ServPro Cross Over Challenge Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>An idea that started off as an MVC/CIML showdown has morphed slightly into a "conference cross over", featuring teams from the MVC, CIML, MAC, and Iowa Alliance. There will be seven high-level games being played on Saturday, January 4, in downtown Cedar Rapids at the Alliant Energy Powerhouse. Below we preview each game and note any prospects ranked within the top 50 of their respective class who will be in attendance. Records current as of 1/2/2025.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>10:00 am: Liberty (1-5) vs. Bettendorf (4-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The opening game features a young team from Liberty and a veteran Bulldogs team. Liberty is led by a pair of sophomore guards - [player_tooltip player_id='2118611' first='Jerimiah' last='Washpun'] (18.7 points, 3.3 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id='2754672' first='Brady' last='Randall'] (12.8, 7.0 rebounds, 45.2 3P%). Washpun is a lightning-quick guard with handles and a dynamite mid-range game that he uses to score, while Randall is a long wing with good size at 6-4, and his ability to shoot helps open everything else up for the Lightning. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1288921' first='Maddoc' last='Coapstick'] (10.2) and [player_tooltip player_id='2397264' first='Collin' last='Decker'] (7.2) provide some veteran leadership as the lone seniors on the roster. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bettendorf's big three of seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2397255' first='Cole' last='Odefey'] (20.3, 8.3 rebounds), [player_tooltip player_id='1951786' first='Ben' last='Kerkhoff'] (14.0), and [player_tooltip player_id='1484416' first='Amari' last='Washington'] (12.5, 7.2 rebounds) are going to be too big and physical for the Lightning here. Odefey is a 6-5 athletic and powerful wing who uses his strength to his advantage on both ends, and Washington is a big, physical forward with soft hands and good touch. Kerkhoff provides length at 6-6/6-7 on the wing, and despite a shaky start to his shooting this season, he can get really hot from the 3-point line and carry this group for stretches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top 50 prospects<br></span>2025 #29 [player_tooltip player_id='1951786' first='Ben' last='Kerkhoff'] (Bettendorf)<br>2025 #36 [player_tooltip player_id='2397255' first='Cole' last='Odefey'] (Bettendorf)<br>2027 #4 [player_tooltip player_id='2118611' first='Jerimiah' last='Washpun'] (Liberty)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>11:30 am: Prairie (3-1) vs. Ames (6-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second game of the day provides an interesting contrast in styles between the up-and-down Hawks and the defensive-minded Little Cyclones. Prairie is led by three double-figure scorers in [player_tooltip player_id='2397337' first='Jace' last='McDermott'] (12.5), [player_tooltip player_id='2419791' first='Austin' last='Joens'] (11.8), and [player_tooltip player_id='2731874' first='David' last='Fason'] (10.5), while four others average between 5.5 and 9.8 a night, giving them seven reliable scoring threats. They like to play fast, share the ball well, and have a number of players who can really shoot it from the arc. The Hawks have a trio of skilled sophomores they're excited about in Joens, [player_tooltip player_id='2419754' first='Quantae' last='Alexander'] (7.5, 3.5 assists), and [player_tooltip player_id='2419840' first='Cayden' last='Larson'] (5.8). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ames is always one of the best defensive teams in the state, and this year is no exception. Their blend of length, athleticism, quickness, and the coaching of Vance Downs makes them a difficult nut to crack on a nightly basis. Guards [player_tooltip player_id='1381418' first='Jamison' last='Poe'] (10.9, 1.7 steals), [player_tooltip player_id='1978102' first='Will' last='Thomas'] (10.0, 1.3 steals), and [player_tooltip player_id='2820092' first='Isaiah' last='Knight'] (8.6) are able to play very aggressively knowing they have junior big man [player_tooltip player_id='1765516' first='Marach' last='Dau'] (8.0, 1.4 blocks) protecting the rim behind them. They like to play deeper into the shot clock than Prairie does, and it will be interesting to see which team is able to dictate the tempo here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top 50 prospects<br></span>2025 #49 [player_tooltip player_id='1381424' first='Abe' last='Vos'] (Ames)<br>2025 #50 [player_tooltip player_id='1381418' first='Jamison' last='Poe'] (Ames)<br>2026 #19 [player_tooltip player_id='1765516' first='Marach' last='Dau'] (Ames)<br>2026 #39 [player_tooltip player_id='1978102' first='Will' last='Thomas'] (Ames)<br>2027 #18 [player_tooltip player_id='2419791' first='Austin' last='Joens'] (Prairie)<br>2027 #24 [player_tooltip player_id='2419754' first='Quantae' last='Alexander'] (Prairie)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>1:00 pm: Iowa City West (4-2) vs. Assumption (2-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second MVC vs. MAC game of the day features the top-ranked player in the state's 2025 class, Butler signee [player_tooltip player_id='1381414' first='Jack' last='McCaffery'] (24.8). McCaffery is the lone player averaging in double-figures for West, using his 6-8 frame and incredible talent to score in bunches from anywhere on the floor. Junior forwards [player_tooltip player_id='1765527' first='Julian' last='Manson'] (9.8, 8.0 rebounds) and [player_tooltip player_id='1792287' first='Mason' last='Goering'] (8.3, 53.7 FG%) give them some more athleticism and toughness on the glass and around the rim. The Trojans don't shoot it well from the 3-point line (22.9% as a team), an area that will obviously need to improve quite a bit if they are going to make some noise in Class 4A in a few months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defending 3A champions from Davenport Assumption have had a bit of a rough start to the season, but they've played three of those games without star guard [player_tooltip player_id='1759900' first='Damyen' last='Jackson'], who is averaging 18.3 points and 4.0 assists a game. We're unsure what his status is heading into this one. If he's unable to go, seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1759943' first='Braylon' last='Thomsen'] (12.7), [player_tooltip player_id='2397362' first='Joey' last='Funderburk'] (11.7, 9.2 rebounds), and [player_tooltip player_id='2511468' first='Isiah' last='Rose'] (6.0), and juniors Henry Stremlow (10.8) and [player_tooltip player_id='1552452' first='Synceare' last='Simons'] (7.3) will all see more opportunities. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top 50 prospects<br></span>2025 #1 [player_tooltip player_id='1381414' first='Jack' last='McCaffery'] (Iowa City West)<br>2025 #21 [player_tooltip player_id='1759900' first='Damyen' last='Jackson'] (Assumption)<br>2026 #14 [player_tooltip player_id='1765527' first='Julian' last='Manson'] (Iowa City West)<br>2026 #49 [player_tooltip player_id='1792287' first='Mason' last='Goering'] (Iowa City West)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2:30 pm: 4A #4 Linn-Mar (5-1) vs. Ankeny (2-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the exception of a blowout loss to Cedar Falls, Linn-Mar has been impressive to start the season behind their big three seniors - [player_tooltip player_id='1381412' first='Davis' last='Kern'] (20.2, 3.3 blocks), [player_tooltip player_id='1514455' first='Mason' last='Matson'] (11.7, 4.7 assists), and [player_tooltip player_id='1484413' first='Payson' last='Nietert'] (10.3, 38.5 3P%). Kern, a future South Dakota State forward, can score inside and out, protect the rim, and is a skilled passer out of the post. Matson puts constant pressure on opposing teams with his speed, handles, and relentless attacking, and Nietert is a big wing who can really shoot it. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2204894' first='Tyler' last='Hilton'] (8.7) has emerged as a solid two-way threat for the Lions this season, using his length and size to impact the game, while [player_tooltip player_id='1381427' first='Trey' last='Wright'] (7.7, 4.5 assists), a City High transfer, gives them another ball-handler and defender on the wing. The Lions are deeper this year than they have been for the last few years, with players like [player_tooltip player_id='2114707' first='Karson' last='Rains'] (5.7) and Max Robertson (5.0) stepping into big roles off the bench.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ankeny lost a lot of production off of last year's state tournament team, but junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1977422' first='Rio' last='Aguirre'] (22.7, 40.0 3P%) is a big-time player who can score from all three levels at an efficient clip. He has really developed as a playmaker as well this season, leading the team with 4.0 assists a game. [player_tooltip player_id='2381210' first='Jasani' last='Campbell'] (9.7) is a talented ball-handler and slasher and has had some good moments in his sophomore year. That tandem will do a lot of the heavy lifting for the Hawks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top 50 prospects<br></span>2025 #2 [player_tooltip player_id='1381412' first='Davis' last='Kern'] (Linn-Mar)<br>2025 #13 [player_tooltip player_id='1484413' first='Payson' last='Nietert'] (Linn-Mar)<br>2025 #22 [player_tooltip player_id='1514455' first='Mason' last='Matson'] (Linn-Mar)<br>2025 #31 [player_tooltip player_id='1381427' first='Trey' last='Wright'] (Linn-Mar)<br>2026 #12 [player_tooltip player_id='1977422' first='Rio' last='Aguirre'] (Ankeny)<br>2027 #9 [player_tooltip player_id='2381210' first='Jasani' last='Campbell'] (Ankeny)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>4:00 pm: 4A #5 Senior (4-0) vs. 4A #8 Waukee Northwest (5-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first of three ranked-vs.-ranked matchups to close out the event features what should be a fun one between two teams that have scored in bunches to start the year. Senior is averaging 70.8 points a game behind the strength of juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1172887' first='Tevin' last='Schultz'] (19.8, 8.8 rebounds) and [player_tooltip player_id='1765555' first='Drake' last='Medinger'] (17.0). Schultz is an athletic forward who can score insdie and out, posting 61-40-70 shooting splits so far this season, while Medinger is a gifted three-level scorer on the wing. [player_tooltip player_id='1288904' first='Mekyael' last='Hall'] (12.0), [player_tooltip player_id='1765536' first='Cooper' last='Porter'] (8.8), and Drew Francois (7.2) are all solid scorers as well, and the Rams go pretty deep into their bench comfortably. Wendell Eimers is one of the top defensive coaches in the state, but he has been playing to his strengths more this season and playing faster than usual. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northwest is averaging 66.6 points per game behind their senior guard tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='1288891' first='Bode' last='Goodman'] (18.0, 5.0 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id='2119115' first='Peyton' last='McCollum'] (12.4, 5.6 assists). The duo complements each other well, with both able to play with or without the ball in their hands. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1978099' first='Colin' last='Rice'] (12.0, 2.4 blocks, 40.9 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='1643192' first='Landon' last='Davis'] (6.3, 3.6 blocks) are high-upside players in the 2026 class who impact the game on both ends of the floor with their overwhelming length. The Wolves had a number of new players on the roster this year with transfers, move-ins, and freshmen newcomers, and they haven't quite clicked 100% yet, but there is a ton of talent here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top 50 prospects<br></span>2025 #9 [player_tooltip player_id='1288891' first='Bode' last='Goodman'] (Waukee Northwest)<br>2025 #12 [player_tooltip player_id='2119115' first='Peyton' last='McCollum'] (Waukee Northwest)<br>2025 #39 [player_tooltip player_id='1381411' first='Jalen' last='Johnson'] (Senior)<br>2026 #4 [player_tooltip player_id='1978099' first='Colin' last='Rice'] (Waukee Northwest)<br>2026 #5 [player_tooltip player_id='1172887' first='Tevin' last='Schultz'] (Senior)<br>2026 #7 [player_tooltip player_id='1643192' first='Landon' last='Davis'] (Waukee Northwest)<br>2026 #15 [player_tooltip player_id='1765555' first='Drake' last='Medinger'] (Senior)<br>2026 #22 [player_tooltip player_id='1765536' first='Cooper' last='Porter'] (Senior)<br>2027 #5 [player_tooltip player_id='2419793' first='Mack' last='Heitland'] (Waukee Northwest)<br>2027 #39 [player_tooltip player_id='2530471' first='Tate' last='McCollum'] (Waukee Northwest)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>5:30 pm: 4A #3 Kennedy (4-1) vs. 4A #6 Johnston (6-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kennedy won't go undefeated in the regular season for a third straight year, but make no mistake, the Cougars haven't gone anywhere. They're scoring in bunches, averaging 87 points a game so far this season, and senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1381415' first='Trey' last='McKowen'] (24.2, 6.6 assists) has been absolutely fantastic to start the year. The future Upper Iowa guard has been dominant as a three-level scorer (57-37-88 shooting splits), playmaker, and defender. [player_tooltip player_id='1951791' first='Reuben' last='Schlaak'] (12.4, 44.0 3P%) has emerged as the team's secondary scorer, and big man [player_tooltip player_id='1381406' first='Landon' last='Deiters'] (9.8, 63.6 FG%) has been excellent in the paint. He has battled injuries throughout his high school career and looks healthier and stronger than ever. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2399474' first='Sharief' last='Thomas'] (9.6) and [player_tooltip player_id='1978105' first='Justin' last='Powell'] (8.6) have been solid so far this season as well, giving the Cougars some more scoring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Kennedy scores in bunches, Johnston counters with one of the best defensive units in the state. The Dragons, coached by defensive wizard Courtney Henderson, are deep, athletic, quick, long, and really disciplined, and they'll certainly be looking to dictate the tempo here. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765517' first='Tino' last='Daye Jr'] (18.6) is the team's leading scorer, the only Dragon averaging in double digits. He's a quick guard who loves to play downhill and attack the rim, but he's also a skilled shooter and passer. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1381420' first='Jalen' last='Richardson'] (9.0) is the headliner of the group defensively. He has great length and versatility on that end of the floor. Daye, [player_tooltip player_id='1592892' first='Prestige' last='Taylor'] (8.4), [player_tooltip player_id='2419846' first='Nicare' last='Cavil'] (6.3), Ahvy Taylor (3.3), and [player_tooltip player_id='2148648' first='Emri' last='Jones'] (1.8) are all good on-ball defenders on the perimeter, and [player_tooltip player_id='1484411' first='Carter' last='Loney'] (3.4) and [player_tooltip player_id='1381421' first='Nitish' last='Sankaranthi'] (2.4) provide the Dragons with some length and size around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top 50 prospects<br></span>2025 #8 [player_tooltip player_id='1381415' first='Trey' last='McKowen'] (Kennedy)<br>2025 #17 [player_tooltip player_id='1381420' first='Jalen' last='Richardson'] (Johnston)<br>2025 #38 [player_tooltip player_id='1592892' first='Prestige' last='Taylor'] (Johnston)<br>2025 #48 [player_tooltip player_id='1484411' first='Carter' last='Loney'] (Johnston)<br>2026 #17 [player_tooltip player_id='1765517' first='Tino' last='Daye Jr'] (Johnston)<br>2027 #15 [player_tooltip player_id='2148648' first='Emri' last='Jones'] (Johnston)<br>2027 #36 [player_tooltip player_id='2164515' first='Jaxson' last='Bean'] (Kennedy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>7:00 pm: 4A #1 Cedar Falls (5-0) vs. 4A #2 Valley (6-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As you can see by the number of top 50-ranked prospects in this game that these two rosters are loaded, so it should come as no surprise that they're the top two teams in the state as of now. Cedar Falls has been extremely impressive, posting blowout wins over Linn-Mar and Iowa City West, as well as a really quality home win over Kennedy. A team with a ton of talent that complements each other really well, they move the ball at a brisk clip, making the defense constantly scramble to cover everyone. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1765553' first='William' last='Gerdes'] (14.8, 3.2 blocks) is the headliner of the group, a long and bouncy 6-8/6-9 forward who passes it well out of the post, protects the rim, and finishes well at the bucket. They then surround him with a ton of shooting in the forms of [player_tooltip player_id='1199979' first='Anthony' last='Galvin'] (17.8, 50.0 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='1777914' first='Jaydon' last='Kimbrough'] (11.2, 41.7 3P%), and [player_tooltip player_id='1759953' first='Keegan' last='Steege'] (9.8, 50.0 3P%). Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1765549' first='Leyton' last='Wolf'] (6.4) has had a bit of an up-and-down start to his junior year, but he has the size, athleticism, and talent to be an impact two-way player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite playing their first seven games without star guard [player_tooltip player_id='1288899' first='Xzavion' last='Robinson'] (recovering from football injury), the two-time defending champs from Valley have gotten off to a strong start that includes a really good win over Waukee Northwest. Robinson is getting closer to returning from his injury, but it remains to be seen whether or not he'll be able to suit up for this massive tilt. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1765532' first='Jayden' last='McGregory'] (16.9) has taken advantage of Robinson's absence, emerging as a reliable wing scorer from all three levels. He's a really good athlete who can play on or off the ball as well as a strong perimeter defender. [player_tooltip player_id='1381407' first='Kiki' last='Deng'] (16.6), a four-year starter, gives them more length, athleticism, and talent on the wing, and sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2272195' first='Keane' last='Jorgensen'] (7.6, 52.6 3P%) has stepped into the starting lineup and given them a real threat from 3-point range. That said, the headliner of the group, at least until Robinson returns, is senior center [player_tooltip player_id='1759895' first='Trevin' last='Jirak'] (14.9, 5.0 assists, 2.9 blocks), a future Northern Iowa big man. Jirak is one of the best passers in the state, regardless of class or position, and his ability to protect the rim defensively is rivaled by few in the state as well. His unique two-way ability with a 6-9/6-10 frame makes him an incredibly difficult matchup. His battle with Gerdes will be worth the price of admission alone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Top 50 prospects<br></span>2025 #3 [player_tooltip player_id='1759895' first='Trevin' last='Jirak'] (Valley)<br>2025 #4 [player_tooltip player_id='1288899' first='Xzavion' last='Robinson'] (Valley)<br>2025 #6 [player_tooltip player_id='1199979' first='Anthony' last='Galvin'] (Cedar Falls)<br>2025 #11 [player_tooltip player_id='1381407' first='Kiki' last='Deng'] (Valley)<br>2026 #3 [player_tooltip player_id='1765553' first='William' last='Gerdes'] (Cedar Falls)<br>2026 #9 [player_tooltip player_id='1765549' first='Leyton' last='Wolf'] (Cedar Falls)<br>2026 #13 [player_tooltip player_id='1765532' first='Jayden' last='McGregory'] (Valley)<br>2026 #23 [player_tooltip player_id='1777914' first='Jaydon' last='Kimbrough'] (Cedar Falls)<br>2027 #34 [player_tooltip player_id='2272195' first='Keane' last='Jorgensen'] (Valley)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->