Class 4A State Tournament Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#1 seed: Cedar Falls (21-2)<br></span>About the Tigers:</strong> The Tigers are one of two 4A teams to rank within the top 6 in both scoring offense (6th, 69.4 points per game) and defense (44.7), and they've routinely blasted quality teams throughout the course of the season. They've been ranked #1 all year by the IHSAA rankings committee, and are capable of exploding and dropping a 20-0 run on anyone. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1765553' first='William' last='Gerdes'] (16.9, 2.0 blocks, 68.1 FG%) is the leader of the group on both ends of the floor. A 6-8 forward who can score inside and out, he's garnering Power 5 interest and is one of the top two-way players in the state. They're able to surround him with a ton of shooting, with [player_tooltip player_id='1777914' first='Jaydon' last='Kimbrough'] (12.5, 40.4 3P%), [player_tooltip player_id='1199979' first='Anthony' last='Galvin'] (12.5, 41.5 3P%), and [player_tooltip player_id='1759953' first='Keegan' last='Steege'] (9.0, 40.3 3P%) all shooting above 40% from the 3-point line, and each is capable of having explosive stretches of shotmaking. [player_tooltip player_id='1765549' first='Leyton' last='Wolf'] (8.3) is a potential difference maker with his combination of size, physicality, and three-level scoring, and this is a group that comfortably goes 8 or 9 deep into their bench. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>They've been the top-ranked team in the state all year for a reason. They hold a 27-point win over Linn-Mar, a 38-point win over Iowa City West, a 16-point win over Valley, and several other notable notches on the resume belt. A balanced team with a ton of shooting, size, and versatility, they're capable of beating anyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#2 seed: Linn-Mar (21-2)<br></span>About the Lions: </strong>Since a surprising loss to Ankeny on January 4, Linn-Mar has been on fire, winners of 15 straight games. The Lions have arguably the best player in the 4A field in senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1381412' first='Davis' last='Kern'] (22.9, 9.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 3.2 blocks), a versatile offensive weapon who can score inside and out as well as protect the paint defensively. With his size at 6-8/6-9, he's a matchup problem with his pure stroke, great footwork, and touch around the rim. Junior wing Tyler Hilton (11.6, 62.7 FG%) has provided some size, length, and defensive versatility, and the addition of City High transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1381427' first='Trey' last='Wright'] (7.8) has given them a real lock-down defender on the perimeter. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1484413' first='Payson' last='Nietert'] (11.0, 41.9 3P%) and [player_tooltip player_id='1514455' first='Mason' last='Matson'] (10.7, 4.3 assists, 50.8 3P%) give the Lions two more dynamic scorers who can really help space the floor and allow Kern more room to operate. This group doesn't go very deep into their bench, but their starting five is about as good as it gets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>They have one of the most dominant players in the state leading the way in Kern, a South Dakota State signee, and they've been scorching hot, winning 15 straight games, including four against state tournament teams (3A Xavier, Kennedy, Senior, Cedar Falls). Surrounding Kern with a number of skilled shooters, they can beat you in a number of ways. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#3 seed: Valley (20-3)<br></span>About the Tigers:</strong> The two-time defending champions may be the #3 seed here, but is anyone really going to be discounting this team? If they sense the slightest bit of doubt from anyone, be sure they'll use that as motivation en route to a potential 3-peat. They're led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1288899' first='Xzavion' last='Robinson'] (16.4, 3.7 assists, 50.3 FG%) and forward [player_tooltip player_id='1759895' first='Trevin' last='Jirak'] (16.2, 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks), one of the best one-two punches in the state. Robinson is an elite athlete who can dominate the game on both ends of the floor on the perimeter, while Jirak is a dominant two-way force on his own right in the paint. [player_tooltip player_id='1765532' first='Jayden' last='McGregory'] (15.5, 50.4 FG%) has had a breakout junior year as a two-way wing, and [player_tooltip player_id='1381407' first='Kiki' last='Deng'] (12.0) is one of the top perimeter defenders in the state. The Tigers may not have Curtis Stinson Jr anymore, but this is still the team to beat in the class until someone beats them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>Four starters from last year's state title team are still on the roster, and that type of experience is invaluable here. They can absolutely overwhelm teams with their length and athleticism when they break out the halfcourt trapping defense, and they're led by arguably the best coach in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#4 seed: Waukee Northwest (21-3)<br></span>About the Wolves: </strong>The Wolves are the only team in the state to rank in the top 5 in both scoring offense (4th, 72.4) and defense (5th, 49.8). After getting off to a bit of a slow start, expected given the massive amount of move-ins and transfers, Brett Watson has this group playing exceptional basketball, ranking 1st in BC Moore's power ranking system. Senior guards [player_tooltip player_id='1288891' first='Bode' last='Goodman'] (17.3, 5.0 assists, 3.2 steals) and [player_tooltip player_id='2119115' first='Peyton' last='McCollum'] (13.5, 5.5 assists, 54.7 FG%) give them a pair of dynamic playmakers and scorers in the backcourt. Each does a great job protecting the ball (Goodman 3.75 assist-to-turnover ratio, McCollum 2.59), can score from all three levels, and does a great job getting their teammates involved. Junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1978099' first='Colin' last='Rice'] (11.8, 1.8 blocks, 37.8 3P%) is a long, skilled wing who can do a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor, and forward [player_tooltip player_id='1643192' first='Landon' last='Davis'] (10.1, 3.8 blocks, 72.8 FG%) is arguably the most impactful defender in the state with his ability to protect the rim. [player_tooltip player_id='2419793' first='Mack' last='Heitland'] (7.0, 50.0 3P%) gets overshadowed by those four, but play off of him at your own risk, as he's an elite shooter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>This group is balanced, extremely skilled, has a pair of elite playmakers in the backcourt, and has the length and size to throw a ton of different defensive looks at you. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#5 seed: Kennedy (20-4)<br></span>About the Cougars: </strong>Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1381415' first='Trey' last='McKowen'] (22.3, 4.9 assists, 3.8 steals) paces a Cougars attack that is second in the state in points per game, averaging 73.6 a contest. McKowen has been fantastic in his senior year, getting to his spots off the dribble seemingly whenever he wants as well as facilitating and defending at a high level. [player_tooltip player_id='1381406' first='Landon' last='Deiters'] (9.0, 60.0 FG%), a senior big man, has been playing the best basketball of his career this season and provides some size and toughness in the paint, but the rest of the faces surrounding McKowen and Deiters are pretty new. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1951791' first='Reuben' last='Schlaak'] (12.4, 46.4 3P%) and junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2399474' first='Sharief' last='Thomas'] (6.8, 39.8 3P%) provide some shooting alongside McKowen in the backcourt, and as usual, Kennedy is able to go pretty deep into their bench.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>McKowen is one of the most dynamic players in the state and he has a ton of big-game experience from their runs the last few years. Coach Jon McKowen is one of the best coaches in the state and will certainly have a few wrinkles to throw at teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#6 seed: Ames (21-2)<br></span>About the Little Cyclones: </strong>The top defensive team in the state, the Little Cyclones are allowing just 38.7 points per game. They've held six teams to 30 or fewer points this season, and they can just absolutely smother teams on that end of the floor. It starts with guard [player_tooltip player_id='1381418' first='Jamison' last='Poe'] (9.6, 3.3 assists), a small but feisty guard who is a sensational on-ball defender. [player_tooltip player_id='1951821' first='Manny' last='Lueth'] (9.4), [player_tooltip player_id='2820092' first='Isaiah' last='Knight'] (8.0), and [player_tooltip player_id='1978102' first='Will' last='Thomas'] (6.4) provide more length and athleticism on the wing as defenders, and [player_tooltip player_id='1381424' first='Abe' last='Vos'] (10.4, 52.2 FG%) is the team's leading scorer and is a solid team defender in his own right. The Little Cyclones' aggressiveness on the perimeter defensively is tough for teams to handle, and if they are able to penetrate it, 6-8 big man [player_tooltip player_id='1765516' first='Marach' last='Dau'] (8.7, 2.0 blocks), who has tremendous length, is waiting behind them as the last line of defense. This is a really balanced offensive team that is comfortable operating late in the shot clock, and with Vos (39.7 3P%), Lueth (42.0 3P%), and Thomas (36.8 3P%), they have a bit more shot making than they've had in previous years to pair with their elite defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>The old adage is that defense wins championships, and nobody does defense better than Ames. Their ability to hold teams down for long stretches and drag games into the mud is the type of style that can win games at Wells Fargo Arena.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#7 seed: Waukee (18-6)<br></span>About the Warriors: </strong>Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1765524' first='Evan' last='Jacobson'] (17.9, 8.9 rebounds, 1.2 blocks) is the headliner for the Warriors. He's an athletic big man who holds a ton of Power 5 offers on the gridiron, but he has been fantastic as a junior on the hardwood as well. He can score inside and out, protect the rim, and control the glass. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1978110' first='Jaishon' last='White'] (14.8) is a quick, downhill attacker who puts constant pressure on opposing defenders, as does running mate [player_tooltip player_id='1765539' first='Max' last='Roach'] (8.3, 3.4 assists). [player_tooltip player_id='1951798' first='Maverick' last='Inman'] (9.3, 50.0 3P%) has been great as a floor spacer, and freshman wing [player_tooltip player_id='2594655' first='Pete' last='Craig'] (7.1, 5.7 rebounds, 1.4 blocks) does a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor. The Warriors aren't terribly deep, but they have a starting five that really complements each other well and a go-to weapon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all: </strong>Jacobson is one of the best two-way players in the state, and they surround him with some really nice weapons who can beat you in a number of different ways. They've proven they can play with the top teams in the state, beating Waukee Northwest, Dowling Catholic, Johnston, and Western Christian this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">#8 seed: Senior (17-6)<br></span>About the Rams:</strong> Senior stumbled down the stretch of the regular season, closing it with four straight losses, but those losses came to Linn-Mar, Cedar Falls, Prairie, and Valley, about as tough a four-game stretch as you can have this season. They've rebounded nicely in postseason play, handling both North Scott and the Prairie rematch to get here. Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1172887' first='Tevin' last='Schultz'] (18.5, 7.1 rebounds) and classmate guard [player_tooltip player_id='1765555' first='Drake' last='Medinger'] (13.4, 51.1 3P%) are an explosive one-two punch offensively who can each score from all three levels and put pressure on opposing defenses. They headline the team offensively, but the Rams are able to comfortably go 8 deep in the rotation and have five players averaging between 5.0 and 8.1 points per game, giving them some real balance among the supporting players. This is an athletic group that can really get after you defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why they can win it all:</strong> In Schultz and Medinger, they have a dynamic one-two punch that can carry them on the offensive end, and they have the depth and athleticism to really get after teams on the defensive end of the floor. Coach Wendell Eimers has coached a ton of teams at the state tournament and will have this group ready to go. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Staff Picks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Tony<br></span><strong>Quarterfinals: </strong>Cedar Falls, Waukee Northwest, Linn-Mar, Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Semifinals: </strong>Waukee Northwest, Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Champion: </strong>Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->