State Tournament: Wednesday Game Recaps

4A Quarterfinal: #2 Waukee 58, #7 Ames 40

Omaha Biliew Omaha Biliew 6'8" | SF Waukee | 2023 State IA was absolutely unstoppable on Wednesday morning and #2 Waukee cruised into the 4A semifinals with a 58-40 win over #7 Ames.

The five-star wing, future Iowa State Cyclone, and probable NBA player in a few years, showed a little bit of everything in his arsenal, scoring 19 first half points as Waukee blew open the game in the second quarter, turning a two-point first quarter edge into an 18-point halftime advantage and never looking back.

But this team isn’t just Biliew. Mason Costello Mason Costello 6'3" | SG Waukee | 2024 State IA showed a much improved handle and playmaking. Vance Peiffer Vance Peiffer 6'7" | C Waukee | 2023 State IA is a force defensively in the paint. Cade Littlefield Cade Littlefield 6'1" Waukee | 2023 IA the calming presence in the backcourt. This is a juggernaut, and they showed it against an Ames team that rarely gets blown out.

Waukee’s lead ballooned to as many as 23 in the second half, and they’ll await the winner of the Waukee Northwest/Ankeny Centennial game, with a likely rubbermatch against Northwest coming on Thursday night.

Waukee improves to 22-2 on the year with the win. Biliew led with 24 points on 10-15 shooting to go with 6 rebounds. Mason Costello Mason Costello 6'3" | SG Waukee | 2024 State IA had 10 points, and Vance Peiffer Vance Peiffer 6'7" | C Waukee | 2023 State IA added 9.

Ames’ season ends with a 17-8 record and the school’s 24th state tournament appearance. The Little Cyclones were led by Jack Wynter Jack Wynter 6'3" | SG Ames | 2024 State IA , who had 12 points. They’ll lose Lucas Lueth Lucas Lueth 6'6" | SF Ames | 2023 State IA and Frank Keller Frank Keller 6'6" | PF Ames | 2023 State IA to graduation, but will return three starters and should be in contention to make another run to the state tournament next season.

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
Ames	6	6	11	17	40
Waukee	8	22	12	16	58

Team stats
Ames: 15-38 FG (39.5%), 2-11 3P (18.2%), 8-12 FT (66.7%), 23 rebounds (6 offensive), 4 assists, 12 turnovers
Waukee: 23-43 FG (53.5%), 4-12 3P (33.3%), 8-11 FT (72.7%), 23 rebounds (5 offensive), 8 assists, 9 turnovers

MVP: 2023 Omaha Biliew Omaha Biliew 6'8" | SF Waukee | 2023 State IA (Waukee) — 24 points (10-15 FG, 1-1 3P, 3-4 FT), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal

The future Cyclone was dominant in this one, scoring from all three levels and showing a little bit of everything in his arsenal. When he’s playing like that, there probably isn’t a team in the state that can beat Waukee.

4A Quarterfinal: #3 Waukee Northwest 55, #6 Ankeny Centennial 37

It’s hard to win when you don’t score, and Centennial found that out the hard way on Wednesday afternoon, enduring a long scoring drought that ultimately undid their upset bid, as Waukee Northwest took over midway through the second quarter and rolled to a 55-37 win.

Centennial came out and played a solid first quarter, ending the first quarter in an 11-11 tie, and they took a 14-11 lead 33 seconds into the second quarter. Unfortunately for them, they then went 8:06 without scoring, and scored just four points in the next 15:27 of game time while Northwest went on a game-deciding 29-4 run. The Wolves held Centennial to 22.9% shooting in the game and forced 17 turnovers, which they were able to turn into 15 points.

Despite Northwest star Pryce Sandfort Pryce Sandfort 6'7" | SF Waukee Northwest | 2023 State #123 Nation IA being held scoreless for the first 11:50 of the game, he still finished with 24 points in the win, showing a little bit of everything in the process.

Northwest improves to 22-2 with the win. The Wolves were led by the aforementioned Sandfort’s 24 points, the lone player in double figures. Grant Tigges Grant Tigges 6'4" | SG Waukee Northwest | 2024 State IA had 9 points and 8 rebounds, and Cade Kelderman Cade Kelderman 6'0" | PG Waukee Northwest | 2023 State IA and Henry Manning Henry Manning 6'1" | SG Waukee | 2023 State IA each had 8 points in the win.

Centennial’s season ends with a 16-9 record. The Jaguars were led by Drew Schreurs Drew Schreurs 6'1" | PG Centennial | 2023 State IA , who had 12 points. Nick Vaske Nick Vaske 6'3" | SG Ankeny Centennial | 2024 State IA added 10 in the loss. They’ll bring back three of their top four scorers, led by Luke Winkel Luke Winkel 6'1" | PG Ankeny Centennial | 2024 State IA , who battled foul trouble and could never get going in this one.

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
Centennial	11	3	4	19	37
Northwest	11	12	17	15	55

Team stats
Centennial: 11-48 FG (22.9%), 7-20 3P (35.0%), 8-10 FT (80.0%), 32 rebounds (12 offensive), 8 assists, 17 turnovers
Northwest: 19-41 FG (46.3%), 6-19 3P (31.6%), 11-16 FT (68.8%), 30 rebounds (5 offensive), 7 assists, 13 turnovers

MVP: 2023 Pryce Sandfort Pryce Sandfort 6'7" | SF Waukee Northwest | 2023 State #123 Nation IA (Northwest) — 24 points (10-18 FG, 2-7 3P, 2-2 FT), 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, 3 steals

The future Iowa wing shook off a really slow start and still finished with nearly his season average (25.9 points). He can get to his shot pretty much whenever he wants and showed impressive footwork around the bucket on drives and post touches.

4A Quarterfinal: #8 Pleasant Valley 57, #1 Kennedy 45

You kept waiting for the explosive run from #1 Cedar Rapids Kennedy. And waiting. And waiting. It’s what they’ve done all year. But the run never came, as #8 Pleasant Valley pulled off the upset of the tournament, beating the undefeated Cougars 57-45 to advance to the 4A semifinals tomorrow night.

Pleasant Valley, a team that is well known for being a strong, physical, disciplined team on both ends of the floor was just that in this one, limiting Kennedy’s explosive offensive attack, protecting the ball, and being incredibly patient on the offensive end. A team that averages just 6.5 made 3-pointers a game, they buried six in the opening half en route to a 26-22 halftime lead.

Kennedy opened the second half on a 7-3 spurt to tie the game at 29, but Pleasant Valley answered with a 7-0 run of their own, taking a 36-29 lead with 1:30 left in the quarter, and they led by six after three quarters.

Kennedy made a run, getting the deficit down to one point, 46-45, with 2:25 to play after a Colby Dolphin Colby Dolphin 5'10" | PG Kennedy | 2023 State IA bucket plus the foul, but the Spartans scored the last 11 points of the game and finished off the upset.

BC Moore, for what it’s worth, had Kennedy pegged as a 24-point favorite in this one, but that’s what you play the games.

Pleasant Valley improves to 20-5 with the win and will await either West Des Moines Valley or Norwalk in the semifinals. The Spartans were led by Caden Rubel Caden Rubel 6'0" | PG Pleasant Valley | 2024 State IA , who had a season-high 23 points. David Gorsline David Gorsline 6'2" | SG Pleasant Valley | 2024 State IA and Connor Borbeck Connor Borbeck 6'2" | SG Pleasant Valley | 2023 State IA each added 13 for the Spartans, who held Kennedy 32 points below their season average.

Kennedy’s season ends with a 22-1 record and a second straight state tournament appearance. The Cougars were led by Micah Schlaak Micah Schlaak 6'6" | PF Kennedy | 2024 State IA , who had 14 points. Kenzie Reed Kenzie Reed 5'11" | PG Kennedy | 2023 State IA and Colby Dolphin Colby Dolphin 5'10" | PG Kennedy | 2023 State IA were never able to get it going, each finishing with 6 points in their final games as Cougars. Kennedy will bring back two starters in Schlaak and Cyrus Courtney Cyrus Courtney 6'1" | SG Kennedy | 2024 State IA , plus a number of role players and add a talented sophomore class and will be a contender to make it to Des Moines again.

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
Pleasant Valley	15	11	12	19	57
Kennedy	15	7	10	13	45

Team stats
Pleasant Valley: 19-42 FG (45.2%), 7-21 3P (33.3%), 12-13 FT (92.3%), 27 rebounds (5 offensive), 11 assists, 9 turnovers
Kennedy: 18-46 FG (39.1%), 6-22 3P (27.3%), 3-6 FT (50.0%), 23 rebounds (6 offensive), 11 assists, 10 turnovers

MVP: 2024 Caden Rubel Caden Rubel 6'0" | PG Pleasant Valley | 2024 State IA (Pleasant Valley) — 23 points (7-12 FG, 4-9 3P, 5-6 FT), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals

Rubel was excellent early, scoring 14 first half points to help the Spartans grab control of this one. His 23 points were a season-high for him. He showed a quick release and smooth stroke from the arc, with the ability to shoot it both off the dribble and the catch.

4A Quarterfinal: #4 Valley 63, #5 Norwalk 48

Take notice, rest of the state. The Valley Tigers are young, talented, and into the 4A semifinals with a 63-48 win over #5 Norwalk. They’ll face Pleasant Valley tomorrow night at 5:30 pm with a trip to the 4A championship game on the line.

Valley built a 13-point lead, 31-18, at the half and it looked like they might just cruise right into the semifinals, but Norwalk had other ideas. The Warriors opened the second half on a 13-4 run to close to within four points, 35-31, with 3:55 left in the third quarter.

Valley kept gaining a little distance, Norwalk kept clawing back. The Warriors pulled back within four, 43-39, with 7:35 to play, but that was as close they got the rest of the way. Valley’s young weapons stepped up in a big way, making clutch plays and big free throws throughout the fourth quarter to pull away.

Valley improves to 19-5 with the win. The Tigers were led by four sophomores – Xzavion Robinson Xzavion Robinson 6'1" | PG Valley | 2025 State IA with 14, Kiki Deng Kiki Deng 6'4" | SG Valley | 2025 State IA 13, and Curtis Stinson Jr Curtis Stinson Jr 6'4" | PG Valley | 2025 State IA . and Trevin Jirak Trevin Jirak 6'9" | C Valley | 2025 State IA , each with 12. They shot 56.3% from the floor, held Norwalk to just 33.9%, and made 19 of 20 free throws, including 14 of 14 in the fourth quarter to help ice the game away.

Norwalk’s season ends with a 20-4 record and the school’s ninth state tournament appearance. The Warriors were led by Redek Born Redek Born 6'3" | PG Norwalk | 2024 State IA , who had a game-high 17 points. Aidan Harder Aidan Harder 6'3" | SG Norwalk | 2024 State IA added 11 in the loss. Three starters will be back, led by their star, Born, and they should be formidable again.

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
Norwalk	13	5	18	12	48
Valley	17	14	12	20	63

Team stats
Norwalk: 19-56 FG (33.9%), 8-24 3P (33.3%), 2-3 FT (66.7%), 22 rebounds (11 offensive), 8 assists, 6 turnovers
Valley: 18-32 FG (56.3%), 8-15 3P (53.3%), 19-20 FT (95.0%), 31 rebounds (4 offensive), 6 assists, 14 turnovers

MVP: 2025 Xzavion Robinson Xzavion Robinson 6'1" | PG Valley | 2025 State IA (Valley) — 14 points (3-6 FG, 2-5 3P, 6-6 FT), 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal

Take your pick of any of Valley’s four sophomore standouts, but we’ll go with Robinson here, whose constant attacking of the bucket helped turn a tight game into a comfortable win in the fourth quarter for the Tigers.

1A Semifinal: #1 Grand View Christian 68, #4 West Harrison 50

Josh Sanderson Josh Sanderson 5'10" | PG Grand View Christian | 2023 State IA made sure there was no late-game drama this time around for #1 Grand View Christian, as his explosive first quarter helped the Thunder build a huge first-half lead en route to a 68-50 win and a trip to the 1A championship game on Friday afternoon.

Sanderson was absolutely unconscious in the first quarter, scoring 24 points on 9-13 shooting. The Thunder led by 20, 29-9, after the first frame and extended that lead to 30 points by halftime.

West Harrison didn’t go down without a fight, starting the third quarter on a 25-4 run to get the deficit down to 11 points, 52-41, with 1:47 left in the quarter. But Sanderson made a pair of free throws, then a runner in the lane, then a 3 at the end of the quarter. Ball game.

Grand View Christian moves to 26-0 with the win and into the Class 1A championship game for the fifth time in the last seven years. Sanderson led the way with 41 points on 14-26 shooting. Emiliano Barrantes Emiliano Barrantes 6'9" | PF Grand View Christian | 2025 State IA added 13 points and 9 rebounds in the win.

West Harrison’s season ends with a 24-2 record and the school’s second straight trip to the state tournament, the first two appearances in school history. Sage Evans Sage Evans 6'2" | PF West Harrison | 2023 State IA wrapped up a stellar career with 17 points and 9 rebounds, while Koleson Evans Koleson Evans 6'6" | SF West Harrison | 2023 State IA added 11 and Mason McIntosh had 10. McIntosh is the only starter slated to return for the Hawkeyes.

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
West Harrison	9	7	27	7	50
Grand View Christian	29	17	13	9	68

Team stats
West Harrison: 20-59 FG (33.9%), 6-24 3P (25.0%), 4-4 FT (100%), 28 rebounds (10 offensive), 7 assists, 9 turnovers
Grand View Christian: 24-47 FG (51.1%), 9-18 3P (50.0%), 11-16 FT (68.8%), 34 rebounds (6 offensive), 8 assists, 11 turnovers

MVP: 2023 Josh Sanderson Josh Sanderson 5'10" | PG Grand View Christian | 2023 State IA (Grand View Christian) — 41 points (14-26 FG, 6-7 3P, 7-7 FT), 2 rebounds, 2 steals

Unreal performance from Sanderson. Not much more to say.

1A Semifinal: #2 North Linn 52, #6 Remsen, St. Mary’s 50

Call them Thanos because North Linn, as it turns out, is inevitable. Against all odds, facing a 16-point deficit with 7:38 to play, the Lynx somehow, someway, came back against St. Mary’s, pulling out a 52-50 win to advance to the 1A championship game.

St. Mary’s came out of the gates hot, using a 13-2 run to close the first quarter to grab a 17-6 lead after one. They held a double-digit lead for most of the second quarter as well, taking a 31-19 lead into the break. St. Mary’s was able to push the advantage out to 17 points early in the third quarter, and led by the aforementioned 16-point margin with 7:38 to play.

Then North Linn did what North Linn does – find ways to win. They held St. Mary’s scoreless for the final 5:24 of the game, got huge shots from Ty Pflughaupt Ty Pflughaupt 6'5" | SG North Linn | 2024 State IA and Breckyn Betenbender Breckyn Betenbender 5'10" | PG North Linn | 2024 State IA , and somehow, someway, lives to see another day.

A Betenbender 3 with 32 seconds to play gave North Linn their first lead of the night, and the Lynx were able to suffocate St. Mary’s on their final possession, not allowing the Hawks to get a clean look, and for the 208th time in the last 215 games, they emerged victorious.

North Linn improves to 26-0 with the win and will play for a state championship for the sixth straight season. The Lynx were led by Ty Pflughaupt Ty Pflughaupt 6'5" | SG North Linn | 2024 State IA with 19 points. Breckyn Betenbender Breckyn Betenbender 5'10" | PG North Linn | 2024 State IA had 14, and Mason Bechen Mason Bechen 6'1" | PG North Linn | 2025 State IA chipped in 10. Pflughaupt and Betenbender made five 3-pointers in the fourth quarter during the huge comeback.

St. Mary’s season ends in heartbreak with a 23-3 record. The Hawks were led by Collin Homan Collin Homan 6'5" | PF Remsen, St. Mary's | 2025 State IA and Cael Ortmann Cael Ortmann 6'2" | SF St. Mary's, Remsen | 2023 State IA , who each had 12 points. Ryan Willman Ryan Willman 6'5" | PF St. Mary's, Remsen | 2023 State IA and Jaxon Bunkers Jaxon Bunkers 5'11" | SF St. Mary's, Remsen | 2023 State IA each had 10. The Hawks will lose four starters to graduation, but they’ve proven they’re capable of re-loading, and will be a threat to make it to Des Moines for an eighth straight year next season.

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
Remsen, St. Mary’s	17	14	14	5	50
North Linn	6	13	13	20	52

Team stats
Remsen, St. Mary’s: 20-44 FG (45.5%), 8-17 3P (47.1%), 2-6 FT (33.3%), 27 rebounds (9 offensive), 11 assists, 9 turnovers
North Linn: 19-38 FG (50.0%), 11-21 3P (52.4%), 3-4 FT (75.0%), 16 rebounds (1 offensive), 9 assists, 6 turnovers

MVP: 2024 Breckyn Betenbender Breckyn Betenbender 5'10" | PG North Linn | 2024 State IA (North Linn) — 14 points (5-7 FG, 4-5 3P)