ServPro MVC/CIML Showdown Preview

10:00 am: Cedar Rapids Prairie (3-4) vs. Southeast Polk (3-6)   This should be a fun one to open the day, with a pair of teams that like to get up-and-down the floor. Prairie has played much faster this season under new coach Todd Kuntz, who had an up-tempo system at Dunkerton, and he has brought that to Cedar Rapids. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1376680' first='Reid' last='Burkle'] (15.7 points) is the headliner for the Hawks, a 6-4/6-5 combo forward who can score inside and out. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2397337' first='Jace' last='McDermott'] (12.3) is a newcomer to keep an eye on, a good shooter with size and length, and freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='2124028' first='Austin' last='Joens'] (8.6) is a really good shooter with a bright future. [player_tooltip player_id='2325493' first='Apollo' last='Payne'] (10.1) is another interesting player for the Hawks, an athletic 6-3 wing who can create off the dribble. He'll play college football somewhere next season.   Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1587368' first='Bode' last='Goodman'] (20.7) is one of the top pure scorers in the state's 2025 class, a 6-2 athletic guard who can fill it up from all three levels. The Rams entered the season very inexperienced outside of Goodman, so the holiday break gave them some more time to build chemistry together. Seniors Trey Lust (8.3), [player_tooltip player_id='2325535' first='AJ' last='Schafer'] (8.0), [player_tooltip player_id='1476966' first='Jaxen' last='Barton'] (7.9), and Jamari Williams (7.6) have all provided solid minutes for the Rams so far this season.   Top 50 prospects 2025 #11 [player_tooltip player_id='1587368' first='Bode' last='Goodman'] (Southeast Polk)   11:30 am: Liberty (3-4) vs. Waukee Northwest (4-5)   After losing a ton of production to graduation, it was expected that Northwest, a team that played for the 4A title last season, would take a bit of a step back. Despite their sub-.500 record, however, they've played pretty good basketball this year, with three of their losses coming to currently ranked teams (Valley, Ankeny, Waukee), and they have a nice win over Sioux City East under their belts. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1376673' first='Grant' last='Tigges'] (16.5), the lone returning starter, has taken over as the primary scorer. He's a skilled guard who can score from all three levels, and he has scored at an efficient clip. [player_tooltip player_id='1288864' first='Luke' last='Hart'] (9.4) and [player_tooltip player_id='1751176' first='Andrew' last='Cose'] (6.1) have been solid in the backcourt alongside Tigges, while power wing [player_tooltip player_id='2325550' first='Sandro' last='Bilic'] (7.9) and freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='2124066' first='Mack' last='Heitland'] (7.3, 43.8 3P%) have also been solid contributors.   Liberty doesn't have a double-digit scorer, but they have a deep rotation with coach Ryan Kelly usually going 9 or 10 deep. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1288878' first='Cooper' last='Webb'] (9.4) is the leading scorer, but seven players average at least 3.7 points a game. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1376683' first='Trey' last='Hughes'] (8.9) hasn't shot it well to open the year, but when he has it going, he's one of the best shooters in the state. Freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='2118611' first='Jerimiah' last='Washpun'] (6.6) is an exciting young prospect with great footwork, handles, and confidence, and senior big [player_tooltip player_id='1288908' first='Gage' last='Kampman'] (5.7, 2.9 blocks) is an intriguing prospect with his blend of size, rim protection, and athleticism.   Top 50 prospects 2024 #7 [player_tooltip player_id='1288908' first='Gage' last='Kampman'] (Liberty) 2024 #19 [player_tooltip player_id='1376673' first='Grant' last='Tigges'] (Northwest) 2024 #32 [player_tooltip player_id='1376683' first='Trey' last='Hughes'] (Liberty) 2025 #20 [player_tooltip player_id='1381421' first='Nitish' last='Sankaranthi'] (Northwest) 2025 #25 [player_tooltip player_id='2204886' first='Mateo' last='Dzolota'] (Northwest) 2026 #10 [player_tooltip player_id='1643192' first='Landon' last='Davis'] (Northwest)   1:00 pm: Pleasant Valley (4-3) vs. Ames (4-2)   These teams met at the Wells Fargo Advisors Shootout at Coe College last January, a 33-31 Ames win. These are always two of the top defensive teams in the state, and both teams like to play at a fairly deliberate pace, so don't expect offensive fireworks here. The Little Cyclones are led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1476938' first='Jack' last='Wynter'] (15.8, 41.0 3P%), a skilled lefty who can really shoot it from the arc. Hoover transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1381424' first='Abe' last='Vos'] (12.8, 50.0 3P%) has given Ames some additional scoring punch and shooting on the perimeter, and junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1381418' first='Jamison' last='Poe'] (11.6) is a quick guard who likes to play downhill and use his speed to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='1765516' first='Marach' last='Dau'] (4.7, 3.8 blocks) is very much a work-in-progress on the offensive end, but he's already an elite rim protector who blocks nearly four shots a game, so points will be hard to come by around the rim for PV.   After reaching the 4A semifinals last season and returning a majority of that roster, expectations were high for the Spartans heading into the year. They have gotten off to a bit of a shaky 4-3 start, and while none of their losses (Bettendorf, North Scott, Rock Island) are to bad teams, they certainly haven't played to the level they're capable of yet this season. This is a senior-heavy team, with six seniors and a junior comprising their top seven scorers. They're led by the guard tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='1376711' first='Coy' last='Kipper'] (15.0, 5.1 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id='1256306' first='Caden' last='Rubel'] (9.9, 3.0 assists), a pair of experienced, reliable ball-handlers and playmakers. [player_tooltip player_id='1751106' first='Max' last='Muszalski'] (12.6, 56.7 FG%), [player_tooltip player_id='1256301' first='David' last='Gorsline'] (7.7), and [player_tooltip player_id='1759910' first='Max' last='Schmeltzer'] (4.9) are tough, physical forwards who pound the glass, and despite being a bit undersized in the traditional sense, each of them play bigger than their listed height.   Top 50 prospects 2024 #21 [player_tooltip player_id='1476938' first='Jack' last='Wynter'] (Ames) 2025 #26 [player_tooltip player_id='1381424' first='Abe' last='Vos'] (Ames) 2025 #42 [player_tooltip player_id='1759910' first='Max' last='Schmeltzer'] (Pleasant Valley) 2025 #44 [player_tooltip player_id='1381418' first='Jamison' last='Poe'] (Ames) 2026 #12 [player_tooltip player_id='1765516' first='Marach' last='Dau'] (Ames) 2026 #39 [player_tooltip player_id='1978102' first='Will' last='Thomas'] (Ames)   2:30 pm: Bettendorf (5-4) vs. 4A #9 Ankeny (6-2)   This one is an interesting contrast in styles, as Ankeny likes to play faster, using their talented trio of backcourt options to push the tempo, while Bettendorf generally plays a bit slower. The Hawks are led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1171660' first='Carson' last='Johnson'] (24.1), who has been one of the best players in the state this season. A talented guard who can fill it up in a hurry from all three levels, he's shooting over 51% from behind the arc, and the Bulldogs will need to find a way to slow him down if they want to hang with Ankeny here. [player_tooltip player_id='1171676' first='Lio' last='Aguirre'] (14.3) leads the Hawks in rebounding and is a tough, powerful wing who likes to play downhill, and his younger brother [player_tooltip player_id='1977422' first='Rio' last='Aguirre'] (10.6) is a talented sophomore who shoots it at a high clip from deep.   Bettendorf counters with 6-6 senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1171682' first='Caden' last='Wilkins'] (16.1), the top ranked senior in the state. A strong wing who can score from all three levels, he's having his most efficient season of his high school career, posting 48-42-77 splits, and he's a player who will be a difficult matchup for Ankeny. [player_tooltip player_id='1288870' first='Tre'von' last='Coney'] (9.0, 4.7 assists) has given the Bulldogs an athletic playmaker in the backcourt following his transfer from Davenport North, and [player_tooltip player_id='1476936' first='Asher' last='Wade'] (9.0) is a tough interior force who controls the glass and protects the paint defensively.   Top 50 prospects 2024 #1 [player_tooltip player_id='1171682' first='Caden' last='Wilkins'] (Bettendorf) 2024 #15 [player_tooltip player_id='1171660' first='Carson' last='Johnson'] (Ankeny) 2024 #24 [player_tooltip player_id='1171676' first='Lio' last='Aguirre'] (Ankeny) 2024 #36 [player_tooltip player_id='1476936' first='Asher' last='Wade'] (Bettendorf) 2024 #49 [player_tooltip player_id='1288870' first='Tre'von' last='Coney'] (Bettendorf) 2025 #13 [player_tooltip player_id='1288916' first='Cailen' last='Shadrick'] (Bettendorf) 2026 #11 [player_tooltip player_id='1977422' first='Rio' last='Aguirre'] (Ankeny)   4:00 pm: 4A #6 Cedar Falls (5-1) vs. 3A #9 Assumption (6-3)   This is the lone non-East vs. West game throughout the day, as scheduling conflicts caused a few MVC and CIML teams to drop out of the event, opening the door for Assumption, Bettendorf, Pleasant Valley, and Ames to join the fray. Nonetheless, this will be a good test for both of these teams and should be a fun, competitive game. Cedar Falls is led by [player_tooltip player_id='1171693' first='Cade' last='Courbat'] (12.0, 1.8 blocks) and [player_tooltip player_id='1765553' first='William' last='Gerdes'] (11.5, 1.3 blocks), a pair of athletic 6-8 forwards who can protect the paint, and they'll be tough matchups for an Assumption team that doesn't have much size. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1199979' first='Anthony' last='Galvin'] (11.4) hasn't shot it well to start the year, but he's a really good shooter, especially off the dribble, who is capable of having an explosive scoring game at any point in time.   Speaking of explosive scorers, Assumption sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1660062' first='Navon' last='Shabazz'] (15.8) is the top-ranked sophomore in the state. A dynamic three-level scorer, he's posting 45-43 shooting splits, and with his combination of size, length, quickness, handles, and athleticism, he's a player who can get to his spots pretty much whenever he wants. He holds a handful of Division I offers already, including a pair Power 5 offers from Iowa State and Wake Forest. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1759900' first='Damyen' last='Jackson'] (14.0) provides more perimeter scoring and athleticism, and Braylon Thomson (7.0, 38.1 3P%) is a big, physical wing who can really shoot it from deep. The Knights are an athletic team that like to get up-and-down.   Top 50 prospects 2024 #4 [player_tooltip player_id='1171693' first='Cade' last='Courbat'] (Cedar Falls) 2025 #6 [player_tooltip player_id='1199979' first='Anthony' last='Galvin'] (Cedar Falls) 2025 #33 [player_tooltip player_id='1759902' first='Kayvion' last='Hodges'] (Assumption) 2025 #36 [player_tooltip player_id='1759900' first='Damyen' last='Jackson'] (Assumption) 2026 #1 [player_tooltip player_id='1660062' first='Navon' last='Shabazz'] (Assumption) 2026 #2 [player_tooltip player_id='1765553' first='William' last='Gerdes'] (Cedar Falls) 2026 #5 [player_tooltip player_id='1765549' first='Leyton' last='Wolf'] (Cedar Falls) 2026 #17 [player_tooltip player_id='1777914' first='Jaydon' last='Kimbrough'] (Cedar Falls)   5:30 pm: 4A #4 Linn-Mar (6-1) vs. 4A #2 Valley (6-1)   The penultimate game of the day features an incredible amount of talent. These two teams combine to have six of the top 10 2025 prospects in the state on their rosters, and eight of the top 25. Valley is led by [player_tooltip player_id='1381422' first='Curtis' last='Stinson Jr'] (20.9, 7.7 rebounds), a dynamic two-way guard who can control the game on both ends of the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='1381407' first='Kiki' last='Deng'] (13.3) is an athletic wing who loves to get out in transition, and [player_tooltip player_id='1759897' first='Kyle' last='Cason'] (12.0) is a really good shooter who operates well without the ball in his hands. The tandem of "twin towers" [player_tooltip player_id='1759895' first='Trevin' last='Jirak'] (7.3) and [player_tooltip player_id='1759899' first='Marcus' last='McGregor'] (2.9) give the Tigers a ton of size in the paint, and sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='1765532' first='Jayden' last='McGregory'] (8.9) has fit into the lineup seamlessly following his transfer from Des Moines North. The Tigers are still playing without star guard [player_tooltip player_id='1288899' first='Xzavion' last='Robinson'], recovering from a shoulder injury, but they are still loaded with talent.   After going 10-14 last season, Linn-Mar has been one of the most pleasant surprises in the state this season, off to a strong 6-1 start that includes quality wins over Bettendorf, Waukee, Xavier, and Iowa City West. Their lone loss came by three, in overtime, on the road, against #3 Dubuque Senior. This is a team that doesn't go very deep into their bench, usually only playing six players, but those six have great chemistry and cohesion on both ends of the floor, Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1381412' first='Davis' last='Kern'] (20.6, 3.0 blocks) is the headliner, a versatile 6-8 big who can score inside and out at a highly efficient clip. He's posting 61-50-77 shooting splits and has been dominant as a rim protector. [player_tooltip player_id='1514455' first='Mason' last='Matson'] (11.7) gives them speed and playmaking in the backcourt, and [player_tooltip player_id='1587751' first='Owen' last='Havlik'] (10.4, 4.6 assists) is a big lead guard with good size and court vision. [player_tooltip player_id='1484413' first='Payson' last='Nietert'] (9.6) is starting to break out of his early-season slump and at 6-6, he's a really good shooter who can help space the floor.   Top 50 prospects 2025 #2 [player_tooltip player_id='1381422' first='Curtis' last='Stinson Jr'] (Valley) 2025 #3 [player_tooltip player_id='1381412' first='Davis' last='Kern'] (Linn-Mar) 2025 #4 [player_tooltip player_id='1288899' first='Xzavion' last='Robinson'] (Valley)* 2025 #5 [player_tooltip player_id='1759895' first='Trevin' last='Jirak'] (Valley) 2025 #7 [player_tooltip player_id='1381407' first='Kiki' last='Deng'] (Valley) 2025 #10 [player_tooltip player_id='1484413' first='Payson' last='Nietert'] (Linn-Mar) 2025 #19 [player_tooltip player_id='1514455' first='Mason' last='Matson'] (Linn-Mar) 2025 #24 [player_tooltip player_id='1759897' first='Kyle' last='Cason'] (Valley) 2025 #39 [player_tooltip player_id='1759899' first='Marcus' last='McGregor'] (Valley) 2026 #7 [player_tooltip player_id='1765532' first='Jayden' last='McGregory'] (Valley)   7:00 pm: 4A #1 Kennedy (6-0) vs. 4A #7 Waukee (7-2)   Kennedy has picked up right where they left off last season, blasting teams on a nightly basis, winning by nearly 39 points a game through their first six. The Cougars lost a pair of All-State guards to graduation, but their explosive offense hasn't skipped a beat, led by junior [player_tooltip player_id='1381415' first='Trey' last='McKowen'] (16.0, 51.7 3P%) and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1171667' first='Joseph' last='Bean'] (13.0, 43.5 3P%). A deep, talented team that comes at you in waves, they apply constant pressure on the defensive end, push the tempo, and are a really experienced team, with seven seniors and three juniors making up their top 10. They share the ball (19.7 assists), protect it (9.5 turnovers), play great defense (40.8 points per game allowed), and are incredibly efficient (55-41-70 shooting splits as a team).   Despite losing four starters, including a McDonald's All-American, from last year's semifinal team, Waukee has been great to open the year. [player_tooltip player_id='1171683' first='Mason' last='Costello'] (17.4), the lone returning starter, has taken his game to another level this year, and sophomore big man [player_tooltip player_id='1765524' first='Evan' last='Jacobson'] (13.0, 9.3 rebounds) is one of the top 2026 prospects in the state. They flank those two with a slew of athletic, high-quality role players like [player_tooltip player_id='1476990' first='Jaden' last='Rogers'] (9.4), [player_tooltip player_id='1476941' first='Deion' last='Kinnetz-Jenkins'] (8.9), [player_tooltip player_id='1476969' first='Owen' last='Schipper'] (8.8, 8.3 rebounds), and [player_tooltip player_id='1978110' first='Jaishon' last='White'] (6.9), giving them some depth, athleticism, and versatility on both ends of the floor. This team doesn't have the overwhelming talent that they had last year, but they are balanced, versatile, and still a very talented roster.   Top 50 prospects 2024 #6 [player_tooltip player_id='1171667' first='Joseph' last='Bean'] (Kennedy) 2024 #12 [player_tooltip player_id='1171683' first='Mason' last='Costello'] (Waukee) 2024 #13 [player_tooltip player_id='1171687' first='Cyrus' last='Courtney'] (Kennedy) 2024 #16 [player_tooltip player_id='1171679' first='Micah' last='Schlaak'] (Kennedy) 2024 #46 [player_tooltip player_id='1288851' first='Trevan' last='Krumrei'] (Kennedy) 2025 #9 [player_tooltip player_id='1381415' first='Trey' last='McKowen'] (Kennedy) 2025 #31 [player_tooltip player_id='1381406' first='Landon' last='Deiters'] (Kennedy) 2026 #4 [player_tooltip player_id='1765524' first='Evan' last='Jacobson'] (Waukee) 2026 #35 [player_tooltip player_id='1978110' first='Jaishon' last='White'] (Waukee)

10:00 am: Cedar Rapids Prairie (3-4) vs. Southeast Polk (3-6)