Class 1A District Final Preview
In this article:
District 1: #1 North Union (20-3) vs. #3 St. Edmond (12-11) The strength of schedule edge here certainly goes to St. Edmond, who plays in a largely 3A league, which helps account for a record that is just above .500.…
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Continue ReadingDistrict 1: #1 North Union (20-3) vs. #3 St. Edmond (12-11)
The strength of schedule edge here certainly goes to St. Edmond, who plays in a largely 3A league, which helps account for a record that is just above .500. The Gaels have two big time scorers in sophomore
Hunter Horn
Hunter
Horn
6'5" | SF
St. Edmonds | 2026
State
IA
(19.9, 10.6 rebounds, 1.6 blocks) and senior
Sam Mericle
Sam
Mericle
6'1" | PG
St. Edmond | 2024
State
IA
(13.1, 38.4 3P%). Horn, a mobile 6-4 big man, and Mericle, a 6-2 off-ball guard, are the headliners, while Jack McElroy (7.6, 3.4 assists) and JT Laufersweiler (5.1, 3.1 assists) make up a solid backcourt. St. Edmond has struggled at times with turnovers, giving it away nearly 13 times a game, which could be an area of concern against a good defensive team like North Union. The Warriors average nearly 12 steals a night, force a few other dead-ball turnovers, and have allowed just 45.5 points a game this season. With Kody Irmiter (12.3, 8.7 rebounds), they have someone who can match up with Horn in the paint, and guards
Kyan Jones
Kyan
Jones
5'11" | PG
North Union | 2024
State
IA
(7.5, 6.3 assists), Preston Guerdet (10.9), and wings
Aiden Lofstrom
Aiden
Lofstrom
6'3" | SF
North Union | 2024
State
IA
(11.3, 7.3 rebounds) and Danyal Fothergill (10.2, 3.1 steals) give them balanced scoring and a number of different looks they can throw at Mericle on the defensive end. The Warriors have never made it to the state tournament, but this could be their year. They’re balanced, deep, athletic, and tough defensively.
Our pick: North Union
District 2: #1 South O’Brien (20-3) vs. #2 MMCRU (14-8)
These teams split their meetings in the regular season, with each winning on their home floor. MMCRU won 62-51 on January 5, while South O’Brien took the rematch, 66-64, on January 30. The Royals have won the rebounding battle in both meetings and have done a really good job moving the ball against the South O’Brien 2-3 zone, averaging 17.5 assists in those two games. Sophomore guard
Brayson Mulder
Brayson
Mulder
6'3" | SF
MMCRU | 2026
State
IA
(13.9) leads MMCRU in scoring, and this isn’t a team that fills it up in bunches, averaging just 53.4 points a game, but this is a group that shares the ball well (15.1 assists per game) and outside of Mulder, anyone on the floor can be the next leading scorer on any given night. South O’Brien has won 11 straight games heading into this one, and they’re the better offensive team, with three players averaging in double-figures and one more just outside. Junior Derek Paulsen (15.5) leads the team in scoring, while seniors David Bottjen 912.7), Willie Conley (11.8), and Ben Woodall (9.4) are all quality scoring threats as well. The Wolverines will need to be better on the glass in this rubber match if they want to avoid the upset and move into the substate final.
Our pick: MMCRU
District 3: #1 Lake Mills (22-1) vs. #2 Bishop Garrigan (15-9)
Lake Mills comfortably swept the season series between these teams, winning by 20 points on December 5 and 19 on January 16. A dynamic offensive team that leads 1A in scoring, putting up 79.6 points a game, they’re simply too overpowering for Bishop Garrigan to keep pace with. Seniors
Lance Helming
Lance
Helming
6'5" | PF
Lake Mills | 2024
State
IA
(19.7, 54.3 FG%) and
Eli Menke
Eli
Menke
6'4" | SF
Lake Mills | 2024
State
IA
(17.0, 42.9 3P%) lead the team in scoring, but
Aiden Stensrud
Aiden
Stensrud
6'6" | PF
Lake Mills | 2025
State
IA
(16.7, 9.5 rebounds, 72.1 FG%) and
Jackson Gaul
Jackson
Gaul
6'1" | PG
Lake Mills | 2025
State
IA
(12.1, 9.1 assists) aren’t far behind. Since Gaul entered the lineup following his transfer from Crestwood, the ‘Dogs have taken off, putting up 84.5 points a game. Bishop Garrigan is young, led by freshman
Michael Joyce
Michael
Joyce
6'1" | CG
Bishop Garrigan | 2027
State
IA
(14.5, 3.9 assists) and sophomore
Carter Schwab
Carter
Schwab
6'2" | PG
Bishop Garrigan | 2026
State
IA
(13.7, 4.3 assists). They have a bright future, but it’s hard to see them keeping this one competitive for four quarters.
Our pick: Lake Mills
District 4: #1 St. Mary’s, Remsen (18-3) vs. #3 George-Little Rock (16-5)
St. Mary’s has qualified for seven straight state tournaments, so this is a program that has enjoyed a ton of success, and has a ton of experience, in big games. As per usual, the Hawks have been dominant on the defensive end of the floor, allowing just 38.8 points a game, 4th in the class, so points will be tough to come by here for George-Little Rock. St. Mary’s is fairly young, led by six juniors, but they have a lot of experience on this roster, most notably leading scorer and rebounder
Collin Homan
Collin
Homan
6'5" | PF
Remsen, St. Mary's | 2025
State
IA
(16.5, 8.1 rebounds), an efficient interior scorer, strong rebounder, and rim protector.
Sam Schmillen
Sam
Schmillen
6'7" | SF
Remsen St. Mary's | 2025
State
IA
(13.4, 6.7 rebounds) is a skilled wing, and Landon Waldschmitt (8.6, 5.6 assists) has been very reliable as a ball-handler and playmaker. In senior forward
Drew Denekas
Drew
Denekas
6'2" | PF
George-Little Rock | 2024
State
IA
(15.6, 8.8 rebounds), George-Little Rock has a really good big man of their own. A 6-4 forward who can score inside and out, he may try to draw Homan away from the rim in this game, allowing Isaiah Johnson (9.9) and Noah Terhark (9.5, 5.6 assists) more room to get to the rim. The Mustangs have struggled with turnovers (13.9 a game), and that can’t happen against St. Mary’s. The Hawks won the regular season meeting, 56-46, and we expect a pretty similar result here.
Our pick: St. Mary’s, Remsen
District 5: #1 North Linn (21-1) vs. #3 Waterloo Christian (18-6)
Waterloo Christian has put together a really nice year, with their 18 wins being the most the program has won since the 2007-08 season, when they also won 18. The Regents have a dominant interior scorer in
Drew Wagner
Drew
Wagner
6'3" | PF
Waterloo Christian | 2024
State
IA
(26.9, 11.2 rebounds), a highly efficient 6-3/6-4 forward who is shooting 62% from the floor. Guards Eli Evans (14.9, 7.5 rebounds) and Jared Aronson (11.1, 7.0 assists) are the other headliners for Waterloo Christian, a team that has a huge uphill battle against the preeminent program in 1A basketball. North Linn continues to just truck along, beating teams by an average of 42.7 points a game so far this season behind the dynamic one-two punch of guard
Mason Bechen
Mason
Bechen
6'1" | PG
North Linn | 2025
State
IA
(20.4, 5.7 assists) and senior wing
Ty Pflughaupt
Ty
Pflughaupt
6'4" | SF
North Linn | 2024
State
IA
(19.9, 39.7 3P%).
Breckyn Betenbender
Breckyn
Betenbender
5'10" | PG
North Linn | 2024
State
IA
(9.6) is a really good defender and reliable shooting threat who complements Bechen and Pflughaupt well. You can’t turn the ball over, especially not live-ball turnovers, if you want to beat this team, and that’s an area that Waterloo Christian has struggled with at times this season. The Regents have the firepower to keep it close for a while, but the Lynx are just better.
Our pick: North Linn
District 6: #1 Ankeny Christian Academy (19-3) vs. #2 West Fork (19-4)
Ankeny Christian Academy is one of just two teams in 1A to rank within the top 10 in both scoring offense (10th, 69.3) and defense (10th, 43.6). A veteran team led by five seniors, the Eagles have a pair of double-figure scorers in Tyler Mahoney (15.1) and
Cade Wierck
Cade
Wierck
6'6" | PF
Ankeny Christian | 2024
State
IA
(14.6). Wierck, a mobile, lanky 6-6 combo forward, can score inside and out, and could be a matchup problem for West Fork here. He is able to score off the dribble, protect the rim, and stretch the floor. The backcourt of Eli Christensen (8.5, 3.7 assists) and Brody Hoefle (6.1, 4.0 assists) does a great job protecting the ball, and Garrett Pearson (6.0, 40.0 3P%) gives them some shooting. The question for ACA is how tested they are, with a strength of schedule that ranks 131st in the class. West Fork counters with a pair of big-time scoring guards in
Cayde Eberling
Cayde
Eberling
6'3" | SG
West Fork | 2024
State
IA
(19.7, 3.7 assists) and
Sage Suntken
Sage
Suntken
6'0" | CG
West Fork | 2024
State
IA
(17.5, 41.6 3P%), a pair of senior guards who complement each other well. Eberling is a big, physical 6-4 guard who is at his best when he’s playing downhill and getting to the rim, while Suntken is a knockdown shooter who shoots it at a high level both off the dribble and the catch. Gavin Cronk (9.7, 7.1 rebounds) and Edison Maske (8.6) give them some additional scoring, with Cronk controlling the paint, and Maske helping stretch the floor. West Fork has played a significantly tougher schedule, ranked 39th in the class, and being more tested could be beneficial for them here.
Our pick: West Fork
District 7: #1 Marquette Catholic (23-1) vs. #2 Bellevue (12-10)
The Battle for Bellevue is a huge one this time around, with a trip to the substate final on the line. In the regular season meeting, Marquette Catholic won 71-64, using a 19-6 third quarter to grab control. Bellevue dominated the Defenders on the glass in that contest, 39-28, but were done in by an eye-popping 24 turnovers. The Comets are a really young team, with four sophomores in their rotation, joined by two seniors. Senior
Hunter Putman
Hunter
Putman
5'10" | SG
Bellevue | 2024
State
IA
(16.4, 37.6 3P%), a three-level scoring wing, leads the team in scoring, followed by three sophomores:
KeShawn DeShaw
KeShawn
DeShaw
6'5" | PF
Bellevue | 2026
IA
(11.9, 6.9 rebounds),
Spencer Abbott
Spencer
Abbott
6'2" | SF
Bellevue | 2026
IA
(10.9, 5.7 rebounds), and
Cameron Casel
Cameron
Casel
5'10" | PG
Bellevue | 2026
State
IA
(10.9, 4.3 assists). DeShaw is a raw, but athletic forward who can control the glass alongside senior forward Dalton Clasen (7.1, 8.2 rebounds), while Abbott is a combo forward who can score inside and out, and Casel is the lead guard who initiates the offense. The young Comets are talented, but relatively inexperienced still, especially in big games. Ball protection will be key for them if they want to spring the upset over their parochial school rivals. Outside of a highly competitive loss to powerhouse North Linn, Marquette Catholic has been dominant this season, winning games by an average of around 32 points a game behind a very balanced offensive attack.
Spencer Roeder
Spencer
Roeder
6'5" | PF
Maquette Catholic | 2025
State
IA
(16.0, 8.0 rebounds), a 6-5 combo forward, is the headliner. He can score from anywhere on the floor, taking smaller defenders onto the block or stretching the floor against bigger opponents. Fellow juniors Eli Scott (11.7, 4.8 assists) and Jacob Litterer (10.1) are double-figure scorers, while
Caden Kettmann
Caden
Kettmann
6'4" | SG
Marquette Catholic Bellevue | 2024
State
IA
(11.5) and
Kannon Still
Kannon
Still
5'8" | PG
Marquette Catholic | 2024
State
IA
(10.5), a pair of experienced seniors, are the other double-figure scorers. The Defenders are a balanced team who can beat you in a number of ways, and they like to get up-and-down, as Bellevue does as well. However, this is a much more experienced team, and they do a much better job protecting the basketball, which will be key here.
Our pick: Marquette Catholic
District 8: #1 Dunkerton (19-4) vs. #2 Maquoketa Valley (19-4)
This is an interesting game between an explosive offensive team and a really good defensive team. Dunkerton is averaging 72.3 points a game, 5th in the class, while Maquoketa Valley is allowing just 43.2 a night, good for 8th. Dunkerton is led by a trio of juniors –
Dylan Marquart
Dylan
Marquart
6'1" | SG
Dunkerton | 2025
State
IA
(17.4, 39.7 3P%),
Noah Fuelling
Noah
Fuelling
6'0" | PG
Dunkerton | 2025
State
IA
(16.8, 35.9 3P%), and
Dalton Weepie
Dalton
Weepie
6'2" | SF
Dunkerton | 2025
State
IA
(10.3), and senior
Jacob Snyder
Jacob
Snyder
6'2" | PF
Dunkerton | 2024
State
IA
(12.8, 9.0 rebounds). While the Raiders didn’t have a ton of experience returning this season, and had to break in a new coach, they’ve pretty much picked up right where they left off, playing fast, free, and scoring in bunches. Marquart will be the best player on the floor in this one, a skilled 6-2/6-3 guard who can play with or without the ball in his hands. He has “in the gym” range and shoots it extremely well both off the dribble and the catch. And he has drastically improved as a playmaker, leading the team in assists to go with his potent scoring. Maquoketa Valley will probably be looking to force this one into more of a halfcourt game. They’re led by seniors Lance McShane (18.3, 9.4 rebounds, 40.5 3P%) and Kody Hoeger (13.2, 40.0 3P%). McShane is a big wing at 6-3 who can score from all three levels and create off the dribble, while Hoeger is a stretch-5 at 6-5 who can invert the offense a bit and pull his defender out. Toby Grimm (8.1, 5.0 assists) has been solid with the ball in his hands, and Brady Wall (11.5) provides some more perimeter scoring. While Dunkerton does like to get up-and-down, they’ve also shown that they can score efficiently in a halfcourt game, and with Marquart leading the charge, they should have a slight edge in what figures to be a tight game.
Our pick: Dunkerton
District 9: #1 Winfield-Mt. Union (18-2) vs. #2 Notre Dame (16-6)
Playing in opposite divisions of the Southeast Iowa Super Conference, these teams didn’t meet this season, but will meet in Mediapolis on Tuesday night in what should be a really good game. Winfield-Mt. Union is the #1 scoring defense in the class this season, allowing just 34.0 points a game. They’ve held six opponents to 30 or fewer points, including holding three teams to teens in scoring. An athletic, physical team that is led by a pair of future Division I football players, they are able to suffocate teams on that end of the floor with their versatile, athletic weapons.
Cam Buffington
Cam
Buffington
6'2" | PF
Winfield-Mt. Union | 2024
State
IA
(18.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 53.7 FG%), headed to Iowa, is a physically imposing freak in the paint who finishes above the rim with authority, controls the glass, and has improved as a playmaker.
Abram Edwards
Abram
Edwards
6'5" | PF
Winfield-Mt. Union | 2024
State
IA
(14.8, 11.6 rebounds, 1.9 blocks) is a long, lanky 6-7 combo forward who can stretch the floor, get his teammates involved, and protect the rim. He’s headed to Army. Younger brother
Jake Edwards
Jake
Edwards
6'3" | PG
Winfield-Mt. Union | 2025
State
IA
(10.8, 4.1 assists, 39.1 3P%) is the team’s best perimeter shooter and their lead guard. Notre Dame will counter with an attack led by senior wing Liam Delaney (17.6) and sophomore guard
Shay Stephens
Shay
Stephens
6'2" | PG
Burlington Notre Dame | 2026
State
IA
(10.4). A quick, perimeter-oriented team, the Nikes are going to need to either force the game into a faster tempo, or knock down a bunch of 3s if they want to pull the upset, as points are going to be very difficult to find in the paint against the Wolves.
Our pick: Winfield-Mt. Union
District 10: #1 Holy Trinity Catholic (18-5) vs. #2 North Mahaska (18-6)
Holy Trinity’s 18 wins so far this season are the most the program has had since the 2009-10 season, when they won 19 games. They’re led by a dominant junior wing in
Luke Hellige
Luke
Hellige
6'5" | SG
Holy Trinity Catholic | 2025
State
IA
(24.2, 8.5 rebounds), a 6-4 scorer who is posting 54-43-78 shooting splits, and with his size, length, athleticism, and shooting ability, he’s an incredibly difficult matchup. Conner Gehling (15.8) and Layne Rung (10.9) are two more double-figure scorers for the Crusaders, taking some of the scoring pressure off of Hellige, and junior guard
Adam Sobczak
Adam
Sobczak
5'10" | PG
Holy Trinity Catholic | 2025
State
IA
(5.0, 8.8 assists) has been really good in setting the table for his teammates. North Mahaska counters with four double-figure scorers of their own in Asher DeBoef (15.0, 8.8 rebounds), Gabe Hora (14.3, 37.7 3P%),
Nolan Andersen
Nolan
Andersen
6'3" | SF
North Mahaska | 2024
State
IA
(12.5, 7.9 rebounds), and
Nate Sampson
Nate
Sampson
5'11"
North Mahaska Community Schools | 2024
IA
(10.1, 4.9 assists), giving them a multitude of scoring options as well. Expect this one to be an up-and-down affair, with two explosive offensive teams, and it should be a pretty competitive game throughout. In a tight game, we generally side with the team with the best player on the floor, giving the edge to the Crusaders.
Our pick: Holy Trinity Catholic
District 11: #1 Keota (23-0) vs. #2 Gladbrook-Reinbeck (19-5)
These teams met in the postseason last year as well, a 77-57 Gladbrook-Reinbeck win. The Rebels lost by far their best player from that team, while Keota brought back nearly everyone, so expect it to be a tighter game this time around. Keota has rolled through the season so far, winning games by an average of 35 points a game behind the #3 scoring offense (78.6) and #11 defense (43.7). However, there are very real questions about the schedule the Eagles have played, ranked 127th in the class (compared to 23rd for Gladbrook-Reinbeck).
Sawyer Stout
Sawyer
Stout
5'10" | SG
Keota | 2024
State
IA
(21.2) is a volume scorer who leads the Eagles, while Billie Kindred (11.9, 10.9 rebounds), Cole Kindred (10.7, 5.9 assists), and Evan Vittetoe (10.3, 66.3 FG%) are all very valuable contributors as well. Keota has been absolutely dominant on the glass this season, averaging 42 rebounds a game, including 16 offensive, which helps offset some of their 3-point shooting (27.3 3P%). They’ll likely have difficulty replicating that success on the glass against the Rebels and a physical frontcourt of
Michael Boyd
Michael
Boyd
6'4" | PF
Gladbrook-Reinbeck | 2025
State
IA
(14.0, 7.2 rebounds) and
Drew Eilers
Drew
Eilers
6'3" | PF
Gladbrook-Reinbeck | 2025
State
IA
(12.6, 10.5 rebounds). Those two have been really good on the glass and are efficient interior scoring options, while Isaac Clark (11.3, 36.1 3P%), Austen Mathern (8.9, 34.1 3P%), and
Brandon Mathern
Brandon
Mathern
5'11" | PG
Gladbrook Reinbeck | 2025
State
IA
(5.7, 38.3 3P%) give them some quality shooting. Keota has put together a fantastic season, but their strengths play into what Gladbrook-Reinbeck does well.
Our pick: Gladbrook-Reinbeck
District 12: #1 Kee (21-2) vs. #2 South Winneshiek (15-8)
Kee is trying to make history, as the school has never reached a substate final, let alone the state tournament. The Hawks swept the season series against South Winn, winning 65-49 on December 15 and 58-51 on January 23. Juniors
Jordan Cota
Jordan
Cota
6'5" | SF
Kee | 2025
State
IA
(19.6, 8.1 rebounds, 39.3 3P%) and
Dalton Mudderman
Dalton
Mudderman
6'2" | SG
Kee | 2025
State
IA
(16.7, 5.7 assists) have been fantastic for the Hawks this season, giving them a pair of athletic guards who can score in bunches or create for their teammates. Kaleb Drape (7.0, 4.0 assists) has been reliable as a secondary playmaker and provides some more shooting alongside Cota. The Warriors are led by three sophomores –
Carson Streeter
Carson
Streeter
6'1"
South Winneshiek | 2026
IA
(15.9), Matson Winings (14.2, 7.7 rebounds), and Braiden Todd (12.5) – and senior Kole Hageman (13.7). A young team with plenty of talent, it certainly wouldn’t be a shock if they were able to beat Kee the third time around, but given the success the Hawks have had in the series this season, we have to side with the potential team of destiny.
Our pick: Kee
District 13: #1 Lynnville-Sully (22-1) vs. #2 ACGC (14-8)
Lynnville-Sully has been one of the most consistent programs in the state over the last few decades, a school that is accustomed to success and playing in big games, while this is new territory for ACGC. Lynnville-Sully has been exceptional on the defensive end of the floor, allowing just 39.0 points per game, good for 5th in the class. A tough, quick team that plays really well together, they rotate well on that end of the floor and are a disciplined team. Senior wing
Mitchell Miller
Mitchell
Miller
6'2" | SG
Lynnville-Sully | 2024
State
IA
(13.2) is the team’s leading scorer, a good shooter off the catch who can also create some off the bounce.
Klayton Van Dyke
Klayton
Van Dyke
6'5" | PF
Lynnville-Sully | 2024
State
IA
(12.2, 2.2 blocks, 66.8 FG%) is a bouncy forward who can protect the paint and score efficiently around the rim, while Dawson James (9.4, 56.9 FG%) is another solid scorer who does most of his damage inside the arc. Senior guard
Corder Noun Harder
Corder
Noun Harder
5'9" | PG
Lynnville-Sully | 2024
State
IA
(8.5, 4.8 assists) has been one of the best pure point guards in the class for years now, a heady guard who limits turnovers and scores when the opportunity presents itself. The question for the Hawks is how much they’ve been tested in the SICL, but they’ve posted some solid wins over Baxter, Pleasantville, and Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont out-of-conference. ACGC enters this game with a 14-8 record, but the Chargers play in a primarily 2A league that features a lot of teams that are still alive in postseason play. The Chargers are tested in the West Central every night, and while they were struggling down the stretch of the regular season, losing four straight to close, they’ve rebounded against 1A competition, blasting Martensdale-St. Marys and Earlham by a combined 78 points. Jathan South (15.6) leads a quartet of double-figure scorers, joined by
Lance Bunde
Lance
Bunde
6'1" | SG
ACGC | 2024
State
IA
(14.0),
Noah Kading
Noah
Kading
6'3" | SG
ACGC | 2025
State
IA
(12.0), and
Payton Policky
Payton
Policky
6'3" | SF
ACGC | 2025
State
IA
(10.5, 9.7 rebounds), giving them a number of different options who can be a leader on any given night. When ACGC is playing well, as they seem to be now, there is an argument to be made that their ceiling is a top-4 team in the class.
Our pick: ACGC
District 14: #1 East Mills (21-1) vs. #2 Bedford (22-2)
Except points to be at a premium in this one, as East Mills ranks 2nd in the class in scoring defense (35.4) and Bedford ranks 6th (41.6). These teams met in the regular season, a 51-44 East Mills road win right before the holiday break. East Mills has three double-figure scorers in Jackson Embree (13.0), Layne Mastin (12.5, 7.4 rebounds), and Kyler Williams (10.3), while Lincoln Palmer (9.7, 3.1 assists) and Zach Thornburg (7.1, 4.0 assists) have given the Wolverines a pair of reliable ball-handlers and playmakers. They don’t shoot it particularly well from the arc (29.0%), but they pound the offensive glass (12.4 a game), force a ton of turnovers (14.3 steals a game), and are tough, physical, and athletic. Junior wing
Cal Peterman
Cal
Peterman
6'2" | PG
Bedford | 2025
State
IA
(15.7, 8.7 rebounds) leads Bedford on both ends of the floor, an athletic and long player who can get to the rim and defend multiple positions. Brody King (12.2) is the other big scorer, and four others average between 6.2 and 8.3 points a game, giving the Bulldogs some balance. This is the year that East Mills has been building toward, and they use their defense to suffocate Bedford and move into the substate final.
Our pick: East Mills
District 15: #1 Madrid (21-2) vs. #2 Coon Rapids-Bayard (19-4)
Madrid has been one of the best teams in the class all season, returning a significant chunk from last year’s state tournament roster that gave North Linn a stiff test in the quarterfinals. They’ll have their hands full here with a strong Coon Rapids-Bayard team, in particular sophomore wing
Cal Heydon
Cal
Heydon
6'4" | SF
Coon Rapids-Bayard | 2026
State
IA
(20.5, 8.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 53.8 FG%). Heydon, a 6-4/6-5 wing, is a stat-sheet stuffer who can take over the game on either end of the floor. He’s posting 54-40-68 shooting splits, can control the glass, and defend multiple positions. The Crusaders also have a reliable second scorer in senior Cade Behrens (12.8, 41.6 3P%), a floor stretcher who can get hot from deep. That said, this Madrid team is on another level from CR-B. A loaded junior class is headlined by
Toryn Severson
Toryn
Severson
6'4" | SG
Madrid | 2025
State
IA
(23.0, 1.9 blocks), a skilled 6-4/6-5 wing who can score from all three levels, create off the dribble, and defend multiple positions. He’s posting 52-40-84 shooting splits and is a high IQ wing who really knows how to get to his spots.
Brody Buck
Brody
Buck
6'0" | SG
Madrid | 2025
State
IA
(17.2, 51.1 FG%) is a streaky shooter from deep who has improved his all-around game this season, turning into more of a three-level scorer, and
Fabian Ortiz-Alaniz
Fabian
Ortiz-Alaniz
5'8" | PG
Madrid | 2025
State
IA
(15.3, 6.9 assists, 41.8 3P%) has been an extremely reliable ball-handler and is dynamic as a third scorer. He has posted a 4.3 assist-to-turnover ratio, knocks down shots from deep, and has a quick first step that he uses to blow by defenders. Coon Rapids-Bayard is good, Madrid has the potential to be great.
Our pick: Madrid
District 16: #1 Woodbine (21-2) vs. #2 Exira-EHK (19-4)
Given the fact that Exira-EHK swept the season series between these teams, winning by 16 and 11 points, it was a bit surprising to see Woodbine get the top seed in the district. The Spartans have controlled the glass in both meetings, and with their quartet of double-figure scorers, they’re difficult to slow down.
Cash Emgarten
Cash
Emgarten
6'3" | PF
Exira-EHK | 2024
State
IA
(18.0) and Aiden Flathers (13.4, 5.0 assists, 48.2 3P%), the standout backcourt from Exira, are the headliners, but Josh Nelson (10.9, 7.5 rebounds) and Jackson Radcliff (10.3, 6.9 rebounds) have been really good as well. Woodbine will need to get big games out of junior
Carter Gruver
Carter
Gruver
5'10" | PG
Woodbine | 2025
State
IA
(20.1) and freshman
Landon Blum
Landon
Blum
6'5" | SG
Woodbine | 2027
State
IA
(13.4) if the Tigers are going to get revenge for the first two meetings and advance to the substate final. This is a team that is certainly capable of doing so, having won every other game this season, but the lack of success against the Spartans so far this season makes it hard to see them winning here.
Our pick: Exira-EHK