State Tournament: Tuesday Game Recaps

2A Quarterfinal: #2 Roland-Story 60, #7 Kuemper Catholic 52

It wasn't always pretty, but second-seeded Roland-Story doesn't mind, as the Norsemen used a dominant defensive effort in the second half to advance to the 2A semifinals with a 60-52 win over seventh-seeded Kuemper Catholic on Tuesday morning.

Roland-Story was able to hold Kuemper to just six points over a 10:48 minute stretch in the third and fourth quarters, turning a 36-32 deficit into a 52-42 lead. The size and physicality advantage that Roland-Story held became very evident during that stretch, as the Norsemen outrebounded Kuemper by 18 in the second half, leading to 15 second-chance points in the final 16 minutes.

Luke Patton Luke Patton 6'5" | PF Roland-Story | 2023 State IA was a man possessed in the second half, scoring 19 points and grabbing 18 rebounds in the second half alone. Kuemper simply had no answer for his size and athleticism in the paint.

Roland-Story improves to 25-1 with the win. Patton led the way with 25 points and 22 rebounds. Jonovan Wilkinson Jonovan Wilkinson 6'2" | SF Roland-Story | 2024 State IA added 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Isaiah Naylor Isaiah Naylor 6'0" | SG Roland-Story | 2023 State IA had 11.

Kuemper Catholic's season ends with an 18-7 record and the school's 17th state tournament appearance. The Knights were led by Carson Kanne Carson Kanne 5'11" | PG Kuemper Catholic | 2025 State IA , who had 12 points and 6 assists. Michael Kasperbauer Michael Kasperbauer 5'11" | PG Kuemper Catholic | 2024 State IA added 11 points and DJ Vonnahme had 10 in the loss. The Knights will bring back four starters and several role players from this group and should be considered one of top teams in 2A heading into next season.

Team stats
Kuemper Catholic: 21-61 FG (34.4%), 10-32 3P (31.3%), 0-1 FT (0.0%), 32 rebounds (6 offensive), 13 assists, 12 turnovers
Roland-Story: 24-58 FG (41.4%), 1-14 3P (7.1%), 11-18 FT (61.1%), 48 rebounds (14 offensive), 4 assists, 13 turnovers

MVP: 2023 Luke Patton Luke Patton 6'5" | PF Roland-Story | 2023 State IA (Roland-Story) -- 25 points (10-14 FG, 0-3 3P, 5-8 FT), 22 rebounds (8 offensive), 1 assist, 1 block, 3 steals

The 6-5 forward was unstoppable in the second half for the Norsemen, nearly single-handedly carrying them to this win. His 22 rebounds are a state-tournament high so far, and he was stellar in the middle of the R-S zone as well.

2A Quarterfinal: #3 Western Christian 69, #6 Monticello 44

Stop me if you've heard this before - Western Christian advanced to the 2A semifinals in dominating fashion. For the 19th time in school history, the Wolfpack will play in the semifinals after a dominant 69-44 win over sixth-seeded Monticello on Tuesday afternoon.

As they seemingly always are, Western Christian is long across the board, and they share the ball exceptionally well. A well-coached, disciplined team on both ends of the floor, they completely shut down a Monticello team that had been playing excellent basketball heading into this quarterfinal. They turned 14 Monticello turnovers into 18 points, had 42 points in the paint, and shot 58.3% from the floor en route to the easy win. A 14-6 third quarter turned a 4-point halftime lead into a cakewalk, as they cruised the rest of the way.

Western Christian improves to 22-3 with the win. The Wolfpack were led by Chandler Pollema, who led four scorers in double figures with 17 points. Kaden Van Regenmorter Kaden Van Regenmorter 6'4" | SF Hull, Western Christian | 2025 State IA had 15, and Karsten Moret Karsten Moret 6'3" | SG Western Christian | 2025 State IA and Tate Van Regenmorter Tate Van Regenmorter 6'5" | PF Western Christian | 2023 State IA each had 11.

Monticello's season ends with a 17-8 record and the school's fourth straight trip to the state tournament. The Panthers were led by Preston Ries Preston Ries 6'1" | SF Monticello | 2024 State IA , who had 17 points, but just two came in the second half. Carson Lambert Carson Lambert 6'3" | SF Monticello | 2025 State IA had 11 points, and Tate Petersen Tate Petersen 6'1" | PG Monticello | 2023 State IA added 10. Petersen, arguably the best player in school history, will graduate, but the Panthers will bring back four starters and a number of key role players and should once again be very formidable.

Team stats
Monticello: 14-47 FG (29.8%), 5-23 3P (21.7%), 11-15 FT (73.3%), 23 rebounds (9 offensive), 7 assists, 14 turnovers
Western Christian: 28-48 FG (58.3%), 5-10 3P (50.0%), 8-11 FT (72.7%), 34 rebounds (8 offensive), 16 assists, 11 turnovers

MVP: 2023 Chandler Pollema (Western Christian) -- 17 points (8-10 FG, 1-2 3P), 5 rebounds, 3 steals

Take your pick of the Western Christian starters. Pollema's length on the defensive end made things difficult, and he knocked down a few big shots as Western blew the game open in the second half.

3A Quarterfinal: #1 Bondurant-Farrar 81, #8 Algona 52

Bondurant-Farrar has been the best, most consistent team in 3A this season, and the Bluejays showed why they're the #1 seed in this tournament on Tuesday afternoon, dominating eight seed Algona, 81-52, to advance to Thursday's semifinals.

The Jays led by just two, 16-14, after the first quarter, but blew the game open with a 28-14 second frame. While they lack traditional size, they're all long, athletic, and play extremely hard on every possession. Using their five-out, dribble-drive offense, they were able to routinely get shots at the rim (26 points in the paint in the first half), and when they didn't score on their first chance, odds were they were going to clean it up (14 second-chance points in the first half).

The second half was much of the same, constant attacking and pounding the offensive glass. The Jays finished with 20 second-chance points and 50 in the paint.

Bondurant-Farrar remains perfect, improving to 24-0 with the win, and they'll await either Newton or North Polk in the 3A semifinals. The Bluejays were led by sophomore guard Cole Miller Cole Miller 5'10" | PG Bondurant-Farrar | 2025 State IA , who came in averaging 3.9 points. Miller had 18 in the win, leading four in double figures. Colby Collison Colby Collison 6'4" | SF Bondurant-Farrar | 2023 State IA had 15 points and 8 rebounds. Jaxson Fried Jaxson Fried 6'6" | SF Bondurant- Farrar | 2023 State IA had 12 points, and Everett White chipped in 10. All seven who played during non-garbage time scored at least five points.

Algona's season ends with a 17-8 record and the school's first state tournament appearance in 24 years. The Bulldogs were led by Caden Weber with 13 points. Alex Manske Alex Manske 6'3" | SG Algona | 2025 State IA added 12. They will bring back three starters and should be a contender to make it back here next season.

Team stats
Algona: 18-50 FG (36.0%), 5-16 3P (31.3%), 11-17 FT (64.7%), 30 rebounds (10 offensive), 8 assists, 11 turnovers
Bondurant-Farrar: 32-66 FG (48.5%), 6-16 3P (37.5%), 11-13 FT (84.6%), 40 rebounds (16 offensive), 12 assists, 4 turnovers

MVP: 2025 Cole Miller Cole Miller 5'10" | PG Bondurant-Farrar | 2025 State IA (Bondurant-Farrar) -- 18 points (8-11 FG, 2-4 3P), 2 rebounds, 4 assists

A tough 5-9 sophomore guard who came in averaging 3.9 points a game, Miller had 12 first-half points, helping the Jays firmly grab control of the game in the second quarter. He set the tone early by knocking down a few big 3-pointers, then attacked the rim, putting constant pressure on the Algona defense.

3A Quarterfinal: #5 North Polk 49, #4 Newton 31

North Polk is the top scoring defense in the 3A field, and the Comets showed why on Tuesday evening, holding Newton to just two first quarter points and cruising to a 49-31 win to advance to the 3A semifinals against top-seeded Bondurant-Farrar.

In a game featuring the top two scoring defenses in the tournament, you knew points would be hard to come by, and they certainly were, with North Polk leading just 4-0 five minutes into this one. They held an 11-2 edge after the first quarter and extended it to 14 points, 26-12, by the break. The lead ballooned to as many as 23 early in the fourth quarter, and the Comets were never in danger.

North Polk improves to 20-5 with the win, setting up a third meeting with the Bluejays in the semifinals. The Comets were led by Reggie Postel Reggie Postel 6'1" | SG North Polk | 2024 State IA , who had a game-high 21 points. Jackson Nemmers Jackson Nemmers 6'2" | SG North Polk | 2023 State IA added 12 for the Comets, who held Newton to just 31.4% shooting and forced 17 turnovers, turning those into 26 points.

Newton's season ends a 17-7 record and their first state tournament appearance since 2017. The Cardinals will graduate all five starters and a slew of role players off of this year's team. They were led by Caleb Mattes Caleb Mattes 6'0" | SG Newton | 2024 State IA , who had 11 points off the bench. Mattes is the lone player who saw significant time who will be back next season.

Team stats
North Polk: 19-49 FG (38.8%), 5-15 3P (33.3%), 6-8 FT (75.0%), 31 rebounds (10 offensive), 9 assists, 9 turnovers
Newton: 12-36 FG (33.3%), 3-16 3P (18.8%), 4-5 FT (80.0%), 25 rebounds (4 offensive), 3 assists, 17 turnovers

MVP: 2024 Reggie Postel Reggie Postel 6'1" | SG North Polk | 2024 State IA (North Polk) -- 21 points (9-17 FG, 2-5 3P, 1-2 FT), 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 4 steals

The 6-1 guard set the tone early, attacking the rim often and putting pressure on the Newton defense with his ability to get to the hole for finishes. He uses his length effectively on the defensive end, getting into passing lanes and helping spark the Comets transition game.

3A Quarterfinal: #6 Heelan 68, #3 Marion 59

One team's star took over, and his teammates helped shut down the other team's star as sixth-seeded Heelan upset third-seeded Marion on Tuesday night, 68-59, advancing to the 3A semifinals.

Marion looked like they may be the better team throughout most of the first half, with their athletic guards giving Heelan some issues on both ends of the floor. With 1:31 left before the break, the Wolves held a 10-point edge, 30-20, but Heelan was able to close that gap down to six points heading into the locker rooms. Marion still held a 40-39 lead after three.

A Matthew Noll Matthew Noll 6'7" | PF Bishop Heelan | 2024 State IA layup plus the foul to start the third quarter gave Heelan their first lead since late in the first quarter. The teams went back-and-forth for the next few minutes, with Marion grabbing a 49-48 lead with 5:15 to play before Heelan went on a game-deciding 11-0 run on the strength of their two stars - Noll and Carter Kuehl Carter Kuehl 5'11" | PG Bishop Heelan | 2023 State IA . The tandem combined for 23 points in the fourth quarter and were part of a defensive effort that held Marion star guard Brayson Laube Brayson Laube 6'2" | PG Marion | 2023 State IA to just five second half points.

Heelan improves to 19-6 with the win and advances to the 3A semifinals, where they'll face either Xavier or Hoover. The Crusaders were led by Matthew Noll Matthew Noll 6'7" | PF Bishop Heelan | 2024 State IA , who had 25 points and 13 rebounds in the win. Carter Kuehl Carter Kuehl 5'11" | PG Bishop Heelan | 2023 State IA had 17 points and Quinn Olson Quinn Olson 6'3" | SF Heelan | 2024 State IA added 10 points and 7 assists.

Marion's season ends with a 19-6 record. The Wolves were led by Brayson Laube Brayson Laube 6'2" | PG Marion | 2023 State IA , who concluded his stellar career with 18 points. Alex Mota Alex Mota 6'1" | SG Marion | 2023 State IA had 14 points, and Payton Hodges Payton Hodges 6'1" | SG Marion | 2024 State IA and Calen Claypool each had 10. The Wolves will lose Laube, Mota, and Claypool to graduation, but will bring back a talented trio of guards in Myles Davis Myles Davis 6'1" | SG Marion | 2024 State IA , Payton Hodges Payton Hodges 6'1" | SG Marion | 2024 State IA , and Jordan Fischer Jordan Fischer 5'11" | PG Marion | 2024 State IA .

Team stats
Heelan: 23-44 FG (52.3%), 7-20 3P (35.0%), 15-15 FT (100%), 31 rebounds (6 offensive), 12 assists, 14 turnovers
Marion: 22-52 FG (42.3%), 10-24 3P (41.7%), 5-6 FT (83.3%), 17 rebounds (5 offensive), 9 assists, 7 turnovers

MVP: 2024 Matthew Noll Matthew Noll 6'7" | PF Bishop Heelan | 2024 State IA (Heelan) -- 25 points (8-14 FG, 1-4 3P, 8-8 FT), 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks

The 6-8 Noll was outstanding in the second half, taking over the game when Heelan most needed him to. He had 14 points and 7 rebounds in the final 16 minutes, helping lead the Crusaders into the semis. He's a long, athletic wing who can score around the bucket, has a pure stroke, and is excellent on the glass. His length impacted the game defensively in a major way.

3A Quarterfinal: #2 Xavier 49, #7 Hoover 38

Hoover was a popular upset pick around the state this week, myself included (had the Huskies preseason #1 and stuck with it), but second-seeded Xavier put that talk to bed with a resounding 49-38 win over the Huskies to advance to the 3A semifinals, where they'll take on Heelan.

Xavier used a 13-7 second quarter to grab control, taking a 24-17 lead into the locker rooms. The Saints packed their defense in, daring the Huskies to beat them from the perimeter, and they simply couldn't get it done. And on the other end of the floor, the physicality and IQ of lead guard Joseph Bean Joseph Bean 6'3" | PG Kennedy | 2024 State IA was too much for Hoover to control. The Saints, known for being a potent offensive team, proved that they can win in a rock fight as well here, something that will prove to be beneficial as the week progresses.

Chase Henderson Chase Henderson 6'0" | PG Hoover | 2023 State IA , Hoover's star guard, got into early foul trouble and ended up fouling out with 3:01 left in the third quarter. With him on the bench, an offense that was already struggling to score against Xavier's stout defense was left rudderless.

Xavier improves to 19-6 with the win. The Saints were led by Joseph Bean Joseph Bean 6'3" | PG Kennedy | 2024 State IA , who had 15 points. Aidan Yamilkoski Aidan Yamilkoski 6'4" | SG Xavier | 2023 State IA added 13.

Hoover's season ends with a 15-10 record and the school's first state tournament appearance since 2016. The Huskies were led by Chase Henderson Chase Henderson 6'0" | PG Hoover | 2023 State IA and Elijah Vos Elijah Vos 6'4" | SF Hoover | 2023 State IA , who each had 11 points in their final games in a Hoover uniform.

Team stats
Hoover: 15-37 FG (40.5%), 4-14 3P (28.6%), 4-11 FT (36.4%), 26 rebounds (6 offensive), 3 assists, 12 turnovers
Xavier: 19-47 FG (40.4%), 5-19 3P (26.3%), 6-11 FT (54.5%), 32 rebounds (11 offensive), 6 assists, 7 turnovers

MVP: 2024 Joseph Bean Joseph Bean 6'3" | PG Kennedy | 2024 State IA (Xavier) -- 15 points (7-12 FG, 1-3 3P, 0-1 FT), 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal

Bean was impossible for Hoover to stop in this one, using his physicality and IQ to get to the rim routinely for finishes. His willingness to invert the offense and take smaller defenders down onto the block and initiate the offense flummoxed the Hoover defense throughout.

State Tournament: Tuesday Game Recaps

In this article:

Preseason All-Conference Teams: Corner

Class 1A: Stars to Watch (Part 2)

Class 1A: Stars to Watch (Part 1)

Dynamic Duos in Class 3A

Preseason All-Conference Teams: Bluegrass

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
Kuemper Catholic	10	21	5	16	52
Roland-Story	14	13	11	22	60

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
Monticello	12	16	6	10	44
Western Christian	16	16	14	23	69

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
Algona	14	14	12	12	52
Bondurant-Farrar	16	28	21	16	81

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
North Polk	11	15	13	10	49
Newton	2	10	6	13	31

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
Heelan	13	11	15	29	68
Marion	16	14	10	19	59

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
Hoover	10	7	11	10	38
Xavier	11	13	15	10	49