 55.9 FG%); 2024
Noah John
Noah
John
6'3" | PF
Grand View Christian | 2024
State
IA
(10.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists)
New London: 2023
Blaise Porter
Blaise
Porter
6'1" | PG
New London | 2023
State
#298
Nation
IA
(25.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 52.1 FG%); 2023
Kade Benjamin
Kade
Benjamin
6'6" | PF
New London | 2023
State
IA
(19.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.7 blocks, 66.1 FG%); 2024 Brendan Richey (8.4 points, 36.3 3P%)
Our pick: Grand View Christian 74, New London 62
1A Quarterfinal: #4 West Harrison (23-1) vs. #5 Dunkerton (24-1), 12:15 pm
Analysis: Dunkerton is making their first state tournament appearance since 2014, while West Harrison is in Des Moines for the second year in a row. This will be an interesting contrast in styles, as Dunkerton is a high-powered offensive attack that likes to get out and go, while West Harrison is a more physical, strong team that will try to make this a halfcourt battle. Dunkerton is led by the senior tandem of Preston Gillespie Preston Gillespie 6'3" | SF Dunkerton | 2023 State IA (25.8, 11.8 rebounds, 63.0 FG%) and Casey Gardner Casey Gardner 5'8" | PG Dunkerton | 2023 State IA (19.2, 9.6 assists). Gardner leads the state in assists per game and is a high-level point guard who sees the floor exceptionally well. While he’ll look to push the pace here, he’s also gotten much more comfortable operating within the halfcourt over the last few years. Gillespie is a slashing forward who can put the ball on the floor and attack the rim both in transition and in the halfcourt. Dylan Marquart Dylan Marquart 6'1" | SG Dunkerton | 2025 State IA (13.7, 34.1 3P%) provides some shooting, and the Raiders can comfortably go about seven deep.
West Harrison has been dominant this year, winning games by an average of 30.3 points a game and allowing just 39.1 a night, so they’ll be a difficult matchup for Dunkerton if they’re able to slow the game down. The Hawkeyes are a senior-laden team, with five seniors making up the top six scorers, led by Koleson Evans Koleson Evans 6'6" | SF West Harrison | 2023 State IA (16.5, 9.3 rebounds, 3.1 blocks), Sage Evans Sage Evans 6'2" | PF West Harrison | 2023 State IA (15.1, 16.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists), and Mason King Mason King 5'10" | PG West Harrison | 2023 State IA (14.4, 47.2 3P%). Koleson Evans Koleson Evans 6'6" | SF West Harrison | 2023 State IA is a big matchup problem for most 1A teams, as a 6-6 combo forward who can score inside and out as well as protect the rim. Sage Evans Sage Evans 6'2" | PF West Harrison | 2023 State IA looks like a defensive end, and plays a bit like it, but he’s a good playmaker who sees the floor well and loves to pound the glass, while King is a fantastic shooter who moves well without the ball in his hands. It will be interesting to see how the Hawkeyes adjust to the constant defensive pressure that Dunkerton throws at teams. If they’re able to handle the pressure and limit live-ball turnovers, they could pick up their first state tournament win.
Players to watch
West Harrison: 2023
Koleson Evans
Koleson
Evans
6'6" | SF
West Harrison | 2023
State
IA
(16.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.1 blocks, 46.9 3P%); 2023
Sage Evans
Sage
Evans
6'2" | PF
West Harrison | 2023
State
IA
(15.1 points, 16.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 53.8 FG%); 2023
Mason King
Mason
King
5'10" | PG
West Harrison | 2023
State
IA
(14.4 points, 4.2 assists, 47.2 3P%)
Dunkerton: 2023
Preston Gillespie
Preston
Gillespie
6'3" | SF
Dunkerton | 2023
State
IA
(25.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, 63.0 FG%); 2023
Casey Gardner
Casey
Gardner
5'8" | PG
Dunkerton | 2023
State
IA
(19.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 9.6 assists, 2.2 steals); 2025
Dylan Marquart
Dylan
Marquart
6'1" | SG
Dunkerton | 2025
State
IA
(13.7 points, 2.3 assists)
Our pick: Dunkerton 62, West Harrison 57
1A Quarterfinal: #2 North Linn (24-0) vs. #7 Madrid (22-2), 2:00 pm
Analysis: Madrid is making their first state tournament appearance, while North Linn is here for the seventh straight year. North Linn has been the dominant program in the state during that stretch, entering this tournament with a 206-7 record in their last 213 games. They play an up-tempo style that forces a ton of live-ball turnovers and turns defense into offense in the blink of an eye. As they showed in their quarterfinal win over North Mahaska last year, they can put it on you in a hurry if you don’t protect the ball. They’re led by junior wing Ty Pflughaupt Ty Pflughaupt 6'4" | SF North Linn | 2024 State IA (16.9, 8.1 rebounds), Tate Haughenbury Tate Haughenbury 6'5" | PF North Linn | 2023 State IA (16.3, 5.6 assists), and Ben Wheatley Ben Wheatley 6'1" | SG North Linn | 2023 State IA (14.8, 41.0 3P%), a trio of players who were major impact players on last year’s 1A championship team. Mason Bechen Mason Bechen 6'1" | PG North Linn | 2025 State IA (14.8, 45.6 3P%) and Breckyn Betenbender Breckyn Betenbender 5'10" | PG North Linn | 2024 State IA (8.4, 43.4 3P%) are the top newcomers to the rotation, a pair of dynamic guards who can impact the game on both ends of the floor. They share the ball well, limit turnovers, and force a ton of turnovers. That’s a pretty good combination.
Madrid comes into the tournament on a 19-game winning streak and this is a talented offensive team that can fill it up with a number of different options. Sophomore Toryn Severson Toryn Severson 6'4" | SG Madrid | 2025 State IA (20.8) leads the attack. A 6-4 wing who can score from all three levels, he’s a high IQ scorer who doesn’t force anything. His older brother Kadyn Severson Kadyn Severson 6'3" | CG Madrid | 2023 State IA (13.4, 45.2 3P%) is the top perimeter shooting threat, while Brody Buck Brody Buck 6'0" | SG Madrid | 2025 State IA (10.8, 37.4 3P%) and Fabian Ortiz-Alaniz Fabian Ortiz-Alaniz 5'8" | PG Madrid | 2025 State IA (10.3, 32.6 3P%) offer additional shooting. The major difference maker for this group is 6-7 senior forward Jackson Newell Jackson Newell 6'8" | C Madrid | 2023 IA (11.7, 12.8 rebounds, 6.3 blocks), a dominant rim protector who controls the paint. Look for the Lynx to attack him early and often in an effort to get him out of the game. If Madrid is able to handle the pressure that the Lynx throw at you, they can play with them. If not, it’ll get ugly in a hurry.
Players to watch
North Linn: 2024
Ty Pflughaupt
Ty
Pflughaupt
6'4" | SF
North Linn | 2024
State
IA
(16.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 61.0 FG%); 2023
Tate Haughenbury
Tate
Haughenbury
6'5" | PF
North Linn | 2023
State
IA
(16.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists); 2025
Mason Bechen
Mason
Bechen
6'1" | PG
North Linn | 2025
State
IA
(14.8 points, 4.5 assists, 45.6 3P%); 2023
Ben Wheatley
Ben
Wheatley
6'1" | SG
North Linn | 2023
State
IA
(14.8 points, 41.0 3P%)
Madrid: 2025
Toryn Severson
Toryn
Severson
6'4" | SG
Madrid | 2025
State
IA
(20.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 49.7 FG%); 2023
Kadyn Severson
Kadyn
Severson
6'3" | CG
Madrid | 2023
State
IA
(13.4 points, 4.0 assists, 45.2 3P%); 2023
Jackson Newell
Jackson
Newell
6'8" | C
Madrid | 2023
IA
(11.7 points, 12.8 rebounds, 6.3 blocks); 2025
Brody Buck
Brody
Buck
6'0" | SG
Madrid | 2025
State
IA
(10.8 points, 3.2 assists, 37.4 3P%)
Our pick: North Linn 78, Madrid 62
1A Quarterfinal: #3 Gladbrook-Reinbeck (23-2) vs. #6 Remsen, St. Mary’s (22-2), 3:45 pm
Analysis: St. Mary’s is another program making their seventh straight trip to the state tournament, so this is a program that has a ton of experience playing at Wells Fargo Arena, and they won’t be intimidated by the atmosphere. The Hawks are a fantastic defensive team, allowing just 42.1 points a game, and they’ve lost just once in their last 17 games, against 2A state-qualifier Western Christian. Jaxon Bunkers Jaxon Bunkers 5'11" | SF St. Mary's, Remsen | 2023 State IA (15.5, 5.3 assists) leads the team in scoring and assists, a four-year varsity contributor who has played a ton of minutes in Des Moines. Collin Homan Collin Homan 6'5" | PF Remsen, St. Mary's | 2025 State IA (14.6, 7.8 rebounds) is a big interior presence on both ends, a good scorer and defender. Three other Hawks average between 9.1 and 10.9 points a game, giving them a quintet of viable scoring threats.
Gladbrook-Reinbeck is making their first state tournament trip since making three straight from 2015-17. The Rebels are led by senior guard William Kiburis William Kiburis 6'4" | PG Gladbrook-Reinbeck | 2023 State IA (26.5, 8.0 rebounds, 8.1 assists), a 6-4 guard who can dominate games as a scorer, defender, and playmaker. The development of his jumper has been the key improvement in his game, turning himself into a 37% 3-point shooter, which has opened everything up for the rest of the offense for himself and his teammates. Caleb Egesdal Caleb Egesdal 5'10" | SG Gladbrook-Reinbeck | 2023 State IA (13.7, 41.1 3P%) and Luke Riffey Luke Riffey 6'0" | SG Gladbrook-Reinbeck | 2023 State IA (11.2, 39.2 3P%) are also great shooters next to Kiburis, who puts them into positions to get open looks often. Few teams in the 1A field have the quality wins that Gladbrook-Reinbeck has (Wapsie Valley, Hudson, Aplington-Parkersburg, Grundy Center), and with Kiburis in tow, this group is as dangerous as any in 1A.
Players to watch
Gladbrook-Reinbeck: 2023
William Kiburis
William
Kiburis
6'4" | PG
Gladbrook-Reinbeck | 2023
State
IA
(26.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 8.1 assists, 63.4 FG%); 2023
Caleb Egesdal
Caleb
Egesdal
5'10" | SG
Gladbrook-Reinbeck | 2023
State
IA
(13.7 points, 41.1 3P%); 2023
Luke Riffey
Luke
Riffey
6'0" | SG
Gladbrook-Reinbeck | 2023
State
IA
(11.2 points, 39.2 3P%)
Remsen, St. Mary’s: 2023
Jaxon Bunkers
Jaxon
Bunkers
5'11" | SF
St. Mary's, Remsen | 2023
State
IA
(15.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists); 2025
Collin Homan
Collin
Homan
6'5" | PF
Remsen, St. Mary's | 2025
State
IA
(14.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 62.1 FG%); 2023
Cael Ortmann
Cael
Ortmann
6'2" | SF
St. Mary's, Remsen | 2023
State
IA
(10.9 points, 3.3 assists)
Our pick: Gladbrook-Reinbeck 66, Remsen, St. Mary’s 57
2A Quarterfinal: #1 Central Lyon (21-1) vs. #8 Des Moines Christian (18-6), 5:30 pm
Analysis: Central Lyon finished runner-up in 2A last season and has been on a mission to get back to this spot, winning games by an average of 29.1 points a game behind an explosive offense that features a trio of dynamic scoring threats. Zach Lutmer Zach Lutmer 6'1" | PG Central Lyon | 2023 IA (20.8, 6.0 assists), a future Iowa football player, is the headliner. He’s a physical, athletic 6-2 guard who can control games on both ends of the floor with his big frame and athleticism. Andrew Austin Andrew Austin 6'6" | PF Central Lyon | 2023 State IA (20.0, 8.9 rebounds) and Reece Vander Zee Reece Vander Zee 6'5" | SF Central Lyon | 2024 State IA (18.1, 6.9 rebounds) are a pair of big, bouncy forwards who can score inside and out, and with their size, they’re difficult to defend. An efficient offensive team (54-38-69 splits), they can also dominate teams defensively with their quickness and size.
Des Moines Christian will have their hands full with Central Lyon, but if there is a team that may be capable of slowing them down, this could be it. They’re allowing just 44.0 points a game, which is the best number in the 2A field, and this is always a really well-coached team on that end of the floor. I would expect them to try and pack it in and make Central Lyon beat them from deep and avoid letting Lutmer get into the paint and control the game that way. Landon Craven Landon Craven 6'1" | SG Des Moines Christian | 2024 State IA (15.4, 4.4 steals) is a quick guard who can get to the rim and make plays defensively. Tate Platte Tate Platte 6'0" | SF Des Moines Christian | 2024 State IA (12.0, 7.3 rebounds) is an undersized forward who will need to be excellent on the glass against Austin and Vander Zee, as any second chance opportunities that Central Lyon gets will almost certainly lead the points as DMC scrambles to recover. It’s doable, but DMC will need to play their best game of the year if they’re going to hang around and keep this interesting into the fourth quarter.
Players to watch
Central Lyon: 2023
Zach Lutmer
Zach
Lutmer
6'1" | PG
Central Lyon | 2023
IA
(20.8 points, 6.0 assists, 2.8 steals, 54.6 FG%); 2023
Andrew Austin
Andrew
Austin
6'6" | PF
Central Lyon | 2023
State
IA
(20.0 points, 8.9 rebounds, 61.0 FG%); 2024
Reece Vander Zee
Reece
Vander Zee
6'5" | SF
Central Lyon | 2024
State
IA
(18.1 points, 6.9 rebounds; 63.5 FG%)
Des Moines Christian: 2024
Landon Craven
Landon
Craven
6'1" | SG
Des Moines Christian | 2024
State
IA
(15.4 points, 4.4 steals); 2024
Tate Platte
Tate
Platte
6'0" | SF
Des Moines Christian | 2024
State
IA
(12.0 points, 7.3 rebounds); 2025
Seaton Ingram
Seaton
Ingram
6'5" | SF
Des Moines Christian | 2025
State
IA
(11.4 points, 2.4 steals)
Our pick: Central Lyon 68, Des Moines Christian 48
2A Quarterfinal: #4 Pella Christian (15-9) vs. #5 MFL-Mar-Mac (24-1), 7:15 pm
Analysis: This is a fascinating way to end the opening day of the state tournament, with a huge difference in strength of schedules between these teams. According to BC Moore’s power rankings system, Pella Christian has played the most difficult schedule in 2A, while MFL’s schedule ranks 87th out of 96 teams. That said, the Bulldogs have done what was asked of them this year, blowing everyone out, winning games by an average of 30.9 points a game, and they posted really good wins over Beckman Catholic and Lake Mills to get here. They’re a small team, with no regular listed over 6-2, but they use their speed to put pressure on opposing teams and fly all over the floor. Zach Driscoll Zach Driscoll 6'0" | SG Decorah | 2025 State IA (20.5, 5.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 4.2 steals) is their leader, a high IQ sophomore guard who does a little bit of everything. Carver Blietz-Bentien Carver Blietz-Bentien 6'1" | SF MFL MarMac | 2024 State IA (13.8, 8.1 rebounds) is an undersized forward, but he competes hard on the glass, and Parker Kuehl (11.2, 3.0 steals) and Wyatt Powell Wyatt Powell 6'1" | PG MFL MarMac | 2024 State IA (10.2, 4.4 steals) are quick guards who jump passing lanes and turn defense into offense.
Pella Christian is led by junior guard Tysen Devries Tysen Devries 5'9" | PG Pella Christian | 2024 State IA (12.5, 4.0 assists), a tough, quick guard who can get to the bucket at will as well as pressure opposing ball-handlers full court. He’ll try to make life difficult for Driscoll. Josiah Vos Josiah Vos 6'5" | SF Pella Christian | 2024 State IA (6.7, 5.5 rebounds) doesn’t put up big numbers, but at 6-5, he’s a long, athletic wing who provides a ton of versatility on both ends of the floor. Dane Geetings (10.3), Aiden Stoltz Aiden Stoltz 6'0" | SG Pella Christian | 2023 State IA (9.6), and Lincoln Vander Molen (6.0) are the other key scorers for the Eagles, but this is a deep team that has a number of offensive threats and their length defensively makes things difficult for opposing teams.
Players to watch
Pella Christian: 2024
Tysen Devries
Tysen
Devries
5'9" | PG
Pella Christian | 2024
State
IA
(12.5 points, 4.0 assists); 2024 Dane Geetings (10.3 points); 2024
Josiah Vos
Josiah
Vos
6'5" | SF
Pella Christian | 2024
State
IA
(6.7 points, 5.5 rebounds)
MFL-Mar-Mac: 2025
Zach Driscoll
Zach
Driscoll
6'0" | SG
Decorah | 2025
State
IA
(20.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 4.2 steals); 2024
Carver Blietz-Bentien
Carver
Blietz-Bentien
6'1" | SF
MFL MarMac | 2024
State
IA
(13.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 53.2 FG%); 2025 Parker Kuehl (11.2 points, 3.0 steals); 2024
Wyatt Powell
Wyatt
Powell
6'1" | PG
MFL MarMac | 2024
State
IA
(10.2 points, 4.4 assists, 4.4 steals)
Our pick: Pella Christian 54, MFL-Mar-Mac 48