State Tournament: Thursday Preview
In this article:
2A Semifinal: #1 Western Christian (21-3) vs. #5 Treynor (22-3), 10:30 am Analysis: Western Christian was in control for the last three quarters in a dominant 56-34 win over Regina, while Treynor closed the game on an 18-8 run to…
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Continue Reading2A Semifinal: #1 Western Christian (21-3) vs. #5 Treynor (22-3), 10:30 am
Analysis: Western Christian was in control for the last three quarters in a dominant 56-34 win over Regina, while Treynor closed the game on an 18-8 run to move past West Burlington, 73-63.
The Wolfpack’s methodical beatdown of Regina showed that this is your typical Western Christian team – they’re tough, physical, fundamentally sound, long, athletic, and they aren’t going to beat themselves. In junior wing Kaden Van Regenmorter Kaden Van Regenmorter 6'3" | SF Hull, Western Christian | 2025 State IA (19.4), they have a dominant scorer and playmaker who can control the game from anywhere on the floor. Treynor will struggle to match up with his physicality given their primarily five guard lineup. Karsten Moret Karsten Moret 6'3" | SG Western Christian | 2025 State IA (12.8) gives the Wolfpack some more size and shooting on the wing, and they are able to surround that tandem with more fundamentally sound, skilled players who can do a little bit of everything. They are going to come in with a good game plan and make Treynor beat them.
On the other end, Treynor’s speed could be an issue for the Wolfpack. With that aforementioned five guard lineup, the Cardinals are able to spread the floor with five players who can all handle it and create off the dribble, and most of them shoot it fairly well from 3. Sophomore guard Alec Lovely Alec Lovely 5'11" | PG Treynor | 2026 State IA , who had 22 points in their quarterfinal win, could be a problem. He’s oozing with confidence and is the type of downhill, quick guard who can get it going in a hurry. If the Cardinals are able to spread Western out and create some driving lanes for Lovely, Jace Tams Jace Tams 5'11" | PG Treynor | 2024 State IA , and Ethan Konz, and they know down the open 3s that are created when the defense collapses, they could spring the upset.
Players to watch
Western Christian: 2025
Kaden Van Regenmorter
Kaden
Van Regenmorter
6'3" | SF
Hull, Western Christian | 2025
State
IA
(19.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 48.2 FG%); 2025
Karsten Moret
Karsten
Moret
6'3" | SG
Western Christian | 2025
State
IA
(12.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 39.2 3P%); 2024
Tyler Mantel
Tyler
Mantel
6'1" | SF
Western Christian | 2024
State
IA
(9.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 53.6 FG%); 2024
Caleb Douma
Caleb
Douma
6'1" | SG
Western Christian | 2024
State
IA
(6.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 40.7 3P%)
Treynor: 2024
Jace Tams
Jace
Tams
5'11" | PG
Treynor | 2024
State
IA
(19.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 steals, 35.2 3P%); 2024 Ethan Konz (14.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 37.1 3P%); 2026
Alec Lovely
Alec
Lovely
5'11" | PG
Treynor | 2026
State
IA
(10.1 points, 5.3 assists, 2.6 steals, 39.4 3P%); 2024 Karson Elwood (9.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists)
Our pick: Western Christian 73, Treynor 65
2A Semifinal: #2 Hudson (24-2) vs. #6 Unity Christian (21-4), 12:15 pm
Analysis: Hudson got four late free throws from Camden Davis Camden Davis 6'5" | SF Hudson | 2024 State IA to escape NICL rival Grundy Center in a tough, physical battle, 55-51, while Unity Christian kept Underwood at arms length in a tight 59-55 win to move into the semifinals for the first time since 2005.
Hudson struggled against the length and athleticism of Grundy Center, but good teams find ways to win when you aren’t playing your best, and that’s exactly what the veteran Pirates did, going 20-25 from the line and forcing 18 turnovers. A senior-laden team, they’re led by 6-4 forward Camden Davis Camden Davis 6'5" | SF Hudson | 2024 State IA (19.5, 10.1 rebounds), the type of long, athletic forward who can take over games, and they’re able to put a lot of skilled shooters and playmakers on the perimeter to surround him. The dribble penetration of Tanner Michael Tanner Michael 6'0" | PG Hudson | 2024 State IA (10.3) was huge in that quarterfinal win, sparking an offense that struggled for a majority of the game, while Lyle Olsen Lyle Olsen 6'0" | PG Hudson | 2024 State IA (10.6, 5.6 assists) and Culin Ugrin Culin Ugrin 6'1" | SG Hudson | 2024 State IA (13.4, 43.9 3P%) will be looking to bounce back in the semifinals. After getting dominated on the glass against Grundy, expect that to be a point of emphasis for Hudson heading into this one.
Unity Christian isn’t big, which is good for Hudson, but they are tough and athletic. And their two sophomore star guards, Dylan Bosma Dylan Bosma 6'1" | PG Unity Christian | 2026 State IA (13.7) and Austin Wieringa Austin Wieringa 6'0" | SG Unity Christian | 2026 State IA (12.0), aren’t afraid of anyone. The tandem combined for 46 points in their win over Underwood, and containing their dribble-drive will be key for the Pirates here. Wieringa pulled down 14 rebounds in that quarterfinal win as well and the Knights won the rebounding battle 38-32 against a bigger Underwood team. If they’re able to win the rebounding battle again, that would be great news for the Knights.
Players to watch
Hudson: 2024
Camden Davis
Camden
Davis
6'5" | SF
Hudson | 2024
State
IA
(19.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, 59.0 FG%); 2024
Culin Ugrin
Culin
Ugrin
6'1" | SG
Hudson | 2024
State
IA
(13.4 points, 43.9 3P%); 2024
Lyle Olsen
Lyle
Olsen
6'0" | PG
Hudson | 2024
State
IA
(10.6 points, 5.6 assists, 53.5 FG%); 2024
Tanner Michael
Tanner
Michael
6'0" | PG
Hudson | 2024
State
IA
(10.3 points, 2.7 assists, 45.5 3P%)
Unity Christian: 2026
Dylan Bosma
Dylan
Bosma
6'1" | PG
Unity Christian | 2026
State
IA
(13.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.5 steals); 2026
Austin Wieringa
Austin
Wieringa
6'0" | SG
Unity Christian | 2026
State
IA
(12.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 53.1 FG%); 2025
Jackson Vogel
Jackson
Vogel
6'3" | SF
Unity Christian | 2025
State
IA
(6.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 50.0 FG%)
Our pick: Hudson 64, Unity Christian 62
3A Semifinal: #1 Decorah (23-2) vs. #4 Assumption (17-8), 2:00 pm
Analysis: Decorah used a 32-1 run, holding Williamsburg to just one point over 14:18 of game time, to cruise into the semifinals with a 66-42 win. Assumption used their athleticism and efficient offense to blow by Ballard, 84-73.
Expect some fireworks in this one, as these are two of the most explosive offensive teams in the state, regardless of class. Decorah got a great game out of senior wing Ben Bockman Ben Bockman 6'5" | SF Decorah | 2024 State IA (19.8) in the quarterfinals, with the 6-4 sharpshooter going for 29 points on 11-17 shooting (5-9 3P). The Vikings have gotten off to several slow starts this season, but have the explosiveness offensively and the speed defensively to put together ridiculous runs (40-5 in the substate final, 32-1 in the quarterfinals) and grab control of games out of nowhere. Against Assumption, they won’t be able to get off to a slow start, or else they could be in trouble. The backcourt tandem of Treyton McCain Treyton McCain 6'1" | PG Decorah | 2024 State IA (11.8) and Zach Driscoll Zach Driscoll 6'0" | SG Decorah | 2025 State IA (10.1) has done a really good job protecting the ball this season and getting their teammates involved, but against the speed and athleticism of the Knights, they’ll have a more difficult task than they have seen this season. Sophomore big man Cael LaFrentz (15.8, 10.7 rebounds) is the player who could be a difference maker in this game. If they are able to keep him out of foul trouble, the long 6-10 center could impact shots around the rim against an Assumption team that loves to drive to the bucket.
Assumption put on an offensive clinic against Ballard, shooting over 63% from the floor and outrebounding the Bombers 37-16. Damyen Jackson Damyen Jackson 6'0" | PG Assumption | 2025 State IA (15.1) and Navon Shabazz Navon Shabazz 6'4" | CG Assumption | 2026 State IA (14.8), their two star guards, each had 21 points. Jackson did most of his via dribble penetration, while Shabazz shot it well from 3, but he’s certainly capable of exploding to the rim off the dribble. Kayvion Hodges Kayvion Hodges 6'3" | SF Assumption | 2025 State IA (9.6, 7.0 rebounds) was fantastic in the quarterfinals, scoring 19 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, and he’ll likely be the primary defender on Bockman. Hodges is an athletic 6-3 wing who can defend multiple positions, and he’ll look to bottle up the dynamic shooter. When Assumption is playing well and is engaged, as they should be in a state semifinal, they’re probably the best team in the class. This one should be a ton of fun and could go in either direction.
Players to watch
Decorah: 2024
Ben Bockman
Ben
Bockman
6'5" | SF
Decorah | 2024
State
IA
(19.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 53.0 FG%, 49.1 3P%); 2026 Cael LaFrentz (15.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, 68.1 FG%); 2024
Treyton McCain
Treyton
McCain
6'1" | PG
Decorah | 2024
State
IA
(11.8 points, 7.1 assists, 51.2 FG%); 2025
Zach Driscoll
Zach
Driscoll
6'0" | SG
Decorah | 2025
State
IA
(10.1 points, 4.7 assists, 52.5 3P%)
Assumption: 2025
Damyen Jackson
Damyen
Jackson
6'0" | PG
Assumption | 2025
State
IA
(15.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists); 2026
Navon Shabazz
Navon
Shabazz
6'4" | CG
Assumption | 2026
State
IA
(14.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists); 2025
Kayvion Hodges
Kayvion
Hodges
6'3" | SF
Assumption | 2025
State
IA
(9.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 54.5 FG%); 2025
Braylon Thomsen
Braylon
Thomsen
6'4" | SF
Assumption | 2025
State
IA
(9.0 points)
Our pick: Assumption 72, Decorah 66
3A Semifinal: #2 Waverly-Shell Rock (21-3) vs. #3 MOC-Floyd Valley (22-3), 3:45 pm
Analysis: MOC-Floyd Valley got a huge game from Jesse Van Kalsbeek Jesse Van Kalsbeek 6'6" | SF MOC-Floyd Valley | 2024 State IA , who had 37 points and 14 rebounds, as the Dutchmen rolled past defending champion Bondurant-Farrar, 67-50. Waverly-Shell Rock escaped Pella, in overtime, on a Noah Frazell Noah Frazell 6'1" | SG Waverly-Shell Rock | 2024 State IA free throw with 1.8 seconds left to win 65-64.
MOC-Floyd Valley star forward Jesse Van Kalsbeek Jesse Van Kalsbeek 6'6" | SF MOC-Floyd Valley | 2024 State IA (25.2, 10.8 rebounds) was unstoppable in the quarterfinal win over Bondurant-Farrar, and with Luis Portillo Luis Portillo 6'4" | PF Waverly-Shell Rock | 2024 State IA either sidelined or limited, does Waverly-Shell Rock have an answer for him on the defensive end? The Dutchmen were highly efficient against the Bluejays, shooting nearly 56% from the floor, 47% from 3, and winning comfortably despite giving it away 18 times. Van Kalsbeek is the headliner, but they got good production out of Carter Van Gelder, knocking down three 3s, and guard Blake Aalbers Blake Aalbers 6'0" | PG MOC-Floyd Valley | 2025 State IA (14.5) in the quarters as well, and the defense that Draeden Punt Draeden Punt 6'5" | PF MOC-Floyd Valley | 2026 State IA played against Tanner Berggren Tanner Berggren 6'3" | SF Bondurant-Farrar | 2024 State IA was fantastic. An athletic 6-5/6-6 forward who can move his feet, Punt could be the X-factor defensively for MOC, and he’ll likely get cracks at Luke Frazell Luke Frazell 6'6" | SG Waverly-Shell Rock | 2025 State IA and Cole Marsh Cole Marsh 6'6" | SG Waverly-Shell Rock | 2024 State IA throughout this one.
While the aforementioned Portillo only averages around 5 points a game, his impact on the game is immense, providing strong defense, rebounding, and he’s the ultimate glue guy who just does a little bit of everything for his team. He injured his ankle in practice leading up to the quarterfinals and missed that one, and if he’s unable to go, the Go-Hawks will have to turn to either Marsh or Frazell as the primary defender on Van Kalsbeek, which will take a lot out of two of their most important offensive weapons. The Go-Hawks, who have been the best 3-point shooting team in the state this season, went just 6-19 from the arc against Pella, a number that will need to improve if they are going to keep pace with Van Kalsbeek here.
Players to watch
Waverly-Shell Rock: 2025
Luke Frazell
Luke
Frazell
6'6" | SG
Waverly-Shell Rock | 2025
State
IA
(18.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 55.0 3P%); 2024
Noah Frazell
Noah
Frazell
6'1" | SG
Waverly-Shell Rock | 2024
State
IA
(17.0 points, 51.3 3P%); 2024
Cole Marsh
Cole
Marsh
6'6" | SG
Waverly-Shell Rock | 2024
State
IA
(16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 43.4 3P%); 2024
Benny Ramker
Benny
Ramker
5'8" | PG
Waverly-Shell Rock | 2024
State
IA
(12.5 points, 3.9 assists, 46.6 3P%)
MOC-Floyd Valley: 2024
Jesse Van Kalsbeek
Jesse
Van Kalsbeek
6'6" | SF
MOC-Floyd Valley | 2024
State
IA
(25.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 61.0 FG%); 2025
Blake Aalbers
Blake
Aalbers
6'0" | PG
MOC-Floyd Valley | 2025
State
IA
(14.5 points, 2.5 assists); 2025
Ahman Langton
Ahman
Langton
5'11" | PG
MOC-Floyd Valley | 2025
State
IA
(9.9 points, 3.0 assists); 2025
Owen Vander Pol
Owen
Vander Pol
6'5" | PF
MOC-Floyd Valley | 2025
State
IA
(7.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 58.0 FG%)
Our pick: MOC-Floyd Valley 71, Waverly-Shell Rock 66
4A Semifinal: #1 Kennedy (24-0) vs. #5 Ankeny (18-6), 5:30 pm
Analysis: Kennedy shook off any demons that lingered from last year’s quarterfinal upset, burying seven straight 3s in the second quarter to blow past Dallas Center-Grimes, 66-45. Ankeny led wire-to-wire en route to a comfortable 60-47 win over Senior.
Kennedy got off to a slow start against Dallas Center-Grimes, but went on a 21-5 run in the second quarter to grab control and they never looked back. It was another strong defensive showing from the Cougars, who are able to throw so many different looks at teams on that end of the floor behind the defensive mastermind Jon McKowen. McKowen will certainly have a game plan drawn up to try and limit Ankeny star Carson Johnson Carson Johnson 5'11" | PG Ankeny | 2024 State IA (23.4), who has been arguably the best player in 4A this season. I would imagine that game plan involves a heavy dose of Cyrus Courtney Cyrus Courtney 6'1" | SG Kennedy | 2024 State IA (8.8), the hyper-athletic 6-2/6-3 guard with great length and lateral movement. While Courtney probably gets the bulk of the Johnson assignment, don’t be surprised to see Trey McKowen Trey McKowen 5'11" | PG Kennedy | 2025 State IA and Joseph Bean Joseph Bean 6'3" | PG Kennedy | 2024 State IA get some action there as well. On the offensive end, the Cougars just need to continue to play free and easy, the way they have all year and the way they did for the last three quarters of the quarterfinals. Bean can be a mismatch when they get him down on the block against smaller defenders, and they have so much shooting that they’re hard to keep down.
Ankeny was dominant against Senior, but they’ll have a more difficult matchup here against a Kennedy team that can score in bunches. Johnson is obviously fantastic, going for 26 points against the Rams on highly efficient shooting, but the Hawks are going to need to get more from the Aguirre brothers – senior Lio Aguirre Lio Aguirre 6'3" | SF Ankeny | 2024 State IA (12.7) and sophomore Rio Aguirre Rio Aguirre 6'1" | PG Ankeny | 2026 State IA (13.4) – in this one after they combined for just 7 points against Senior. In their place, they got good production out of role players Cash Schoolen Cash Schoolen 6'3" | SG Ankeny | 2024 State IA , Luke Anderson, and Cade Pederson Cade Pederson 6'6" | PF Ankeny | 2024 State IA , who combined for 27 points, but if the Hawks are going to upset Kennedy, they’ll need big games from Johnson and at least one of the Aguirre boys.
Players to watch
Kennedy: 2025
Trey McKowen
Trey
McKowen
5'11" | PG
Kennedy | 2025
State
IA
(13.5 points, 4.1 assists, 2.6 steals, 53.4 FG%, 40.2 3P%); 2024
Joseph Bean
Joseph
Bean
6'3" | PG
Kennedy | 2024
State
IA
(12.9 points, 3.0 assists, 2.3 steals, 55.4 FG%, 39.8 3P%); 2024
Micah Schlaak
Micah
Schlaak
6'6" | PF
Kennedy | 2024
State
IA
(10.7 points, 61.2 FG%, 41.0 3P%); 2024
Trevan Krumrei
Trevan
Krumrei
6'5" | SF
Kennedy | 2024
State
IA
(10.2 points, 45.2 3P%); 2024
Cyrus Courtney
Cyrus
Courtney
6'1" | SG
Kennedy | 2024
State
IA
(8.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 3.0 steals)
Ankeny: 2024
Carson Johnson
Carson
Johnson
5'11" | PG
Ankeny | 2024
State
IA
(23.4 points, 3.6 assists, 51.2 FG%, 47.3 3P%); 2026
Rio Aguirre
Rio
Aguirre
6'1" | PG
Ankeny | 2026
State
IA
(13.4 points, 3.1 assists, 42.9 3P%); 2024
Lio Aguirre
Lio
Aguirre
6'3" | SF
Ankeny | 2024
State
IA
(12.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists); 2024
Cade Pederson
Cade
Pederson
6'6" | PF
Ankeny | 2024
State
IA
(4.6 points, 5.5 rebounds)
Our pick: Kennedy 66, Ankeny 60
4A Semifinal: #2 Valley (19-5) vs. #6 Bettendorf (18-6), 7:15 pm
Analysis: Valley never felt threatened in a closer-than-it-felt 64-57 win over Johnston, while Bettendorf smothered a potent Cedar Falls offense in a 65-56 win to advance to the semifinals.
The story of the day yesterday was the health status of Valley star guard Xzavion Robinson Xzavion Robinson 6'1" | PG Valley | 2025 State #342 Nation IA , who suffered an ankle injury in the substate final win over Norwalk. He entered the arena yesterday in a walking boot, but laced up the sneakers, started, and played 28 minutes against Johnston. He was limited offensively, but still pulled down 8 rebounds and made an impact defensively, while Curtis Stinson Jr Curtis Stinson Jr 6'5" | PG Valley | 2025 State #157 Nation IA (19.8), Kiki Deng Kiki Deng 6'4" | SG Valley | 2025 State IA (10.5), and Trevin Jirak Trevin Jirak 6'9" | C Valley | 2025 State #349 Nation IA (10.5) combined to put up 52 points. With Robinson playing that many minutes, the Tigers have to be encouraged about his status heading into this semifinal game, and having him on the floor makes a huge impact on how they play. Look for Jirak to remain heavily involved in the offense after a great quarterfinal game, as his ability to step out and handle the ball, find open teammates, and occasionally stretch the floor could be big in this one. If he’s able to drag Asher Wade Asher Wade 6'7" | C Bettendorf | 2024 State IA out to the perimeter and open up driving lanes for Stinson, Robinson, Jayden McGregory Jayden McGregory 6'1" | PG Valley | 2026 State IA , and Deng, it could be a big night for the Tigers.
Bettendorf smothered what had been a red-hot Cedar Falls offense in the quarterfinals, using their physicality and length to their advantage. They’re playing really good basketball, winning 11 straight heading into this semifinal game, and they have a star player in Caden Wilkins Caden Wilkins 6'7" | SF Bettendorf | 2024 State #196 Nation IA (18.5) who can create his shot and is great in the mid-range. Cole Odefey Cole Odefey 6'5" | SF Bettendorf | 2025 State IA (6.6) was great in the quarters, scoring 12 points with 9 rebounds, and Ben Kerkhoff Ben Kerkhoff 6'5" | SF Bettendorf | 2025 State IA (10.1) will need to knock down his open looks from 3 in this one. He’s a nearly 43% shooter from deep. One area of concern did arise in that win over Cedar Falls, however, and that was the 22 turnovers the Bulldogs committed. Against Valley, that can’t happen, or they’ll be off to the races. If Bettendorf can protect the ball, get this into a halfcourt game, and punch the Tigers in the mouth early, they’ll have a chance at knocking off the defending champs.
Players to watch
Valley: 2025
Curtis Stinson Jr
Curtis
Stinson Jr
6'5" | PG
Valley | 2025
State
#157
Nation
IA
(19.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 53.0 FG%); 2025
Xzavion Robinson
Xzavion
Robinson
6'1" | PG
Valley | 2025
State
#342
Nation
IA
(15.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists); 2025
Kiki Deng
Kiki
Deng
6'4" | SG
Valley | 2025
State
IA
(10.5 points, 1.4 steals); 2026
Jayden McGregory
Jayden
McGregory
6'1" | PG
Valley | 2026
State
IA
(10.5 points, 4.4 rebounds); 2025
Trevin Jirak
Trevin
Jirak
6'9" | C
Valley | 2025
State
#349
Nation
IA
(10.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.9 blocks); 2025
Kyle Cason
Kyle
Cason
6'0" | SG
Valley | 2025
State
IA
(9.5 points, 5.0 rebounds)
Bettendorf: 2024
Caden Wilkins
Caden
Wilkins
6'7" | SF
Bettendorf | 2024
State
#196
Nation
IA
(18.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.1 blocks, 37.0 3P%); 2025
Ben Kerkhoff
Ben
Kerkhoff
6'5" | SF
Bettendorf | 2025
State
IA
(10.1 points, 42.7 3P%); 2024
Tre’von Coney
Tre’von
Coney
6'2" | SG
Bettendorf | 2024
State
IA
(8.3 points, 4.7 assists); 2024
Asher Wade
Asher
Wade
6'7" | C
Bettendorf | 2024
State
IA
(8.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 66.7 FG%); 2025
Cole Odefey
Cole
Odefey
6'5" | SF
Bettendorf | 2025
State
IA
(6.6 points, 4.7 rebounds)
Our pick: Valley 69, Bettendorf 59