State Tournament: Wednesday Game Recaps

4A Quarterfinal: #1 Kennedy 66, #8 Dallas Center Grimes 45

If there were any inklings of a repeat of last year's quarterfinal flameout from top-ranked Kennedy, they squashed them in a second quarter flurry en route to a 66-45 win over Dallas Center-Grimes, advancing to the 4A semifinals.

Dallas Center-Grimes set the physical tone early, frustrating the Cougars offense in the first quarter and held a 10-9 lead after one. But seven 3-pointers from Kennedy in a 3:52 stretch turned this game on its head, turning a 12-9 deficit into a 30-17 advantage. Four different Cougars buried 3s in the 21-5 run - Cyrus Courtney Cyrus Courtney 6'1" | SG Kennedy | 2024 State IA , Griffin Gerdes Griffin Gerdes 6'1" | PG Kennedy | 2024 State IA (two), Trey McKowen Trey McKowen 5'11" | PG Kennedy | 2025 State IA , and Joseph Bean Joseph Bean 6'3" | PG Kennedy | 2024 State IA knocked down the last three of the stretch. The flurry of 3s, and the Cougars always stout defense, helped them grab control and they didn't lead by fewer than three possessions the rest of the way. No more ghosts of quarterfinal-past, the monkey is off the proverbial back.

Kennedy improves to 24-0 with the win and will await the winner of the Dubuque Senior/Ankeny in the semifinals, with tip set for 5:30 tomorrow night. The Cougars were led by Joseph Bean Joseph Bean 6'3" | PG Kennedy | 2024 State IA , who had 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists in the win. Cyrus Courtney Cyrus Courtney 6'1" | SG Kennedy | 2024 State IA had 15 points and Micah Schlaak Micah Schlaak 6'6" | PF Kennedy | 2024 State IA added 14 for the Cougs, who shot 50% from the floor and outrebounded the Mustangs 32-19.

Dallas Center-Grimes' season ends with a 20-4 record and the school's first trip to the Class 4A state tournament. The Mustangs will lose four starters from this group. They were led by Calix Cahill Calix Cahill 6'5" | PF Dallas Center-Grimes | 2024 State IA , who had 20 points. Jackson Green Jackson Green 6'3" | SG Dallas Center-Grimes | 2024 State IA battled foul trouble throughout and had 12 in the loss.

Team stats
Dallas Center-Grimes: 14-37 FG (37.8%), 4-13 3P (30.8%), 13-14 FT (92.9%); 19 rebounds (4 offensive); 6 assists, 12 turnovers
Kennedy: 27-54 FG (50.0%), 9-24 3P (37.5%), 3-6 FT (50%); 32 rebounds (13 offensive); 13 assists, 8 turnovers

MVP: 2024 Joseph Bean Joseph Bean 6'3" | PG Kennedy | 2024 State IA (Kennedy) -- 18 points (7-10 FG, 3-4 3P, 1-2 FT), 7, 5 assists, 2 steals

The future Upper Iowa guard was huge during the 21-5 run, knocking down three consecutive 3s to help Kennedy grab control, and then the strongest part of his game was on display in the second half, as he uses his combination of ball-handling, beautiful hesitation moves, and long strides to get to the rim time after time for finishes.

4A Quarterfinal: #5 Ankeny 60, #4 Senior 47

Eighteen seconds into this quarterfinal contest, Cade Pederson Cade Pederson 6'6" | PF Ankeny | 2024 State IA made a layup, giving Ankeny a 2-0 lead. It was a lead that the Hawks would hold the rest of the way, leading for 31 minutes and 42 seconds on Wednesday afternoon in a strong all-around performance, lifting them into the 4A semifinals with a 60-47 win over Dubuque Senior.

Senior guard Carson Johnson Carson Johnson 5'11" | PG Ankeny | 2024 State IA was spectacular throughout for the Hawks, and the role players around him each made big plays on both ends of the floor. Any time Senior would close within two possessions, the Hawks would answer with a quick flurry to push the lead back to double digits. After the 5:57 mark of the second quarter, Senior never got back within a single possession.

Ankeny improves to 18-6 with the win and will meet Kennedy tomorrow evening at 5:30 in the 4A semifinals. The Hawks were led by Carson Johnson Carson Johnson 5'11" | PG Ankeny | 2024 State IA , who had a game-high 26 points on 8-13 shooting. Cash Schoolen Cash Schoolen 6'3" | SG Ankeny | 2024 State IA added 10, and Luke Anderson Luke Anderson 6'1" | SG Ankeny | 2025 State IA had 9 points off the bench.

Senior's season ends with a 21-3 record and their third state tournament appearance in the last six years. The Rams were led by Jacob Williams Jacob Williams 6'4" | PF Senior | 2024 State IA , who had 14 points and 11 rebounds. Nicholas Kennedy Nicholas Kennedy 6'3" | SF Senior | 2024 State IA had 12 points in the loss, and Tevin Schultz Tevin Schultz 6'7" | PF/SF Dubuque Senior | 2026 State IA added 8. They will lose both Williams and Kennedy to graduation, but will bring back their other three starters and several notable bench pieces. Wendell Eimers should once again have a team capable of making some noise in 4A next season.

Team stats
Ankeny: 22-43 FG (51.2%), 7-17 3P (41.2%), 9-16 FT (56.3%); 26 rebounds (4 offensive); 10 assists, 5 turnovers
Senior: 18-43 FG (41.9%), 5-17 3P (29.4%), 6-13 FT (46.2%); 26 rebounds (7 offensive); 7 assists, 9 turnovers

MVP: 2024 Carson Johnson Carson Johnson 5'11" | PG Ankeny | 2024 State IA (Ankeny) -- 26 points (8-13 FG, 3-6 3P, 7-10 FT), 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals

In a Mr. Basketball race that remains pretty open, Johnson made a statement in the Hawks' quarterfinal win, going off for 26 points on highly efficient shooting. An effortless scorer with a pure stroke from anywhere inside halfcourt, he's in complete control of the game on the offensive end at all times.

4A Quarterfinal: #2 Valley 64, #7 Johnston 57

Defending champion Valley's journey to the repeat got one step closer on Wednesday afternoon, with the Tigers beating Johnston, 64-57, to advance to the 4A semifinals.

Valley never trailed in the contest, and after Johnston tied it up at 17 early in the second quarter, the Tigers answered with a 7-2 run, and from the 2:12 mark on, they led by at least two possessions the rest of the way. While Johnston got close on a few occasions, Valley never truly felt threatened in this one, answering every Johnston mini-run with a spurt of their own.

The story heading into this game was the health status of star guard Xzavion Robinson Xzavion Robinson 6'1" | PG Valley | 2025 State #342 Nation IA , who rolled his ankle in the Tigers' substate final win over Norwalk. He entered the arena earlier today with a walking boot, but suited up and started for the Tigers. He scored just three points in the win, but contributed well on the glass, kept the ball moving, and played solid defense, which should be an encouraging sign for Valley for the rest of the week.

While Robinson was limited offensively, the Tigers got great production out of fellow juniors Curtis Stinson Jr Curtis Stinson Jr 6'5" | SG Western Reserve Academy | 2025 State #157 Nation OH , Kiki Deng Kiki Deng 6'4" | SG Valley | 2025 State IA , and Trevin Jirak Trevin Jirak 6'9" | C Valley | 2025 State #349 Nation IA , who combined for 52 points and 15 rebounds.

Valley improves to 19-5 with the win and will play either Cedar Falls or Bettendorf in the 4A semifinals tomorrow night at 7:15 pm. The Tigers were led by Curtis Stinson Jr Curtis Stinson Jr 6'5" | SG Western Reserve Academy | 2025 State #157 Nation OH , who had a game-high 22 points and 7 rebounds. Trevin Jirak Trevin Jirak 6'9" | C Valley | 2025 State #349 Nation IA and Kiki Deng Kiki Deng 6'4" | SG Valley | 2025 State IA each had 15 points.

Johnston's season ends with a 14-10 record and the school's third state tournament appearance in the last four years. The Dragons were led by Dalen Huston Dalen Huston 6'3" | SF Johnston | 2024 State IA , who had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Prestige Taylor Prestige Taylor 5'11" | PG Johnston | 2025 State IA had 12, and Trovary Cavil Trovary Cavil 5'11" | PG Johnston | 2024 State IA chipped in 10 points. Courtney Henderson will return three starters, with Jalen Richardson Jalen Richardson 6'4" | SF Johnston | 2025 State IA headlining a good 2025 class at Johnston. Always a program flush with talent, they should be good again next season.

Team stats
Johnston: 22-51 FG (43.1%), 5-17 3P (29.4%), 8-11 FT (72.7%); 30 rebounds (8 offensive); 7 assists, 9 turnovers
Valley: 22-47 FG (46.8%), 4-16 3P (25.0%), 16-23 FT (69.6%); 27 rebounds (5 offensive); 12 assists, 7 turnovers

MVP: 2025 Trevin Jirak Trevin Jirak 6'9" | C Valley | 2025 State #349 Nation IA (Valley) -- 15 points (6-7 FG, 0-1 3P, 3-5 FT), 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, 1 steal

I think this is the best all-around game I've seen the 6-9 junior play. He showed a little bit of everything in his arsenal, flashing impressive court vision and passing skills, a good face-up game, and the ability to take bigger defenders off the dribble and get to the rim. He was also solid in the paint defensively, turning away 3 shots and making it difficult for the Dragons to get clean looks around the rim.

4A Quarterfinal: #6 Bettendorf 65, #3 Cedar Falls 56

Bettendorf never trailed on Wednesday afternoon, leading for 30 minutes and 31 seconds en route to a 65-56 win over Cedar Falls, sending the Bulldogs into the 4A semifinals.

The Bulldogs' win streak extends to 11 games, and they were impressive throughout this contest on both ends of the floor.

Cedar Falls came into this tournament as one of the hottest teams in the state, owners of a nine-game winning streak and averaging 76.4 points a game during that stretch. And while there was certainly a step up in competition, and shooting in Wells Fargo Arena can be difficult, all the credit for the Tigers' offensive frustrations needs to go to the Bulldogs, who were stifling on that end of the floor, using their length, physicality, and discipline to force Cedar Falls into contested shots as well as absolutely dominating the glass to the tune of a 43-22 rebounding edge. The Bulldogs tough interior defense made Cedar Falls turn to the 3-ball, and the Tigers did not shoot it well, going just 7-39 (17.9%) from behind the arc in the loss.

Bettendorf improves to 17-6 with the win and will meet defending champion Valley tomorrow night at 7:15. The Bulldogs were led by Caden Wilkins Caden Wilkins 6'7" | SF Bettendorf | 2024 State #196 Nation IA , who had 20 points and 13 rebounds. Cole Odefey Cole Odefey 6'5" | SF Bettendorf | 2025 State IA had 12 points and 9 rebounds and Ben Kerkhoff Ben Kerkhoff 6'5" | SF Bettendorf | 2025 State IA chipped in 12 points. All seven Bulldogs who played scored.

Cedar Falls' season ends with a 20-4 record and the school's seventh state tournament appearance in the last nine years. The Tigers were led by Anthony Galvin Anthony Galvin 6'0" | PG Cedar Falls | 2025 State IA , who had 13 points. Aiden Heth Aiden Heth 5'9" | PG Cedar Falls | 2024 State IA added 12 in the loss. They graduate four starters but bring back very strong 2025 and 2026 classes and will be a factor in 4A again next season.

Team stats
Bettendorf: 26-46 FG (56.5%), 4-11 3P (36.4%), 9-17 FT (52.9%); 43 rebounds (10 offensive); 10 assists, 22 turnovers
Cedar Falls: 21-63 FG (33.3%), 7-39 3P (17.9%), 7-10 FT (70%); 22 rebounds (10 offensive); 10 assists, 8 turnovers

MVP: 2024 Caden Wilkins Caden Wilkins 6'7" | SF Bettendorf | 2024 State #196 Nation IA (Bettendorf) -- 20 points (8-16 FG, 0-1 3P, 4-6 FT), 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 1 steal

The 6-6 wing's mid-range game was on full display throughout the Bulldogs dominant win. A strong wing who handles it well, he knows how to get to his spots, can stop on a dime and elevate into his shot, and his stroke is pure, with a high, quick release and great rotation on his jumper. A good athlete who competes hard on the glass and can create plays for his teammates off the bounce, Wilkins had a really good all-around debut at the state tournament.

1A Semifinal: #1 North Linn 67, #4 Winfield-Mt. Union 51

For the seventh straight year, the North Linn Lynx will play for a state basketball championship. This time around, the semifinal win came against Winfield-Mt. Union, a new opponent for the Lynx during this remarkable run, but the result was the same result that just about every team the Lynx run into has encountered - a North Linn win. The Lynx shook off a slow start to eventually pull away from a very good Wolves team, 67-51, advancing to Friday afternoon's Class 1A championship game.

A team featuring a pair of big, athletic Division I football signees, Winfield-Mt. Union came out and set the physical tone early, taking a 9-7 lead after the first quarter and holding the potent Lynx attack to just 2-10 shooting in the first eight minutes. It's hard to apply the Lynx's patented pressure defense when you aren't making shots, but that problem changed in the second quarter, forcing seven Winfield-Mt. Union turnovers in the quarter to help North Linn take a 28-23 lead into the locker rooms. In the first half, the Lynx turned eight WMU turnovers into 15 points.

Star guard Mason Bechen Mason Bechen 6'1" | PG North Linn | 2025 State IA took over the game in the second half, routinely attacking the rim and getting to the bucket for finishes. A point guard built like a running back, he embraced the physicality of the Wolves and it seemed as though he gained strength as the game progressed.

North Linn improves to 25-1 on the year with the win, and will wait for either Lake Mills or conference foe Marquette Catholic on Friday afternoon at 1:00. The Lynx were led by Mason Bechen Mason Bechen 6'1" | PG North Linn | 2025 State IA , who had a game-high 32 points and 7 rebounds. Ty Pflughaupt Ty Pflughaupt 6'4" | SF North Linn | 2024 State IA added 18 points in the win, and the Lynx got great production out of Drew Ries off the bench, finishing with 7 points and 6 rebounds.

Winfield-Mt. Union's fantastic season ends with a 21-3 record and the school's first state semifinal appearance since finishing runner-up in 1996. The Wolves were led by Jake Edwards Jake Edwards 6'6" | PG Winfield-Mt. Union | 2025 State IA , who had 17 points and 7 rebounds. Cam Buffington Cam Buffington 6'2" | PF Winfield-Mt. Union | 2024 State IA closed out his stellar high school career with 12 points and 7 rebounds, and Abram Edwards Abram Edwards 6'5" | PF Winfield-Mt. Union | 2024 State IA , also playing in his final game, had 9 points and 7 rebounds. They will lose four starters, but will bring back Jake Edwards Jake Edwards 6'6" | PG Winfield-Mt. Union | 2025 State IA and younger brother Max Edwards, giving them a good foundation for Klay Edwards to continue to build this program on.

Scoring
Winfield-Mt. Union: Jake Edwards Jake Edwards 6'6" | PG Winfield-Mt. Union | 2025 State IA 17, Cam Buffington Cam Buffington 6'2" | PF Winfield-Mt. Union | 2024 State IA 12, Abram Edwards Abram Edwards 6'5" | PF Winfield-Mt. Union | 2024 State IA 9, Carter Loyd 9, Gabriel Hemsworth 3, Cole Milks 1
North Linn: Mason Bechen Mason Bechen 6'1" | PG North Linn | 2025 State IA 32, Ty Pflughaupt Ty Pflughaupt 6'4" | SF North Linn | 2024 State IA 18, Drew Ries 7, Jake Van Etten 6, Breckyn Betenbender Breckyn Betenbender 5'10" | PG North Linn | 2024 State IA 4

Team stats
Winfield-Mt. Union: 20-49 FG (40.8%), 7-19 3P (36.8%), 4-8 FT (50%); 33 rebounds (10 offensive); 13 assists, 14 turnovers
North Linn: 27-56 FG (48.2%), 6-20 3P (30.0%), 7-12 FT (58.3%); 31 rebounds (9 offensive); 11 assists, 5 turnovers

MVP: 2025 Mason Bechen Mason Bechen 6'1" | PG North Linn | 2025 State IA (North Linn) -- 32 points (12-20 FG, 2-4 3P, 6-8 FT), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals

The 6-1 guard was limited in the first quarter, as were the Lynx in general, but he absolutely dominated the game in the final three quarters, using his unique blend of speed, finesse, and power to get to the rim routinely for finishes. He has been the best player in 1A basketball this season, and that has been on full display so far this week.

1A Semifinal: #2 Marquette Catholic 59, #3 Lake Mills 57

It will be a Tri-Rivers Conference affair on Friday afternoon, as Marquette Catholic punched their ticket to the Class 1A championship game with a 59-57 win over Lake Mills on Wednesday night.

An entertaining game throughout, Lake Mills controlled the first half, grabbing an eight point lead early in the second quarter and taking a narrow 36-35 advantage into the locker rooms. The Bulldogs led for nearly 75% of the first half.

With 5:43 left in the third quarter, Spencer Roeder Spencer Roeder 6'5" | PF Maquette Catholic | 2025 State IA knocked down a 3 from the right wing, giving the Defenders their first lead since 6-4, and Kannon Still Kannon Still 5'8" | PG Marquette Catholic | 2024 State IA followed with another 3 21 seconds later, a lead that they never gave up the rest of the way. That said, it certainly wasn't without drama.

With 5:24 to play, Lake Mills' leading scorer Lance Helming Lance Helming 6'5" | PF Lake Mills | 2024 State IA fouled out, with the Bulldogs trailing by six, 55-49. Spencer Roeder Spencer Roeder 6'5" | PF Maquette Catholic | 2025 State IA knocked down a mid-range jumper a minute later to take a 57-49 lead, and the Bulldogs looked like they may be toast. But the tough-minded Dogs kept fighting, going on an 8-0 run, tying the game with 1:21 to play on an Eli Menke Eli Menke 6'4" | SF Lake Mills | 2024 State IA free throw. After Marquette missed a shot on their next possession, Lake Mills turned it over, setting up an opportunity for the Defenders to win it.

Kannon Still Kannon Still 5'8" | PG Marquette Catholic | 2024 State IA took the ball from the top of the key, came around a Caden Kettmann Caden Kettmann 6'4" | SG Marquette Catholic Bellevue | 2024 State IA screen and drove left, then elevated into a 13-footer on the baseline, over the outstretched arms of Menke. Bucket. Game. State title berth. Lake Mills called a timeout with 4.0 seconds to play and got a decent look at a game-winning 3, but it fell off the rim and pandemonium ensued.

Marquette Catholic improves to 27-1 with the win and will take on North Linn in the 1A championship game on Friday afternoon. It is the second state title game appearance in school history, the first since 2006. The Defenders were led by Spencer Roeder Spencer Roeder 6'5" | PF Maquette Catholic | 2025 State IA , who had 18 points and 12 rebounds. Kannon Still Kannon Still 5'8" | PG Marquette Catholic | 2024 State IA had 13 points, including the game-winner, and Jacob Litterer Jacob Litterer 6'2" | PF Marquette Catholic | 2025 State IA added 10 off the bench.

Lake Mills' season ends with a 25-2 record and another heartbreaking loss in the semifinals. They were led by Lance Helming Lance Helming 6'5" | PF Lake Mills | 2024 State IA , who had 16 points before fouling out. Aiden Stensrud Aiden Stensrud 6'6" | PF Lake Mills | 2025 State IA had 14 points and 11 rebounds, Eli Menke Eli Menke 6'4" | SF Lake Mills | 2024 State IA had 12, and Jackson Gaul Jackson Gaul 6'1" | PG Lake Mills | 2025 State IA added 11 in the loss. The Bulldogs will lose three starters from this year's team, but Kyle Menke has built a really good program, and they'll bring back two standouts in Aiden Stensrud Aiden Stensrud 6'6" | PF Lake Mills | 2025 State IA and Jackson Gaul Jackson Gaul 6'1" | PG Lake Mills | 2025 State IA , along with key bench player Nash Delger Nash Delger 5'8" | PG Lake Mills | 2026 State IA . Menke has proven that he reloads with this program, and they should be a factor in 1A again.

Team stats
Lake Mills: 20-40 FG (50.0%), 2-7 3P (28.6%), 15-23 FT (65.2%); 32 rebounds (7 offensive); 3 assists, 10 turnovers
Marquette Catholic: 22-54 FG (40.7%), 8-15 3P (53.3%), 7-11 FT (63.6%); 24 rebounds (9 offensive); 9 assists, 7 turnovers

MVP: 2025 Spencer Roeder Spencer Roeder 6'5" | PF Maquette Catholic | 2025 State IA (Marquette Catholic) -- 18 points (7-13 FG, 4-7 3P), 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 steal

You could obviously make a case for Kannon Still Kannon Still 5'8" | PG Marquette Catholic | 2024 State IA here, given that he made the game-winning shot, but Roeder shook off a poor quarterfinal performance and was excellent here in the semifinals, showing his ability to score from the arc and get to the rim off the bounce. He was also dominant on the glass throughout the game.

State Tournament: Wednesday Game Recaps

In this article:

Preseason All-Conference Teams: Corner

Class 1A: Stars to Watch (Part 2)

Class 1A: Stars to Watch (Part 1)

Dynamic Duos in Class 3A

Preseason All-Conference Teams: Bluegrass

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	FINAL
Dallas Center-Grimes	10	10	10	15	45
Kennedy	9	21	17	19	66

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	FINAL
Ankeny	15	14	18	13	60
Senior	10	10	15	12	47

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	FINAL
Johnston	12	11	13	21	57
Valley	15	16	15	15	64

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	FINAL
Bettendorf	16	16	19	14	65
Cedar Falls	9	9	20	18	56

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	FINAL
Winfield-Mt. Union	9	14	15	13	51
North Linn	7	21	18	21	67

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	FINAL
Lake Mills	16	20	11	10	57
Marquette Catholic	12	23	18	6	59