State Tournament: Championship Friday Preview

1A Championship: #1 North Linn (25-1) vs. #2 Marquette Catholic (27-1), 1:00 pm   How they got here: North Linn used a 15-5 run in the third quarter to take control against Woodbine in the quarterfinals, winning 75-59, then [player_tooltip player_id='1484418' first='Mason' last='Bechen'] dominated the last three quarters en route to a 67-51 semifinal win over Winfield-Mt. Union. Marquette Catholic took over the last four minutes of their quarterfinal win over Gladbrook-Reinbeck, escaping with a 45-36 win, and then got a game-winner from [player_tooltip player_id='2204880' first='Kannon' last='Still'] with 4.0 seconds left to get by Lake Mills in the semifinals, 59-57.   Analysis: These teams met earlier this season, a 69-60 North Linn win up in Bellevue. The Lynx jumped out to a 33-18 halftime lead in that one, looking like a program that is accustomed to playing in big games, while Marquette Catholic looked a little overwhelmed early on. The Defenders fought their way back into that game after they got settled in, and frankly, I've personally been looking forward to this rematch ever since. North Linn junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1484418' first='Mason' last='Bechen'] has been fantastic this week, averaging 28.5 points a game by routinely getting to the rim off the dribble. A tough, physical, and quick guard, he has decided to take over each of the Lynx's last two games, and when he makes that decision, he's extremely tough to slow down at this level. [player_tooltip player_id='1426164' first='Ty' last='Pflughaupt'] has been his usual solid self this week, knocking down his open 3s and playing strong defense, and the Lynx have gotten good production out of their role players in both games this week. A program that is accustomed to playing in big games, with three starters back from last year's runner-up team, they aren't going to be intimidated by the big stage.   Marquette Catholic frankly didn't play very well in their quarterfinal against Gladbrook-Reinbeck before taking over late and advancing. They played much better against Lake Mills, in particular junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1759939' first='Spencer' last='Roeder'], who is probably the biggest matchup problem that the Defenders can throw at North Linn. With his 6-5 frame and ability to stretch the floor, he needs to have another big game if the Defenders are going to upset the Lynx and come away with a win here. In the regular season meeting, Marquette turned it over only seven times, which bodes well for how they'll handle the pressure here. If they can limit the live-ball turnovers again, preventing the Lynx from getting out in transition where they're so deadly, this will be a grind-it-out game that is likely played within two possessions for most of the afternoon. This should be fun, but we'll side with the program that has played in seven straight championship games and the one with the best player on the floor in Bechen.   Players to watch North Linn: 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1484418' first='Mason' last='Bechen']; 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1426164' first='Ty' last='Pflughaupt']; 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751216' first='Breckyn' last='Betenbender']; 2025 Cole Griffith Marquette Catholic: 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759939' first='Spencer' last='Roeder']; 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1338777' first='Caden' last='Kettmann']; 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2204880' first='Kannon' last='Still']; 2025 Eli Scott   Our pick: North Linn 62, Marquette Catholic 57   2A Championship: #1 Western Christian (22-3) vs. #2 Hudson (25-2), 3:00 pm   How they got here: Western Christian has methodically dismantled both Regina, 56-34, and Treynor, 76-45, in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively. Hudson has had much closer calls, making big free throws late in the game against both Grundy Center (55-51) and Unity Christian (54-51), to reach the championship game.   Analysis: Western Christian is playing in their state-record 13th championship game, and is pursuing their state-record 11th state championship. The Wolfpack have looked every bit the top-ranked team in the class this week, with four different players having reached double digits in one of their first two games, led by the dynamic junior tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='1436462' first='Kaden' last='Van Regenmorter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1484412' first='Karsten' last='Moret']. Van Regenmorter, a 6-3 power wing, can score from anywhere, create off the dribble, and control the glass, and is the type of player that Hudson could really struggle to contain here. The Wolfpack are once again big, physical, athletic, and disciplined. They aren't going to beat themselves, you'll have to beat them.   Hudson will be making their first title game appearance since 1993, and while the Pirates are senior-heavy, this is a new experience for them, while many of the Wolfpack standouts were also key pieces of last year's runner-up team. Hudson has been really good this week when they're able to get out in transition, but the offense bogged down in the semifinals when Unity Christian made it a halfcourt game and went to a 2-3 zone. [player_tooltip player_id='1476978' first='Camden' last='Davis'] struggled to finish against the Grundy Center length in the quarterfinals and battled foul trouble in the semifinals, and they'll need him to be a difference-maker in this one, operating out of the high-post area if the Wolfpack decide to go zone against them. Hudson could also think about putting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2325381' first='Lyle' last='Olsen'] into that spot, a skilled playmaker and passer who can also knock down open looks and make quick decisions in that area. [player_tooltip player_id='1288893' first='Tanner' last='Michael'] has been good this week, playing downhill and attacking the rim off the dribble. He'll be big for them if Western comes at them in man. This should be a fun one, but Western is a little bigger across the board, and that length could make a difference on both ends of the floor here.   Players to watch Western Christian: 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1436462' first='Kaden' last='Van Regenmorter']; 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1484412' first='Karsten' last='Moret']; 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2377318' first='Uchan' last='Harberts']; 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2377345' first='Tyler' last='Mantel']; 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2377331' first='Caleb' last='Douma'] Hudson: 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1476978' first='Camden' last='Davis']; 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1288893' first='Tanner' last='Michael']; 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325381' first='Lyle' last='Olsen']; 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='2325396' first='Culin' last='Ugrin']   Our pick: Western Christian 65, Hudson 57   3A Championship: #4 Assumption (18-8) vs. #2 Waverly-Shell Rock (22-3), 5:00 pm   How they got here: Assumption was highly efficient offensively against Ballard in the quarterfinals, winning 84-73, then won a defensive slugfest against Decorah, 61-53 in overtime, in the semifinals. Waverly-Shell Rock got a free throw from [player_tooltip player_id='1751095' first='Noah' last='Frazell'] with 1.8 seconds left in overtime to beat Pella, 65-64, in the quarterfinals, and then buried 12 3-pointers in their 76-66 semifinal win over MOC-Floyd Valley.   Analysis: Assumption has proven that they can win in a few different styles this week, winning an up-tempo, free-flowing game against Ballard in which they played tremendously offensively, and then winning a grinder against Decorah in which they played tremendously defensively, limiting a potent Vikings offense. [player_tooltip player_id='1759900' first='Damyen' last='Jackson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1759902' first='Kayvion' last='Hodges'] have both been fantastic in both games, and sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1660062' first='Navon' last='Shabazz'] is always lurking with his explosive athleticism and talent. The Knights are going to need to be disciplined again on the defensive end, as Waverly-Shell Rock is coming off an elite offensive performance against MOC-Floyd Valley in the semifinals, in which they did what they do best - spread the floor, attack off the dribble, and either get layups or open 3s. The Go-Hawks play one of the more modern, analytically-sound offenses in the state, and they put a ton of shooting on the floor. However, on the defensive end, WSR could struggle to contain the dribble penetration abilities of Jackson, Hodges, and Shabazz. [player_tooltip player_id='1759900' first='Damyen' last='Jackson'] is the key for Assumption here. If he's able to play downhill and get to the rim, Assumption will be in good shape.   Waverly-Shell Rock has been the best 3-point shooting team in the state this year, and while they struggled from the arc in the quarterfinals, they broke out in a big way against MOC in the semifinals. The Go-Hawks played incredibly efficient offense, posting 1.95 points-per-possession in the first half of that game, an eye-popping clip, and they got great shot after great shot. While MOC is good and athletic, Assumption is more dynamic on the defensive end, and they could give the Go-Hawks some problems in the halfcourt with their quickness. The difference-maker for WSR in the semifinals was [player_tooltip player_id='1759905' first='Luke' last='Frazell'], a skilled 6-6 shooter who went 12-14 from the floor en route to 31 points. With his size and off-ball movement, he can get his shot off pretty much whenever he wants. He had a huge scoring game despite getting a junk defense thrown at him (triangle-and-2 against him and his brother [player_tooltip player_id='1751095' first='Noah' last='Frazell']). The ball movement and shooting of the Go-Hawks, and the coaching experience of Nate Steege, who is coaching in his third championship game, could be the difference here, but this one should be a lot of fun.   Players to watch Assumption: 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759900' first='Damyen' last='Jackson']; 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1660062' first='Navon' last='Shabazz']; 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759902' first='Kayvion' last='Hodges']; 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759943' first='Braylon' last='Thomsen'] Waverly-Shell Rock: 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751095' first='Noah' last='Frazell']; 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759905' first='Luke' last='Frazell']; 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1376675' first='Cole' last='Marsh']; 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751097' first='Benny' last='Ramker']   Our pick: Waverly-Shell Rock 68, Assumption 64   4A Championship: #1 Kennedy (25-0) vs. #2 Valley (20-5), 7:00 pm   How they got here: Kennedy has used big first half runs to take control of both of their games this week, beating Dallas Center-Grimes, 66-45, in the quarterfinals, and Ankeny, 63-51, in the semifinals. Valley controlled their two games as well, cruising past Johnston, 64-57, in a quarterfinal game that wasn't as close as that score indicates. The Tigers then rolled past Bettendorf, 66-46, in the semifinals.   Analysis: These teams met on January 27 at Waukee, a 60-43 Kennedy win, but Valley played that game without [player_tooltip player_id='1381422' first='Curtis' last='Stinson Jr'], who has been the Tigers best player this season, so it's hard to take much away from that one. After a shaky start against Dallas Center-Grimes in the quarters, Kennedy has played seven really good quarters of basketball this week, looking like the team that rolled through the regular season. They are explosive offensively and use their defense to spark that attack, forcing turnovers and getting out in transition. The ball movement and 3-point shooting has been good in the first two games, but the defense that they are going to run into with Valley is another animal. The Cougars are going to need to protect the ball, knock down whatever open looks they get, and find a way to get Valley out of their comfort zone offensively. If there is anyone who can draw up a game plan to do so, it's Jon McKowen. [player_tooltip player_id='1171687' first='Cyrus' last='Courtney'] will need to be the difference maker for the Cougars here if they want to finish off the undefeated season.   Something about Wells Fargo Arena and the big stage has brought out the best in Valley the last few years. The hyper-athletic Tigers have cruised through their first two games here, and all of the key pieces, except for [player_tooltip player_id='1765532' first='Jayden' last='McGregory'], who transferred in this year, were key pieces on last year's title-winning team. Stinson has been great in this tournament, and all year, using his physical frame and IQ to control the game on both ends of the floor. He's a difficult matchup with his size, toughness, and vision. [player_tooltip player_id='1288899' first='Xzavion' last='Robinson'] has been clearly a bit limited by his ankle injury, but 60% Robinson is still one of the best athletes in the state, and the X-factor for the Tigers is 6-9 big man [player_tooltip player_id='1759895' first='Trevin' last='Jirak'], who has put together a great week. He's capable of facilitating the offense, scoring with a face-up game, and protecting the paint. The Tigers are bigger at most spots, and if Kennedy goes with their switch-everything defense, Valley will be hunting for the mismatches. This should be a fascinating chess match between two of the best coaches in the state.   Players to watch Kennedy: 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381415' first='Trey' last='McKowen']; 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171687' first='Cyrus' last='Courtney']; 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171679' first='Micah' last='Schlaak']; 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1171667' first='Joseph' last='Bean']; 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1288851' first='Trevan' last='Krumrei'] Valley: 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381422' first='Curtis' last='Stinson Jr']; 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1288899' first='Xzavion' last='Robinson']; 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759895' first='Trevin' last='Jirak']; 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1381407' first='Kiki' last='Deng']; 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765532' first='Jayden' last='McGregory']; 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1759897' first='Kyle' last='Cason']   Our pick: Valley 64, Kennedy 59

1A Championship: #1 North Linn (25-1) vs. #2 Marquette Catholic (27-1), 1:00 pm