State Tournament: Monday Game Recaps

4A Quarterfinal: #4 Waukee Northwest 71, #5 Kennedy 64

Much like it played out in the regular season meeting, the size and overwhelming length of Waukee Northwest was simply too much for Kennedy to overcome, with the Wolves outlasting the Cougars and moving into the Class 4A semifinals with a 71-64 win on Monday morning.

Northwest led wire-to-wire, but things did get a bit interesting in the fourth quarter behind the play of Kennedy guard Trey McKowen Trey McKowen 5'11" | PG Kennedy | 2025 State IA . He had 19 points in the final quarter, briefly bringing the Cougars back to within five points, but that was as close as they could get in the final 16 minutes.

The Wolves dominated the painted area in this game, outscoring Kennedy 30-10 in points in the paint, out-rebounding them 28-18, and scoring 11 second-chance points. The junior tandem of 6-7 Colin Rice Colin Rice 6'8" | SG Waukee Northwest | 2026 State IA and 6-8 Landon Davis Landon Davis 6'8" | PF Waukee Northwest | 2026 State IA were too big, too long, and too athletic for Kennedy to contend with.

Northwest improves to 22-3 with the win and will await either Cedar Falls or Dubuque Senior in the semifinals on Wednesday night. The Wolves were led by Colin Rice Colin Rice 6'8" | SG Waukee Northwest | 2026 State IA , who had 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists in the win. Peyton McCollum Peyton McCollum 6'1" | PG Waukee Northwest | 2025 State IA and Landon Davis Landon Davis 6'8" | PF Waukee Northwest | 2026 State IA each had 14 points, and Bode Goodman Bode Goodman 6'2" | PG/SG Waukee Northwest | 2025 State IA added 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Kennedy’s season ends with a 20-5 record and the school’s fourth straight trip to the state tournament. Senior guard Trey McKowen Trey McKowen 5'11" | PG Kennedy | 2025 State IA , one of the best players in the program’s recent history, led the Cougars with 31 points in his last game playing for his dad. Jaxson Bean Jaxson Bean 6'1" | PG/CG Kennedy | 2027 State IA had 11 points, and Rebuen Schlaak added 10 in the loss. The Cougars will lose four starters from this year’s team, but have a nice group of young talent in the program, and if we’ve learned anything about a Jon McKowen program, they will remain competitive.

Team stats
Kennedy: 21-48 FG (43.8%), 11-26 3P (42.3%), 11-14 FT (78.6%); 18 rebounds (6 offensive); 8 assists, 6 turnovers
Waukee Northwest: 27-47 FG (57.4%), 11-26 3P (42.3%), 6-8 FT (75.0%); 28 rebounds (9 offensive); 19 assists, 10 turnovers

MVP: 2026 Colin Rice Colin Rice 6'8" | SG Waukee Northwest | 2026 State IA (Waukee Northwest) — 26 points (10-13 FG, 4-5 3P, 2-2 FT), 9 rebounds, 3 assists

The junior wing was sensational in this game on both ends of the floor, showcasing why he holds a number of mid-major offers, and why a number of high-major programs are sniffing around. His ability to score from all three levels, control the glass, and use his length to make life difficult for opposing players.

4A Quarterfinal: #1 Cedar Falls 71, #8 Senior 49

Cedar Falls looked every bit the part of the top-ranked team in the state in a thorough demolition of eighth-seeded Dubuque Senior on Monday afternoon, rolling to a 71-49 win, to set up a date with Waukee Northwest in Wednesday night’s Class 4A semifinals.

Senior led 4-3 early on four Drake Medinger Drake Medinger 6'2" | SG Senior | 2026 State IA free throws, but after Anthony Galvin Anthony Galvin 6'0" | PG Cedar Falls | 2025 State IA buried his first 3-pointer with 5:05 left in the first quarter, it was all Cedar Falls from there. The Tigers held Senior without a field goal for the first 9:25 and held a 43-19 lead at halftime.

A clinic in team basketball on both ends of the floor, Cedar Falls shredded what has been an excellent Senior defense with their ball movement and ability for multiple players to create off the dribble. The Tigers shot 76.2% (16-21) from the floor in the first half, including a perfect 8-8 from the 3-point line, and were 28-47 (59.6%) for the game. They led by as many as 29 in the win.

Cedar Falls improves to 22-2. They were led by Anthony Galvin Anthony Galvin 6'0" | PG Cedar Falls | 2025 State IA , who had 26 points on 9-12 shooting (7-8 3P). William Gerdes William Gerdes 6'8" | PF Cedar Falls | 2026 State IA and Jaydon Kimbrough Jaydon Kimbrough 6'4" | PG Cedar Falls | 2026 State IA each chipped in 14 points in the win.

Senior’s season ends with a 17-7 record and their second straight state tournament appearance. The Rams were led by Drake Medinger Drake Medinger 6'2" | SG Senior | 2026 State IA , who had 16 points and 7 rebounds. Tevin Schultz Tevin Schultz 6'7" | PF/SF Dubuque Senior | 2026 State IA added 10 in the loss. They’ll bring back their top three scorers, a few bench players, and have a very good sophomore team that they’ll be able to plug some holes in with. With the talent returning, and Wendell Eimers on the sideline, the Rams will once again be a state tournament caliber team next season.

Team stats
Senior: 17-41 FG (41.5%), 7-14 3P (50.0%), 8-11 FT (72.7%); 19 rebounds (7 offensive); 7 assists, 13 turnovers
Cedar Falls: 28-47 FG (59.6%), 11-21 3P (52.4%), 4-8 FT (50.0%); 26 rebounds (8 offensive); 9 assists, 8 turnovers

MVP: 2025 Anthony Galvin Anthony Galvin 6'0" | PG Cedar Falls | 2025 State IA (Cedar Falls) — 26 points (9-12 FG, 7-8 3P, 1-2 FT), 3 rebounds, 1 assist

Galvin was electric in this one, knocking down his first six 3-point attempts and going 7-8 from the arc overall in the dominant win. A smart, skilled lead guard who can shoot it off the dribble and the catch, he was in complete control in this one.

4A Quarterfinal: #2 Linn-Mar 69, #7 Waukee 60

It wasn’t always the prettiest basketball, but after a 13-year absence from state tournament basketball, Linn-Mar will take a win any way they can get it, and they did just that on Monday afternoon, racing past Waukee, 69-60. The win advances the Lions to the Class 4A semifinals, where they’ll await either Valley or Ames.

A first half rock fight ended with Linn-Mar taking a 19-18 lead into the locker room. The teams combined to shoot 14-50 (28%) from the floor in the first 16 minutes, and the play was extremely physical. Waukee did a great job on Linn-Mar star Davis Kern Davis Kern 6'8" | PF Linn-Mar | 2025 State #244 Nation IA in the first half, holding the nearly 23-point-a-game scorer to just 3 first half points.

Kern exploded in the third quarter, scoring 12 of his team-high 24 points in the third frame to help the Lions grab control of the game. They led the entire second half, with Waukee never getting closer than seven, extending the margin as to as many as 17 in the fourth quarter. A late flurry from Waukee and several Lion turnovers against pressure made things a little more interesting, but the cushion the Lions had built was too much for the Warriors to overcome.

Linn-Mar improves to 22-2 and moves into the semifinals for the first time since 2012. The Lions were led by Davis Kern Davis Kern 6'8" | PF Linn-Mar | 2025 State #244 Nation IA , who had 24 points before fouling out late. Tyler Hilton Tyler Hilton 6'6" | SF Linn-Mar | 2026 State IA had 16 points and 17 rebounds, and Payson Nietert Payson Nietert 6'7" | SF Linn-Mar | 2025 State IA added 14 in the win.

Waukee’s season ends with a 18-7 record and the school’s 12th state tournament appearance. Evan Jacobson Evan Jacobson 6'7" | C Waukee | 2026 State IA led the Warriors with a game-high 27 points. Jaishon White Jaishon White 6'1" | PG Waukee | 2026 State IA added 12 in the loss. The Warriors will bring back four starters from this year’s team and should enter next season as one of the top 5 teams in the state.

Team stats
Waukee: 21-57 FG (36.8%), 6-25 3P (24.0%), 12-21 FT (57.1%); 30 rebounds (13 offensive); 8 assists, 12 turnovers
Linn-Mar: 23-48 FG (47.9%), 5-13 3P (38.5%), 18-29 FT (62.1%); 36 rebounds (10 offensive); 13 assists, 14 turnovers

MVP: 2026 Tyler Hilton Tyler Hilton 6'6" | SF Linn-Mar | 2026 State IA (Linn-Mar) — 16 points (6-11 FG, 0-1 3P, 4-6 FT), 17 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal

Kern was the story of the second half, but it was Hilton’s strong play that kept a reeling Linn-Mar offense afloat in the first half. His work on the glass was fantastic, battling against Jacobson all night, notching a massive double-double to help the Lions secure their first state tournament win in 13 years.

4A Quarterfinal: #3 Valley 53, #6 Ames 50

Sometimes the first one is the hardest to get. Only time will tell for Valley, looking to become just the second 4A school to win three straight state championships. The Tigers survived a real scare from a very good, tough Ames team, winning 53-50 to advance to the Class 4A semifinals where they’ll meet Linn-Mar.

Using a gameplan of deliberate, long possessions with ball reversals and drive-and-kick, Ames was able to slow a potent Valley attack, limiting the Tigers to just 5 fast break points. They got a ton of great looks from the 3-point line, going 9-20 from the arc.

A late Valley second quarter flurry gave the Tigers a 27-22 lead heading into the break, and they were able to extend it to 10 points early in the fourth quarter. Valley started to take the air out of the ball with about four minutes left, running clock and then attacking the rim late in the shot clock. They weren’t able to convert on a majority of their chances, opening the door for Ames. They whittled it down to 2 points with 1:21 to play, then were forced to give some fouls late. Jayden McGregory Jayden McGregory 6'1" | PG Valley | 2026 State IA split a pair of free throws with 14.2 seconds left to play, and Abe Vos Abe Vos 6'2" | SG Ames | 2025 State IA got a really good look at a game-tying 3 but it hit the back of the iron and fell away. Tigers survive. Tigers advance.

Valley improves to 21-3 with the win. The Tigers were led by Jayden McGregory Jayden McGregory 6'1" | PG Valley | 2026 State IA , who had 21 points. Trevin Jirak Trevin Jirak 6'9" | C Valley | 2025 State #349 Nation IA had 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Ames’ season ends with a 21-3 record and their third state tournament appearance in the last four years. The Little Cyclones were led by Manny Lueth Manny Lueth 6'3" | SF Ames | 2025 State IA , who had 20 points off the bench. Abe Vos Abe Vos 6'2" | SG Ames | 2025 State IA added 11 in the loss. They will lose three starters and their top bench player, but a Vance Downs team is always going to be tough defensively and very competitive, so count them out at your own risk.

Team stats
Ames: 20-45 FG (44.4%), 9-20 3P (45.0%), 1-1 FT (100.0%); 25 rebounds (6 offensive); 13 assists, 9 turnovers
Valley: 18-48 FG (37.5%), 5-17 3P (29.4%), 12-21 FT (57.1%); 30 rebounds (13 offensive); 5 assists, 4 turnovers

MVP: 2025 Trevin Jirak Trevin Jirak 6'9" | C Valley | 2025 State #349 Nation IA (Valley) — 20 points (8-14 FG, 1-2 3P, 3-5 FT), 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal

The future Northern Iowa big man was dominant as a low-post scorer and physical presence in the paint on the defensive end. His activity on the glass, and the vision that he has allowing them to invert the offense, gives them another dimension.

3A Quarterfinal: #1 Clear Lake 57, #8 Central DeWitt 34

It took the top-ranked Lions a little while to get things rolling in their 3A quarterfinal against a short-handed Central DeWitt team, but they found their stride in the second half, rolling to a 57-34 win to advance to Thursday’s Class 3A semifinals. They will await the winner of the Storm Lake-ADM game to follow.

Playing without star forward Ryan Watters, who was sitting on the bench in street clothes with a cast on his left hand, Central DeWitt played tough for the first 12 minutes or so but a late flurry from the Lions gave them a 30-20 lead at the half.

The second half is when the Lions really hit the gas. Outside of a 1:19 stretch early in the third quarter in which the margin was 8 points, they led by double digits, pushing the lead to as many as 23 in the fourth quarter.

Clear Lake dominated the glass, winning the rebounding battle 38-17, and scored an eye-popping 40 points in the paint.

Clear Lake’s undefeated season keeps rolling on, improving to 25-0. The Lions were led by Thomas Meyer Thomas Meyer 6'4" | PF Clear Lake | 2025 State IA , who had 14 points and 9 rebounds to lead a balanced attack. Nine different Lions scored in the win.

Central DeWitt’s season ends with a 13-12 record and the school’s sixth state tournament appearance. The Sabers were led by Max Burgmeier Max Burgmeier 6'2" | SG Central DeWitt | 2025 State IA , who had 14 points in his final game. They will bring back three starters but will lose their top two scorers from this group.

Team stats
Central DeWitt: 13-41 FG (31.7%), 4-18 3P (22.2%), 4-8 FT (50.0%); 17 rebounds (5 offensive); 8 assists, 10 turnovers
Clear Lake: 23-46 FG (50.0%), 2-11 3P (18.2%), 9-13 FT (69.2%); 38 rebounds (12 offensive); 11 assists, 8 turnovers

MVP: 2025 Thomas Meyer Thomas Meyer 6'4" | PF Clear Lake | 2025 State IA (Clear Lake) — 14 points (5-11 FG, 4-5 FT), 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 4 steals

Far and away the best athlete on the floor, Central DeWitt simply had no answer for Meyer in the paint or on the glass. He controlled the game on both ends of the floor.

3A Quarterfinal: #5 ADM 59, #4 Storm Lake 53

A hard-fought, physical game went in favor of ADM on Monday night, as the Tigers used a 15-7 run in the third quarter to gain some separation en route to a 59-53 win over Storm Lake, sending ADM into the Class 3A semifinals on Thursday afternoon.

In the first half, it looked like perhaps the explosive athleticism of Storm Lake may be the difference-maker. Star wing Jaidyn Coon Jaidyn Coon 6'7" | SF Storm Lake | 2026 State #132 Nation IA had a fantastic opening quarter on the glass and as a rim protector, and his presence as a shot blocker was a prevalent theme throughout this one, turning away five shots and altering several others. A tight, back-and-forth game for most of the first half saw Storm Lake take a narrow 26-25 lead into the locker rooms.

The teams went scoreless for nearly three minutes to start the third quarter before a cutting Trey Bryte Trey Bryte 6'5" | PG ADM | 2026 State IA layup gave ADM just their second lead of the game. Storm Lake answered with a free throw to tie it on the ensuing possession, but ADM scored 12 of the next 14 points to grab control. Storm Lake never got closer than 5 points the rest of the way.

One of the big adjustments made by ADM coach Trevor Mickelson was to have 6-5 forward Cade Fisher Cade Fisher 6'5" | PF ADM | 2025 State IA step away from the rim more, initiating the offense from the top of the arc. This move drew Coon away from the rim, where he was making it nearly impossible for the Tigers to score, and the Tigers started picking apart Storm Lake’s defense with backcuts for layups, knowing there wasn’t as much rim protection lurking at the bucket.

ADM improves to 22-4 with the win and will take on top-ranked Clear Lake in the semifinals. Those teams met in the regular season, in a game also played at Wells Fargo Arena, a 78-62 Clear Lake win. The Tigers were led by Hudson Shull Hudson Shull 5'11" | SG ADM | 2026 State IA and Trey Bryte Trey Bryte 6'5" | PG ADM | 2026 State IA , who each had 13 points. Hudson Lorensen Hudson Lorensen 5'11" | SG ADM | 2026 State IA and Cade Fisher Cade Fisher 6'5" | PF ADM | 2025 State IA each chipped in 12 points, with Fisher adding 19 rebounds and 5 assists.

Storm Lake’s season ends with a 22-2 record and the school’s first state tournament appearance since 1994. The Tornadoes were led by Jaidyn Coon Jaidyn Coon 6'7" | SF Storm Lake | 2026 State #132 Nation IA , who had 16 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Timothy Yanga Timothy Yanga 6'3" | SG Storm Lake | 2027 State IA added 10 points in the loss. As a team they blocked 8 shots, showcasing their length and athleticism. They’ll bring back all but one player from this year’s team and will have 91% of their scoring returning. They should be one of the top 5 teams in the class heading into next season.

Team stats
ADM: 22-55 FG (40.0%), 6-18 3P (33.3%), 9-11 FT (81.8%); 38 rebounds (12 offensive); 13 assists, 7 turnovers
Storm Lake: 20-54 FG (37.0%), 6-20 3P (30.0%), 7-10 FT (70.0%); 32 rebounds (10 offensive); 8 assists, 8 turnovers

MVP: 2025 Cade Fisher Cade Fisher 6'5" | PF ADM | 2025 State IA (ADM) — 12 points (5-8 FG, 0-1 3P, 2-2 FT), 19 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal

The 6-5 forward was absolutely dominant on the glass all night against a more explosive, athletic Storm Lake frontline. Limiting second chance points for the Tornadoes was huge, as was his playmaking from the high-post area when the adjustment was made to drag Coon out to the perimeter.

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
Central DeWitt	8	12	8	6	34
Clear Lake	11	19	13	14	57

State Tournament: Monday Game Recaps

In this article:

August Rankings Update: Who moved up the rankings in Iowa’s 2028 class?

2028 Rankings Update: Stock Risers in the Top 30

Updated 2028 Iowa Rankings

Class 1A: Top 10 Returning Rebounders

Class 1A: Top 10 Returning Scorers

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
Kennedy	8	15	11	30	64
Waukee Northwest	14	20	16	21	71

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
Senior	5	14	12	18	49
Cedar Falls	19	24	17	11	71

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
Waukee	7	11	16	26	60
Linn-Mar	8	11	24	26	69

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
Ames	10	12	12	16	50
Valley	12	15	14	12	53

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Final
ADM	11	14	17	17	59
Storm Lake	12	14	8	19	53