State Tournament: Wednesday’s Top 2023 and 2024 Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1733510' first='Omaha' last='Biliew'] (Waukee)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future Iowa State wing showed off a little bit of everything in his bag on Wednesday morning, scoring 24 points on 10-15 shooting (1-1 3P, 3-4 FT) to go with 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal. At 6-8, he's a matchup nightmare at this level, as his athleticism alone is overwhelming, but when you combine that with his size, handles, improved jumper, and ability to finish through contact, good luck slowing him down. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='956868' first='Pryce' last='Sandfort'] (Waukee Northwest)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future Iowa wing was held scoreless for nearly the first 12 minutes of the game against Centennial and still came close to his season average of 25.9 points, finishing with 24 on 10-18 shooting (2-7 3P, 2-2 FT), 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 3 steals. The long and talented wing can create off the dribble as well as just about anyone in the state, using his long strides to get to the rim routinely. He uses his length well on the defensive end, contesting shots and getting into passing lanes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1256306' first='Caden' last='Rubel'] (Pleasant Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5-11 junior guard had his best game of the season, scoring 23 points on 7-12 shooting (4-9 3P, 5-6 FT) to help the Spartans upset #1 seed Kennedy. He has a quick release off the catch and moves really well without the ball in his hands, finding the spaces in the defense that he likes to shoot from (in this game, the right corner), and routinely knocking down shots off the catch. He's a strong on-ball defender who was also a key contributor in holding Kennedy's star guards to 4-19 shooting. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1256301' first='David' last='Gorsline'] (Pleasant Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gorsline has battled injuries throughout the year but was a key difference maker for PV in their upset of Kennedy. A bouncy, undersized 6-2 forward, he's a physical player who doesn't shy away from contact and does a great job high-pointing the ball and battling on the glass. He had 13 points on 4-8 shooting (1-3 3P, 4-4 FT) to go with 7 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171661' first='Redek' last='Born'] (Norwalk)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A skilled 6-3 guard who showed a much improved first step throughout Norwalk's loss to Valley, this was perhaps the best I've seen him play. He has good size as a lead guard, plays with pace, and was able to get to the rim fairly routinely for finishes or to find open teammates for layups or kick outs. He had 17 points on 7-22 shooting (2-7 3P, 1-2 FT), 6 rebounds, and 5 assists against no turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367400' first='Josh' last='Sanderson'] (Grand View Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sanderson had one of the best performances in recent state tournament history, scoring 41 points on 14-26 shooting (6-7 3P, 7-7 FT) in the Thunder's win over West Harrison. The 5-11 guard dropped 24 points in the first quarter and set the tone early on, pulling up from anywhere and burying nearly everything he took. His first quarter is one of the best quarters of individual basketball I've ever seen, regardless of level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751216' first='Breckyn' last='Betenbender'] (North Linn)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 5-10 junior guard, Betenbender was fearless during the Lynx's comeback win against St. Mary's, going 4-5 from behind the arc and knocking down the biggest shot of the game, a go-ahead 3 with 32 seconds left. He has a pure stroke from deep with a quick release and endless confidence. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1426164' first='Ty' last='Pflughaupt'] (North Linn)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pflughaupt was the other key component of the North Linn comeback effort, scoring 19 points on 7-10 shooting (5-7 3P). At 6-4, he has good size and the ability to get his shot off pretty much whenever he wants at this level. He has a pure stroke with deft touch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->