State Tournament: Thursday’s Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SF [player_tooltip player_id='1436462' first='Kaden' last='Van Regenmorter'] (Western Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-3 power wing was once again dominant on both ends of the floor in Western Christian's blowout win over Treynor, scoring 21 points on 5-8 shooting (2-5 3P, 9-11 FT) to go with 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. His ability to control the game from any spot on the floor is rivaled by few in 2A, and his his combination of size, finesse, toughness, ball-handling, touch, and vision, he's really tough to slow down when he decides its his time to go.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SG [player_tooltip player_id='1484412' first='Karsten' last='Moret'] (Western Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moret battled some foul trouble but still produced for the Wolfpack, scoring 15 points on 6-10 shooting, including going 2-5 from behind the arc. An athletic wing with a quick release both off the dribble and the catch, he's capable of getting scorching hot in a hurry and taking over a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 SF [player_tooltip player_id='2377345' first='Tyler' last='Mantel'] (Western Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-1 senior had an extremely efficient game for the Wolfpack, scoring 16 points on 6-7 shooting and going 4-4 from the free throw line. A talented wing who doesn't force anything, he moves well without the ball in his hands and is able to get to the rim with good off-ball movement. He finishes really well through contact and provides the Wolfpack with some versatility on the defensive end with his length. In addition to his scoring, he provided 7 rebounds and 2 assists in their semifinal win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 PG [player_tooltip player_id='2377318' first='Uchan' last='Harberts'] (Western Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An athletic 5-11 guard who can create well off the dribble, Harberts had a solid all-around floor game for the Wolfpack against Treynor, scoring 10 points on 5-12 shooting with 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. He's a really good athlete who moves his feet well defensively and he uses his length to get into passing lanes and make an impact on that end of the floor. On the offensive end, he has a quick first step that he uses to blow by defenders and get to the rim or to get into the teeth of the defense and kick out to open shooters. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 SF [player_tooltip player_id='2419800' first='Tyce' last='Van Donge'] (Unity Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Van Donge was incredible in the Knights' narrow loss to Hudson, coming off the bench to score 24 points on 10-12 shooting to go with 10 rebounds and a steal. An athletic 6-2 wing who can play through contact, he showed the ability to create off the dribble on wing touches, or post up smaller defenders and score with good footwork and touch around the rim. He played with poise and confidence that belies being a freshman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 PG [player_tooltip player_id='2325381' first='Lyle' last='Olsen'] (Hudson)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A high IQ guard who can control the game on both ends of the floor for the Pirates, Olsen is another coach on the court. He's a tough 6-0 guard who plays good on-ball defense, can score from all three levels, and is a calming presence in the backcourt for Hudson. He had 14 points on 5-9 shooting (1-3 3P, 3-3 FT) to go with 2 assists, a block, and 2 steals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 PF [player_tooltip player_id='1476978' first='Camden' last='Davis'] (Hudson)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davis dealt with foul trouble but was big when he was on the floor for the Pirates, scoring 16 points on 5-10 shooting (1-2 3P, 5-5 FT) to go with 9 rebounds. He's an athletic 6-5 forward with soft hands, good touch, and constant activity on both ends of the floor. He can step out and stretch the floor, and his free throw shooting is a huge asset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1759900' first='Damyen' last='Jackson'] (Assumption)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson continued his strong week at the state tournament with an efficient day against Decorah, helping lift the Knights into the 3A championship game. A quick, athletic 6-0 guard who can blow by defenders and get to the rim, his jumper was actually the most dangerous weapon that he possessed on Thursday, going 4-6 from behind the arc and knocking down some huge 3s. He had 23 points on 8-14 shooting with 5 rebounds and 2 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SF [player_tooltip player_id='1759902' first='Kayvion' last='Hodges'] (Assumption)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An athletic 6-3 wing, Hodges was really good on both ends of the floor in Assumption's win over Decorah, scoring 20 points on 9-14 shooting to go with 13 rebounds (6 offensive), a block, and a steal. He was the primary defender on Decorah's leading scorer, [player_tooltip player_id='1256304' first='Ben' last='Bockman'], and he did a great job limiting Bockman to just 10 points on inefficient shooting. He can defend multiple positions and he does a great job playing downhill and attacking off the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1171655' first='Treyton' last='McCain'] (Decorah)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Many of Decorah's stars struggled in the semifinals against Assumption, but McCain was good, scoring 18 points on 6-12 shooting, including going 4-7 from behind the arc and knocking down some huge shots to help keep the Vikings afloat. A high IQ 6-1 guard who can play with or without the ball in his hands, he creates well off the dribble and shoots it really well off the catch with a quick release, plenty of range, and a smooth stroke that he gets great rotation on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 SF [player_tooltip player_id='1376686' first='Jesse' last='Van Kalsbeek'] (MOC-Floyd Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Van Kalsbeek made another big statement, making his case for the Mr. Basketball honor, in MOC's loss to Waverly-Shell Rock, scoring 31 points on 15-20 shooting to go with 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks, and 3 steals. A 6-6 wing who can score from all three levels, he was dominant once again on both ends of the floor, using his length to impact the game. He opened the game with back-to-back steals and dunks and was unstoppable when he put his head down and wanted to get to the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SF [player_tooltip player_id='1759905' first='Luke' last='Frazell'] (Waverly-Shell Rock)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-6 wing has been one of the most efficient offensive players in 3A this season, and he showed the state why that's the case in Waverly-Shell Rock's win over MOC-Floyd Valley, scoring 31 points on 12-14 shooting, going 5-7 from behind the arc (and one of those misses was a desperation 3 to try and beat the shot clock). He moves incredibly well without the ball in his hands and has a lightning-quick release off the catch. With his size he can get his shot off whenever he wants to, but he never forces anything, which is part of what makes him so dangerous.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1751095' first='Noah' last='Frazell'] (Waverly-Shell Rock)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Luke's older brother was also great, despite getting junk defenses thrown at both he and Luke. MOC-Floyd Valley had to go to a triangle-and-2 to try and combat the dynamic play of the brothers. It didn't do much, with Noah scoring 17 points on 6-10 shooting, including going 4-8 from behind the arc. He's smaller than Luke, listed at 6-2, but he possesses many of the same attributes - good off-ball movement, a quick release, and unlimited range. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 SF [player_tooltip player_id='1376675' first='Cole' last='Marsh'] (Waverly-Shell Rock) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future Iowa tight end had another efficient day in WSR's win over MOC, scoring 15 points on 5-9 shooting, including going 3-6 from behind the arc. A tough, physical 6-6 wing who can create off the dribble or knock down shots routinely off the catch, he's a difference maker on both ends of the floor with his combination of size, strength, and athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 SG [player_tooltip player_id='1977422' first='Rio' last='Aguirre'] (Ankeny)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kennedy did a great job defensively on Ankeny star [player_tooltip player_id='1171660' first='Carson' last='Johnson'], which opened up some looks for the talented sophomore Aguirre. A 6-1 guard with a quick release and great off-ball movement, he's a confident shooter, and for good reason. His stroke is pure, getting great rotation on his shot. He had 18 points on 6-12 shooting, going 4-9 from behind the arc, with 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 SG [player_tooltip player_id='1171687' first='Cyrus' last='Courtney'] (Kennedy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Swiss Army knife for the Cougars, Courtney is arguably Kennedy's most important player, even those his season stats don't jump off the page. He's a versatile defender who can move his feet, has the strength and athleticism to defend bigger players, and when he's looking to score, he's tough to stop as he can get to the rim for finishes, pull up from the nail and knock down jumpers, or stretch the floor off the catch. He had 17 points on 8-16 shooting, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, a block, and 3 steals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 SF [player_tooltip player_id='1171679' first='Micah' last='Schlaak'] (Kennedy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schlaak was dominant early for the Cougars, scoring 13 first quarter points while Kennedy went on a big run to take control of the game against Ankeny. The versatile 6-7 wing can score inside and out, stretching the floor with a clean release on his jumper, or taking smaller defenders onto the block and scoring efficiently. He's a versatile weapon on both ends of the floor whose combination of size, length, and athleticism makes him a really valuable weapon who will be a nice player at Southwest Minnesota State. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SG [player_tooltip player_id='1381407' first='Kiki' last='Deng'] (Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-4 guard set the tone early by knocking down a catch-and-shoot 3 on Valley's first possession, and he was good all night, scoring 18 points on 5-12 shooting (3-10 3P, 5-6 FT) to go with 2 rebounds and 2 steals. His athleticism and length make a difference on both ends of the floor, and he has continually become more confident in his jumper, a nice added weapon in his game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1381422' first='Curtis' last='Stinson Jr'] (Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stinson was in complete control of the game on both ends of the floor in Valley's blowout of Bettendorf. A 6-5 guard who can score from all three levels, he's a skilled playmaker and passer who sees the floor extremely well and he has a tremendous feel for the game. He was the primary defender on Bettendorf star [player_tooltip player_id='1171682' first='Caden' last='Wilkins'], and did a good job limiting him until garbage time. Stinson finished with 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->