State Tournament: Championship Friday's Top Performers

2026 SF [player_tooltip player_id='1978099' first='Colin' last='Rice'] (Waukee Northwest)   Rice may have helped himself as much as any player in the state this week, delivering three great games to help Northwest to a runner-up finish. He played with some real toughness throughout the course of the week, while also showcasing his ability to score from anywhere on the floor. His size and length is a real asset on both ends of the floor, and he looks like he's primed to have another dominant summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2075630' first='Martin' last='Brothers']. He had 18 points on 8-17 shooting (2-6 3P), 15 rebounds (7 offensive), 2 assists, and a steal in the title game loss to Valley.   2026 SG [player_tooltip player_id='1765532' first='Jayden' last='McGregory'] (Valley)   McGregory was special this week, taking over the 4A tournament with his ability to create quality looks for himself and his teammates off the dribble. He took over both the semifinal and championship games on the offensive end, scoring 26 points on 8-12 shooting (1-2 3P, 9-11 FT) with 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and a block, and he probably delivered the play of the game when he split a double team near the top of the key, drove down the left side of the lane and then showed his vision with a beautiful dime to [player_tooltip player_id='1759895' first='Trevin' last='Jirak'], who put an exclamation point on the title game win with a powerful dunk.   2025 PF [player_tooltip player_id='1759895' first='Trevin' last='Jirak'] (Valley)   The future UNI big man was once again really good on both ends of the floor against Northwest, scoring 13 points on 6-9 shooting (1-2 3P) with 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks. He has been the anchor and the consistent weapon for the Tigers throughout the course of the season, and he was once again great in helping the Tigers seal the 3-peat.   2025 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1288899' first='Xzavion' last='Robinson'] (Valley)   Robinson had his best game of the week in the title game, scoring 15 points on 5-8 shooting (1-4 3P, 4-6 FT) with 6 rebounds, 4 assists, a block, and a steal. He has been great in three straight state title games, stepping up and performing in a big way when the lights are the brightest. The future Iowa State receiver is a freak athlete who can do a little bit of everything for you on the hardwood.   2025 PF [player_tooltip player_id='1951793' first='Owen' last='Vander Pol'] (MOC-Floyd Valley)   Vander Pol set the tone for the Dutchmen early in their title game win over top-ranked Clear Lake, scoring a pair of early buckets on the block and showing good footwork, toughness, and touch around the rim. They were able to consistently dump it down to him to get buckets on the block, and he showed a few different go-to post moves that impressed. He had 13 points on 6-7 shooting with 5 rebounds and 2 blocks to help MOC win their first title since 2005.   2025 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1523401' first='Ahman' last='Langton'] (MOC-Floyd Valley)   A quick lefty guard who can really put pressure on opposing teams with his speed and change of direction, Langton was able to get into the paint consistently against the Clear Lake guards, and when he got there he showed a really nice floater that he uses to score over bigger defenders. He had 11 points on 5-7 shooting (1-2 3P) with 3 assists and a steal in the Dutchmen win.   2025 PF [player_tooltip player_id='1381416' first='Thomas' last='Meyer'] (Clear Lake)   Meyer was fantastic all week for the Lions, and he was really good again in the 3A title game, scoring 19 points on 6-11 shooting (2-4 3P, 5-6 FT) with 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal. A physically imposing, athletic forward who is a force around the rim with his physicality, he showed that he can also step out and stretch the floor as well as get his teammates involved with impressive vision.   2027 SG [player_tooltip player_id='2377642' first='Carson' last='Riser'] (Clear Lake)   Riser is a sophomore guard who can really shoot it from the 3-point line, going 4-8 from the arc in the Lions' title game loss. He shoots it really well off the catch, moves well without the ball in his hands, and has unlimited range. He had 14 points, 3 rebounds, an assist, and a steal against the Dutchmen.   2025 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1759936' first='Carson' last='Hoogeveen'] (West Lyon)   Hoogeveen has been one of the best guards in the state over the last few years and he got a chance to showcase that this week. He played really well against the top-ranked Wolfpack in the 2A title game loss, showing the ability to knock down shots from well beyond the high school line, get to the bucket off the dribble, and create quality looks off the dribble. He has great footwork and handles that he uses to create space to get his shot off.   2026 SF [player_tooltip player_id='2413626' first='Landon' last='De Stigter'] (Western Christian)   A long, skilled wing who will be one of the focal points of the Wolfpack's attack next year, De Stigter concluded a great week at the state tournament with 15 points on 6-10 shooting (1-3 3P, 2-2 FT), 6 rebounds, an assist, and a block. He shoots it well from the catch, gets to the rim off the dribble or off of good off-ball movement, and has the length and IQ to provide some real versatility on the defensive end.   2028 PG [player_tooltip player_id='2772345' first='Tayden' last='Moret'] (Western Christian)   The 6-1 point guard came off the bench while some regulars battled foul trouble and I thought he was really, really good on both ends of the floor. He doesn't look like a freshman on the floor, taking command of the offense and handling the ball well. And defensively he was stellar against Hoogeveen, moving his feet, contesting shots, and rotating where he needed to. He had 7 points on 3-5 shooting (1-2 FT), a rebound, and an assist, but his impact on the game went well beyond the box score. I don't think Western Christian repeats without his performance off the bench.   2025 SG [player_tooltip player_id='1174816' first='Toryn' last='Severson'] (Madrid)   Severson concluded a fantastic week at the state tournament with another great showing in the title win over Marquette Catholic. An extremely skilled offensive weapon, he was able to deliver a quality look whenever Madrid really needed one, putting his head down and getting to the paint, where he either got all the way to the rim or finished with a tough floater. He had 21 points on 7-11 shooting (0-1 3P, 7-8 FT) with 6 rebounds, an assist, and 2 blocks.   2025 PG [player_tooltip player_id='2398087' first='Fabian' last='Ortiz-Alaniz'] (Madrid)   Ortiz-Alaniz is one of the best isolation players in small-school basketball. He's a fantastic ball-handler with a great first step and change of direction that he uses to shake defenders, and he knows how to create space to get his shot off. When his 3-pointer is falling, Madrid is nearly impossible to defend. He's a confident scorer with a pure stroke off the dribble, and he put on a show, especially in the first half, during the title game win. He finished with 18 points on 7-13 shooting, including going 4-6 from the 3-point line.   2025 SF [player_tooltip player_id='2721446' first='Jacob' last='Litterer'] (Marquette Catholic)   Litterer was honored for being an Academic All-State performer at halftime of the championship game, and then nearly led a big comeback in the second half, scoring 14 of his 19 points after the break, including going 3-6 from the 3-point line. His development over the course of the last year was the biggest reason that the Defenders were even back in a spot to play for the 1A title, and he was really good on Friday night, showing the ability to score from all three levels and provide some versatility on the defensive end.

2026 SF Colin Rice Colin Rice 6'8" | SG Waukee Northwest | 2026 State IA (Waukee Northwest)